July 15, 2011

Grocery Shopping

I went grocery shopping today for the first time since I made the decision to stop spending so much on groceries. My budget was $100, and I ended up spending $99.58. I didn't bring a calculator or anything, but I'm really good at estimating cost. When my husband and I shop together, we always guess what the total will be, and I win every single time--usually within a couple of dollars :)

Grocery shopping is so much different when you're considering the cost rather than the calories or nutrition value. Since I'm eating intuitively, I'm not so insistent on certain brands or anything to get the least amount of calories for the largest amount of food. I still bought pretty healthy stuff, but I left out a lot of things that I normally would have loved to buy--like almond butter :(  My Kettle almond butter is $6/jar, and I just can't afford that. Also nixed from the list were Vitatop muffins--$4 per box; Ezekiel bread--$4/loaf; So Delicious coconut milk creamer--$2.50; almond milk--$3/half gallon; and some other things. Those are items that only I use, so it wasn't fair for me to spend my family's grocery budget on them.  I'll survive ;)

I bought a couple of bags of unsweetened coconut to make coconut butter. I had yet ANOTHER almost-empty nut butter jar (Kettle almond butter) this morning, so I used it for cold oats in a jar again. I washed out the jar after breakfast, and used it for the coconut butter that I made:
Have you ever made coconut butter? If not, you should try it. It's delicious! I just took two 5-oz. bags of unsweetened coconut (make sure you use unsweetened... I think I read on Lori's blog that the sweetened coconut doesn't work), threw it into my food processor, and let it rip for about 20 minutes. Occasionally, I'd stop it and scrape down the sides. It takes a long time, and I seriously thought my processor was about to overheat, but finally I was rewarded with yummy coconut butter. Some people add things to it (like chocolate!) but I've only made it plain.

My husband said that the pizza place near us now has a "chili dog pizza". I thought that would be super easy to create at home, so that's what I'm making for dinner tonight. Homemade pizza crust, hot dog chili sauce, cheddar cheese, hot dog slices, raw onions, and mustard. Doesn't that sound awesome?!

Tomorrow morning, I'm leaving at 5:15 to head up north with my friends Renee, Jessica, and Rachael. We're going to a wine festival, and then staying overnight by the beach. It should be a fun overnight girls trip. I won't be around to write a blog, but I might prepare a blog that will post tomorrow.

Do you buy any items at the grocery store that are pretty expensive, but you just have to buy it? I can give up a lot of things, but I won't budge on my natural peanut butter. I don't care what brand it is, but the only acceptable ingredients to me are peanuts (and maybe salt).

8 comments:

  1. Linda KuilJuly 15, 2011

    I'm not stuck on any one thing, but I do try to have double fiber whole wheat bread in the house at all times. It just helps to fill me up when I make toast or sandwiches. Doesn't matter what brand, just what's on sale. I usually do really well with grocery shopping. I use coupons and our stores double them here so combined with the store sales I can usually get away with around $100/week for my family of 4 (my kids are 15 (son) and 13 (daughter)). My problem is when I run in to a store for "a couple of things." I can't leave without spending at least $20. You can $20 yourself to death if you do that a couple of times a week. I should make sure to bring only the money I know I'll need for the particular items!!

    Have fun tomorrow at the festival! We love the wineries here on Long Island. There's usually a jazz festival in the spring and fall that we hit. Riesling is our favorite. What do you love to drink?

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  2. Yum - coconut butter! I so love that stuff. I will eat it off a spoon :D

    I roast my own coffee to save money because I am a coffee snob and refuse to buy cheap coffee in the grocery store. It costs me less to buy the green coffee and roast it myself than buying it at a coffee shop.

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  3. Way to go on the grocery bill!

    I make my own Larabars as they are about $2 each here. In my mini food processor I combine dried dates, lime zest, lime juice, unsweetened coconut and a touch of almond flour (or some other nut). Once I get a consistancy I like I roll them into balls or snakes and keep them in waxed paper in the fridge. So yummy!

    I also make my own pancake mix because my kids love pancakes and I don't want them to eat too much white flour. I use oats, whole wheat flour, oat bran, wheat germ, etc... then I put it all in the food processor to make it very smooth so it looks more like what they are used to.

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  4. Oh wow. I HAVE to try to make my own coconut butter! Yum!

    As for food that I just won't budge on: farm fresh eggs or eggs of similar quality is my biggest one. I grew up eating eggs that were collected from under our chickens just minutes before they hit the pan. I can REALLY tell the difference in taste and texture between a good egg, and one of those cheapo storebrand eggs. Ack. I don't mind spending upwards to $3-$4 a carton for good eggs. I can skimp somewhere else. :)

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  5. I'm really spoiled. My wife does all the shopping.

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  6. AnonymousJuly 17, 2011

    Just found your blog recently and love it! I still have a lot of weight to loose to - but I got started on sparkpeople back in '07 and love it. Looking forward to reading your past posts. Never tried coconut butter - but I use coconut oil and love it!

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  7. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011

    I also spend a little more on fresh eggs and my Keurig k-cups. I totally suck at making coffee so I splurged on a Keurig a few years back and it solved the problem of bad coffee/throwing away old coffee. And cleaning the pot.

    What do y'all use the coconut butter for? Does it have a lot of calories?

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  8. I am trying to cut back on groceries,, I spend a ton on just my husband and I. But I try to eat as clean as possible and that can be costly . I do try and buy my nuts and stuff in bulk to save . Try my best not to waste any fruits or veggies that I buy,, its tuff thats for sure.

    Love your Blogs Katie,, I dont post much,, But I have been following you for about a year now and really enjoy your topics and all your great finds,, I am tying your Lemon lentils tonight,, I cant wait.I first discovered you on Sparks, Your such a sweetie,, and as always I wish you and your Family the best.
    Tammy

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