I was talking to my husband the other day and he said, “You know, we eat better now that we’re on this tight budget then we did when the sky was the limit.” And he’s so right. I got into the habit of relying on convenience food, fast food, and spontaneous slap-together meals and I never put much thought into it much less create a meal plan.
So I’m thinking this whole budget/meal plan thing is workin’ for me!
Breakfasts
Oatmeal
Very Vanilla Muffins and fruit
German Pancake
Popovers with cinnamon sugar topping and fruit
Norwegian Rice Pudding
Poached eggs and toast
Oatmeal
Dinners
Greek Pasta Salad, Homemade Rolls and Chocolate Éclair Dessert (doubled up to take a portion to a family with a new baby)
Hamburger Noodle Bake and green salad
Stromboli and green salad (doubled up to take to a family that is ill)
Baked Latkes and yep, more green salad
Cabbage Casserole and green beans
Spaghetti Salad (to take to a potluck)
Leftovers
My garden is producing a ton of lettuce and beets, thus the HUGE amount of green salad we are eating this week. Can’t let free food go to waste!
So I’m thinking this whole budget/meal plan thing is workin’ for me!
Breakfasts
Oatmeal
Very Vanilla Muffins and fruit
German Pancake
Popovers with cinnamon sugar topping and fruit
Norwegian Rice Pudding
Poached eggs and toast
Oatmeal
Dinners
Greek Pasta Salad, Homemade Rolls and Chocolate Éclair Dessert (doubled up to take a portion to a family with a new baby)
Hamburger Noodle Bake and green salad
Stromboli and green salad (doubled up to take to a family that is ill)
Baked Latkes and yep, more green salad
Cabbage Casserole and green beans
Spaghetti Salad (to take to a potluck)
Leftovers
My garden is producing a ton of lettuce and beets, thus the HUGE amount of green salad we are eating this week. Can’t let free food go to waste!
2 lbs Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee $5.98 (my husband doesn’t ask for much so I like to indulge his coffee snobbery…but I still got it on sale.)
3 boxes Whole Wheat Pasta $2.57
4 bottles of Salad Dressing $3.47
2 boxes vanilla pudding $1.58
Jar Spaghetti Sauce $.99
Razors $1.99
Artificial Sweetener $1.79
Oatmeal $1.98
Lemon Juice $1.28
1 Red Onion $.67
Whipped Topping $.78
Roma Tomatoes $1.38
Sugar $1.95
Feta Cheese $3.18
Sliced Olives $1.22
Cherry Tomatoes $2.38
Apples $2.03
Green Grapes $1.94
3 Cucumbers $1.44
Ground Beef $8.06
Huge Bag of Flour $7.98
Giant Can of Garbanzo Beans $2.99
Graham Crackers $1.29
Cream Cheese $1.29
1 lb Shredded Mozzarella $3.69
Vanilla Soy Milk $1.99
Chocolate Frosting $1.39
Cotton Swabs $1.29
2 Bribery Toys for the 2 little boys I had to take shopping with me today!!! $1.98
Total $70.55
Uggghhh! I broke my own cardinal rule! NEVER SHOP WITH THE CHILDREN! I didn’t stray from my list except for the bribery toys, but I couldn’t completely concentrate on what would be cheaper at the next store so I grabbed and shopped fast. I think we’ll be staying home a lot more this week because that extra $20 is going to have to come out of the gas budget.
13 comments:
I think that I may have to substitute one of my meals for your Hamburger Noodle bake-it looks great!
I also love the idea of rice pudding for breakfast-I remember growing up and renting a house in Vermont, on weekends we would get up really early and head the TINY general store for HOT rice pudding with raisins. Guess what I am making this week!!! Thanks for reminding me of that memory and that it can be a fun breakfast.
Aimee
http://journalofamomma.blogspot.com/2008/07/weekly-menu.html
My husband and I both have said once we started with the budget; we have never eaten better! We eat healthier, better tasting food now..
I'm so totally trying the very vanilla muffins tomorrow morning! I want to try the rice pudding this week also. Great recipe ideas. :)
Just found your blog! Awesome that u are doing so well! I could never do that!
Still reading up on your blog but I wondered if u make your plan before u shop or do u plan after u shop? how do u know what to buy each week? thanks
Thanks for all the recipes. I'll be trying those Very Vanilla Muffins.
Have a yummy week.
I LOVE your blog and will be back! I bookmarked you on my blog. I have a family of 6 and I do Weight Watchers. My family eats the same meals as I do, so I do spend a bit more at the grocery. I make the Chocolate Eclair dessert a lot. My kids love it, but I use fat free and sugar free products. So, yummy. I am going to have to try that cabbage casserole. That sounds really great. I am trying to be more accountable for my food spending and so I have "copied" you and taken pictures. This was my first week. Thanks for a really great ideas!
Here's the recipe I use for the low fat no sugar Chocolate Eclair dessert, if you are interested?
http://whoareyoudiet.blogspot.com/2008/07/watchin-what-we-eat-wednesday-3.html
Awsome! I love it!
I'll have to post mine today - I know it's late for Menu Planning Monday. But you can check out the recipes of yours that I am trying this week.
I'm lovin your recipes thanks so much for sharing. And I agree we are eating very well with controlled spending as well - Thanks to you !
My oldest boy and I made babysitter cookies yesterday and they were a hit!
Thanks!
-Terri
Have you considered looking at making your own salad dressings?
Once you have the core ingredients
its suppose to be rather easy or
so I have heard!
I am so going to make the Eclair and Stromboli. :-) I love coming to your blog!! ;-)
I agree with you. A budget does helps you to eat better. I noticed it too in my family. Thank you for all your great ideas.
Just wanting to say that it's Friday and I'm missing your posts. :) That's all.
My family tried this stomboli recipe 2 nights ago and it was Yummmy! But unrolling the french bread was not as easy for me as it sounds!!
Post a Comment