How we buy groceries for less than $400 per month...

I grew up in a frugal family, although I didn't know it until I had a family of my own.  When we were cruising on our boat, my mom used to provision for an entire month {or more?} for the four of us and spend $75 {or $50? Care to weigh in, Mom?}.  Granted, nonperishable "boat food" is typically cheaper than "house food", we were in countries where most processed food is nonexistent, and it was almost twenty years ago {wow, I feel OLD!}.  We ate healthful, {mostly} delicious foods {let's take a moment to remember the mac n' cheese/tuna/peas/teriyaki sauce disaster of 1997...which my brother loved and ate all of}.  A lot of the meals I make now are favorites or variations of meals from cruising life.  

We have $300 per month allotted in our budget for groceries.  A bit more if I babysit or husband works overtime.  It's not a lot but it is totally doable even in a HCOL {high cost of living...aka Martha's Vineyard} area.  We don't really coupon since we avoid processed foods, although we occasionally buy cereal/granola bars/treats when they are on sale & we have a coupon.  We buy what's on sale, I shop every two weeks {I tried to do once a month, with fresh produce in between, but I just couldn't hang!}, and I TRY to meal plan.  We buy as much organic produce as possible but when conventional berries are on sale, that's what we get {who can afford approximately 10 organic raspberries for $7?!}.  And, I am totally dairy/soy protein free for Samuel so we have some special {read: EXPENSIVE!} foods on our "always" list.

Some things that we do not buy: 

•soda/juice

•chips

•individually packaged lunch fillers

•cookies {except Oreos!  One pack.  For me only!}

•frozen dinners

•heat & eat/boxed meals

•frozen desserts

•candy

•diapers

•paper plates/cups

Some things we {almost} always buy: 

•store brand natural peanut butter {two ingredients...peanuts & salt}

•5lbs organic apples

•Earth Balance Soy Free spread

•5lbs organic carrots

•Polaner All Fruit spread

•graham crackers 

•Nature's Promise wheat or white wraps {whichever our dinky market has in stock}

•Garelick whole milk

•sweet onions

•green peppers

•cucumber

•ground beef {only from Reliable Marlet, although the quality is not what it used to be.}

•pasta

•bananas

•almond milk

•half & half

•Arnold bread

•hamburger/hot dog rolls

•brown sugar

•organic broccoli

•Oreos {These are for me.  Judge away.  Oreos are dairy free & full of GMOs I'm sure.  Sometimes I splurge on one of the organic/natural brands.}

•Freihofer's bread {dairy free, I'm working on making my own bread for Sam & I.}

•chicken breast {when bogo, we buy 4-6 packs and freeze them}

•eggs

•oil

•flour

•sugar

•rice

•organic grape tomatoes 

•organic sweet potatoes

•beer

•canned coconut milk

•BBQ sauce

•canned fruit {pineapple, pears, peaches in 100% juice}

•frozen veggies {peas, corn, broccoli, spinach.  I like Birdseye "select" or "baby" versions}

•block cheese {Reliable Mkt has a good prices}

•Nature's Promise tomato soup {uht carton}

•black beans

•garbanzo beans

•garlic

•white popcorn

•paper towels {we try to use them sparingly}

•toilet paper

•vinegar

•baking soda

•salsa 

•ketchup

•pickles

•mayo

•coffee

•lettuce

Meals that we like to eat:

•black beans & rice

•sloppy joes

•breakfast for dinner...French toast, eggs, pancakes {with bacon or Jones sausage links depending on sales}

•fried chicken

•fish cakes

•hamburgers/hot dogs

•pasta salad 

•peanut noodles {I posted about those here}

•Hawaiian chicken in the crockpot

•chicken salad wraps

•pasta & meatballs

•meatloaf

• cheesy chicken & rice casserole {Samuel & I have eggs or sandwiches}

•fried/grilled striped bass

•tomato soup & grilled cheese {I really really miss this one!}

•BBQ pork tenderloin

We eat fish when Paul catches it.  Scallops & venison {Paul & Grace only...Caroline & I usually eat eggs or something} when they are gifted to us.  We rarely eat out, usually the inlaws take us out for birthdays.  If we have wiggle room in our budget, we might get pizza {Flatbread makes a delicious dairy free pizza!} or buy a steak.  We have fruit, graham crackers with PB, popcorn, or veggies with dip for snacks.  Or I'll make mini muffins or granola bars.  I plan meals based on sales and we stock up on staples {like bogo bread/chicken/pork, condiments, oatmeal, baking needs}.  We are not brand specific...I buy whatever is cheaper or on sale {or has no hydrogenated oil or HFCS if it's an option}.  I bulk up meals with beans/veggies/fruits to maybe have leftovers for lunch.  We do PBJ, tuna, eggs, salad, cheese/crackers or leftovers for lunches.  This year we have spinach, green beans, tomatoes, cukes, basil, carrots, and summer squash in the garden to add to our meals!  We don't eat meat at every dinner.  And I shop at Stop & Shop, Reliable Mkt, and Cronig's {occasionally, potatoes are often cheaper/better here and they have the dairy free treat foods!}.  We always make room in the budget for birthdays and holidays {special meals, cakes, etc}.  Basically, we skip prepared/convenience and snack foods, fill up on fruit/veggies, and eat based on sales/season!  Feel free to email or comment any questions.  I'm happy to share more about how we keep our costs down!

Mama eats

I need quick meals for lunch, and it has been a bit of a struggle with the whole dairy free thing (cheese + crackers or yogurt were go-to lunch grabs for me).  I've been making these peanut noodles lately.  Super easy and they are sooooo good, and even better cold (which is great since that's how I eat 90% of my meals).

Don't they look yummy?

 Here's what you need for the sauce (plus what I forgot in the photo...a little sugar, peanut butter, and olive oil).  That cute little penguin is our pepper shaker...sort of a family joke!  I like to use regular spaghetti noodles, but I've also used rice in a pinch.  And I add broccoli, sweet onion, and carrots to the mix.  A few fresh scallions snipped over the top, and you're done!

 See these beauties?  I was tired of finding wilted brown scallion carcasses buried under giant bags of carrots or green peppers, so I decided to try this idea with the latest bunch of organic scallions.  It worked so well! 

 

 Mmmm, so good!  

And nope, I'm not fancy with cookware...just a good old Revere copper bottom pot works great!

I'll do my best with a recipe although I'm not really a measure-out-everything kind of cook...more of a dump-dash-sprinkle-scoop cook.  A lot of this is to taste...

Peanut Noodles

about 2 lunch servings for me + a lunch for Grace

6oz spaghetti noodles (a grab about the size of a half dollar)

3c broccoli (fresh or frozen)

1 large carrot

1/4 of a medium sized sweet onion

 

For the sauce:

1/3c all natural peanut butter

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 Tbsp sugar (I like brown sugar, but often forget to add)

1/2-1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce)

1/2-1 Tbsp hot sauce

1/4 tsp black pepper

Dash of garlic powder, ginger (2-3 dashes), nutmeg

Salt, optional (I usually at add a little)

Scallions

Cook your noodles...I like 'em al dente.  While those are cooking, peel and dice your carrot & onion.  Chop your broccoli if you are using the fresh stuff.  I prefer to saute the veggies but I'm usually hurrying so I just steam them all in the microwave for four minutes.  Whisk together the sauce ingredients.  When the pasta is done, drain almost all of the water out.  Dump the veg & sauce in the pot and mix it up...tongs work well or a fork.  The bit of pasta water will help your sauce spread nicely.  Snip a few scallions over the top and enjoy!  Fast & delicious!

The Kitchen is still counterless, and soon to be floorless, which is challenging.  It will be beautiful when it is done!  All in good time.  For now, I will stick to cooking simple meals that can be prepped on the 1sq ft "counter" that we have!

Getting a little political...

You may have noticed that some of my recent Facebook statuses have bordered on crazy political ranting.  It stemmed from a recent encounter with Vineyard Smiles, a local dental program for students without dental insurance.  I called, filled out paperwork, and told my daughter that she would get to see the dentist that week {yay!}.  The following day I got a call from the lovely woman at Vineyard Smiles, asking why I had left the insurance section on the form blank.  I explained that we don't have dental insurance.  She said okay, Grace is all set for her appointment, and make sure to send a check for $130.  Um, excuse me?!  Apparently, since we pay for our health insurance, we do not qualify for the free dental program.  How unfair is that?  And I couldn't help but feel {as immature as it may be} that we were being told that no matter how much we do that is good and responsible, we just can't win.  We work hard to support our family {not saying that others don't} and there is little left over for "extras".  We don't eat out, shop, or spend our money on "frivolous" things...and that is perfectly fine by us!  I just can't believe that there is nothing that they can do to make this program work for us.  So, it's been a little rough.  I'm feeling crappy for not being able to do this for Grace, and now knowing that the chances of doing it for two kids next year are about nil.

Disclaimer:  I'm not interested in a debate.  I am grateful that we are able to pay our bills, for insurance, etc.  And I am glad that programs/support exists for those that need it!

And, let's leave it on a cute note...

As promised, the Florida post with "real" photos, house updates, and some other fun posts are coming soon!