This Week’s Menu

Monday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Random leftovers

Dinner: Thank all that is good in the world for leftover Italian sausage. I ordered delivery groceries again this week, and they couldn’t be dropped off until dinner was already being made. We had Italian sausage and brussels sprouts with whipped garlic (fantastic. recipe coming soon). Tonight’s dinner was supposed to be Thai Brussels Crunch Salad with chicken. This will now be pushed to next week.

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Paleo Mac & Cheese with chicken (recipe coming soon – this was soooo good)

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Paleo meatloaf (based on Alton Brown’s recipe) with mashed sweet potatoes (my DH and I can’t be the only ones excited for meatloaf night)

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Nom Nom Paleo’s Doro Wat with sweet potatoes (freaking delicious)

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Ate out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Delivery, despite having the makings for burgers & fries at home. Laziness hit.

This Week’s Grocery List

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts ($4.29 for 14 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
Ground sirloin ($6.99 for 1 pound @ Amazon Fresh)
Chicken drumsticks ($3.69 for 20 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
Eggs ($4.49 @ Amazon Fresh)
Yellow bell pepper ($0.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Cilantro ($1.69 @ Amazon Fresh)
Cucumber ($0.79 @ Amazon Fresh)
Orange bell pepper ($0.89 @ Amazon Fresh)
Ground chuck ($8.99 for 1 pound @ Amazon Fresh)
Cauliflower ($2.34 @ Amazon Fresh)
Grass fed ground beef ($9.99 for 1 pound @ Amazon Fresh)
Kerrygold unsalted butter ($4.99 for 8 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
Brussels sprouts ($2.50 for 1 pound @ Amazon Fresh)
Scallions ($0.92 @ Amazon Fresh)
Green bell pepper ($0.79 @ Amazon Fresh)
Green cabbage ($1.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Ground cumin ($3.59 for 1.5 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
Red onion ($0.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Garlic ($0.48 @ Amazon Fresh)
Ground mustard ($3.63 for 1.75 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
Russet Potato ($1.19 @ Amazon Fresh)
Chock Full O’Nuts coffee ($3.98 for 11.3 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
White sweet potatoes ($2.46 for 2 pounds @ Amazon Fresh)
Yellow onion ($0.59 @ Amazon Fresh)
Coconut milk ($1.86 for 13.5 ounce can @ Amazon Fresh)
Berbere seasoning ($4.09 for 2.3 ounces @ Amazon Pantry)

Smoothie Supplies

Coconut water ($2.39 for 1 liter @ Amazon Fresh)
5 Apples ($3.95 @ Amazon Fresh)
Limes ($2.77 for 1.5 pounds @Amazon Fresh)
4 Avocados ($4.49 @Amazon Fresh)
Bagged kale ($5.99 for 16 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
Bagged spinach ($1.99 for 9 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $100.77; $0.77 over budget. Boo. I tried hard to stick to budget this week, since last week was a few cents over – and i just missed the mark. I made substitutions where I could for cheaper items (cheaper coffee really helped here), but the spices I needed for the meals I wanted to make put me over. And, I forgot to grab black pepper – so we ran out halfway through the week.

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have ground beef, the carrots I’ve been slooooooowly whittling away at, and the makings for Thai Brussels Crunch Salad 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 smoothies

Lunch: Leftover caramelized onion & apple turkey burger with Cruciferous Crunch

Dinner: Paleo beef rogan josh with cauliflower rice

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftover Salsa Verde Pulled Pork with sauteed Cruciferous Crunch

Dinner: Unstuffed cabbage roll casserole

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftover Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

Dinner: Pork rind crusted chicken tenders with whipped garlic brussels

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftover Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

Dinner: Bagna cauda with meatballs

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: The last of the leftover Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole + the single leftover pork rind crusted chicken strip

Dinner: A Mexican bowl involving ground beef, guacamole, spicy salsa & sweet potatoes

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

This Week’s Grocery List

Ground pork ($3.99 for 1 lb. @ Amazon Fresh)
Grassfed ground beef ($19.98 for 2 lbs. @ Amazon Fresh)
Fresh salsa ($5.29 for a 16-ounce tub @ Amazon Fresh)
Green cabbage ($2.49 @ Amazon Fresh)
Broccoli ($1.78 for 1 lb. @ Amazon Fresh)
Button mushrooms ($1.67 for 8 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
Cauliflower ($2.34 @ Amazon Fresh)
Sabra Classic Guacamole (8 ounce) ($3.49 @ Amazon Fresh)
Lemon ($0.75 @ Amazon Fresh)
Hot Italian sausage ($1 lb. for $5.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Grass fed stew beef ($1 lb. for $9.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Brussels sprouts ($2.50 for 1 lb. @ Amazon Fresh)
Coconut milk ($1.86 for 1 can @ Amazon Fresh)
Onion ($0.59 @ Amazon Fresh)
Fire roasted tomatoes ($1.96 for 2 cans @ Amazon Fresh)
Garlic ($0.96 for 2 heads @ Amazon Fresh)
Microwave pork rinds ($8.00 for 8 ounces unpuffed @ Amazon Fresh)
Anchovies ($2.19 for 1.5 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger ($1.99 for 8 ounces @ Amazon Fresh)
Coconut water ($2.39 @ Amazon Fresh)
4 Apples ($3.16 @ Amazon Fresh)
1.5 lbs. limes ($2.77 @ Amazon Fresh)
4 Avocados ($4.49 @ Amazon Fresh)
Bagged kale (16 ounces) ($5.99 @ Amazon Fresh)
Bagged spinach (6 ounces) ($2.99 @ Amazon Fresh)

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent 100.19; 0.19 over budget. I *finally* got my freaking pork rinds, didn’t have to brave the masses stocking up for the blizzardgeddon, and I only went over budget by 19 cents? I’ll take it!

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have carrots and some Italian sausage 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 smoothies

Lunch: Leftover Spicy Tuna Cakes + sauteed cabbage

Dinner: Mexican Meatza

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Pulled pork + sauteed cabbage

Dinner: Lazy Mexican bowl

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Pulled pork & Cruciferous Crunch

Dinner: Caramelized onion & apple turkey burger with roasted brussels/broccoli/sunflower seeds

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftover caramelized onion & apple turkey burger with roasted brussels/broccoli/sunflower seeds

Dinner: Pork verde with cauliflower rice

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftover caramelized onion & apple turkey burger with roasted brussels/broccoli/sunflower seeds

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

This Week’s Grocery List

Big pork ($24.93 at Whole Foods)
Salsa verde ($1.99 at Trader Joe’s)
orange ($0.69 at Trader Joe’s)
onion ($1.58 for 2 at Trader Joe’s)
brussels ($2.49 at Trader Joe’s)
broccoli ($1.99 at Trader Joe’s)
sunflower seeds ($1.99 at Trader Joe’s)
ground beef ($7.49 at Trader Joe’s)
green pepper ($0.99 at Trader Joe’s)
chicken breast ($7.69 at Trader Joe’s)
pork rinds – Couldn’t find yet again
cauliflower ($2.49 at Trader Joe’s)
sweet potatoes ($0.98 for 2 at Trader Joe’s)

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger ($1.39 at Trader Joe’s)
Coconut water ($3.69 at Trader Joe’s)
5 Apples ($3.45 at Trader Joe’s)
1 lb. limes ($1.49 at Trader Joe’s)
4 Avocados ($5.56 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged kale (2) ($2.29 x2 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged spinach ($2.29 at Trader Joe’s)

Impulse Buys

Roasted cashews ($6.99 at Trader Joe’s)
Jalapeños ($1.69 at Trader Joe’s)
Lara bar ($1.29 at Trader Joe’s)
Cruciferous Crunch ($2.29 at Trader Joe’s)
Realsticks Chipotle Jerky ($1.99 x2 at Whole Foods)
Asian seasoning blend ($2.50 at Whole Foods)

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $96.49; $4.51 under budget. If you apply this week’s underage to last week’s overage, I’m going into next week only $0.2 in the red budget-wise. Note to self: stock up on pork rinds the next time I happen to see any. I can’t find them anywhere around here.

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have chicken breasts and carrots 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 smoothies + coffee with homemade almond milk

Lunch: Leftover Chinese takeout

Dinner: Caramelized onion meatballs with zoodles and balsamic vinegar

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies + coffee with homemade almond milk

Lunch: Sauerkraut, Ro-tel and chicken bowl

Dinner: Roasted veggie salad with berry tahini dressing and pork chops

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies + coffee with homemade almond milk

Lunch: Leftover veggie salad with chicken

Dinner: Roasted broccoli and spicy tuna cakes – I had hoped to make bagna cauda, but didn’t check to see if I had anchovies. Boo!

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothies + coffee with homemade almond milk

Lunch: Leftover Spicy Tuna Cakes with apple/mint salad

Dinner: Roasted one-pan chicken thighs with brussels sprouts

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothies + coffee with homemade almond milk

Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Ate out

Saturday

Breakfast: 2 eggs with leftover pulled pork + coffee with homemade almond milk

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Brunch out + coffee with homemade almond milk

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Bunless burger with baked sweet potato fries

This Week’s Grocery List

Ground beef x 2 (bought 1 – $7.49 @ Trader Joe’s)
Chuck roast – TJs was out

Romanesco – TJs was out
Cauliflower – TJs was out
Broccoli ($2.79 @ Trader Joe’s)

Leek ($2.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Beets ($2.29 @ Trader Joe’s)
Parsley – already had
thyme – TJs was out
scallions – TJs was out
Berries (6 ounces raspberries – $3.49 @ Trader Joe’s)

Lemon – already had

Sweet potatoes (4) (TJ’s only had 3 – $1.47)
Onions ($1.78 for 2 @ Trader Joe’s)
Garlic ($1.29 @ Trader Joe’s)

Dried figs ($3.99 @ Trader Joe’s)
Beef broth – All the broth at TJs had sugar
Tomato sauce – TJs didn’t have anything good looking here, either
10 oz tuna ($1.49 + $1.69 @ Trader Joe’s)
Almonds ($6.49 @ Trader Joe’s)
Smoothie Supplies

5 Apples ($3.45 at Trader Joe’s)
1 lb. limes ($1.99 at Trader Joe’s)
3 Avocados ($4.17 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged kale (2) ($2.29 x 2 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged spinach ($2.29 at Trader Joe’s)
Orange juice ($3.29 at Trader Joe’s)

Things that weren’t on the grocery list but I ended up buying anyways because some main items I needed weren’t in stock + I was hungry + snacks were needed

Pork chops ($4.49 at Trader Joe’s)
Ground turkey ($4.22 at Trader Joe’s)
Chicken thighs ($6.39 at Trader Joe’s)
Sauerkraut ($3.99 at Trader Joe’s)
Pre-cooked chicken ($5.49 at Trader Joe’s)
Roasted cashews ($7.99 at Trader Joe’s)
Shredded cabbage ($1.69 at Trader Joe’s)
Brussels sprouts ($2.49 at Trader Joe’s)
Sundried tomatoes ($3.29 at Trader Joe’s)
Gouda cheese ($6.48 at Trader Joe’s)
Brown mustard ($0.99 at Trader Joe’s)

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent $104.53; $4.53 over budget. This week’s pre-planned menu was shot all to hell and back while grocery shopping when Trader Joe’s was out of a good third of my grocery list. I’m quite proud of myself for only going over $4, considering I was flying blind and impulse-bought a bunch of random things for a snack dinner that night and to ensure we had enough food to cobble together dinner if plan A didn’t work out on any given night this week.

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have carrots, 2 radishes, and shredded 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 smoothies

Lunch: Leftover meat with guacamole

Dinner: Instant Pot pulled pork with spiced roasted parsnips

Tuesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Cruciferous Crunch salad with leftover meat

Dinner: Instant Pot green curry chicken with cauliflower rice

Wednesday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Cruciferous Crunch salad with leftover meat

Dinner: Ginger sesame chicken zoodles

Thursday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Leftover dinner from last night

Dinner: The plan was to make pulled pork tacos in cabbage wraps with an apple/mint slaw, but that fell through when Trader Joes didn’t have cabbage. I improvised and made a killer bowl out of the apple/mint slaw and pork.

Friday

Breakfast: Green smoothies

Lunch: Cruciferous Crunch with pulled pork and a light hazelnut oil/lime dressing.

Dinner: I had planned on eating out tonight, but the hubby had to work so I cobbled something together – the last of my big chicken thigh pack, with a quick sweet potato hash and eggs

Saturday

Breakfast: I actually ate breakfast in today (I usually brunch both days or grab something quick from the bodega/Starbucks). I made a semi-successful bowl consisting of half a can of Ro-Tel, 2 eggs and half an avocado.

Lunch: Out

Dinner: Out

Sunday

Breakfast: Out

Lunch: Out

Dinner: I had intended on making burgers and sweet potato fries, but we had a large lunch and picked up things to snack on while grocery shopping.

This Week’s Grocery List

Cabbage X (I wanted this to make tacos with the pulled pork but they were out)
Apple ($0.79 at Trader Joe’s)
Mint ($1.69 at Trader Joe’s)
Veggie for side (1 lb. parsnips – $1.79 at Trader Joe’s)
Coconut milk (2) ($1.98 at Trader Joe’s)
Radishes ($0.99 at Trader Joe’s)
Cauliflower ($2.49 at Trader Joe’s)
Cucumber or zucchini
Sesame oil ($2.29 at Trader Joe’s)
Cilantro ($1.79 at Trader Joe’s)
Sweet potato ($0.49 at Trader Joe’s)
Ghee ($4.79 at Trader Joe’s)
Coffee ($4.99 at Trader Joe’s)
Nuts for snacks ($7.99 at Trader Joe’s)
Lunch veggie (1 bag Cruciferous Crunch – $2.29 at Trader Joe’s)
Ground beef ($7.49 at Trader Joe’s)
Zucchini ($1.50 for 2 at Trader Joe’s)
Carrots ($2.49 at Trader Joe’s)

Smoothie Supplies

Ginger ($1.39 at Trader Joe’s)
Coconut water ($3.69 at Trader Joe’s)
4 Apples ($2.76 at Trader Joe’s)
1 lb. limes ($1.49 at Trader Joe’s)
2 Avocados ($2.78 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged kale (2) ($4.58 at Trader Joe’s)
Bagged spinach ($1.99 at Trader Joe’s)

Budget Breakout

This week, I spent 64.52; 36.48 under budget. This week’s budget was helped immensely by the pork shoulder and chicken thighs I picked up last week at Whole Foods while they were on sale. The chicken was about $12 and the pork was about $25. With the meat added in, I would have hit right at my budget limit. I watch meat sales closely and stock up when I can for weeks when I have to buy high-dollar items like fats and snack nuts.

Leftovers From This Week

At the end of the week, I have carrots, celery, half a bag of radishes, ground beef and 1 small sweet potato 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. 

A number of people I know are completely flabbergasted when contemplating sticking to a budget while eating a primarily “paleo” diet. I’m hoping to shed a little light on that issue for those of you on the fence about eating healthfully in this manner – it *can* be done – and done well – without spending all the money. All it takes is a little planning. 

A little background: I live in Brooklyn, NY, and the grocery prices here are definitely not the same as what you will find in other areas of the country. If you live in say, Raleigh NC for example – you may very well be able to cut this grocery bill by a third, depending upon where you shop. For where I live, where I shop and what I buy, $100 a week is a doable budget without having to sacrifice the quality I want too much. My DH thinks $130 is probably more realistic with our morning smoothie supplies, but I want to shoot for $100. I aim to make 4-5 dinners for two and 5 lunches per week, plus two smoothies per day six days of the week with my budgetary allowance and update you all weekly on what’s going on. Let’s see if I can make it. 

—

This is my first week without a CSA shipment to look forward to – I was also out on vacation not thinking about what I was going to be cooking for dinner this week during the latter half of the week. I am very happy that delivery groceries exist in my area. Being able to order what I needed for the week while laying in bed on Sunday morning was a freaking lifesaver. All groceries were purchased from Amazon Fresh again.

Menu for Last Week (Week of November 3 – 7)

The Plan vs. Reality

I had a vague plan going into this week, and only 3 days worth of dinners to do. I think I did pretty well.

Monday

• The Plan – Meat with CSA veggies
• Reality – Pork chops with roasted fennel & carrots and a side of mashed potatoes. Yum.

Tuesday

• The Plan – Meat with CSA veggies
• Reality – Italian sausage with chard, fire roasted tomatoes, onion, leek & cauliflower rice. This would have been good, but the sausage was gross.

Wednesday

• The Plan – Something with CSA veggies
• Reality – Baked balsamic chicken thighs with delicata squash. This was so-so; the squash wasn’t crispy enough, and for future reference the hubbs absolutely hates squash brushed with coconut oil and balsamic.

Thursday

• The Plan – Vacation eats – more on my mini vacation to Lake Placid, NY coming soon!
• Reality – Pub grub – steak & potatoes with asparagus + crispy Thai style pork belly. Y-U-M

Friday

• The Plan – Vacation eats
• Reality – Amazing dinner at Liquids and Solids of fried duck hearts with bleu cheese mashed potatoes & green beans + a charcuterie plate with truffled pork pate and local cheeses. I will dream about this dinner for months to come.

Lunches

• The Plan – Leftovers & fresh csa veggies
• Reality – Pulled pork with carrot & apple, pork chop leftovers and pulled pork with cabbage & apples

Extras

• The Plan – Nothing planned.
• Reality – And nothing happened.

This Week: November 10 – 15

My notes from last week mention pumpkin and brussels, bourbon & pecans and sweet potato waffles. I remembered exactly none of that while sleepily grocery shopping in the 11th hour.

This Week’s Proposed Menu

• Monday: Meat with leftover CSA veg
• Tuesday: Meat with leftover CSA veg
• Wednesday: Meat with leftover CSA veg
• Thursday: Meat with leftover CSA veg
• Friday: Eat out
• Lunch: Leftovers & more apples
• Extras: None

Shopping List & Cost Breakout

Grocery Store Key: AM = Amazon Fresh

Shopping List

Radicchio, 1 Head ($1.29 @ AM)
Turnips, 1 lb ($1.29 @ AM)
Natural Pork Tenderloin Boneless, 19 oz ($6.29 @ AM)
Natural Pork Boneless Loin Chop, 6 oz Each (4 Pc), 1.5 lb ($8.49 @ AM)
Meadow Organics Ground Beef, Grass-Fed, USDA Organic, 16 oz ($9.99 @ AM)
Meadow Organics Chuck Steak, Grass-Fed, USDA Organic, 6 oz ($5.69ea $11.38 @ AM)
Natural Pork Boneless Shoulder Roast, 3 lb ($9.79ea @ AM)
Organic Collard Greens, 1 Bunch ($2.69 @ AM)

Hass Avocados, Not Yet Ripe, Small, 4 ct ($4.99 @ AM)
Granny Smith Apple, Large ($0.69 @ AM)
Organic Ginger, 8 oz ($2.99ea @ AM)
Spinach, 2 Bunches ($1.26ea $2.52 @ AM)
Lime Family Pack, 1.5 lb ($2.77 @ AM)
Organic Lacinato (Dinosaur) Kale, 2 Bunches ($2.49ea $4.98 @ AM)

Extras: No extras this week.

Total AM: $75.11

Total For The Week: $75.11; $0.11 over budget. I’m still working with CSA veggies this week, so I attempted to stick to my $75 budget. I think I did pretty well, especially considering the amount of extra meat I bought.

Pantry/items repurposed from last week: fats, spices, CSA veggies.

A number of people I know are completely flabbergasted when contemplating sticking to a budget while eating a primarily “paleo” diet. I’m hoping to shed a little light on that issue for those of you on the fence about eating healthfully in this manner – it *can* be done – and done well – without spending all the money. All it takes is a little planning. 

A little background: I live in Brooklyn, NY, and the grocery prices here are definitely not the same as what you will find in other areas of the country. If you live in say, Raleigh NC for example – you may very well be able to cut this grocery bill by a third, depending upon where you shop. For where I live, where I shop and what I buy, $100 a week is a doable budget without having to sacrifice the quality I want too much. My DH thinks $130 is probably more realistic with our morning smoothie supplies, but I want to shoot for $100. I aim to make 4-5 dinners for two and 5 lunches per week, plus two smoothies per day six days of the week with my budgetary allowance and update you all weekly on what’s going on. Let’s see if I can make it. 

—

My CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares are going strong, so I will be doing things a little differently with the vegetable portion of my meal planning for the next few months (until November). My share averages out to $25 a week, which will come off the top of my budget allotment and will comprise the bulk of my non-smoothie-related vegetable purchases. If you’re curious to see how I use my CSA veggies up, check out my What To Do With A Box Of Vegetables posts.

Current Box of CSA Veggies

Menu for Last Week (Week of October 27 – 31)

The Plan vs. Reality

I had zero plan going into this week, other than I wanted to make Hasselback potatoes and thought about broiling some cabbage “steaks”. And I wanted pulled pork.

Monday

• The Plan – Pulled pork with CSA veggies
• Reality – My big meat for this week was a citrusy pulled pork. I served tonight’s portion with a spicy butternut squash puree.

Tuesday

• The Plan – Pulled pork with CSA veggies
• Reality – I served tonight’s pork with broccoli and cauliflower that was supposed to be orange and gingery, but in reality was half-burnt and kind of tasteless. At least the pork was good.

Wednesday

• The Plan – Something with CSA veggies
• Reality – I had some leftover steak in the freezer, so I made that with hasselback potatoes & balsamic vinegar chard

Thursday

• The Plan – Something with CSA veggies
• Reality – I also lucked up and had some chicken, so I made a stir-fry with peppers, chard, broccoli and carrots

Friday

• The Plan – Eat out
• Reality – Mmmm….. Halloween bbq.

Lunches

• The Plan – Leftovers & fresh csa veggies
• Reality – I had some particularly good lunches this week – Mystery greens salad with yellow pepper, beef & apple; apples & carrots with beef; leftover butternut squash puree with shredded beef; and cabbage in butter with shredded beef, apple & kimchi.

Extras

• The Plan – Nothing planned.
• Reality – And nothing happened.

This Week: November 3 – 7

I have leftover CSA veggies this week and $75 to spend on groceries. I planned pretty much nothing this week, since it’s a: my last week of CSA veggies, and b: we’re going on a mini-vacation at the end of the week. And life got in the way of planning last week.

This Week’s Proposed Menu

• Monday: Meat with CSA veg
• Tuesday: Meat with CSA veg
• Wednesday: Meat with CSA veg
• Thursday: Eat out
• Friday: Eat out
• Lunch: Leftovers & apples
• Extras: None

Shopping List & Cost Breakout

Grocery Store Key: TJ = Trader Joe’s

Shopping List

Extras: Cheese for the hubbs to snack on ($5.82 @ TJs), and something worth $7.49 that’s a non-taxable grocery item from TJs. I can’t remember for the life of me just wtf this was. 

Total TJ: $51.70

Total For The Week: $51.70; $23.30 under budget. See? It all works out in the end. I was slightly over budget last week; this week I’m raking in the savings.

Pantry/items repurposed from last week: fats, spices, CSA veggies, sausage.

A number of people I know are completely flabbergasted when contemplating sticking to a budget while eating a primarily “paleo” diet. I’m hoping to shed a little light on that issue for those of you on the fence about eating healthfully in this manner – it *can* be done – and done well – without spending all the money. All it takes is a little planning. 

A little background: I live in Brooklyn, NY, and the grocery prices here are definitely not the same as what you will find in other areas of the country. If you live in say, Raleigh NC for example – you may very well be able to cut this grocery bill by a third, depending upon where you shop. For where I live, where I shop and what I buy, $100 a week is a doable budget without having to sacrifice the quality I want too much. My DH thinks $130 is probably more realistic with our morning smoothie supplies, but I want to shoot for $100. I aim to make 4-5 dinners for two and 5 lunches per week, plus two smoothies per day six days of the week with my budgetary allowance and update you all weekly on what’s going on. Let’s see if I can make it. 

—

My CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares are going strong, so I will be doing things a little differently with the vegetable portion of my meal planning for the next few months (until October). My share averages out to $25 a week, which will come off the top of my budget allotment and will comprise the bulk of my non-smoothie-related vegetable purchases. If you’re curious to see how I use my CSA veggies up, check out my What To Do With A Box Of Vegetables posts.

Current Box of CSA Veggies

Menu for Last Week (Week of October 20 – 24)

The Plan vs. Reality

I actually planned this week a bit – and stuck to schedule somewhat.

Monday

• The Plan – Cauliflower pizza bowl with ground beef, pork pepperoni, yellow pepper, shallot and tomato sauce
• Reality – I made something approximating this dish, even though I didn’t follow the original recipe I planned on following

Tuesday

• The Plan – Shredded beef with potato & scallion waffle & slaw
• Reality – This was good (despite my overselling of the waffles). I made my slaw out of cabbage, kale, yellow pepper, sriracha & mayo

Wednesday

• The Plan – ?????
• Reality – We ate out

Thursday

• The Plan – Shredded beef with cauli
• Reality – Shredded beef with chipotle & lime cauliflower steaks, which was yummy

Friday

• The Plan – Something in
• Reality – We ended up ordering delivery for schedule reasons

Lunches

• The Plan – Leftovers.
• Reality – I had some great leftovers to polish off – cabbage with bacon & chicken, flank steak with miso peptic squash, slaw, and potato waffles all made appearances

Extras

• The Plan – Nothing planned.
• Reality – And nothing happened.

This Week: October 27 – 31

I have leftover CSA veggies this week and $75 to spend on groceries. This week, I completely forgot to plan anything. I was too busy worrying about my hubby’s upcoming marathon, my disturbing lack of plans for Halloween, and the mini vacation I have planned poorly for.

This Week’s Proposed Menu

• Monday: Poooooorrrrrrrrkkkkkkkk – even if I have to hold up the pork store, I’m getting some pork this week
• Tuesday: ???
• Wednesday: Something really quick
• Thursday: Something really quick
• Friday: Either in and something orange or out for more pork
• Lunch: Leftovers
• Extras: None

Shopping List & Cost Breakout

Grocery Store Key: WF = Whole Foods, TJ = Trader Joe’s

Shopping List

Extras: 4 lbs apples ($3.99 @ TJs), almond butter ($6.99 @ TJs), pistachios ($7.49 @ TJs), 3 bananas ($0.57 @ TJs), thai lime & chili cashews ($6.99 @ TJs), pecans ($3.99 @ TJs), Balance bar ($0.99 @ TJs). 

Total TJ: $51.70
Total WF: $18.36
Total Target: $4.99

Total For The Week: $76.05; $1.05 over budget. I was over this week, but I’m doing fine overall this month (even with last week’s overage). The hubbs needs marathon fuel; his bar put us over the top, but that’s ok.

Pantry/items repurposed from last week: fats, spices, CSA veggies.

A number of people I know are completely flabbergasted when contemplating sticking to a budget while eating a primarily “paleo” diet. I’m hoping to shed a little light on that issue for those of you on the fence about eating healthfully in this manner – it *can* be done – and done well – without spending all the money. All it takes is a little planning. 

A little background: I live in Brooklyn, NY, and the grocery prices here are definitely not the same as what you will find in other areas of the country. If you live in say, Raleigh NC for example – you may very well be able to cut this grocery bill by a third, depending upon where you shop. For where I live, where I shop and what I buy, $100 a week is a doable budget without having to sacrifice the quality I want too much. My DH thinks $130 is probably more realistic with our morning smoothie supplies, but I want to shoot for $100. I aim to make 4-5 dinners for two and 5 lunches per week, plus two smoothies per day six days of the week with my budgetary allowance and update you all weekly on what’s going on. Let’s see if I can make it. 

—

My CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares are going strong, so I will be doing things a little differently with the vegetable portion of my meal planning for the next few months (until October). My share averages out to $25 a week, which will come off the top of my budget allotment and will comprise the bulk of my non-smoothie-related vegetable purchases. If you’re curious to see how I use my CSA veggies up, check out my What To Do With A Box Of Vegetables posts.

Current Box of CSA Veggies

Menu for Last Week (Week of October 13 – 17)

The Plan vs. Reality

I didn’t really have a plan for this week’s dinners – mostly just combo something from the CSA with some meat. Exciting stuff.

Monday

• The Plan – Pernil pork with something
• Reality – Boo! I didn’t make it to the store that sells the pork, so none of that was had. I did, however, eat out because we needed to grocery shop.

Tuesday

• The Plan – ?????
• Reality – I made a cauliflower mash, which I served with sautéed chard and pork chops. Simple but good.

Wednesday

• The Plan – ?????
• Reality – I made pepita miso crusted butternut squash (recipe shared last weekend) + chicken tenders. Y-U-M.

Thursday

• The Plan – ?????
• Reality – Flank steak with roasted broccoli

Friday

• The Plan – ?????
• Reality – Bunless burgers with potato rounds

Lunches

• The Plan – Leftovers.
• Reality – I comboed leftovers with the rotisserie chicken I ordered in on Monday all week and did a Napa cabbage sautee on Friday to get a jump using that CSA veggie up.

Extras

• The Plan – Nothing planned.
• Reality – And nothing happened.

This Week: October 20 – 24

I have leftover CSA veggies this week and $75 to spend on groceries. This week’s shopping was convenience-based. Amazon has just started offering delivery groceries to my area and is offering a free trial, so we opted to try them out. Delivery was accomplished when promised, everything looks great, and the prices were good – I’m waiting to see what happens after the free trial period runs out before deciding that Amazon delivery groceries is right for us (currently we use Fresh Direct if there is zero time or desire during the weekend to shop).

This Week’s Proposed Menu

• Monday: Shredded potato and scallion waffle with pulled pork, spicy cabbage/chard slaw and sriracha
• Tuesday: Cauliflower pizza bowls
• Wednesday: Stuffed peppers
• Thursday: Pulled pork with CSA veggies
• Friday: No plans.
• Lunch: Leftovers & Napa cabbage in butter
• Extras: Pear & almond tart

Shopping List & Cost Breakout

Grocery Store Key: WF = Whole Foods, AM = Amazon Delivery

Shopping List

Extras: Fancy mayo ($4.99 @ AM), “real” (Huy Fong) sriracha ($3.99 @ AM), ketchup ($1.99 @ AM), top round steaks because they were on sale ($13.81 @ WF). 

Total AM: $45.86
Total WF: $38.78

Total For The Week: $84.64; $9.64 over budget. I’m not too terribly upset about the overage this week. I bought some staples needed to round the shopping cart up to free shipping (staples we wouldn’t be able to find at our regular haunt anyways), plus got some sale steak for a week we need to be leaner. Plus, I’ve been under budget the past couple of weeks. So, win-win.

Pantry/items repurposed from last week: fats, spices, CSA veggies.