Gourmet Chef on a Budget!!!

I am proud of myself for sticking to a grocery budget each week- I actually have fun going to the grocery store and challenging myself to stick to my budget! WELL.... this weekend while in NY I got an unexpected parking ticket, so instead of getting annoyed about having to pay it I decided to cut out the part of the cost in my expenses the following week....therefore I decided not to buy groceries this week.
We can absolutely afford to buy groceries, but I thought it would be an interesting challenge to try to make meals with whatever I had in the house instead...and so far, I have been successful (thank goodness my husband eats whatever I give him without complaining!)

Last night I made my very own recipe for tomato soup! It was so good in fact, Felix and I both had it for lunch the next day! Here is what I put in it: A can of chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, some white wine, olive oil, water, ramen noodle soup chicken seasoning packets (saved the noodles for a chinese salad recipe), lots of basil, salt & pepper, brown sugar splenda, half & half mixed with cornstarch. I wasn't sure what the heck it would taste like- but it was actually good! Not sure if it really NEEDED all these weird ingredients, but hey, stick with what works, right?!!!!

Then- today, I really wanted a sweet treat- so I melted some chocolate chips on a fajita wrap, and it was actually good. I call it my "chocolate crepe"!

Chocolate "Crepe"!!

It has been fun getting creative in the kitchen. Tonight we had fat free franks & beans with a side of broccoli & potatoes. Tomorrow..... eggplant parm with zucchini. Only the weekend to go and I will reach my goal!!!!!

Wish me luck!!!