Menu Plan (February 1)

Well, I learned a few very valuable lessons during the month of January.

1 - Planning our meals for the week is a practice I am going to continue.  It was a tremendous help to me not to have to worry about what's for dinner.  It also saved us a lot of money.  (I didn't have a written plan for the last week of the month, and our budget took a hit because of it.)

2 - I need to include weekends in the written plan.  While we were very good about not going out to eat very much, we let it slide a little bit toward the end of the month - again, no written plan. 

3 - I didn't make the $75 budget I'd hoped for in January.  I'm not going to consider it a failure per se, but a learning experience. I will strive again for $75 for the month of February and we'll see what happens.  Better grocery store and coupon planning is a must.  Milk was probably the biggest budget buster for me in January...so I need to get creative on how to get more milk for less money and figure out how to make it last longer.

I won't keep you in suspense any longer...here is our meal plan for the week.

Monday - Scalloped Potato / Ham Casserole, Sauteed Green Beans
Tuesday - Ultimate Chicken (based on a local restaurant fave), oven fries
Wednesday - Leftovers (Big B's night out)
Thursday - Chili
Friday - Homemade Chicken Lo Mein
Saturday - Girls Night Out (more to come about this!)
Sunday - Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts

I am still in the process of using up all that is in the pantry and freezer.  So hopefully for the next few weeks, my only grocery purchases will be for milk and bread.  We'll see how THAT goes!  Have a great week!

Menu Plan (January 11)

Well, I made it through last week, although Friday night's meal moved to Saturday night, and we strayed from the plan on Friday night.  Both Big B and I gave in to our burger cravings...'nuff said about that.

So, on to this weeks menu.

Monday - Chopped "Steak" with Sauteed Onions and Brown Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, & Green Beans

Tuesday - Baked Chicken Spaghetti

Wednesday - Leftovers - Big B's night out

Thursday - Chicken Quesadillas w/ Mexican Rice

Friday - Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein

What's on your menu this week?

Menu Plan (January 4)

I never in a million years thought that planning a week of meals from my own pantry (and fridge and freezer) would be this difficult.  I mean, for those of you who know me, I LOVE to cook.  Never mind the fact that my job revolves around an industrial kitchen for crying out loud.  So, WHY, I ask you, is this so darn difficult?

It's because I am forcing myself to take the time and actually plan what we will do. I know that in the long run this is going to make things so much easier - especially considering that one hour commute I have to take each evening. 

I am only posting dinners for now.  With that commute, breakfast is usually a bowl of cereal right before leaving or a grilled cheese sandwich in the car.  Lunches for Big B are usually leftovers or a sandwich.  I usually am able to grab a bite at work (perk of the job).

So, deep breath in...here goes!
Sunday - Scalloped Potatoes with Ham, Green Beans
Monday - Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tuesday - Crockpot Chili
Wednesday - Voila Package (Big B will be playing drums, so no need to really cook!)
Thursday - Navy Beans and Corn Bread
Friday - Tex Mex Rice and Beans

Whew - done.  I can't believe looking back at this list that it took me so long to come up with it - how silly is that?  But it's great to know that I can rest easy this week when I get home each night.  I might even make a few of these dishes a little early and not have to worry about it at all!

Hope you all have a fantastic week!   Cheers!