Penny Pinching Pantry Raid Week 2 Update

The second week of the Penny Pinching Pantry Raid is just about over.  After two weeks, I am starting to get settled in with the challenge, and I think it is getting a bit easier.  I really think that I must attribute my success with the challenge to my CSA, though.  Without it, I would be struggling to stay on budget because I need to have my fresh produce.

Here are the veggies we received in our second CSA share:

  • Romaine Hearts
  • Green Cabbage
  • Zucchini
  • Yellow Squash
  • Green Beans
  • Golden Cherry Tomatoes
  • Heirloom Tomato
  • Basil

What I cooked last week…

This past week has been fairly busy.  We have had dinner with friends and family a few times, so I didn’t do quite as much cooking as I usually do.  I still managed to pull together a few dinners, though!

  • Wednesday (July 8th) – Heirloom Tomato and Pepper Jack Quesadillas with Salad (made with leftover bibb lettuce from last week)
  • Thursday (July 9th) – Ravioli with Marinara Sauce and Salad (still using up lettuce plus some frozen ravioli and canned tomatoes from my pantry)
  • Friday (July 10th) – Burgers, Green Bean Salad (recipe coming soon), Jennie’s Zucchini Parmesan Hummus and Pita Chips (I was cooking for company…)
  • Saturday (July 11th) – Dinner Out with Friends
  • Sunday (July 12th) – Grilled chicken salads with fresh grilled corn
  • Monday (July 13th) – Grilled chicken with my parents (Mom cooked) and Cranberry Apple Cole Slaw (my contribution, used up the cabbage from the CSA)
  • Tuesday (July 14th) – Saucy Cheeseburger Sandwiches (similar to sloppy joes) with parents and friends…  This one isn’t coming out of the budget because I’m cooking for a group.

The budget…

July is a busy month for my husband and I – lots of family events, picnics, etc.  One of the decisions that I made when starting the challenge was that we would be allowed to eat out once a week (not included in the challenge) and that I wouldn’t let it interfere with spending time with our friends and family. We have a few planned events that I decided would not be included in the budget. That said, here’s what I bought this week (that I am counting towards the challenge):

  • Fresh white corn (4 ears)
  • 90% lean ground beef (for burgers on Friday)
  • Whole wheat rolls (also for burgers on Friday)
  • Lemons (3)
  • Apples (2, for the cole slaw)
  • Organic chicken tenders (50% off coupon)

The total this week is $12.54.  Since I spent $10.95 last week, that means that I have spent a total of $23.49 so far, leaving $21.51 to spent until July 28th!

5 comments

  1. You don’t know how much my family has spent in two weeks compared to you. We have spent tons of money on food. I really don’t know how you are doing it! You are Ah-mazing!

  2. jenn says:

    Nicely done!! You’re doing better than I am, too. LOL.

  3. zoe says:

    You are doing great! Keep it up!

  4. Reeni says:

    What a good job your doing with this! Your CSA this week is full of goodness!

  5. Eliana says:

    you are stronger willed than me. I was thinking about trying this for myself but I am going to wait until the fall when there aren’t so many outside events taking place.

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