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Sometimes, it’s easy to get stuck in a healthy food rut, especially when you’re on a tight budget. When that happens, I like to look to other people for inspiration!
I’m hoping to be that inspiration for you today by sharing my THM grocery haul/menu plan. When I brought this idea up to my readers, they were all over it! I absolutely adore talking about healthy living on a budget, so I’m really excited to add this new feature to my blog! I’m still working out the details of what I want this post to look like, but I knew that this was a need in the THM community that could be filled, even if imperfectly. 🙂 I am considering making this a bi-weekly feature on The Fabuless Wife. If you’re looking for a weekly menu plan, please check out Darcie’s Dishes! She posts frugal menu plans each week and they pretty much rock.
This is what I bought at the grocery store and my menu plan for the week. To give you a few background details:
- My total budget each week is $120. Sometimes, this budget needs to include personal items like laundry soap etc
- I don’t have an Aldi, Sam’s Club or anything like that. For these hauls, I’ll be using Hyvee, Fareway, and good ol’ Wal-mart
- I have 4 people in my family including myself, a husband that’s not fully THM and still likes his junk food treats and two toddlers who lately are putting away as much as an adult!
- At the bottom of this post, you can find my grocery list of items that I bought and the price to give you an idea of what I’m working with!
- I like to keep things simple and I LOVE my leftovers!
- I make my own bread to save $$$
Here’s this week’s menu plan. To learn more about menu planning click here:
Breakfasts:
Saturday-Over easy eggs with 1 slice of toast (S Helper)
Sunday-Eggs and sausage (S)
Monday-Toast with Jam, Scrambled Egg Whites (E)
Tuesday-Eggs, Sausage, 1 slice of toast (S Helper)
Wednesday-Granola with Almond Milk (E)
Thursday-Toast with Jam and Peanut Flour (E)
Lunches:
Saturday-Salad with cheese, lunch meat and ranch (S)
Sunday-Bean Burritos, Â (E)
Monday-Fotato Soup (Fuel Pull)
Tuesday-Salad (S)
Wednesday-Salad with sauteed chicken breast, a dash of olive oil and balsamic (S)
Thursday-Fotato Soup (FP)
Dinners:
Sunday-Rice and Beans with cajun seasoning (E)
Monday-Creamy Chicken Rice Soup (E)
Tuesday-Leftover Soup (E)
Wednesday- Quesadillas, celery and ranch (S)
Thursday-Sandwiches, sweet potato fries (E)
Friday-Jalapeno Popper Sliders, Side salad (S) (Recipe coming soon!)
Saturday-Chicken Alfredo Lasagna, celery and PB (S)
Snacks:
-Celery and Cream Cheese
-Gingerbread Bars (Coming soon!)
-Celery and Peanut Butter
-Apple and cheese
-Bananas
Here’s what I bought and the price. This week, I only shopped at Fareway.
Turkey Bologna-$2.00
Cloves-.99
Nutmeg-.99
Frozen Cauliflower-$1.69
Low-Carb Tortillas-$4.59 (Splurge, but a must-have for me!)
Honey-$3.48 (For little ones and to make Soft Sprouted Bread, found in the new THM Cookbook)
Celery-$1.49
Bananas-$1.17
Sausage Links-$1.29
Carrots-$1.29
Apples-$1.68
Spinach-$1.50
Shredded Cheese-$6.00
Eggs-$1.58 (2 dozen!)
Sliced Cheese $2.49
Bacon-$3.88
Cream Cheese-$3.33 (For 3)
Sprouted Wheat Flour-$2.99
Wasa Crackers-$2.99
Chicken Breasts-$6.99
Dried Beans-$1.29
Almond Milk-$2.88
Dreamfields-$1.89
Half and Half -$1.15
Sour Cream-.99
Brown Rice-$1.19
Natural Peanut Butter-$2.99
All Fruit Jam-$2.79
Salsa-$2.00
Butter-$3.99
Alfredo Sauce-$2.50
Zevia-$3.98 (Another splurge item!)
Not listed is special items for my husband and children like milk, saltines, snacks to have at work etc that cost about $30! My total this week was $120 and change. I planned all my meals ahead of time and wrote my list according to those meals, because that helps me to stay frugal and sane in all honesty!
That is fabulous. I love how you don’t have huge cooking involved. I’m a newbie and I like your post. Thank you.
I have never found sprouted wheat at fareway. What does the package look like? Is it in a special aisle?
I found mine near the flours! My Fareway has had a lot of requests for THM friendly items so they carry Zevia, sprouted flour, etc. Usually if you place a request they’re super good about trying to carry it! The package looks like this: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/sprouted-wheat-flour-2-lb?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Shopping&utm_keyword=Sprouted+Wheat+Flour+-+2+lb&gclid=CjwKEAiAm8nCBRD7xLj-2aWFyz8SJAAQNalazdEddpv36mBa_IPTPKcBfYgE3-lkiOOYxbseOoeqdxoCWf7w_wcB&kwid=productads-adid^75955886433-device^c-plaid^18283950120-sku^11985-adType^PLA
Yay, I am so glad I found your blog! I just knew you must live in Iowa, too when you listed your grocery sources. I moved here from NC 2 years ago and I am still getting used to the limitted options for shopping. Starting THM last March has also made spendig less on food more challenging than ever. Thank you for blogging! I am not gifted in that area, but I enjoy the resources that bloggers provide for some of us in smaller communities.
Hi, Carrissa! It’s awesome to meet another Iowan! Yes, the options are limited! I don’t even have an Aldi in my town, so I’m envious of many other blogger’s shopping trips lol. I’m so glad I could help you! <3 I've always wanted to visit NC. It looks so gorgeous in the photos I've seen!
I am starting THM and researching meal planning- your site helps a LOT! Thanks!
Thanks, Susan! <3 Good luck! If you have any questions, just ask!
What is it if I have a grilled steak and sweet potatoe fries together and green beans for dinner? IS THIS THE WRONG MIX.
Hey, Adrienne!
It’s a yummy crossover! The steak is fat and the sweet potato fries are carbs. Not off plan! Great job!