10 minutes of brainstorming and I have no title, which gave me a title
Lunch was a mish-mosh of leftovers. It tasted great, but wasn’t super satisfying and I ate too fast. I’m wondering if I am still hungry or just unsatisfied from eating too quickly? Considering I wasn’t terribly hungry to start (thanks pumpkin oatmeal!) I’m guessing it’s just my mouth and brain complaining that I didn’t get the attention they normally do.
Leftover mystery flatbread and 2 pieces of cheese from last night –
Plus a cup of fresh pineapple –
I didn’t want to eat much volume-wise because I am planning a quick 2pm run before GOTR practice. But I think calorie-wise (including the blondie bite below) this was around my usual 500ish. Calorie dense foods sure aren’t satisfying to me 🙁
But I couldn’t resist a bite of this fresh blondie the hub brought home. It was ooey-gooey and still warm! I told him no more sweets after this!
Thanksgiving Challenge Update
Week 3, Part II
A few extras to round out the week and a half to get us to Thanksgiving:
- Sweet potatoes ($.39/lb at Super Bi-Lo!!)
- A butternut squash
- Half a lb of natural ground beef
- Canned clams
Total: $11.16
Month-to-date: $72.88
That leaves $53.12 for Thanksgiving groceries!
And the best part is that Karen offered to buy the turkey!!!! So that helps a TON. I think we’re going to beat the challenge – including having a houseguest! I have decided that rather than upping the Challenge total to accommodate an additional person for 5 days I will just allow an extra meal out this week (most likely lunch) with Anna. Seems fair enough to me.
STUDY, GOTR, Shower, Micro….
seelee live (for the love of peanut butter) says
Blondies are irresistable. I agree with your calorie-dense-foods being less satisfied statement. It all counts the same, but sometimes your head if much quicker than your tummy!!
Oh She Glows says
Congrats on doing your thanksgiving challenge with such success so far! 😀
I can really SEE how ‘less volume’ your lunch is today! wow. No wonder why you weren’t feeling as satisfied (psychologically or psychically)!
Mel says
Blondies are yummy… You have some self control if you didn’t eat the whole thing! It’s looks so good.
Wow, you are kicking butt on youor challenge! Congrats!
lauren says
I really want a blondie brownie now!! it looks so good.
Melissa says
I can relate to the bringing home sweets! My roommates buy 500 piece bags of assorted candy bars from costco for liek every holiday. I would never eat candy bars on my own, but when they sit in the kitchen and living room year round, it’s so easy to cave!
I probably eat more than them! sadness!
Halie says
You are doing great on the challenge!
mmmmmmm……blondie 🙂 What’s the white in it? White chocolate chips?
ashley (sweet & natural) says
I had a chocolate chip pecan blondie yesterday and it was delish! I always think of myself as a brownie girl, but sometimes a blondie hits the spot!
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
I agree about calorie dense food – it does not cut it at all. I’ve recently realized that I am sooo much happier with meals that take at least 20 minutes to each, but lots of different bites and tastes. Sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy, etc.
Janie says
You are so lucky to be able to get groceries for these prices! I live in Charlottesville, VA and it would cost 3 times as much:( Can’t wait to see what you guys make for Thanksgiving:)
Moran says
Good that the challenge is working out well!
Maggie says
You’re doing great! That blondie looks so good…
Have fun at GOTR 🙂
Runeatrepeat says
I’ve never had a blondie, but that looks really good! I don’t know if there is a drastic difference in cost of living or I am just a bad planner, but the challenge has been not going well over here.
Marisa says
Kath, you spurred me on to think about my grocery bill and I decided to take on your challenge! I even mentioned your Thanksgiving Challenge on my blog and a few people have emailed me to let me know that they checked out your site and are going to try it, too!! Your are inspiring so many people with this and especially in these tough times, it is good to take a look at our overconsumption of things and try to make a difference. I even have been bringing my calculator to the grocery store to keep me in my budget. I will give you my full report next week – but, so far the husband is doing the “happy dance” when he sees the bill!!! Thank you so much for this awesome idea!
Julia (Santa Barbara Dreaming) says
Wow, you are doing so well on your Thanksgiving challenge! Go you! 🙂 How are you able to shop so cheap? Do you hunt for deals? Or do you go to a discount store of some sort? I’m trying to spend less money, but cherry tomatoes here go for $3.99 a pack! (and they are tiny packs!) yikes!
Blondie looks heavenly
VeggieGirl says
Haha, love the title 😉
BLONDIE!!!!! **swoons**
So nice of Karen!!
K says
I agree – calorie dense foods just aren’t as fun 🙁
You guys are doing great with the Thanksgiving challenge!
zestycook says
Great job on the challenge – I am checking out mint.com tonight! Thanks for sharing
zesty
Fitness Surfer says
I had pumpkin oatmeal for the first time today. It looked so good I had to take a picture and share. At first I wasn’t so sure about it. Then, I felt so healthy and satisfied that I loved it. If anyone hasn’t tried it and likes pumpkin pie they’ll probably like pumpkin oatmeal.
I don’t think I have ever had a Blondie. Sounds like I’m missing out. Great job on the challenge so far.
Mara says
I’m so impressed with you on the challenge! I challenged myself to keep groceries under $75/week, and I’ve done great, except last week when we needed $20 cat food 🙁
Allison K says
I wish cheese weren’t calorie dense..i love cheese.
That piece of pepper jack you had with lunch looks amazing. (at least it looks like pepper jack).
Jennifer says
I agree with another reader, these low grocery prices are just NOT possible in D.C./northern VA.
=(
Anna says
Hi All,
I have a question open for everyone. It’s really cold already where I am, and although I usually go to the gym about five times a week, I was thinking it might be nice to build up an exercise video home library as well.
Do people have favorite workout videos that they would recommend? I already have a couple of pilates/yoga DVDs, so I’m thinking more in the serious cardio realm.
Thanks!!
Biz says
Great job on the groceries so far! Yep, helps that the turkey is donated!
veganlily says
Volumetrics works, doesn’t it? I feel the same way as you…doesn’t matter the calorie count, if it’s not a big plate of veggies and fruits and beans, I still feel “hungry” or at least unsatisfied after eating. Though it’s also tricky before a run, because too much volume, regardless of calories, and you feel like there is a brick in your stomach. It’s tough.
rachel says
Hi Kath, I’ve been reading your blog/lurking! for a couple of months now and thought I’d say hi! I’m a student from England, I just thought I’d say that I love your blog and your approach to living healthily.
I’ve just started university and am trying to eat healthily, whilst living on a student budget! :S Leaving home has been great in the sense that I’m learning to cook! and I’m really enjoying choosing what i buy and eat – though i am missing all the more exciting/expensive fruit and veg that i used to eat at home!
p.s. i love porridge (or oatmeal as you call it!) but usually just eat it with honey or peanut butter, but I’ve just tried adding banana mmm I’ll definitely have that again!
Casey says
Hey Kath! Is that blondie from great harvest? I used to work at one of those and could you imagine??? Thank goodness they didn’t have those when I worked those, even though I do admit, I make a pretty mean blonde brownie myself 🙂
Have a good day!
Talia says
I love your challange- where I havent cut down nearly as much as you, I definatly have been watching what I spend on groceries- I love that the new trader joes near me is cheaper on fruits and veggies then most shoprite fruits and veggies.. of course now that we can just mash up our food for the baby, baby food costs went down, as well as the fact that the baby is eating real food! I cant wait to try your kale chips- maybe I will buy some kale at the farmers market tommorrow- although prices here are certainly more expensive then by you!
Megan says
Great job with the groceries! Lunch looks yummy, especially the dessert.
michelle says
Hi Kath,
Just a quick question please:
How do you prepare your butternut squash? I just bought one today and i’d like to make it in a yummy way so that my mom will eat it!! She’s the picky one in the family!!! :O)
Thanks Kath!!
Michelle says
That blondie looks delicious!!! Congrats on the groceries!!
kristin says
I live in DC and it’s very impossible to have a budget for groceries. It’s so expensive here 🙁 Lucky you!
Lee says
What will you do with the clams? I always think of getting some but never know what to do with them.
Michelle J. says
I am impressed you are doing so well with the challenge, and I am jealous! We can’t even keep ours under our much higher grocery budget 🙁 Hope you guys have a Happy Thanksgiving if we don’t see you before then!
Sarah says
Kath and other readers:
I am making pizzas for a party soon (a pesto pizza with goat cheese and veggies and a yet to be decided pizza. Perhaps fontina and mushrooms?) Anyway, I want to pre-make these by an hour or so so I can get everything else ready, so I can’t do a normal homemade or Pillsbury dough. I remember being rather unimpressed with a Boboli pizza shell. Does anyone have a better recommendation for a pre-made pizza crust?
Thanks!
S
Tina says
Yay to a free turkey!
Tracy says
Hey Kath – I read almost every day but barely ever post. Just wanted to say that your Thanksgiving Challenge has been a good influence on my husband and me…November only has 11 more days, but I am inspired to “join the club” just like a lot of your readers are doing. So thank you!
Teenage Veg Head says
goodness that blondie looks so good!
Kath says
So glad the Thanksgiving Challenge has been inspiring! I don’t think it has inspired anyone more than me though. I feel so happy knowing I haven’t bought anything we didn’t NEED this month for good nutrition and good eats.
Julia (Santa Barbara Dreaming),
I wouldn’t buy tomatoes in a pack!! They are expensive here too. I have been using coupons, but not too many. My main strategy has been to look at the store specials for the week and planning low-cost meals around them. I’ve tried to plan each week around: beans, eggs, tofu, 1 meat, a leafy green, an antioxidant fruit, apples/bananas, a few munching veggies and 1 dairy (milk or yogurt). I know I have things that haven’t ran out yet that are expensive (almost out of greek yogurt, almost out of coffee, kashi crackers) but I guess if I was really pressed to save I just wouldn’t buy those things or only buy them when they go majorly on sale. I have been trying to eat more bread and less kashi crackers since our bread is free!
Casey ,
Yes, the husband works at Great Harvest.
michelle ,
I think Google could tell you easier than I could all the ways you can prepare butternut squash. Try myrecipes.com.
Lee ,
You’ll have to wait and see!
Kath
Cat says
Congrats on how well you’re doing on the Thanksgiving Challenge! Just being a part of it has really helped me cut down my expenses and see where all these crazy costs are coming from (gourmet caper berries a necessity? – I think not!)