Thanksgiving Challenge: Week 1
TOTAL: $17.09!!!!
Planning this week’s meals was super easy – I had so many ideas and only 4 dinners to plan! I probably could have spent even less and used more pantry items, but I am trying to keep up the variety and freshness of our usual meals. I am sure planning cheap meals and keeping costs at a minimum will only get harder with time as the pantry shrinks, but the challenge is off to a great start.
Before I left I went to Harris Teeter and Food Lion’s websites to see what they had on sale. I puttered around and planned a few meals and then made a list along with a cost estimate. I went in expecting to spend $24, but things were actually cheaper than I expected and I had totally forgot about our EarthFare employee discount, which is now more valuable than ever. I decided Food Lion wasn’t worth the extra trip since there were no extreme deals.
From EarthFare:
- Organic carrots
- Organic red grapes ($1.69/lb – cheaper than HT’s conventional ones at 2.79/lb)
- A lemon
- Organic collards (I didn’t really try to buy organic for this stuff, but the prices were good so I did)
- Portabella mushrooms (they were less than the cremini)
- 28 oz can of pumpkin
- A pomegranate on sale (2 / $4)
- BISON!!! 8 oz = $3.43
From Harris Teeter:
- Brussels sprouts (they were $2.50 ea. and were $3.99 at EF – worth the extra trip)
- And a huge a$$ bag of white potatoes for $1.99. The husband requested them for his meals while I’m in Chicago.
The husband will be posting next week’s meals when he goes grocery shopping next Saturday when I’m gone. I usually do all the planning because I love it and am pickier than he is, but next week it’s all in his hands. I imagine he’ll need more staples like bananas, milk and yogurt, so his week will be harder! That will probably mean no bison and using up the whole allotment. And since I spent less this week, he gets the bonus next week if he needs it.
I biked to and from EarthFare – such a gorgeous day!!! While there I was also fed 3 delicious types of cheese and had 2 cracker samples.
But I was still really hungry when I got home so I had a little snack mix –
Tonight’s dinner was scrumptious –
A Blue Cheese + Portabello Frittata. The combo was 2 portabello caps, 3 eggs, about 2 oz blue cheese crumbles. Served 2.
And Brussels sprouts!! I just LOVE them and haven’t had them fresh in ages! I halved them and drizzled in about 2 tsp of canola oil, 2 tsp of maple syrup and salt and roasted them for 26 minutes at about 400*.
I ended up getting out the Bone Suckin’ Sauce to dip ’em in. Mmmm!
OK, I’ve got a big Organic quiz in the AM and haven’t started studying yet. This is going to be very painful 👿
G’night!
Kelly L. says
Kath- This may be a silly question but can you compare the taste of brussel sprouts to anything? I am debating trying them…. 🙂 Thanks!
Betsy says
I’ve been having so much fun with brussels sprouts since they came in season. they’re soooo cheap at my farmer’s market and soooo delicious!
i’m seriously impressed with your grocery bill. and envious.
VeggieGirl says
IMPRESSIVE HAUL!!!
Brussels sprouts = true love. I even have a t-shirt that says, “Powered By Brussels Sprouts” 😀
Good luck with your quiz tomorrow!!!!
Kath says
Kelly L.,
Hmmmm…geez. The husband said “cabbage meets asparagus” but I think that sounds kind of gross! You should just see if you can find them on a salad bar or in your Whole Foods deli and try one or two.
K
Kristie says
WOOHOO for cheap meals.. I’m super impressed by how you managed to spend so little. You guys have this challenge of yours in the bag.
Mara says
I absolutely LOVE roasted brussels sprouts! I can’t stand them steamed or boiled, but roasted…mmm…
and your grocery bill?? WOW! I did well this week too and kept everything we needed to $50!
Lee says
I bought the frozen steam in the bag brussels sprouts. Do you think that I can steam them for a bit, then roast them? Your roasted ones look yummy.
HangryPants says
I think matt’s description of brussels sprouts is pretty accurate. Have you ever had the ones still on the stem? They are delicious, too!
Maggie says
Awesome buys! I agree with Matt’s description too about the Brussels sprouts. I adore them 🙂
Megan says
Hope the quiz goes well! Great job with the Thanksgiving challenge. Dinner looks amazing!
melissa says
Great job. This post made me nostalgic!
Growing up, my family’s sunday ritual was lining up the coupons in the sunday paper to the grocery store ads. It’s almost always cheaper to buy name brand with coupons than storebrand, except at tjs. My dad does not buy anything that is not on sale unless it is milk or produce staples, in which case, he buys it from the store that has the lowest price–sadly walmart often wins over price chopper and hannaford. And he always aims to have saved at least 33% of the total bill before discount.
Cat says
Wow! Congrats on not just meeting, but beating your goal! You’re inspiring me to start planning my meals for the week. I’m just feeding myself so I always just wait till I’m hungry to figure out what to eat. But your Thanksgiving challenge has inspired me to challenge myself and spend less too. Thanks Kath! :o)
Good luck with your Organic quiz! I’m sure you’ll do an awesome job!!
Hil says
Wow, you’re doing great! That employee discount sounds very useful.
And I join my voice to the ranks of people who adore roasted brussel sprouts. They are delicious.
caitlin says
good job so far!!!!
Caroline F. says
Yum! I had some sprouts myself this evening! Way to go on the grocery adventure, off to a great start already!
-Caroline f.
Oh She Glows says
Good job on the shopping trips!
Melissa- I know what you mean about feeling nostalgic. My family was the same way. My parents really taught me the value of a dollar and coupon clipping. When you get into the habit, it can actually be quite FUN!
Jenny says
Congrat on a successful first week of the challenge! I think it is a great idea, I look forward to hearing more.
I did the egg thing for dinner tonight as well, it felt so French 🙂
Good luck studying!
Julia says
Wow! Looks like you’re doing well on your Thanksgiving challenge so far! Those portabella mushrooms look HUGE! haha 🙂
Lisa says
Wow – that’s a fantastic price on the bison. Are you sure you don’t want to switch over to a degree in finance?
Cassidy says
WOW! Thats impressive. Its just me and I spend about $40 a week.
jenner says
Yay for being on track for the thanksgiving challenge!
That dinner looks soo good! I’m def having a frittata and brussels tomorrow…
Do you usually plan out your week’s meals in advance?? I would love to do that, but I never know what I will be in the mood for, or what I will have time for on any given day.
Amber says
Wow you did good! I am so excited about this challenge! I checked out the pantry and freezer and I meal planned for the next two weeks =)
jess says
Wow, Amazing planning! Eggs are one of those inexpensive staples (like lentils/rice… except perishable! haha) and the brussell sprouts look delectable. Do you think that recently having to plan a ton of meals for your course has helped you out with This challenge?
emmy says
I love how every blogger has had roasted brussels sprouts this week! If you’ve never tried them, start by eating them roasted – imo it makes them much less bitter.
Madison (FollowMyWeigh) says
whenever i see brussell sprouts they remind me of your blog because of your header!! yea i am very inexperienced with brussell sprouts too though~
eatavegan says
Thanks for the challenge, Kath! I’m going to try to keep it under 126 as well, only in euro instead of dollars — what a great idea!
coco says
good planner to save $$ and at the same time have fresh and delicious meals.
I’m looking forward to see more great ideas!
Taiwan Teacher says
Wow, great job! You are inspiring a lot of people. I can’t wait to see how the week shapes up- impressive if you can make it just on that grocery trip.
And biking to the grocery store too- so cool and earth-friendly!
Kath says
Lisa ,
Hahah – no thanks!!
jenner ,
Yes, I do usually plan in advance, but very loosely so i can change things as my mood changes.
jess ,
Well I’m only in week 1, but I don’t think I could do this without planning.
eatavegan ,
Glad you’re joining us!!
Kath
Grounded Fitness says
great job on the shopping! I lovde brussels sprouts, too, but I always bguy frozen cause they are so cheap. Good find!
Kelly Turner
www.groundedfitness.com
runjess says
I can’t believe you got all that for less than $18. Kudos.
You know, the more free Earthfare samples you eat, the better you will do in your challenge. 😉
Sally says
Wow – I am finding this challenge very inspiring and am feeling a little guilty about how much my husband and I spend on groceries. I’m also feeling gluttonous – we often have frittatas for dinner but we usually use five eggs for the two of us, not three.
Also, thanks for recommending mint.com! I already use and love todoist and I just created a mint account and am excited (and a little afraid) to see where my money goes…