HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!

Rising cost of groceries

With the economy tanking in this country, things are getting very expensive. Today we went to a German version of a big box store for some necessities and spent quiet a bit of money. Between what I have ordered online and what we bought today, I think we are good to go till the end of the month. We may need some small stuff but, not much.

In any case, everything is so darn expensive. Eating out is getting to be real expenive so, I am glad we are cooking and eating at home mostly.

We bought quiet a bit of vegetables and some chopped meat and turkey drumsticks. Here is what mom and I will be making:

- Stuffed tomatoes and peppers cooked in tomato sauce.
- String beans cooked with chopped meat
- Stuffed eggplants
- Turkey drumsticks cooked in pressure cooker. The meat will be used for salads and sandwiches. The broth for soup.
- Pumpkin. I will use half of it in a soup, the rest baked in the oven with sweet potatoes and regular potatoes.

Meals will be divided in portion sizes and frozen so that we will not have to cook every day. I am tired of cooking almost every day lately, so, this will be a nice break.

Change of Plans

We were supposed to go grocery shopping today but, mom is not feeling so great. I ordered most of the stuff online. For fresh produce and meat products, we will go tomorrow.

It is cold and rainy these days. Makes me want to sleep all day (if mom lets me to of course).

I want to go see the Bohemian Rhapsody this week. I have read and heard mixed reviews. I love Queen.

Today's business goal is to list the topics to include in the training set. I have ordered a Reference Book. Also, my lawyer friend will be sharing some material for me to use.

Off to work now.

New Life

After my loong vacation, I am now home with mom. The weather is pretty bad and we spend most of our days at home. This means saving money.

I haven't yet purchased gas for the car this month. Tomorrow, I will fill up and I am sure that will last us till the end of December.

We do grocery shopping and that is pretty much it. We ordered food only twice this month. Except for a garlic press I needed, I did not buy anything else. We cook from scratch and keep the food healthy. Lots of salads, soups and fish is eaten these days.

Tomorrow, we will be going grocery shopping. We tend to grocery shop once a week and we never go shopping hungry.

I like being home and do not miss work at all. It would be nice to get a project here and there but, I am not in a rush. I will start building the contract management training I had been planning for a long time and I gave myself a deadline to finish it by the end of December.

Having mom at home is sometimes a bit difficult since, she likes to do everything together. I need some place else to work.

Annoying side effect of a med

You may remember that my blood pressure has sky-rocketed around late spring. The doctor has changed my meds and now I am on three different meds to control it. So far, they are working.

I also had been coughing for quiet a while but it never occurred to me that the persistent cough started just around the same time when we changed meds. I do not cough all day but several times during the day.

Last time I went to see the doctor she asked me if the coughing bothered me! And I was like: OMG! Was that the med?

Anyway, since it is only a bit annoying, I decided to keep using it. If it gets worse, next time, I will let the doctor know.

Meal Planning

Mom and I went overboard shopping for veggies last week so, we must plan carefully not to waste anything. I already portioned out some cooked veggies and froze them.

Tonight, I am making a Turkey Pot Pie with a single crust on top. It will be served with a green salad. I like to buy the mixed greens from the grocery store. The bag makes 5-6 big salads. I also like to add corn, red beet pickles, bell peppers, capers or anything else I fancy to add to the salads. If the salad is going to be a meal by itself, I add some protein such as Turkey Breast, low-fat cheeses or beans.

I do not use store bought salad dressings. I use pomegranate sour and extra virgin olive oil. Sometimes I use lemon juice instead of pomegranate sour.