Life with Dee

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Another “Slow Month” – January 2013

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Last January I embarked upon what I referred to as a “slow month”. You can read about it here. Essentially it involved making use of what I already have on hand, learning new skills, being creative and very minimal buying. I found it to be a good challenge for me, so much so that I continued a version of it into February and am doing it again this year. I’ve been meaning to blog about it for days now but you know how things go sometimes.

I’m going to try to list what I’ve purchased so far this month since we are about half-way through and then I’ll update again at the end of the month.

We were out of town (New Orleans!) until the 2nd and I didn’t go to the store until the 4th. We celebrated my dad’s and Chris’ birthdays that evening so I bought some items for that. I didn’t write it down and since I always donate my receipts from Apple Market to a local charity I don’t have a record of it. I know I bought crushed pineapple and cherry pie filling for pies. And I can think of a few other items but honestly I just can’t say for sure how much I spent. I think I’m going to just consider my spending for the month from that point. I do have the receipt from Braum’s for that day, though. I bought:

  • 1/2 gallon milk
  • 1 pound butter
  • 1 pint whipping cream
  • (2) 8 oz. packages cheddar cheese
  • bagels
Total: $15.33

I didn’t buy any other groceries until yesterday when I went to Braum’s again for the following:
  • lettuce
  • (2) 1/2 gallons milk
  • grapes
  • bananas
  • jar of salsa
  • 1 pint 1/2 and 1/2
  • 8 oz. package cheddar cheese
  • 2 peppers
Because I’d spent over $15 I got a free loaf of bread.
Total: $23.49

Here is a picture:
Groceries

I also picked up my Azure Standard co-op order which included:

  • 10 pounds unbleached flour
  • 5 pounds potatoes
  • 5 pounds carrots
  • broccoli
  • celery
  • bleu cheese dressing
  • 6 quarts coconut milk
  • dishwashing liquid
  • shampoo bar
Total: $55.23

Co-op order

Mid-month subtotal:

$94.05



I’m also doing my best to avoid spending money on things other than groceries this month and other than my monthly haircut and a coke I have done well with that.

Tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, I am going to inventory and organize our deep freezer. It is packed to the gills and I really need to see what’s in there. Off the top of my head I know there is a turkey, boneless chicken, pork chops, ground beef, sausage, lots of veggies, and ice cream. Part of the reason for this challenge is to actually eat some of what’s in the freezer. Last night I made chili mac with two cartons of cooked beans I had in the freezer. Tonight I used a package of frozen corn tortillas and Friday’s menu has those pork chops on it.

We are also well-stocked on staples such as flour, sugar, oats, rice, beans, pasta, etc. I’m going to be searching out new recipes using these basics and also learning to make a few things like corn tortillas and bagels or English muffins.

So that’s what’s going on around here. Now it’s time to settle down for the night. We have “Californication” on Netflix DVD to watch (last night it was Downton Abbey – we have rather eclectic tastes) and steaming cups of hot tea to enjoy with it. We actually went to bed at a reasonable hour last night and liked it so much we are going to give it a try again tonight. I want to find out what it’s like to be well-rested – ha!

Darjeeling tea, orange roll and Downton Abbey
I took this last night just before we started watching Downton Abbey.

Update: Good (Cheap) Eats is doing a pantry challenge. Go take a look here. 

March Slow Month Report

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This is probably not of interest to anyone but me so feel free to ignore. 😉


March 2


Apple Market:

  • grapes
  • 5# bag of Cuties
  • bananas
  • lettuce
  • green onions
  • 1/2 gallon organic milk (for yogurt)
  • mayonnaise
  • Dijon mustard
  • chili sauce (for a homemade dressing recipe)
  • large jar of pickles (to make bread and butter pickles)
  • 1 box cereal
  • 2 small bags Zapp’s chips
  • 2 boxes of Altoids
  • 2 condolence cards
$58.90
  • 1 large chuck roast (about 3.5 pounds)
$14.24

March 13


I was without a car so David picked up a 1/2 gallon of milk, 2 packages of cheese and some cereal at Braum’s on his way home from work. I forgot to look for the receipt but I would estimate it was about:

$12.00

March 14


Golden Grain Bakery:

  • 1 large onion
  • broccoli
  • 3 Yukon Gold potatoes
  • spinach
$11.01
Azure Standard co-op order:
  • 2 (8 oz.) packages cheddar cheese
  • blue cheese dressing
  • green enchilada sauce
  • chocolate chips
  • 5 lb. frozen corn
  • 5 lb. carrots
  • 5 lb. raisins
$44.55 (I had a credit from the last order or it would have been $53.17)

March 15


Lisa and I went to Norman for a major shopping trip.

Dodson’s Health Foods:

  • 2 boxes of raisin bran
  • 1 pint half and half
  • tortilla chips
  • 48 oz. jar honey
  • 32 oz. bottle pomegranate and cranberry juice
  • frozen peppers
  • 8 oz. pkg. mozzarella
  • 2 pkgs. of sharp cheddar
  • large bag of cereal
  • celery
  • avocado
  • bananas
  • spring salad mix 
$64.14
Homeland:
  • frozen Gulf shrimp
  • English muffins
$14.60
Native Roots:
  • bar of lavender soap
  • chicken breasts
  • dehydrated lamb dog food
  • cheddar cheese
  • cauliflower
  • mandarins
  • cherry tomatoes
$49.33
Natural Grocers:
  • 5 # potatoes
  • diced tomatoes
  • pineapple salsa
  • heavy cream
  • chorizo
$22.55
Earth Natural Foods
(I don’t know where my receipt is so I’m guessing.)

  • baguette
$3.50
Forward Foods:
(Again, can’t find receipt.)
  • bulk pastas (2 types)
  • 1/4 pound of delicious sheep’s milk cheese
  • small bottle San Pellagrina limonata for the drive home
$12.00

March 28


Apple Market

  • 1/2 gal. organic milk (for yogurt)
  • bananas
  • jalapeno peppers
  • grapes
  • green sauce
  • green chilis
  • 3 small bags Zapp’s chips
  • sympathy card
$21.59
Total: $328.41

April is sure to be much less as we will be in New Orleans for 11 days. I will purposely use up everything perishable next week before we leave. I haven’t decided whether or not to place a co-op order this month since we are scheduled to leave the day after it would arrive. David has been known to decide to leave earlier and he is champing at the bit for this trip already. 

February Slow Month Final Update

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I can’t believe it’s already March! Even with an extra day, February just flew by. Guess it’s time to post my final figures for the month. As of the last update on February 12th, I had spent $204.19. Here is what I bought for the rest of the month:

February 15


Azure Standard Co-op Order:

  • toothpaste
  • shampoo bar
  • a *personal* item
  • 10# organic unbleached flour
  • blue cheese dressing
  • uncured, organic hot dogs
  • cream cheese (2)
  • bay leaves
  • chocolate chips 
  • 5# potatoes
$54.15

February 17

Braum’s:

  • 1/2 gallon milk
  • 1 package cheddar cheese slices
  • 1 package grape tomatoes
  • 1 pound butter
  • bananas
$11.59
February 20

  • gallon of organic milk
  • grapes
  • bell peppers
  • lettuce
  • okra
  • andouille sausage
  • 1 whole chicken
  • 2 evaporated milk
  • 1 sweetened condensed milk
  • ketchup
  • salsa
  • jar of banana peppers
  • 4 small bags Zapp’s brand chips (new to this area!)
(Can you tell I was making jambalaya for Mardi Gras?)
$48.12
February 27

  • bananas
  • tomato
  • red leaf lettuce
  • asparagus
  • 5# potatoes
  • pint of 1/2 and 1/2
  • parmesan cheese
  • individual bottle of peach tea for the ride home
$21.79
  • 1/2 gallon milk
$2.27
Subtotal: $137.92

Grand total for February: $342.11

So, that was a lot more than the $169.37 that I spent in January but I splurged on some extra things for a special Mardi Gras meal. And I still have a lot of food on hand. I still haven’t tried to make tortillas yet but I did make hot dog buns the other night and baked 5 loaves of bread a couple of weeks ago. Looking back on my expenditures it’s clear that fresh produce and cheese form the bulk of our food expenses. I’m hopeful for a good garden this summer and enough to freeze and can some for next winter. I’ve also got someone lined up to raise baby chicks for me until they are big enough to put outdoors after we get back from our April trip to New Orleans. It will be so good to have our own eggs again. I used to plan at least one egg-based dinner per week back when we had plenty of eggs all the time. The organic ones I am buying are so expensive that I’m not including egg-heavy dishes like frittatas right now. 
One thing I haven’t included here are purchases other than food. In thinking back over the month I can’t recall any extra purchases with the exception of a couple of clothing items earlier this week. I bought a black skirt for a funeral and two other casual pieces to wear at home. I didn’t buy any magazines or books. I bought a couple of cokes in town while running errands. Overall I think I’m doing well and do find myself carefully considering my purchases. One thing I’ll be spending some money on this month is plants and seeds for the garden. Oh, and baby chicks! The weather has been so nice and everything is greening up. I’m really getting eager to start spring planting but other than potatoes, I’ll hold off a bit longer since a late freeze is still quite likely. 

February – Slow Month #2

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I meant to write more about this but got caught up in the Grammy Awards…and Facebooking and Tweeting about it. But since I have plans for another post tomorrow I’m going to go ahead and post this barebones version of an update tonight.

Below is what I’ve spent on groceries so far this month. This past Thursday I went shopping in Norman with my daughter. She always shops up there and does a month’s worth at a time. I’m going to start doing a modified version of that with her each month. One thing you may notice is that I bought meat. For the past couple of years we’ve been mostly vegetarian and I’ve come to really prefer that for several reasons. However, I’m having a hard time getting my iron levels where they need to be so I’m reluctantly adding some meat back into my diet. That sure adds to the cost of groceries, though!




February 5

Apple Market

  • loaf of potato bread
  • bananas
  • 1/2 dozen organic eggs
  • 24 oz. carton sour cream (on sale)
  • 1/2 gallon organic milk (for yogurt)
  • tortilla chips
  • 8 oz. package sharp cheddar cheese
  • mayonnaise
  • 2 birthday cards

$32.47

February 9
Dodson’s Health Foods:
  • 2 doz. eggs
  • bacon
  • 3 boxes cereal
  • 2 bags chips
  • 2 bags frozen corn
  • 1 bag frozen spinach
  • ricotta cheese
  • sweet pickle relish
  • 2 pkgs. mozzarella
  • ground buffalo
  • lasagna noodles
  • salsa
  • 8 oz. pkg. organic American cheese
  • 3 pkgs. cheddar cheese
  • one *personal* item
$101.10
Target:
  • 5 pound bag Zatarain’s rice
$6.65
Native Roots:
  • 1 whole chicken (humanely raised, organic)
  • 1 pkg. chicken breasts (humanely raised, organic)
  • Keep it Local Card ($10 – gives 10% off local items at this store and other discounts)
$38.42
Natural Grocers:
  • red leaf lettuce (on sale)
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 butternut squash
  • Pom brand diced tomatoes
  • 1 bag chips (on sale)
  • roast beef lunch meat
  • Sun Cups (candy)
$20.05


February 12


Braum’s:

  • 1/2 gallon milk
  • lettuce
  • 2 bananas
  • loaf of bread

$5.50

Total: $204.19
Only half way through the month and I’ve spent more than I did for the month of January. I also have a co-op order to pick up on Wednesday which is about $60. But we will then be pretty well stocked so we’ll see how the rest of the month goes.

Slow Month Update – #2

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I meant to do this earlier so I do hope I can remember my purchases.

One evening after work David was in town and asked if I needed anything. We were low on milk but since he didn’t have cash and was going to have to write a check, he asked if there was anything else so he wouldn’t be writing one for just a couple of dollars. He ended up getting:

  • 1/2 gallon milk
  • bag of Italian blend salad
  • (2) 8oz. packages of cheddar
I didn’t get the receipt but I’m estimating that he spent around $10.
Our local organic bakery got in their monthly shipment of produce last week so I bought:

Organic veggies

  • kale
  • spinach
  • tomatoes
  • red potatoes
  • broccoli
I paid $12.41.

I then picked up my monthly co-op order that night:

Co-op order

  • 10 pounds of oranges
  • 3 pounds of onions
  • 1 leek
  • celery
  • 5 pounds of carrots
  • 1 cauliflower
  • 3 avocados
  • (2) 5 pound bags of potatoes
  • package of masa harina
  • green enchilada sauce
  • arborio rice
This all came to $51.21.
And that’s it. I haven’t been in the grocery store or any other store since my last update. The funny thing is that we still have oodles of food here. I haven’t made a dent in my freezer or pantry supplies. I do need a few things which I will pick up tomorrow:
  • milk
  • eggs
  • butter (still have some but will need more if I do much baking)
  • lettuce
I plan to do some major baking tomorrow. Bread, hamburger buns, muffins, more granola (David LOVED it!). 
I think it’s becoming apparent that I can continue this challenge another month, just allowing for dairy and fresh produce. Looking at the things I have needed to purchase reminds me how much I miss having a ready supply of eggs from my chickens. I am looking forward to having laying hens again. And I’m hopeful for a good gardening year and being able to put up produce via canning and freezing. Dairy is always going to be something we will purchase from ordinary sources as neither David nor I have any intentions of milking a cow or goat. However, I’m seeing that most everything else we eat consists of “staples” such as flour, beans, rice, pasta, baking items, spices, etc. All of these items can be purchased in bulk a few times a year which means a lot less time in grocery stores. And that, my friends, saves money. 
So here’s my total thus far for the month of January:
$95.12
Not bad. 

Easy, Delicious and Frugal…

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In my menu for this week I included a new-to-me recipe for Pineapple Ham and Rice. I had leftover ham that I needed to use up and also had all the other ingredients on hand. It sounded relatively good but I only had moderate expectations for it. Imagine my surprise when David raved about it and even Chris, not a big eater, went back for seconds. Aside from being quick and easy, it is also quite frugal. Ham, especially when leftover from another meal, is usually quite inexpensive. White rice and canned pineapple are also frugal food items, as well as being something I usually have on hand.

Here is the recipe:

Pineapple Ham and Rice (from Recipezaar.com)

Ingredients

* 2 cups cooked white rice
* 2 cups cooked cubed ham
* 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon ground mustard

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Spoon into greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

That’s it. A seven year old could do this. If you are interested in more frugal meal ideas, check out this post by PennyAnnPoundwise. Penny also does the Menu Monday thing regularly so bookmark her site or subscribe to it for lots of good menu ideas.

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