Okay, so I know there are only 3 days left in December. ;) But so far this week we've eaten leftovers, fish sticks and veggies, and an oven-roasted chicken and potato wedges. I've had headaches and have taken our week "off" to just be lazy, play, and take naps. ;)
Monday was our two-weeks-since-shopping day, but we didn't want to venture out in the after-Christmas crowds. So, Joshua went to QFC right down the road and picked up a few things on sale:
8 lbs of oranges -- $4.99
5.77 lbs of bananas -- $3.98
18 Lg eggs -- $1.99 (x3)
Ginger Ale -- $1 (x2)
Tums -- $3.49
Total: $20.43
I still have enough milk, frozen veggies, carrots, and potatoes from Costco, so I think we'll wait until after New Year's and then make a big trip there for "everything". In all, I'm so happy with our grocery spending for December! I've had variety to try new things, but we've also eaten quite a few cheaper things like pinto beans, cooked carrots, potatoes, and oatmeal. :)
The ginger ale was Joshua's idea, and he made some homemade egg nog and added ginger ale to it. Yummy! Then, he put some of the homemade egg nog into his ice cream maker and we had some delicious egg nog ice cream! The kids had ginger ale/egg nog "floats". I guess it's the winter version of a "root beer float". ;)
In January, I'll be continuing my bi-weekly grocery shopping! Planning a menu and then shopping bi-weekly at Costco seems to be the easiest and most time-efficient way for me to save money on our groceries. :)
I'm also joining Jessica at Good Cheap Eats for her January Pantry Challenge!
As Jessica says, this freezer challenge is NOT:
It is NOT a total abstinence of grocery shopping.
It is NOT putting stockpiling on hold.
It is NOT oatmeal and rice and beans until the cows come home.
For me, this challenge will be a continuation of fewer shopping trips, getting my freezers organized, and starting to make and store some freezer meals. I'll share more details on my freezer meal plans soon! :)
Be sure to visit the other bloggers who will be chronicling their January pantry challenges:
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
The Finer Things in Life
Getting Freedom from Debt
Good Cheap Eats
To boost myself out of "lazy mode", I've made a goal for each day the rest of this week/year. :)
This week's goals:
Today (Thursday): Clean up the house. We did some cleaning over the weekend, but I have a few things left: 1 bathroom, 1 load of laundry, and windows.
Friday: Organize our homeschool shelves, and anywhere else that's "overflowing". ;)
Saturday: Rest. :) Then, Saturday evening, write out my freezer meal ideas/plan/schedule.
My menu plan for the rest of the week:
Thursday: Pan-fried cod, green beans, black beans and rice
Friday:Spaghetti and meatballs, homemade garlic bread, green beans
Saturday: Leftovers, freezer-friendly bean and rice burritos, or something in the crock pot
Sunday: Eggs and oatmeal for breakfast, and then spending the day with friends (no cooking required from me!!) :)