My sister gave me a $25 code for Blue Apron so I thought I'd try it out. When I typed in the referral link it gave me $30 to use instead of the $25. YAY!

I just ordered. I selected the 2 person 3 meal delivery for $59.94 and I paid $29.94.

The meals are delivered weekly so that is the weekly price. I went ahead and skipped all of the deliveries until end of August. I am only trying out the program and will cancel after the first delivery which arrives on Friday, July 22nd.

Meal #1
Serrano pepper & goat cheese burgers w/ zucchini-cilantro slaw

Meal #2
Lemon chicken & green beans w/ parmesan roasted summer squash and potatoes

Meal #3
Shrimp & squid ink spaghetti with summer vegetables and mint

Instapot $25.06 after I used a $50 gift card I was holding on to from Admin Day.

Three months of Audible FREE plus a FREE $10 Amazon gift card. I will cancel after three months so that I do not incur any membership fees. I loaded a book yesterday and I am enjoying it very much on my long commute to/from work.

I rolled that FREE $10 gift card and bought 36 double rolls of Cottonelle toilet paper and paid $4.69

80ct Hefty clean burst scent trash bags $9.55

TWO pairs of Adidas tennis shoes for $48.26 total

120 count multivitamins for kids $5.77

Box of tampons $1.90

$50 Amazon gift card and get $10 Amazon gift card FREE. (I used this Amazon card for the vitamins and tampons. I wish I had received it sooner to put other things on it but that is okay).

Everything will be shipped to my house!! Oh! On a few items I selected the 'no hurry' for delivery in exchange for $5 Amazon Prime Pantry credit.

My weigh in today didn't go as planned but I'm not upset. I'm up .6lbs. Seriously! A half a pound! I think its because of my clothes or atleast that is what I'm telling myself. I did the points. I exercised so I don't see why I didn't get a loss. Maybe the scale was off. LOL!

In looking at my Fitbit weekly report my average hours asleep a night is 8. I'm glad about that. I do need to increase my daily steps though!

I have $129.50 pending with Ebates right now. My next check will be here August 15th.

I've also received $5 Kohls cash and $5 Famous Footwear. I have a 15% off and there is a b1g1 50% off at Famous Footwear. I wonder if I can combine everything. hmm! Well I'm going to swing by after work today and see what I can get. I don't have a coupon to use with the Kohls cash. Last time I got 3 pair of Asset by Spanxs briefs that suck in my gut!

DD2 and I went to the library last night. I picked up an audio book by Amanda Berry and Gina Dejesus. The girls who were abducted in Cleveland and held for years. I also picked up two travel books one from Lonely Planet and there other I think is Fodors on China and the United Arab Emirates so I can do some research.

Other than going to a bakery the girls and I have not been eating out. At work they do cater in on Thursdays now and sometimes for meetings on other days.

I get paid this Friday and will take inventory and make a menu plan and try to use all that we still have. I really stocked up the last time I went to the store.

That's pretty much all that I have going on right now.

I recently joined Weight Watchers. I felt that it was needed. I have been so tired lately. Even to the point where I am winded going up and down the stairs. Having a desk job, not exercising or watching what I eat have all contributed.

For week 1, I am down 4.2lbs which is great! Next week I hope to get my 5 POUND STAR!

Changes that I have made, I've been tracking and watching what I eat, drinking a ton of water, eating plenty of fruit and veggies. This weekend I will start exercising regularly to speed up the process and get to feeling better.

I enjoy the meetings and the group leader, its a group that I know and the location is so convenient being just over by the food court here at work.

Last week I used my extra points that I am allotted but I am going to try to not use the 'allowance' and just stick to the daily target points!

Today was the first day of the City of Houston bringing back the Farmers Market at City Hall. YAY!
It was my first time going to this farmers market. I've had it on my calendar and have been counting the days. I have meat at home but need veggies!

I work on the other side of downtown from this location but they have a bus to use that services the downtown area for free during business hours in the work week. Part of Go Green Houston initiative. I walked over there then used the bus to return back to work.

There were only a few tents and only one that had a good selection of veggies. Others had homemade candy, nuts and bread. There were about 6 food trucks there and pop up tents with vendors selling food.

Since I was meeting an ex co worker and he was being 'good' so I decided not to get food to eat in front of him.

We had a nice time chatting and walking around. It was good to get out of the office.

I had a budget of $34 and ended up paying $6 for the vegan cream cheese pumpkin loaf and $23 for the veggies. I got okra, squash, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and potatoes. Total spent $29 with $5 bucks to spare!

On the way back the strap to my bag broke. Next time I will have to take my moms small grocery cart if she still has it.

I've been couponing again! Here are a few pictures of things I have picked up over the last month. I don't hit every deal (life gets in the way) and we don't eat and use everything pictured.

The things that I am most excited about are the organic beef and organic chicken (not pictured).

The stores that I've been shopping at are CVS, Walgreens, Kroger and Target.

This past weekend I went to my Kroger to get items from the Mega Event and was so shocked that the shelves were cleared. Then I turned to go down another aisle and saw who was clearing them! Ticked me off. I got other items and just left. The store will only give you rain checks for items in the ad so I was only able to get 2 rain checks. I plan to go back at another time.

I'm currently receiving 5 Sunday papers at my house. I pay for the subscription. This is after I sent out a Facebook post on the neighborhood website and no one responded. lol

A co worker brought me a muffin to say thank you for covering for her while she's been out of the office. That was a very nice gesture! She wrote on the bag banana nut but with one bite noticed it orange cranberry. I think it was hers! It's good. haha
Free snack!

I spent money. All budgeted.

Friday the girls were spending the day with my mother. I knew they'd be home late so I ventured off for some shopping.

Frist stop was my favorite store TJ Maxx. I bought two white ruffle pillows for the living room, biosilk for my hair and yoga pants. Next up Target, I bought a wall clock.

My living room is funny. I have a corner fireplace and a rectangle living room. I'm always rearranging furniture trying to get the best layout. I haven't found it yet. I think I will put the wall clock over the fireplace and the mirror over the couch.

Saturday I took DD2 to the YMCA pool. They have a lot of water playground equipment. I'm very impressed with DD2's swimming. The lessons are paying off. We raced each other and played catch me if you can. It was fun. Today I have a nice tan!

Sunday DD1 was with my sister. As a graduation gift she treated her to getting her make up done at Mac and she got 3 items, she got her a bra and undies from VS and a lot of accessories and headbands from Charming Charlies. They drove out to the Woodlands and she had a photo shoot with two photographers. I am thrilled to see how they turn out. When I met them at IKEA to pick her up she looked beautiful! She was so happy.

DD1 applied for a job with the Peace Corp not sure when she will hear back on that.

Below is what I got at the grocery store. A lot of organic items on sale at Kroger. I paid $78.72. After I got home I noticed that I forgot to get milk, laundry detergent and we need salads for lunch. I've been eating junk again and when I do I feel awful. Items bought were potatoes, cantaloupe, strawberries, cauliflower, celery, peaches, bananas, corn, onion, cucumbers, squash and zucinni, organic broccoli, blue berries, guacamole, cheese, organic yogurt, butter, stuffed portebello mushrooms, bread, deordorant, rotisserie chicken, organic spaghetti noodles, organic spaghetti sauce, organic orange juice, v8, organic mac n cheese, moms cereal, gogurts (to freeze), rice, Cheetos and tortilla chips.

I've mentioned Greenling before. It is an online based home delivery service of local and organic groceries. The items arrive on your door step in green bins.

Yesterdays highlight was the HUGE watermelon. It was very heavy! I also got a golden ticket which is good for a free surprise item next time around. I also got my fav cream cheese and pumpkin bread. Yum!

I've never had squash blossoms before. They look like hibiscus flowers. Some peaches were damaged being in the crate with the watermelon but they are ripe and will be eaten soon!

I had to email them about the purslane that had black dots on it. I think its just dirt and should wash off fine. It doesn't look like bugs.

I will be making a menu to see if I can make this last us two weeks. I don't think I'll have a problem. Greenling does include a paper with recipes for the items.

I included some pictures for everyone to see!

The leg quarters were expensive. Let me know if you think this is a good deal for what I paid $94.86.

Order Details
Turkey, Ground, Organic Prairie 1 12.0 Ounce (oz) $8.49
Beef, Ground, Local 0.95 Pound/Package $8.54
Loaf, Pumpkin w/ Vegan Cream Cheese, Sinfull Bakery 1 Loaf $6.89
Chicken, Ground, Local 1 Pound (lb) $7.99
Chicken, Leg Quarters, Local 2.48 Pound/Package $7.99 $19.82
Pork, Sausage, Link-Style, Richardson Farms 1 Pound (lb) $11.99
Cream Cheese, Plain Neufchatel, Full Quiver 1 Each $5.69
Local BoxTM 1 Each $35.99
(watermelon, squash blossoms, egg plant, peaches, grapefruit, squash, potatoes, purslane and a golden ticket).
SUBTOTAL $105.40
COUPON CODE ATXCOOKS
COUPON DISCOUNT $-10.54
TAX $0.00
ORDER TOTAL $94.86

I was riding the elevator here at work with a stranger and I commented on how she's getting lunch early. This was about 10am. I was going for a walk. Three times around the building. She said that she got it free. Naturally, I listened well.

A new store opened over in the food court. It's like My Fit Foods. When you sign up for a rewards card (keychain thing like cvs/Kroger/etc.) you get a free $10 off any breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I picked Salmon. It will be my lunch for tomorrow.

Everything they had is gluten free, mostly organic and from local farms.

My to do list for today is..
1)Post items to sell
2)Shot record to community college for DD1
3)Make class selection with DD1
4)10K steps on my fit bit
5)Read 2 chapters of my library book
6)Paint nails and toes
7)Drink 85oz of water
8)Look at classes offered at craft stores for adults
9)Think about improving physical appearance (maybe tomorrow curl hair)
10)Look into church singles programs

*I already have a buyer for 4 Wii games that I listed. I first listed my items on the neighborhood garage sale page. I'm selling all 4 games for $15. YAY!

Menu this week is..

Breakfast-Slim Fast smoothie w/fruit, cereal and pancakes for the weekend.
Lunches-Salad or pbj sandwich w/fruit and veggies
Dinner-Talapia, salmon, bbq pork ribs, chili and corn bread and ham and beans

Picture of my salad and snack pack from Kroger. I got this in the produce section. $3.99 for salad and $1.99 for snack pack. $6 twice a week is fine by me! The other 3 days are sandwiches. My menu is pretty much for the week. Sundays we have dinner with family.

After work on Friday I went to the grocery store to get groceries for the week. My mom came to pick up DD1 they were going to Dallas for the day Saturday.
We went to Panda Express and had dinner. After going to the grocery store I really didn't want to buy food but my mom likes going out.

Saturday DD2 fed a rolly polly to the turtle. It was a sight to see! Then we ventured outside so she could roller skate and locked ourselves out. Locksmith came and tried to really over charge me then finally settled on $125.That is an emergency and comes out of the emergency fund! During that time when we were locked out I cleaned up the garage a bit and swept.

Yesterday we went to the pool, cleaned house and read. I finished one book over the weekend and I'm half way thru another.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

I had a three day weekend.

Friday, I was off for DD2's 8th birthday. I took the girls to have donuts then off to school they went. I spent the majority of the day walking around stores like a zombie not buying anything except for earrings. It's funny. When I'm off of work and the kids are gone I don't know what to do with myself.

When they got home from school we went and had dinner then home to watch a movie.

Saturday was the birthday party at the roller rink. The children had a blast. After we (mom, sister and her kids, me and the girls) all to dinner for Mother's Day. I really enjoyed dinner. We had such a nice time. The kids behaved very well.

Sunday we went to Target for DD2 to spend her bday money. She picked out a book and a What Ever After High doll.

I got my mom a magic bullet dessert machine. She didn't want to venture out so I didn't see her but my stepdad who came over to hang up curtain rods for me was able to take it back for her. She spent her day reading a book and finished it might I add. LOL!

The girls were so sweet to me bringing me breakfast in bed. They gave me a massage and handmade cards. It was a very nice weekend.

I spent $60 at the grocery store yesterday buying salads and snack packs at Kroger for lunches this week. We have enough food to eat from the pantry for the week and I've already made a menu. We really need to eat the veggies in the crisper drawer!

I was selected to be apart of the $5 Dinner menu plan beta program. Basically I get a weekly menu with grocery list for 6 months. Pretty sweet deal! I love Erin Chase. I've got 2 of her cook books and they are my fav! Since I have my menu planned for this week I am going to lag a week behind and use this list for next week's meals. I'm so excited and looking forward to someone else doing the work and trying to meals. I tend to stick to what I'm used to.

I saw Scottish Girl post her menu and I thought I better get my butt in gear. Things flow easier when you have a plan.

I have 3 onions that I need to use.

Breakfasts - Oatmeal w/blueberries, cereal and toast w/jelly and fruit.

Snacks - Fruit, popcorn and nuts

Lunch - Soup, salads and sandwiches

Dinners -
Cucumber salad w/ quinoa
Beets w/lentil soup
Chili no meat
Egg plant and left overs
Pancakes
Summer squash w/onions
Left overs

I just saw a post on menu planning and I thought hey I better get my butt in gear! I have 3 onions that I need to use.

Here's what I'm having:

Bfasts - Toast w/jelly, oatmeal w/blueberries, cereal (need to finish the box so I can get a better kind that I will like)

Lunch - soup, sandwiches, salads (all work provided)
Snacks - fruit, popcorn, nuts

Dinner -
Mon - Cucumber salad and fruit
Tues - Summer squash w/onions and quinoa
Wed - Lentil soup and beets
Thurs - chili w/no meat
Fri - left overs and egg plant
Sat - open
Sun - open

Yesterday at the office I had a meeting catered and not everyone ate. The meeting was pretty intense I'm guessing! I ordered salads. I had one for lunch and brought some home for DD1 and I to have for dinner. DD2 is with her dad.

Today, we had our weekly catered lunch. Salmon, rice pilaf, mixed veggies, bread roll and there were two cake choices. Italian creme and German Chocolate! I had a small plate, not really hungry.

As promised here are the pictures from my Greenling delivery last Monday.

The bins that the food comes in.


The "Local Box" which is a different mix each week of varied produce.


Engine 2 Diet Meals
Everything in this crate is labeled and portioned out. There was even garlic and lemon zest in small containers. The five meals lasted us more than that because I brought left overs to work and we still have things like spring mix, carrots, etc. I can't say enough how much I really like this! For a busy mom working full time this is easy to put together and healthy.


Yesterday we received our second delivery.
Below is what we got with the farm that it came from.
I also added a surprise item (green onions) and some apples.

Sweet Corn - Gundermann Acres
Blackberries - Wheeler Farms
Peaches - Cooper Farms
Mango - G&S Groves
Summer Squash - Gundermann Acres
Kale - Gundermann Acres
Asian Greens Bag - My Father’s Farm
Red Potatoes - Gundermann Acres
Spaghetti Squash - My Father’s Farm
Yellow Onions - Gundermann Acres

The Engine 2 Diet this week is
1)Portobello Fajitas with Black Beans
2) Baked Sweet Potato w/ Roasted Peppers, Greens and Cashew Sauce;
3) Spinach Mushroom Stacked Enchiladas w/ Black Beans
4) Mac and Cash w/ Greens
5) Savory Lentil and Greens Soup.
All ingredients are organic and/or local and sustainably produced ingredients and come already washed, prepped and portioned.

So there are my meals for the week! Included in the box was a bumper sticker and some green bags to help store some of the items. I love freebies!

If you'd like to place an order drop me a note and I can give you a referral link to save 10% off your order. There are also coupon codes online that I've been using!

I am trying out a company called Greenling.com. They deliver fresh produce, meat, diary, honey, etc. all things organic from farms that are local to my area.

This all started when I was looking for the perfect birthday gift for my stepdad. I ordered him a box of fresh organic fruits and veggies then I wanted to give it a try. You know one of those presents that you really want for yourself!

I ordered the "local box" which is a mix of different items from several farms and I added in five meals for two people. Then I used a coupon code I found off the internet and that deducted $35 off of my total and the local box is $34.99. Wow! I'm excited to see how things turn out.

I really like that I am supporting my community and that the items are delivered right to my door. Oh, how I am tired of going to the store these days. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

I've got 7 packets of smoothies from Weight Watchers that I need to use up so everyday of the week for breakfast I will have a smoothie. I tried to add some variety.

Breakfast
Mon-Banana Blueberry Smoothie
Tues-Mint Cookies and Cream Smoothie
Wed-Cappucino Frappe
Thurs-Mint Cookies and Cream Smoothie
Fri-Banana Vanilla Smoothie
Sat-Mint Cookies and Cream Smoothie
Sun-Mint Cookies and Cream Smoothie

For lunch I'll have a sandwich and cup of soup everyday with a piece of fruit.

Morning and afternoon snacks will be a cheesestick, jello, apple, orange or yogurt.

Dinner
Mon-Blackeyed Peas and beets
Tues-Spaghetti and greenbeans
Wed-Leftovers
Thurs-Baked potatos
Fri-Beans and rice
Sat-Pot Roast with onions, carrots and potatos
Sun-Leftovers

I like havin a plan!

Monday-Pork stirfry and rice

Tuesday-Jason's Deli salads (free using Jason's Deli Dollars)

Wednesday-Steak, baked potatoes, chocolate covered strawberries and heart shaped cookie cake

Thursday-Leftovers

Friday-Grilled cheese and soup

Snacks-cutie oranges, bananas, celery w/laughing cow, cheese sticks, yogurt

DD1&DD2 will eat bfast and lunch at school.
I will have a shake w/banana for bfast.
Fruit, veggies, cheese sticks for snacks.
My job provides food for employees so I will have lunch there.

Dinner
M-crockpot chicken, rice, carrots and green beans
T-chicken chili w/saltine crackers
W-chicken soup w/grilled cheese sandwiches
Th-leftovers
F-tacos w/rice and beans
Dessert - jello and banana bread w/cool whip

Yesterday on my way home from work. I stopped in to Randall's to take advantage of the free soda they were giving away. Aren't these small bottles cute?

A very sweet male coworker of mine brought me a belated birthday present. Isn't he sweet? I devoured it! Macadamia nut flavored. I don't think my Weight Watchers weigh in in an hour is going to turn out so well.

This is how I keep my grocery budget low by using coupons. According to the receipt I saved 59%.

Randalls had a coupon for $25 off $50 when you transfer a perscription. Then, you could load a Just4U coupon off of thier website for an additional $5 off to the $25 coupon. They also have a loadable coupon (this gets loaded on your Randalls Club Card) for $3 off when you purchase $10 or more in produce. I also used $11 in paper coupons. I don't need meat right now. I have a whole chicken, sausage and beef shoulder roast at home. I don't buy paper plates much but these were $1ea with sale and coupon for 50 plates. Coming home late at night who wants to do dishes?

Natures Own Reduced Calorie Bread
Natures Own 100% Wheat Bread
Thomas English Muffins
Pepridge Farm Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Green Pepper
3 Oranges
Celery
2 Banana Bunches
Strawberries
Black Beans
Pinto Beans
Spaghetti Noodles
Saltine Crackers
Cheese Nips
Popcorn
Oatmeal
Brown Sugar
Water
Diet Rootbeer
Diet Sunkist
Fat Free Milk
Salsa
Katsup
Smuckers Sugar Free Preserves
Ranch Dressing
Cottage Cheese
Sour Cream
Weight Watchers String Cheese
Tuna
Bleach
Trashbags
2 50Qty Paper Plates
Deodorant

Stocking up at Randalls. For 17 items I paid $11.40.
Saved $34.42.

I had no money left in my eating out envelope so to the grocery store I went. Everything in the picture was marked down 50% off.

$30.14 spent and I received a $2 catalina.
I've got $28 of grocery money left for the week.

You might think I'm lucky that I don't have to pay any out of pocket but my problem is I'm gaining alot of weight. The company I work for provides free snacks/lunch food/sodas for all 35 Houston Employees.
Let me give you some examples of what is here..Hostess cupcakes, twinkies, chips, trail mix, nutrigrain bars, etc.
I normally will eat out on Monday (we have a food court near by. Tuesday we have a hot lunch delivered. Then we eat left overs the rest of the week or a sandwich and soup. Something like that. Another problem I am having is because I am the Secretary here my lunch usually gets interrupted. I would like some peace and quiet. My breaks lasts 30 minutes.
My new plan is going to be to eat out on Monday and have lunch in the breakroom with my favorite co worker. Tues-Thurs make a healthy plate then high tail it and go eat in a conference room by myself and read a book.
If anyone has some advice, I'd love to hear it!