About Me

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Raleigh, NC, United States
I am encountering a midlife food crisis. Tired of the same old thing and as a food addict I am always trying to lose weight. I enjoy the low carb way of life - when I adhere to it. But I need a culinary challenge: Enter Flexitarianism - the less meat challenge. Add the Internet for research and watch out kitchen.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Project Food Budget

This is my first week participating in Project Food Budget. My budget during the month of March is $65.00 per week. This is a bit high simply because I am still stocking the pantry with "staples" as I try out new dishes. Ultimately I would like to eat for under $50 a week soon and I do believe I can get there. I have found that since I am eating less meat I am saving a ton of money. I had stocked up on beans, rice, and those sorts of staples but after 2 weeks of eating that way I decided that not watching my carbs was a mistake. (I did not want to eat less meat and carbs at the same time) The project now is to slowly move those beans and rice dishes out while I revamp the pantry.

This week I concentrated on simply getting a decent breakfast made ahead of time and getting lots of fresh veggies in the house. I went to my local grocery store this week. I do attend the Farmer's Market and Whole Foods here every few weeks, but both are a little trip so for ease I chose the local store. I stayed in under budget and find that I have plenty of food. I spent $55.00. I got both fresh and frozen veggies so that I had quick options and planned my purchases around things I already had at home as well. The only thing that I was really "missing" was fruit and salad mixings. I decided that I needed to choose though if I was going to stay under $65. So mid week (I shop on Monday's typically) I bought some oranges and pickles. I know a strange combo but I was a BJ's and they have my most favorite pickles. This was just under $10 so I did make it on $65 and then some

This weeks menu's included:
Breakfast Egg Bakes - made two different ones for the week great for anytime
A Portobello "pizza" - sauce, cheese leeks on top of cap - yum
The Veggie Stir Fry w/ Peanut Sauce listed

I also had left over soup - Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili - that I had made and freezed. I have plenty of food in the house still (Mon-Sat) I did go out to dinner last night and spent way too much $ but I feel like I am allowed to treat myself now and again after a long week. I don't count that as my budget either, however two drinks a super meal and tip left me spending moe than half of my food budget. It was then I knew that I needed to watch this too! :)

What is everyone else doing this week?

Participating Blogs:

2 comments:

  1. Well done on your first week! It takes a couple weeks to get a handle on your average spending, and see where you can make some adjustments.

    So far so good though!

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  2. Welcome to the project. :) Those staples will suck your budget right up. Less meat does make up for it, though, for sure.

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