Grocery Shopping, Eating Out, & Day 14 Recap. Runnning Total: $152.05

I went out to eat today twice and broke my once/week rule. First, I meet with my supervisor toward LCSW licensure every other Saturday at 9:00 AM at Jim & Patty's coffee shop. I always get a coffee and a day-old pastry. It's $3.50 plus a $0.50 tip. I can't stop that. But I don't want it to count against my one meal out because I really want to make that meal great. Which today, oh my gosh, it was. My honey took me out and treated me well since I've been so disciplined about this whole thing. We started at my favorite restaurant, Blue Hour, and had a glass of wine and a cheese plate at the bar. That place never disappoints - in fact I am always blown away. So good. Then we continued on to Cafe Nell where we had reservations. A delicious cup of parsnip soup with black truffle oil and chives followed by a butter lettuce and mazzuno salad with goat cheese, toasted hazelnuts, and a champagne viniagrette dressing. Truly a treat for my tastebuds.

I also went shopping for food for the week, starting at my neighborhood farmers market. I've gotten to my budget in three weeks worth of food instead of four, but you'll notice I'm trending down with each passing week. I'm getting better at finding and preparing (and scavenging for) inexpensive healthy food. I'm confident I'll be more on target in month two. One of these days I'll start going to Winco.

Farmers Market:
Pint of strawberries
2 sticks rhubarb
1 bunch of kale
Total: $6

New Seasons:
0.83 lbs New Seasons bulk coffee: $6.63
Organic instant oatmeal (8 pkts): $3.00
3 organic bananas: $1.06
1 organic yellow onion: $0.88
2 organic tomatoes: $2.12
Can of garbanzo beans: $1.39
Bulk cream of tarter: $0.20
6 oz crumbled feta: $3.49
Reusable bag refund: -$0.05
Total: $18.72

Breakfast at Jim & Patty's
House coffee with cream and sugar
Day-old scone
$4.00 including tip

Lunch
Leftover spinach floretine quiche (a handout from work)

Dinner - thanks Evan!
Wine (split a pinot noir and a claret) and a 3-cheese plate (goat, sheep, and cow's milk cheeses) with quince paste, apple, and toasted nuts at Blue Hour
Parsnip and black truffle soup; fried goat cheese, butter lettuce, mazzuno, toasted hazelnuts, and champagne viniagrette and a glass of Pinot Noir at Cafe Nell