Mystery Solved

Many readers have asked me how we keep such a low grocery budget.
Here's an example of this week's menu planning and grocery purchases for our family.

I'm a creature of habit and like to go each Wednesday morning to Mariano's when it's quiet.  It's also double coupon day so when I do have a coupon it's a great deal.  Ivy gets a donut if she behaves in the produce section so everybody wins.

Wednesday
Breakfast - Ann Sather's Cinnamon Rolls (splurge) and champagne mangos
Lunch - bagels and cream cheese, orange slices
Dinner- Portabella mushroom burgers with english muffin buns and sweet potato fries

Thursday
Breakfast- homemade bran muffins and cantaloupe
Lunch - peanut butter and jelly, apples
Dinner - dinner at church every Thursday night ($10/family)

Friday
Breakfast - homemade granola and yogurt
Lunch - bagels and cream cheese, cantaloupe
Dinner - Mama Cozzi's pizza and roasted broccoli
(pizzas are $5 at Aldi - we add our own veggies and have it with a salad).
Fridays are always dinner and a movie night at our house.

Saturday
Breakfast - eggs and potato sausage (made at Thanksgiving and frozen)
Lunch - grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - kids - mac n' cheese, adults - wilted spinach salad with balsamic onions and craisins *

Sunday
Breakfast - cinnamon rolls (I made these a month ago and froze the dough), yogurt
Lunch - leftovers
Dinner - Shepherd's pie and brussel sprouts, salad

Monday
Breakfast - leftover bran muffins and fruit
Lunch - peanut butter and jelly, fruit
Dinner - Spaghetti and french bread (bread was made and frozen a month ago)

Tuesday
Breakfast - cereal and fruit
Lunch-  bagels and cream cheese, fruit
Dinner - soup from the freezer


Groceries purchased for this week's meal
ranch dressing - to get the kids to eat salad
1 gallon almond milk
graham crackers - family size
pasta sauce
organic, grass fed beef - 2 lbs.
gardein veggie burgers - 2 packages, 8 burgers total
bananas - 1 1/2 lb.
kiwi - 3
cantaloupe
broccoli - 1 lb.
red potatoes - 2 1/2 lb.
yellow mangos - 3
bartlet pear - 1 1/2 lb.
brussel sprouts - 1 lb.
portabella mushroom - 1 1/2 lb.
white onions 1 3/4 lbs.
on the vine tomatoes 1/3 lb.
avocado - 1
sweet potatoes - 3/4 lb.
blueberries
spinach - 1 package
unsalted butter - 2 packages
colby jack string cheese - 12
cage free eggs - 2 dozen
mountain high yogurt - 2 cartons

Total $59.89 y'all.




* We feel it's important to all eat the same food at the table but once and a while make an exception when I really want something and know it's going to cause a total drama for the kids.

** If you're interested in any of my recipes just let me know in the comment box.