Throughout 2013, I had done so well with my focus on eating right, but during the month of December that all fell to the waistline waist side. Too much holiday indulgence (sweets) and way too many bad carbs after months of not eating bread and I feel so sluggish. Even though I do this to myself every December, I forgive myself and I vow to begin eating right once again immediately.
For New Year’s Eve, we will visiting some old friends for a potluck party to ring in the new year. I’ll bring some healthy dishes like Mini Caprese Salad Skewers and grapes for good luck. My friends grumble over the grapes every time I force them to gulp them down, but I’ll take my chances with them over the promise of good luck. While watching Rocking New Year’s with seconds before the ball drops in Times Square, my family and I eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, a Spanish custom that promises a month of good fortune with eat grape.
Then on New Year’s Day, we’ll start 2014 off right with our traditional New Year’s Day meal, a pot of lentil soup. This tradition was passed onto my mom by her best friend. Supposedly, lentil (coins) with a bit of green such as spinach brings a promise of wealth in the new year.
Recently, Iron Chef Allan and I have been shopping more and more at Whole Foods. Since we buy organic meats, organic produce, organic spices and other natural items, it makes sense to buy those items there since there is a wider variety than Publx. Sometimes the prices are comparable to Publix and thankfully, we’re not seeing a jump in our grocery expenses. But like everything else, the key is you really have to know your prices as to not exceed your budget. Plus, Whole Foods accepts coupons manufacturer coupons and also provides their own store coupons online.
One of the items we recently discovered to be cheaper than Publix was the chicken drummettes. Whole Foods sells the organic drummettes for a dollar less a pound than Publix. And since we love Buffalo wings, that was a great find for us, especially during football season. I also found nitrate free chorizo sausage which means I don’t have to make an extra trip to Target. Saving money and time makes me happy.
Here’s what’s on our dinner menu for the week:
S – Grilled Buffalo Chicken Wings with Low Fat Blue Cheese Cole Slaw
Meatless Monday – Roasted Veggies with Arugula and Asiago Flatbread
T –New Year’s Eve Potluck Party
W – Lentil and Spinach Soup with a Mixed Greens Salad
Th – Chicken and Chorizo Paella
F – Leftovers
Here’s to lots of luck, health, wealth and good fortune to you and yours in 2014!
How will you be ringing in the New Year? What are some of your New Year’s customs? What dinner meals are you pinning and planning this week?
Saving money makes me happy, too! It’s always tricky to balance that when you’re shopping for high quality food. Enjoy your New Year’s Eve! I’ve heard of the grape tradition before but never tried it.
Did you give the grapes a go this year?
I love that idea about the grapes! I am totally doing that this year. The chicken chorizo paella looks great.
Did you eat 12 grapes at midnight? I love that tradition.
Oh – now I can’t wait to make the mini caprese salad skewers!!!
I might make them for our annual NYE party!!!
I’ve never heard of the grapes – maybe I should have a large bowl on hand and see how many people know about the tradition!!
Did you make the mini caprese salad skewers? Were they a hit at your party? My friends love them!
Did you do the grapes too?
We do the grapes thing too! It’s such a fun little tradition, but the hardest part is remembering to do it amongst all the drinking and celebrating right at midnight.
I completely slacked over the holidays with my eating too! My latino relatives spoiled me rotten with fried foods and sweets, and we went to the theme parks too, which wasn’t good for my dieting either. At least we can start fresh after the holidays are over.
UGH! Slacking off is the worst. I’m paying for it now. Oh well. New year and a new me!
The trick with the grapes is to set them up about an hour before so you don’t forget. I hate rushing in the last 15 minutes to pass out grapes. lol
Those mini caprese salad skewers look deeeeelish!!! I”m definitely making those! Looks like you’ve got a tasty menu planned for the week!
Let me know how they turned out for you and if they were a hit. 🙂
Way to go finding a deal on your favorite organic foods! I am obsessive about keeping track of which bulk bins at the stores I frequent regularly have the best deals. Our local health food store can be pretty pricey, but their bulk stuff is very reasonable (especially spices) and lots of people use it so I know it’s fresh.
Yes, I typically shop organic in bulk. I love the Farmer’s markets for that same reason.
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