Meal Plan for a week

Meal Plan
Saturday - Homemade mac-n-cheese, brocolli, applesauce (my son's bday party)
Sunday - We have our Family Bible study where dinner is served
Monday - (my husband) Leftover Mac-n-cheese from party
Tuesday - Meatloaf & Mashed Potato Bake
Wednesday - Ham & Cheese Pannis with soup
Thursday - Quiche (check out this recipe) with green bean side (couldn't get bacon so ham will have to do)
Friday - Penne Pasta from Rachel Ray (I am attempting my own Walnut Pesto)

Another week's menu on a budget

Monday - Penne pasta and sauce with tossed salad (oranges, slivered almond, and orange vinaigrette)
Tuesday - Hot ham (Hormel's) and cheese (from Farmer's market) sandwiches and salad
Wednesday - Taco salad
Thursday - St' Pats day - Pesto pasta, clover rolls, broccoli
Friday - (Meatless for lent) - Potato/Cheddar chowder with leftover clover rolls


I spent under 50$ this week. Once again, I went to "the big W" instead of grocery store.   I do not buy produce or meat from there.  So I headed to my farmers market.  I didn't know it was still going throughout the winter.  They had just moved inside a local store front.  I wish I would have known sooner.

I still got my CSA farm share of oranges, apples, onion, garlic, and this week cayenne peppers.  (A post about the peppers later).  I stopped at the farmers market for lettuce and cheese for this week's menu.

Monday's Meal a Success

This is Monday's dinner in my week of budget meals
The recipe was adapted from Rachel Ray's magazine this month. 

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil
Add pieces of ham (I used Hormel all natural ham sandwich meat bc no nitrates)
Add mushrooms
Add spinach (I used frozen that I steamed first)
Add cooked penne pasta
Add pesto (I used a Wegman's jarred pesto that I had bought a few weeks ago)
Just before serving I added chopped walnuts and parmesan cheese
As Rachel would say... Yummo!

Healthy on a budget this week

After Disney it is safe to say that we are on austerity this week.  So how do you still serve healthy meals without spending a fortune at the grocery store.  You will have to make some concessions.  My first one was that I shopped at a discount store instead of my favorite grocery store.

Meal Plan
Monday - Penne pasta (mushrooms, frozen spinach, ham, walnuts, parmesan)
*I had frozen spinach and parmesan on hand so this was a good choice
*I couldn't buy ham because of the nitrates in it.  So I bought Hormel ham sandwich meat as substitute and BONUS I had a coupon)

Tuesday - (We are eating out because we are playing basketball in a fundraiser - teachers vs Harlem Wizards)

Wednesday - (Ash Wednesday) - Veggie soup (box of chicken broth, frozen corn, green beans, broccoli and pasta stars)

Thursday - Quiche (Rachel Ray recipe) - ham and broccoli

Friday - (meatless)  Pierogies (Mrs T's with onions and butter), broccoli, applesauce

Groceries = $75.00
Snacks = Annies snack mix, Chex mix (coupon), cheese sticks (coupon)
Extra = dog food, some new storage containers bc coupon was going to expire :) 6 pack of mini cans of soda (I know its a weakness but I am trying to cut way back)

PICTURES TO FOLLOW!!

Top 5 Breakfasts on the run

This is according to my 7 year old son.  We have to eat in the car because we leave the house so early.

• Kris Kringles (Finding Joy in my Kitchen) I add 3 chocolate chips to each :) Make ahead of time and freeze. Pop in the microwave for a few seconds & eat by hand. No syrup needed since it has the bit of chocolate

• Breakfast burritos  - Scramble some eggs. Mix in some salsa with the eggs.  (I know this next step will sound crazy) Press the eggs into an ice cube tray and freeze (trust me).  Once frozen, pop out the cubes and put them in a zip lock bag back in freezer.  In the morning grab two cubes and microwave a few minutes. Then put them in a tortilla with a little cheese. YUM

• Cinnamon Raisin Toast with a Simply Gogurt - I know not exciting but my son loves cinnamon raisin toast.  I haven't found a brand that I am in love with.  Last time I got Thomas's and I was pretty happy with the ingredients.  I'm not thrilled with the Gogurt but there aren't any dyes and I recognize most of the ingredients.

•  Oatmeal - I sometimes use the pouches but I mix in some plain quick cooking oats and I have always done that so the boys don't know any better.  When I have time (which isn't often) I make it on the stove.

• Tim Horton's - I know, I know, so not local and so industrial, but I love them and in a pinch they aren't that bad for you.  Egg and Cheese on a plain bagel.  Everyone has a weakness right?

PLEASE tell me your ideas in a comment.  I really need more!!  I am always looking for what others do in the am with the rush to get out the door and eat breakfast.