The title for this week should be “how I blew my budget on fresh scallops.” We are way over budget this week at $136.40. I think that might be a record in our 13 week journey so far! How did we go so far afield this week? Well, there are two reasons (really, three, but I’m not counting my lack of self-discipline):
- We ran out of several staple ingredients (flour, organic sugar, butter, vanilla, olive oil) and stocking up the pantry added to our weekly bill. Because I don’t track how these ingredients are used, I don’t cost them out over the weeks so they are reflected in this week’s budget.
- Locals Seafood had the year’s first fresh caught jumbo NC scallops. I caved. At $22/lb they were definitely a splurge. I also increased the amount of fish I ordered since we are all big fish eaters and I seemed to have disappointed faces when all the fish was gone.
Here is how our budget worked out for the week:
- Locals Seafood (fresh NC scallops, fresh NC striped sea bass): $63.00
- Heaven on Earth Organics (broccoli, swiss chard, onions): $13.00
- Trader Joes (frozen fruit, Ezekiel bread, organic sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, organic lemons, soy milk, sardines, pasta): $50.40
- Singing Turtle Farm (whole wheat pastry flour): $10.00
That is a whole lotta money. I’ll be under control more next week 🙂 What are we having this week for such a large sum? Here’s the menu:
- Sunday–fresh caught NC jumbo scallops and lemon zest served on lemon pepper pasta; lemon blueberry pound cake
- Monday–Pasta con sarde (pasta with sardines), salad
- Tuesday–Scrambled egg Florentine
- Wednesday–leftovers
- Thursday–Pan seared rockfish (striped bass) over greens w/roasted carrots
- Friday–leftover fish, broccoli and salad
- Saturday–Pizza
So, austerity it isn’t, but a special feast every once in a while isn’t so bad, is it? With the exception of the pound cake, at least it is all low-fat and healthy–and at least the pound cake is homemade with whole wheat, locally milled flour and not store-bought. But still, when I look at our weekly budget, I’m seeing a lot of rice and cous cous in next week’s menu 🙂
yearofhealthierliving 
creativenoshing
/ March 25, 2012I understand going over budget. There is nothing like fresh caught seafood. I splurge here too for the crab and smoked salmon. If I were there it would be the shrimp and red snapper. Sounds like a lovely lineup for the week and you’ll make it up by and by.
Year Of Healthier Living
/ March 25, 2012Thanks! The scallops were totally worth it. I agree that fresh seafood is wonderful!