Hi Everyone! How are you? I am doing well. Due to my antenna television I am currently enjoying my first episode of The New Adventures of Old Christine. It’s kind of funny.
I went to Mark’s gym again. I am not brave enough to use the machines yet. I don’t know what it is. I think it’s all the giant tanned dudes walking around. I wish I could take pictures to show you the people who frequent a North Jersey gym in the middle of the day. No pictures, but I did run 4 miles and ellipticized for 20 mins. while reading Shape w/ the girl from High School Musical on the cover.
After this I went (sweaty and nasty) to Target to get a coffee pot. I couldn’t take another caffeineless morning. I also had to buy some milk because I made a fatal error last week … I bought milk that expired the very next day. Grrr. I got Silk Soymilk Light because it was on sale, doesn’t expire until March and Mark believes he can’t have cow milk (even though he eats copious amounts of cheese and yogurt). I’ve never had soy milk, so I will have to let you know what happens tomorrow! Anyone drink this? What can I expect? Anyway, it brought this week’s total was more like $121.
Also, I made a marvelous side dish today! Creating it made me happy.
Sweet Potato Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- Brussels Sprouts
- Sweet Potatoes
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Black Pepper
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Dijon Mustard
- Honey
I microwaved about 2 cups of frozen Brussels Sprouts for 30 seconds, then cut them in half. I cut a sweet potato into circles, and then halved them and nooked for about 2 mins so they were a little soft. In a pan, I heated olive oil and garlic, then I added the Brussels Sprouts, sweet potatos and a little black pepper. I cooked them until the BSs started to get a little crisp and almost burnt on the ends. About 3-4 minutes Then I poured in some balsamic vinger and dijon mustard and stirred everything around. When everything was done I drizzled a tube of honey from Christmas stocking on top.
It was delicious and mad the perfect side dish to my dinner.
Food Shopping on a Budget Month
I can already see how I am not very good at food shopping on a budget. When I was buying milk at Target it took a lot today for me not to grab a few “must have” food items. I would have grabbed a bag of blue corn tortilla chips if I did not remember our goal this month is to save money on food. They were glaring at me from the end of the aisle, but I resisted those and the Z-bars!
In my quest, I’ve been searching online for tips. I found these today here from Shape.
Put It In Writing
“Jot down your grocery list at home and stick to it at the store,” says Thompson. Deciding what you need in advance helps you avoid pricey impulse buys.
Make Your Own Snack Packs
“Fill small baggies with 100-calorie servings of whole-grain cereal or crackers instead of buying individually wrapped packages,” says Holly Scherer, R.D., a health educator at the University of Michigan.
Eat Meat Sparingly
“Beef, poultry, and fish can add up to as much as a quarter of your food budget,” says Judith Rodriguez, R.D., a nutrition professor at the University of North Florida. Try thrifty sources of protein, like beans, eggs, and tofu.
Divide and Conquer
Take advantage of produce bargains at wholesale stores by splitting the bounty with friends or neighbors. “Sharing allows you to avoid waste and save cash,” says Hope Warshaw, R.D., author of Eat Out, Eat Right.
Stock Up On Staples
Use coupons to stock up on nonperishable items like pasta, canned beans, and marinara sauce. “That way you’ll have healthy options on hand and won’t need to order in as often,” says Thompson.
I like the idea of making my own snack packs! It’s the only way I would have any self-control around some of my favorite treats! I think the hardest thing for me, and definitely Mark, is planning meals. I am sort of the kind of person who decides what I want to eat right before I make it. So, my questions for today are … (1) Do you meal plan; and (2) If so, how do you do it? Thanks everyone and have a great night!
