Today's readings and Blessed Is She devotion talk about not complaining and using God's grace to get you through the rough moments. I certainly do my share of grumbling but I am also starting to realize that the things that I grumble about the most are the things that are the greatest blessings in my life...This coming week each time I grumble, I'm going to try to remember to turn it into gratitude. I need to give thanks for the many things, people, and situations in my life that may cause me aggravation.
When I stop grumbling and work on being grateful, my entire demeanor changes. God gives us such amazing gifts. Initially when we recieve those gifts they may seem irritating or overwhelming because we had not necessarily planned on them becoming part of our lives. It's not about our timing. It's about God's timing and His will for us.
In college, one of my theology professors defined grace as God working within you. Putting the graces we recieve into action isn't always easy but in order to have a positive outlook it certainly is necessary. God's grace empowers us to strive to share our gifts with others in His name.
The $29/week SNAP Budget Challenge
So apparently, Gwyneth Paltrow failed the $29 per week challenge made by Chef Mario Batali...When Julie at Corner with a View began wondering how much per week we spend on groceries, I just had to resurrect this little blog and share...
Presently we spend approximately $50 or less on groceries per week... (I generally shop every other week so unfortunately you don't get a real time shopping list from me.) I went virtually shopping on peapod.com to show you how I would spend my $50 this week assuming I had (almost) nothing in my pantry.
I'm a nursing mom living with my husband, toddler, and infant daughter. We live in suburban New York (where we have one of the highest COL in the United States). I shop at Stop 'N Shop without coupons.
As a SNAP family we would receive - $29 x 4 = 116 per week....
This week I spent - $60.10
If I used items in my pantry, I would have spent much less. Also some of this lasts for more than one week.
16 oz. bag of carrots $1.50**
Cantaloupe $2.00
5 lb. bag of potatoes $3.99**
3 - Ham Steaks $6.00*
2 - 20.8 oz packages of Ground Turkey $3.99*
1 gal. Whole Milk $4.19
1 doz. eggs $2.19
4 - 6 oz. yogurts $2.00*
64 oz. Apple Juice w/ added Calcium - $1.99
2 liter Lemon Lime Seltzer $0.89
Loaf of Whole Wheat bread $2.29
Cereal $1.99
2 boxes of pasta $1.66
Bag of rice (32 oz) $2.39**
Baked Beans (28 oz) $1.50*
Tomatoes Diced with Zesty Milk Green Chilies $1.79*
Black Beans (15 oz) $0.69
Red Beans (15 oz) $0.69
Grape Jelly $1.59**
Peanut Butter $3.29**
2 Jars of Marinara Sauce *
Taco Seasoning $1.09*
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies $1.00**
* indicates a brand named item
**items that will last for more than one week
If this were a week where cans of coffee were $1.79 with a $25 purchase I would have bought a can of coffee.
It is obvious that if I just randomly shopped for items as we needed them, it would cost more. I shop based on the sales. I stock up when things are inexpensive. For example, the tomatoes for the chili I buy when they are $0.79 a can. Right now, they cost more than double that.
I find shopping on a budget entertaining. I like to see how much I can get for the least amount of money. We eat pretty simple meals but, they are tasty, filling, and healthy. Breakfast for dinner is not unheard of because we like it and there is little preparation.
From these items our meal choices are:
Lunch/Dinner:
(The biggest meal of the day depends on when we are home. My husband works crazy hours and my hours are unpredictable. The smaller of the two meals is leftovers.)
Chili w/ beans and rice
Ham steaks w/ baked beans and potatoes
Meatballs w/ pasta and sauce
Vegetable fried rice
Pasta w/ vegetables and sauce
Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
Breakfast:
Presently we spend approximately $50 or less on groceries per week... (I generally shop every other week so unfortunately you don't get a real time shopping list from me.) I went virtually shopping on peapod.com to show you how I would spend my $50 this week assuming I had (almost) nothing in my pantry.
I'm a nursing mom living with my husband, toddler, and infant daughter. We live in suburban New York (where we have one of the highest COL in the United States). I shop at Stop 'N Shop without coupons.
As a SNAP family we would receive - $29 x 4 = 116 per week....
This week I spent - $60.10
If I used items in my pantry, I would have spent much less. Also some of this lasts for more than one week.
16 oz. bag of carrots $1.50**
16 oz bag frozen broccoli florets $1.79**
16 oz bag frozen corn $0.89**
Cucumber $0.59
Cantaloupe $2.00
5 lb. bag of potatoes $3.99**
3 - Ham Steaks $6.00*
2 - 20.8 oz packages of Ground Turkey $3.99*
1 gal. Whole Milk $4.19
1 doz. eggs $2.19
4 - 6 oz. yogurts $2.00*
64 oz. Apple Juice w/ added Calcium - $1.99
2 liter Lemon Lime Seltzer $0.89
Loaf of Whole Wheat bread $2.29
Cereal $1.99
2 boxes of pasta $1.66
Bag of rice (32 oz) $2.39**
Baked Beans (28 oz) $1.50*
Tomatoes Diced with Zesty Milk Green Chilies $1.79*
Black Beans (15 oz) $0.69
Red Beans (15 oz) $0.69
Grape Jelly $1.59**
Peanut Butter $3.29**
2 Jars of Marinara Sauce *
Taco Seasoning $1.09*
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies $1.00**
* indicates a brand named item
**items that will last for more than one week
If this were a week where cans of coffee were $1.79 with a $25 purchase I would have bought a can of coffee.
It is obvious that if I just randomly shopped for items as we needed them, it would cost more. I shop based on the sales. I stock up when things are inexpensive. For example, the tomatoes for the chili I buy when they are $0.79 a can. Right now, they cost more than double that.
I find shopping on a budget entertaining. I like to see how much I can get for the least amount of money. We eat pretty simple meals but, they are tasty, filling, and healthy. Breakfast for dinner is not unheard of because we like it and there is little preparation.
From these items our meal choices are:
Lunch/Dinner:
(The biggest meal of the day depends on when we are home. My husband works crazy hours and my hours are unpredictable. The smaller of the two meals is leftovers.)
Chili w/ beans and rice
Ham steaks w/ baked beans and potatoes
Meatballs w/ pasta and sauce
Vegetable fried rice
Pasta w/ vegetables and sauce
Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
Breakfast:
Eggs w/ toast and fruit
Ham & Eggs
Cereal w/ milk and yogurt
Toast w/ peanut butter
Snacks:
Cookies
Fruit
Yogurt
Cucumber
Carrots
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