Tag Archives: trader joes

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgets, California, cooking, home stuff, husband, ikea, swimming, Uncategorized by

We’re finally getting sunny days. It’s still very cold(32′) this morning but at least there’s sun!!

It’s been a good week. Barclay had his port out and that all went well. It was almost 4years to the date he had it put in. Lots of blood transfusions.Whew, what a story that was. But he’s 100% better and has no lingering GVH issues.

I had my annual Well care check with my PCP. It was fine although maybe a slight waste of time as I didn’t have anything to discuss and he didn’t have a lot to say. Oh well, it’s fine. I did say I still had some pressure in my left ear and he just said to go see the ENT doctor. Er, okay then.

After that appt, I went down to the Roseville gym and then the library. I also swam on Wednesday and it was busy but I did get a lane. Near the end of my swim, some guy came and shared the lane.

This morning I’m making some sauerkraut and doing a general tidy-up. I’m making a pizza for dinner and need to defrost the dough. Last night I made my first ever meatloaf and it came out really good. I did follow a recipe and I suppose that does help. I decided to make this since I had a lb of local pork sausage I had bought at the farmers market this past summer and as part of the pantry challenge wanted to use it up. I also had some organic ground beef to use up too. I topped it with my canned BBQ sauce and it was excellent. The pantry challenge is going splendidly and I may continue into February. There are 11 more days in January so I’ll decide then. I do plan on doing an Azure order in February so that will be some pantry restocking.

I got the new Marie Kondo book from the library. What a waste. It’s mostly repeat stuff but there’s so many photos of her. It seems the book is really about how many photos can she have taken of herself.

And here’s a shot of the sauerkraut wilting and about ready to go into a jar with the fermenting lid on.

This was one head of cabbage. It does shrink down.

I haven’t spent a lot on groceries this week except $80 at Trader Joes. Since I was going in for a few things I added some extras like pita bread for falafels, OJ, micro greens, and some other random stuff.

I also tackled washing the couch covers and saw that one corner at the bottom was ripping so I will need to get a new cover eventually. I’mgoing to pull some embroidery thread out and sew it for now. I think these white covers are over 5 years old probably more. I’m not ready to buy a new couch so a new cover will be fine. Next time I go to Ikea I’ll check it out.

Friday things.

Posted in Blood test, bread, budgets, cancer, Myeloma by

I had my consult with my PCP about my slightly higher LDL #. My HDL was very good and the ratio was good but he wanted/needed to tell me to try and cut out some higher fat foods like butter. 😦 I love butter but I told him I will do my best and he said we can test in another year. So that’s that. I will try to cut back on butter and cheese and some carbs. I cook with a lot of butter but usually in combination with olive oil. I’ll just try and be more conscious of using butter like on toast and bagels etc. Also, my thyroid numbers came back normal. Last time when my LDL was slightly high it must have been about 6-7 years ago, I started eating oatmeal for breakfast 4-5 times a week and within 6 months my cholesterol dropped 60 points.

My Myeloma labs came back almost the same as last month. So hurray on that. Another month of freedom so to speak. All my other labs were normal and the same as before. So all in all, it’s good.

Our anniversary is next week and B said I should go buy the Louis Vuitton. I said I’ll think about it. It’s not a cheap purchase and I’m quite happy with my Coach bag I bought that is similar in size to the Neverful. Still, a Louis is a Louis. I think my obsession( sort of) is that it’s French (although not many are made in France anymore) and the quality of workmanship. I only love the LV monogram and the black ones. The others are really quite gaudy in my opinion. Well, I’m certainly not getting younger:( That purchase would definitely NOT fit into Frugal Friday!!!

Today is a home day and I’ve done my morning reset, bathroom swish and swipe, and kitchen tidy. I plan on going to the farm this afternoon for a few things. I also am feeding my sourdough starter and plan on putting it into one jar instead of 3 1/2 jars. I might make some sourdough bagels this weekend. If I’m cutting out some carbs I might make bread with whole wheat as that is better on the glycemic scale.

Tomorrow after swimming I’m planning to go to Trader Joe’s for a few things. I know they have Ezekiel bread which is good and whole wheat tortillas too. I’m certainly willing to switch things up a bit. Besides, I always like a challenge.

Our hot weather continues. It’s very depressing after what seems like forever of 100 degree days. The nights aren’t cooling off hardly at all. Next week temperatures are all in the mid 90s so maybe that will be a little better.

I’m waiting for the next batch of tomatoes to ripen so I can process them. I’ll probably just do the tomato sauce again. I don’t think there’s too much else I’m interested in doing except getting some corn to quick freeze. Last year I did about 12 bags of corn and we used them all. Safeway usually has the best prices. I’ll check their flyer later.

On the spending side, I put an order into Rancho Gordo for 8 bags(1lb). Since they are in Napa they arrived in record time. If you haven’t tried their beans, you should. They are all heirloom and absolutely delicious. I ordered a new one to try called Whipple bean. I also added on a jar of Mexican oregano. When I opened it, it didn’t smell too much different from my oregano. So I’ll have to see how it is in recipes. Let’s see, I ordered falafel mix from Amazon because TJ’s doesn’t carry it in their stores anymore and finding it in the regular grocery store is a PITA. I bought some salad stuff from Holiday Market too. Even with cash envelopes, I’m still spending @ $700 a month on food. I guess that’s just the norm. At Costco, I did mostly cash and then the rest on the debit card. Costco is always more than I think it will be, of course!! Well, B did buy Sierra pale Ale beer but it’s really the best price for it if you drink beer. I also picked a few bulk items like sugar and some more flour.

Midweek catch up.

Posted in California, MDS, Uncategorized by

Yesterday we went to Sacramento to Clinic. Barclay is doing well but still has to stay on the Steroids and the new immunosuppressant. I was hoping the doctor would take him off but not yet.

I didn’t go in with him but instead went over to the Trader Joes for more stockpiling. This time I did some frozen food, teas, snacks, and wine. Then I sat in the car and read on my iPad. It’s always so busy down there I was glad to just sit it out.

Today, I’m not going to the gym but have to go smog the VW.  We didn’t walk either so maybe I’ll walk later in the park or use our exercise bike. ( It’s my daughters but we all use it occasionally).

It’s supposed to be lovely the next couple of days and then SNOW???? What the heck is up with that. To go from 70 degrees to 32 in a few days??? Weird.

 

Midweek Musings

Posted in cancer, cooking, MDS, medicare, simple foods, Uncategorized by

We had a nice drive to Sacramento yesterday for B’s clinic appt. Traffic moved fairly well thru the usual difficult areas( where I -80 merges to Business 80) and the downtown area.  His appt went well and the good news is they have reduced his Tacrolimus to every other day. This is the biggest drug that targets keeping at bay Graft vs Host. So we need to watch for any flare-ups but the NP was pretty confident that this is the time to start. So that means maybe by February he can go off Noxafil which is the Tier 5 that we are holding on to paying the Cobra for. Actually, with the plan set to restart in January, we’re not sure if the Cobra co-pay will reset( I’m assuming it will) and that means, well, I’m not sure how much the co-pay will so that’s a big question mark.

We are set up with Plan D medicare for him but that’s not what we’ll use as that immediately goes to Tier 5 and the 25% start. So way to much $. I guess we will just need to wait and see how it plays out. I’m hoping we can drop the Cobra by March.

After clinic we went to Trader Joes and OMG it was a madhouse. I almost walked right back out. But we managed thru and I got what we needed for Christmas( fondue, and ham) and lots of good food( french fries, they have the best frozen) and other things including TJ’s wine!

We stopped for a pizza slice and then headed home.

Today is a gym day. And then I need to hit Home depot for a bulb for my salt lamp.  Then home to bake some more cookies and maybe make the fudge.

Tonight is a new recipe for a spinach pie. One of the very few memories I have of my mother and this was not when I was young but @ 16, she made a spinach pie that was like a pizza. My sister doesn’t remember it so I’ve been trying to recreate it. This recipe calls for ricotta so maybe that’s what she used.

I’ll update after it’s done and give a review.

 

Simple Sunday

Posted in cooking, Flylady, simple foods, Uncategorized by

A calm and rainy day ahead. Rain is indicated for most of today but at least it’s not too cold yet. We managed a walk in the park yesterday between storms and it was pleasant. I’m not used to being there in the late morning so things looked different:)

Yesterday, the baking bug hit and I made some chocolate chip cookies, the dough for sugar cookies( in the refrigerator now) then I prepped dinner, which was chicken with mushrooms and finally assembled two casseroles of enchiladas for tonight’s dinner.

 

The week ahead is not too busy. B has clinic on Tuesday and then after that, we’re going to shop Trader Joes. I plan to do Costco later in the week.  I plan o getting what we need for Christmas dinner. Our tradition is fondue Christmas eve and then cheese lasagna Christmas day.

60455E5D-6548-4017-B8FE-95F6378392A4.jpeg

B5AD247D-08C5-43C9-BE6E-4D5290B35B47.jpeg

0BA53772-2A48-4FDE-A688-E735CA59946E.jpeg

Today is a gym day.

Plus it’s the kitchen zone for those that follow Flylady.  I’ll do some today and some tomorrow. It’s raining so no walk this morning.

Simple Sunday

Posted in cooking, Uncategorized by

Well, it has been a very involved week.

From last Monday when we decided to switch to UCD because it will be in network for the transplant to today when I went to Trader Joe’s.

I haven’t been to TJ’s in a while and there were some specific things I wanted. I read that their mahi-mahi burgers were very good, so I got some of those and lots of other things I’d been keeping a list of.

B had a platelet transfusion and my daughter went and picked him up as I was still down the hill as they say.

It’s supposed to rain off and on all week. I hope that changes as I’m completely done with rainy weather.

This week is the living room zone for those of you following Flylady. I did most everything in about 10 minutes. Last week I had washed the couch covers so they are fresh. I vacuumed yesterday so I’ll do that tomorrow. I like to vacuum every other day.

Dinner is a new recipe of green chile chicken. I’ll bake that not use the IP and have coleslaw on the side.

th.jpg One of my favorite quotes!

No Results yet…

Posted in Blood test, cancer, Uncategorized by

So we are incredibly disappointed by the non results. B got a call from the nurse at 4:30 yesterday with the news that the biopsy sample was inadequate. WTF???? The doctor said it was a good marrow sample. So now we’re in limbo again till something else is scheduled.

He will go in for another transfusion as his platelets are very low. So as long as this can stabilize him till the next appt. Right now we have a pretty good idea that it’s MDS but without a biopsy confirming it’s still unknown.

He’s worked from home most of this week so at least that’s good. Next week will be the same as he shouldn’t go out in crowds too much. We might try and go out for a coffee date but we’ll see.

We did go to Trader Joes and did a huge grocery shop so that will last at least 2 weeks.  A few things we bought that we’re fun is their Candy Cane green tea! Go get some!!! It was delicious. Plus I did get some frozen meal items to make some evenings just a little easier.

Sunday night is the first night of Hanukkah. I plan on making latkes and using my homemade applesauce.  Of course, we are not Jewish, but any excuse to have candles is ok by me.

It’s a rainy Saturday and a snowy one in the Sierras. My daughter is driving up today and I suspect it will take a while. She got home fine last night without any delay.

I think I’m making Breakfast for dinner but not sure.

Labs still great!!

Posted in Blood test, Myeloma, Uncategorized by

Saw the oncologist yesterday and all is well in henrydavidthoreau1-2xmyelomaville.

My Labs are almost identical to last time so that’s a relief. I’ll have labs in 6 weeks and then 6 weeks after that and then have an appointment with him.

Very exciting to still be doing well and in remission.

We went to Trader Joes after the appointment and stocked up on lots of goodies. I even bought a couple of frozen pizzas just so when on some Friday night pizza I don’t feel like making it. I also bought a cauliflower crust to try for a gluten-free one.  I stocked up on a few spices I needed and olives ,tomato sauce, and nuts.

I do wish there was a TJ’s closer, but since we’re coming back from Sacramento, it’s right off the freeway so quite convenient.

I might go to the gym since yesterday I didn’t go but I may just stay home and putter around. I have some sweet potatoes cooking for lunches or dinners. Plus I made a small chopped veggie tray for snacking.

Tonight is pizza night.

Just keepWalking update

Posted in just keep walking project, Uncategorized, Walking by

We’re at the end of the year so, it’s 6 months from June 1 when the new walking year started. That’s 3 1/2 years of walking every single day with intention.  These past few days it has been 27 degrees and that is pretty darn cold to walk in at 6:30 am.  I finished the year (almost the end of the year) at  900 miles. I was trying to get 1000  miles in that the lady from Britain challenged. But I was still 100 miles short. Next year!!

I saw my oncologist today, and he was sick with a cold so we stayed apart.  And no physical exam which I don’t need anyway, but it was good to touch base. He said everything looked good and he’d order labs for 8 weeks. That’s a little long for my comfort range but we’ll see.  Actually, after I read the clinical summary, he put them at 6 weeks. I think he wasn’t really thinking clearly. That’s okay.  Then I’d see him again in February. I think if my labs look good I’ll cancel that and ask for labs again 6 weeks after that. I think that’s what he wanted but got mixed up especially since his computer wouldn’t boot up and his head was stuffy.

Then we hit Trader Joes for salad stuff, got the paint for the front room, and then stopped at Costco to return something.

All in all a good day.

It’s taco Tuesday.

Wednesday news

Posted in Uncategorized by

So out Internet hasn’t been working , it’s frustrating. Tonight we are switching over to u verse.I hope  this makes the difference. we will see. 

So ,back from my monthly oncologists  and everything looks good. I get my SPEP test back next week. That is the big marker so ……otherwise we were out of there in record time.

then we went to trader joes and that was fun. Bought too much, but I figure part of this is camping food and my son will be home alone ,so he needs some stuff too. 

I’m heading out for my walk right now. I’m up to 17 days in a row. Not bad.