never. stop. resolving.

Is it bragging too much to say that I think this might be the best I've ever done on my New Year's Resolutions? I wouldn't normally flaunt this, but after years of pretty marginal success, it's kind of going to my head.

I am gearing up to check off number one, the triathlon, here in just seven weeks. I'm reading the bible more (#4) in our new apartment (#7), gave up the bars for lent (#5), tried Pure Barre (#6), as well as FlyWheel, and have read two of five books (#8).

But here is the deal. I'm drastically, epically, totally failing at number three. Le budget. Wha!

Sure, I made the budget. But following it has been a whole different ball game. It's so hard! The thing, though, is that I'm not even shopping. My money is just flying out the window via unplanned trips to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

So, I've decided I'm taking another no grocery challenge. I went to the grocery this week and am not going back until Duke and Sam visit me in May. I'm really excited to clean out my freezer, because I tend to neglect my frozen vegetables when I have fresh options.

I'll let you know how things turn out. Here's to hoping I can begin to check off number three!

PS: Would it be counterproductive to buy this book? It would help me add another book to my list!

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Reggie, Reggie

Um. What is wrong with me? I finally went to the grocery (amazing) and I forgot peanut butter. What in the world?

Looks like my misfortune is actually turning out to be my own fortune (I realize that's not the correct expression, but you get it), because in lieu of another trip to Trader Joe's, I ordered Reginald's homemade peanut butter. I learned about it while doing the Shape No Grocery Challenge and have been itching to try it ever since. I ordered the Original Roast and the Hazelnut Amaretto. I'm currently sugar free in my diet, but as soon as I'm eating it again, I'm trying the Apple Sin. It looks amaze.

And now that I'm allowed to shop, I'm apparently going grocery wild. Publix Saturday? Sure. Trader Joe's twice Sunday? Yep. Online grocery shopping? Why not?

My abstinence may have backfired, since I'm apparently binging on groceries now, but my time away from the store did make me realize I can work a little harder to clean out my cabinets. I'm going to try to stick to an every other week schedule, which means this weekend's activities will have to last me until late February. Here waa go!

PS: Would it be weird to buy the shirt? Too much, too soon?

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Grocery free: going strong

My moving date may have been changed to last weekend, but I’m still going strong on Shape's no grocery challenge.

I’ve eaten an inordinate amount of red meat, including two steaks and a burger, which makes me think the challenge may be making my wallet skinny, but having a dissimilar effect on me. Why I bought Omaha Steaks, we may never know. But they’re sure keeping me afloat.

When I moved, I was thrilled to discover an extra chicken breast that had gotten buried under a broccoli steamer bag in my freezer. After switching back and forth between vegetarian and red meat only dinners (an interesting combination), this poultry brought a whole new level of excitement to my Monday night.

Similar to Karen, I’ve had a bit of trouble cleaning out my fridge as effectively as I hoped, because my parents bought me a few groceries at Whole Foods when they were in town. I almost told them not to, but I was out of nuts and cheese, and seriously, who passes up a free trip to Whole Foods? We picked up cheese, carrots, pistachios and peanuts, and those three items have turned my lunches around. I’ve also had a few dinners out, so I still have more than enough food in that arena.

My current inventory includes:
Freezer
Two Omaha Steaks and Four Omaha Pork patties (100 percent sure these will not be gone by the weekend)
Half a bag of artichokes
Two bags of broccoli steamers
Frozen soup (my lifeline for lunchtime)

Fridge
Cheddar Cheese
Peanut Butter
Carrots

Cabinets
Peanuts
Almonds
Pistachios
Canned soup (less exciting than the homemade variety in my freezer)

I almost think I could make it another week to finish out the challenge with Karen...

I will have to noodle on it. But the reality is, my peanut butter is getting low.

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peanut sat on a railroad track...

More than a year ago, I purchased a value pack of Omaha Steaks, (1) because it was on a major discount and (2) because there was chicken involved. 


Well, my friends, the chicken is long gone, and the steaks have been unleashed on my groceryless home. Considering I’ve had red meat maybe four times in the last year, and the steaks were wrapped in bacon (ick!) this scenario could be slightly alarming. But, I thawed them just enough to unpeel the bacon, cooked them with some olive oil, and voila! My first time making a steak was a success! Grocery-free has its benefits! 

Overall, it was pretty challenging making it through the weekend, especially because my green beans, cottage cheese and almonds are all gone, but I got a little creative and am feeling good about my nearing-bare cabinets. 

I will confess that I had one misstep Sunday, as I had to (had to!) buy peanut butter. I didn't have any breakfast items and I knew I would end up buying it at work every morning - so buying a jar of PB was actually more economically sound. Maaaybe I'm rationalizing here, but when brekky time rolled around this morning, I knew it was the right decision. 

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