This week we will eat:

* Bruschetta w. Toasted Bread
* Salads
* Veggie/Tofu Stir Fry
* Fried Potatoes
* Baked Potatoes
* Garbanzo Bean Curry
* Tabbouleh
* Falafel
* Barley Lentil Veggie Soup

This week, we will continue to eat the stuff we have on hand buying only what is absolutely necessary. We got 3 giant zucchini last week from a friend that we need to use up, and one giant cucumber. We also picked about 5 lbs of blackberries (see pic) from D's family's farm. My hands are scratched up. It's amazing how such a nasty invasive thorny plant can put out such heavenly berries. And we bought about 5 cantaloupes last week when Safeway had them on sale for $1 apiece. I also have some assorted veggies and other foods that need to be used up. We will be eating:

* Veggie Stir Fry over Rice
* Rice/Bean/Sauteed Veggie Bowl
* Bruschetta
* Baked Potatoes w. Beans, Cheese and Veggies
* Cabbage/Zucchini Lo-Mein
* Tabbouleh
* Salads
* Berries and Cantaloupe for dessert

The plan is to use up what is in the pantry and fridge. I am vegetarian. D eats chicken everyday - he cooks it in the most basic way possible - he just roasts it! Sometimes, I go crazy watching him eat chicken the same way over and over, and when he is cooking, I will add some spices or toss in some veggies. He says he likes it when it is cooked like that. But, when he cooks the chicken himself - it's always plain and roasted. Weird how someone who enjoys flavor can so easily forget to toss in a few spices that are on hand!

Here are a few things that we will eat this week (apart from the plain roasted chicken):

* Cabbage Stir Fry w. Spiced Rice
* Barley-Lentil-Vegetable Soup
* 7 layer dip
* Cheese Quesadillas
* Zucchini Stir Fry w. Rice
* Coconut-Mint Chutney
* Pizza (have signed up for Secret Shop)
* Baked Potatoes
* Salads - lots
* Yogurt - lots
* Fruit Salad and ice-cream for dessert

I get a free subscription to Weight Watchers through my workplace. I have attempted to do Weight Watchers in the past, and have discovered that keeping track of everything I eat and counting points is just not a sustainable sort of lifestyle for me – I always give up because it is too time consuming. Also, I don’t know how much I buy into their philosophy of using a formula for point-tracking that does not take into account a bunch of personal factors that impact weight and health. Since WW is the #1 weight loss program in the world, I assume that this works for many many people out there –just not for me. However, I do like the part of WW where you have to go in and get weighed every week – it keeps you sort of accountable in a way when someone is weighing you in each week. So, although I don’t count points, I do weigh in each week. I occasionally attend meetings too.

I attended a meeting this past weekend where the leader said that when you start getting in control of one part of your life, you start getting in control of other parts as well. She said that as people lose weight and start getting closer to their goal weight, they also tend to get more in control of things such as finances. Following this theory, the converse must be true as well – if you are more in control of finances, you also are more in control of weight-loss and health. I must try this out and see if it works for me.

In reading blogs on SA, I see that lots of the savers on here also have weight-loss goals. And it appears that being frugal and budgeting is also conducive to healthier eating habits such as eating at home, making food from scratch, avoiding expensive junk foods, and reducing impulsive food purchases. I am currently healthy overall (at my last doctor’s visit), but I am overweight and at risk for many things including diabetes (which runs in my family). My doctor has advised me to exercise more and lose more weight. But I hate exercising. However, according to the theory of the WW leader, I will find it easier to work towards the weight loss goals if I use the momentum from the personal finance management goals. So, I am going to use this as a forum to also log progress towards weight management. Also, ultimately losing weight will probably also help me save money on medical bills and can be viewed as a financial goal as well. Wish me luck! I would also appreciate any advice/feedback from other SA bloggers who tackle both goals at once.

It's been a good weekend so far. The only money I spent was on paying for my glasses (will be ready in two weeks), groceries, and $4 at Kohl's (was using a gift certificate there).

I also resisted the temptation to gamble. I wanted to, but I resisted, and it went away. I hope I am successful every single time I try to resist.

It was quite a social weekend. On Friday night, my best friend took me out to a belated birthday dinner. We spent an hour and a half talking at the restaurant, and then went for a walk around the neighborhood. On Saturday, we hosted a potluck. I made some Indian food with ingredients I already had at home - no extra money spent. My partner (henceforth to be referred to as "D") got some wine and beer. Everyone brought lots of food, and we have lots of leftovers for the week. The plan this week is to eat up everything we have in the fridge before we go out of town on Thursday.