Manic Monday

It's Monday!!! Meatless Monday! I'm making Broccoli slaw stir fried with quinoa and teriyaki "beef."

I love going to the store with my husband; now that Oliver can sit in the cart, we just take one cart and walk every aisle together. He's a fan of Sprouts but we were out in the Torrance area so we decided to go to the mother ship, Whole Foods.
When I do my shopping I split the tab between TJs and Sprouts. I spend roughly, $90 at each store, sometimes more or less. This lasts about a week and a half to two weeks. I get all of my produce at Sprouts and some other random stuff and then most of the easy ready made stuff, I get at TJs. I bought just as much stuff as I would have at Sprouts and TJs, combined, and spent the same amount. However, since the husby was with me, there was about $40 more spent on fancy beer and a $20 porterhouse steak. About once a month Kenny gets this urge for a feast fit for a king. It is always on a Sunday and it always involves a giant steak, which I never think he's going to finish and he always proves me wrong. I can't be upset if this meat eating viking only eats meat occasionally. He used to be very hamburger oriented but has become conscience of what he eats so when he does it is done with thought. Fast food isn't a question, though, he loves In-N-Out but that is an occasional thing.
We stuck to what we needed and that was that. I mean, if I had an unlimited amount of money could I spend more? Duh, of course! If you go in with a plan you can surely stay in budget; go in blind and you use your whole wallet at Whole Foods.
Do you know where I used to spend the most? VONS. Effing hate that place. I go there now if I need a gift card from that giant gift card wall thing but, otherwise? No, thanks. Albertsons? blech. I have to say, as far as major grocery chains go, Ralphs does offer more vegan/vegetarian products. But to buy organic in a major chain is ridic when you can go to TJs, Sprouts, Whole Foods or a damn Farmer's Market and get great stuff for less. Buy locally and seasonally; you will spend less and your food will taste better.


Happy Meatless Monday!
be well
xoL