Menu Planning Monday

I'm a little late in getting this posted, but better late than never! This menu cost me right at about $80.00. My weekly budget is $75.00 for our family of 9. Remember though, I was had to completely buy all new meat due to the hurricane that came through. It's ok though since I still had leftover money from my previous budgets.

Breakfast:

Monday: Waffles and fruit

Tuesday: Baked oatmeal

Wednesday: Muffins and sausage

Thursday: Eggs and biscuits

Friday: Pancakes and fruit

Saturday: Eggs, hashbrowns, and a meat

Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:

Monday: Grilled hot dogs, homemade mac & cheese, and a veggie

Tuesday: Sandwiches and a veggie

Wednesday: Soup and crackers

Thursday: Fried ham, mashed potatoes, and a veggie

Friday: Baked potatoes and vegetable plate

Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:

Monday: Banana bread

Tuesday: Fruit

Wednesday: Homemade cookies

Thursday: Veggie and cheese tray

Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:

Monday:

Teriyaki chicken

Eggrolls

Fried rice

Tuesday:

Mini meatloaf patties
Braised radishes

Cheesy cauliflower casserole

Wednesday:--->It's supposed to be cooler, I can't wait!

Homemade chili

Cornbread

Thursday:

Crockpot ribs

Mashed potatoes

Corn

Friday:
Homemade pizza

Breadsticks

Saturday:

Smothered pork chops

Rice and gravy

Green beans

Yeast rolls

Sunday:--->Olive Garden night! I got the recipes from copycat recipes. It tastes exactly like the real thing!

Blackened chicken alfredo

Tuscana soup

Breadsticks

Olive Garden alfredo sauce:

Ingredients:

1 pint of Heavy Cream

1 stick of butter

2 Tbsp. Cream Cheese

1/2 - 3/4 C. Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. Garlic powder

Directions:

In a saucepan combine butter, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Simmer this until all is melted, and mixed well. Add the Parmesan cheese and Garlic powder. Simmer this for 15 - 20 minutes on low. You may wish to season with a little salt and pepper. I have done this with half and half, but we prefer the heavy cream. But I wouldn't try it with plain milk.

Olive Garden zuppa tuscana soup:

Ingredients:

1 lb. Italian Sausage

2 large Russet Baking Potatoes sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices

1 large Onion, chopped

1/2 package Oscar Meyer Real Bacon Bits or 6 slices bacon, crumbled

2 cloves garlic minced

2 C. Kale or Swiss chard chopped

2 cans Chicken Broth

1 qt. Water

1 C. Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 tsp fennel seed

Directions:

Brown sausage in large pot. Place in bowl and put off to side after done cooking. Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, garlic in pot, and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done. Add sausage, bacon, salt, and pepper to taste, and fennel seed and simmer for another 10 minutes. Turn to low heat, add kale and cream. Heat through and serve. Please don't skip the fennel seed. It is what really makes the dish turn out just like the real thing!

For more great menu ideas, head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Planning Mondays.

Menu Planning Monday:

I actually planned a menu this week! I don't know if the motivation for it is because I have a class to teach on menu planning and budgeting this week, or if it's because i'm just so ready to get back to normal life again. I normally have a budget of $75.00 per week for my family of 9. This weeks menu cost $100.00 since I was out of so many things.

So maybe this week isn't as frugal as usual but don't worry, i'm still on budget since I had leftover money from previous weeks. I am also still stockpiling a few things that I have coupons for. I have enough bottles of salad dressing to last the rest of the year or more. I was out of anything that wasn't perishable because of the hurricane so that's why it's a bit more this time.

I do have to say that it is so nice to eat cooked food again. We are all so tired of sandwiches here. You just have no clue.

Breakfast:
Monday: Waffles and fruit
Tuesday: Baked oatmeal
Wednesday: Muffins and sausage
Thursday: Eggs and biscuits
Friday: Pancakes and fruit
Saturday: Eggs, hashbrowns, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Grilled hot dogs, homemade mac & cheese, and a veggie
Tuesday: Sandwiches and a veggie--->sorry kids!
Wednesday: Soup and crackers
Thursday: Fried ham, mashed potatoes, and a veggie
Friday: Baked potatoes and vegetable plate
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Banana bread
Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Homemade cookies
Thursday: Veggie and cheese tray
Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:
Monday:
Crockpot chicken--->recipe below!

Rice pilaf

Corn on the cob

Tuesday:
Baked tilapia

Butter and garlic green beans

Salad

Wednesday:
Mexican bar night--->we have tacos, burritos, enchiladas, mexican rice, refried beans. Everyone just chooses what they want.

Thursday:
Family syle chicken

Roasted squash and zucchini

Yeast rolls

Friday:

Baked italian sausage and peppers

Green beans

Twisted breadsticks

Saturday:
BLT's

French fries

Sunday:--->one of our favorites! I can give recipes if you'd like.
Mini meatloaf patties with mushroom gravy

Braised radishes

Cheesy cauliflower casserole

One of my easiest recipes that I cook on a busy day is crockpot chicken. It only takes about 5 minutes to get started and everyone here loves it. I used to make it without the thyme and rosemary, but it has made it so much better since we started adding these herbs. We use dried herbs out of our garden, but you can use fresh also if you'd like.

Crockpot Chicken:

1 whole chicken 3-4 lbs

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can of water

salt and pepper

garlic powder

Thyme

Rosemary

Directions:

Put chicken in crockpot. Add canned soups and water, mix as well as you can. Season top of chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary. I just eye it. I might use about 1 tsp of each. Cook on high for about 6 hours or until done. I usually debone it after it's done cooking since I have little ones.

For more great menu ideas, head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Planning Mondays.

Menu Planning Monday: Using my stockpile!

From doing a bit of stockpiling the last week or two I am able to do this menu almost completely for nothing. I did have to buy a bit of meat(only because my freezer went out and I lost my chicken), and of course fresh fruits, veggies, and milk. This menu was just a little over $30.00. Since my budget is $75.00 a week, that leaves me about $45.00 to stock up even more with all the great grocery sales. You can see a few of the deals i've been getting here.

Breakfast:

Monday: Waffles and fruit

Tuesday: Baked oatmeal

Wednesday: Muffins and sausage

Thursday: eggs and biscuits

Friday: Pancakes and fruit

Saturday: Eggs, hashbrowns, and a meat

Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:

Monday: Grilled hot dogs, homemade mac & cheese, and a veggie

Tuesday: Sandwiches and a veggie

Wednesday: Grilled chicken salad

Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit

Friday: Baked potatoes and vegetable plate

Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:

Monday: Banana bread

Tuesday: Fruit

Wednesday: Homemade cookies

Thursday: Veggie and cheese tray

Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:

Monday:

Chicken and stuffing

Corn

Yeast rolls

Tuesday:

Sloppy joes

Coleslaw

Wednesday:

Chili cheese enchiladas

Mexican rice

Thursday:

Chicken and stuffing
Corn
Yeast rolls

Friday:
Pizza
Cheese bread

Saturday:

BBQ at my sisters house

Sunday:

Roast

Potatoes and carrots

Salad

For more great menu ideas, head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Planning Mondays.

Menu Planning Monday: Building my stockpile!

Life since the baby has come has been full, but I am slowly getting back in the swing of things. I have fianlly been able to take advantage of some of the sales again so I am getting my stockpile back up. Because of that I have only spent about $50.00 on this week's menu.

That still leaves me $25.00 to snatch up any other good deals that I may find to add to that growing stockpile. My goal is to be able to "shop" out of my stockpile and just shop for fresh foods that can't be stored and of course more deals. This is the way to never pay full price for anything again. It's how I am able to keep my food budget so low. Check out this stockpile to see what I'm talking about. Wow!

Breakfast:
Monday: Waffles and fruit
Tuesday: Breakfast casserole
Wednesday: Muffins and sausage
Thursday: Homemade cinnamon rolls
Friday: Pancakes and fruit
Saturday: Eggs, hashbrowns, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Fried ham, homemade mac & cheese, and a veggie
Tuesday: Sandwiches and a veggie
Wednesday: Grilled chicken salad
Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Baked potatoes and vegetable plate
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Banana bread
Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Homemade cookies
Thursday: Veggie and cheese tray
Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:
Monday:
Chinese Stirfry

Fried Rice

Eggrolls

Tuesday:
Cheeseburger pie

Green beans

Wednesday:
Mexican bar

Thursday:
Chicken and stuffing

Corn

Yeast rolls

Friday:

Pizza

Cheese bread

Saturday:

BBQ

Sunday:
Rosemary pork tenderloin

Potatoes and baby carrots

Salads

For more great menu ideas, head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Planning Mondays.

Menu Planning Monday: Kids choice week!

First off, I just want to say how nice it was to have almost a full week of crockpot meals. I think I have decided to do this every so often. Eventhough I didn't have to leave town, it was still nice to not to have to worry about dinner every night since we've been so busy. It was such a nice break for me.

Now it's back to normal again. This week is kids choice week. It is always a big hit around here. What I do is have each one of the children pick out a meal they would like to eat. We have five children that pick a meal right now, so Mom and Dad get a night too.

Anyways, the older three are responsible for helping me plan the menu, making a grocery list, cooking, and serving the meal. It gets them involved in every aspect of menu planning. My goal is to have their spouses thank me one day. Of course the little ones just help Mom or dad cook and serve the meal.

They all really love to help me in the kitchen. Sometimes a little too much, if you know what I mean. Doing this helps to keep only one child in the kitchen with me at a time. At least for one whole week! It is also a nice one-on-one time for us.

This menu will cost us right at $60.00 for our family of eight. My weekly budget is $75.00 so I plan on spending a little to buy a few staple items i'll be needing soon. Maybe i'll be able to get some really great deals that I can stock up on.

Breakfast:

Monday: Waffles and fruit

Tuesday: Breakfast casserole--->just got this recipe from a friend!

Wednesday: Muffins and sausage

Thursday: Homemade cinnamon rolls

Friday: Pancakes and fruit

Saturday: Eggs, hashbrowns, and a meat

Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:

Monday: Hot dogs, mac & cheese, and a veggie

Tuesday: Sandwiches and a veggie---> We're going blueberry picking and then having a picnic at the park!

Wednesday: Chicken salad and baked potatoes

Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit

Friday: Soup and crackers

Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:

Monday: Amish Friendship bread and milk

Tuesday: Fruit

Wednesday: Homemade chocolate oatmeal cookies

Thursday: Veggie and cheese tray

Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:

Monday: 10 yo son's pick!

Meat lasagna

Brocolli with homemade cheese sauce to top

Pumpkin rolls

Tuesday: Mom's pick!
Chinese stirfry

Fried rice

Eggrolls

Wednesday: 14 yo daughter's pick! She'll be cooking with Dad since he's the one that makes this.

Crawfish pie

Homegrown green beans--->The first of the year!

Pumpkin pie

Thursday: 12 yo daughter's pick!

Chicken and sausage jambalaya

Corn

Yeast rolls

Friday: 5 yo daughter's pick!

Homemade pizza rolls

Breadsticks and marinara sauce for dipping

Saturday: 3 yo son's pick!

Sloppy joes

French fries--->this counts as a veggie, right?

Sunday: Dad's pick since we didn't make it last week!

Italian sausage and peppers

Corn

Cheese bread

Homemade Pizza rolls:

Ingredients:
Mozarella cheese
A jar of pizza sauce or you can make your own (i'll share my recipe another day)
1 package of egg roll wrappers
oil (for frying)
Whatever toppings you want to go inside of them (we stick to pepperoni that I chop up coarsely, onions, bell peppers, sausage, and ham. Not all at the same time, just whatever we have at the time.)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Place a spoonful or two inside an eggroll wrapper. Fold as you would an eggroll. Bottom up, sides in, and then moisten the top then fold it over to seal it. Fry in your oil till golden brown. You can use a deep fryer if you want or just put at least an inch or two of oil in a frying pan on the stove. I'm sure you could bake them, but I have never done it so i'm not sure how long you would need to cook them.

*for the little ones I will cut an eggroll in half and make mini pizza rolls. These would look more like the pizza rolls you buy in the store, but taste so much better.

Crawfish Pie:

Ingredients:

1 med. to large onion
3 stalks of celery
6 to 8 cloves of garlic
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can light or regular evaporated milk
1 pound of crawfish tails
5 tablespoons of cornstarch
pie crust for 2-crust pie

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Sauté onions, celery and garlic in butter or olive oil. Add milk and soup; bring to medium boil. Add crawfish, bring to medium boil again then add corn starch. Lower heat and cook for another 10 minutes or until thick. Grease pie shell w/butter and place pie shell in bottom of pan then add thickened mixture. Put on top shell and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. I have a great recipe for pie crusts, but i'll have to dig it out of my other binder. You can always use a store bought crust, you just have to buy a double one since it covers the top.

For more great menu's, check out Menu Planning Monday, hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Planning Monday: Crockpot week!

This week was supposed to be kids choice week, but we received the news that my Grandfather is doing worse than they thought. Eventhough I am in late pregnancy I need to make a trip up there to be with him before he goes. This menu is all tentative and can easily be done by my older children and husband if I need to leave suddenly.

Eventhough I don't feel like making a menu plan right now, I know that we still need to eat. I also know that having a menu will save me from actually having to think much about what we're going to eat this week.

I have deemed this week crockpot week. I might actually cook one or two meals, but I will be using my crockpot as much as possible. I will post recipes later on today for those of you who would like them.

Lots of people still like to know how much I am spending weekly for my food budget. This week will cost me right at $50.00, since I need a few staple items.

Breakfast:
Monday: Waffles
Tuesday: Baked oatmeal
Wednesday: Muffins and sausage
Thursday: Homemade cinnamon rolls
Friday: Pancakes and fruit
Saturday: Eggs, hashbrowns, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Sandwiches and veggie
Tuesday: Hot dogs, mac & cheese, and a veggie
Wednesday: Salad and baked potatoes
Thursday: Sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Leftovers
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Homemade peanut butter oatmeal raisin cookies
Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey
Thursday: Veggie and cheese tray
Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:
Monday:
BBQ ribs in crockpot

Green beans

Salad

Tuesday:

Crockpot chicken

Rice

Corn

Wednesday:
Slow cooker salisbury steak
Mashed potatoes
Brocolli and carrots

Thursday:
Italian sausage and peppers

Green beans

Garlic bread

Friday:
Homemade BBQ chicken pizza
Cheese bread

Saturday:
Chicken breasts and potatoes bake in foil

Corn

Yeast rolls

Sunday:
Crockpot roast

Potatoes, onions, and carrots

Salad

Pumpkin rolls

For more great menu's, check out Menu Planning Monday, hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Planning Monday: Using my stockpile!

We have been so busy lately that I just realized that I forgot that it was time to plan my menu and go grocery shopping. I actually have so much stockpiled that I only have to pick up fresh fruit and veggies. I will spend right about $20.00.

This week will be all about easy meals. We are painting my daughter's room and making a bed for her so we will be busy all week. I love having a handyman husband! I'll be sure to post pictures by the end of the week of the end results.

Next week will be kids choice week around here again. The children all pick a favorite meal. The older ones are in charge of menu planning and making a shopping list. All of the children then get to help mom cook and serve their meal. It is something they all look forward to. Be sure to check back!

Breakfast:

Monday: Waffles

Tuesday: Baked oatmeal

Wednesday: Muffins and sausage

Thursday: Homemade cinnamon rolls

Friday: Pancakes and fruit

Saturday: Eggs, hashbrowns, and a meat

Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:

Monday: Sandwiches and veggie

Tuesday: Hot dogs, mac & cheese, and a veggie

Wednesday: Salad and baked potatoes

Thursday: Sandwiches and fruit

Friday: Leftovers

Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:

Monday: Homemade peanut butter oatmeal raisin cookies

Tuesday: Fruit

Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey

Thursday: Veggie and cheese tray

Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:

Monday:

Lasagna

Green beans in butter sauce

Garlic bread

Tuesday:

Crawfish pie
Salad
Corn

Wednesday:

Chinese stirfry

Fried rice

Egg rolls

Thursday:

3 bean chili

Cornbread

Friday:

Homemade pizza rolls

Cheese bread

Saturday:--->Supposed to have last week, but was volunteered to make a crawfish etoufee with leftovers from crawfish boil!

Eggplant parmesan

Sauteed squash and zucchini

Yeast rolls

Sunday:

Mother's Day, mom's night off!

For more great menu's, check out Menu Planning Monday, hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Planning Monday: $55.00 week

My total spent this week was only $55.00. I don't have to cook 2 nights this week, but I have to pay for Friday night's meal. I am just using the extra I saved and paying for Friday night's meal out of my grocery budget since I still have some left.

My monthly food totals have been dropping for awhile now while the food prices have gone up. How is that? Stockpiling! I have taken a bit each week out of my food budget for the weekly deals and started getting multiples when I can. It is starting to pay off because I am spending less for my food now.

Take for example, just this week I got 6 bags of salad, 8 bags of tortillas, and 3 bags of frozen veggies for $1.50. The tortillas will be going in the freezer for future use. Now I can take that money I usually spend on these and use it to stockpile on the next deal. While i'm really not trying to drop my budget any lower, it is nice to know that I could if I had to.

Breakfast:
Monday: Baked Oatmeal
Tuesday: Waffles and yogurt
Wednesday: Omelettes and yogurt
Thursday: Muffins and Sausage
Friday: Pancakes and fruit
Saturday: Eggs, hashbrowns, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Hot dogs, mac & cheese, and a veggie
Wednesday: Homemade chicken noodle soup
Thursday: sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Pizza rolls and green beans
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Carrots dipped in ranch
Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey
Thursday: celery dipped in ranch or peanut butter
Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:
Monday:--->this is one of our favorite meals!
Mini meatloaf patties
Braised radishes
Cheesy cauliflower casserole

Tuesday:
Chili cheese enchiladas
Mexican rice

Wednesday:
Sloppy joes
French fries

Thursday:
Chicken cacciatore

Rice

Corn

Friday:
4-H barnyard bash--->I don't have to cook!

Saturday:
Crawfish boil!!--->We do this every year

Sunday:
Eggplant parmesan

Salad

Yeast rolls

Mini Meatloaf Patties:
EVOO in pan
2 lbs. ground beef
1 tsp. sage
1 T. Dijon mustard
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
Onions- minced
Parmesan cheese- for breading
Salt
Pepper

Directions:
Place meat in a bowl. Place egg and parmesan cheese in bowl. Place sage in bowl. Place Worcestershire sauce in bowl. Cut up and place onion in bowl. Place Dijon mustard in bowl. Place salt and pepper in bowl. Mix with hands well. Form in to patties or loaves. Score meat to do this. Place in pan over medium heat. Cook 6 minutes each side.

Braised Radishes:
2 bags of radishes
Onions- diced
2 T. butter
1 T. red wine vinegar
2 T. sugar
1-1½ cups chicken stock
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Cut ends off of radishes. Put butter and radishes in pan (cold). Place red wine vinegar in pan. Put splenda in pan. Pour chicken broth in pan; then add salt and pepper. Place onion in pan. Cook over medium heat to reduce liquid. After liquid starts to reduce, uncover and turn heat up to high to finish reducing liquid. Garnish with chives

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole:

Salt- as much as needed
2 bags of cauliflower
2 cups of heavy cream
4 ounces cream cheese
1 T. Dijon mustard
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of cheddar cheese for topping
½ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. garlic powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Season the water with salt. Cook cauliflower in the boiling water until crisp-tender, about 5-7 minutes. Drain and pat well with paper towels. Transfer cauliflower into dish. Pour heavy cream in large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk in cream cheese and mustard until smooth. Stir in 2 cups of cheddar cheese, salt, pepper and garlic and whisk until cheese melts. Remove from heat and pour over the top of the cauliflower. Stir to combine. Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Bake until cheese is browned and bubbly hot, about 15 minutes.

For more great menus, head over to Menu Planning Monday's, hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

$65.00 menu this week

Since I have been doing so well on my budget, I plan on taking this week and making a few extra meals to freeze. I am almost 31 weeks pregnant now, so it is the time to start preparing since I always go a little early. It is a relief to have meals done for the first few weeks after a baby comes.

My freezers are pretty full, but I plan to use a bit out of them to make these meals. I still have a little leftover from my last budget so i'll add that into what I can spend this week. I also will be making a meal for my church to help with the meal ministry. I still won't go over budget since I have most of what I need already.

Breakfast:
Monday: Baked Oatmeal
Tuesday: Waffles and yogurt
Wednesday: Omelettes and yogurt

Thursday: Muffins and Sausage
Friday: Pancakes and fruit
Saturday: Eggs, biscuits, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Sandwiches and a side veggie--->either raw or cooked
Tuesday: Hot dogs, mac & cheese, and a veggie
Wednesday: Homemade tomato soup and half cheese sandwich
Thursday: Tunafish sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Leftovers or quesidillas if we have no leftovers
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Pizza rolls

Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey
Thursday: carrots and celery dipped in ranch

Friday: Tortilla wraps---> Filled with peanut butter, banana, and/or honey

Dinner:
Monday:
Baked Chicken

Baked squash and zucchini

Yeast rolls

Tuesday: New Recipe!
Slow cooker salisbury steak

Homemade mashed potatoes

Green beans

Wednesday:
Mexican night

Thursday:
Chicken tetrazinni

Corn

Pumpkin rolls

Friday:
Mock shepherd's pie

Pumpkin rolls

Saturday:
Out to eat with family!

Sunday:---->supposed to have last week, but we got busy painting
Italian sausage and peppers
Green beans
Garlic bread

Chicken Tetrazinni:
3 chicken breasts cooked, into pieces
1 stick butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic
3 T flour
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 qt warm chicken broth
2 egg whites, slightly beaten
1 bay leaf
8 oz thin spaghetti
2/3 cups parmesan cheese

Directions:
In large frying pan place butter and melt over medium heat. Add mushrooms, green peppers, and garlic. Saute about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Slowly add in 1-1/2 cups of warm chicken broth and the heavy whipping cream. Stir until thick, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add remaining 1/2 cup of chicken broth to beaten egg yolks. Add several tsp of the hot white sauce from frying pan to egg mixture then pour into frying pan, continuing to stir. Add chicken pieces, stirring until heated. While making sauce have spaghetti cooking, add bay leaf to noodles while cooking. Drain noodles after done and pour into 9 x 13 dish. Spoon sauce over spaghetti. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 325 F for 30 minutes.
*What I do is use a whole chicken and boil it till it is falling off of the bone. I take about 2 cups of the cooked chicken and then freeze the rest. I then use the chicken broth from the chicken for the recipe and then boil the noodles in the remaining broth.*


For more great menus head over to Menu Planning Monday's, hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Planning Monday: $60 week!

I have noticed that my trend of spending $60.00 has stayed for awhile now. I have no intentions of dropping my budget though. I will just continue to stock up as I can. It is nice to know that I could drop it even further if I had to.

This is my kick off post for a glimpse into my frugal lifestyle. This week I plan to focus on how we, as a family, practice frugality. It will give you a peek into our life, and how we make things work here with less money than many people live on with a much smaller family. Stay tuned, as it should be an interesting week!

Breakfast:

Monday: Baked Oatmeal

Tuesday: Waffles and sausage

Wednesday: Omelettes and strawberries

Thursday: Muffins and Sausage

Friday: French Toast

Saturday: Eggs, biscuits, and a meat

Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:

Monday: Sandwiches and a side veggie--->either raw or cooked

Tuesday: Ham, mac & cheese, and a veggie

Wednesday: Homemade tomato soup

Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit

Friday: Leftovers or quesidillas if we have no leftovers

Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:

Monday: Strawberry Shortcake--->yum!

Tuesday: Fruit

Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey

Thursday: celery and ranch or peanut butter

Friday: Tortilla wraps---> I usually fill them with pizza sauce and cheese, which the kids call "mini pizzas", or peanut butter, banana, and honey

Dinner:

Monday:

Homemade chicken pot pie

Pumpkin rolls

Tuesday:

Broiled Tilapia

Grilled vegetables

Yeast rolls

Wednesday:--->This was supposed to be last week!

Cajun Style Meatloaf

Homemade mashed potatoes

Green beans

Thursday:

Chicken and Stuffing

Corn

Friday:

Pizza night
Cheesebread

Saturday:

Meat and Potatoes

Corn

Yeast rolls

Sunday:

Italian sausage and peppers

Green beans

Garlic bread

For more great menus head over to Menu Planning Monday's, hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Planning Monday: Spent $60.00 again!

This is a great week because we are able to splurge on a shrimp dish, since we were able to get the shrimp for a steal. We also have a birthday party for Baby B this Saturday, so we are grilling out on Saturday.

I just wanted to show you all that you can eat great, splurge sometimes, and still come under budget. My current weekly budget is $75.00 a week. I now have $15.00 this week to spend on any great deals I see. I'm able to keep my budget lower since I stockpile with my leftover money.

Breakfast:
Monday: Waffles and fruit
Tuesday: Oatmeal and sausage
Wednesday: Omelettes and fruit
Thursday: Muffins and Sausage
Friday: French Toast sticks
Saturday: Eggs, biscuits, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Sandwiches and a side veggie--->either raw or cooked
Tuesday: Ham, mac & cheese, and a veggie
Wednesday: Homemade tomato soup
Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Leftovers or quesidillas if we have no leftovers
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Carrots and ranch dressing
Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey
Thursday: celery and ranch or peanut butter
Friday: Tortilla wraps---> I usually fill them with pizza sauce and cheese, which the kids call "mini pizzas", or peanut butter, banana, and honey

Dinner:
Monday:

Sticky chicken

Carrots and broccoli

Yeast rolls

Tuesday:
Shrimp fettucinni

Salad

Hearty herb bread

Wednesday:
Cajun style meatloaf

Mashed potatoes

Green beans

Thursday:
Family style chicken

Baked squash and zucchini

Garlic bread

Friday:
Pizza night

Cheesebread

Saturday: Baby B's 2nd birthday!
Grilled burgers and hot dogs

Chips

Banana pudding

Sunday:

Eggplant parmesan

Pumpkin rolls

Menu Planning Monday: Another $60 week

This is the second week I have come in under budget. I had $30 left over so I stocked up on a few great deals they had out there. I should be able to work those into next week's menu. The one thing I was able to get with my extra money this week was a flat of strawberries. I am buying another one when I get my money this week so I am hoping to make some nice desserts and can a few jars of preserves!

Breakfast:
Monday: Waffles and fruit
Tuesday: Baked Oatmeal
Wednesday: Eggs Florentine and fruit
Thursday: Muffins and Sausage
Friday: French Toast sticks
Saturday: Eggs, biscuits, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Sandwiches and a side veggie--->either raw or cooked
Tuesday: A meat, mac & cheese, and a veggie
Wednesday: Chicken Salad
Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Leftovers or quesidillas if we have no leftovers
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Carrots and ranch dressing
Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey
Thursday: Baked pepperoni(we do this every so often since I don't buy chips, they crisp real well)--->The children want this again
Friday: Tortilla wraps---> I usually fill them with pizza sauce and cheese, which the kids call "mini pizzas", or peanut butter, banana, and honey

Dinner:
Monday:
Lasagna
Green beans
Pumpkin rolls

Tuesday:
Zesty chicken
Corn

Wednesday:
Mexican night

Thursday:
Black bean soup
Cornbread

Friday:
Pizza night
Cheesebread

Saturday:
Cheeseburger pie
Buttered peas
Salad

Sunday:
BBQ pork pull-apart sandwiches
Potatoes cooked in butter, onions and bell peppers
Green beans

Zesty Chicken:
4 chicken breasts
2 cans italian diced tomatoes
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 T butter
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp basil
salt and pepper to taste
Pasta--->I use vermicelli, but you can use whatever you like!

Directions:
First, put on water to boil for noodles. I like to use a bay leaf in my water but you don't have to. Put butter in pan to melt. Dice chicken breasts and brown in melted butter. Add garlic to chicken breasts. Next, add the italian diced tomatoes and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Measure out heavy whipping cream andpour into pot. Add basil, salt and pepper at this time. Cook on medium for 12 minutes. After done, season with more salt and basil if desired. It will thicken a bit after it sits, but this is not a super thick sauce. Serve over pasta.

Baked Pepperoni Chips:
6 ounces pepperoni, thinly sliced

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lay the pepperoni slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and soak up the excess grease by pressing paper towels against the pepperoni chips. Return the pan to the oven and bake an additional 2 to 4 minutes, until the pepperoni slices are very crispy, unless they already are crispy.

For more great menus, head over to Organizing Junkie for menu planning monday.

Kids choice week, $60 spent on this menu!!

This week is kid's choice week in the house! The children all pick out a meal that they want mom to cook. Now, my 3 yo son's first choice was McDonald's, but that is out! Do you know how much it costs to feed a family of 8 there! We compromised though and will have chicken nuggets for lunch(they are a vegetarian version....shh, don't tell him!)

After they pick out their meal, they have to help me make a grocery list for their meal. I help the little ones with this, of course. Lastly, they get to help mom cook their meal and then serve it. This is all their favorite thing to do. My 12 yo daughter loves to decorate the table so she will go all out. It is a fun week for the kids and mom, and as you can see, they generally pick meals I would have made anyway!

Breakfast:
Monday: Waffles and fruit, mom will eat eggs since I bombed my glucose test at the doctor's

Tuesday: Baked Oatmeal

Wednesday: Eggs Florentine and fruit

Thursday: Muffins and Sausage

Friday: French Toast sticks

Saturday: Eggs, biscuits, and a meat

Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Sandwiches and a side veggie--->either raw or cooked

Tuesday: Chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, and a veggie (3 yo son's choice)

Wednesday: Chicken Salad

Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit

Friday: Leftovers or quesidillas if we have no leftovers

Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Carrots and ranch dressing
Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey
Thursday: Baked pepperoni(we do this every so often since I don't buy chips, they crisp real well)
Friday: Tortilla wraps---> I usually fill them with pizza sauce and cheese, which the kids call "mini pizzas", or peanut butter and honey

Dinner:
Monday:
Turkey noodle soup

We had turkey for Easter, so i'm gonna use the leftovers to make this

Tuesday:
Homemade chicken pot pie

Salad

Hearty herb bread

Wednesday: (10 yo son's choice)
Spaghetti and meatballs

Garlic bread

Thursday:
Chicken and sausage jambalaya

Corn

Dinner rolls

Friday: (5 yo daughter's choice)
Mini Cheese pizza's

Homemade pepperoni pizza rolls

Saturday: (12 yo daughter's choice)
Chili cheese enchiladas

Mexican rice

Salad

Sunday: (14 yo daughter's choice)
Sticky chicken--->yum!

Carrots and brocolli

Pumpkin rolls

For more menu plans, stop over at Menu Planning Monday at Organizing Junkie.

$70 menu for our family of 8...Wow, under budget by $5.00!

Well, this week I was able to come in a little under budget, but there is chicken breast on sale, so I will spend the rest I have on that. I have had people tell me that there is no way to feed a family good, healthy food on a low budget. Well I am here to say, that it can be done. It just takes a little time and creativity. Enjoy!

Breakfast:

Monday: Waffles and fruit
Tuesday: Baked Oatmeal
Wednesday: Eggs Florentine and fruit

Thursday: Muffins and Sausage
Friday: French Toast
Saturday: Eggs, biscuits, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:

Monday: Sandwiches and a side veggie--->either raw or cooked
Tuesday: Ham, mac & cheese, and a veggie
Wednesday: Chicken Salad
Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Leftovers or quesidillas if we have no leftovers
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:

Monday: Carrots and ranch dressing

Tuesday: Fruit

Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey

Thursday: Celery and peanut butter or ranch dressing

Friday: Tortilla wraps---> I usually fill them with pizza sauce and cheese, which the kids call "mini pizzas", or peanut butter and honey

Dinner:

Monday:

Chicken Tetrazinni

Corn

Garlic bread

Tuesday:

Chicken Teriyaki

Fried rice

Eggrolls

Wednesday:

Taco and Burrito Bar
Refried beans

Thursday:

3 bean chili

Rice

Cornbread

Friday:

Pepperoni pizza

Breadsticks

Saturday: (Hubby's been asking for this for awhile)

BBQ burgers and hotdogs

Potato salad

Coleslaw

Garlic bread

Sunday:

Easter meal with extended family

Next week is kid's choice week. All the kids get to pick their own meal and help mom plan the grocery list for their meal. Then they each get to help cook their meal. It should be fun!

Our $75 menu this week...for my family of 8

Here we go again. I thought I would post another menu plan since it is so near and dear to my heart. If you're interested, I just wrote part 3 of my series on how I feed my family of 8 for $300 a month. The last topic just happens to be on menu planning. Hope you enjoy!

Breakfast:
Monday: Waffles and fruit

Tuesday: Baked Oatmeal

Wednesday: Pancakes and fruit

Thursday: Muffins and Sausage

Friday: French Toast

Saturday: Eggs, biscuits, and a meat

Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:
Monday: Sandwiches and a side veggie--->either raw or cooked

Tuesday: Ham, mac & cheese, and a veggie

Wednesday: Soup and crackers or 1/2 sandwich--->soup is usually leftover from night before

Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit

Friday: Leftovers or quesidillas if we have no leftovers

Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:
Monday: Carrots and ranch dressing
Tuesday: Fruit
Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey
Thursday: Celery and peanut butter or ranch dressing
Friday: Tortilla wraps---> I usually fill them with pizza sauce and cheese, which the kids call "mini pizzas", or peanut butter and honey

Dinner:
Monday:
Meat Lasagna
Green beans

Pumpkin rolls

Tuesday:
Baked Tilapia

Sauteed Squash

Hearty Herb Bread

Wednesday:
Spaghetti

Homemade Garlic Bread

Thursday:
Italian Sausage and peppers over penne

Salad

Peas

Friday:
Homemde BBQ Chicken pizza

Cheese Bread

Saturday:
Chicken Tetrazinni

Corn

Garlic Bread

Sunday:
Ribs

Mashed potatoes

Green beans

For more great menu ideas, check out Menu Planning Monday hosted by Organizing Junkie!

A Sample of our $75 Weekly Menu...for a Family of 8

Here we go again. I thought I would post another menu plan for you guys who are wondering how we feed our family for so little. This time I will add breakfast, lunch and snacks for you to see. If I can do it, anyone can! Hope you enjoy!

Breakfast:

Monday: Waffles and fruit
Tuesday: Baked Oatmeal
Wednesday: Pancakes and fruit
Thursday: Muffins and Sausage
Friday: French Toast
Saturday: Eggs, biscuits, and a meat
Sunday: Country ham and gravy over biscuits

Lunch:

Monday: Sandwiches and a side veggie--->either raw or cooked
Tuesday: Ham, mac & cheese, and a veggie
Wednesday: Soup and crackers or 1/2 sandwich--->soup is usually leftover from night before
Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Leftovers or quesidillas if we have no leftovers
Sat and Sun: We either eat leftovers, or a salad, or sandwiches

Snacks:

Monday: Carrots and ranch dressing

Tuesday: Fruit

Wednesday: Banana Bread or homemade bread drizzled with butter and honey

Thursday: Celery and peanut butter or ranch dressing

Friday: Tortilla wraps---> I usually fill them with pizza sauce and cheese or peanut butter and honey

Dinner:

Monday:

Lasagna

Green beans

Pumpkin rolls

Tuesday:

Homemade Tomato soup

Homemade Italian cheese bread

Wednesday:

Taco and Burrito bar

Refried beans

Mexican rice

Thursday:

Chicken and stuffing

Corn

Friday:

Chili cheese enchiladas

Mexican rice----> leftover from Wednesday

Saturday:

Mock shepherd's pie

Steamed broccoli

Sunday:

Crockpot chicken

Rice pilaf

Salad

Pumpkin rolls