New Cooking/Shopping Challenge

Just like everyone else, the new year gives that motivation of saving money, eating better, and getting organized, Jeff and I are doing just that. Today, inspired by a recent issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray, we made a list and a menu for what we hope is for the whole week.

Off we went to Whole Foods and to Sprouts. We actually went to both stores because certain things were for quality and budget friendly. We are excited to put together meals with simple complexities versus our standard protein and veggie. 

Day one-the shopping $175.43 total + $7.85

Went back to the store to buy coffee and beans to go with the tacos.

The damage.

The bounty which includes most ingredients for the recipes on our menu as well as fruits, breakfast foods, and snacks.

I will continue this post throughout the week to share how we are doing!

DAY ONE MEAL

Hearty Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Stew 

(we swapped kale for the spinach, personal preference)

All ingredients were purchased on our shopping trip on Saturday.

Recipe

Our version...(leftovers will be great for lunches versus sandwiches and frozen meals)

The recipe called for about 3 1/2 but it took more like 6 hours to get the beans tender...

The flavors are great but I think it will get better as leftovers.

DAY TWO 

Getting Ready for the Broncos game!

The Recipe

My version (pretty close)

Then we prepped for our weekday dinners...

DAY THREE

Recipe using the beef we slow cooked the day before...okay it's not really a recipe but guides you towards a dinner idea.

My version (we have enough toppings left over to do this meal again this week)

DAY FOUR

The recipe idea...

My version, I served it with store bought pot stickers so I could have leftovers for lunch. We could not find wide flat noodles so we used brown rice pad Thai noodles. Very quick dinner.