Saving Money on Food

So... the other day when I was trying to figure out where all the money went, I decided to look at my checking account and add up all the trips to grocery stores, fast food, farm markets, and anywhere else I may have bought food this past month of August and I was SHOCKED!!!!  When it was all said and done, I had spent almost $1000 total.  It's not completely all food since I probably bought non-food items at some of those stores too, but still, that is just way out of control!  Don'tcha think?

I have a huge mental block when it comes to making a menu and shopping and I think I have figured out why.  I have read too much for my own good.  I want to eat as healthy and delicious as I possibly can, but I also want it to be easy and affordable.  I am learning that those things; healthy, delicious, easy, and affordable, don't really seem to go hand in hand.

Here are some of my specifications for food I want to purchase:

• Avoid processed food as much as I can, especially foods that contain large amounts of sugar, any high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), partially hydrogenated oils, or MSG.  
• Eat as much organic as possible.
• Eat mostly vegetarian and meats that contain no hormones or anti-biotics
• Eat mostly organic

With these specifications, I recognize:

• It will be very difficult, if possible at all, to find coupons for food on my shopping list
• I will most likely be shopping at several stores, not just one or two.

And with that being said, I read a suggestion about buying groceries for an entire month. I have NEVER done this before.  I have just made a list with a slot for every day of the month.  I crossed out the days I will not be eating at home and my next step is to fill in a meal for each day.

I will be back with my list.

Good manner of the week

 image borrowed from http://lingualog.wordpress.com/

As most kids do, mine have a terrible habit of interrupting.  I address it with them each time it happens with the intention of giving it more attention later (at a more convenient  and more private time), but then, as we all know, life happens and it doesn't end up on the top of my priority list.

UNTIL TODAY. 

I decided to start a new tradition in our home because it's never too late to start....

GOOD MANNER OF THE WEEK.  This week, obviously, we will be learning what interrupting is and how not to do it.  You have to pick your battles and this is the one I am choosing this week.

More details to come....