Trip #3 plus a couple of other things...

I made Trip #3 to Aldi late afternoon on Monday.  Our store didn't seem busy, but they were already out of a couple of things, including eggs.  I really don't want to have to make another trip there this week, so we'll see what happens.  I think we have about 8-9 eggs right now, which won't last long!!! 

Before the trip details, I wanted to say that I made the Veggie Cheese Soup tonight, and it got rave responses from everyone, even Luke!  The reason for all the steamed veggies in our menus lately is due to the fact that I bought a HUGE bag of mixed veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, orange carrots and yellow (??) carrots--from Sam's during December.  I actually bought it in case we needed it for Fawn and Charlie's anniversary dinner (on Dec. 29; we were feeding about 20 people) and we didn't.  SO, I knew I had better cook with it asap or it would be sitting in my freezer taking up space for the next 6 months.  I have been including veggies with a lot of meals.  The girls are getting a little tired of them, and the bag is about half gone, so I'll probably lay off of them for a week.  BUT, they were great in the soup.  I got out my trusty hand blender and pureed them in the soup (the chunks were pretty big, and I have to admit that cauliflower is NOT my favorite), which was the right move.  It thickened it up enough so I didn't have to use cornstarch or even a whole cup of milk, just about a half cup.  I also used up some assorted cheese I had in the fridge, including some low fat cheese, cheddar cheese, and Aldi Velveeta.  A note about Aldi's version of Velveeta:  I have found that it has a good taste if melted in soup, but it also takes much longer to melt (weird, huh?), and is stronger tasting, so you could use less of it--even up to half of the amount less.  Just my opinion, but that's what this whole blog is, I guess!

OKAY, on to the trip!  Here's a picture of everything:

Woah, big picture!  Okay, here it is:

oranges

cabbage

carrots

creamer (hazelnut and cinnamon vanilla *Seasonal Item*)

frozen apple juice

ricotta cheese *SB*

parmesan cheese

sweet onion salsa (refrigerated)

frozen sweet corn

black beans

salted butter

lite garlic toast (frozen) *SB*

alfredo sauce

spaghetti sauce

whole wheat spaghetti

tomato sauce

monterey jack cheese

bread

flour 

black olives

milk 

whole almonds *Seasonal Item*

ground beef

pork tenderloin 

pepperoni

frozen maple sausage patties

Again, no pic of the receipt, but my pre-tax total was...guess what....EXACTLY $50!!!  Woo-hoo!  Are those some budget shopping skills or what??!??!?

I discovered that Aldi does NOT have chopped green chiles, white beans, and that almonds are a seasonal item; who would have thought?  I have also decided that I will definitely try to make my own bagels, a bag of FIVE bagels is $1.89!  That's crazy, considering they're made out of flour, water, yeast, and sugar.  I found a recipe and I'm going to try it this week.  It's this one.  John makes the best breakfast sandwiches with bagels, but that may not matter anyway BECAUSE we won't have that many eggs!  

Well, I think I've gone on enough for one post...good night all and stay warm the next couple of days; more snow is coming our way!