Spending Dollars

Here's the update on food and money for the week...

I still had a few veggies from last week to sustain us. I went to the grocery store on Monday for my dairy: milk, mozzarella, yogurt, and butter. Since we had no fruit and the farmer's market wasn't open I had to pick up some apples for B too. Total cost: $15.

Yesterday I had to send Ryan back to the store for a couple of things:

1. Dry black beans. I'm not sure about finding this "locally" grown. I don't use many beans, so I'm still learning about them. (I will be using these to make some magnesium-rich BROWNIES!)
2. Yeast. I have more coming next week, but I will also be making a "starter" for sourdough. Fermented foods are easier to digest, so I will be doing what I can to include some in our diets.
3. Cocoa power. I ran out an needed a little bit before my shipment arrives next week.
4. Almond flour. They didn't have any, so Ryan got me flax meal...LOVING IT!
5. Toilet paper. No way around it.
6. Infant Tylenol. After the day I had yesterday...I had to wonder if she was teething. Still not too sure. I only gave her a drop, but it's good stuff to have on hand for emergencies.

Ryan purchased deodorant, contact solution, and Q-tips (this is like T.P. - irreplaceable!) He spent $50.

On Monday I also placed an order with Azure Standard. Here's what I ordered...

QP162  Fresh Produce Ginger, Organic           1 lb. appro 1       $5.95   $5.95
QP324  Fresh Produce Fresh Garlic, Organic     1 lb.       1       $5.70   $5.70
QP230  Fresh Produce Apples,  "In Season",     20 lbs.     1      $10.00  $10.00
QP018  Fresh Produce Onions, Yellow, Organ     3 lbs.      1       $3.45   $3.45
FL160  Gifts of Nature All Purpose Flour B     10 lbs.     1      $32.35  $32.35
FL192  Bob's Red Mill Almond Meal Flour        5 lbs.      1      $19.20  $19.20
OL174  Nutiva Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin, O     29 ozs.     1      $17.40  $17.40
BP252  Earth Circle Organics Raw Cacao Pow     1 lb.       1      $11.70  $11.70
BP078  Red Star Yeast, Dry Active              2 lbs.      1       $9.30   $9.30
BP082  Let's Do...Organic Cornstarch, Orga     6 ozs.      1       $2.70   $2.70
NU113  Bulk Almonds, Raw, Organic              5 lbs.      1      $36.60  $36.60


Sub Total: $0.00
Estimated Total: $154.35

Here's why...

1. There's no local ginger. I will look into growing this.
2. We eat a LOT of garlic, and I can't get it at my co-op right now. The local farmer's market this is open is a bit sketchy as they don't disclose too much about where they get their produce. This time of year I think the only thing that is local is greens. I am trying to grow some.
3. Onions, ditto about the garlic.
4. There are no local apples. This is B's fruit of choice, and my family LOVES apple sauce. I will also use this ration to make a big batch of puree for Bekah.
5. The flour is a gluten-free mix. I have been reading about whole wheat not being as digestible as we have been led to believe. Either way, I think it is a healthy choice to vary our grains. I will be using this in the break maker.
6. Almond meal will be a flour replacement to increase the protein values in our baking.
7. Coconut oil is the "new" superfood. I will use it, EVOO, and butter as our exclusive fats.
8. Cacao. Look, I'm a chocolate addict, let's be honest. I am actually thinking that in the future I will buy this from the Fair Trade company from which I purchased my coffee...hmmmm...coffee...maybe just one more cup...
9. Hopefully this is the last time I'll buy yeast.
10. I will use the corn starch for gravies...although I don't often make gravies...OH, I might use it for diaper changing too.
11. I will make almond butter with the raw almonds. I believe it's much healthier than peanut butter, and in true DIY spirit I thought I'd make it.

So, these are pretty much baking items that I would otherwise purchase at the grocery store. This way I am getting a much better value on 100% organic products that I cannot (as of yet) find locally produced. Often, I cannot even get onions and garlic at my produce co-op.

The Azure order will last me at least a month. Realistically, I think it will last two or more. So, I've spent $220 on food and grocery items this week. I like to keep track of things to see if we can eat a higher quality diet for the same price or lower than the mixed diet we ate before. I'd love to see it even out to about $100 per week. I think it will.