budget fun time

Just went to Sad Food Lion and kept track of the price of everything in the cart. The total was $55 for me and the roomie for a week. I'm trying to be more budget conscious and plan meals for the week, so I can cook a few times a week and we can eat for the rest of the week. I am possibly developing an allergy to garlic and/or onions, so the newest challenge is making meals without those two glorious ingredients but that still have plenty of flavor.

Here's the current meal plan:
+calzones with tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella and ricotta (homemade dough-a new challenge!)
+cranberry bean gratin and broccoli casserole
+Spicy black beans with pumpkin-quinoa risotto, sauteed kale
+random meals of leftovers, eggs and toast and cabbage will fill out the week

For breakfasts, I will be eating quinoa porridge with raisins and prunes (i love prunes) and probably peanut butter toast due to the 5 pound jar of pb we just bought.

Meanwhile, I'm working on upping my activity and controlling my portions. Got mini-bagels and single serving bags of popcorn instead of the mega versions, and cabbage, which is my go-to filler vegetable.

I cleaned out the fridge tonight which was much needed. Out went the small quantities of moldy baked beans, chopped onion and garlic, and the last vestiges of some ranch dip. I stewed my chopped cabbage with pepper flakes, red wine and plenty of salt on pepper. Low heat for a few hours--that's probably the best thing I've made with cabbage yet. Finally steamed my languishing collards and then made lentils and quinoa to complete the meal. I grated a little good parmesan cheese and added a sprinkle of hot sauce and the concoction was pretty badass.

Also new on the home front, we can now recycle plastic tubs (#2 and 5)! I've been waiting for this for years, because I am a nerd. Now I can recycle my giant yogurt tubs. Inexplicably, Stonyfield Organic yogurt is cheaper than the store brand. I resisted the buy-one-get-one special on Breyers ice cream. So good, but I need a break from ice cream.

Next week I'm going to try to cook authentic Thai food and possibly make vegetarian pho, after I find a good cookbook and figure out what I need. I've been in a bit of a food rut lately.

I'm excited about the meals I've planned and staying on budget. I walked home three days out of the past four, which is also a victory.