Back into the Groove

Monday morning and it was back to normal for us after our few days away.  After cobbling together meals over the weekend, I finally got around to doing some food shopping, as although our cupboards weren't exactly bare, we didn't have all the things we needed for our usual lunches and for the meals on this month's menu plan. I could have changed things around a little, but as most of the food was in freezer, I didn't have the foresight to get anything out and defrost it. Never mind, we survived regardless.

I hotfooted it back to Waitrose to do the shopping again this week, despite the disastrous pick up a couple of weeks before, as I had another £16 off a £75 shop voucher to use.  This time, however, rather than order online and collect, I went and did my shopping in person. It took a while, as I'm not that familiar with the layout of Waitrose stores, but  I made sure I had a good look around, as they have quite a good selection of organic food.

Quite a few extras did find their way into the trolley, as they often do when I go to a new to me store, mainly because they had some good offers on, but most of these were things I needed in the very near future and some were alternatives that I've not seen anywhere else, so they weren't exactly non-essentials.

Although it's no longer Stoptober, I'm trying to keep to the same mindset of only buying essentials, rather than splashing out just because I now can and am no longer doing a challenge.  I no longer want to be as spendy as I used to be a few months ago.  Fortunately, any leftover money this month will be spent on buying Christmas presents, so once again, I won't be getting back into a habit of regularly treating myself if I've got spare cash.  I will be treating others instead.  I think if I can hold off spending on me until the New Year, I might allow myself a little splurge in the January sales if there is anything I see that I like or need.

(Apologies for this photo being upside down, my camera/picture folder is being a bit tempramental)

On a thriftier note, I picked up some bargain seeds in my shop, namely these 5 packets of Organic Little Gem lettuce seeds at 19p per pack.  They need to be sown by 2017, so well within date and useful to put in the allotment next spring.  How could I resist for that price. I bought the lot.

I made sure to claim my free newspaper, so OH was pleased to get an unexpected treat of his favourite daily.

I also picked up this recipe card for Apple and Blackberry Crumble Muffins.  The ingredients seem very simple and I have almost all of them in my store cupboard and freezer. I also have lots of bags of crumble mix I got from Approved Foods and can use up for the topping.  I may, however, be a bit more indulgent and drizzle them with chocolate instead of fondant icing.

And finally, I found another interesting use for crumble mix in the free Waitrose Food magazine, namely Mince Pies with spiced orange crumble topping.  I may try this recipe too. I'll let you know how I get on, if and when I get around to making either of these recipes..

I'll be shopping there again next week all being well, in order to use the final voucher I was sent.  I have to use it by Sunday, so I may do my weekly shopping a day early to take advantage.  I'm afraid I am a terribly fickle shopper and go where any vouchers I might have can be used.  Does anyone else do the same?