Today I celebrated two things having to do with beans.
First – I cooked dried beans for the first time. Go me! I’m going to use them tomorrow, but I went ahead and cooked them today.
Second – It’s Basil’s birthday! My little guy turned FOUR today 
We often call him Basil Beans, Beansies and Beanerean-o. I took him to PetSmart after work and got him something I’m sure Tina would approve of.
Basil just finished his “dessert” and is now trying to tear the eyes out of the carrot toy before his sugar coma sets in.
Basil thinks the world revolves around him, so according to him, every day is his birthday!
This morning I started my day with a big glass of “orange” juice.
- 3 oranges – $1.50
- 1 apple – $0.34
- 1/2 English cucumber – $.50
- 1 red bell pepper – $.96
Total cost: $1.65/glass
I left my breakfast eats from yesterday at the office, so I just repeated it again, but added another fruit to the mix. Gosh darn, I love plucots!
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt – $1.00
- 1 tbsp walnuts – $0.40
- 1/2 cup strawberries – $.50
- 1 plucot – $0.76
Total cost: $2.66
I was a good girl and brought my lunch – a nice big salad with avocado. I love avocado at lunch because it fills me up real quick and lasts through the afternoon.
- 1/4 head lettuce – $0.50
- 1/2 avocado – $0.75
- 1 tbsp goat cheese – $0.37
- 2 artichoke hearts – $0.50
- sunflower seeds – free (someone left them at my house a few months ago)
- salmonella egg – free from my co-worker
Total cost: $2.12
A lot cheaper than my $5.00 sandwich from yesterday, right? When I was looking at my receipt to figure out the cost of my avocado, I realized that I payed way more for them this time at Costco than I have in the past. If I would have looked at the sign first instead of just automatically putting it in the cart, I would have realized that I could have gotten them cheaper at Trader Joes. Lesson learned – watch out for prices at Costco because they do vary often!
This afternoon I had two separate snacks. First I had a piece of chocolate like yesterday. Then, we had a showing at our house after work, so I grabbed an apple to tie me over until I was able to come back home and start dinner.
Total cost: $0.82
So, what I made yesterday for dinner was inspired by something I sampled at Trader Joe’s a while back – I think they’re called Marsala burgers? They’re in the frozen section. I considered buying them, but after looking at the easy ingredient list and being inspired by the “Cleaner Life Month” challenge, I thought I’d try making them at home instead. I didn’t want to experiment yesterday, hence my thrown in a bowl meal, but as I was cooking, I thought of how I could turn the leftovers into a burger or patty of sorts.
Voila!
I coarsley chopped last night’s leftovers in my mini food processor, then added some shredded zucchini and carrot to the mix. To make them stick, I added a tiny bit of whole wheat breadcrumbs, vital wheat gluten, and water. I would have used an egg, but I didn’t have any at home. But that’s okay, because this way they were vegan!
I made three patties out of my leftovers. They weren’t super sticky, so I very carefully browned them in a tiny bit of oil in a pan. I took the one that stayed together the best and made it to a burger topped with a schmear of Greek yogurt, lettuce, and onion. Delish. Some kale chips on the side, and I had my own version of a burger and fries!
- 1/3 last night’s leftovers – $0.52
- 1 hamburger bun – $0.37
- 1/4 bunch kale – $0.57
- zucchini & carrot – $0.10
Total cost: $1.56
Dinner was pretty filling, but I was craving something sweet. I had some cherries I was dying to dig into, so I pitted some of those and then topped them with the raw chocolate syrup I saw on this post of Gena’s. It took a little work to get the cocoa dissolved in the agave nectar, but it was sooooooooooooooooooooooo worth it!
I made half the amount of what you’ll find on her post and it was just enough for one serving. I am totally going to do that sauce more often!
Total cost: $0.83
July 7th total: $9.64
Not a whole lot less than yesterday, but I feel like I ate a lot more. I guess I’m okay with that total!
One question before I go. The beans I made tonight are black beans that I bought a while back. I have NO idea what I paid for them and don’t feel like going to my local store to figure it out. I know prices vary throughout the country, but anybody know what they would pay for black beans out of the bulk section? If you have a price per pound, or know what 1 cup of dried beans might run me, please let me know! Thank you and good night!
Posted by Sarah on July 7, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I’m dying laughing at your hunt for bean prices.
Your dog and my man are hot birthday boys.
Mmm…salmonella egg…
Posted by Janie on July 8, 2009 at 4:38 am
I’m in VA, but I usually pay around $1.00 a pound for black beans. Sometimes it will be as low as $0.89, depends. Hope that helps!
Happy Birthday Basil:)
Posted by eatingbirdfood on July 8, 2009 at 5:03 am
Happy b-day to basil! Love his b-day presents.
Posted by Shelby on July 8, 2009 at 5:39 am
Those cherries with chocolate sauce sound AMAZING! I just had a huge bowl monday night and finished them off. Guess I’ll have to get more =)
Posted by brandi on July 8, 2009 at 6:32 am
looks like a great day of eats!
Happy Birthday to Basil!
Posted by Meredith on July 8, 2009 at 6:33 am
Good question about the black beans. I am also interested to know.
Posted by Rose on July 8, 2009 at 6:51 am
Ok, many things:
1) good job on cooking beans!
2) Happy Birthday to the little pooch!
3) I absolutely love that dinner. Very inspiring!
Posted by Danielle on July 8, 2009 at 7:13 am
Happy birthday Basil! What a fun birthday treat!
Posted by MarathonVal on July 8, 2009 at 7:26 am
Oooo, good call with the chocolate covered cherries. I hate when I see a great recipe on a blog and dont have the ingredients which leaves me drooling on my computer – but thankfully I have cherries, cocoa powder, AND agave!!! Yay!!! I am off to the kitchen….
Posted by ksgoodeats on July 8, 2009 at 7:27 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BASIL!!! What is it with little dogs thinking they rule the world?! My little brat is the same way!
That dinner bean burger sounds amazing!
Posted by Gena on July 8, 2009 at 7:58 am
I am so psyched that you enjoyed my agave sauce, Andrea!! I hope you try the ice cream soon — it’s killer
Posted by verbalriot on July 8, 2009 at 7:58 am
I love the egg and avocado in the salad. That’s baller right there.
Posted by Sarah on July 8, 2009 at 8:07 am
Those cherries with chocolate look amazing.
Happy birthday, Basil!
Posted by HeatherBakes on July 8, 2009 at 8:08 am
Ooooh, I want the chocolate sauce. Now.
Happy b-day to the puglet
Posted by Marianne on July 8, 2009 at 9:53 am
Happy birthday Basil
Cute toy!
And good on ya for cooking your own beans, I just tried that out myself recently
Posted by buffmuffy on July 8, 2009 at 10:06 am
It’s really interesting to see the cost broken down that way. I really enjoy seeing it and it really shows that eating healthy can be so cheap! People always say … heating healthy is so expensive. Lol
-muffy
Posted by allijag on July 8, 2009 at 11:04 am
you know i love me some basil!
such a nice mom getting him toys and treats for his special day – happy birthday bean boy! 
Posted by Jenn on July 8, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Those cherries with the chocolate look divine!
Posted by Jenny on July 8, 2009 at 12:48 pm
can i be complete honest — when i first saw that carrot cake healthy desserts i got super excited and was about to ask you where you got it ’cause i wanted in on that action ..blasphemy – lucky dog!
Posted by Lynn (The Actors Diet) on July 8, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Congrats on the beans! I just made a big batch yesterday, too.
Posted by Erin on July 8, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Hmm good question! Maybe Oregon Live can help you out!
http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2009/04/make_the_most_of_bulk_bins.html
P.S. I thought the phrase was”tied me over” not “tie” me over! I had to look that one up too: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-tid1.htm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BASIL!
Posted by dreaminitvegan on July 8, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Happy birthday Basil! What a yummy dessert. I never new they made such a product for dogs. cool!
Posted by Hallie on July 8, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Yeah, sometimes Costco isn’t that worth it. And I feel like often they ship their produce in from way far away, so that’s something to look out for to if you’re trying to eat locally. But sometimes (often?) it’s awesome! You just have to check the unit pricing and compare that to what you can get at the regular or health-food store. Unit pricing = KEY to saving on everything at Costco
Posted by Yooli on July 8, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I think I pay around $1.29 per pound for organic bulk black beans, but they go on sale every now and then.
Happy birthday puggie! So cute. My dog also gnaws off the eyes on all her toys. I don’t get it.
I love raw chocolate sauce! I just made some with coconut cream and ground flaxseed for that hot fudge lovin’. Its about to get slathered on a frozen banana later. Zexy.
I’m feeling better now A-Ho (that’s what Sarah referred to you as this morning). Thanks for the concern. Wish I was in Portland!
Posted by broccolihut on July 8, 2009 at 9:07 pm
You’re already ahead of me–I’ve never prepared beans from dry before. Must try ASAP.
Happy birthday, Basil!
Posted by Butternut, why do thee hate me? « The Quest to be Fit on July 8, 2009 at 11:21 pm
[...] finally bought avocados at Costco. As Andrea noted, they are up to $1.50 each, but that is better than what the price has been at Freddy’s [...]
Posted by Stephanie on July 9, 2009 at 2:47 pm
happy birthday basil~ those cherries look freakn’ awesome!