Nourishing The Soul

Lenten SNAP Challenge 2012-Final Week 6

My 40 days are up. Last Friday was the last day for our Lenten challenge. I began to run low or out of “stuff” (coffee, olive oil, cereal, nuts, whey protein, stevia, etc) and had not made my trail mix in three weeks. I only did OK this year and didn’t approach what I saved last year…mainly because I used what was already in my freezer rather than waiting for the weekly ads though most of my meat was bought on sale. We also ate more fish this challenge than last year and the shrimp/fish we ate were wild/sustainable (read:more expensive) as was our organic beef and chicken. I tried to stick to primal most of the time (still dairy-free except for yogurt, no cheese whatsoever). Searching for a little variety in my green smoothies I did end up using sugar-free jello to flavor a few of them. Oh, don’t hate me cuz I love creamsicles. I found out the bottomless pit I married doesn’t like cheap apples…He didn’t like Rome apples or Golden Delicious. Have to cough up extra for his favorites. Though food prices have gone up there still seems to be a few good deals around: all winter greens (most in the $1 range), sweet potatoes, avocados (always on sale), organic bananas (.59 lb., ripened ones for banana muffins .49), lemons still 5 for $1, organic cereals 2 for $5, and bag of broccoli slaw is still $2.49, the same I paid a year ago and it’s a summer staple around here.  I promise to do better next challenge. Promise.

Drum roll please:

Total spent this *short* week: $47.72

SNAP allotment: $61.20

Difference: $13.48

Total difference to date: $128.91 under allotment. Cutting a check to the local food bank…Christian Helping Hands in Pearland, Texas.

Going to go make me some trail mix.   

Lenten SNAP Challenge 2012-Week Five

Counting down on the challenge. This week and next week and then it’s history. Have been eating well and we can’t complain. Got the grill cleaned up and cooked mostly on that. Little kids coming over and eating all my bananas and apples so had to replenish. Having problems with timing of ripeness of tomatoes/bananas/avocados which resulted in an extra trip to store *sigh*. Deal o’ the week was regular large *not organic eggs* for $1.77 (18). Mingled them with my organic ones which were actually $2 a dozen the previous week. Took advantage of a sale at Whole Paycheck and bought 8 lbs wild shrimp for future meals. No compulsive buying that visit. Bought shrimp and left. That may be my costliest protein this week at $5.99 lb. Running out of “stuff” so this week may be $70+. If I could only get those grand kids to bring their own treats….

Total spending for week four: $64.88

SNAP allocation:$85.68

Difference: $20.80

Total difference to date: $100.64 under allotment

Menu this week: 

Monday:

B- yogurt me, oatmeal DH, coffee-every morning

L- green smoothie

D- onion quiche, sweet potato hash

Tuesday

B- eggs, bacon, both of us

L- leftover quiche

D- chorizo stuffed peppers and salad

Wednesday

B- yogurt with fruit me, cereal DH

L- green smoothie

D- Lentils, (a Wednesday habit—DH loves these things), 

chopped kale salad 

Thursday

B- bacon eggs, both

L- fruit smoothie

D- lamb lemon meatballs, greek salad 

Friday

B- yogurt with fruit me, oatmeal DH

L- green smoothie

D- BBQ shrimp, massive salad

Saturday

B- bacon eggs, both of us

L- something pulled from freezer

D- balsamic grilled chicken, roasted cauliflower, salad

Sunday

B- at church

L- out

D- ribeye steak, spinach/strawberry/pecan salad

SNAP Challenge 2012-Week Three

Came in way under this week because…….I’m not home. Called away to San Antonio for Gramma duty. I will eat whatever my DD has for the kids (toddlers who eat pretty darn good-steak, salmon, meatballs) and there is always salad since she is a vegetarian.

No bacon this week either *sigh* We did not eat the steak or have the wedding soup or seafood stew—all higher ticket items. I made a shepherd’s pie on Thursday using one pound grass fed beef. I kept adding veg after veg and before I knew it I had a BUTT LOAD of shepherd’s pie so I made two more huge servings for my DH while I’m away. He’s also eating the church supper leftover lentils and he’s allowed to scrounge in freezer until I get home and he knows where the nearest Wendy’s is located.

At any rate it’s a very cheapo week. Looking at upcoming week it looks like I will make up for that. Proteins alone are almost $40.00. Need to eyeball those lentils again. Note: I soaked the lentils for 24 hours prior to cooking and rinsed and rinsed. My digestive system was whisper quiet. Plan to buy some bulk nuts this week too, but only what I need. When I run out…I run out. 

Total for this week…….an astoundingly cheap $42.00 *rounded off because I can’t find my register tape*

SNAP Allocation………………..$85.68

Difference……………………….$43.68

Difference to date…………… $66.12 UNDER allotment 

Going to a discount produce place here in San Antonio with DD and hope to find those elusive (cheaper) nuts. Have gone 5 days without my paleo diet-friendly trail mix.

Menu for week #3

Monday 12

B- protein smoothie for me, oatmeal for DH

L- chopped veggie salad

D- curried cauliflower/carrot soup and asparagus/tomato (marinated) salad

Tuesday 13

B- eggs sausage for both

L- leftover soup

D- slow cooker pork roast, sweet potato/root veg hash

Wednesday 14

B- Greek yogurt for me, oatmeal for DH

L- leftover soup

D- olive oil poached salmon, marinated tomatoes/artichoke hearts *and whatever else is in the fridge*

Thursday 15

B- salmon and eggs, cereal for DH

L- salmon salad

D— bacon burgers *grass fed beef* with homemade sweet potato fries

Friday 16

B- yogurt eggs for both of us

L- (leftover) salmon/hard boiled egg salad

D- grilled wild shrimp, roasted romaine with parmesan

Saturday 17

B- banana muffins *hope I have some ripe bananas*

L- Smoothie for me, sandwich for DH

D- slow cooker corned beef brisket, cabbage, *found small brisket for $5.96*

Sunday  18

B- at church

L- green smoothie

D- rib eyes and spinach/strawberry salad