Since I’m committed to getting back on track with my eating and my health, there was some prep work involved for my big day, September 1. Since failing to plan means I’m planning to fail, I had to get my ducks in a row by doing some grocery shopping, planning menu options, and deciding how I’m going to document this all for the folks who’re interested in following me on my journey.
Obviously, one of the most important components to this challenge is food. I need to acquire the food, prepare the food, and consume the food. And since this journey also focuses on financial health, I can’t just throw money at my food. There has to be some careful planning.
Yesterday, I took a basic inventory of our provisions and then I planned a shopping list for Sam’s Club. Since I had already looked at other sales in our area, I knew how to make our money stretch. And since there are five of us in this family, the large quantities of some items aren’t a problem for us.
We spent $133 at Sam’s Club yesterday and we came home with:
- 1 pound of pork rinds
- 2 quarts of half & half
- 2 quarts of heavy cream
- 3 pounds of sour cream
- 3 pounds of cottage cheese
- 3 pounds of string cheese
- 1.5 pounds of whole mushrooms
- 1 pound of organic baby spinach
- 6 romaine hearts
- 3 pounds of broccoli/cauliflower/carrot mix
- 5 avocados
- 2 pounds of mini cucumbers
- 1.75 pounds of “cocktail” tomatoes on the vine
- A large package of chicken leg quarters
- A large package of chicken tenderloins
- A large package of stew beef
- 4 pounds of applewood smoked Wright bacon
- 1.25 pounds of sliced hard salami
- New York crunch roll (because I knew I wouldn’t be eating sushi until my birthday dinner in December)
Some of these items will last our family for two weeks or even more, and some of these items will be eaten over the next week. On September 13, we’ll see if we stuck to the budget of $150 per week. So far though, it’s looking good.
I had intended to make some deviled eggs yesterday, but time got away from me because I was helping my son who’s recovering from sinus surgery. When I got up this morning though, I started cleaning my kitchen which has been seriously neglected recently, and I’ll take care of some food prep after I get a clean work space.
I’m feeling confident though. There are nothing but good things to come!