Well, I thought I hadn't posted here in about 2 weeks - more like 2 MONTHS! Wow! But I have been on a roll with meal planning. This week is a busy one for us, but there is another factor to throw into meal planning: we are out of ground beef and I would like to wait for a sale to buy more. On top of this, Mike has proclaimed that he is "sick of beans." Talk about challenging!
Monday: We have some leftover taco filling (ground beef and black beans) that we will use to make either taco salads or nachos.
Tuesday: I have a meeting and I already promised Mike a night of chili dogs and corn muffins. The corn muffins are in the freezer and I bought hot dog rolls at the store on Sunday. The chili is from the freezer as well.
Wednesday: I've started attending a local Zumba class which meets at 6pm - EARLY! I will try to get home early and put together a pan of baked ziti (no meat, maybe some peas) and put it in the oven before I leave. Mike can take it out when it is done and serve himself or wait for me to get home. The only issue with this item is that I have no ricotta and I don't really want to buy any. The current plan is to make some soft cheese from an extra package of sour cream that I have. I have done this before, but didn't like the cheese much by itself. However, I think it will be suitable for baked ziti.
Thursday: Leftover Chicken Pot Pie from Sunday will need to be finished by this point. I might switch Wednesday & Thursday if I run out of time to make the fresh cheese earlier in the week.
Friday: Pizza night! I've been mixing it up a bit and trying different things with my pizza dough recipe. Last week I made some bread sticks which we really liked as well as 2 thinner crust pizzas. I'm going to see if I can make 4 thin crusts out of one batch of dough without the quality diminishing too much. I can parbake the extra 2 crusts and save them for a busy week or when I would like Mike to put dinner together.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
MPM: Holidays are upon us!
Less than 2 weeks until Christmas and it is definitely time for holiday parties and other fun! This also means that Mike's work schedule is ramping up due to extended holiday hours.
Monday: This morning I started the crockpot with a variation of Stephanie's Salsa Chicken. My version this morning was sans beans. A can of corn, a can of petite diced tomatoes, a small can of green chilis, and about a pound of frozen chicken. I will cook up a pot of rice when I get home to go with it.
Tuesday: It is definitely turning into soup weather around here! I'll set the bread machine in the morning and make a steaming pot of turkey noodle soup when I get home from work.
Wednesday & Thursday: Mike is working until 9pm both nights, so I'll probably throw together something simple for myself.
Friday: Mike is going to see TRON Legacy in 3D IMAX, and I am staying home as 3D movies make me motion sick. I will make some English Muffin pizzas for before he leaves so he doesn't spend too much on movie theater food.
Saturday: We have a holiday party to go to, so we are eating there.
Sunday: I'm going to either make a Chicken Pot Pie or a chicken and rice casserole from a recipe from Campbell's. It will depend on how much energy I have left at the end of the week!
Monday: This morning I started the crockpot with a variation of Stephanie's Salsa Chicken. My version this morning was sans beans. A can of corn, a can of petite diced tomatoes, a small can of green chilis, and about a pound of frozen chicken. I will cook up a pot of rice when I get home to go with it.
Tuesday: It is definitely turning into soup weather around here! I'll set the bread machine in the morning and make a steaming pot of turkey noodle soup when I get home from work.
Wednesday & Thursday: Mike is working until 9pm both nights, so I'll probably throw together something simple for myself.
Friday: Mike is going to see TRON Legacy in 3D IMAX, and I am staying home as 3D movies make me motion sick. I will make some English Muffin pizzas for before he leaves so he doesn't spend too much on movie theater food.
Saturday: We have a holiday party to go to, so we are eating there.
Sunday: I'm going to either make a Chicken Pot Pie or a chicken and rice casserole from a recipe from Campbell's. It will depend on how much energy I have left at the end of the week!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
MPM: Shortened Week
Well, I knew Monday and Tuesday were planned out for me, but that doesn't excuse this being late!
Monday: Had dinner out. We had planned on meeting Mike's co-workers, but we missed them (they must have eaten fast). We still had some delicious Italian food, though.
Tuesday: I have a meeting, so a quick meal of green beans, chicken nuggets and french fries is on the docket.
Wednesday: Things will slow down a bit and I will make a meal of Easy Enchilladas with leftover rice and some frozen home made refried beans.
Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs haven't been on the list in a while. More green beans while we have fresh ones to eat. If I am on my game, I will program the bread machine in the morning and have fresh bread to go with it.
Friday: Pizza night! Last week I was half asleep when mixing the pizza dough and had to mix in the olive oil after the dough had come together. This resulted in a chewier, crispier crust. I'm not sure if I want to attempt this again, though. We'll see. My recipe is always in flux!
Monday: Had dinner out. We had planned on meeting Mike's co-workers, but we missed them (they must have eaten fast). We still had some delicious Italian food, though.
Tuesday: I have a meeting, so a quick meal of green beans, chicken nuggets and french fries is on the docket.
Wednesday: Things will slow down a bit and I will make a meal of Easy Enchilladas with leftover rice and some frozen home made refried beans.
Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs haven't been on the list in a while. More green beans while we have fresh ones to eat. If I am on my game, I will program the bread machine in the morning and have fresh bread to go with it.
Friday: Pizza night! Last week I was half asleep when mixing the pizza dough and had to mix in the olive oil after the dough had come together. This resulted in a chewier, crispier crust. I'm not sure if I want to attempt this again, though. We'll see. My recipe is always in flux!
Monday, November 29, 2010
MPM: Skipped a week
Last week was crazy and short due to Thanksgiving, so I gave myself a planning break. I was also at the end of my solid week of migraines, so I needed it. But this week we are back in the swing of things! December is just around the corner, and being organized during the season helps me to say relaxed and enjoy the fun.
Monday: We have our first concert of the season, so we need to have a quick dinner. Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
Tuesday: No rushing around, and in for the night, so I am going to make a Mexican Pasta Casserole so that we have some leftovers in the house.
Wednesday: My mom is coming over for dinner and we will have chicken stir-fry served over rice.
Thursday: Pizza night! Mike is working on Friday, so Pizza night is moved. My brother might be coming over as well and it is easy to make some extra pizza to make it a party.
Friday: I will be fending for myself as Mike is working late.
Monday: We have our first concert of the season, so we need to have a quick dinner. Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
Tuesday: No rushing around, and in for the night, so I am going to make a Mexican Pasta Casserole so that we have some leftovers in the house.
Wednesday: My mom is coming over for dinner and we will have chicken stir-fry served over rice.
Thursday: Pizza night! Mike is working on Friday, so Pizza night is moved. My brother might be coming over as well and it is easy to make some extra pizza to make it a party.
Friday: I will be fending for myself as Mike is working late.
Monday, November 15, 2010
MPM: Keep on keeping on
I can't believe that today marks the middle of November! Seems like time is just flying along and I am racing to keep up. Fortunately, doing a menu plan every week has kept dinner time under control.
Monday: Tonight I am going to make Spaghetti with meat sauce. There is a sale on ground beef at the local grocery store, so I will be picking up 10 pounds to freeze. It will be nice to cook up some fresh meat for this meal instead of using something frozen out of the freezer (even though it is sooo much more convenient!) I will steam the rest of the fresh green beans to go along with this.
Tuesday: Over the weekend, I made a delicious Chicken Pot Pie. We will have some of the leftovers for dinner.
Wednesday: Mexican night! Depending on what we are in the mood for, we will either have Mexican Pasta Casserole or tacos.
Thursday: Stir fry! Lots of veggies and chicken to use. I also want to use up the leftover bamboo shoots that are in the fridge. Will make white rice to go with it. Yum!
Friday: Pizza night! Last Friday we were out and did not have homemade pizza. This week we will be very happy to be on schedule!
Monday: Tonight I am going to make Spaghetti with meat sauce. There is a sale on ground beef at the local grocery store, so I will be picking up 10 pounds to freeze. It will be nice to cook up some fresh meat for this meal instead of using something frozen out of the freezer (even though it is sooo much more convenient!) I will steam the rest of the fresh green beans to go along with this.
Tuesday: Over the weekend, I made a delicious Chicken Pot Pie. We will have some of the leftovers for dinner.
Wednesday: Mexican night! Depending on what we are in the mood for, we will either have Mexican Pasta Casserole or tacos.
Thursday: Stir fry! Lots of veggies and chicken to use. I also want to use up the leftover bamboo shoots that are in the fridge. Will make white rice to go with it. Yum!
Friday: Pizza night! Last Friday we were out and did not have homemade pizza. This week we will be very happy to be on schedule!
Monday, November 8, 2010
MPM: Menu Planning as a part of life
It is becoming routine to start thinking about a menu on Monday morning. I come here out of habit and out of a desire to have less stress in my week. Planning out meals ahead of time makes me happy! Here's what I've got for this week.
Monday: I have leftover bread from this weekend and some pre-cooked meatballs in the freezer. Spaghetti and meatballs with home made bread (possibly made into garlic bread table-side). Yum! This will be an easy meal to put together. While preparing dinner, I will use the quick-soak method to cook up some black beans.
Tuesday: Taco night! With a mixture of black beans and ground beef, we'll have the choice of hard or soft taco shells. Hopefully we'll have a little bit of meat mixture leftover for lunches or snacks, but I'm not holding my breath on that one!
Wednesday: Stir Fry. It has been a long time since I've made stir fry. I will probably have to cook some frozen uncooked chicken to make this, but it should not take very long. Also, we have lots of veggies around in the fridge and freezer. I'll make a pot of rice and we'll be good to go.
Thursday: Baked macaroni and cheese with ham. I will either use the package of Kraft home-style mac and cheese that I have laying around or I will make it from scratch. Either vegetables or salads as a side.
Friday: Pizza Night! Nothing fancy this week. Just home made pizza with personalized toppings. We always look forward to pizza night.
Monday: I have leftover bread from this weekend and some pre-cooked meatballs in the freezer. Spaghetti and meatballs with home made bread (possibly made into garlic bread table-side). Yum! This will be an easy meal to put together. While preparing dinner, I will use the quick-soak method to cook up some black beans.
Tuesday: Taco night! With a mixture of black beans and ground beef, we'll have the choice of hard or soft taco shells. Hopefully we'll have a little bit of meat mixture leftover for lunches or snacks, but I'm not holding my breath on that one!
Wednesday: Stir Fry. It has been a long time since I've made stir fry. I will probably have to cook some frozen uncooked chicken to make this, but it should not take very long. Also, we have lots of veggies around in the fridge and freezer. I'll make a pot of rice and we'll be good to go.
Thursday: Baked macaroni and cheese with ham. I will either use the package of Kraft home-style mac and cheese that I have laying around or I will make it from scratch. Either vegetables or salads as a side.
Friday: Pizza Night! Nothing fancy this week. Just home made pizza with personalized toppings. We always look forward to pizza night.
Monday, November 1, 2010
MPM: Week 4!
I am so excited to be posting my fourth menu plan Monday in a ROW! WOW! So, here it goes.
Monday: Tonight I'm going to make macaroni and cheese and hotdogs wrapped in crecent rolls. I'll let Mike pick if we will have a veggie or salads.
Tuesday: I have a meeting and it's election day, so dinner will be early and easy. Chicken patty sandwiches with pretzels or chips.
Wednesday: A "fend for yourself" day! I'm supposed to take my sister out to dinner as a birthday treat, so Mike will be probably having sandwiches for dinner or possibly chicken nuggets or grilled cheese. All easy things we keep around the house for these sorts of meals.
Thursday: We have a bunch of tortillas that need to be used up, so tonight will be make your own quesadilla night. We have leftovers to be used as well as shredded chicken in the freezer. I think I'll break out the griddle so we can make a few at a time. This will be quick and easy, but also filling and fun!
Friday: Definitely Pizza Night! We missed pizza night last week due to a birthday celebration, so I have a feeling we'll be ready this week. I bought some mozzarella sticks (farm fresh brand) to try, so if we are feeling like an appetizer, I'll throw some of those in the oven.
I don't usually plan meals for the weekends, but this week, Mike is not working nights at all! So, here we go!
Saturday: Soup and Bread. I'm going to make a loaf of rye bread with the bread machine (and possibly bake it in the oven?). I'll also make a nice pot of chicken and noodle soup. I've got homemade stock in the freezer as well as already chopped carrots and cooked shredded chicken. I just have to pick up some more celery this week.
Sunday: After a busy week, a night of leftovers is in order. Or, if we are so inclined, we may pick up Chinese food. For some reason, Chinese food and Sundays go together for us!
Monday: Tonight I'm going to make macaroni and cheese and hotdogs wrapped in crecent rolls. I'll let Mike pick if we will have a veggie or salads.
Tuesday: I have a meeting and it's election day, so dinner will be early and easy. Chicken patty sandwiches with pretzels or chips.
Wednesday: A "fend for yourself" day! I'm supposed to take my sister out to dinner as a birthday treat, so Mike will be probably having sandwiches for dinner or possibly chicken nuggets or grilled cheese. All easy things we keep around the house for these sorts of meals.
Thursday: We have a bunch of tortillas that need to be used up, so tonight will be make your own quesadilla night. We have leftovers to be used as well as shredded chicken in the freezer. I think I'll break out the griddle so we can make a few at a time. This will be quick and easy, but also filling and fun!
Friday: Definitely Pizza Night! We missed pizza night last week due to a birthday celebration, so I have a feeling we'll be ready this week. I bought some mozzarella sticks (farm fresh brand) to try, so if we are feeling like an appetizer, I'll throw some of those in the oven.
I don't usually plan meals for the weekends, but this week, Mike is not working nights at all! So, here we go!
Saturday: Soup and Bread. I'm going to make a loaf of rye bread with the bread machine (and possibly bake it in the oven?). I'll also make a nice pot of chicken and noodle soup. I've got homemade stock in the freezer as well as already chopped carrots and cooked shredded chicken. I just have to pick up some more celery this week.
Sunday: After a busy week, a night of leftovers is in order. Or, if we are so inclined, we may pick up Chinese food. For some reason, Chinese food and Sundays go together for us!
Monday, October 25, 2010
MPM: Week 3!
After quite the crazy weekend, my brain is on the fritz. But I still managed to pull together a solid menu plan for this week. As always, it's flexible, and actually includes a few meals that didn't get eaten last week.
Monday: Today is a "fend for yourself" type of day. I won't be home for dinner at all, and Mike will probably have sandwiches or leftovers or pizza rolls. It's good to have "emergency" meals that anyone can put together on hand!
Tuesday: We are finally going to have the fajitas that I planned for last week. I have been looking forward to them since last Monday, so we are fitting them into the week early.
Wednesday: Pasta night! I have some sausages in the fridge that I will cut up and put in meat sauce and I have an open box of spaghetti to finish. If we're lucky, I'll get the bread machine set up with the timer so we can have fresh bread with dinner. Yum!
Thursday: Trick-or-Treat night! I'm having family over to help with handing out candy, so I'm going to put together a crock-pot of Mexican Lentils that we can use to make nachos or taco salads. I'll probably just set up a taco bar and let everyone have at it.
Friday: Pizza night! No new trials this week, just the normal pizza.
Monday: Today is a "fend for yourself" type of day. I won't be home for dinner at all, and Mike will probably have sandwiches or leftovers or pizza rolls. It's good to have "emergency" meals that anyone can put together on hand!
Tuesday: We are finally going to have the fajitas that I planned for last week. I have been looking forward to them since last Monday, so we are fitting them into the week early.
Wednesday: Pasta night! I have some sausages in the fridge that I will cut up and put in meat sauce and I have an open box of spaghetti to finish. If we're lucky, I'll get the bread machine set up with the timer so we can have fresh bread with dinner. Yum!
Thursday: Trick-or-Treat night! I'm having family over to help with handing out candy, so I'm going to put together a crock-pot of Mexican Lentils that we can use to make nachos or taco salads. I'll probably just set up a taco bar and let everyone have at it.
Friday: Pizza night! No new trials this week, just the normal pizza.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
MPM: 2 weeks in a row!
I shouldn't get to excited about actually posting 2 weeks in a row, but I'm feeling inspired. (ps - I finished writing this on Monday, but I totally forgot to post it!)
Monday: This morning I got a batch of Pizza Soup going in the crockpot. We'll have salads and cresent rolls with it to round out the meal.
Tuesday: I have a rehearsal at 6pm, so we will eat when I get home. Chicken Patty sandwiches will be something easy that Mike can get started. We've got rolls that need to be used as well.
Wednesday: Fajitas are the order of the day. I have chicken that is marinated and ready to go in the freezer as well as onions and peppers that are already cut. We have tortillas that were on sale at the beginning of the month that need to get eaten up. I even have some home made re-fried beans in the freezer.
Thursday: We are celebrating our anniversary this week, so we will probably go out to eat. Haven't decided where yet.
Friday: Pizza night! I bought a brick of mozzarella on sale a few weeks ago with the intention of making some mozzarella sticks for a pizza night. I like to mix it up a little. A google search later, I've come up with this recipe that looks very easy and yummy.
Monday: This morning I got a batch of Pizza Soup going in the crockpot. We'll have salads and cresent rolls with it to round out the meal.
Tuesday: I have a rehearsal at 6pm, so we will eat when I get home. Chicken Patty sandwiches will be something easy that Mike can get started. We've got rolls that need to be used as well.
Wednesday: Fajitas are the order of the day. I have chicken that is marinated and ready to go in the freezer as well as onions and peppers that are already cut. We have tortillas that were on sale at the beginning of the month that need to get eaten up. I even have some home made re-fried beans in the freezer.
Thursday: We are celebrating our anniversary this week, so we will probably go out to eat. Haven't decided where yet.
Friday: Pizza night! I bought a brick of mozzarella on sale a few weeks ago with the intention of making some mozzarella sticks for a pizza night. I like to mix it up a little. A google search later, I've come up with this recipe that looks very easy and yummy.
Monday, October 11, 2010
MPM: Trying this Again....
Well, this is a depressing trend. I post menu plans for a few weeks, and then I stop only to start up months and months later! At least I can say this: I HAVE been menu planning almost every week since the summer ended. It is always harder in the summer when Mike's work hours are during dinner time and we don't eat together. I eat crackers and cheese for dinner a LOT that way. Anyway, I have decided to not plan meals for the weekends OR days that Mike is working late. Also, it's always subject to change! The main challenge is to plan based on what we have on hand or fresh produce that is available on sale or at the farmers market.
Monday: Taco Bake (recipe from Kraft). This recipe is different than the one I usually make, but I have a lot of mac and cheese that we haven't been eating, so I thought I'd give this one a try. To be served with a side salad or carrot sticks.
Tuesday: Chicken Patty sandwiches. We have rolls on hand that I don't want to go bad and the chicken patties were on sale last week with a coupon. I think I will make a pasta salad with lots of fresh veggies to go on the side.
Wednesday: Pizza Night. Friday Mike is working late, so I'll move Pizza Night to Wednesday so we don't miss out on our favorite meal of the week. Pizza is served top-yourself style with lots of veggies available!
Thursday: Sausage sandwiches with onions and peppers on hard rolls. Not only did I get some yummy chicken sausage on sale last week, there is a new bakery in town that I've been meaning to check out as well as the farmer's market which has great peppers at GREAT prices. It'll still be a quick and filling meal after I get home from the little bit of extra shopping.
Friday: Mike is working, so a short week for meal planning!
Monday: Taco Bake (recipe from Kraft). This recipe is different than the one I usually make, but I have a lot of mac and cheese that we haven't been eating, so I thought I'd give this one a try. To be served with a side salad or carrot sticks.
Tuesday: Chicken Patty sandwiches. We have rolls on hand that I don't want to go bad and the chicken patties were on sale last week with a coupon. I think I will make a pasta salad with lots of fresh veggies to go on the side.
Wednesday: Pizza Night. Friday Mike is working late, so I'll move Pizza Night to Wednesday so we don't miss out on our favorite meal of the week. Pizza is served top-yourself style with lots of veggies available!
Thursday: Sausage sandwiches with onions and peppers on hard rolls. Not only did I get some yummy chicken sausage on sale last week, there is a new bakery in town that I've been meaning to check out as well as the farmer's market which has great peppers at GREAT prices. It'll still be a quick and filling meal after I get home from the little bit of extra shopping.
Friday: Mike is working, so a short week for meal planning!
Monday, May 10, 2010
MPM: Continuing on
I think I can, I think I can.....
Monday: Chicken Sandwiches and Macaroni and Cheese
Tuesday: Leftover enchiladas from Mothers' Day
Wednesday: Pasta casserole... something soft so Mike can eat it (he's having cavity work done in the afternoon). Jello for dessert.
Thursday: Possible movie night with a "snacky" dinner... popcorn chicken, dips & veggies, etc.
Friday: Pizza night!
Saturday: Leftovers or stirfry.
Sunday: Concert day! We probably won't need to eat dinner after we have a filling reception, but I will have to make a dessert to bring.
Monday, May 3, 2010
MPM: Back on the bandwagon
Oops! I haven't formally menu planned since March! No wonder I have no idea what is in the freezer and I can't remember what we ate last week. This is not a great trend to start, so this is me trying to jump back on the bandwagon....
A lot of activities this week to plan around, so let's see what I can come up with.
Monday: We have some place to be at 6:30, so a quick dinner of hamburgers or chicken patty sandwiches will work. I've got some rice in the freezer to heat up for a quick and easy side dish.
Tuesday: Another quick dinner night. I need to be at a meeting at 7 and Mike doesn't get home from work until 6:30! Something's gotta give. An easy-peasy meal that can be easily reheated? Ravioli with meat sauce or meatballs I'll decide when I'm making it since I've got both ready to go.
Wednesday: Happy Cinco De Mayo! We'll have Pulled Pork "Carnitas" which I will make in the crockpot. I'll be using a variation of this recipe (no beer), so I have to add a few things to my grocery list!
Thursday: Going to my parents' house for dinner since my grandparents & aunt are in town.
Friday: It's pizza night! Hopefully I can make one and freeze the other (as we are getting ready for a big pizza party in a few weeks). A salad is a nice compliment to pizza.
Saturday: My sister's graduation! If there are any meals at home, they will be leftovers.
Sunday: Mothers' Day! I've invited my family over for dinner, and we'll be having enchiladas (chicken, re-fried beans and possibly leftover pork will serve as the filling) which I will put together on Friday or Saturday and have Mike put in the oven while we are at church.
A lot of activities this week to plan around, so let's see what I can come up with.
Monday: We have some place to be at 6:30, so a quick dinner of hamburgers or chicken patty sandwiches will work. I've got some rice in the freezer to heat up for a quick and easy side dish.
Tuesday: Another quick dinner night. I need to be at a meeting at 7 and Mike doesn't get home from work until 6:30! Something's gotta give. An easy-peasy meal that can be easily reheated? Ravioli with meat sauce or meatballs I'll decide when I'm making it since I've got both ready to go.
Wednesday: Happy Cinco De Mayo! We'll have Pulled Pork "Carnitas" which I will make in the crockpot. I'll be using a variation of this recipe (no beer), so I have to add a few things to my grocery list!
Thursday: Going to my parents' house for dinner since my grandparents & aunt are in town.
Friday: It's pizza night! Hopefully I can make one and freeze the other (as we are getting ready for a big pizza party in a few weeks). A salad is a nice compliment to pizza.
Saturday: My sister's graduation! If there are any meals at home, they will be leftovers.
Sunday: Mothers' Day! I've invited my family over for dinner, and we'll be having enchiladas (chicken, re-fried beans and possibly leftover pork will serve as the filling) which I will put together on Friday or Saturday and have Mike put in the oven while we are at church.
Monday, March 15, 2010
MPM: Ides of March
I actually did menu planning 2 weeks in a row! Wow. I forgot to post last week, though, so this is a retrospective as well as our menu for this coming week.
Last week -
Monday: Hamburgers with Uncle Ben's rice pouch
Tuesday: Baked Ziti
Wednesday: Lenten supper @ church
Thursday: Tacos
Friday: Pizza (my own recipe! Will work on perfecting it before posting)
Saturday: Whole Wheat Crepes
Sunday: Stir fry with rice.
This week -
Monday: Chicken, Rice, and broccoli with cheese sauce
Tuesday: Ravioli with meat sauce
Wednesday: Lenten supper @ church (I'm making chili to bring this week)
Thursday: Pizza (moved from Friday so we can have meat on it!)
Friday: No-meat Enchiladas
Last week -
Monday: Hamburgers with Uncle Ben's rice pouch
Tuesday: Baked Ziti
Wednesday: Lenten supper @ church
Thursday: Tacos
Friday: Pizza (my own recipe! Will work on perfecting it before posting)
Saturday: Whole Wheat Crepes
Sunday: Stir fry with rice.
This week -
Monday: Chicken, Rice, and broccoli with cheese sauce
Tuesday: Ravioli with meat sauce
Wednesday: Lenten supper @ church (I'm making chili to bring this week)
Thursday: Pizza (moved from Friday so we can have meat on it!)
Friday: No-meat Enchiladas
Monday, November 16, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
This is feeling more, and more necessary!
Monday: Chicken & brocolli/cheese frozen meal "fresh steamer" thing.
Tuesday: Leftover mexican (chili / enchillada filling)
Wednesday: Leftover ziti
Thursday: Wanchai Ferry bagged meal with frozen veggies added
Friday: Homemade soup & bread
No pizza this week? I think this might fall on the weekend.
Monday: Chicken & brocolli/cheese frozen meal "fresh steamer" thing.
Tuesday: Leftover mexican (chili / enchillada filling)
Wednesday: Leftover ziti
Thursday: Wanchai Ferry bagged meal with frozen veggies added
Friday: Homemade soup & bread
No pizza this week? I think this might fall on the weekend.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
I seem to be getting into the swing of things with this whole menu planning thing! I am enjoying the knowledge that I don't have to come up with something for dinner at 4:30, and also the freedom of mixing nights around and using the "plan" as more of a "guideline" when our stomachs guide us to something else. The key with the "something else"s is that they don't involve an extra shopping trip.
Monday: *Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, soup (gotta use up the ones from last year's sales!)
Tuesday: *Hamburgers & French Fries
Wednesday: Stir-fry, rice (one of these recipes, or something similar)
Thursday: Leftover chili & enchilada mix in either taco or burrito form
Friday: Pizza day
*The man of the house is cooking! I love this, since it was his idea.
Having someone else cooking on Monday & Tuesday also frees up some of my time for processing the pumpkins I bought last week with my mom's food processor which I borrowed over the weekend.
Monday: *Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, soup (gotta use up the ones from last year's sales!)
Tuesday: *Hamburgers & French Fries
Wednesday: Stir-fry, rice (one of these recipes, or something similar)
Thursday: Leftover chili & enchilada mix in either taco or burrito form
Friday: Pizza day
*The man of the house is cooking! I love this, since it was his idea.
Having someone else cooking on Monday & Tuesday also frees up some of my time for processing the pumpkins I bought last week with my mom's food processor which I borrowed over the weekend.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
I'm feeling a bit of the crazy-time-creep. Things that are normally under control are becoming uncontrollable. And writing this menu plan out will make the week feel a little less hectic.
Monday: Tonight will be leftovers from last week: Baked Ziti. I might pull out a frozen veggie, too. Probably green beans. And garlic toast, or course. yum. Then off to choir rehearsal.
Tuesday: I'm going to leave the cooking to the man of the house. Hamburgers and french fries. Then we will watch the premiere of V!
Wednesday: Pumpkin Penne Pasta with some cooked chicken thrown in for good measure. Also, bread in the bread machine and creamed spinach. My family is coming over for dinner, so hopefully they'll like it!
Thursday: Enchiladas again. I really liked the filling for these and the sauce is really good. Now if I only had a moment to make my own tortillas....
Friday: Now I can't remember if Mike is working late or not, but if not, I'll be making pizza, calzones, or stromboli with this recipe.
Saturday/Sunday: I have had a hankering for chili for a while now and with the sales on canned tomatoes, I have to use up my stash from last year. So, I'll definitely make a huge pot of chili over the weekend. We'll be able to use the leftovers in different forms over the next week. (Tacos, taco salad, chili mac & cheese, and whatever I think of!) I'll be using dried beans, so I'll probably start them soaking on Friday or Saturday morning.
Ahhh.. now I feel just a little more organized.
Monday: Tonight will be leftovers from last week: Baked Ziti. I might pull out a frozen veggie, too. Probably green beans. And garlic toast, or course. yum. Then off to choir rehearsal.
Tuesday: I'm going to leave the cooking to the man of the house. Hamburgers and french fries. Then we will watch the premiere of V!
Wednesday: Pumpkin Penne Pasta with some cooked chicken thrown in for good measure. Also, bread in the bread machine and creamed spinach. My family is coming over for dinner, so hopefully they'll like it!
Thursday: Enchiladas again. I really liked the filling for these and the sauce is really good. Now if I only had a moment to make my own tortillas....
Friday: Now I can't remember if Mike is working late or not, but if not, I'll be making pizza, calzones, or stromboli with this recipe.
Saturday/Sunday: I have had a hankering for chili for a while now and with the sales on canned tomatoes, I have to use up my stash from last year. So, I'll definitely make a huge pot of chili over the weekend. We'll be able to use the leftovers in different forms over the next week. (Tacos, taco salad, chili mac & cheese, and whatever I think of!) I'll be using dried beans, so I'll probably start them soaking on Friday or Saturday morning.
Ahhh.. now I feel just a little more organized.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Karns Shopping Trip
I thought I was going on a relatively simple shopping trip to our local chain, Karns, but when I discovered a catalina deal being advertised in the aisle, I stood around figuring out the best way to do it with my coupons. And I ended up getting $4 extra dollars back and some free Pillsbury products!
(just ignore the wine bottle in the background, it's more of a center piece)
Fortunately the store was not very busy, so doing 3 transactions didn't take up anyone else's time.
Transaction #1:
4 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls @ $1.67 each (4 $1 off coupons)
Subtotal: $6.68
Total after coupons: $2.68
Savings: $4
Result: $2 catalina coupon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transaction #2:
2 Grands Biscuits @ $1 each ($1/2 coupon)
2 Grands Cinnamon Biscuits @ $1 each ($1/2 coupon)
Used $2 catalina coupon from Transaction #1
Subtotal: $4
Total after coupons: $0.00 (!!!!)
Savings: $4
Result: $2 catalina coupon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transaction #3 (my actual groceries):
4 Quaker Oats @ 1.17 each (2 $1.25/2 coupons)
2 Hormel Pepperoni @ $3.09 each (2 $0.55 coupons, doubled to $1)
1 Sara Lee Ham @ $4.69 ($3 coupon)
2 Breyers Yogurts @ $0.50 each ($1/2 coupon)
2 Malt-o-meal "Frosted Flakes" @ $2.59 each (2 $0.50 coupons, doubled to $1)
1 Turkey Hill Ice Cream @ $2 ($1 coupon)
1 packaged dried apples @ $3.40
1 coffee mate @ $1.89
1 Onion @ $0.96
4 Peppers @ $1.92
Used $2 catalina coupon from Transaction #2
Subtotal: $31.90
Total after coupons: $18.40
Savings: $13.50
Total Out Of Pocket (OOP): $21.08
Total Savings: $21.50
(just ignore the wine bottle in the background, it's more of a center piece)Fortunately the store was not very busy, so doing 3 transactions didn't take up anyone else's time.
Transaction #1:
4 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls @ $1.67 each (4 $1 off coupons)
Subtotal: $6.68
Total after coupons: $2.68
Savings: $4
Result: $2 catalina coupon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transaction #2:
2 Grands Biscuits @ $1 each ($1/2 coupon)
2 Grands Cinnamon Biscuits @ $1 each ($1/2 coupon)
Used $2 catalina coupon from Transaction #1
Subtotal: $4
Total after coupons: $0.00 (!!!!)
Savings: $4
Result: $2 catalina coupon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transaction #3 (my actual groceries):
4 Quaker Oats @ 1.17 each (2 $1.25/2 coupons)
2 Hormel Pepperoni @ $3.09 each (2 $0.55 coupons, doubled to $1)
1 Sara Lee Ham @ $4.69 ($3 coupon)
2 Breyers Yogurts @ $0.50 each ($1/2 coupon)
2 Malt-o-meal "Frosted Flakes" @ $2.59 each (2 $0.50 coupons, doubled to $1)
1 Turkey Hill Ice Cream @ $2 ($1 coupon)
1 packaged dried apples @ $3.40
1 coffee mate @ $1.89
1 Onion @ $0.96
4 Peppers @ $1.92
Used $2 catalina coupon from Transaction #2
Subtotal: $31.90
Total after coupons: $18.40
Savings: $13.50
Total Out Of Pocket (OOP): $21.08
Total Savings: $21.50
Monday, September 28, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
I don't usually write out menu plans, but this week is feeling a little crazy, so I thought I'd put it down where I don't have to worry about forgetting what day is what. Of course, it's important to always go with the flow and be open to change just in case!
Monday: Baked Ziti (with peas in it) with leftover Beer Bread
Tuesday: Going to my parents for a Turkey Dinner (Thanksgiving in September?)
Wednesday: Pan-fried Chicken with Brown-ed Rice and Cauliflower
Thursday: Hamburgers on the Forman Grill with leftover rice or mac & cheese (make dough for Friday)
Friday: Homemade pizza (or if time gets away from me, boboli crusts from the freezer)
Saturday/Sunday: Leftovers.
Monday: Baked Ziti (with peas in it) with leftover Beer Bread
Tuesday: Going to my parents for a Turkey Dinner (Thanksgiving in September?)
Wednesday: Pan-fried Chicken with Brown-ed Rice and Cauliflower
Thursday: Hamburgers on the Forman Grill with leftover rice or mac & cheese (make dough for Friday)
Friday: Homemade pizza (or if time gets away from me, boboli crusts from the freezer)
Saturday/Sunday: Leftovers.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Target Shopping
Hit up Target knowing that my freezer was mostly empty. No longer! Also, getting very stocked up on those single-serving flavor packets. They are going to be great for vacations and being out where there isn't easy access to filtered water. Staying hydrated and not having to tolerate nasty water is always good.
9 boxes of Eggo BakeShop products - $1.50 ($1 coupon for each)
8 Crystal Lite 3 packs - $0.99 ($1 coupon for each)
2 Aquafresh Toothpaste Travel Sized - $0.79 (2 FREE coupons)
Cornstarch-based baby powder - $1.39
Total Out Of Pocket (OOP) - $5.81
Savings - $18.50
9 boxes of Eggo BakeShop products - $1.50 ($1 coupon for each)
8 Crystal Lite 3 packs - $0.99 ($1 coupon for each)
2 Aquafresh Toothpaste Travel Sized - $0.79 (2 FREE coupons)
Cornstarch-based baby powder - $1.39
Total Out Of Pocket (OOP) - $5.81
Savings - $18.50
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Double Coupon Week @ Kmart, trip #2
I don't usually shop at Kmart so twice in one week is very unusual for me. Between this trip and the last one, I really noticed their lack of selection and the amount of products that were just completely out of stock! I'm thinking of one more trip this week, but I might have to go to the other Kmart in town to see if they are better at keeping things on the shelves (even if the other store is much dirtier).
2 Dry Idea - $7.98 (2@$3.99 each) (2 $2 coupons, doubled to full price)
2 Kotex Panty Liners - $2.58 (2@1.29 each) (2 $1 coupons, doubled to full price)
2 Head & Shoulders - $10.98 (2@$5.49 each) ($2 coupon, doubled)
2 Bic Soleil 4 packs - $10.58 (2@$5.29 each) (2 $2 coupons, doubled)
Reynolds Aluminum Foil - $4.49 ($1 coupon, doubled)
Velveeta Shells - $2.29 ($1 coupon, doubled)
Orville Popcorn - $2 ($1 coupon, doubled)
3 M&Ms - $2.67 (3@$0.89 each) (1 Free coupon, 1 BOGOF coupon)
Total Before Coupons: $43.57
Total Saved (coupons and doubling): $30.34
Total (with Tax) after Coupons: $15.72
2 Dry Idea - $7.98 (2@$3.99 each) (2 $2 coupons, doubled to full price)
2 Kotex Panty Liners - $2.58 (2@1.29 each) (2 $1 coupons, doubled to full price)
2 Head & Shoulders - $10.98 (2@$5.49 each) ($2 coupon, doubled)
2 Bic Soleil 4 packs - $10.58 (2@$5.29 each) (2 $2 coupons, doubled)
Reynolds Aluminum Foil - $4.49 ($1 coupon, doubled)
Velveeta Shells - $2.29 ($1 coupon, doubled)
Orville Popcorn - $2 ($1 coupon, doubled)
3 M&Ms - $2.67 (3@$0.89 each) (1 Free coupon, 1 BOGOF coupon)
Total Before Coupons: $43.57
Total Saved (coupons and doubling): $30.34
Total (with Tax) after Coupons: $15.72
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