My $45 Trader Joe's Grocery Haul

Is eating healthy expensive? It can be but it can also be affordable. When I grocery shop I value saving money over saving time for most things. I shop regularly at Trader Joe's because we have one right down the street from us. This week I wanted to get serious about budgeting and limited myself to $45 on my groceries for the week. I bought $45.35 worth of food and here is my Trader Joe's grocery haul!

My $45.35 Grocery Haul from Trader Joe's

2 Liquid Egg Whites ($3.99 each)

1 1/2 gallon Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk ($2.69) 1 bag of Romaine Hearts ($1.99)

1.5 lb. bag of Baby Carrots ($1.49)

1 Green Dragon Hot Sauce ($2.99)

1 Chunky Salsa ($1.99)

1 Brown Rice Cakes ($2.99)

1 lb. Ground Turkey Breast ($4.29)

1 bag Frozen Bell Peppers ($1.99) 1 Spicy Brown Mustard ($1.29)

1 16 oz bag Frozen Strawberries ($1.99)

1 lb. Grape Tomatoes ($2.49)

1 bag riced Broccoli ($2.29)

1 bag Romaine Hearts ($2.29)

1 package Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast ($5.92)

1 Cucumber, organic ($1.19)

2 Sweet Potatoes ($0.89 each)

That list is what cost $45.35. Granted, there are things I have in my pantry to put meals together that are fairly common staples.

Olive oil

Coconut oil

Cooking Spray

Herbs & Spices + Salt & Pepper

Flax, Hemp, Chia seeds

Nutritional Yeast

Canned Tomatoes

Canned Beans

Cans of Tuna

Peanut Butter

Dried grains: 3 different varieties of oats, Israeli couscous, rice

Protein Powder

Eggs

Baking needs: flours, baking soda, sugars etc.

Zack also purchases his regular staples too. Then we have shared things like coffee and mixed nuts.

Those things would bump up my bill another $16 ish dollars but think of the $3 coffee + tip money you'd spend each day buying coffee out. Making it at home is so worth it.

Here are some meals & snacks I whip up throughout the week with these ingredients.

Eggs + peppers

Rice cakes + nut butter

Protein powder+ almond milk + strawberries + hemp seeds

Sweet potatoes + chicken + salad Carrots + mashed canned beans + spices

Turkey + tomatoes + pasta

Oatmeal + cinnamon + peanut butter

Tuna + Salsa + rice cakes

Rice broccoli + chicken + couscous

Combined with the staples I have in the pantry, I can make quite a few meals with just $45-$50 dollars in weekly groceries!

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