Grocery Wallet Challenge Thoughts-

Beyond how much money I would budget for groceries for the month ($30) I didn't plan anything out. So, I'm starting to realize the things that won't go into my grocery cart this month. There will be virtually no prepackaged and ready to eat/heat foods. Unless I have a coupon that makes a convenience item almost free it stays on the shelf.
This is good for me because I rely too heavily on convenience items and less on my creativity in the kitchen. Homemade almost always tastes better and is better for you so we'll be eating better as a result.

I also didn't think about what I should cook first so as to minimize waste on food that I've already purchased.

Two dinners into the challenge and I realize that I have a handful of foods that will go to waste soon. My first challenge is to clean out the perishables in the refrigerator as much as I want to clear out my pantry.

Enter to Win Spring Give Away.

Ok, I finished my Spring Swap Shoebox for my Swap partner.

I have a few 'Springy' leftovers. There's some fun stuff in this little box.


I'm going to the post office in a few days.
If you want to win this little package then please leave me a comment on this post by 8 AM CST on Friday April 4th so I can put it in the mail.

The winner will be decided by random drawing.

First Day out shopping during the Wallet/Grocery Challenge

Little Guy and I stopped by Target today to kill some time before pre-school pick up.
(always a bad idea if you don't have a shopping list).

I had to keep reminding myself that I couldn't buy food. And since I'm on a personal product hiatus I couldn't buy that stuff either. One whole section of the store was off limits to me today. Which was freeing and weird.

I'm pretty sure I spent less. Our 1.00 popcorn/pop combo was a no go today. But, the toddler was pretty disappointed. I reminded him that we have popcorn at home.
Anyway, I got out of the store only spending $27. A lot of that was for small toys- like a new mess free bubble blower that the kids can share.

One side effect of our very restricted grocery budget is the extra dishes that get dirtied. The apples I cooked left a pan and plate dirty although everyone loved them and asked for seconds.
Last night's homemade pig blanket dough dirtied lots of dishes. However, the pigs in a blanket were a hit with everyone. I will use that biscuit recipe (I added some whole wheat flour and wheat germ) again.

On with my day.

Book Review: Have a Natural Christmas 1980

This small book is filled with simple ideas for homemade Christmas presents and extending a simpler holiday so you can get more joy out of the season.
There are simple instructions for making scented sachets, needlepoint stockings, checkers sets, and for making a wooden doll house that looks a lot like the one I used to have.

I'm all for a more joyous holiday season where how much money you spend (or save) is not the main goal. However, what draws me to this book are the simple yet delicious recipes. I haven't tried any yet (but will do so soon). But, I'm looking forward to making John's Fritter Batter, scratch corn bread, vegetable chili, apple and raisin dressing, wheat germ bread, and simple onion soup.

Here's a recipe for whole wheat pie crust:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup oil
4 tbsp. ice water

Mix with a fork until a ball is formed. Press into a greased 9 inch pan making a fluted edge on the outside. Prick with a fork. Fill and bake.


I found this little gem at the Goodwill on our last shopping trip.
You can see what it looks like here. Apparently, Rodale press published this yearly. I do not know if it's still being printed. They are definitely worth a look if you find one at a yard sale or a thrift store.

Waste Not- Want Not- Waste Not

This food challenge is already making me a little nervous about what we'll be eating at the end of the month.
Big Girl asked me for an apple (a snack she eats almost daily) and all we came up with was three partially mushy ones. Well, previously I might have just thrown them in the garbage or outside for squirrel food. Today, I cut off the gross part then peeled and chunked up the good part to cook.

I now have cinnamon and honey stewed apples with raisins to serve for dessert tonight. And it counts as a fruit too.



*sorry for the lack of pictures. our camera is experience technical difficulties.*

Weekly Menu Planner

Monday- cheesy veggie dog Pigs in a blanket (find a recipe for biscuits)- salad with lots of tomatoes. Cooked apples

Tuesday- Incredibly Easy Split Pea Soup, Bread and butter
*update- This soup recipe is easy and delicious! It makes a large pot too.*


Wednesday- Sloppy Joes (made with re-hyrdrated tvp and a scratch sauce - green beans - orange slices


Thursday- leftovers smorgasbord


Friday- Pizza Night (mushroom and pepperoni)- ice cream for dessert.


Saturday- Beanie Weenie- corn bread- (make bbq beans)

Sunday- Ravioli from the freezer- glazed carrots- bread.

The "What's in Your Wallet?" Challenge Begins..

Photo taken from mypyramid.gov.


My $30.00 for a month of groceries challenge starts today. The biggest obstacle will be for me to keep my children fed nutritiously without using up our precious dairy and fruits too quickly. That is where the bulk of our money will go this month.
To prepare I've started researching and downloading the food pyramid to make sure we get the required amounts of each food group without going overboard. I have to really start trying to get a cup of veggies into a little boy that won't eat a vegetable unless it's in a sweet potato pie or cooked in a can of sodium heavy soup.
I sent hubby to work with a baggie full of half the candy in our kitchen. Since we have no holidays or parties to go to this month I don't think our candy stock will be refilled.

So far this morning Little Guy has filled his dairy quota with a cup of milk and a cup of yogurt and one third of his grain quota with fake cheerios.