So after my last trip to the grocery store I had to ask myself was I doing all I could to keep our grocery bill down.

Our grocery bill has actually increased since we made some food decision choices.

I love to save money as much as the next person but certain dietary choices have limited my ability to be one of those who can come out of the grocery store paying $12 for $150 work of groceries.

Here are some our family food choices…

• We buy hormone and antibiotic free milk and eggs The brands I buy I sometimes can find a coupon for but not always and I have big milk drinkers.
• We recently started buying grass fed beef and my husband LOVES beef.
• We eat free range chicken and turkey…also costs more.
• I’m allergic to soy so that drops A LOT off of our grocery store choices.  Since it would be more expensive to buy items containing lecithin and other soy additives for the family and separate items for me we all eat the same items which do cost more when you remove additives…go figure.
• Here’s the real killer to our grocery bill. We watch a lot of America’s Test Kitchen and have become a bit of snobs in some cooking areas.

Ways I try to reduce the grocery bill…

• Use coupons when I can. Personal care items and some snack foods.
• Growing what I can in a very small space. So far I haven’t had to buy lettuce this summer and tomatoes and potatoes will soon be here.
• I make all of our breads and baked goods, birthday cakes included (hobby so the family is taking advantage). I’m trying to talk myself into making our crackers and snacky foods too.
• Some household products I can find at lower prices online. And I always try to look for free shipping.

And then I read these posts and didn’t feel so bad…

How I Came to Peace With My Grocery Bill

How to Lower Your Grocery Bill By Not Following My Example

The drawings are just so cute I had to give them free publicity. Two young homeschool graduate sisters have created a small series of paperdolls based on vintage Christian characters.  Darling artwork and hours of old fashioned play your young lady would be sure to enjoy.

Noble Rose Press

Well I have tomatoes. Tons of them. And I also have tomato end blossom rot.

Having followed the manufactures instructions of introducing 2 cups of lime per pot I can only assume that the heavy rains we had in May and early June might be contributing factors.

Sigh!

I picked up some Tomato Bloom Spray and I’ve been using that to see if I can abate the problem.

It is very irritating to see a beautiful tomato growing and then go out the next day and find the ends brown.

I’m trying not to be too bent out of shape and just keep notes for next year. There are some lovely tomatoes besides the unsightly ones but…Ugh!

Anyway here is my tomato collage, before I noticed all the ROT! for your viewing pleasure.

Tomato Collage

Oh yes I did change the blog template! I could not resist this darling template. I have to write the creator or something but it is so bright and cheerful! And the bottom part is so cute! Do scroll down and check it out!