Sunday, July 5, 2009

New feature !!!

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!
I've been wanting to start this feature for awhile in order to show what we are eating each week. Basically, I want you all to know that we don't just eat hot dogs and macaroni and cheese everyday!
Here's the 'givens' regarding this.
  • Breakfast is always cereal or toast or whatever you can find so I won't be posting our breakfast.
  • Lunch is one of the following: hot dogs, mac 'n cheese, spaghettio's, sandwiches, or leftovers with fruit and/or chips. It is a given that I have these things in the house. That way, I don't have to think too much about lunch either.
  • Therefore, I will only post our dinner menu! It is also a given that I have rice, potatoes and frozen veggies on hand. I buy these in bulk so it is always ready as a last minute addition

We keep things pretty simple around here. I don't spend too much time making anything fancy as my kids will just refuse to try it and not eat. As long as it counts as veggies and protein we go with it. That being said here is what is on our menu for this week. (My weeks will include the previous weekend as that is how I shop)

Saturday: cookout with family for lunch and dinner

Sunday: Pork chops and corn on the cob

Monday: Mini-meatloaf, salad, maybe potatoes

Tuesday: chicken, rice, salad

Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner

Thursday: Pizza

Friday: Chicken nuggets, fries, veggie

That's it! I often vary how I cook something from week to week (i.e. baked chicken vs. on the grill).

Menu planning is a very important step to saving money. If you have a plan on paper, you know what meat to pull out and when to start cooking it. That way you can avoid the fast food trap. We used to get to dinner time and then start to think about what to cook. No wonder we would give up and order takeout so often.

I also use the sale ads to plan meals for the next week based on what is on sale. I don't use many frozen veggies this time of year because produce is so plentiful right now.

How do you plan your meals? Would this type of system work to help you save money? Please leave your comments or email me with questions. I'd love to hear from you!

1 comment:

  1. I noticed you keep it pretty simple cuz the kids won't eat. etc....I don't let H get away with that. She knows she has to try it atleast. I also make something with the meal I know she'll like so if all she eats for 1 meal is veggie and meat, but no bread source, oh well....etc. I am good for taking out our meat for the evening in the am after getting up and then start actually cooking at 4 pm...therefore, it's ready by supper time at 5-5:30...sometimes it';s after 4 pending what is going on and how the twins are and if they are up from their nap, etc. We do allow a meal out about once a week or every other week. Jon pays for this out of his "special" money he earns from donating plasma. That is his treat to us and makes him feel good about everything.
    Also, I have found CVS to be about the same as Walgreens. RR's, etc....even to the sale items!
    Tanya S

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