I recently found this link on a message board (MMM), about Americans and dining out:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-07-26/first-time-americans-spend-more-eating-out-food-home
The graph shows that for the first time, Americans are spending more eating out than on groceries. This doesn't surprise me at all.
I'll demonstrate:
I just got back from a week of vacation in Colorado. We were in 2 hotels in 2 different cities.
- We got free breakfast at the hotel every morning.
- We had a mini-fridge in one hotel, and an efficiency kitchen at the other, so we had fruit, veg, and sandwich makings.
- We ate out 1 meal/ day or fewer.
- So meals out: 1. takeout pizza dinner. 2. food truck Middle eastern sit-down lunch. 3. Dinner out tacos/ burgers (only thing cheaper was the pizza) 4. Dinner out pizza with friends. 5. Very late lunch at a bistro. 6. Ice cream. 7. Burgers on the drive home from the airport
- Meals in: lunches: 6. Dinners: 4 (there were 2 days we didn't eat out at all, had sandwiches for lunch and met our child-free friends at a park for a potluck so the kids could play).
So: 8 days. 6.5 meals out (ice cream is more of a snack), 10 meals "in" (groceries) and 7 meals free (breakfast)
Cost for 6.5 meals out: $292 = $45 each
Cost for 10 meals in: $100 = $10 each
That's more than 4x the cost to eat out than to eat something in the hotel room. It doesn't take very many meals out for the cost of eating out to surpass the cost of groceries.
Total cost for the week for food: $400
The question is: what percentage of meals are "out"?
Showing posts with label frugal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frugal. Show all posts
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Monday, April 24, 2017
Lentil Curry
This is an offshoot of Red Lentil Curry. I decided to play around with the tried and true recipe. Because I had tomatoes, and I ran out of red lentils but had extra brown.
It was delish, I think. I have a bad cold.
Lentil Curry:
1 small onion, diced
2 T canola oil
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp fresh garlic, minced (3 small cloves)
3 roma tomatoes, chopped
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 c. red or brown lentils (I used a mix)
2.5 c. water
1/4 c to 1/3 c coconut milk
1-2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp salt
Saute onion in oil until soft. Add garlic and saute one more minute. Add spices and saute one more minute. Add tomatoes and cook 5-6 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft. Add lentils and water.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, simmering for 15-20 min. Check periodically. I needed a bit more water. Once it looks done, use the immersion blender if you like it a bit creamier. I still wanted a few chunks.
Add coconut milk and tomato paste and cook 5 more min, or until desired consistency. Add salt.
This was good with my Indian roasted cauliflower and Trader Joe's garlic naan, found in the freezer section. My big boy goes NUTS for that stuff.
It was delish, I think. I have a bad cold.
Lentil Curry:
1 small onion, diced
2 T canola oil
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp fresh garlic, minced (3 small cloves)
3 roma tomatoes, chopped
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 c. red or brown lentils (I used a mix)
2.5 c. water
1/4 c to 1/3 c coconut milk
1-2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp salt
Saute onion in oil until soft. Add garlic and saute one more minute. Add spices and saute one more minute. Add tomatoes and cook 5-6 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft. Add lentils and water.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, simmering for 15-20 min. Check periodically. I needed a bit more water. Once it looks done, use the immersion blender if you like it a bit creamier. I still wanted a few chunks.
Add coconut milk and tomato paste and cook 5 more min, or until desired consistency. Add salt.
This was good with my Indian roasted cauliflower and Trader Joe's garlic naan, found in the freezer section. My big boy goes NUTS for that stuff.
Monday, April 3, 2017
2017 Goals, weeks 12 & 13
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 4/1/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 62.9 miles So, six weeks till the 1/2 marathon. And I'm only up to 6 miles. Hm.
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 48.44 miles
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 7.96 miles (only once in two weeks).
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 51.99 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 368 minutes - nothing in 2 weeks eek!
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 48.44 miles
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 7.96 miles (only once in two weeks).
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 51.99 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 368 minutes - nothing in 2 weeks eek!
Starting to stress about the half marathon. Especially since they've changed it since I last did it. Now they are "nickel and diming you". Like, you have to drive up (45 min or so) to pick up your race packet the day before. If you want to pick it up here in my own town, it's $10. (used to be free). If you want to pick it up the morning of the race, it's $15.
So, just to kind of screw them, I was going to go with the "free" option. Except it will cost $10 in gas ($9.60 actually), even in my tiny car. However, if I carpooled, or got several other people's packets at the same time, it would pay for itself. Anyway. I have time to decide. But I won't be doing this race again.
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $96.77 & $83.69. My produce box was missing something this week too. Hopefully I'll get a credit. $1735.95 so far, or $133.53/ week. This was a BIG week post vacation. And party.
3. Weight: I have no idea.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: Well, we went on 3 family hikes on our trip last week. They were very short. About 3/4 mile each, took an hour (you know, 4 year old pace, with snowball fights).
Do game night once a week: Not much of this.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket - less than 30 days to go
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: I cut a bunch of blocks. We are all making 20 half square triangle blocks for each other.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? I did make two pink "pussy cat hats". One to donate to the Yarn Bomber. One for a friend.
6. Sleep: Been a pretty good week, though vacation - not so much. Got kicked out of bed by the 4 year old.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. I'm making a lot of things over and over again.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet. REALLY need to.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate. But he did just come by this weekend (again) because our neighbor's backed up (again). Yuck.
11. Garden: need to plant stuff. And more stuff.
12. Spouse: we did manage March date!
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): Uh, lots of coffee this week.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. Been hitting the wine more the last few weeks.
12. Spouse: we did manage March date!
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): Uh, lots of coffee this week.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. Been hitting the wine more the last few weeks.
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this on my running days.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Jan, check. Feb, fail. March, fail.
15. Host friends. Jan, check. Feb, fail. March, fail. April, success on day 1!! It was a no-baseball weekend.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
2017 Goals - Week 9
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 3/4/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 33.15 miles (4.1 miles in pouring rain today)
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 19.4 miles
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 6.74 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 37.89 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 353 minutes
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $127.23. My produce box was missing 2 baskets of strawberries! First ones of the season. They said they'll give them to me next week. I was really looking forward to them! 😪
3. Weight: 139
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: More like daytime games on weekends.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket - working on it
- crochet a purse: nothing
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing. I don't even remember what this is.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Right now we are cleaning out closets - never did dig through stuff after Christmas. Donating stuff to the elementary school rummage sale. Not our school, but a different one.
6. Sleep: Meh, okay this week.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. Did make some blood orange/ lemon muffins that we improvised on.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet. REALLY need to.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate.
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 19.4 miles
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 6.74 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 37.89 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 353 minutes
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $127.23. My produce box was missing 2 baskets of strawberries! First ones of the season. They said they'll give them to me next week. I was really looking forward to them! 😪
3. Weight: 139
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: More like daytime games on weekends.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket - working on it
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing. I don't even remember what this is.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Right now we are cleaning out closets - never did dig through stuff after Christmas. Donating stuff to the elementary school rummage sale. Not our school, but a different one.
6. Sleep: Meh, okay this week.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. Did make some blood orange/ lemon muffins that we improvised on.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet. REALLY need to.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate.
On top of that, our car just got crunched pulling out of the driveway today. Same thing happened EXACTLY 8 years ago. A row of 3 big-ass SUVs parked in front of our house, blocking view of oncoming traffic. Here's to hoping it's not totaled. The car is 8 years old with only 60k miles on it. It needs to live another decade. It's a honda!
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch. Now we are discussing hiring a landscaper to do the work. Friend in the neighborhood.
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. We need a date. We will at least get one at the school fundraiser this coming weekend.
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): Okay on this one.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. I don't even drink that much anymore, but I did open a bottle Friday night. Something about having to drag my 4 year old out of preschool - carried him screaming and kicking to the car. (He wanted daddy.)
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch. Now we are discussing hiring a landscaper to do the work. Friend in the neighborhood.
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. We need a date. We will at least get one at the school fundraiser this coming weekend.
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): Okay on this one.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. I don't even drink that much anymore, but I did open a bottle Friday night. Something about having to drag my 4 year old out of preschool - carried him screaming and kicking to the car. (He wanted daddy.)
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this a couple of days. I do best when I just fill my big bottle twice.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Jan, check. Feb, fail.
15. Host friends. Jan, check. Feb, fail.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
2017 Goals - Week 8
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 2/25/17 - Not my best week due to rain and sleep. I ran 2x, but didn't swim at all, and didn't bike either.
Running: 300 miles: To date: 29.01 miles
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 9.6 miles
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 5.04 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 35.44 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 319 minutes
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $993.88. This was a big week.
3. Weight: 136.2! Stomach flu weight hasn't come back yet.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: Lots of UNO
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket (a "thermometer" granny square blanket, based on the temperature each day). Moving along. Afghan #1 will be 120 blocks and will end by the end of April. Unfortunately, they must never reorder yarn at my Michael's. I had to sub a different blue for the 50-60F already, and now it's almost empty. And I had to sub ANOTHER blue. The only way to get it online is to buy 3, and shipping is expensive. So I could spend $49 and get free shipping, but that's WAY more yarn than I need, KWIM?
- crochet a purse: nothing
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing. I don't even remember what this is.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Been really busy taking care of sick people.
6. Sleep: Meh, okay this week.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. I made chili, but does it count if I change almost everything in the recipe?
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate.
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. We need a date. We will at least get one at the school fundraiser in March?
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): I only had one cup today!
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. I went to pick up my wine shipment today. I hadn't been in awhile - and this is the winery that is 45 minutes away. She said I had 2 shipments. But I ended up with 6 bottles of wine. That's more like 3 shipments (I get 1 red, 1 white - 3 times a year). I was going to hit them up for donations for the auction - but I chickened out because they were packed.
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 9.6 miles
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 5.04 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 35.44 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 319 minutes
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $993.88. This was a big week.
3. Weight: 136.2! Stomach flu weight hasn't come back yet.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: Lots of UNO
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket (a "thermometer" granny square blanket, based on the temperature each day). Moving along. Afghan #1 will be 120 blocks and will end by the end of April. Unfortunately, they must never reorder yarn at my Michael's. I had to sub a different blue for the 50-60F already, and now it's almost empty. And I had to sub ANOTHER blue. The only way to get it online is to buy 3, and shipping is expensive. So I could spend $49 and get free shipping, but that's WAY more yarn than I need, KWIM?
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing. I don't even remember what this is.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Been really busy taking care of sick people.
6. Sleep: Meh, okay this week.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. I made chili, but does it count if I change almost everything in the recipe?
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate.
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. We need a date. We will at least get one at the school fundraiser in March?
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): I only had one cup today!
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. I went to pick up my wine shipment today. I hadn't been in awhile - and this is the winery that is 45 minutes away. She said I had 2 shipments. But I ended up with 6 bottles of wine. That's more like 3 shipments (I get 1 red, 1 white - 3 times a year). I was going to hit them up for donations for the auction - but I chickened out because they were packed.
So, I'm confused because when I get home, my 6 bottles are 2 white and 4 red. Maybe they changed my membership? My 2 bottle membership is old, and they don't offer it anymore - I got grandfathered in for years. Anyway.
I figured since I rarely drink anymore, and my OTHER wine shipment comes in a week (another 6 bottles), that I would just donate wine from my personal stash to the auction.
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this a couple of days. Was really dehydrated this week.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Jan, check. Feb, fail.
15. Host friends. Jan, check. Feb, fail.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
2017 Goals - week 7
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 2/18/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 26.51 miles
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 9.6 miles (made it one day, then got sick)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 5.04 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 32.11 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 276 minutes (School dance, weights)
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $828.20, only $19.20 last week. That's super low for a few reasons: 1. I got a mild version of whatever stomach flu the kids had. So I didn't eat much. 2. We were on vacation, so we ate out more. 3. We were on vacation, so we didn't get our produce box. Actually, I'm *pretty* sure the total is bigger than this. I think there's a missing receipt with milk and applesauce that's in my husband's wallet somewhere. It will turn up later and end up on the year-end total.
3. Weight: Scale had me down 3 pounds before the trip, and my pants were falling off me. I'm sure they will come back though.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: We played cards on our vacation to Legoland.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket (a "thermometer" granny square blanket, based on the temperature each day). 50 blocks done out of 120!
The photo really doesn't do it justice.
- crochet a purse: nothing
- finish a quilting baby blanket: done. Mailed.
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Been really busy taking care of sick people.
6. Sleep: keep track of it and see if the low dose estrogen helps. I was sick. Slept like crap. I'm having a really hard time with heat. It seems like I go to bed cold, then get hot. When my husband comes to bed I have to strip down, and have been ending up on the couch. The estrogen is NOT helping. I think it's making it worse. And I'm getting headaches.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. No attempt at this while I have been sick.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Nothing this week.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really. Ugh Facebook. Ugh Trump. Americans are so stupid. Do you know that in a single month, the cost to the US Taxpayers for him to go to FL has been $12 million?? That was the ANNUAL budget for the Obamas. Make America broke again!! I'd rather my tax bill go to subsidize the ACA.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill!
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. We need a date. We will at least get one at the school fundraiser in March?
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): I haven't had coffee since Tuesday. Tummy bug will do that. Been enjoying green tea. The hotel on this trip had Tazo Zen green tea with lemongrass and spearmint. Yummy.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships: I had a glass of wine at my winery before Valentine's day, and bought a bottle to donate to the school auction.
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this a couple of days. Was really dehydrated this week.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Done for Jan, not for Feb yet.
15. Host friends. Done for Jan, not for Feb. Not gonna happen.
Running: 300 miles: To date: 26.51 miles
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 9.6 miles (made it one day, then got sick)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 5.04 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 32.11 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 276 minutes (School dance, weights)
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $828.20, only $19.20 last week. That's super low for a few reasons: 1. I got a mild version of whatever stomach flu the kids had. So I didn't eat much. 2. We were on vacation, so we ate out more. 3. We were on vacation, so we didn't get our produce box. Actually, I'm *pretty* sure the total is bigger than this. I think there's a missing receipt with milk and applesauce that's in my husband's wallet somewhere. It will turn up later and end up on the year-end total.
3. Weight: Scale had me down 3 pounds before the trip, and my pants were falling off me. I'm sure they will come back though.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: We played cards on our vacation to Legoland.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket (a "thermometer" granny square blanket, based on the temperature each day). 50 blocks done out of 120!
The photo really doesn't do it justice.
- crochet a purse: nothing
- finish a quilting baby blanket: done. Mailed.
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Been really busy taking care of sick people.
6. Sleep: keep track of it and see if the low dose estrogen helps. I was sick. Slept like crap. I'm having a really hard time with heat. It seems like I go to bed cold, then get hot. When my husband comes to bed I have to strip down, and have been ending up on the couch. The estrogen is NOT helping. I think it's making it worse. And I'm getting headaches.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. No attempt at this while I have been sick.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Nothing this week.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really. Ugh Facebook. Ugh Trump. Americans are so stupid. Do you know that in a single month, the cost to the US Taxpayers for him to go to FL has been $12 million?? That was the ANNUAL budget for the Obamas. Make America broke again!! I'd rather my tax bill go to subsidize the ACA.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill!
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. We need a date. We will at least get one at the school fundraiser in March?
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): I haven't had coffee since Tuesday. Tummy bug will do that. Been enjoying green tea. The hotel on this trip had Tazo Zen green tea with lemongrass and spearmint. Yummy.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships: I had a glass of wine at my winery before Valentine's day, and bought a bottle to donate to the school auction.
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this a couple of days. Was really dehydrated this week.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Done for Jan, not for Feb yet.
15. Host friends. Done for Jan, not for Feb. Not gonna happen.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
2017 Goals - Week 6
Let me see if I can get back on track after taking care of sick people for 4 straight weeks, 3.5 of which were spent sleeping on the couch. I get to sleep in my own bed tonight, whee!
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 2/11/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 22.4 miles
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 0 miles (rain, sickness, more sickness)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 4.19 miles (oy, been gone weeks)
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 24.95 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 276 minutes (School dance, weights)
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $809.10, avg of $134.85. Funny how a couple of weeks of sickies will do that. Homemade bread, white rice, applesauce, saltines, and plain pasta are cheap! Last 2 weeks were $101 and $71. I don't expect that to stay that low. I think my $7000 goal is going to be tough this year with growing boys.
3. Weight: Still good.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: We failed this month
Do game night once a week: Lots of games this week - Candyland, concentration, Olympus. Not full family but pairs of people playing.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket (a "thermometer" granny square blanket, based on the temperature each day). It's coming along really well. The low so far this year was in the 30s (purple) and the high was in the 80s (orange). For reference, there are 3 unused colors. Magenta (under 30), which we might not hit. But if we go to the snow for spring break, we will. (I want to use the temps where we physically are, not necessarily here in town.) Red is 90-100, and Pink is >100.
The photo really doesn't do it justice.
- crochet a purse: nothing
- finish a quilting baby blanket: done. I need to mail the sucker. My friend is due ANY DAY.
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Been really busy taking care of sick people.
6. Sleep: keep track of it and see if the low dose estrogen helps: It was okay. Maybe I'm getting used to the couch. I did not get up and go to the gym, however.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. No attempt at this while kids are barfing and hubby is sick. I'm losing steam. But honestly, vegetarian has been easy.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Nothing this week.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really. Did okay here, unless arguing on FB about politics counts? I can't help myself. Some people are so young. And stupid. And young.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill!
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. He was sick and I was doing triple duty (work/ kid/ household). He's finally healthy but was sick for almost 3 weeks. I think we might try for a lunch date on Valentine's day.
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): I think I managed this 5/7 days.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships: No wine here! I don't remember the last glass of wine. But my winery is having a cupcakes and wine tasting this afternoon. I'm tempted.
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this at least 4 days.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Done for Jan, not for Feb yet.
15. Host friends. Done for Jan, not for Feb.
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 2/11/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 22.4 miles
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 0 miles (rain, sickness, more sickness)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 4.19 miles (oy, been gone weeks)
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 24.95 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 276 minutes (School dance, weights)
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $809.10, avg of $134.85. Funny how a couple of weeks of sickies will do that. Homemade bread, white rice, applesauce, saltines, and plain pasta are cheap! Last 2 weeks were $101 and $71. I don't expect that to stay that low. I think my $7000 goal is going to be tough this year with growing boys.
3. Weight: Still good.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: We failed this month
Do game night once a week: Lots of games this week - Candyland, concentration, Olympus. Not full family but pairs of people playing.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket (a "thermometer" granny square blanket, based on the temperature each day). It's coming along really well. The low so far this year was in the 30s (purple) and the high was in the 80s (orange). For reference, there are 3 unused colors. Magenta (under 30), which we might not hit. But if we go to the snow for spring break, we will. (I want to use the temps where we physically are, not necessarily here in town.) Red is 90-100, and Pink is >100.
The photo really doesn't do it justice.
- crochet a purse: nothing
- finish a quilting baby blanket: done. I need to mail the sucker. My friend is due ANY DAY.
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Been really busy taking care of sick people.
6. Sleep: keep track of it and see if the low dose estrogen helps: It was okay. Maybe I'm getting used to the couch. I did not get up and go to the gym, however.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. No attempt at this while kids are barfing and hubby is sick. I'm losing steam. But honestly, vegetarian has been easy.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Nothing this week.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really. Did okay here, unless arguing on FB about politics counts? I can't help myself. Some people are so young. And stupid. And young.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill!
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. He was sick and I was doing triple duty (work/ kid/ household). He's finally healthy but was sick for almost 3 weeks. I think we might try for a lunch date on Valentine's day.
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): I think I managed this 5/7 days.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships: No wine here! I don't remember the last glass of wine. But my winery is having a cupcakes and wine tasting this afternoon. I'm tempted.
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this at least 4 days.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Done for Jan, not for Feb yet.
15. Host friends. Done for Jan, not for Feb.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
2017 Goals - Weeks 4 and 5!
Two for the price of one! Because for the last 3 weeks at least 2 family members have been sick with something. First fever/ cold/ then infections because the cold wouldn't let go (antibiotics), follows by a stomach virus. Big kid missed 4 days of school, little kid still has it. Daddy and I are just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 2/4/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 18.33 miles (running group started up again!)
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 0 miles (rain, sickness)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 4.19 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 21.92 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 216 minutes (3 weeks, sleeping on the couch)
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $xxxx (gatorade, saltines, applesauce). I'm going to have to update you on week 6. No access to the home computer and haven't updated the spreadsheet.
3. Weight: Still good.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: Zippo. Nada. Unless cleaning up barf counts
Do game night once a week: Nope
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket (a "thermometer" granny square blanket, based on the temperature each day): Orange! It was over 80 for 3 days.
- crochet a purse: nothing
- finish a quilting baby blanket: done
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions?
6. Sleep: keep track of it and see if the low dose estrogen helps: Not great sleep this week because I was sleeping on the couch (see sick husband and barfing children).
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week: Came close last week, maybe a little cheese. No attempt this week, but probably close anyway.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own:
Quinoa pineapple stir-fry from Veganomicon last week. This week, nothing.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really. Did okay here.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. He was sick and I was doing triple duty (work/ kid/ household). He's still sick, stomach bug this time.
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): This was a rough 2 weeks.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships: No wine here!
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. My doc thinks that my occasional light-headedness when exercising is a combo between low blood pressure + slight dehydration.
Mmm...note to self. Do not try to "make up" for a low water day after 7:15 pm. I woke up 5 times to pee. Ugh.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Done!
15. Host friends. We hosted before everyone got sick.
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 2/4/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 18.33 miles (running group started up again!)
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 0 miles (rain, sickness)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 4.19 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 21.92 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 216 minutes (3 weeks, sleeping on the couch)
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $xxxx (gatorade, saltines, applesauce). I'm going to have to update you on week 6. No access to the home computer and haven't updated the spreadsheet.
3. Weight: Still good.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: Zippo. Nada. Unless cleaning up barf counts
Do game night once a week: Nope
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket (a "thermometer" granny square blanket, based on the temperature each day): Orange! It was over 80 for 3 days.
- crochet a purse: nothing
- finish a quilting baby blanket: done
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions?
6. Sleep: keep track of it and see if the low dose estrogen helps: Not great sleep this week because I was sleeping on the couch (see sick husband and barfing children).
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week: Came close last week, maybe a little cheese. No attempt this week, but probably close anyway.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own:
Quinoa pineapple stir-fry from Veganomicon last week. This week, nothing.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really. Did okay here.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. He was sick and I was doing triple duty (work/ kid/ household). He's still sick, stomach bug this time.
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): This was a rough 2 weeks.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships: No wine here!
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. My doc thinks that my occasional light-headedness when exercising is a combo between low blood pressure + slight dehydration.
Mmm...note to self. Do not try to "make up" for a low water day after 7:15 pm. I woke up 5 times to pee. Ugh.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Done!
15. Host friends. We hosted before everyone got sick.
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