Anyone want to take a guess as to how much these groceries cost me? Some of the items are recognizable; among those less distinguishable are a box of Ritz-type snack crackers, a bag of oatmeal, a container of frozen juice and, unknown to me at the time I purchased them, a dozen organic, free-range eggs. $30? $50? $75?
If you guessed $75, you'd be close. It was actually about $73.44. Yeah, groceries are expensive here. Here's the breakdown:
| Item | Size | shekels | dollars |
| eggs | 1 doz | 26.99 | $6.75 |
| Lime juice | 32 oz | 13.9 | 3.48 |
| Lemon juice | 1 liter | 10.9 | 2.73 |
| Snack crackers | 12 oz | 13.9 | 3.48 |
| Tortilla chips | 1 lb | 18.9 | 4.73 |
| Quinoa | 500 gr | 10.9 | 2.73 |
| Brown rice | 1 kg | 12.9 | 3.23 |
| Rolled oats | 500 gr | 10.9 | 2.73 |
| Anti-perspirant stick | 1.5 oz | 18.9 | 4.73 |
| Crushed tomatoes | large can | 7.9 | 1.98 |
| Mayonnaise | 32 oz | 15.9 | 3.98 |
| Coconut milk | 13.5 oz | 7.9 | 1.98 |
| Colgate toothpaste | 132 gr | 14.9 | 3.73 |
| Cottage cheese | about 2 C | 6.05 | 1.51 |
| Chick peas | medium can | 6.9 | 1.73 |
| Peach halves | large can | 6.9 | 1.73 |
| Chicken boullion | 400 gr | 14.9 | 3.73 |
| Natural peanut butter | 18 oz | 18.9 | 4.73 |
| Green peas, dried | 500 gr | 4.5 | 1.13 |
| Mango slices | medium can | 4.9 | 1.23 |
| Corn | medium can | 4.9 | 1.23 |
| Creamed corn | medium can | 7.9 | 1.98 |
| Green beans, frozen | 800 gr | 12 | 3.00 |
| Hot dogs | 400 gr | 11.5 | 2.88 |
| Mango juice, frozen | 280 ml | 9.6 | 2.40 |
| TOTAL |
| 293.74 | $73.44 |
Here are a couple other items, just because they still had their tags on:
Hair conditioner, 700 mL 15.9 $3.98
Shampoo, 750 mL 22.0 5.50
Here are some estimates of other "essentials":
Beef 35 shekels/kilo, or about $4/lb.
Chicken 18 shekels/kilo, or about $2.05/lb. for whole chickens
Whole-wheat pita bread 10 for 6 shekels, or about $1.50
For one of the two Thanksgiving gatherings I attended, I made my mom's "Cranberry Delight." I forgot to buy the ingredients the Sunday before, so I had to make a special trip on Wednesday. Nearly $25 later, I had all I needed for the scrumptious dessert. You probably won't have to pay nearly as much as I did. Many of the ingredients I bought were imported from the U.S., thus were super-spendy here.
For instance, the graham crackers were 18.9 shekels, or about $4.73/box. One can of cranberries (fresh/frozen not available) was 11.9 shekels, or about $2.98. I don't know how much the cream cheese was, but I'm sure it was a lot because I'm a long way from Philadelphia! And pecans are expensive anywhere. These were $6.68 for, I'd guess, about 9 oz. And because your mouths are probably watering, here's that recipe:
Cranberry Delight
Yields: 8 servings
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup chopped pecans
3 tablespoons orange marmalade
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
Combine crumbs and butter; press into an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish. Chill. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in pecans and marmalade; refrigerate until completely cool. Meanwhile, combine cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla in a mixing bowl; beat until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Spread over crust. Top with cranberry mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
As you can see, I've had to adjust my grocery budget here. I also eat less meat, although I tended not to eat a lot at home either. So if you have any good vegetarian recipes, send 'em my way!
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