That Mrs. HB. I love her. And all the quirky discussions we have. After a nice 4 mile walk around the harbor last week we decided to pop by Costco. She drove. Because she knows I pretty much dislike driving anywhere with a passion.
Yada yada yada… after pulling into the parking lot she said she needed to down a “Protein Pack” before going into Costco {because you know, shopping while you’re hungry is a no no}.
I was like… What is a protein pack?
And then she showed me the bag.
I rolled my eyes.
Because now trail mix is called a protein pack? Sweet gravy. Remember when we were kids trail mix was called gorp? And then we got into this big discussion while we were in her car about what gorp is. She thinks it had granola in it. I remember it as peanuts, m&m’s and raisins and the only time you ate it was when you were on a camping trip {or hiking}. I made a point not to ask Mr. Google about it for clarification because somethings are better left to our memories.
Those Costco coupons. Do you still tear them out and bring them to the store even though they really aren’t coupons anymore and don’t need to be scanned? Clearly when the flyer came in the mail I was planning on dropping big bucks on snacks and a coat. Once I got to the store though and started adding up the prices of the items I changed my mind.
Mrs. HB said I was talking too long and decided to get us some hot drinks. Seriously. Have you tried the coffee/hot chocolate machine in the food court yet? THE HOT CHOCOLATE is divine. I don’t know what sort of chemical goodness they put in there but it’s so creamy and has just a hint of marshmallow and I think you should totally get a cup of hot chocolate the next time you are there. I think it tastes way better than Starbucks. 
Free samples rule!
Costco $40.84
Snack foods will kill a budget… every.single.time.
Fred Meyer $23.27
Milk was on sale for $1.79 a gallon and for like the third time this year I totally regretted by grape purchase. I even gave them a squeeze before leaving the store and they seemed firm. The next day they were totally soft. 🙁 I think I’m done buying grapes.
Amazon Subscribe and Save $10.79
Anyone know how much this sells for at Costco? I was thinking it was around $15 or so. Which is really weird because Amazon had it for $10.79 shipped last month.
Some of the meals I made last week:
We had roast chicken one night and homemade chicken soup the next.
The best pot roast I’ve ever had {recipe coming tomorrow}.
I harvested more tomatoes than we could eat so I tossed them in the dehydrator.
I also used a ZayconFresh turkey breast and served it with corn and potatoes on another night and then made a turkey pot pie for the next night with the leftovers.
It was a good week with lots of simple, homemade goodness. Nothing too exciting. 😉 I think I’ll pop over to Winco later this week and stock up on fruits, vegetables and a few pantry staples I need and then call it good for a few weeks. Soup and biscuit season is here! I’m excited.
How about YOU? Did you buy anything exciting this past week?
~Mavis
Total Spent Last Week $74.90
Total Spent in January on Groceries $202.99
Total Spent in February on Groceries $143.94
Total Spent in March on Groceries $183.35
Total Spent in April on Groceries $205.67
Total Spent on Groceries in May $248.60
Total Spent on Groceries in June $147.47
Total Spent on Groceries in July $293.63
Total Spent on Groceries in August $117.29
Total Spent on Groceries in September $172.91
************
Total Spent in January on Take Out, Date Nights, and Bakery Treats $42.19
Total Spent in February on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $118.45
Total Spent in March on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $25.29
Total Spent in April on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $62.50
Total Spent in May on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $54.52
Total Spent in June on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $119.15
Total Spent in July on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $12.45
Total Spent in July on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $0
Total Spent in August on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $212.67
Total Spent in September on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $132.50
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UpstateNYer says
I am surprised you did not encourage your friend to make her own protein bag at home. 🙂
Mrs.HB says
I usually do but out working one day and reached for it and HB Boy had depleted my stash. So I bought some:(
Bethleen says
Do you mean Amazon Subscribe and save rather than Costco s & s?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes. Amazon subscribe and save.
AJ says
As a Girl Scout, I was told that “gorp” stood for “Good Old Raisins and Peanuts.” So I guess your description of it as raisins, peanuts, and M&Ms was probably right! 😉
Kristina says
YMCA camper here, and we said the same!
Libby says
Part of the over 50 crowd and in Girl Scouts was the same definition as AJ. Adding M&Ms was a special treat.
Reminds me of drinking “bug juice” at camp!
Linda M says
Me too….G.O.R.P>………good ole raisins and peanuts!
Jamie says
I had the same experience with the green grapes at Fred Meyer this week. The red ones were good though. I’ve had great ones from Safeway a couple weeks ago!
Carrie Council says
When I was in Girl Scouts GORP would include anything left over (pretzels, cheeze-its, cereal) mixed with raisins and peanuts. There is potential for some odd combos but it was usually pretty good and more like chex mix than a typical raisin, nuts, m&m trail mix.
Also, grapes usually last 2 weeks before going soft and growing mold. I usually taste one before committing to buying. 🙂
Barb says
You could dehydrate the grapes for raisins.
Joanna says
I am a sucker for a good pot roast recipe, so I am eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s post. 🙂
Teri says
Yep I remember GORP just like you. Way cheaper to make than buy 🙂
sindy says
To make your grapes firm again You need to try this with your grapes. Wash them and then wrap the bundle in a wet paper towel. Put in frig. Next day they should be delicious. You just need to consume them faster. Works every time for me.
Marcia says
I went gluten free a few months ago, and a regular daily snack for me is “protein mix”, aka:
mixed nuts or peanuts, purchased in bulk at Costco or sprouts
chocolate chips from sprouts bulk bins
raisins
I have this 3-4 times a week.
Candy C. says
Goodness! $40 for snack food. I spent $40 this week on 3 english roasts (to can_each one fits in a qt jar.piece of onion on bottom,1 TBLSP onion soup mix on top and cover w/hot water..process 90min for pot roast on demand), a good sized pork loin, 5#carrots (to can) large carton of cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and 2#butter. You can pop your own corn, or mix your own trail mix. Your budget will thank you. Don’t mean to be critical. Was just amazed though. Snack food adds up, huh?
constance munoz says
the coffee at Costco in that machine is bomb-sometimes I have hubby take me and pull up just to run and get a coffee there, the hazelnut my favorite, last year they had a pumpkin one during the holidays, hopefully this year also:)
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m not sure if Mrs. HB is a flavored coffee drinker but I will tell her. Thanks!
Mrs.HB says
Nope black with two creams ….. no sweet tooth here… that is with coffee.;)
Jamie says
I have never noticed a hot chocolate machine in Costco before and I frequent four different one regularly in the Seattle area. Where should I be looking and what does it look like? My kids love good hot chocolate!
Mavis Butterfield says
The food court area by the vending machines. This post has a few pictures of the machine. https://www.stage.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/mrs-hb-checks-in-with-an-early-september-update/