Happy Thanksgiving! And, Project: Food Budget–Week 8

I am not really sure how it got to be Thanksgiving time. This year, more than any before it, has really seemed to fly by around the Test Kitchen. It seems like yesterday was New Year’s Day.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, friends, and food traditions. And, if you go to overboard on the food, just remember tomorrow is another day. Start your Friday off with a green smoothie to set the tone for a healthy day, and maybe consider a new workout routine! Personally, I’m going to jump into this one for a few months starting Friday before triathlon season kicks up again.

I had two visits to the store this week. One by foot to the IGA to get a few items to get me through a few days while 2Chli was out of town, and one “real” trip.

Above was the backpack trip: $20.06. There is an IGA about 1.2 miles from our house, so it wasn’t that big of a jaunt, but it turned out to be a great workout because it was in 6” of fresh snow. I know I am sick and twisted, but I quite enjoyed the weighted backpack on the return journey (which is uphill) with the snow resistance.

This was the “real” shopping trip: $56.73 at Trader Joe’s.

All told: $76.79

I have been on a huge broccoli kick lately and don’t really know why. But, that’s why there is broccoli in both pictures!

I usually make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, but alas, my pie plates are in Seattle and we are in Bend, so it was store-bought this year. And, I bought another box of veggie burgers. I have to say, the Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie patties from Trader Joe’s are pretty tasty and nutritionally fairly sound. I usually like to make veggie patties, but these do make a convenient lunch or dinner when you just don’t have a lot of time, and they aren’t through the roof on sodium as are most veggie burgers.