I made myself some frozen dinners today! I’ve never really been into frozen meals, but now that I’m on Weight watchers I have fallen into the trap, because it’s a handy way for me to know how many points I’m eating and it’s also handy if I’m pressed for time. I used to not buy any unless they were 99 cents or less and were NOT mainly pasta (I can put pasta and sauce in a cottage cheese tub), but since I’ve been on WW I have been buying $1.99 ones.

Well, I was irritated at paying for convenience, as well as overly processed, probably overly salted, and arguably over packaged food. So today, I took five used trays, and divvied up some frozen shrimp (grocery outlet), whole wheat pasta, steamed spinach, Trader Joe’s artichoke heart tapenade, and parmesan cheese. I have five frozen lunches, and not only am I happy with the ingredients, these are much cheaper. Even with the shrimp, I think I’m less than a buck, at the least under $1.25. I told a friend I was planning on doing this, and her response was heartening-not “I thought you could spend money now!” but “That’s so you.”

In other thrifty news, I took an old contact lens case, and put facial moisturizer in one half and foundation in the other, and I am totally thrilled with the portability and size. I’m flying to Sacramento tonight, and anything that makes travel more streamlined is good. I’m also packing my dinner; this time I’m checking my baggage, but last time I packed my dinner I actually put salad dressing in a hotel shampoo sample bottle for my salad. The whole liquid/flying thing could either really irritate me, or I can be creative. Working to make sure one’s meal has no liquids or gels is a challenge. This time I’m checking baggage so I can bring back good Trader Joe’s food.