This week could be otherwise known as the week the wheels fell off (sort of). I had a couple items on the list that I don’t normally buy which put us about $10 over. Not too big of a deal in the scheme of things, really, but still – I aim to do better next week!
Goal: $75
Actual: $85.78
This week, 2Chili asked for the chili I used to make before I went all vegified on him, which includes ground beef, so I obliged. I also bought a can of salmon, and a 3lb bag of sweet potatoes on a whim. Those three items pretty much account for my overage.
Here’s the detailed look:
| Trader Joe’s | Qty. | Extended Price ($) |
| TJ’s Mini Frosted Shredded Wheats | 2 | $5.98 |
| Organic Sweet Potatoes – 3 lbs | 1 | $3.69 |
| TJ’s Clover Honey | 1 | $4.49 |
| TJ’s Organic Salt Free Marinara | 2 | $4.58 |
| Organic Quinoa | 1 | $3.99 |
| Canned Salmon No Salt | 1 | $1.99 |
| Mini Milk Chocolate Bars | 2 | $3.58 |
| Greek Yogurt | 2 | $5.58 |
| All Purpose Unbleached Flour | 1 | $2.99 |
| Bananas | 9 | $1.71 |
| Kiwi | 8 | $3.12 |
| Dried Bing Cherries | 1 | $3.49 |
| Dried Cranberries | 1 | $2.49 |
| Dry Toasted Pecan Pieces | 1 | $3.99 |
| Organic Fat Free Milk – 1 Gallon | 1 | $5.69 |
| $57.36 | ||
| Amazon Fresh | Qty. | Extended Price ($) |
| WestSoy Seitan | 1 | $4.29 |
| Tropicana Orange Juice | 1 | $6.79 |
| Organic Prairie, Lean Ground Beef, 1 lb | 1 | $6.99 |
| Uncle Ben’s Brown Rice | 1 | $2.99 |
| Mission Flour Tortillas | 1 | $3.29 |
| Bush’s Chili Beans | 1 | $1.29 |
| Dole Pineapple Tidbits | 2 | $2.78 |
| $28.42 |
Observations for the Week:
- 2Chili still prefers meat in his chili, but not too much. He thought one pound of ground beef for a big potful was a too much, which is interesting, because back in the day when I only made chili con carne, it always had one pound of ground beef. His tastes have clearly adapted to a mostly meat-free lifestyle.
- I couldn’t bring myself to actually make his chili with the Bush’s Chili Beans – there is just so much sodium in them. I just bought the beans to get the recipe (which I couldn’t find online), as that was the base of what I used to make in the past. I plan to donate the can at my indoor triathlon on March 20, where they’re having a food drive.
Menu for the Week:
I am being lazy in the kitchen this week. I have a crazy week of swimming 5 out of 7 days, which requires so much more time and planning that my other workouts, so I’m cutting a few corners! I planned ahead and had lots of leftovers in the freezer for just this week.
- Monday: Chili for 2Chili, leftovers Bean Bolognese for me
- Tuesday: Seitan Sandwiches and Roasted Broccoli
- Wednesday: Chili for 2Chili, Sweet Potato Pancakes for me
- Thursday: Lentil Loaf Sandwiches (frozen leftovers)
- Friday: Cashew Cheese Ziti (frozen leftovers)
- Saturday: Homemade Pizza
- Sunday: Stir fry of some sort
Buddies in Budgeting:
- Emily Levenson
- Maria Marz
- Veggie Converter
- Dairy-Free Cooking
- Motor City Girl In the Steel City
- Veggie Burgher
- Sweet Rehab
- The Happy Cactus
- The Vegetarian Salmon
- Newly Vegan
- Always Sick and Tired
- Veggie on the Cheap
- MeloMeals: Vegan For $3.33 A Day
- A Guy, A Girl, And a Dinner Plate
View Comments (6)
One trick I learned from Mark Bittman was to add bulgar wheat to chili. It mimics the texture of meat. It definitely doesn’t have the flavor, but maybe you could reduce the amount of ground beef that you add while keeping up the texture of the chili.
Oh, what a great suggestion, thanks Audrey! I have tried TVP in the past, but that got a big thumbs down. I bet the bulgur wheat would go un-noticed. I am going to try it with the next batch. I just love that Mark Bittman!
i’m always amazing at how well you stay on budget.
and those sweet potato pancakes sound awesome!
HA, well, I definitely try. It helps that my husband has a very small palate. ? Sweet potato pancakes = my favorite pancakes ever!
I second the bulgar wheat addition. We do that here. And yay! Now you can start buying the small pack of meat or making a double batch. Amazing how their tastes adapt.
I’m totally feeling lazy this week, too. A lot of convenience foods. What’s the deal with the canned salmon. Is it on sale lately? You’re the fourth person who has mentioned buying it recently.
I am SOLD on the bulgur wheat! Very excited about this!
I can’t speak for the others, but, this post over at Dishin’ About Nutrition inspired me to make salmon cakes, but I got sidetracked with Emily’s bean cakes so the salmon cakes are delayed.
We are united in laziness this week!