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healthy eating on a budget – week 7

1 · Nov 16, 2013 · 8 Comments

healthy eating on a budget: week 7 // cait's plate

Somehow we are another week down!  I just don’t know where they go, but I’m not complaining!

I did a pretty good job this week of using what I had on hand.  I also made a batch of whole grain banana bread which helped in terms of having a whole grain carb on-hand for snacks and breakfasts.

As a result of forcing myself to use what I had, I definitely repeated food items more than I usually do, but in a way it was good because it forced me to get creative and use the same things in different ways.  Even though I was eating a lot of the same items, I never felt like I was bored or tired of them (it also helps that my sister made me a delicious homemade turkey meatball dinner one of the nights!).

Total Spent: $31.43

Groceries Purchased:

Produce: Apples (5), Pear (1), Oranges (2)

Pantry Items: Can of lentil soup, can of low-sodium minestrone soup, box of Quaker Oatmeal Squares

Dairy: Carton of soymilk, 16 oz. container of Greek Yogurt

Protein: Carton of eggs

Freezer Items: Kashi frozen Mayan Harvest Bake meal, bag of broccoli florets, bag of brussel sprouts, bag of peach slices

Things I had on hand: Frozen loaf of whole wheat bread, chicken breasts and chicken sausage, whole wheat pasta, 2 sweet potatoes, natural peanut butter, feta cheese, whole wheat hot dog buns, chia seeds, coffee

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 1

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 2

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 3

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 4

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 5:

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 6:

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 7:

Day One:

Breakfast #1: 6 oz. plain greek yogurt mixed with 1 tbsp. chia seeds topped with a crumbled slice of whole grain banana bread, diced apple and peanut butter plus coffee with soymilk

Lunch #1: Big bowl of roasted brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes and chicken sausage

Dinner #1: Treated to a homemade dinner by my sister! Whole wheat penne topped with homemade turkey meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce with sautéed mixed veggies and melted mozzarella

Day Two:

Breakfast #2: 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats mixed with a diced apple and a spoonful of natural peanut butter plus coffee with soymilk on the side

Lunch #2: Trader Joe’s low sodium minestrone soup with grilled chicken breast added in plus toasted whole wheat bread with olive oil and an orange.

Dinner #2: Whole wheat penne with broccoli, chicken sausage, a drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt

Day Three:

Breakfast #3: Slice of homemade whole grain banana bread topped with peanut butter, plain greek yogurt mixed with chia seeds and a diced apple

Lunch #3: Scrambled eggs with roasted brussel sprouts and feta cheese plus whole wheat toast with olive oil and an orange.

Dinner #3: Trader joe’s lentil & vegetable soup with toasted whole wheat roll topped with olive oil and salt.

Day Four:

Breakfast #4: Bowl of Quaker Oatmeal Squares with soymilk, a pear and coffee

Lunch #4: Chicken sausage with ketchup and mustard on a whole wheat bun with roasted sweet potato and brussel sprouts and an apple.

Dinner #4: Whole wheat penne drizzled with olive oil then topped with shredded chicken breast, broccoli and feta cheese

Day Five:

Breakfast #5: 1/2 cup of oats with 1 tbsp. chia seeds and diced peach slices topped with granola and sunflower seed butter plus coffee and soymilk on the side.

Lunch #5: Kashi mayan harvest bake meal with homemade baked tortilla chips and an apple

And dinner #5 was had on-the-go since I was traveling so wasn’t included in the groceries or the budget!  Happy weekend everyone!

 

disclaimer: i share these meals for inspiration and because i’m often asked for the recipes on instagram.  please note that i do not share these meals with the intention of them being prescriptive or because you should eat exactly what i eat.  everyone is different and requires different calories and nutrition.  if you’re seeking an individualized plan for you, consult a dietitian in your area.

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HEALTHY EATING ON A BUDGET

please note: items in these posts may contain affiliate links which simply means I earn a small amount of money if you click on them (at no additional cost to you).  this money is always re-invested in cait’s plate so I can continue to create free content to you!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says

    Nov. 17th, 2013 at 12:51 am

    Ohhh, you’ve got me craving some turkey sausage! Can’t even tell you the last time I bought some! And I just tried that TJ’s Minestrone soup a couple weeks ago. I hate how low-sodium soups are usually really bland tasting so my expectations for this were pretty low, but it surprised me by having a pretty great flavor…I will definitely be buying it again to have on hand for a quick meal option!

    Love the meat ball dinner your sister made! Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Nov. 19th, 2013 at 2:03 pm

      I agree about low-sodium soups, they do tend to be a little bland and I was definitely pleasantly surprised by this one as well! And yes – the meatball dinner was AMAZING. I’m one lucky girl to have my sister so close 🙂

      Reply
  2. Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says

    Nov. 17th, 2013 at 10:34 pm

    All your meals are EXACTLY the kinds of foods I absolutely love!! Your photos are just fantastic and it all looks so appealing! Great way to show how you can eat nutritious, delicious food on a budget.

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Nov. 19th, 2013 at 2:02 pm

      Oh thank you so much! I’m so glad that you get that from these posts 🙂

      Reply
  3. Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says

    Nov. 18th, 2013 at 10:13 am

    Thanks for sharing once again! You are impressing me with using ingredients in lots of different ways. I need to start tracking my food budget a bit more to stay on top of it!

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Nov. 19th, 2013 at 2:02 pm

      It’s definitely a challenge but a good one at that! I hope my posts can help you with your goals and feel free to share any tips you might come up with as well! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Monica says

    Nov. 18th, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    Cait, I love love love these posts! The breakdown of your grocery list and the pics are perfect. Exactly what I like to eat too! Question: do you prep your roasted veggies and cook them all at once to eat throughout the week?

    Reply
    • Cait says

      Nov. 19th, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that! As for the roasted veggies, I don’t usually prep them in advance (though it probably would be a better idea!). My school schedule (plus super fast-cooking gas stove) allows me the luxury to be able to do it in the moment but if you’re short on time I would highly recommend doing that. I’ve done it before and all it takes is a quick re-roast in the stove and they’re good to go!

      Reply

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we're constantly told that thinner is better, that being healthy takes willpower and discipline.  that ‘pain is weakness leaving the body.’⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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it took me years of being miserable as I tried to adhere to all of diet culture's rules before I got to my 'ah-ha' moment.  what I was doing was not only making me unhappy, but it was harming not only my physical health, but my mental health too.  and wasn't I supposed to be doing all of this in the NAME of health?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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* walnuts (can also use pecans)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
* goat cheese (feta would also be great)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I drizzle the whole thing with olive oil and balsamic glaze.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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printable recipe on @caitsplate: https://caitsplate.com/vegetarian-harvest-wrap/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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white bean & veggie farro soup! a latest spin on white bean & veggie farro soup!  a latest spin on one of my favorite soup recipes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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super simple to pull together, perfectly comforting and great to make ahead and reheat for easy meals (my favorite kind 🙌)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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