Meals:
Hey there! How is your week going? Mine always goes better if I plan my meals out so I don’t have to think whenever the inevitable question is asked, “Mom, what’s for dinner???” So I map out my meal plans and document my grocery trips here to keep me on track. I don’t always succeed in doing everything I plan. Some weeks I get about 80% done, some are only around 50%. But there is great comfort in knowing that things are planned out and shopped for, and that we have “the stuff to make that!” Unless you have teenagers and husbands at home that eat everything and foil your plans, which does happen around here quite often. So I have to be flexible.
Last week I didn’t get a chance to make most of the snacks I had planned, so I’m going with familiar snack recipes (smoothies) this week. I made those over the weekend with my little guys and stuck them in the freezer so they are ready to go! This week, I’m also trying some new lunch recipes. I love the leftovers, but sometimes it’s nice to have something different! What are you making this week?
Recipes:
In The Test Kitchen:
Cookie Dough Overnight Oatmeal
Recipes I’m Trying:
Homemade Italian Turkey Sausage
Food Babe’s Beet Hummus Collard Wraps (not so sure about the beets, might just do regular hummus)
Nori Wrap with Ginger, Fried Eggplant, Avocado and Brown Rice
Broccoli Chicken Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Honey Srichacha BBQ Chicken
Everything Else:
Homemade Breakfast Pizza
Juicy Buttermilk Porkchops
Pineapple Mint Smoothies
Brownie Batter Smoothies
Authentic Korean Bulgogi
The Carrot Cake Milkshake
Deals: 117.52
There were a few good clearance and sale deals out there this week. One pound blocks of cheese are frequently on sale at Kroger for $2.49. This time I picked up mild cheddar, sharp cheddar and colby jack. I found organic bananas on clearance at Kroger, so I picked up 11 pounds of them. When I got home, I peeled them and put them in gallon sized freezer bags. Into the freezer they went for smoothies and baking.
Kroger has their own brand of stevia and the prices are really good, even compared to Aldi. I picked up a large bag for baking for about $5 (as compared to nearly $8 for stevia in the Raw) and an 80 ct of packets that was cheaper than two of Aldi’s 40 ct boxes. No taste difference and no aftertaste like some brands have. A win for me! I go through the stevia pretty regularly (and I grow it too). It keeps me out of trouble!
Kroger: 24.44
1 large bag Kroger Stevia for baking 5.49
1 80-ct Kroger Stevia packets 3.59
2 cans diced tomatoes @ .50 ea
1 12-pk ramen noodles 2.39
1.35 lbs jalapeno peppers 1.34
1 bunch organic kale
1 bag red onions 1.99
2 qt strawberries @ 1.25 ea
11 lbs of organic bananas @ .49/lb
Kroger: 33.90
4 lbs chicken breasts @ 1.99 ea
2 bunches collard greens @ .77 ea
1 chuck roast @ 3.99/lb
8 oz peppered turkey breast 1.99
2.62 lb red grapes @ .99/lb
3 lbs cheese @ 2.49 ea
Aldi: $59.18
2 gallons milk @ 2.19 ea
1 32 oz plain yogurt 1.89
4 avocados @ .49 ea
4 lbs red onions @ .48/lb
3 bell peppers 1.29
2 pkgs portabella mushroom caps @ 1.29 ea
1 box graham crackers 1.35
1 bunch bananas @ .44/lb
1 qt strawberries 1.39
2 lbs shredded cheese @ 2.99/lb
1 lb bacon 2.99
1 pkg bun length weiners 2.99
1 pkg pepperoni 1.99
1 jar parmesan cheese 2.49
1 2L 100% grape juice 2.69
1 2L 100% organic apple juice 2.49
3 cans tuna fish @ .65 ea
2 cans organic black beans .79
1 24-pk fruit flavored waters 6.99
3 loaves bread @ .79 ea
2 pkg hot dog buns @ .85 ea
1 pkg hamburger buna .49
1 deodorant 2.49
What does your meal plan look like this week? How are you doing on your grocery budget? Let us know in the comments below!
The instant refried beans from Aldi’s are amazing! So much better than canned. We use them as a side or dip. Don’t be afraid to try them, I am so glad we did!
Thanks, Trish! I’ll pick some up next time I’m there if they still have them!
Yeah the instant beans were a limited run. I need to find what product they copied because those beans were amazing! Possibly the best beans I’ve had in the USA.