Basically the general guidelines

  1. we will allow ourselves to dine out once per quarter to allow for the occasional business meeting or special celebrations
  2. if we are out on business or having a meeting in a coffee house we can order the bare minimum needed to mix in, no need to be bigger freaks than we already are, right? **snort**
  3. coffee does not count, we gave up fancy coffee long ago so the occasional coffee we feel is not a problem
  4. if on a business trip there is no way we will be cooking from a hotel room

2.13.2010

I'm back, unsick-ish and still eating from home

My husbands birthday was yesterday and the folks from his office got together and bought him a lunch from the local bakery, The Red Beet. He knew I was making lunch at home so he brought it home to share. I think I made him feel weird because I wouldn't eat any of it. It looked nice but I just felt like I didn't want to bail on myself, geesh where did this back bone come from?

I even turned down hand rolled truffles! That was hard.

Our menu for the last week has been hit and miss, really with some nights just sneaking right up on me without a plan.  So I started the meal planning for the week asking each person what they wanted to eat for dinner this week. I was answered with Crock Pot Mexican Lasagne, Beef Teriyaki Stirfry, Minestrone, Pizza and Stromboli. Wow. Why did it take me so long to think of asking my family? They have to eat it too so why not? Also I know the list looks long but I'm thinking of cutting back shopping to once every 2 weeks or switching to co-op ordering system. I think shopping every 2 weeks is a good way to start cutting back and planning more.

I filled in the gaps so our menu looks like this:
Crock Pot Mexican Lasagne
Beef Teriyaki Stir fry
Minestrone
Pizza
Stromboli
Crispy Salmon Sticks-Formerly Crusty Salmon but the named bothered some people
Baked Halibut
Stuffed Pork Chops
Pancakes
Quiche
Vegetarian Chili
Leftover Buffet
GASP**Dinner out**pre-planned fundraiser for our new Charter school this is the reason for our 1 time per quarter rule so we can do things we need to do

I have not dined out since January 2nd! I'm so thankful the fundraiser is being held at a local restaurant that specializes in local foods even during the winter, they planned our menu around what was available.

We are also holding a silent auction and my donation is fresh made bagels and homemade lox from salmon we caught this summer. I hope someone wants it, fingers crossed!

Adding 18 dollars to the money saved list for one probable lunch eaten out and a coffee pie meeting that didn't happen.

Bought my ticket to BlogHer Food 10 in San Francisco in October! I'm only slightly excited!!
Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. ChristinaFebruary 13, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    I shop every 2 wks too. Luckily a combo of our store buying from local farmers (fresher) and our awesome fridge helps keep the veggies and fruits fresh that long, otherwise I couldn't. I agree - it helps cut back on spending and also forces you to be more conscious of a plan and using up what is on hand. I am always using stuff from the back of the freezer or items found on the pantry behind other items about to expire. I think if I shopped more often I wouldn't *need* to look so hard and would end up throwing these away!

    Glad you're feeling better!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ally's Sweet and Savory EatsFebruary 15, 2010 at 12:36 PM

    I am also a bi-weekly shopper. It can be difficult sometimes, but in the end I find it saves us money. I really, really have to plan out the meals a few days ahead to make sure we have enough to get us through the two weeks!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)