I guess I've done a bit of shopping recently Part 3 of 4

Berkeley Bowl… Again.
(Dropping the $ again for convenience’s sake)

Protein:

• 1lb (the fish dude was really good at weighing, lol) of fresh calamari for 2.19
• A little over half a pound chuck steak, 6.29/pound for 3.29
• ½ gallon 1% Milk 2.49
• ½ lb part skim milk mozzarella 4.99/pound for 2.47

Condiments/Oil:

• 500 milliliters, Olive Oil 5.89 
• I was putting off buying olive oil because it tends to be expensive but I finally broke down and bought some. I do think that most households have olive oil on hand though so unless I use an outrageous amount at once (like if I was making pesto) I won’t be including it in my calculations.
• White Distilled Vinegar 2.19
• Fish Sauce 2.19 
• Fish sauce is a common cooking ingredient in Southeast Asia. It’s a very pungent, acquired taste of a condiment. It’s usually used in small amounts and doesn’t actually taste much like fermented fish. If you can’t find any at a grocery store near you or you can’t stand the smell or taste, don’t worry about it.

Produce:

• ½ a (organic) pre-cut cantaloupe, 0.84lbs at 0.69/pound for 0.58
• ¼ of a seedless pre-cut watermelon 4.57lbs at 0.29/pound for 1.33
• 2 tomatoes 0.46lbs at 0.99/pound for 0.46 (0.23 each)
• 1 bunch radishes 0.49
• 1 bunch field basil 1.09

Total: $24.66

I guess I've done a bit of shopping recently Part 2 of 4

Farmer's Market Edition!

The Berkeley Farmers Market is near Berkeley High School and is held every Saturday. My friend agreed to help out a vendor and I went with him and decided to do a bit of shopping. At least in my experience farmer’s markets tend to be a little on the expensive side albeit the goods are fresher and taste better. One of the things I’ve learned is to stay absolutely away from things that took more labor like the honey, oil,  and ice cream that are all organic and the artisanal cheeses and fresh baked bread.  And don’t even get me started on the prices for the meat and seafood items. I’d go broke immediately.

Always, always, always buy in season. Which you know, isn’t that hard at a farmer’s market. Also, go for things that you wouldn’t be able to get at the local grocery store anyway. Some of the items I bought because I knew I couldn’t get them at a normal grocery market. Some I got because I really like them.

• One bunch of cilantro $1 (I just happen to really like cilantro)
• 1 WHITE eggplant $0.75 (I don’t remember how much it was per pound, but who knew eggplants came in colors other than purple??)
• 1 bunch of red-green onions $1.50 (another one of those I didn’t know they could come in different colors. The name isn’t very good thought. Basically green onions with red roots, instead of white). 
• 1 leek, $2/pound and probably about ¾ of a pound, $1.50. (Another kind of produce I just really enjoy)
• ¾ lb red-green zebra tomatoes for $2/lb, $1.75 (They were just so pretty.)
• 4 Serrano peppers, 0.35 (I was out of jalapenos, plus the jalapenos I got weren’t very spicy… BTW, 0.09 each)
• 1 FREE CARROT (A carrot fell out of one of the bunches so the vendor asked me if I wanted it, who am I to say no to free food?)

Farmer’s Market Total: $1+$0.75+$1.50+$1.50+$1.75+$0.35= $6.85

On another note; the things that I wanted but didn’t get from the Farmer’s Market:

• A block of yummy and delicious sheep’s cheese. But the tiny thing was $8.
• I really wanted some quark which is a cow’s milk product. But it was $12/pound and being sold by the half pound. 
• There was a vendor selling percentages of entire heads of cattle. I didn’t really want this one, I was just very intrigued. 
• Organic ice cream. So deliciously creamy. I didn’t even go to the vendor because I knew the price would make me cry. 
• Pickled cactus. I don’t remember how much it was but I remember thinking it was pricey. 
• From the same vendor; pico de gallo and a delicious soup. 

I guess I've done a bit of shopping recently Part 1 of 4

(I’m dropping the $ sign to save myself some time :P)

From Berkeley Bowl:

Starch/Carbs/Etc.

• Biscuit/Pancake Mix 4.29
• 0.62lbs long white rice 0.99/pound for 0.61
• 1 pack (organic) small corn tortillas 1.99

Protein:

• 1 dozen large eggs, 2.79 (0.24 each)
• 0.535lbs ground pork 4.49/pound for 2.40
• 5 slices (about a third of a pound) thick slice applewood smoked bacon, 6.49/pound for 2.30 (0.46/slice)

Produce:

• 4 limes, 0.10 each for 0.40
• 1 pint (?) red grape cherry tomatoes 0.89
• 1 bag of 10 extra-small has avocados, 0.99 (0.10 each)
• 1 leek, 0.65lbs @ 0.99/pound for 0.64
• 2 yellow onions, 1.35lbs @ 0.49/pound for 0.66 (0.33 each)
• 0.44lbs Brussels sprouts 1.89/pound for 0.83
• 1.18lbs small spaghetti squash for 0.19/pound for 0.22
• 0.90 small butternut squash for 0.29/pound for 0.26
• 1 can tomato sauce 0.99

Herbs and Spices

• 0.04lbs oregano for 10.00/pound for 0.40
• 0.09lbs onion powder 7.00/pound for 0.63
• 0.05lbs ancho chili powder 7.50/pound for 0.38
• 0.10lbs paprika 6.00/pound for 0.60
• 0.12lbs garlic powder 8.00/pound for 0.96
• 0.06lbs cumin 9.00/pound for 0.54

Total (trust me on this one): $23.77

New Month, More Food!

So my total for the month of June was $114.88, excluding the cost of alcohol and the few times I ate out. For those who are curious to know I probably spent another $150 or so on eating out/drinking. Considering the number of times I ate out is much less than the times I ate and cooked at home and I still spent more, I think that puts a lot into perspective. I'll probably try to eat even more at home this coming up month since I'm definitely on a budget.

Anyway. This week's shopping:

At a Korean Market:

(I lost the receipt but I checked my bank account and it was a withdrawal for $14.48, so here are my estimates for each item I bought)


Protein:
About 1 lb of boneless pork shoulder for $3
1 Norwegian Whole Mackerel $2 (It was like, $1.99/lb)
4 Fishcake Patties, $2 (It was about $3.50/lb or so)

Herbs/Spices:
A package of Korean hot chili paste $3
A 2 lb package of miso $5 (but I'm actually splitting half this with my friend who I went grocery shopping with, so $2.50)

Total: $3+$3+($5-$2.50)+$2+$2= $15

At my go to grocery store (Berkeley Bowl):

Dairy:
1/2 Gallon 1% Milk $2.39
Plain Lowfat Yogurt $2.99
Mild Cheddar Cheese $3.02

Produce:
3 Small White Peaches, 0.61 lbs@$1.69/lb for $1.15
0.5 lbs Green Beans @ $1.99/lb for $1.03
Medium Head of Celery $0.89
Bunch of Green Onion $0.25
2 Jalapenos, 0.14 lbs @ $1.19/lb for $0.17
2 Green Bell Peppers, 0.66 lbs@$0.89/lb for $0.59
2 White Corn, $0.39 each for $0.78
1 Head Nappa Cabbage, 2.16 lbs @ $0.59/lb for $1.27
1 Head Iceburg Lettuce, $0.69

Herbs/Spices:
Dried Tarragon, 0.01 lbs at $35/lb for $0.35

Total: $2.39+$2.99+$3.02+$1.15+$1.03+$0.89+$0.25+$0.17+$0.59+$0.78+$1.27+$0.69+$0.35= $15.57

Two Shopping Totals: $12.50+$15.57= $27.57

Shopping Part Tres y Quatro

Shopping… Again. I also went twice within the span of a few days.

Protein:

• Ground beef: 0.53 lbs @ $4.99/lb= $2.69

Produce:

• Watermelon: 2.64 lbs @ $0.39/lb= $1.03
• Onions: 1.45 lbs @ $0.49/lb= $0.71 (three onions)
• Green Onion: $0.25
• Napa Cabbage: 0.88 lbs @ $0.59/lb= $0.52
• Garlic: 0.2 lbs @ $2.39/lb= $0.48
• Limes: 2 @ $0.10/each= $0.20
• Carrots: 1lb @ $0.59/lb= $0.59
• Roma Tomatoes: 0.45 lb @ $1.09= $0.49 (two tomatoes)
• Tomato Paste: $0.79
• Tomato Sauce x2: $0.69 each ($1.38 total)
• Seasoning:
• Curry Powder:  0.06 lbs @ $6.29/lb= $0.38
• Italian Seasoning: 0.04 lbs @ $8.00/lb= $0.32
• Chili Flakes: 0.02 lbs @ $7.95/lb= $0.16

Starch:

• Jasmine Rice: 0.9 lbs @ $1.39= $1.32

Other:

• Peanut Butter: $1.88

Total: $13.19
Total so far: $55+$32.51+$14.18+$13.19= $114.88

I went shopping last week (again)!

My friend and I went to a Chinese grocery store Thursday afternoon, 99 Ranch Market. I enjoy going here because their meat and seafood selection is notoriously cheaper than most places. This is important to me since protein is infamously the most expensive part of my budget.

Here’s what I bought:

• 0.96 lbs of Pork Spare Rib @ $2.19/lb for $2.11
• 1.2 lbs of 51/60 Headcount White Shrimp @ $5.49/lb for $6.53
• This kind of annoyed me since I only asked for one pound. I feel like it wouldn’t of been that hard to skim a fifth of a pound from what the person gave me.
• 0.2 lbs of ginger at $0.99/lb for $0.20
• I know I just bought some ginger at Berkeley Bowl but I couldn’t resist buying more since it was so much cheaper.
• 0.56 lbs of Shiitake Mushroom at $5.99/lb for $3.35
• 1 package mung bean thread/noodles $1.99

Total: $2.11+ $6.53+ $0.20+ $3.35+ $1.99= $14.18

Okay…
$55+ $32.51+ $14.18= $101.69

So… I went over $100. Lol. Argh. I guess I should try and see how far the food in my fridge will last me for the next week. We’ll see when I go to grocery shopping again.  

Second Shopping Trip!

So uhmmm... I don't know if I can do a month with $100. Hahaha. But I guess it won't hurt to keep trying? Anyway, this week's shopping:

Protein: 1.4 lbs Squid (not cleaned) @ $2.19/lb= $3.07
0.55 lbs Ground Pork @ $2.99/lb= $1.64
1 can anchovies $1.59

Produce:
1 Celery @ $0.89
1 bunch of Basil @ $0.99
1 Red Bell Pepper $0.25
1 Orange Bell Pepper $0.38
1 Head of Cabbage $0.78 (1.59 lbs @ $0.49/lb)
1 bunch of Green Onions $0.25
¼ lb of Spinach @ $4.50/lb = $1.08
2 Onions at $0.49/ lb x 0.75 lb= $0.36 ($0.18 each)
0.23 lbs of Ginger @ $5.39/lb= $1.24
2 heads of Green Leaf Lettuce for $0.49 ($0.25 each)
3 Limes at $0.15 each for $0.45
1 can Tomato Sauce $0.99
1 can Crushed Tomatoes $1.19
1 bunch of Cilantro $0.39
5 Bananas, 1.48 lbs at $0.69/lb= $1.02 ($0.20 each)
8 Patterson’s Apricots, 0.71 lbs @ $1.69= $1.20 ($0.15 each)
3 Plums, 0.72 lbs @ $1.89= $1.36 ($0.45 each)
3 Nectarines, 0.85 lbs @ $1.79= $1.52 ($0.50 each)

Dairy:
½ gallon 1% milk $2.39

Dried Goods:
0.53 lbs Arborio Rice @ $2.39/lb= $1.27
0.61 Dried Red Beans @ $1.59/lb= $0.97
0.55 Dried Black Beans @ $1.39/lb= $0.76
0.58 Long White Rice @ $0.99/lb= $0.57
 

Other:
Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce $3.19
White Vinegar $1.49

Total: $32.51
Total+ Last Week’s Total: $32.51+ $55= $87.51

First shopping trip!

This is what $55 worth of groceries look like!

Everyone has a Costco* card right? Or at least a friend that does? Costco is a great place for someone on a budget, within reason. This means that it’s fairly unreasonable to think that I can eat 48 packs of Top Ramen even if it only costs like, $8. So let’s avoid that.

What is a steal though is the whole chicken at $1.19 a pound. The convenient part of this is that I don’t have to wait around for a local grocery store to have a sale (but let’s be real, when a whole chicken is <$1/lb, buy buy buy!). Additionally drumsticks, thighs, breasts, etc. tend to cost more (especially the boneless, skinless variety) because you are paying for the labor that goes into butchering the chicken. Convenient yes but nice on a budget no. Whole chickens cost less because mostly it just involves bagging the chicken and selling it.

• ·         Two whole chickens at $1.19/lb for $13.04, or about 11 pounds of chicken.

Next I went to Berkeley Bowl (http://www.berkeleybowl.com/) which is a local chain that specializes in local and/or organic foods. The produce at Berkeley Bowl is exceptionally inexpensive however meat and pre-packaged goods tend to be overpriced. I’m planning on going produce heavy in part because of this (and because it's healthy!)

Produce:

• ·         Two grapefruit @ $.49 each=$.98
• ·         1.72 lbs of Valencia oranges@ $0.69/lb=$1.19
• ·         Bargain produce (zucchini, small eggplants, squash) for $1.39
• ·         Bargain pineapple for $1.39
• ·         1.47 lbs of Fuji apples at $.89/lb=$1.31
• ·         2.8 lbs of bananas @ $0.69/lb= $1.93
• ·         0.4 lbs of spinach @ $4.50= $1.80
• ·         0.71 lbs of brown mushrooms @ $2.39/lb= $1.70
• ·         A head of green leaf lettuce= $0.39
• ·         0.95 lbs of Roma tomatoes @ $1.29/lb= $1.23
• ·         0.2 lbs of white garlic at $2.39/lb= $0.48
• ·         1.21 lbs of yellow onions @$0.49/lb= $0.59
• ·         1 lb of carrots for $0.59
• ·         5 lbs of russet potatoes =$1.09

Protein

• ·         0.495 lbs of regular ground beef at $4.19/lb= @2.07
• ·         2 dozen eggs at $2.79/dozen= $5.58

Dairy

• ·         0.5 lbs of cream cheese=$2.62
• ·         Skim milk mozzarella=$2.84
• ·         ½ gallon of 1% milk= $2.39

Other

• ·         Pot sticker skins=$1.99
• ·         0.71 lbs of polenta @ $1.69/lb= $1.20
• ·         0.02 lbs Italian seasoning @ $8/lb=$0.16
• ·         0.01 lbs of New Mexico chili powder @$8/lb=$0.08
• ·         Bisquick baking mix (40 oz)= $4.29
• This item may stick out a little bit but I think that it'll make sense once the recipes start popping up. I call this a "staple" or "main character" item. At least for this week.
• ·         Cream of Mushroom Soup= $1.69
• ·         Tomato sauce= $0.99

Total: $55(exactly, no rounding occurred! Kind of amazing, right?)

*Names of places/brands are only used for reference points. The owners of such brand names retain all right, title, and interest in and to their respective brands. No manufacturers or brand name owners have endorsed this blog or any recipe unless otherwise noted. 

** I also bought more oil to replenish my supply but I'm not including everyday staples like oil, salt, pepper, water in my cooking budget