Grocery Shopping Trip & A Little More Conviction

*Please bare with me while I try to get my thoughts out in written words*

I have discussed before the conviction that the Lord has placed upon me to try and be a lot more frugal in the area of grocery shopping (you can read the original post HERE).  Ok, well, that was only step #1 in His plan, I think...

While my learning to be frugal has served it's purpose very well in the lean financial times of which my family is currently facing, I think the Lord is calling me to take it one step further. Yesterday at church I sat and listened to stories of human suffering, starvation, martyrization, and anguish of human beings in foreign countries.  I have heard stories similar to these before, as I'm sure you have as well, but what in the world have I tried to do about it?  Ok, we have our one missionary that we've supported monthly for the past 8 years, but in the grand scheme of things, whoopty-freaking-do.  I've really been making a huge sacrifice, haven't I?

So, once again I have this huge conviction upon my heart, and I am asking the Lord for discernment on what I need to do about it...what action am I going to take?  Adopt a few more missionaries, adopt a few children from the children's home, send more money to an organization, save money to go on a mission trip?  The possibilities are endless when it comes to the work of the Lord!  I want to make sure that I am using the money that I am saving in the *right* way so that it will have the most impact to bring all glory and honor to God.

On to the nitty gritty of my shopping trip...I'm back from HEB where I purchased most of the things that I will need this week to cook what's on my menu plan.

Here's a break down of what I purchased and the day's meal that it corresponds to (a few items I am going to pick up at Brookshire Bros, I've highlighted those so you can differentiate):

Mon - Sausage links $2.99 ea - on sale BOGO, carrots .79, celery $1.37, pears .99/lb, grapes $1.47/lb, mushrooms 2/$3, onions .79/lb

Tues - Whole chickens on sale for .88/lb (I bought 2 birds; one for $3.32, one for $4.02), broccoli $1.88

Thurs - Pork Chops - on sale for $1.47/lb, sweet potatoes on sale for .89/lb 

Fri - Beef (in the freezer, bought this on sale a few weeks ago), red bell peppers .99 ea, 

apples .88/lb

I know this looks kind of crazy and hard to follow, but the point is that I am saving a ton of money at the grocery store by planning my menu according to what is on sale at the grocery store.  All in all, I spent $27.72 (I didn't list everything that I purchased)!!  

To see my menu plan for this week, click HERE.

HEB ~ my new love & a little about why I'm doing this!

First of all, let me just say that when we lived in Dallas, I fell in love with Central Market.  After we moved back to Fairfield, I made frequent trips back to Dallas and CM was always one of my stops.  If you've ever been there, you know why I love it so much.  If you've not been there, it's worth it to stop by and browse the store!  

I never really cared one way or the other about shopping at an HEB, after all, they set the standard pretty high for themselves when they started opening up CM's (they are owned by the same company).  About a year and a half ago I ventured into an HEB in Waco (the one by the new Target).  Ahhh, I had found something very similar to the CM I had grown to love (I also came to realize what a pitiful excuse for an HEB the one in Mexia was)!

It does sadden me, however, that I generally have to settle for shopping at the HEB in Corsicana (albeit a touch better than the Mexia one).  How I long for the day when Podunkville will have a "big" HEB!

One reason I *love* HEB ~ uh, their sales!  Were you surprised by that statement?  If you are a fellow HEB lover, start following their weekly ads and you will see what I mean.  

This week, Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops (the big, fat juicy ones!) are on sale for $1.99/lb.  I picked up a package with 8 chops in it (about 3.89 lbs.) for $7.74.  That's roughly 96 cents per chop!  Tonight, we grilled some of the pork chops and had squash and okra from the garden. The three of us ate dinner for about $3!!

So, why I have I become this person that keeps talking about sales and good deals and bargains?  I am striving to be a good steward of the resources that the Lord has given us.  

The area of "grocery shopping" is one place that the Lord has really revealed to me that I can do such a better job, not just with the money aspect, but all that goes along with feeding and nurturing my family...having a menu plan allows us to eat more nutritiously, spending more time together as a family, modeling good eating habits for Lindsay... and the list goes on.

I have "met" some pretty cool people through blogs, discussions groups, and the like in my quest to become a better steward.  The Lord has opened up so many doors for me in my journey.  I am excited to see where all of this is leading as the Lord continues to teach and guide me in this crazy life I have been blessed with!!