Menu Plan Monday - Week of July 14

Here I go again, trying to be more organized. Yes, you are allowed to laugh at that... Lord knows that I am.

Here's what I'm *planning* for this week, assuming nothing outrageous happens with Dad.

Monday: Chicken Tucson (have a portion in the freezer) and Corn Souffle (will make fresh)
Tuesday: Cheesy Tuna & Rice Muffinlettes (this is a "new to us" recipe, so we'll have to see how it goes) and frozen veggies
Wednesday: Chili (have a portion in the freezer)
Thursday: Burgers & Oven Fries
Friday: Berstler Special
Saturday: we are attending a wedding, so no need to cook
Sunday: will either have dinner with Grumpy's parents, or will go out

All in all, not too bad... at least I don't think so. Some of the menu is coming out of the freezer, so there isn't a whole lot of real cooking to do.

Lunches will be leftovers (I know that there will be some on Monday & Tuesday, for sure) or frozen veggies (because I have a freezer full), and breakfasts will be toast & fruit.

I'll post next week & let you know how I did with it.

Frugal & Healthy?

As per my resolutions, I'm working hard right now at getting healthier, and being more financially responsible. In light of that, I want to take on the challenge of feeding my family (of 2), for $40 a week.

For some of you, that may seem like a lot for 2 people. If you grocery shop, and cook at every meal, that is a lot. For the 2 of US, that's nothing. For quite a while last year, we could go through 5 TIMES that much money on food in a week. Breakfast out here (for $25), a dinner & cocktails out there (for $60), a couple of fast food lunches at work (there's another $10)... and before you know it you've blown through $200.

Now, as part of this "challenge", I'm going to allow myself 2 guaranteed "gimmes" during the week. Our standing Sunday breakfast with friends (which only costs us $10 - $12 with tip), and 1 night a week that we buy dinner (could be pizza night, could be a date night, depending on how things work out). I'm also going to be gentle on myself during the work day. If I'm too swamped at the office to go home for lunch, fast food at my desk will be allowed, but only if I truly can't get away (and didn't have the foresight or energy to bring my lunch).

I'd also like to participate in future Menu-Plan-Mondays. That's a bit daunting to me right now, as I'm just getting my feet wet with this whole concept. But, I think it will help keep me in line, and hold me a bit more accountable.

And to pat myself on the back a bit, I've cooked the last FIVE nights in a row! That's huge for me people! HUGE! And, it's been a pretty inexpensive experience. Here's what the week looked like:

• Monday - pot pies - $1
• Sunday - kielbasa with fried potatoes & carrots - $4 .
• Saturday - pasta with sauce & garlic bread - $3.
• Friday - chicken stir-fry with rice & teriyaki veggies (so easy it's ridiculous) - $5
• Thursday - tuna helper - $3.

Now, the dollar amounts are estimates, since I don't have a grocery receipt in front of me (and many of the items were already in the house), but I think it's close to accurate. $16 for a week's dinners isn't too bad, I don't think.

I know there is a LOT of prepared food in there, and I want to work toward minimizing that. But, I had to start somewhere, and spending for the WEEK what we would normally spend in ONE NIGHT (and a cheap night at that).... well, that seemed like a good place to start to me.