Does anyone else have an issue loading up on fresh fruits and vegetables at the grocery store? I feel like if I buy too many fruits and vegetables, I am struggling to eat them all before they go bad and I am just wasting money.
When figuring out what fruits and vegetables to buy, I usually just go with what’s on sale that week (unless I want to make a specific recipe). This week I went with
-pears
-cantaloupe
-blackberries, blueberries and strawberries
-bananas (I buy these every week)
-organic green lettuce
-cauliflower
To help this issue, when I buy strawberries, blackberries, raspberries or blueberries I generally freeze most of them because I usually use them for smoothies anyway. I am still working on the last bag of strawberries I bought in August that’s in the freezer! I figured I might as well stock up while they’re cheap and I’m glad I did! Since they were on sale this week, 3.99 for two packages seemed reasonable enough to replenish my stock and make this delicious *new to me* protein shake:
1/2 a banana
1/2 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries
1/4 cup of cottage cheese
1/2 cup of almond milk
1tsp chia seeds
1sp flax seeds
5-6 ice cubes
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Blend until smooth!
Add sweetener if needed!
The combo of the banana and cottage cheese made this shake extra creamy and delicious.
![IMG_1791[1]](https://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_17911.jpg "IMG_1791[1]")
And yes, I use the same cup whenever I have my protein shakes. It’s the only one I have that’s big enough!!! Although this shake was overflowing!
Last night the fiancé and I finally made it out to dinner to a Mexican restaurant we’ve been wanting to try. I ordered the “Plato Azteca” which was a reasonably priced seafood (no idea why I decided on seafood at a Mexican restaurant, but it sounded good) dish with veggies (mushrooms, onions, zucchini, red pepper) and refried beans on the side.
![IMG_1794[1]](https://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_17941.jpg "IMG_1794[1]")
It was good. I think we were really built up from people’s expectations and then when it was just good we were left feeling perplexed. I won’t lie it wasn’t the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. The best Mexican food I’ve ever had was when I went to southern California to visit my best friend who lives there. Nothing.will.ever.compare.
True story. This was the restaurant. Let’s just all pretend we are there for a moment.
The fiancé went with the “Flautas Blancas” which were fried tortillas with chicken and cheese inside.
![IMG_1795[1]](https://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_17951.jpg "IMG_1795[1]")
Again, satisfactory. Glad we tried it though. I will definitely go back and try something else on the menu.
Feeling pretty lazy today, but the good news is I was able to walk on the treadmill for an hour and actually burn some calories. So far, the pain in my leg/back is not different or worse, and actually felt like it improved shortly after I was done walking. We will see. Baby steps….
Questions: How do you deal with buying fruits and vegetables?
How do you feel about Mexican food??
Pencils and Pancakes 
I’ve never added cottage cheese to a smoothie. Great idea!
I thought it sounded gross but it makes it sooo creamy. You can’t taste it. I usually add it to any smoothie that I don’t add banana to because the banana serves the same purpose. But this one had both and it was gooooood.
I buy the same fruits and veggies every week since I eat the same foods constantly but my issue with buying them is how expensive they are! $5/pound of grapes? Unheard of for a college student’s budget. Especially when said college student eats like two pounds in one sitting…
I know that’s why I try to buy what’s on sale. I might really want to get raspberries but there’s no way I could afford them every week.
So fresh and healthy! Yum:)
I do the same thing. What’s on sale? What freezes well? And what would go well in my greek yogurt. 🙂
I have this issue all the time! Good idea making a smoothie. I like to buy produce that I know I will use right away like apples and spinach. 🙂
When it comes to fruits and vegetables I buy only local besides bananas. Buying local gives me a great variety of seasonal choices and then I plan meals around produce.
Mexican is my favorite!! I could eat it every day. I buy fruits and veggies as I think I’ll use them. I don’t go crazy, and once I am out..I buy more!