After writing out this week’s grocery shopping list once, it went through a re-write because it was tres cluttered and filled with lots of things I was never going to get. For the record, even though I write out a list before I go, there’s always a few things that don’t make it home and a few unplanned things that do. This week I already know that I won’t be eating dinner at my apartment for three nights. Regardless, I shopped for things that I knew would be delicious lunches and dinners for the other evenings. And even if I was eating dinner at my place every night, I would still be well-fed.
Last round, I took a week off from broccoli. That was a mistake because if I don’t have an easy-to-steam vegetable, I am FAR less likely to bring veggies with to work. And, as I’m making potato soup today, I thought broccoli would be a nice addition to my soup. Hmmm?
At ALDI, the question marks ended up not coming home, nor did the Chocolate Chips. They also lacked Romaine and as I absolutely cannot eat spinach for another day, I figured I’d go on the prowl elsewhere. I also ended up going cheap-ies and got my Roasted Red Pepper Hummus there instead. Like, whatever. TIP: Check out their produce on Saturdays. I usually shop on Sundays and everything is SO picked over and disgusting. When I came by on a Saturday afternoon, they had clearly just re-stocked and everything looked fresh and delicious. Definitely worth the time.
Trader Joe’s was a different adventure all together. I ended up getting a delicious organic bleu cheese dressing instead of Goddess Dressing because the crap I had in my fridge up until this point just tasted like poison. I’m thinking next week I’ll go back for their low-fat Cilantro and their Greek Feta…mmm. I briefly contemplated going without Smoked Salmon this week, but it’s such a HEALTHY and EASY protein to have on hand. It’s good for breakfast, cheese trays, basically anything. On the days where there’s no way I’m going to bake myself a piece of fish, mini-meatloaves or whatever, it is always the right answer. Ironically, they didn’t have any butter lettuce on hand, which was a bit of a disappointment, but they had some beautifully fresh romaine. TIP: Come here on Sunday morning while everyone else on the planet is at church. The parking lot is deserted, the store is totally empty. Such a pleasant shopping experience.
Grocery Total: $26.18
NOTE: I do not include alcohol in the grocery shopping challenge. Not because I don’t consume it, but because it’s something I stock up on and have for a good, long while. For example, my dear (and brilliant) Auntie Joan gifted me approximately two cases of Charles Shaw for my birthday at the end of August. I am only now almost out. If I have to purchase goods for a party that I’m throwing or attending, I’ll take that money out of my weekly “allowance” instead.
