This week I’m joining the combined efforts of Natalie from The Frugalista and Katy from The Non-Consumer Advocate and I’m cooking my own food all week long. It’s the Dine-In-Week Challenge. Are You In?
Good thing this started today! Yesterday I treated myself to a snow-crab and french-fries dinner after work, and I didn’t even feel guilty because it was so wonderful! You have to remember that I work at a seafood restaurant and get 50% off my meals, drinks are free, and I serve myself, so no tip. So this “splurge” cost only $8.83.
We are running a promotion at work right now that includes $30+ entrees. I love to watch people eat my weekly grocery budget in one sitting. 
As long as you tip 20%, I can deal!
So this week’s Menu…
Breakfasts are oatmeal, walnuts, raisins, yogurt, apples, and coffee.
Lunch will be split pea soup, but I’m only making enough for three meals! I’ve been away from home for four years but still act like I’m cooking for seven people. Not that my seven even like split pea soup. I’m starting a new rule this week: I will only cook enough food to last me for three meals. No more of this curried-lentils-and-squash-for-a-week-straight crap. This gives me more time to try out new recipes too!
Snacks will be mandarin oranges, string cheese, and almonds.
Monday Dinner I work tonight, so I’ll make some quick egg drop soup.
Tuesday Dinner will be fried rice.
Wednesday Dinner Um… don’t know yet. Fried rice leftovers, or dinner at my friend Jessica‘s place.
Thursday Dinner will be a Luna bar to tie me over until I get to Spencer’s, where he’ll probably serve Tuna Helper. Or Dorritos. We’ll see. 
Here’s my grocery store loot. I got lazy and stopped at the grocery store on the way home instead of walking up to the Co-op. Notice no Luna bars, they were $1.69! Too much for me… But on the bright side, HyVee had a sale on my favorite yogurt! I’m so excited to try overnight oatmeal with my new flavors. Yum! My total for this week is $16.02. Not bad, but I didn’t really get that much… mostly breakfast food. Sometimes I think it’s less expensive to cook for more people. Like, it would be easier to feed Spencer and I for $50 each week than it is to feed myself for $25 each week.
What do you think? Is singles grocery shopping more or less expensive, per capita, than groceries for a family?
Don’t know about my weekend yet! I’ll check the pantry at Spenc’s, see what we need to use up, and shop from there. I have big plans for fish tacos on Friday night! Spencer is Catholic, so apparently no meat means eat fish? Sounds good to me! SamsterMommy did a fish tacos tutorial a while back that I’m anxious to try. I’ve never cooked fish before with the exception of maybe a salmon fillet in the microwave. Dad’s always worked for a dairy or beef farmer so it’s red meat for my family, with some poultry or pork. This must be why I like fish so much! It’s my favorite thing to order when I go out.
Wish me luck!
So, are you in on the Dine-In Week Challenge? Any fish-cooking tips for me?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
good luck!
catholic fridays:
tuna patties, mac and cheese or home-made potato pancakes.
jony
Hey Kayla…I made the fish tacos from SamsterMommy and LOVED them…minus the taco shell. Dad of course wouldn’t eat the cabbage slaw that goes with them…his loss. They were good.
No meat Fridays can also mean vegetarian or vegan fare.
I found your blog via Knitting Pattern Central, and it is an interesting one. Good luck with your Compact year, as well as your cooking challenge.
Yes, I think it’s more expensive, per capita, to cook for one. It seems to me that a single person is less likely to cook from scratch. Also, they are less likely to buy family packs of meat or buy staples in bulk.