Monday Menu Post 9/27 the Challenge

So instead of the weekly menu post that I have been regular doing for the past year, today I am going to review our “challenge” for October. I hope to update the challenge at least weekly on Monday from now until we finish in either October or November.

After not being able to really control our grocery budget at all, I really wanted a change for October. Matt and I tossed around the idea and decided to “eat out of our pantry” for the month of October based on a monthly list of meals instead of a weekly plan. So we developed a list of 30 meals that we knew we had the ingredients for and starting today are going to eat off this list for dinners and try to avoid shopping for grocery for most of the month. In the end, ideally I would like to make a monthly menu plan, shop for the ingredients and add stuff from sales as they come. I really don’t think that will happen but at least for the next 2 months I can challenge myself to not spend as much on groceries and free up some space!

Today, Matt decided not to use the list but made Sweet and Sour chicken. He used some of the ingredient that we already had to it will just extended the list into November, ultimately my goal is to limit grocery shopping until after our Thanksgiving trip. We can do this by buying Angel Food in both months and really trying to free up the freezer space and save money all at the same time. We have recently purchased alot of cereal and pop tarts that were on sale so breakfast except for milk will be covered. Lunches are all over the place with me eating at home 3 days, we did not include these in the plan but will start eating some of the extra food that is sitting around such as mac and cheese and fish sticks. I hope this at least helps with our budget!

A challenge

I LOVE yes LOVE to read (stalk) other blogs, especially those with small kids. I have noticed a common thread of monthly challenges on several. These have included “no dining out”, “living on x for an entire month” etc. I consider my entire life a challenge so have not felt the need to participate in any of these until today. Matt and I made a “quick” trip to Costco today to pick up some milk and other supplies. We came home and started putting up the groceries, but man we don’t have much space at all. We started talking about trying to use up all the food we have in the house and how menu planning and even sticking to a weekly menu plan is hard, and going totally without a menu plan is even worse. I also am kinda disappointed in how much I am still spending each month on groceries. So I thought it would be awesome if I didn’t have to shop for an entire month. Matt and I talked and this idea has grown and develop and refined. So during the month of October I am going to try and avoid going grocery shopping except for milk and Diet Coke. We also plan to purchase the normal for us amount of food from Angel Food in October. We have made a list of 32 different meals that can be made out of the food that is already here. This is not an all inclusive list because we also plan to eat lunches and breakfast at home. I also will continue to go to CVS on a regular basis for “deals” each week. I am actually anxious to see if this can work. I have realized in talking to Matt and planning meals that we do need a trip to Aldi to buy flour, taco seasoning and sour cream to complete the list. If this idea works we may continue to use the 30 meal plan each month and begin with the list of recipes instead of the ingredients. I wonder if anyone would like to join me or have you tried this?? Leave me a comment…

Monday Menu Post 9/13

Last week the plan went out the window. Monday we had dinner with my BF after the pool.On Tuesday night, we went out for dinner at Mi Pueblo. Then on Thursday night, we had company for dinner. So let’s hope this week goes better.

Monday- Big Breakfast
Tuesday- Tacos/Burritos
Wednesday- Steaks
Thursday- Chicken ala surprise
Friday- Sandwiches or out to eat.

Monday Menu Post 9/6

This week was a hard week to plan. For some reason I just ran out of ideas to fix. I did make an excellent meatloaf for dinner Sunday night so on Monday we will have pizza at the pool or something fast. Last week we stuck to the plan with the exception that on Thursday we ALL went out to eat Mexican and on Friday, Matt fixed rice and kielbasi

Monday-Pizza or something easy after the pool
Tuesday- Grilled steaks and salad
Wednesday- chicken casserole TBD
Thursday- Seafood night
Friday- Mexican at home or sandwhiches

Monday Menu Post 8/30

Things are falling in a routine (I hope)

Monday-Leftovers from Zach’s party and the weekend food
Tuesday- Grilled Steaks (Angelfood)
Wednesday- Spaghetti with meatballs
Thursday- Seafood
Friday- Eating out or sandwiches depending on what Matt decides

We did excellent last week with sticking to our plan and we also did not eat out at all until Sunday! I hope this trend continues!

Monday Menu Post 8/23 on Tuesday

Better late than never…Zach had an awful horrible night last night so I am just now post. So far so good this week!

Monday- Country Fried Steak, mashed potatoes
Tuesday- Steak em sandwiches and tator tots
Wednesday-Shake and Bake pork chops
Thursday- Pasta from Pizza Hut in freezer
Friday- Out to eat or left-overs or something quick from freezer because preparing for Zach’s party on Saturday!

Monday Menu Post 8/16

Matt is in charge of cooking, I get to do the planning since I am still the primary shopper in the house.

Monday- Steaks…broccoli…cheese bread
Tuesday- Chicken a la Matt (he is going to do something besides grill it)
Wednesday- Steak um sandwiches and tator tots
Thursday- Swedish meatballs
Friday- Eating out or seafood.

Monday Menu Post 8/2

I know this is a day earlier but hey at least I got it posted! So even tho things are dramatically changing over here, I am still doing the menu planning for now with the rule that he can change if he feels like it! Last week we stuck to plan except for the cabbage rolls which were replaced by a trip to Applebee’s and we had them at lunch on Sunday with friends. Next week the post will be about how we plan to eat on vacation at the beach :).

Monday: Chicken Fried Rice (double portion, one to be frozen to be consumed at the beach), egg rolls
Tuesday: Hamburger steaks (Angel Food) and corn on the cob
Wednesday: Seafood night (Angel Food)
Thursday: Lasagna (Angel Food)
Friday: Steaks and left over sides from the fridge to clean it out!
Saturday: Grilled chicken, pasta, and peanut butter desert with awesome friends from Africa
Sunday: MYRTLE BEACH, here we come!

Monday Menu Post 7/26

Still treading water and the waves are really rough today. I may be able to blog about it soon.

Monday- Baked chicken in microwave, leftover sides
Tuesday- Meatloaf (Angel Food) carrots
Wednesday- Steaks, salad and bread
Thursday- Cabbage rolls
Friday- Mexician??? or what ever Matt choses

Monday Menu Post 7/12

I am working again this week, but hopefully it is starting to get under control. We ate out ALOT last week and only followed the plan 2 days but better things will happen this week I know.

Monday- Stuffed green peppers (freeze stuffing for future use)
Tuesday- Baked ziti ( previously prepared)
Wednesday- Leftover chicken casserole from Sunday and baked carrots
Thursday- Seafood night- Boiled shrimp and crab legs
Friday-? Possible night out for Mexican

Hope to post at least a couple more times this week but no promises