First, as a reminder:

The Plan: No spending from Saturday until the following Saturday. Cash in wallet can only be used in a true emergency.

What Happened: On Saturday, the kids and I hit two stores and got most of the stuff we needed. I had trouble finding the pork shoulder that was to comprise two of this weeks meals. In the end, I didn’t end up buying quite everything we needed on Saturday.

On Tuesday, after consulting with Twitter experts, I discovered that pork butt could be used (apparently, the butt can be part of the shoulder … in a pig, at least) and I knew where to find that. We never found the taco shells I wanted for Friday’s dinner (it’s hard to locate ones without those partially hydrogenated ingredients that I avoid). But that’s okay, because we ended up ordering pizza last night.

While I didn’t go overboard with spending, I did not limit spending to Saturday as I have in previous weeks. And due to an event tomorrow, I will be hitting up the grocery store for some supplies tonight too.

As far as My Spending Diet goes, I was totally off the wagon this week.

Spending: My spending remained down this week. Coupons helped keep costs to a minimum, but I feel like I have less of a handle on my spending since I didn’t limit it as I have in previous weeks.

What’s Next: My Saturday shop will be on Sunday this week. It’s also spring break for us this week. Rather than stressing myself out about adhering strictly to the rules, I am going to lighten up this week and budget for some fun. Also, my focus is shifting: I just want to spend less … so next Friday may focus more on cost-cutting measures.

Cost Cutting for This Week: I plan to use coupons again this week to cut costs and also shop the sale fliers. I want to focus our meals on more inexpensive options, while keeping with our passion for good food. It can be done. For activities, I am going to look into free options but not limit us to them. After all, I want my kids to enjoy life and sometimes really fun things do cost money.

Photo credit: mconnors from morguefile.com

So, what was it? Starbucks has just launched Via, an instant coffee. Yea, I know. You are probably smacking your lips in disgust and shaking your head. I have some wonderful memories of traveling in Europe that are dotted with drinking way too much horrific NesCafe instant coffee … blech. It had this burnt, dirty taste that still makes me cringe.

The strange thing was that when I tried the Via, I actually liked it. It won’t replace the brewed coffee that my husband makes me every morning (thanks, honey!) and it won’t stop me from occasionally feeding my nonfat Caramel Macchiato habit. But it’s good and I wouldn’t hesitate to make it when Shawn forgets to brew me coffee once in a while.

Back to the event. It was held at Craftbar – one of Tom Colicchio’s New York spots. Sadly, I didn’t see Tom, but believe me, I looked. I have a huge chef-crush on that man. Seriously. That smile …

I digress.

The food, which came straight from the Craftbar menu, was out of this world. The mixed greens salad might have looked simple, but the shallot vinaigrette was extraordinary. I want that recipe (Tom, dear, would you send it over? If only it were that simple). I don’t even know that I can adequately describe the flavor — it was slightly sweet, full and salty, in a very good way. I could have stopped eating there and been a very happy woman … but I am glad I didn’t.

For my entree, I had Fried Organic Chicken, Collard Greens, Watermelon and Picholine Olive. If you read New York Magazine with any bit of regularity, you probably know that fried chicken is the “it” food of the moment in New York. Well, I can tell you that this chicken was to die for … Every crunch just screamed with flavor. If I was at home, I would have happily picked up the bones and sucked every bit of breading off. It was just so good.

And dessert … oh, dessert. Olive Oil Cake, Black Mission Fig, Rosemary Ice Cream, Pine Nuts … Swoon. First off, I have never had figs before. Heck, I have avoided them. When I think fig, I think Newton’s and they aren’t my fav. So, I just don’t do it … except today. When it arrived, I nervously took a bite. Then another. Then another. Turns out I happen to love figs. Who knew? As if that’s not enough, the rosemary ice cream tasted of fresh rosemary just plucked from the home garden — and I love that flavor. And the pine nuts? Salted and lovely. The cake was lovely too.

Tuesday: Advice for New Bloggers

Wednesday: Cheddar Bacon Twice Baked Potatoes

Thursday: Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

Friday: Fish for Friday

Monday: Beefy Baked Ziti

Tuesday: Advice for New Bloggers and Fun with Pesto

Wednesday: Tenderizing Steak

Thursday: Baby Spinach Salad with Candied Almonds

Friday: Creamy Spinach with Ricotta