Oh, hello there, Lifehackers!

For Week 3 of my shop, I took two separate trips to Whole Foods Market in Brighton (Boston, Massachusetts, no, not England).

While I have avoided “Whole Paycheck” up until this point, it happens to be the closest grocery store to my apartment. Less than a mile from my place, and also available via the train (not that I can’t outrun it or anything).

Well, I was able to pay my $35 for eight things. And that’s fine!

Shop 1

• 365 (Whole Foods) – Long Grain Brown Rice – 5 lb. – $5.79
• Blueberries – 2lb. – $6.99
• 365 (Whole Foods) – Peanut Butter, Chunky – 40 ounce jar – $5.49

Shop 1 Total: $18.27

Shop 2

• Blueberries – 1 pint – $2.99
• Corn On The Cob – 5 ears – $0.40/each
• Cucumber – 2 – $0.99/each
• Russet Potatoes – 2.08lb. – $1.29/lb.
• Bell & Evans Chicken Livers – 1 lb. – $3.49
• 365 (Whole Foods) – Whole Grain Bread – 1 loaf – $3.09

Shop 2 Total: $16.14

Grand Total: $34.41 (98.3% spent of $35)

While looking a bit thinner than my previous shops, I felt pretty good about this week’s grocery runs. No more Jif, and no more Tyson. The peanut butter’s only ingredients: Peanuts, Salt.

Less (no?) processed foods, more fresh fruit and vegetables.

And while I claimed I would not likely buy corn on the cob, it is in season, local and a good deal. And local, in-season corn is delicious considering I have butter and sea salt.

Blueberries

Blueberries are in season, and wow, I really like them! I ate two pounds within a couple days and had to get more. One upcoming recipe is a Peanut Butter & Blueberry sandwich. And I’m telling you right now that is amazing.

Some Other Thoughts

A lot of people have asked me, including my grandma, whether or not I get enough calories considering all the running I’m doing. I understand your concern, grandma!

To answer: so far, so good.

Since starting this experiment on July 14th, I have run 126.7 miles. And in that time, my weight has gone from 166.5 lb. to the current 165.5 lb. So I have “lost” one pound.

In other words, I have not lost any real weight – as I normally fluctuate anywhere between around 158lb. to 168lb. depending on running schedule and tapering.

My caloric intake remains where it used to be – between ~2100 to ~3500 per day.

At one point I did think that overloading on Jif (and maybe peanut butter in general) was causing some stomach distress on long runs. Then I thought maybe it was carbs in general. Then I cut out my multi-vitamin and now realize it was probably that. Go figure!

One highlight has been running a 17 mile, 2.5 hour trail run over at Blue Hills Reservation and following it up the very next day with a 18:52 5K run (close to a personal record).

Looking Forward

Next week looks to be the first week that will mark my cupboard items being depleted. I am planning hard for it to be the best, smartest shop yet. With all the great advice I’m getting it should be possible to have a great week.

The great advice is still pouring in – through the Lifehacker article, Twitter, and the comments many of you are leaving. Thank you for that. I still have so much to consider.

One thing I look forward to avoiding canned goods – and going dried. And finding some affordable kale.

And while I didn’t have any new recipes of note for last week, this week I should have two. Stay tuned – and feel free to leave comments!