Grocery shopping at Trader Joe's

My MIL and I went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's.  I ended up getting fruit and spinach and few other healthy items.  I just bought as much as I could but also thinking of staying under a certain amount.

I am amazed at the prices, they are comparable to what I would pay at Walmart or any other grocery store. 

I bought a goodies for all of us too.  I bought Kyle "cheetos" like snack.  For Shannon and I, I bought ice cream.  I bought him "coffee bean" and for me, I chose chocolate.  Kyle has been helping me eat the chocolate ice cream. 

Afternoon trip shopping

My mother-in-law went to Trader Joe's and Stein Mart today.  They are in the same shopping center, so we went to Stein Mart first.  She was looking for a few things and only found one, which is a kitchen timer.  Then we headed over to Trader Joe's.  It was perfect timing for me, since I was going to go to the grocery store across the street later this week for produce. 

I ended up buying spinach, tomatoes, avocados, meatless patties, frozen quiche, chocolate covered raisins, and two bottles of wine!  The prices were comparable to any other grocery store and Walmart which was surprising to me.  I am glad that Trader Joe's is more affordable than I thought. 

Grocery Shopping

We went for a trip to the grocery store.  We went to the grocery store nearest us, instead of Walmart.  I stocked up on food for the next week or so.  It's nice to have a full fridge and so many options!

The cutest part of our trip was Kyle helping daddy to push the cart to the car, then help us unload the cart and then he helped mommy put the cart away.  It was so cute and he was so happy with himself!

Recipes to try

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I've been thinking about what I want to make for that week.  Shannon may be working, so we'll "celebrate" when he's home.

I also found a few recipes I want to try in general.  With Shannon gone at all hours, I need to start making different recipes.

Backpack Program

Happy Halloween!  Last week, Kyle's teachers sent home a note asking parents to send two bags of candy and little toys.  They were going to make treat bags on Halloween to take home.  Kyle came home with a huge bag of candy! 

The school also sent a note home letting us know that he qualifies for the Backpack Program.  Once a month, they will send him home with a backpack full of non-perishable food for him to eat on the weekends.  The backpack is to be returned to school the following Tuesday.  I filled out the form and will send it back to school with him tomorrow.  I am glad we will be receiving free food from the school!

Shannon will be working the rest of the week.  He has to work both jobs on Saturday.  He will be working Friday night from 11pm until 7am and then he has to work the college football game [on Saturday] from 10am until the end of the game.  He is going to see if he can get off early that day.  Then he has to work Saturday night from 11pm until 7am!  Wow!  What a schedule!  He will get only a few hours of sleep on Saturday morning before he has to go to work at the football game. He will be getting full time hours this week which will really help us.  Hopefully by next month, we won't have to use my EE Bonds to pay the rent and bills! 

He also starts at Best Buy next week and they are going to work around his security supervisor job.  

Since Shannon has to work the rest of the week, we went to Walmart tonight for a small trip.  We bought enough food to last us a week or two. 

Two more food pantries

Today I called two more food pantry locations and we plan on utilizing them as well. Hopefully they won't limit us to visiting only once a month.

If the two food pantries allow us to pick up food once a week, that would be great!

It finally hit Shannon that we are running out of money and have to be frugal and conserve. He's in no hurry to find a job because he keeps putting it off.

No School and Food Pantry

Surprise!  This morning, while waiting for the bus, another parent pulled over to tell me that school was canceled due to a flood near the entrance of the school!  Kyle was not happy! 

We ended up going to the food pantry today.  We took home two plastic grocery bags full of food.  We have 10 cans of food, two boxes of crackers, a box of mac and cheese, peanut butter, and a loaf of whole wheat bread!  We are so thankful for the food! 

Unfortunately, we are only allowed to visit this particular food pantry once a month.  So, I plan on calling other food pantries to find out when they are open! 

Grocery Shopping and Food Pantry

Today, we went grocery shopping.  We find it easier to go while Kyle is at school.  It's quicker and less stressful.  He likes to pull stuff off the shelf and put them in the shopping cart.  He knows what he wants and he likes to grab for them. 

I called a few food pantries today and found one that we will use for now.  They are open every week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  We plan on going tomorrow.  It will be helpful to supplement our grocery bill.

Before our shopping trip today, our fridge and freezer were about 90% bare and our shelves were about 70% bare.  So we needed to go shopping today!  

9 months ago

Nine months ago, I asked Shannon about going to food pantries for help with food and at the time he said no.  I think it was his ego that kept us from going that route.  Yesterday, when I suggested we start going to food pantries for help, he agreed!  I am so shocked and surprised that he is actually "okay" with going to food pantries!  I realize that the food we will receive from food pantries won't be as healthy, such as white bread instead of whole wheat and cow's milk instead of soy or almond milk, but it's food. 

Nine months ago, when I was searching for local food pantries, I saved my list of information and thankfully I didn't delete the document on my computer.  I was able to find it and now I am going to use that to find out where we can go. 

Asking for donations

Along with our mail, we were given a brown paper bag to fill it up with nonperishable food for the food banks.  This gave me an idea.  I think we'll need to turn to the food banks for supplemental food for our own shelves since food is such a big expense.  Most of our money is going to food and bills and that's pretty much what we buy these days.  It doesn't help that we have very little money coming in, which is what I make with my blogs.  That money is not nearly enough. 

Grocery Shopping

Yesterday, we went to Walmart while Kyle was at school.  It's easier for us to shop without Kyle there since he likes to pull things from the shelves that he wants such as cookies and other sweets!  It is really easy to buy too much when he's around.

This time around, I noticed that both Shannon and I were being frugal with the brands and products we were buying.  I chose the store brand eggs, rather than the eggs I normally buy that are a healthier option.  I also try not to buy too many snack foods and stick with foods for meals.  Shannon usually buys Starbucks coffee, but this time he bought Folgers.  When we walked by the Starbucks display I asked him why he didn't get that brand and he said, "well, look at how expensive it is."  So, we're both working on being conscious about about the money we spend at the grocery store. 

I have even thought about buying cow's milk instead of almond milk, but I'm unsure if I can stand the taste of it.  

 

Dinner invite

Today was Kyle's last day of school for the year!  He has the next two weeks off from school.  On his way off the bus, his bus driver gave him a candy cane, which was really nice of him.  I didn't see him give a candy cane to any of the other kids either!

Our neighbor gave us an invite to another dinner party they are having on New Years Eve (the day before our 9th Wedding Anniversary).  They invited us over to make dumplings and then have dinner.

They invited us to a dinner party they were having for last Saturday but we ended up not going.  We have two reasons for not going: 1. My diet.  I'm a vegetarian and I would feel rude for not eating their food.  2. Kyle's special needs.  Sometimes Most of the time he can be a complete handful and take all of our energy trying to hold him and keep him from misbehaving.

Anyway, they ended up bringing over some of the leftover food they had.  Their kids were all dressed up and the little girl looked so cute in her red plaid dress!  Both kids are so adorable!  The little boy happens to be 4 months older than Kyle and they ride the same bus to school.  They ended up giving us 2 slices of pizza, 4 chicken breasts, 1 slice of cake, 1 slice of pumpkin cheesecake, and some bread.   Shannon was so shocked at how generous they were for bringing over the food.  I had the pumpkin cheesecake, which was really good.  Shannon ate the pizza and chicken breasts! 

The last time they invited us, Shannon straight out said that we shouldn't go.  He doesn't like to be social.  I would like to be friends/social with neighbors every once in awhile, but I'd also like to share it with my family! 

How nice!

This morning, our neighbor (they live across the street from us and live in the same apartment community as us) stopped by and asked if I could possibly watch his son after school (meet him at the bus stop).  He had to take his car in to get fixed because he was in an accident yesterday (the other guy hit him).  Anyway, he wanted me to wanted me to watch his son just in case he didn't make it home in time to meet his son at the bus stop.  I told him it wouldn't be a problem and he gave me his apartment key. 

Well, he just returned home (about 20 minutes before the bus drops off the kids).  He said he went to Costco and he gave us two apples and two grapefruits and a fresh loaf of bread (made at the store).  The package of bread had two loaves so he gave us one of them!  I thought it was so nice of him to give us the food! 

Food Pantries

About a month ago, I was emailed a list of local food pantries from the main food bank of North Carolina.  I found at least 5 churches that are located in our zip code and made a list of their information including website and when the pantry is open.  Two of the churches on the list didn't have a website, so I need to call for more information on their food pantry. 

We went to Walmart last night and spent close to $200 buying groceries, school clothes, and school supplies for Kyle.  I think it finally hit Shannon that we need to turn to food banks for help.  I asked him about it a few days before he said we should wait another 2 weeks before we even consider that (I have a feeling it was a pride thing).  However, on the way home from Walmart, I brought up the food banks again and he agreed that we should definitely look into them. 

Unfortunately, we are still waiting to be approved for food stamps.  It's frustrating having to wait so long. 

How it turned out...

Yesterday I wrote about my urge to make Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, after getting the idea from watching Desperate Housewives.  Well, I made it this afternoon and it turned out perfect!  I am so surprised that my first time making this cake, it turned out so nice!  I need to get a deeper pan because the one I have is too shallow. 

Here are the results:

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Watch out! I am going to bake again! My first attempt at baking bread turned out pretty well, I was actually really surprised at myself!  Even my husband loved the banana bread I made!  Last night, I decided that I wanted to make pineapple upside-down cake.  I got the idea from watching Desperate Housewives!  I don't think I have ever tasted pineapple upside-down cake but it sure looks good, don't you think?

Unfortunately, my "baking" skills are pretty much like Gabrielle's, rather than Bree's!  So, I am hoping it will turn out!  I am trying to do things that challenge me, and baking seems to do that.  I am trying to find new interests and things that make me happy!

I looked up a few recipes and found one from Betty Crocker that I liked and that looked easy enough for me to follow!  I bought all of the ingredients I need and will be making it tomorrow!  My husband said he would have some if I made it!

I just hope I don't get this reaction to my cake.  By the way, I think her expression is priceless!