This weekend was wonderfully simple. I didn’t take many pictures and my instagram was (and still is) broken, which is giving me the shakes. I’m not sure it’s possible to eat a meal without snapping a picture of it first.
Anyways, we finally got new bedroom furniture which I am RIDICULOUSLY excited about and it sparked an entire deep spring cleaning movement. It’s how we spent our Saturday.
David had to work all day Sunday, so to break the monotony, Hailey and I decided to venture to Whole Foods in Charlotte, about 45 minutes away. And yes, I know it sounds silly to drive that far for a grocery store.
But first, there was fridge evaluation.
Items remaining that need to be used this week- feta, fresh mozzarella, frozen grass-fed burgers.
Then meal planning.
The entire past week I’ve stayed away from processed carbs (chips, breads, pastas) as part of my jeans-are-too-tight plan, even over the weekend. The first couple days were pretty dang hard, but I made it through and now feel a lot better. I’m aiming at still keeping them to a minimum over the next week as well.
This week’s line up looks like this-
Sunday- Grilled BBQ salmon, roasted broccoli and bread
Monday- Vegetable stir-fry over Quinoa
Tuesday- Sweet Potato Nachos
Wednesday- Grass-Fed Burger Lettuce Wraps and Sweet Potato Rounds
Thursday- Mexican Chicken
Friday- Homemade Veggie pizza
Breakfasts- Veggie Eggs or Smoothies
Lunch- Greek Quinoa, Salads, Leftovers
Snacks- Edamame, Banana Oat ‘cookies’, applesauce, almonds
After loading up on cart-snacks, my little sidekick and I hit the aisles.
1 box of raisins, 3 samples of cheese, 1 sample of popcorn and 1 sucker later, we were finished shopping. I only ended up with 2 non-list splurge items: Israeli Couscous and Snapeas. Oh, and 1 sad little potato that Hailey tried to snag and eat when I wasn’t looking.
We loaded up the car and I was glad I remembered my cooler for the frozen goods. It’s important it you are weird like me and take a full-on road trip to the grocery store.
Here is my specific haul, for those that requested I do it again.
Blue Diamond Almond Milk ($1.99), organic sour cream ($2.69), no-hormone sharp cheddar ($2.99(, 2 dozen local eggs ($2.69 each), Organic Valley 100% grass-fed whole milk ($4.99)
2 cans Alaskan wild salmon ($2.49 each), Organic chicken breasts ($6.75), wild caught BBQ salmon ($6.99)
Bulk Raw Almonds ($5.62), Bulk Israeli Couscous ($2.86), Bulk Quinoa ($4.19), Organic Applesauce ($2.99), Organic Kalamata Olives ($3.29) Green Peppercorns ($2.19) *I was supposed to get capers and bought peppercorns by mistake- DOH!
2 Organic Tropical Blend Frozen Fruit ($2.99 each), Organic Bananas ($3.13), Organic Grape Tomatoes ($3.50) chives ($2.49), Organic Avocados bag ($4.99), 2 lemons ($0.50 each), 1 lb Organic Baby Spinach ($5.99), 2 Organic Green Peppers ($4.35), Mushrooms ($2.49), Onion ($1.59), 4 Organic Sweet Potatoes ($4.14), Cucumber ($0.64), Organic Broccoli ($2.67) Sad, little bitten potato ($0.48)
Snapea Crisps ($1.59), Frozen Edamame Pods ($2.99), 4 Kombucha drinks (4 for $5.00)
Grand Total for the Week- $115.31
I’m on the eating clean bandwagon, especially after making it through a weekend without pizza (who knew that was possible!?!) and I’m feeling really good. Hoping you are too!
What’s on your menu?
Erica says
I’m surprised at the total for the week ($115) For a trip to Whole Foods I would have thought it would be much more! I spend about $50 a week just for myself.
My Mom and I talked once about driving to the nearest Whole Foods in New Orleans just for a day – it’s 5 hours round-trip.
Brittany Dixon says
Haha, I love it! 5 hour round trip for Whole Foods- I’d totally be up for that!
Karen says
You do so well with your grocery spending. I don’t know how I always spend about $180 a week, it’s insane. Anyways, we have our “cheat” meal tonight, Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches on hawaiian rolls. YUM!!
Brittany Dixon says
Buffalo chicken is the best! How do you cook it?
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I cannot wait to see how the sweet potato nachos turn out for you! I have been eyeing those ever since I bookmarked the recipe. They look awesome!
Brittany Dixon says
I’m so excited! And how can they be bad, right? Sweet potatoes, cheese, jalapenos… YUM 🙂
Kelli D. says
What do you do with the canned salmon? We buy canned tuna and make tuna salad for us an our 17 month old but I want to start eating more seafood. And how are you cooking the BBQ salmon? I love to cook and have been forever but I have always been intimidated by cooking fish at home! And way to go getting out of whole foods so low! I rarely leave there under $140!
Brittany Dixon says
I’m actually working on a recipe today for using the canned salmon! I’ll let you know how it turns out. 🙂
I planned on grilling the BBQ salmon, but since we were out of propane, I baked it at 425 for 14 minutes. I’m with you, fish can be intimidating. I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error.
Lauren B. says
I just got back home from a visit to Atlanta, filled with lots of eating out, bbq, chocolate, ice cream, and wedding cake. I am totally feeling this weekly menu, as today kicks off my EAT CLEAN plan! Can’t wait to feel more energetic. Off to make a kale smoothie!
Brittany Dixon says
Sounds like a pretty amazing weekend! Good luck with your eat clean plan. I know my motivation is usually pretty darn high after an indulgent, fantastic weekend 😉
Beth Sheridan says
I don’t think it’s crazy to drive that far at all for a Whole Foods, I would actually do that too 🙂 I think I may have to give this meal planning a go…I always complain about working all day and then grabbing my 2 1/2 year old and then figuring out what I want for supper when we get home. And those sweet potato nachos sound wonderful!
Brittany Dixon says
So glad you don’t think I’m crazy. David does. He gets quite the kick out of my grocery habits. haha!
Please try meal planning! It takes a little time up front, but to not have to ask myself ‘what’s for dinner’ gives me such peace of mind. Start simple with quick fix meals- like spaghetti! Good luck 🙂
Kimberly @ Healthy Strides says
Those snapea crisps are the JAM. That is all.
Crystal @ Simply Playful Fare says
I love the feeling of going through the checkout at the grocery store, thinking you’ve got a really healthy cart!
Brittany Dixon says
It’s my version of a high. It’s ridiculous how excited I get for grocery shopping. I’m learning to embrace it 😉
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Once I move to Alabama, I’ll be making my grocery runs into road trips, too. Well, at least when I want to go to Whole Foods. 🙂 Perhaps you should come visit and teach me your ways????
I should meal plan. Right now I tend to just buy lots of fresh produce, make one big batch of soup for lunches for the week, and then sort of see what comes together.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Oh, and when I’m not sure what to eat, I just eat peanut butter.
Brittany Dixon says
YES. I will gladly come shop with you in Alabama if you are ok with telling everyone that I, too, am in college and we can hit up the night scene like we’re 19! 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Obviously the whole reason I am going back to school.
Amanda @ Sistas of Strength says
I wish you lived closer. I would totally take a trip to go to a grocery store. My friend and I are talking about road tripping to wegmans which is probably about 45 minutes. haha 🙂
Ancy Varghese says
Is the BBQ salmon frozen or from the fresh fish sections? Is it already seasoned? Sounds too good to be true! Do you do anything special for your veggie stir-fry? To keep it simple, I just use frozen mixed veggies for my 16 month old. Do you make smoothies with the frozen fruit? Last comment, would love it if you would post a recipe for your Homemade Veggie pizza!
Brittany Dixon says
BBQ salmon was frozen and already seasoned- SCORE. I thawed it (in the package) in a bath of warm water before cooking. I have a frozen bag of veggies for the stir fry. Not planning anything special for them, probably just teriyaki and some spices. I’m not a stir fry pro, so if you have any tips, please pass them along. Yes I use frozen fruit for smoothies + almond milk + chia seeds + spinach. Lastly, I use this crust recipe usually- http://www.ahealthysliceoflife.com/recipes/?recipe_id=6031219 – and top it with sauce, any veggies I have on hand and real mozzarella! 🙂
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, and Beers says
I survived a weekend of pizza too… not that I’m complaining, but yeah… salads were back on the menu for lunch today and the rest of the week.
Kristen@Change of Pace says
Looks like you got some great stuff! 🙂
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
Love Whole Foods! Luckily we have one just 10 minutes from us. Well, lucky for me, not for our bank account! Ha! They offer so many coupons though which is always nice 🙂 How are those kombucha wonder drinks? Do they have much sugar added? I love Kevita since it’s sweetened with stevia but it’s not a kombucha. So I splurge on Synergy quite often but it has added sugar…
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
That potato is hilarious! L did the same thing once… and didn’t repeat it after that. 🙂 Not the tastiest snack, for sure.
Thanks for linking up this week. And YAY for new bedroom furniture!!!
Michelle says
I really need to start meal planning. Thanks so much for including this every week!
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says
ahhh I’m still fiercely jealous of your WF road tripage distance — I am driving 2 and a half hours for mine next weekend =) Coolers are a must here too! lol! So excited to hear how the SP Nachos turn out and I’m still cracking up over little miss potato theif =) Hilarious!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
I used to drive 45 minutes every weekend to Whole Foods in college. I though I was a little nuts too 😉
Chantal says
Oh I wish we had a Whole Foods close by!
Unrelated, but we’re going to be in the Charlotte area for the Fourth of July weekend for a wedding! What’s good up there to do with a toddler? We will only be there for a couple days.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh awesome! Where is the wedding?
I’d highly suggest Discovery Place (http://www.discoveryplace.org/) or Discovery Place Kids (http://www.discoveryplacekids.org/) (either is good for toddlers). Also, the White Water Center is a great place to walk around, hike, eat lunch and watch people kayak and raft.
If you know the part of town, I can also recommend some good ‘ol parks. Let me know!
Kelly says
That potato cracks me up!
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness says
I would drive 45 mins to Whole Foods. Fortunately I don’t have to 🙂
Neil Butterfield says
Nice shopping plan, always good to look for the best deals possible Brittany.