February Grocery Budget

Total Grocery Budget = $380.00
Total Spent = $350.09
Total Savings = $29.91

First of all, this month's budget was twenty dollars less than last month's budget. Our goal is to save a little more money each month. Perhaps we over-estimated when we began this, but we're on our way to finding a good balance.

Second of all, this was the final month for participating in a farm CSA. I haven't really purchased vegetables in a grocery market since last Spring. But I'm happy to report our freezer is fairly well stocked with fresh veggies...I've spent many hours chopping, shredding, dicing, and pureeing surplus veggies over the past several months. The next CSA program begins in June.

Third, we are now baking our own bread, rather than buying from the market. We average one loaf per week. We've also stopped buying cookies and baked goods at the market. Grace likes a cookie or two every morning, and another in the afternoon. It's less expensive to make my own cookies or muffins, not to mention it's healthier because I use whole-wheat flour, reduce the amount of sugar, and I don't add preservatives.

Lastly, February was a short month. We did no entertaining with our friends or family. Things have been very hectic. Next month will be a different story.

Week of February 26, 2009

Thursday
Blackfish
Steamed Green Beans
Brown Rice
Watermelon Slices

Friday (Lent)
Pizza (take-out)
Blueberry Cobbler

Saturday
All-American Meatloaf
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli

Sunday
Leftovers

Monday
Shepherd's Pie
Maple Glazed Acorn Squash
Banana Chocolate Bread

Tuesday
Mom + Dad's house

Wednesday
Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops
Brown Rice
Herbed Butter Parsnips

Week of February 19, 2009

Thursday
Fluke (Chinese Style)
Brown Rice
Steamed Broccoli

Friday
Grilled Rib-Eye Steak
Maple Glazed Carrots
Mixed Greens with Red Onion, Tomato, + Olives

Saturday
Turkey Breast with Cranberry Apple Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Rutabaga
Steamed Green Beans

Sunday
Leftovers

Monday
Broccoli Mac + Cheese with Chicken + Red Bell Pepper
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday)
Mom + Dad's house

Wednesday (Ash Wednesday)
Homemade Pizza Margherita
Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Week of February 12, 2009

Thursday
Tautog (Chinese Style)
Steamed Broccoli
Brown Rice

Friday
Homemade Pizza Margherita
Delicata Squash Bread

Saturday (St. Valentine's Day)
Mixed Greens Salad with Red Onion + Balsamic Dressing
Gnocchi Bolognese
Creme Brulee

Sunday
White Bean Soup with Winter Vegetables
Homemade Wheat Sandwich Bread

Monday (President's Day)
Pot Roast with Carrots + Parsnips
Mashed Potatoes
George Washington Cherry Turnovers

Tuesday
Mom + Dad's house

Wednesday
Barbecue Pork Burnt Ends
Cole Slaw
Steamed Green Beans

Week of February 5, 2009

Thursday
Fluke (Chinese Style)
Steamed Cauliflower
Brown Rice

Friday
Vegetarian Bean Chili with Cilantro, Sour Cream, + Cheddar
Cornbread Muffins

Saturday
Pork Chops
Ida Red Applesauce
Red Cabbage + Carrot Slaw
Buttercup Squash + Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese
Banana Chocolate Bread

Sunday
White Bean Soup with Winter Vegetables
Roasted Cauliflower

Monday
Roasted Chicken with Apple Cider Glaze
Acorn Squash with Leek + Sage Stuffing
Fingerling Potatoes
Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler

Tuesday
Mom + Dad's house

Wednesday
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Homemade Sweet Potato Fries
Ginger Cole Slaw
Dill Pickle Spears