Macon and I are what I like to call "Ballin on a Budget"....aka....were broke most of the time. We live pay check to pay check and towards the ends of our two weeks, we are normally just making it by and I hate coming up with meals at that time. I decided this time to plan and budget for two weeks out so we will not have any hick-ups or surprises.
The first thing you will need is time. It took me about an hour to two to make my menu and grocery list. Second, you will need caffeine, and third....good music (makes it easier to prepare when you have something fun to listen to).
Most of the recipes I chose for the next two weeks were from Pinterest (shocker). When I originally started cooking my goal became how to cook good, healthy, and cheap. We are normally not huge beef eaters, but these next few weeks menu consisted of a bit more then normal. I am also trying two new recipes (which both happen to be my bagged crockpot meals). What made me so excited about these two meals was that when you prepare them in advance, you prepare two of them. So when I prepare for my next two weeks, I will already have two meals prepared in the freezer. Our budget was about $200 for two weeks and then an extra $35ish set aside to restock on fruits/milks. We are trying not to spend anymore then that and thankfully we dont eat out much, so it shouldn't be too hard. The $200 includes all meals. We typically do cereal, eggs, or oatmeal for breakfast. Our lunches consist of sandwiches, tuna, and salads so that will all stay the same. We do most of our shopping at Aldi (because we are cheap) and then Kroger for some other things like produce, brown rice, and seasons. Ok...now to the menu for the next two weeks:
Starting tomorrow:
(10/8) Monday - Shrimp Tacos with black beans, chips, and homemade salsa. I prepared the salsa on Sunday so it shouldn't take too long to make. I have made these tacos before and am still making some adjustments to the cilantro sauce, but over all it is pretty good. I changed the salsa recipe up a little but not much (like using fresh tomatoes over canned). I also doubled this recipe so we could snack on it through out the week and it also tastes great on eggs.
(http://cleananddelicious.com/2011/01/22/shrimp_tacos-2/) - tacos
(http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2012/01/quick-and-easy-salsa/) - salsa
Tuesday & Wednesday - (thats right people, we eat left-overs) Savory Vegetable Beef Soup
I am not a huge vegetable soup person at all, but my husband loves it, so I figure I'll beef it up and add corn bread to it. I also changed it up a LITTLE. Like added a little corn, and so on. This happens to be one of the meals I made two of and prepared for it on Saturday. All I will have to do is pull it out the night before then let it cook in the crock pot. Badda Bing Badda Boom.
(http://melissafallistestkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/freezer-cooking-slow-cooker-meals.html)
Thursday - Hamburgers and Sweet Potato Fries - One rule in our house is that Macon cooks at least one night a week to give me a break. I let him pick whatever he wants (try not to complain about it) and he normally grills that night. I happen to be off work on Thursday so I am gonna make a batch of pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing (one of the few recipes I can call my own).
Friday & Saturday - Teriyaki Chicken served over Brown Rice. Another bagged double crock pot recipe. I have not tried this one just yet, and must say...its driving me crazy. Forgot to buy teriyaki sauce then realized I grabbed crushed pineapple verses pineapple chuncks. Also invested in the nicest looking teriyaki sauce jar Kroger had to offer.
(http://melissafallistestkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/freezer-cooking-slow-cooker-meals.html)
Sunday & Monday - Roast with Potatoes, Carrots, and a Salad. Also prepared and bagged in advance. Who doesn't love a good roast. The secret to a good roast is adding a package of Lipton Onion Beef Soup (dry package, not canned)
Tuesday & Wednesday - Spaghetti and a Salad. My kids LOVE spaghetti. Of course we choose the whole wheat noodles.
Thursday - Healthy Parmesan Chicken with Fresh Green Beans and Red Potatoes
This is Macon's favorite meal. Always a good healthy hit in our house.
(http://www.momswhothink.com/chicken-recipes/baked-parmesan-garlic-chicken.html)
Friday & Saturday: Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry.
This is another easy meal for me. I buy the huge back of frozen stir fry vegetables, add shrimp, season, and serve over angel hair pasta or brown rice.
And there you have it. I think it took me longer to type all this out then to actually prepare for it ;).
And...just for your entertainment. Question of the week from my three year old:
"Mom, why cant we say holy cwap?"
