Day 40: Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Day 40 Vitals:

Weight:  270 lbs.
Mood:  Exhausted
Water Consumed:  2 Nalgenes
Breakfast: 2 Hard Boiled Eggs, Chocolate Zuccini Muffin
Lunch: Orange, Peanut Butter Sandwich
Dinner: Chicken wings, sweet potato, green beans
Hangry Thought of the Day: Whoever stole my wife's phone, you can go f#$% yourself!

All right, day 40 is here!  We are quickly approaching the mid-point of the project.  Today we will be looking at another recipe from Leanne Brown's Good and Cheap.  Today we will be making a batch of Chocolate Zucchini Muffins!

Ingredients:

• butter or vegetable oil, for the muffin tin 
• 2 cups grated zucchini (start with 1 large or 2 small zucchinis) 
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour 
• 1½ cups rolled oats 
• 1½ cups sugar 
• ½ cup cocoa powder 
• 2 teaspoons baking soda (I used 6 teaspoons of Baking Powder)
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 4 eggs 
• 1 cup plain yogurt

Instructions:

Pre-heat the oven at 350 F

Oil 24 count muffin tins, or line with paper liners

Grate the Zucchini

Combine flour, oats, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda in a large bowl.

Mix the grated zuuchini, yogurt, and eggs.  Slowly add the dry ingredients.

Poor into prepared muffin tin

Bake in over for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.

So if you are on a restricted budget and need your chocolate fix, this is the perfect recipe to try.  They have a nice texture, and make for a GREAT breakfast treat!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

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Day 37: Odds and Ends

Day 37 Vitals:

Weight:  270 lbs.
Mood:  Exhausted
Water Consumed:  2 Nalgenes
Breakfast: 2 Hard Boiled Eggs
Lunch: Tomato Soup and Toast
Dinner: Tomato and Sweet Potatoes
Hangry Thought of the Day: Do not EVER nominate me for your Facebook Challenges!

We are now rapidly approaching the half-way point of Project Table for One.  So far so good.  I went looking through my pantry the other day and I actually have quite a bit of odds and ends that I should find some use for.  Here are some of the items I have in abundance:

• 1/2 bag of Flour (Week 1 Cub Foods)
• Possible Uses:  I would like to take another stab at baking bread.  But right now I tortillas, bread, and am making scones this week.  So I will take this venture on in the near future
• 1 full bag of black eyed beans (Week 0 Pantry Stocking)
• I have a recipe for these, but the last bunch of stores I have been at did not have ham hocks.  I will keep trying!
• Soy Sauce (Week 3 Wal-Mart)
• I picked this up as a flavoring agent based on the advice of the book Good and Cheap.  but I am trying to be mindful of my salt intake, so I have been avoiding it's use.  It's not that this is a BAD thing to pick up, I just don't need it.
• 1 LARGE pack of Hot Dogs (Week 4 COSTCO)
• I picked these up for cabin weekends.  So I will get to these shortly.  I think I just burned myself out on hot dogs the first few weeks.
• Baking Powder (Week 1 Cub Foods), Vanilla (Week 3 Wal-Mart), Brown Sugar (Week 0 Pantry)
• And lastly I have some odds and ends from Week 0 Pantry Stocking like a jar of Vindaloo sauce, some canned beans, a can of spicy corned beer.  Lots of fun stuff still out there.  

So what would you cook with these odds and ends?  Leave a comment below!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

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Day 36: My $30 Budget At Trader Joe's

Day 36 Vitals:

Weight:  269 lbs.
Mood:  Exhausted
Water Consumed:  2 Nalgenes
Breakfast:Granola Bars
Lunch: Orange, Peanut Butter Sandwich
Dinner: Tomaote Soup and Toast
Hangry Thought of the Day: Just go the f%#@ to sleep kid!

Hey gang and welcome back.  Sorry for the long absence but I was up at the cabin again this week, with no internet.

So for today's articles I would like to talk about my trip to Trader Joe's.  

We are still good on proteins thanks to our Week 3 trip to COSTCO.  So for another week I get to go veggie heavy.  I also picked up ingredients to make some chocolate zucchini muffins.  I also got a couple of treats for the cabin, namely the bacon ends and the sparkling water.  So let's talk about the big wins for Trader Joe's!

• 2lb Bag of Sweet Potatoes $1.69:  I had the option of potatoes or sweet potatoes.  I went with the sweet potatoes just for a change up.
• 4 bags of frozen brussel sproutes $.99 ea.  Trader Joe's offers up a lot of great selections for frozen veggies and fruits.  I found these ones on sale and can't wait to stir-fry or grill these up!
• 2lb Gala Apples for $2.99.  While not the cheapest I have bought apples, I could still fit this into by budget, and they had a much better flavor then most of the other apples I have eaten in the past weeks.
• Small jar of Peanut Butter $1.99:  TJ's is known for pretty great peanut butter, this will make for some great convenience lunches.
• 1 dozen eggs $.99:  I didn't NEED eggs this week, but I picked them up because they are about $.29 cheaper then most other places.

Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi's.  Its pricing and business model show.  There are a lot of great deals to be had.  I had a BLAST shopping at Trader Joe's.  Not only did I get a lot of food, but I also got a lot of veggies for my dollar, and even a few treats.  It is hard to go wrong in a place like this.  It will be very interesting to to compare my experience with Aldi's next week.

With this weeks purchases I am hoping to make some of the a fore mentioned  muffins, another batch of scones, and stir-fried veggies.  Yum!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Day 31: Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars

Day 31 Vitals:

Weight:  269 lbs.
Mood:  Awesome it's game night
Water Consumed:  2 Nalgenes
Breakfast:Pancakes
Lunch: Orange, Hard Boiled Eggs
Dinner: Chicken Wings and Veggies
Hangry Thought of the Day: May is too busy of a month

Today's recipe once again comes from Leanne Brown's book Good and Cheap.  I have kinda had my fill of eggs for breakfast, so I thought I would spice it up.  I had a lot of oats left over from week 1.  I have been slowly eating oatmeal from it, but it was too boring.  So let's turn them into something tasty, and I am bringing my helper Felix along for the ride:

• butter or vegetable oil for the pan 
• 3 cups rolled oats, or 2 cups rolled oats and 1 cup Rice Krispies 
• ½ cup peanut butter 
• ½ cup jelly or jam 
• ¼ cup hot water 
• ¼ teaspoon salt

The book linked above also has a lot of great suggestions for what to add.  Since I had some extra room in my Week 5 Budget I picked up some coconut to add to this (which I can use the left overs to mix in with my plain oatmeal).

Grease an 8x10 pan, and pre-heat the oven at 350
Pour oats into a large bowl

In a small sauce pan add the remaining ingredients (including your optional) and stir over low heat until well blended (should be around 2 minutes).

Pour the peanut butter mixture into the oats and stir.  Place in the prepared 8x10 pan and bake for 25 minutes!

Done, and poof, instant breakfast!  What would you add?  Leave us a comment below!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 29: Target Week

Day 29 Vitals:

Weight:  269 lbs.
Mood:  Awesome it's game night
Water Consumed:  1 Nalgenes
Breakfast:Orange
Lunch:  Canned Salmon on Toast
Dinner: Butter Noodles and Frozen Mixed Veggies
Hangry Thought of the Day: My YouTube queue is getting to big...

We are quickly approaching week 5 of Project Table for One.  This weeks groceries are coming Target.

Thanks to last weeks trip to COSTCO I got to spend the majority of my budget on food groups I have been lacking in.  So here are my big wins from Target.  

• 8lb Bag of Oranges for $5.00.  Whole Foods (Week #2) was the last time I had fresh fruit in my pantry.  No I have 8lbs of citrus goodness.
• 1lb of Ground Beer.  Normally $4.49, this had a $1.00 reduced price sticker on it, so it was a steal at $3.49
• 1lb. of Shredded Coconut.  For $2.52 I will be using this to flavor oatmeal, and make cereal bars.  Plenty of uses for this tasty treat.
• 1sm Can of Black Olives $1.29:  I didn't need this, but I was making taco salads this week, and I wanted this.  Since I saved the $1.00 on the burger, it was an easy fit.

Shopping at Target was fairly easy and straightforward.  Stick to Market Pantry when you can.  It s generally between 15% to 20% cheaper, and is probably the highest rated private brand in the United States.  Target is also a good place to go for dairy product like yogurts, and shredded cheese.  Check for good meat specials, because when they are on sale, it's a steal.  Produce can be a little higher here, but it's not horrible.  The biggest downside to Target is that they don't have the largest assortment of items due to the size of the grocery section.  But on a SNAP budget it's usually about the cheapest option, not the variety.  Some targets also have a discounted/close dated food section.  I have seen large bags of flower in there for a GREAT price.  Unfortunately, it seems like my Target got rid of that section this week.

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 25: Beef Stroganoff

Day 25 Vitals:

Weight:  270 lbs.
Mood:  So So
Water Consumed:  1 Nalgenes
Breakfast: Scrambled Egg with Onion
Lunch:  Hot Dog Bun with Pasta Sauce and Mixed Vegetables
Dinner: Chicken Wing, Steamed Broccoli, Hot Dogs Bun with Pasta Sauce
Hangry Thought of the Day:  Did anyone else see Cruz's rant on Twitter?  Someone get that guy a Snickers, because HE is Hangry!

So for today's article I want to talk about one of the best recipes I have cooked in the three weeks I have been on this project:  Beef Stroganoff.  And once again Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown is supplying the recipe!

Now beef stroganoff and I have a long history, and it is perhaps my favorite food.  My Dad used to cook his stroganoff for me on my birthday and other special occasions.  His was much different then the recipe below (he used ground beef, which in hind site, I probably should have done too).  And the sauce for the below recipe is more "homemade".  I loved his stroganoff.  In fact I know when he finally gave me the recipe on his death bed that the end had truly caught up with him.  He had a couple of close calls before, but not stroganoff worthy I guess.   I have tried to make it several times, but it often doesn't taste the same.  Maybe I will adopt this one as "mine"!

On to the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1lb. of Beef cut up into chunks
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 2 Onions Chopped
• 2 Large Carrots sliced or chopped
• 1 tbsp Flour
• 2 tsp of Paprika
• 1lb of Egg Noodles or Pasta cooked to direction
• 3 Cloves of Chopped Garlic
• 1lb of Mushrooms (I used 8 oz)
• 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
• 3 tbsp Mustard

Directions:

Season beef with salt and pepper.  Melt half the butter in a pan on medium high heat.  Toss in beef and brown on all sides.  Add the carrots and onions and cook until the onions are translucent.

Sprinkle flour and paprika, then cover mixture in four cups of water and let simmer for two hours, or until there is about one cup of liquid broth left.

Meanwhile melt the remaining butter in a pot.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant.  Toss in mushrooms and cook for about five minutes.  Take beef mixute, mushroom mixture, mustard, sour cream and mix in a bowl.

Serve over noddles.  You can also add a little dill is that is your thing!  The yield on this recipe is pretty sizable too.  It can easily feed a family of four.  I got three meals out it, and I wish I had more!

That's all for today!  Let me know your thoughts on this recipe, as well as any changes or additions you might have.  Thanks for reading!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 24: Heading to the Cabin

Day 24 Vitals:

Weight:  271 lbs.
Mood:  On the tired side.  Leo was up all night
Water Consumed:  1 Nalgenes
Breakfast: 2 Hard Boiled Eggs
Lunch:  Pizza Dogs and Mixed Veggies
Dinner: Tin Foil Chicken Wings
Hangry Thought of the Day:  I went to Target, had to use the rest room.  No one tried peeking at my junk.  I think your safe!

The sun is out, the grass is green, and its time to head out to the cabin once again!  Just because I'm on a more restrictive diet doesn't mean I can't enjoy some family time at the lake. 

For food I grabbed the following:

• Canister of Oatmeal
• Left Over Carrots
• Hot Dog Buns
• Hot Dogs
• Pouch of Tuna
• Can of Green Beans
• 3 Tortilla Shells
• Mustard
• Salt, Pepper, and Cinnamon

This was the first time I actually had a pang of regret that I started this project.  Grilling season is probably one of my favorite aspects of summer.  And of course heading to the cabin meant grilling, at least for everyone else.  Yeah, I had my pack of hot dogs, but after eating them all week they are a bit tiresome.

But I mustard through it (quite literally, check out the pick above), and I made it.  It was a lot of fun to spend that time with our kids, my wife, and Mom and her SO.  Felix got super excited to ride his little gator, and of course as a big boy, I got excited to ride the four wheeler.  Got out on the boat, and in general, we enjoyed the weather.  So all in all, this weekend was a bit of a challenge with the limited food, but well worth it to spend time with the family.

So what are your favorite summer time activities?  Let us know in the comments below!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 23: My $30 at COSTCO

Day 23 Vitals:

Weight:  274 lbs.
Mood:  Seems like a normal day so far...
Water Consumed:  2 Nalgenes
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch:  Beef Stroganoff /sans noodles
Dinner: Pizza Dogs
Hangry Thought of the Day:  What are you waiting for peeps!?  Click the link to the right and donate already!

Just a quick update before we get into the article.  I was away this weekend on in impromptu trip to the cabin (more about this tomorrow), and internet was sparse.  So fret not, I have not wasted away yet.  But I am pretty sick of hot dogs.

So for today's article I would like to talk about how I spent my $30 at COSTCO.  I knew going into this week that I was going to have to plan ahead, not only for this week, but for weeks to come.  As a Warehouse Wholesaler most items at COSTCO come in VERY large sizes.  So last week at Wal-Mart I stocked up on extra vegetables for this week so I could concentrate on getting some much needed proteins for the next upcoming weeks.

Overall I ended up really going heavy on the proteins.  I knew for a fact that I wanted the drumsticks.  Six packs for six weeks for less then $15.  That was an easy grab.  My next stop was for some bulk pasta.  During my scouting run the week prior I wanted to pick up a mixed package of pasta that they usually carry for $6.99.  But the thing with COSTCO is because it is there one week, doesn't mean it is there the next.  I was also hoping to pick up potatoes but the only bags available were 20#.  During week 1 I bought ten pounds and it lasted me over two weeks.  I just don't think I could go through twenty pounds without having some spoilage.  But adversity breeds creativity.  I grabbed some eggs which should help lesson the budget for next week, and then I decided to double down on a large pack of hot dogs.  I also found a huge package of buns, which was pretty much the only thing left I could squeeze into my budget.  

My thinking was if I can take my major proteins off my list this should mean I can focus my next two weeks on making better side dishes, and more vegetable and fruits.

So what would you have bought at COSTCO for $30?  Leave a comment below!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!