It’s Ba-aaaa-ckkk! Project: Food Budget Take 2
One of my favorite internet peeps, Emily, is at it again, and is brining back her wildly successful Project: Food Budget. Being the glutton for punishment eager budgeter that I am, I have signed up to take part once again.
But, this time will be different.
Last go round, I shared down to the line-item details with you of my weekly grocery shopping. A trend emerged last time, and I basically bought very similar items from week to week, especially once I cancelled my CSA, so I don’t think I’ll share exact line items every week.
Also different is the fact that – at least for now – we own two homes in two different states. While we both hope that is only a temporary condition (anyone need a nice house near Microsoft?! HA!), the fact is that you just never know where we are going to be and when we are going to be there.
One thing that has really been on my mind lately is that I get told all the time that eating healthfully is just too expensive or too time consuming or just plain too difficult. So, this time, I want to prove that a person can eat a healthy diet that is full of fruits and vegetables without breaking the bank or slaving in the kitchen for four hours a day. It is definitely possible – I do it day in, and day out! And, with a 60 hour plus work week, a triathlon obsession, and two pets and a husband that need things, if I can do it, anyone can!
This time, I’m doing a monthly budget instead of a weekly budget. I have decided a food budget of $350/month is a reasonable objective. It is not excessive nor excessively restrictive. The balance will come in not double-buying and really planning when we are going be be where!
Want to come along on the journey? Pop over to Emily’s page and let her know.
Week 1 Results
I am in Seattle this week, while 2Chili is in Bend with the pets. I have no idea what he is spending, but, he pretty much lives on peanut butter sandwiches and quesadillas when I am not around, so we’re going to call it “insignificant,” mmm-kay?
My total damage was $29.33 at Whole Foods Market, and I bought mostly produce, including this amazing organic mango from California. Have you ever seen such a thing? I thought it was a papaya at first because it is so big!
What else did I buy?
- 2 lbs of strawberries
- 1 pint of cherry tomatoes
- 2 avocadoes
- 5 bananas
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 4 peaches
- 4 nectarines
- A cucumber
And, a few other things, like prepared butternut squash soup (with a coupon!), and some dish soap (with a coupon!). I was careful to buy only things I can use in a week’s time, and, that is working well. Based on what I have left today, I should be pretty much right on target, though I may have to freeze some fruit.
Menu:
Because I am not cooking for two this week, my menu was a little more random than usual. I made a big pot of brown rice pilaf over the weekend, and it was added to a variety of items, including:
And, lots and lots of raw fruits and veggies for snacks.
Budget Buddies
Check out my fellow Project: Food Budget buddies:
- Emily Levenson
- Dairy-Free Cooking
- Red Pen Mama
- Acquired Tastes
- Fit Flexitarian
- Warm As Pie
- Katy Rank Lev
- My Inner Healthy
- Little Blue Hen
- xox, b
- What da Health?
- Project Food Budget 2.0
- Ignition Nutrition
- A Nice Heart and a White Suit
Have a great weekend!
