"Secret" to Grocery Shopping

There is none, but B seems to think so. B has started to come grocery shopping with me. I don't mind, but he always buys more than on the list. Whatever. We always play a game at checkout. I have made the list and priced the items. When we get the total at checkout, we see how close I was to the predicted amount. Not rocket science since I know the prices of most products. I am almost always within a dollar or so of the total. B has always been impressed.

The other day he said he figured out my "secret". What secret? He feels because I have the same recipes in rotation, the amount will always be the same since I'm used to buying the ingredients, therefore, I'll always "win" at the checkout. Huh??? He doesn't see the days I spend scouring my recipe books, and sale ads, and comparing that with what I already have in my freezer/pantry. On top of all that, I make foods B likes (he's extremely picky), easy to prepare, transport well, and reheat well the following day, AND stick to the $50 a week budget. It is so much more than making a list of stuff we want to eat and buying it.

I kind of got miffed, but since I'm trying to be more positive and yadda yadda yadda, I suggested he give me a menu and I'll try to buy the stuff for it under $50. He agreed. Of course, he is not the master of following things through and most likely will not do it.

Menu Plan -- 03/26 - 03/31

Monday:
Dinner: Salad

Tuesday:
Dinner: Hummus Pizza

Wednesday:
Dinner: Turkey Sandwiches

Thursday:
Dinner: B said he will make Chili

Friday:
Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Saturday:
Dinner: Spanish Chicken and Rice

Best Advice

The best piece of advice I can give anyone is: Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

It applies to EVERYTHING! Think about it, you can apply it to relationships, diet, money, ANYTHING.

Menu Plan 03/19 - 03/24

Well, B got sick off a Subway sandwich. He didn't actually get sick, but felt utterly crappy for a couple of days. He has now sworn off fast food. I don't think this will last in the long run, but I'm glad that we won't be eating out as much anymore.

Monday:
Dinner: Bean Taquitos with a salad

Tuesday:
Dinner: Burgers with potato salad

Wednesday:
Dinner: Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Thursday:
Dinner: Salad with homemade ranch dressing

Friday:
Dinner: Date night!

Saturday:
Dinner: Homemade pupusas (with sandwiches as a back up)

Better

Things are getting better on the home front.

I'll start posting my weekly menu plans again, but I feel like I've hit another rut. I'm researching new recipes which I will be trying out in the very near future. I'll post them as I make them!

Change

I am a "people pleaser" by nature. I need for everyone to be happy and to get along. In order for this to happen, I often apologize for things I haven't done just to stop the arguing. I often take blame for things I have no part in. Does everyone end up happy? Nope. Who is the most miserable? Yup, myself.

I've realized in the hopes of no drama, I've enabled a lot of people. Some people have gotten in the habit of saying they wanted with complete disregard to feelings because in the end I'll be the one apologizing. I've swallowed a lot of hateful hurtful words over the years. On the rare occasion, I decide to "fight back", then I'm told my "real colors are showing". Why is it okay for someone to be so negative towards me on occasion and the rare event when I speak up (often times true), I'm the one that has gone too far?

This was my scenario this morning. I left the house telling B to drive carefully and that I love him. I do and even in anger, I recognize that I do. He wanted no part of it and shooed me away without a second glance. I am in the right. I caught him in a lie and he won't admit to it. Instead he tries to manipulate me into making me think that I'm nosy and it is none of my business. He doesn't get the bigger picture. Even with all of that has happened between us and even though I know where I stand, I cannot help but want to reach out to him and tell him I'm sorry.

It's been about 4 hours and I will not cave.