Why Weekly Grocery Hauls?
For our family of six, sticking to a weekly grocery haul has proven to be a more efficient and cost-effective approach. By making one trip a week, we avoid the constant runs to the store for random items and end up spending less overall. Additionally, stocking up on meat in bulk allows us to plan our meals effectively and minimize waste.
What’s in the Haul?
Starting off with breakfast essentials, we have Aldi’s own brand of fruit rounds and marshmallows and stars cereals. To mix things up a bit, I picked up some protein pancake and waffle mix as well. While I usually purchase these items at Costco, I decided to forgo the trip this month due to the summer season and our increased snacking habits.
Meal Prep Considerations
The grocery haul may seem a bit light on meat, but that’s because we still have some leftover from last month’s haul. This allows us to plan our meals strategically and incorporate the existing meat supplies into our weekly menu. It’s all about efficiency and making the most of what we have on hand.
Costco Vs. Aldi
While Costco is great for purchasing bulk items, I’ve found that for our current needs, sticking to Aldi for weekly groceries is more practical. By avoiding large purchases at Costco that may go to waste, we’re able to stay within our budget and make the most of our grocery hauls.
Meal Preparation
Right now, we are focusing on our weekly grocery haul, but I might consider going back to monthly shopping in the future. For meal preparation, I purchased chopped walnuts to make protein bars and energy bars. I also plan on trying my hand at making Baklava, a rolled dessert that I have never made before.
Fresh Produce
I picked up two packs of peppers, totaling six peppers, for our meals. Additionally, I bought a cheese danish, mostly for myself as no one else in the household is a fan. I anticipate sharing it with the kids. I also grabbed a raspberry danish for everyone to enjoy.
Convenience Meals
To make lunchtime easier, I decided to try a pot pie recipe. I initially thought I grabbed two pup-style chicken pot pies but ended up grabbing a creamy chicken and dumplings one as well. Although it was a mistake, I believe it won’t make a significant difference in the final dish. I hope this easy pot pie will be a hit with my kids.
Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients:
I picked up jumbo butter Buttermilk Biscuits and classic cheddar prons for the chicken pot pie. For myself, I got ranch dressing as no one else in the house enjoys salads. I also purchased one cucumber, although I thought I grabbed more. The plan is to use these ingredients for a delicious meal this week or maybe the next.
Stocking Up On Essentials:
I bought two Kasa Mamita diced tomatoes with green chilies to keep in my pantry. I also grabbed some tomatoes on the vine, garlic, and fresh jalapenos. I have heard that using fresh jalapenos can add a nice kick to dishes like rice or as a side for those who enjoy spiciness.
Citrus Flavors for Baking:
For my upcoming baking projects, I purchased lemons. These lemons will be used in making Baklava and raspberry lemon muffins. While I make blueberry banana muffins every week, I wanted to switch it up with some new citrus flavors this time around.
Fresh Produce
During my recent trip to Aldi, I picked up a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for my family of six. I grabbed some avocados, raspberries, blueberries, a cantaloupe, yellow onions, and red onions. These items will be perfect for snacking or adding to our meals throughout the week.
Baking Essentials
To fuel my baking hobby, I stocked up on some key ingredients at Aldi. I purchased cane sugar and light brown sugar, which are essential for making delicious treats like blueberry banana muffins. Having these items on hand allows me to whip up tasty baked goods for my family to enjoy.
Dairy and Frozen Foods
In addition to fresh produce and baking supplies, I also grabbed some dairy and frozen items at Aldi. I picked up heavy cream and half-and-half for my coffee, as well as a bag of mixed vegetables and hash browns. Although the hash browns ended up melting in the fridge, they can still be enjoyed as a snack or side dish alongside a meal.
Beverages and Ready-to-Eat Meals
As a special treat for myself, I indulged in an iced coffee from Aldi. While I have cut back on caffeine due to anxiety issues, I decided to treat myself to a refreshing beverage. Additionally, I purchased chicken egg rolls for a quick and convenient meal option. These can be enjoyed for lunch or as a snack, depending on my family’s preferences.
Fresh Produce and Protein
For this week’s grocery haul, I picked up a variety of items to feed my family of 6. We have some staple ingredients like rice, chicken, egg rolls, yellow potatoes, rusted potatoes, potato puffs, hash browns, popcorn chicken, hot dogs, seasoned lamb, chicken breast, tilapia, fish fillets and salmon. We’ve been enjoying adding more fish to our diet recently, so I made sure to include some wild-caught flounder and some salmon for lunch.
Convenient Snacks and Breakfast Options
In addition to our main meals, I also picked up some convenient snacks and breakfast items. I got Mexican style cheese, French toast sticks, cheesy breadsticks, bean and cheese burritos, English muffins, avocado, eggs, whole wheat honey bread, hot dog buns, and turkey.
Meal Planning and Preparation
I plan to use the ingredients I bought to prepare a variety of meals throughout the week. For breakfast, we’ll have avocado toast with egg, egg burritos, or French toast sticks. For lunch, we’ll enjoy salmon, cheese breadsticks, and bean burritos. And for dinner, we have a range of options like tilapia, chicken, lamb, or hot dogs.
Snacks for the Kids
I got some of these croissant things as a snack for my kids. I usually bring a whole bunch of snacks to the soccer field for my son’s games, and also to karate practice for my daughter. They enjoy knoppers and peanut butter cream filled cookies, as well as caramel coconut fudge cookies that are similar to samoas from the Girl Scouts.
Sweet Treats for the Summer
Even though it’s not the healthiest option, I picked up confetti brownies and chewy chocolate chip cookies for some summer snacking. I also grabbed jumbo cups for ice cream, as we recently ran out of our stock of ice cream. These treats are perfect for hot summer days when the kids need a cool and sweet treat.
Total Cost and Items
In total, I spent $249.18 on groceries for the week. This included various sweet treats and snacks for the family. I also purchased some mini waters for the kids and regular waters for the adults. The haul was a good balance of indulgent treats and essential snacks for the family of six.
