We had an absolute ball meeting baby girl Riley and catching up at the shower this weekend. The six of us girls in attendance have known each other for YEARS (some of us since grade school!) and I think I speak for the group when I say that we all dearly love any excuse to get together!
The food and games went over well, although there was one little snafu with the cupcakes…
mine did a face plant on the ground – blast!! 
Now, I consider myself an extremely rational person. I don’t have too many outlandish habits or quirks, but one thing I will own up to is getting extreme anxiety about being away from home on Sundays. I’m not sure what it is exactly…maybe I feel like I won’t have enough time to mentally prepare myself for the coming week? Who knows!
At any rate, my irrational anxiety got the best of me this morning so I got up at 6:45am, made a pit stop at Dunkin Donuts (out of my mind jealous that they are literally on every corner in Chicago!)
grabbed some glazed chocolate munchkin donuts (I die)
and hit the road!
By 2pm, not only had I driven all the way home, but I had showered, gotten ready and grocery shopped, too. I was celebratin’!
I went a little bit over budget today ($63 vs budgeted $50) but it was worth it (you’ll see…)
The Produce:
- Green onions
- Spinach
- HONEYCRISP APPLES!!!!! ($2.99/lb but worth every. single. penny.)
- Acorn squash
- Lime
- Brussels sprouts
- Dole Vegetable Medley
- Dole Salad Blend
- Green beans
- White potatoes
- Sweet potato
- Tomatoes
- Baby portabella mushrooms (for Ben, ick)
- Bananas
The Rest:
- Low-sodium bacon
- Low-sodium Sara Lee Deli Turkey
- Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash Diet Soda
- Gino’s Pizza Sauce ($$$, but local and out of this world good)
- Sliced olives
- Alouette Garlic Herb Cheese Spread
- Sauerkraut
- 1 lb. 93/7 ground beef
- Cheese slices
- Shredded cheese
- Pepperoni
- Boboli Whole Wheat Crust
- White bread (for Ben)
Total: $63.00 and some change. I’m ok with that!
I used some of my newly purchased produce and whipped up a batch of roasted veggies for a late lunch/early dinner.
I know, I know – I made the exact same thing late last week, but the dreary, drizzly weather made a big bowl of warm, roasted veggies sound simply irresistible!
Piled high atop a bed of fluffy, chewy brown rice cooked in chicken broth.
Do you ever cook your rice in broth? You can totally taste the difference – absolutely Heavenly!
Lately the brussels sprouts at the store have been teeny-tiny, so I just left them whole after cutting off the core. More poppable that way. 
I’ll admit, the strong resemblance of the sweet potatoes to carrots temporarily freaked me out (cooked carrots are my #1 most hated food) but all hesitation flew out the window when I had my first sweet & creamy bite. MMM!!!
In other news…
Project Food Blog
I wanted to let you know that I am entering Foodbuzz’s Project Food Blog!
Contestants will compete in a series of food-themed blogging challenges over the next 12 weeks, with the ultimate goal of being named the next food blog star. Cool, right? The first challenge is to define myself as a food blogger and explain why I should win Project Food Blog.
I actually think this post perfectly sums up my stance as a food blogger. It begins with cupcakes and ends with roasted vegetables. You can’t get further apart in the food spectrum, but it couldn’t sum up my life and blog in a more perfect way.
I’m every woman. I’m you. I’m a down-to-earth, Midwestern girl (yes, girl – I decided it’s ok) who eats chocolate donuts in the morning and veggies at night. Then I share it with you.
Sure, I hope that by reading my blog you can get some easy, healthy recipe ideas, and maybe learn how to caramelize an onion or make Spring Rolls, but I also hope you can relate. I’d love to win the title as next food blog star because I think I’m an extremely relatable person with a passion and love for food and life.
Cheers!
Yay! You are entering the contest. I think that is great. Not only have I made your Spring Rolls on multiple occasions now…but I made your baked egg rolls on Friday, as well. My hubby pronounced them better than my Mom’s. That’s quite a compliment. If it ever cools off down here in Louisiana, I will definitely be roasting some veggies. Have a great week! Candace
Where do we vote!!! YOU know you have my vote!
I love to be home on Sunday too. It is my day to get organized and just putz and enjoy my SPACE!
Good luck Kristen!
Those roasted veggies look so warming and delicious! Good luck in the contest, I definitely think you have a great shot! Your blog is so enjoyable to read and down to earth. Love it
I cannot wait to see what you whip up for Project Food Blog. I saw you were entered a couple weeks ago and squealed to myself! Glad to see someone from Iowa in it! Good luck!!
Even though I’m in the contest too, I’d love it if you won–Truly, you’re one of the few “real” bloggers out there. I like the fact that your breakfast this morning was a bag of munchkins. I also like the fact that you hate cooked carrots (so do I). Good luck!
I’m jealous of how you usually manage to keep your grocery shopping within a $50 budget – I aim for $60 and sometimes eek up to $75. There’s just so many good recipes I want to make!
Yay for food blogging! This will be an exciting 12-week adventure for you. I wish you the best of luck! And I couldn’t help but laugh at your Dunkin Doughnuts reference to Chicago…they really are at every corner!
Good luck with the contest! I LOVE honeycrisp apples. I’m waiting anxiously for them here in Florida. A good alternative to honeycrisp apples are jazz apples.
What a wonderful day! And good luck for the competition!
Good for you entering the contest! I was wondering if you would.
how do i vote for you?! LOVE your blog and the fact that you eat normal things!! tell me where to go and i am there!
keep on keepin on!
Glad you are part of the contest! I get a little antsy if my Sunday routine is off. That means my Monday doesn’t start quite right and it can easily go downhill from there!
That’s why I read every day–you are a totally down to earth person & I really can relate! You feel like someone I would be friends with in real life, not just online! You know you’ve got my vote. Good luck, doll!
best of luck with the challenge – you’ve definitely got my vote! you seem wicked down to earth and i love your food philosophy! i look forward each & every day to reading your blog
I’m the same! I hate even having plans on Sundays. Nothing feels better than spending the entire Sunday in your pj’s and getting so much accomplished for the week. Best feeling in the world.
I’m so happy you are in the contest. You’re going to give us all a run for our money!
You totally deserve Food Blog Star! I enjoy reading blogs, but have never been as “faithful” at reading one, until a friend shared yours. I use your recipes and share with friends and they all say “let me guess, this is from Iowa Girl Eats?!” “Of course!”, I say!
i walked the half-block to dunkin donuts this AM to get a dunkaccino and some cinnamon munchkins before mass…coffee is a blessing(no pun intended, lol). i like your blog a lot; brst a of luck!
nice job…best of luck*
You’re very relatable! Cupcakes and veggies
That sounds great Kristen! I can’t wait to hear more and you know you’ve got my vote!
Love it! You are definitely very relateable!
Good luck in the contest! I really enjoy the fact that your blog takes a well-rounded approach to food. I laughed when I read the cooked carrot part b/c I despise them as well. Something about the texture and smell has always freaked me out even though I love raw carrots.
my hubby is the same way about Sundays! he absolutely refuses to go anywhere out of town, or do much of anything outside of the house on that day! he does have a stressful job, so I really cant blame him for it.
I love your blog! Thank you for sharing all these yummy stuff with us!
I just hope and pray that all the food you feature here can be easily done by me in a day! Too bad that I always have to depend on vending machines for food.
I would totally agree that you’re relatable! I don’t have my own blog, but I read a number of food/fitness blogs and yours is one that I continue to visit day in day out – reason is because you are someone that could be ‘me’! Your blog makes me realize that having a cupcake or donut in the morning isn’t the end of the world, as long as it’s balanced with other healthy meals and exercise. I wish you all the very best for the competition you’ve entered and honestly think you would be a very worthy winner. Thank you for sharing your life with us in blog form – it’s actually really inspiring and motivational!
Hooray! I think you’re going to rock this challenge! Good luck!
Your blog rocks!! Best of luck with this challenge!!!
awww how cute purple cuppycakes x
I LOVE when you show your haul from the grocery store. For some reason, I just like seeing what other people purchase at the store– it gives me ideas and reminds me of things that I should keep an eye out for!
You have our vote!
I am the same way–I HAVE to get everything in my life organized on Sunday before the week starts otherwise I am even more stressed out!
[...] for all your positive comments, tweets and Facebook posts regarding project food blog! Voting for challenge #1 is open for 3 days so, if you feel inclined, you can still get your vote [...]
Hey – in our book (me & my husband) – you are a star, already!
[...] other news, just call it the dish that keeps on giving, ’cause I packed some MORE roasted veggies for lunch [...]
Best of luck with Project Food Blog – I gave you a vote
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dunkin donuts munchkins!!!! i wish they had them in los angeles. just voted for you – good luck!
My husband I read your blog everyday, it is one of the highlights of my morning and a fun tradition at night when I am of winding down after heading home from work! It’s fun to keep up with a blog from a person that lives the same town as me! You have my vote!!
Best of Luck! You will do great!
Hi Kristin- It’s great to see a fellow Iowan in this challenge! Great post! It was so much fun reading about you. Best wishes to you!! Voting for Iowa!
[...] – you! YOU voted your little hearts out and won me Reader’s Choice for Project Food Blog Challenge #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Muwah, muwah, muwah, muwah! I got a little medal, and [...]
WOW – it sounds like you and I could not be any more alike! Cupcakes & roasted veggies?!? Story of my LIFE right there. LOVE IT!!
[...] a late night pizza involved, but we still got up early and headed home this morning. You know my irrational, being away from home on Sunday issues!! Upon arrival, I dug into a big bowl of Kashi GoLean Crunch! for [...]
Oh em gee…I LOVE HONEYCRISP APPLES!! And I get so excited when they are at my grocery store I buy way too many every week until I can’t find them any more!!