This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Out – holiday

Dinner: Out – holiday

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers from last week

Dinner: Ground pork & veggie stir-fry with CSA goods

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover stir-fry

Dinner: Braised chicken leg with corn, sweet potatoes and celery

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Broiled lamb steaks with corn on the cob

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover braised veggies with bacon and eggs

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

 

This Week’s Grocery List

Almonds ($5.99 @ Whole Foods)
Choula ($3.99 @ Whole Foods)

Smoothie Supplies

Orange juice ($2.99 @ Whole Foods)
4 Apples ($3.70 @ Whole Foods)
5 limes ($3.79 @ Whole Foods)
4 Avocados ($10.00 @ Whole Foods)
Bagged kale (1 lb.) ($2.99 @ Whole Foods)
Bagged spinach ($4.49 @ Whole Foods)

 

Totals

Carryover From Last Week: $34.68
Whole Foods: $39.02

 

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $73.70; $26.30 under budget. Whoo hoo! Budgetary breathing room! This week I was lucky – I didn’t really need any dinner supplies, because my CSA was bountiful, and I had a short week due to the holiday.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have a bunch of CSA meats and veggies left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: Coffee + ! Tbsp. sunflower seed butter

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Leftover london broil + grapes, because: adulting

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Broiled salmon with green beans that had already gone over to the dark side

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Bunless burger with corn on the cob

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Lunch meat & chips because I forgot to thaw meat

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

 

This Week’s Grocery List

Kerrygold unsalted butter ($3.79 @ FreshDirect)
Silk almond milk ($4.29 @ FreshDirect)
Pat LaFrieda aged beef burgers, 4-pack ($13.49 @ FreshDirect)
Morton’s Kosher Salt, 48oz. ($2.99 @ FreshDirect)
Wild Alaskan salmon, 1.02 lb. ($14.27 @ FreshDirect)
Green beans, 1.13 lb. ($2.25 @ FreshDirect)
Sweet potatoes, 1.1 lb. ($1.67 @ FreshDirect)
Yellow onions, 0.69 lb. ($0.89 @ FreshDirect)
Challah rolls, 6-pack ($5.99 @ FreshDirect)

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger ($2.99 @ FreshDirect)
Zico coconut water ($3.79 @ FreshDirect)
4 Apples ($4.99 @ FreshDirect)
2 limes ($1.18 @ FreshDirect)
5 Avocados ($7.50 @ FreshDirect)
Bagged kale (2) ($4.58 at Trader Joe’s)
Earthbound Farm organic spinach, 5 oz. ($3.99 @ FreshDirect)
Clamshell kale, 5 oz. ($3.00 @ Brooklyn Faire)
3 limes ($1.50 @ Brooklyn Faire)

Impulse Buys

Found Infused Sparkling Water, cucumber mint ($1.66 @ FreshDirect)
Found Infused Sparkling Water, elderflower ($1.66 @ Fresh Direct)
Found Infused Sparkling Water, lemon ($1.66 @ Fresh Direct)
Poland Spring Sparkling Water, orange ($2.99/6 @ Fresh Direct)
Red seedless grapes, 3.11 lb ($9.30 @ FreshDirect)
Heirloom tomato, 0.77 lb. ($2.69 @ FreshDirect)

 

Totals

Carryover from last week: +$29.35
CSA veggies: $25.50
CSA meat: $40.00
Fresh Direct: $94.03
Emergency Smoothie Supplies: $4.50

 

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $164.03; $34.68 over budget. Boo impulse grapes and sparkling water that turns out has too much sugar in it to drink.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have a bunch of CSA meats and veggies left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover innards from last week’s stuffed zucchini

Dinner: Crock pot paleo butter chicken

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover pulled pork with peaches, kimchee and broccoli slaw

Dinner: Eggplant and beef meatballs

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover pulled pork with peaches & kimchee

Dinner: Kielbasa with Instant Pot pork broth, potatoes & cabbage

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover balsamic beef with peaches and cabbage

Dinner: Beet & cherry gazpacho with avocado + london broil

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover balsamic beef with peaches and cabbage

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

 

This Week’s Grocery List

Sheep romano cheese ($5.39 @ Whole Foods)
Tomato paste ($0.99 @ Whole Foods)
Grass fed ground beef ($7.49 @ Whole Foods)
Celery ($2.99 @ Whole Foods)
Frozen cherries ($4.99 @ Whole Foods)
2 onions ($1.50 @ Whole Foods)
2 bulbs garlic ($1.05 @ Whole Foods)
1 avocado ($1.25 @ Whole Foods)
Parsley ($1.99 @ Whole Foods)
Coconut milk ($2.79 @ Whole Foods)

Smoothie Supplies

Coconut water (~$4 @ Brooklyn Fare)
5 Apples ($5.05 @ Whole Foods)
5 limes ($3.75 @ Whole Foods)
4 Avocados ($5.00 @ Whole Foods)
Bagged kale ($3.99 @ Whole Foods)
Bagged spinach ($2.99 @ Whole Foods)

Impulse Items

Smoked pork hocks ($2.07 @ Whole Foods)

Totals

Whole Foods: $54.01
Brooklyn Fare: $~4
Overage from last week: $13.65

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $71.65; $29.35 under budget. Yay, budgetary wiggle room! This week, I kept the impulse buying to a minimum and had enough meat from my CSA (plus extras from last week) to carry me through.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have lamb riblets for stock, 1 green pepper, a few carrots and a jalapeño left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover zucchini fritters & hard boiled eggs

Dinner: Slow cooked balsamic beef – much like this recipe – with corn on the cob

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover balsamic beef with peaches

Dinner: Leftover balsamic beef with leftover zucchini mash

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover balsamic beef with peaches & lettuce

Dinner: Paleo stuffed globe zucchini with sausage & veggies

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers from last night

Dinner: Thin little NY Strips pan seared + roasted eggplant

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover balsamic beef with peaches & lettuce

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

 

This Week’s Grocery List

Bottom round roast, local source & happy cows ~ 4 lbs. ($29.22 @ Whole Foods)
Top round, local source & happy cows ~ 1.5 lbs. ($15.53 @ Whole Foods)
French green beans ($5.99 @ Whole Foods)

Smoothie Supplies

Coconut water (~$4.00 @ Brooklyn Fare)
4 Apples ($4.14 @ Whole Foods)
1 lb. limes (~$3.00 @ Brooklyn Fare)
4 Avocados ($10.00 @ Whole Foods)
Bagged kale (1 lb.) ($2.99 @ Whole Foods)
Bagged spinach (~$3.50 @Brooklyn Fare)

 

Totals

Carryover from last week: +$35.17
CSA veggies: $25.50
CSA meat: $40.00
Whole Foods: $72.82
Brooklyn Fare: ~$10.50

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $113.65; $13.65 over budget. I spent a bunch at Whole Foods this week, but I’m still on track – I didn’t end up using the top round I bought, so I have bonus meat to roll over to next week. I also forgot a few key smoothie items while shopping at Whole Foods, so the DH had to stop at the overly expensive store to compensate. Whomp, whomp.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have some CSA veggies and meats, plus the top round beef I bought left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs

Lunch: Leftover peach and plum salad with pulled pork

Dinner: Bunless burgers with corn on the cob

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover peach and plum salad with pulled pork

Dinner: Thai inspired ground turkey bowl with shredded cabbage “noodles”

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover pork sausage & potato hash from last week

Dinner: Paleo zucchini fritters with bacon and egg

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover Thai inspired ground turkey

Dinner: Lamb blade steaks with spicy potato salad

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover spicy potato salad with hard boiled eggs

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

 

This Week’s Grocery List

Kerrygold unsalted butter ($4.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Kraft cheese slices (24 pack) ($3.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Broccoli slaw (9 ounces) ($2.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Potato rolls (8) ($3.39 @ Amazon Fresh)
Poland mandarin orange sparkling water (6 16.9 ounce bottles) ($2.99 @ Amazon Fresh)

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger (8 ounces) ($2.49 @ Amazon Fresh)
Zico coconut water (1 liter) ($3.98 @ Amazon Fresh)
5 Apples ($3.75 @ Amazon Fresh)
1.5 lbs. limes ($2.49 @ Amazon Fresh)
1 large avocado ($2.00 @ Amazon Fresh)
4 small avocados ($4.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Kale (3 bunches) ($5.97 @ Amazon Fresh)
Clamshell spinach (5 ounces) ($3.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Simply orange juice (59 ounces) ($2.99 @ Amazon Fresh)

 

Totals

Overage from last week: $13.41
Amazon Fresh: $51.42

 

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $64.83; $35.17 under budget. Whoo hoo! Stretching the budget a bit by having a bacon and eggs night worked! I was a little light on protein that day, but overall an austere night was a success.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have beets, and a little cabbage left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover rotisserie chicken with leftover broccoli slaw

Dinner: Instant Pot pulled pork with snap pea/cucumber salad

Tuesday

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs

Lunch: Cucumber & fruit salad with leftover rotisserie chicken

Dinner: Leftover pulled pork with zoodles

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Cucumber & fruit salad with the last of the leftover rotisserie chicken

Dinner: Sweet pork sausage, potato, corn & zucchini hash with egg

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Plum & peach salsa salad with pulled pork

Dinner: Chicken breast with zucchini mashed potatoes

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Plum & peach salsa salad with pulled pork

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

 

This Week’s Grocery List

Boneless pork butt, 4 lbs. ($20.33 @ Whole Foods)
Almond milk ($3.69 @ Whole Foods)
Lemons (3) ($2.67 @ Whole Foods)
Red chilis ($1.05 @ Whole Foods)
Tomatoes ($6.04 @ Whole Foods)

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger ($1.16 @ Whole Foods)
5 Apples ($5.67 @ Whole Foods)
5 limes ($3.75 @ Whole Foods)
Bag of 4 small + 1 extra avocados ($5.99 + $2.79 @ Whole Foods)
Bagged kale (1 lb.) ($2.99 @ Whole Foods)
Bagged spinach ($3.99 @ Whole Foods)
Fresh turmeric ($0.96 @ Whole Foods)

Impulse Buys

Daikon kimchee ($7.99 @ Whole Foods)

Totals

Carryover from last week: +$25.17
CSA veggies: $25.50
CSA meat: $44.29
Whole Foods: $68.97

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $138.58; $13.41 over budget. Not bad, considering $8 of that was expensive impulse kimchee, and I bought enough pork to last for more than a week.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have some CSA veggies and meats – enough for almost a week – left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week, and shouldn’t need to buy too much in the way of groceries.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs

Lunch: Takeout rotisserie chicken and sweet potato fries

Dinner: Tacos out

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover rotisserie chicken and the veggies it came with

Dinner: Pan-Roasted Chicken With Broccoli & Corn (recipe coming soon)

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover rotisserie chicken salad with a peach, red cabbage and broccoli slaw

Dinner: Zoodles with fried egg, leftover chicken & bacon

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: See: yesterday

Dinner: Fried lamb fries with warm potato salad

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover rotisserie chicken salad with a peach, red cabbage and broccoli slaw

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

 

This Week’s Grocery List

Bacon ends and pieces ($3.49 @ Trader Joe’s)
Side dish – Broccoli slaw ($1.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Potatoes 1.5 lb. bag baby reds ($1.79 @ Trader Joe’s)
Shallots ($0.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Peaches ($2.79 @ Trader Joe’s)

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger ($1.39 @ Trader Joe’s)
Coconut water ($3.69 at Trader Joe’s)
4 Apples ($3.16 at Trader Joe’s)
1 lb. limes ($2.49 at Trader Joe’s)
4 small avocados ($4.49 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged kale (2) ($2.29 ea at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged spinach ($2.29 at Trader Joe’s)

Impulse Buys

Sriracha roasted garlic bbq sauce ($2.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Thai lime & chili cashews ($6.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Raw unsalted almonds ($6.49 @ Trader Joe’s)
Sugar snap peas ($2.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Bananas (4) ($0.76 @ Trader Joe’s)

Totals

Overage from last week: $21.52
Trader Joe’s: $53.31

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $74.83; $25.17 under budget. Ok, so maybe I need to start thinking of my CSA season grocery budget in two week intervals instead of weekly like the rest of the year. Last week, I went over by $21.52, but that translated into really not having to buy much this week.

Note: Smoothie supplies – limes, apples, coconut water and spinach were all a little more expensive this week than usual.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have lamb kidneys, a few carrots, half a bunch of celery, 1 zucchini and a few cucumbers left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs

Lunch: Pre-packaged salad from Trader Joe’s + grilled chicken breast

Dinner: Bunless burger with smashed fingerling potatoes

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Romaine/red cabbage/grilled chicken/cherry salad

Dinner: Deli meat wrapped in a collard leaf + pop chips

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Romaine/red cabbage/strawberry/grilled chicken salad

Dinner: Lamb blade steaks with corn/cucumber/pepper salad

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover corn salad with red cabbage, chicken and fried eggs

Dinner: Pressure cooked pork ribs with corn on the cob

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Collard wrapped deli meat sandwich with peaches

Dinner: Ate out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

This Week’s Grocery List

Lunch salad for Monday ($3.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Lunch grilled chicken breast ($5.49 @ Trader Joe’s)
Deli meat, 1/2 lb turkey ($5.00 @ Brooklyn Fare
Deli meat, 1/2 lb. roast beef ($4.80 @ Brooklyn Fare)
Buns for the DH’s burger ($2.49 @ Trader Joe’s)
Fingerling potatoes for a burger side ($2.29 @ Trader Joe’s)

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger ($1.39 @ Trader Joe’s)
Coconut water ($3.69 @ Trader Joe’s)
4 Apples ($3.16 at Trader Joe’s)
1 lb. limes ($1.99 at Trader Joe’s)
2 Avocados ($2.78 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged kale (2) ($4.58 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged spinach ($2.29 at Trader Joe’s)

Impulse Buys

Sliced mozzarella ($3.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Pop Chips ($2.50 @ Brooklyn Fare)
2 peaches ($2.18 @ Brooklyn Fare)
1 Cubanelle pepper ($0.42 @ Brooklyn Fare)

Totals

CSA Veggies: $25.50
CSA Meats: $40.00
Trader Joe’s: $38.13
Brooklyn Fare: $17.89

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $121.52; $21.52 over budget. Poooooooooooooo. I really thought I was on track this week, since I didn’t have to buy much – apparently not. I need to buckle down for next week. This could get interesting.

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have a bunch of CSA veggies, some offal, and other meats left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover roasted chicken with leftover spicy chard salad

Dinner: Plantain crusted buffalo turkey breast with olive/rosemary/bacon mustard greens

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover spicy chard salad with leftover plantain crusted turkey breast

Dinner: Slow cooker pork ribs with roasted grapefruit beets & radishes

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: The last of the leftover spicy chard salad with 3 fried eggs

Dinner: Ate dinner out

Thursday

Breakfast: Vacation!

Lunch: Vacation!

Dinner: Vacation!

Friday

Breakfast: Vacation!

Lunch: Vacation!

Dinner: Vacation!

Sunday

Breakfast: Vacation!

Lunch: Vacation!

Dinner: Vacation!

 

This Week’s Grocery List

Rosemary ($1.99 @ Brooklyn Fare)
Grapefruit ($1.49 @ Brooklyn Fare)
Olives ($3.79 @ Brooklyn Fare)

Smoothie Supplies
1 lb. Apples ($1.50 @ Brooklyn Fare)
3 limes ($0.60 @ Brooklyn Fare)
1 Avocado ($1.67 @ Brooklyn Fare)
Satur Farms mixed kale ($3.99 @ Brooklyn Fare)
Bagged spinach ($1.99 at Trader Joe’s)

Impulse Buys
Brew Free or Die beer ($12.99 @ Brooklyn Fare)
Granny Smith Polar seltzer ($1.00 @ Brooklyn Fare)
2.25 lb. Cherries ($6.73 @ Brooklyn Fare)
Talenti gelato ($3.99 @ Brooklyn Fare)

 

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $41.51; $59.49 under budget. Finally! An under budget week. Of course it helps that this is a short week + I had a bunch of CSA goodies left from last week.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have ground beef, eggs, collard greens and romaine lettuce left over. I need to incorporate these items into my menu for next week.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat. 

This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftover sandwich stuff (deli meat with collard green wrapper) + fruit salad from the weekend

Dinner: Another sandwich because I clearly have an addiction and can’t be stopped

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Boo! No sandwiches left – had a fruit salad with the last of my leftover spicy beef + radishes + watermelon/blueberry/strawberry mix + sriracha + salt

Dinner: Grilled London Broil with sautéed broccoli raab

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Attended a wedding and ate dinner there

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Roasted bird breast (which turned out to be half a chicken) with lemon balm and basil + a side of green & yellow beans with whole roasted lemon & basil

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothie

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

 

This Week’s Grocery List

I was good this week and had enough to limp along for dinner on Monday and Tuesday before my CSA box came in.

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger (Brooklyn Fare)
4 Apples (Brooklyn Fare)
4 limes (Brooklyn Fare)
2 avocados (Brooklyn Fare)
Clamshell kale ($2.99 @ Brooklyn Fare)

CSA Meat Impulse Buys

This crazy good sounding supposedly raw milk cheddar cheese ($9.00 @ LW)
Eggs ($4.29 @ LW) – mental note: hurry up and eat the eggs I already have

Totals

CSA Veggies: $25.50
CSA Meats: $53.29
Brooklyn Fare: Ummmmm …. ??

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent an undisclosed amount; $0.00 under budget. Ok, so this week I was a budget breakout failure. I forgot to keep my receipt for smoothie supplies, so I don’t know how much I spent – I’m guessing it wasn’t more than $21.21, because that would be crazy. I know the kale cost $2.99. Other than that, I wasn’t paying attention; I was busy picking up a whole bunch of fruit, beer, “chips” and deli meats for a game night spread (and spending a quintillion dollars on dinner that night because I went to the expensive grocery store). I’m guessing the rest cost around $15; $1-something for ginger, about $1 per apple, $1 per lime, and $2 per avocado.

I also spent around $5 grabbing last minute extras for a spicy chard salad I whipped together to take to a potluck on Saturday.

 

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have radishes, mustard greens, collard greens, romaine, swiss chard, basil, turkey breast, ground beef, pork ribs and eggs leftover.

—

Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source 

For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.

I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat.