The only way that I am going to get through my Month of No Spending is by planning out our menus. I'm a big fan of menu planning in general, but when you have decided that you will be buying only eggs, dairy, bread and produce for the month and eating from the pantry and freezer, it is crucial!
I don't like assigning days to specific meals because I do like to keep some flexibility! Dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday is usually something quick due to CCD and Variety Show practice.
Breakfasts
- Beverages: all with coffee or tea for me, milk for the kids
- pancakes, bananas (2 days for the kids) I'll have yogurt & toast or a bagel & cream cheese
- oatmeal with raisins and diced apples
- cereal with bananas (2 days)
- scrambled eggs, toast, oranges
- mixed berry smoothies, english muffin with peanut butter or cream cheese
- Brad leaves for work before we wake up and usually has cereal or oatmeal each morning
Lunches (my oldest child takes PB&J to school 3 days and is allowed to buy lunch 2 days):
- grilled cheese, baby carrots (2 days)
- PB&J (2 days for the kids), applesauce, egg salad sandwich with baby carrots for me those days
- homemade chicken nuggets, applesauce (Boca Burger on toast w/grape tomaotes for me that day)
- Turkeyor ham & cheese sandwiches, banana
- Macaroni & cheese, apple (soup & salad for me that day)
- Brad usually takes leftovers for lunch or packs a ham/turkey & cheese sandwich
Dinners
- Steak on the grill (a chicken breast for me), scalloped potatoes, broccoli, homemade bread
- Chicken in the crock pot (boneless, cooked in fat free italian dressing), brown rice, green beans
- Whole wheat pasta, homemade spaghetti sauce, turkey meatballs, salad, homemade bread
- Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes and Peas
- Hot Dogs and applesauce (Tuesday or Wednesday)
- Homemade pizza bagels, oranges (Tuesday or Wednesday)
- Chicken Enchiladas (based on this recipe. If it works out well, I'll take pictures and post it!)
Snacks:
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Granola Bars
- Apples
- Bananas
- Yogurt
- Veggies with fat free garlic dip
- Homemade sugar cookies or any "snacky food" in the pantry that my children want
For more menu ideas, check out OrgJunkie!
Manisha
I just planned my week out also. I'll share, even though you didn't ask me to. 🙂
Breakfasts:
*Blueberry Muffins (the mix was free)
*Bagels and Cream Cheese (bagels are leftover from The Boy's coffee shop, so free + cream cheese
*Cereal with bananas for The Boy
Lunches:
*Tuna Salad SW
*Egg Salad SW
*PB and J on raisin bread if I'm desperate for something new
Dinner:
*Chicken Pot Pie made with crescent roll dough for crust
*Skillet Lasagna with egg noodles
*Spinach Pie
*Eggs, Bacon, and Toast
*Kitchidi - like an Indian Risotto with lentils, yogurt, pita bread
*Valentine's Day Dinner: Filet Mignon Twice Baked Potatoes, Asparagus, Steamed Shrimp = the whole dinner will cost me about $12 bucks plus wine.
Snacks/extras for lunches:
*Goldfish
*Fruit
*Yogurt
*Carrots/Cucumbers/Grape Tomatoes
*Hardboiled Eggs
*Granola Bars
The Fillet is that cheap because I go in on a 1/4 steer with my mom and brothers 2-3 times a year. It saves me a boatload of money, and I've been saving the two Fillets for a special occasion. I think V-day is a good one. 🙂