Market Shopping Week #8: $110

Well, I spent more than ever this week. I am trying to buy locally and that racks up the bill since I don’t belong to a CSA. I can’t wait until I can settle in in Philly and PB and I could join one. The one around here would simply provide way too much food for 1 person. Anyway, I went to Whole Foods and then everything else there was just so tempting. I ended up buying wayyy too many veggies and fruits but that is good because I will just focus on eating them all week. And since they are good for you I feel fine about it.

What wasn’t local, but I bought anyway: Bananas (I MUST have bananas even though they don’t grow ’round here. And yes I feel guilty until I taste their amazing banananess). Raspberries and some pineapple (I wasn’t going to and then I caved).

What I bought that was local: arugula, baby spinach, apples, grapes (not that local, but still close enough), zucchini, baby carrots, mushrooms, red peppers

What else I bought: small container of chocolate covered pretzels which i don’t even want but bought in the moment (which is why you shouldn’t go to the market hungry), 4 small Stonyfield farms vanilla yogurts, 1 small fage 2% for making pumpkin yogurt, frozen broccoli, ezekiel bread, roasted unsalted almonds, dates, 1 package of WF WW english muffins, pb Z-bars (first time trying), Kashi go lean cereal, 2 larabars (I found banana bread and cinnamon roll), whole wheat flour, unsweetened coconut, 8 oz salmon (it was $9!!!!), and I can’t remember if anything else.

*A note on apples again… most of the kinds at Whole Foods were from WASHINGTON. as in the state. it made me sick. So I bought the only kind that came from closeby, and by close I mean N.H. I don’t understand why they don’t carry any R.I. apples. We have such good ones! Maybe PB will take me to the farm this weekend to go apple picking!

I really feel like I filled up both my snack drawer and my pantry with this trip. Hopefully I will be able to spend less next week.

Does anyone else have trouble finding local produce, even at the local Whole Foods? What is up with that? It really makes me mad. I don’t mind a few pesticides here and there as long as the produce is local and sustainable. But it seems almost impossible. I say no thanks to the organic apples from across the country. What is the point? It is going against the whole principle of organic isn’t it? To send them on trucks across the U.S.?

History:
Week #1 I spent $20, and used a lot of the stuff in my cabinets
Week #2 I spent $30, which included nothing too expensive, I guess I just bought more.
Week #3 I spent, er, $70!!!!! I couldn’t believe it. And, I went back last night for a couple of forgotten items and a new mop which I never should have bought from the market, and spent another $30. Ew.
Week #4 I spend $70 again. PB is coming again this weekend + I had to stock up on some long lasting items, and well, it just ended up that way.
Week #5 I spent, get this, $0. I am trying to clear out my fridge of last week’s goodies + clear the pantry a little to make room for this fall’s goodies. Also, I went out for dinner last night with my friends and will probably go out tonight with my dad, bro and sis, so that is 2 meals I don’t need to account for. **plus $10 for bananas and yogurt**
Week #6: I spent $60 and really stocked the fridge. Veggies, fruits, seltzer, wraps, crackers, granola bars, and a yogurt.
Week #7: $52, but restocked.