Frugal Accomplishments Second Week of February

This past week we did pretty well, budget wise.  We had two sick in our house, but we were able to recover at home using things we had.  We were also able to take advantage of some items from the food pantry and the super doubles at Harris Teeter, so our fridge, pantry, and freezer are nicely stocked.

• All meals were made at home including broccoli and ham quiche, creamy pumpkin coconut chai soup (I subbed canned coconut milk for the cream), salads, roasted veggies with turkey bacon and eggs, taco bowls with ground beef and shredded squash and cilantro lime slaw, banana white chocolate muffins, chocolate and orange zest almond flour muffins, and homemade pizza with pesto, ham, sauteed spinach, and dried tomatoes.
• We shared a takeout meal with my mom, which was nice.  It was a little disappointment because the restaurant didn't package the hot chicken separate from the salad, so the salad was wilted and ruined... but we made it work by steaming some broccoli instead.  It was a reminder that often, eating at home is still simpler than takeout even, and of course cheaper.
• Spent about $50 at Harris Teeter, but saved $80.  I purchased five packages of chicken sausages, four packages of flour tortillas, four cans of refried beans, two cartons of coconut milk, two cans of coconut milk, unsweetened cranberry juice, cabbage, asparagus, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, and three packages of diapers.  This will be the bulk of our grocery shopping this month.  (See the previous entry to see how we'll use these things in our menu.)
• Treated the boys to lunch at Chick-Fil-A with a $5 gift card I had.  This was a reward for doing well on errands and having a good day after being sick and down for several days.
• Washed and reused ziploc bags and produce bags.  Used brown paper bags for cooking bacon in the microwave, instead of paper towels.
• Washed laundry in cold water and hung to dry.  Continued with cloth diaper use.
• Saved some compost for the chickens.  Enjoyed 18 fresh eggs this week for our work with them.
• Started feeling rough myself, so I emailed my integrative medicine doctor and will pick up a refill on a supplement this afternoon, saving the cost of a visit.
• Treated the boys for illness at home with pedialyte popsicles, hot tea with honey, essential oils, rest, and Tylenol for fever.  The oldest seemed to have it the worst, but little one's snotty nose holds on still.
• Benny was able to work a little longer on Saturday, so I kept the boys at home after running a few errands.  It was good for him to be able to get these extra hours and to check off a few things on his work list.
• Updated my bulk spice order list.  We will probably need to place this order within the next month.
• Benny contacted another land owner in the neighborhood we're looking at.  We're hoping to hear back from them this week.  If we don't, we've got one more course of action before we give up on this dream.
• Located the door we need for the basement apartment at Lowe's.  Will look online for a coupon or discounted gift card to save some money on that.
• Used blankets and wool socks when I got cold, rather than turning the heat up.  We did have the gas logs on on particularly cold days to offset the electrical heat.

What did you do to live and save green this past week?  I'd love to hear from you!