Well the weather out here is frightful...

Its been rainy for the past few days. 

I've slept at random times during the day, usually an hour or so between 4-6. Of course I then stay up late and then sleep in.

And it's not like I'm reading like I hoped. Instead, I've watched movies and mulled over what I will do on my vacation.

This was good. Seth Rogen is the marriageable type?

The bottom half is a list of all the places I want to get my eating on.

With holiday shopping and my upcoming trip, I've got to save up. I want a pair of boots only if I find a pair I really like. I found a brown suede scrunchy pair but prefer gray or black to match more of my clothes.

Budgeting week #? *Its been awhile.
 
Groceries - $39.60

• Silk PureAlmond milk - $2.24
• Frosting Creations cinnamon roll - $0.89 *to mix in with Greek yogurt, but this was a fail
• Almonds - $0.99
• Kombucha - $2.55
• Sale Halo bars (2) - $1.00
• Sale Luna Fiber bars (2) - $1.00
• Stevia soda - $0.91
• Blackberries - $1.25
• Blueberries - $2.00
• Hansen's sodas (2) - $1.12 *for my cousin
• Chile spiced mango - $3.98 *for my cousin
• Power to the Greens (2) - $3.98
• Sardines (2) - $2.58
• Cinnamon apple sticks - $2.49
• Z Clif Kids bar - $0.69
• Eggs - $1.79
• Luna bar (for Chris' birthday) - $1.00
• Clif bar (for Chris' birthday) - $1.00
• Hansen's soda (for Chris' birthday) - $0.62
• Grapefruit-ginger yerba mate (for Chris' birthday) - $1.74
• Tofu shirataki noodles - $1.49
• Mini cake (for Chris' birthday) - $2.50
• Whole wheat flatbread - $2.29

Other - $20.28

• Cash - $10
• Yoga - $5
• Soy cheddar - $2.99 *for L.A.
• Whole wheat flatbread - $2.29 *for L.A.
  

Gas - $40.00

Total - $99.88

 

Breakfasts

egg white oats with blackberries or blueberries

Entrees
MTWRF lunch: chicken salad
MRF dinner: chicken nori rolls with cauliflower
TW dinner: flatbread sandwich or pizza (2)

Snacks
popcorn
Luna Fiber bars (2)
string cheese *thanks to my cousin Chris for supplying!
sweet potatoes
Jamie Eason cinnamon swirl protein bread

Workouts

• Monday - Zumba
• Tuesday - Athletic training
• Wednesday - Yoga
• Thursday - Core, Cardio, & More
• Friday - Yoga for Charity
• Saturday - Boot camp/TurboKick
• Sunday - Rest?

How do you eat healthy on vacation? I don't want to be crazy and pack a ton of stuff.

Holiday wish/bucket list

Seeing Ashley's post, I decided to make my own holiday bucket list and wish list of course.

Wishlist/shopping list
I'm done! I decided not to buy presents and just treat myself for the most part. :)

Christmas presents for myself :) - $62.84

• Donut pan - $8.61
  
• iHerb - $13.98
• Bungalow 360 purse - $10
• David's Tea - $30.25 

Christmas presents for others - $63.89

• David's Tea - $24.50
• Simmering Sugar toffee - $8
• Speck iPhone cases (4) - $31.39 *keeping one for myself! 

Bucket list

• Learn to can. I was given some awesome jars of preserves from one of my first Foodie Penpals - still have some!
• Spend the weekend watching movies and vegging out. Um, I might do this all the time.
• Bake gingerbread cookies or make a house.
• Read 2 more books. Collapse is on the list and will take me awhile. A Walk in the Woods has been on the backburner for awhile, but I would love to read Gone Girl too.
• See houses lit up for Christmas. There are some neighborhoods that go all out!
• Try ice skating. Yep... 
• Cook from Happy Herbivore! I keep seeing this on my feed and her recipes look amazing.

Groceries - $32.89

• Dark choc Speculoos bar - $0.99
• Soy cheese - $2.99
• White chocolate chips - $1.99
• Guac + salsa mix - $1.49
• Apples - $0.99
• Kettle corn popcorn - $4.49
• Trader Joe's whole wheat flatbread - $2.29
• Pasta sauce - $2.29
• Chocolate advent calendar (for Catherine) - $0.99
• Chile-spiced mango (for Chris) - $1.99
• Power to the Greens - $1.99 
• Fage 0% - $4.36
• Soy nog - $2.29
• Pumpkin - $1.75
• Blackmarket Bakery cookie - $2.00 

Other - $27.52

• Birthday presents for mom & aunt - $27.52

Gas - $40.00

Total - $100.41

 

Breakfast

Blueberry breakfast pie? and an awesome post about eating habits *I only made half the recipe for myself.
 
Protein pancakes

Entrees
Makeshift pizzas with chicken, tuna, eggs, or even protein PB & J - I'm thinking Greek yogurt with melted PB & J

Shrimp spring rolls
Shirataki noodles with tuna
Nori power rolls with tuna
Zucchini pasta with chicken and marinara

Sides/snacks
Coconutty sweet potatoes
Veggies - carrots, zucchini, broccoli
Salted cashew dark chocolate cupcakes


Workouts, as planned

• Monday - TurboKick
• Tuesday - Athletic training
• Wednesday - Strength training
• Thursday - Core, Cardio, & More
• Friday - BodyPump
• Saturday - Zumba, yoga
• Sunday - BodyPump/yoga

On tap for today

• Read Collapse
• Yoga
• Egg & pumpkin buying
• Patchwork Indie Art & Craft Festival, for which I took the day off!
• Surfas just opened up!
  

What's For [Thanksgiving] Dinner?

Be proud! I bought real food this week because I wanted to make myself a Thanksgiving meal. That meant buying [ground] turkey, quinoa, chicken sausage, etcetera. No worries - I did also find molasses to make some gingerbread goodies too.

Groceries - $39.22

• Eggs - $1.89
• Trader Joe's organic red quinoa - $3.99
• Bananas - $0.57
• Trader Joe's chicken jalapeno sausage - $3.99
• Oat flour - $3.49
• Luna bar (w/ coupon) - $0.49
• Shirataki noodles - $0.99
• Dried cranberries - $1.08
• Pure almond extract - $2.99
• Ground turkey - $5.49
• 3 lbs organic sweet potatoes - $2.50
• Chicken broth - $0.59
• Molasses - $2.27
• thinkThin bar - $0.50
• bulk 'n buy - $4.74
• Frozen yogurt + tip - $3.65

 Other - $18.56

• Send package - $11.35
• 6-pack soda - $3.46
• Starbucks - $3.75

Gas - $40.00

Total - $97.78

Breakfasts
Almond joy pancakes

Gingerbread pancakes
Apple pie protein waffles

Entrees
Fitnessista's Cranberry Quinoa "Stuffing"

Browned butter sweet potato casserole
PBFingers' Thai turkey meatballs with savory blueberry jam

Snacks
My Favorite Ginger Tea Bread from the former Bake It Pretty owner

Spunky monkey pumpkin pie
Trader Joe's peanut butter Fiberful bars

Bonus recipe I'll make this week! *I can't buy every single cookbook and magazine so I'll take pictures of the recipe and file them away. Make sure to note the publication for later, just in case.

 

I few treats I spied at the stores:

• Theo gingerbread chocolate

(source)
• Apple cider caramels

What's on your Thanksgiving menu? How many are you feeding? I'm just cooking for myself. I'll be eating turkey, sweet potatoes, and maybe cornbread for the week!

What's For Dinner?: The Possible!

It's the one month anniversary of budgeting! I'm super proud of myself. On my income, which isn't much, I can save a lot. I do feel remorseful - I could have saved so much over the years that it's ridiculous.

Groceries - $38.84

• Strawberry Zevia 6-pack - $4.68
• La Gloria low carb tortillas - $3.49
• Tortilla popchips- $2.99
• Jelly beans - $0.94
• Power to the Greens (2) - $3.98
• Trader Joe's Fiberful bars - $4.98
• Rotisserie chicken - $4.99
• Bananas - $1.78
• Trader Joe's soy cheddar - $2.99
• Dark chocolate & mint chips - $2.29
• Cottage cheese - $2.64
• Pumpkin - $2.00
• Eggs - $1.99
• Green tea - $1.39

Other - $21.76

• Gift - $4.99
• Gift - $1.89
• Gift - $2.29
• Gift - $2.29
• Gift - $1.00
• Gift wrap - $1.33
• Gift - $2.99
• Gift - $2.99
• Gift - $1.99

Gas - $40.00

Total - $100.60

Breakfasts
oatmeal protein pancakes
breakfast burritos (egg whites, cheese, avocado)

Entrees
BBQ apple chia chicken coleslaw for lunches
Some kind of grilled cheese on tortillas for dinner (blackberry basil smashed) or burger
popchips nacho deluxe (modified for one)

spring rolls

Snacks
coconutty sweet potato fries
Trader Joe's chocolate fiberful bars
apples

Baking wishlist (for the next few weeks)
Coconut oil chocolate chip cookies

Pumpkin and macadamia whoopie pies or spiced cider whoopie pie
Ginger tea cake
Pumpkin pie

Workouts

• Monday - BodyPump + yoga or TurboKick
• Tuesday - Weights
• Wednesday - Booty barre
• Thursday - Weights
• Friday - SpinBarre
• Saturday - TurboKick
• Sunday - Yoga

1. Workout 2. Study 3. Eat

Yesterday was simple Saturday. I was tired from all the events on Friday that I fell asleep pretty early. Still, I woke up at my usual time, prepared breakfast, and debated what to do.

Always on my mind: a workout. I wanted to wear my new shoes so went to BodyPump and a bad yoga class. The gym's yoga classes are a toss up and this was extremely disjointed. Strangely, the same teacher taught a fine BodyPump class.

BodyPump worked up much better today than it did on Monday morning.

• Tracks that went well: squats (usually good), back (could add a little more weight), triceps, biceps (used dumbbells because I favor one arm if I use the bar), lunges, and shoulders.
• Tracks that need more help: chest (still problematic - maybe should use dumbbells) and abs (as always).

Second, study. Okay, I watched "Dexter" and fell asleep, but I reviewed 2 chapters and am still studying now.

I also paid for the exam and will take it in less than ONE MONTH!

I talked about this new-found motivation last week - I've worked in schools for 6 years as everything short of being a full-time teacher. I'm ready to get in there!

Well, this weekend, I got a little upset and competitive. Let's be real. The competitiveness in me breeds motivation. I believe that hard work and passion will take me anywhere. It irks me to see others find success without hard work.

I know not everyone is fortunate to find their passion so I should be thankful. I know not everyone can fulfill their passion, but since I can, I need to buckle down and study like crazy.

$260 is not all that much considering the test is three parts and 6 hours, plus four short essays. I'm using each of those 21,600 seconds. Wow, that doesn't seem like much now.

Woo! That's a lot of stress. Here's how to reduce stress: make a meal plan so you don't have to worry about the little things.

Breakfasts
Pumpkin spice English muffin + 2 egg whites
Oatmeal protein pancakes

Lunch/dinners
Chicken salads
Shrimp spring rolls
Black bean guacamole

Source: theleangreenbean.com via Julie on Pinterest

Tortilla pizzas

Source: cookieandkate.com via Julie on Pinterest

Snacks 
Funfetti Greek yogurt
Cinnamon apple sticks
thinkThin bar
Amazeballs
Luna bar

To bake?

Source: chef-in-training.com via Julie on Pinterest

And I continue into my budgeting.

Groceries - $38.92

• Trader Joe's pomegranate & blueberry green tea - $1.39
• Stevia soda - $0.88
• thinkThin bar - $0.69
• Luna bar - $0.49
• Pumpkin spice English muffins - $2.50
• Marinara sauce - $0.32
• Butternut squash ravioli (for tailgating) - $8.89
• Fage 0% - $4.36
• Earth Balance coconut peanut butter - $3.99
• Awesome gummy bears - $1.53
• Chocolate chips - $1.99
• Black beans - $0.89
• Green juice - $4.75 
• Breakfast (Au Coeur de Paris) - $6.25

Other - $19.59

• Calcium, magnesium, & zinc - $4.30
• Socks - $7.06
• Yogurt (for my cousin) - $3.64
• Kettle chips (for tailgating) - $4.59

Gas - $40

Total (thus far) - $98.51

What's For Dinner & Week 3 of Budgeting

My little cousin is on her school's pep squad. They integrate the students with general ed(ucation) cheerleaders. She was super cute showing me her moves afterwards. I'm taking her next week. *I work at the same school.

Onto this week's meal plan Monday and week 3 of budgeting. I'm super proud of my budget thus far. I do get a lot of help, but this has always been the case.

Groceries - $37.82

• Oat flour - $3.49
• Luna bar (w/ coupon) - $0.49
• thinkThin bar (w/ coupon) - $0.69
• 3 cans of Zevia - $2.14
• Blueberry syrup - $2.84
• Dark chocolate burnt caramel almonds - $3.28
  
• Trader Joe's cinnamon apple sticks - $2.49
• String cheese - $3.99
• Pizza - $2.75
• Stash pumpkin spice tea - $2.49
  
• Fage 0% - $4.89
• Organic baby spinach - $3.49
• Avocados - $4.79 

Other - $19.39

• Yogurtland for my cousin - $2.86
• Chili mango for my cousin (in exchange for buying me cottage cheese) - $1.98
• New workout shirt - $14.55
  

Gas - $40 

Total - $97.21

Breakfast
oatmeal protein pancakes

Lunch/Dinner
chicken salad
roasted apples & brussel sprouts
chicken wrap
shrimp spring rolls
crab-stuffed avocado (2)
healthy lobster mac & cheese (1 or 2)

Snacks
cinnamon roll bites?
string cheese (10)
chocolate dipped coconut Luna bar (1)
mini Luna bars (snagged from work)
cinnamon apple sticks (3)
strawberry cake for one?

Baking (I make them for fun)
mini pumpkin [black and white] cookies I ate way too many! They were soooo good!

Workouts
Monday - BodyPump @ Gold's or rest
Tuesday - High Intensity Circuit Workout
Wednesday - Power yoga
Thursday - Lucky Dip Kettlebell Circuit Routine
Friday - SPINbarre
Saturday - Bikini body barre and/or power yoga
Sunday - Yoga

Budget week 2 + Meal Plan Sunday

This past week proved to be tougher than last. My late night trip to buy bulk snacks and frozen yogurt wasn't cheap. Most of my groceries were snacks thanks to the chicken my mom buys every week and the things we already have in our cupboard. :) It's very clear that I can live on less than $40 a week in groceries.

Gas also got expensive out here this week but $40 got be through. I worked less at my night job, which is kind of far, and rode my bike to work one day.

Groceries - $42.30

• cottage cheese (2) - $5.28
• black beans - $0.89
• pumpkin spice rooibos tea - $3.99
• pumpkin Greek yogurt (3) - $3.87
• frozen yogurt (for my cousin and I) - $5.80
• dark chocolate pretzels + almonds + gummy bears + Clif bar (for my cousin) - $8.70
• ranch tortilla popchips - $2.99
• pumpkin spice pudding mix - $0.94
• Biscoff spread - $2.78 
• Stevia soda - $0.58
• chili limon popchips - $2.98
• pumpkin - $1.00
• pumpkin English muffins - $2.50

Other - $14.89

• Undisclosed item but it's not dirty I promise - $8.92
• Folder (for mom) - $1.05
• Baking for my kids - $4.92

Gas - $40.00

Total - $97.19

This week, I bought more real food. See, there's spaghetti squash and ground beef and brussel sprouts.

I've never eaten brussel sprouts. The first thing I did: add them to my egg white this morning.

 

Groceries - $37.84

• all purpose flour - $2.99
• spaghetti squash - $2.29
• ground beef - $4.69
• shaved brussel sprouts - $2.29
• apple cinnamon sticks (2) - $4.98
• pumpkin (2) - $2.98
• pasta sauce - $2.99
• can of stevia soda - $0.91
• Crofter's raspberry spread - $0.99
• multigrain pancake mix - $0.67
• applesauce 4-pack - $0.99
• Yogurtland (for my cousin) - $2.62
• PB & Co White Chocolate Wonderful - $3.19
• Ghiradelli chocolate - $2.49
• salad dressing - $2.77

Other - $20.65

• Foodie penpal package mailing - $11.35 
• 2 foil cake pans - $1.09
• white chocolate - $2.29
• dry shampoo - $5.92

Gas - $40.49

Total - $98.98

Breakfasts
pumpkin English muffin + 2 egg whites
oatmeal protein pancake

Lunches/Dinners
spaghetti squash pasta with meatballs

fettucini Hungry Girlfredo + chicken

cranberry avocado salad + chicken 

standard chicken salad
chicken spring rolls

Sides
sweet potato

Snacks
pumpkin amazeballs

homemade pumpkin Greek yogurt
pumpkin cheesecake mousse
peanut butter pumpkin protein cake
Trader Joe's cinnamon apple sticks
popchip tortilla chips

And, I'm thinking about this...
pumpkin loaf

Have you eaten brussel sprouts? What's your favorite way to eat them?

Overview: 1st week on a budget & meal planning

Yesterday marked the end of my first week on a $35 grocery budget. I've actually upped it to $40 since then but stayed within $35.

I did use my money for "other" items (protein powder) and used a little more on gas for my fun adventure today. Altogether, I made it under $100 with a nice cushion.

Lessons/notes from the week:

• I didn't eat out except when I was treated.
• The fridge looked empty by week's end.
• The only reason my budget worked out as well as it did was because I already have staples like eggs and my mom buys me a rotisserie chicken weekly.
• I resorted to quinoa and tuna, both items which I already have on hand. You have to get creative.
• I didn't mind repeating the same meals. 
• My pancakes were sad because I didn't buy cottage cheese this past week to fluff them up. I made sure to buy cottage cheese this week - 2 tubs!

Groceries - $31.43

• pumpkin - $1.99
• cake mix - $2.49
• Clif bar (for my cousin) - $0.99
• apple - $0.69
• Power to the Greens (2) - $3.89
• string cheese - $3.99
• oat flour - $3.49
• sparkling water + candy corn - $1.53
• flax milk + dark chocolate pretzels + gummy bears - $7.91
• 2 cake pans - $0.99
• mini mint chip ice cream sandwiches (for my cousin) - $3.29

Other - $17.21

• protein powder - $14.46
• foodie penpal purchase #1 - $2.75

Gas - $45.08

Total - $93.72

Onto this week!

  

I've already done my grocery shopping, and I bought lots of snacks. Again, my family shares their chicken breasts, eggs, and spinach with me. Plus, my mom bought me Greek yogurt and we have a huge stash of tortillas, apples, and bananas that just appear out of nowhere. :)

I know I could have done without all those snacks...

Groceries - $35.24

• cottage cheese (2) - $5.28
• black beans - $0.89
• pumpkin spice rooibos tea - $3.99
• pumpkin Greek yogurt (3) - $3.87
• frozen yogurt (for my cousin and I) - $5.80
• dark chocolate pretzels + almonds + gummy bears + Clif bar (for my cousin) - $8.70
• ranch tortilla popchips - $2.99
• pumpkin spice pudding mix - $0.94
• Biscoff spread - $2.78 

 

 Gummy bears!

I like to separate my gummy bears by color for fun... while watching "The Cabin In The Woods," which was captivating. Not saying that it's great but it did get my attention.

I've been a tea fiend lately. I bought Trader Joe's pumpkin spice rooibos this week. It's cheaper than Republic of Tea and comes in a nice tin.

Breakfasts: 

• oatmeal protein pancakes with add-ins, including Biscoff, pumpkin, or fruit
  
  

Lunches or dinners:

• chicken wrap
• chicken spinach salad
• lazy sushi bowl with tuna
• black bean salad
• fettucine Hungry Chick-fredo (2)
• chile lime chicken burger (1)
• shrimp spring rolls

Snacks:

• pumpkin Greek yogurt, either Trader Joe's or homemade
• peanut butter pumpkin cake for one
• apple
• string cheese (1) or Laughing Cow wedges
• ranch tortilla popchips
  
  
• pumpkin cheesecake mousse
• Biscoff protein cups

What are you baking this week? I made 3 great recipes last week (here and here) that my co-workers and student devoured: peanut butter & fleur de sel brownies, Joy the Baker's browned butter chocolate chip cookies, and Orangette's banana bread with cinnamon chips and more cinnamon.

This week, I want to make Joy the Baker's "Man Bait" apple crisp and something with Biscoff spread. Any unique recipes with Biscoff or ideas on what I can make?

What does your weekly food budget look like? Do you "mooch" off others?