Menu Plan Monday - Mar 22, '10

After a gorgeous weekend, we're waking up to....rain. Well, you know what they say about New England...if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes :)

Last week we did GREAT sticking to plan. The Sue Sue's Casserole was a hit, especially with my toddler! It was a little heavy on the onions, and I *think* if I play around with it I can make it more like a creamy beef stroganoff casserole. We also managed to use up just about ALL of the leftovers - I love me a clean fridge!

This week we actually have TWO days when the whole family is home for dinner! I also had to plan for plenty of leftovers, this weekend hubby and I both work so we need enough to cover our meals on those days.

Here's what's on our table, don't forget to visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie for tons more menus and recipes!

monday - Curried Turkey Tidbits, rice, mixed veggies - OAMC ($2.62 for 4 servings)

tuesday - Easy Taco Bake - OAMC ($3.21 for 4-6 servings)

wednesday - Fluffy French Toast, fruit, eggs ($5.04 for 6 servings)

thursday - Chicken Ranch Pizza, salad - OAMC ($5.90 for 4-6 servings)

friday - Grilled steaks, sweet potatos, mixed veg ($6.70 for 4 servings)

saturday - Leftovers (Free!)

sunday - Leftovers, hubby will be eating at his mom's (Free!)




Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - Feb 15th, '10

Must. Do. Menu!!!

We've been plagued by the sickies in my house for the last couple of weeks, and I just haven't had the energy to make up menus - which, of course, I paid dearly for because we never knew what to cook and did a fair amount of last-minute scrambling. Every time I think menu planning is just something fun to do, I'm reminded how vital it is for my sanity AND my wallet!

So I'm back on the MPM train, this week we won't have any nights when everyone is home for dinner so I'm going to try putting the bulk of the cooking early in the week and rely on leftovers towards the end of the week. Today I made some butternut squash and apple puree for the baby, we still have sweet potatoes and pears in the freezer too! I'll be posting later this week on my baby food adventures :)

Here's our table for the week, and be sure to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie to check out tons more menus and recipes!!

monday - Japanese-style Beef Curry over rice ($4.43 for 6-8 servings)

tuesday - Country Turkey Cobbler using leftover chopped turkey ($2.27 for 4-6 servings)

wednesday - Rotini with veggie marinara, homemade breadsticks from the freezer (3.50 for 6-8 servings)

thursday - either leftover night, or Tomato and Chickpea Soup, grilled cheese sammies ($5.29 for 4 servings plus leftover soup!)

friday - Leftovers!

saturday - Leftovers!

Sunday - Dinner at my in-law's!




Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - Nov 30th, '09

We came. We saw. We ate. (and ate, and ate and ate!) Turkey day is behind us, and while we may still be enjoying the leftovers we can now focus on Christmas madness! This is actually my favorite time of year, a happy bright spot at the beginning of my least favorite season: winter. Yeah, I live in New England and can't stand the winter. So sue me ;)

Last week we did very well sticking to the menu, and I only had to make a minor adjustment on Friday because we had family at the house - thankfully my pizza recipe doubles and triples easily! This week I have a craving for spinach, so it's showing up in a couple of recipes (all of which freeze well so I'll probably make doubles!). I have an itch to try something I saw on Laura's menu a few weeks ago - a mexican dish with cinnamon rolls on the side - but I think it'll have to wait till next week when I have more time. If I can get the kiddos to cooperate though, I may be trying Amy's cinnamon roll recipe this week and pop them in the freezer :)

Here's what's on our table, don't forget to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for MANY more recipes and menu ideas!

monday - Leftover Sausage Potato Soup from the freezer (free!)

tuesday - Crockpot Vegetable Curry over rice ($6.06 for 8-10 servings)

wednesday - Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup ($2.10 for 4 servings)

thursday - Turkey Veggie Lasagna ($5.78 for 6 servings)

friday - Shrimp Scampi with broccoli and linguini ($7.00 for 4 servings)

saturday - Unbelievable Chicken & Pasta ($6.35 for 6-8 servings)




Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - Aug 31st '09

I hate being so crazy right now! I know I haven't blogged much lately, but at least MPM keeps me slightly connected to you all :) The new babe is doing very well, he clocked in at 8lbs 11.5oz and 21 3/4 inches long at his 2 week appointment - that means he's gained more than a pound since leaving the hospital! We've had some trials in the breastfeeding department, but I'll save that for another blog post. He's alert, adorable, and big brother is loving on him tons (even if he's giving us a run for our money!)

We did pretty well sticking to the menu last week, had to shuffle things around a little but otherwise did OK. I'm still not feeling up to the whole process of cooking so the freezer meals have been a godsend! I vaguely remember things getting easier after the first month, so I'm hopeful there's a light at the end of the tunnel :)

Here's what we're planning for this week, don't forget to visit Laura over at I'm an Organizing Junkie for tons of great menu and recipe ideas!

monday - Spaghetti Pie - OAMC ($7.78 for 6 servings)

tuesday - Turkey Veggie Lasagna - OAMC ($5.78 for 6 servings)

wednesday - Cheesy Kielbasa Bake - OAMC ($6.87 for 6-8 servings)

thursday - Burgers, veggies, tater tots ($3.85 for 4 servings)

friday - leftovers (Free!)

saturday - French Toast, scrambled eggs and fruit - Brinner day! ($3.50 for 4 servings)

sunday - leftovers (free!)




Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - June 15, '09

Hard to believe it's already the middle of June! We're so focused on the baby's arrival in August that the summer already seems to be slipping by, and it's barely begun. It probably would be as bad if we didn't have SO much to do before my due date! I'm definitely in my nesting phase, I look around my house and all I see are projects for the Honey-do list :)

Last week was a good week overall, we stuck to the menu and even survived game night! I've got a lot of OAMC cooking on the docket for this week - most meals will be cooked double and half sent straight to cold storage! I don't always have time to set aside just for freezer cooking but I can always make doubles.

Here's our table for the week, don't forget to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for TONS of other menus and ideas!

monday - Turkey Veggie Lasagna - OAMC Meal ($5.78 for 6 servings)

tuesday - Cheesy Kielbasa Bake - OAMC Meal ($6.87 for 6-8 servings)

wednesday - Grilled Cheese sandwiches, fruit salad ($4.50 for 4 servings)

thursday - Meatball subs, watermelon - OAMC meal ($6.50 for 4 servings)

friday - Orange Apricot Pork Chops, veggie, couscous - OAMC meal ($7.40 for 6 servings)

saturday - Homemade Pizza ($2.60 for 6-8 servings)

sunday - Dinner at the in-laws - Free!








Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - June 8, '09

I was a total slacker last week...no menu, no sales posting, just a whole lot of feelin' poopy...but I'm much better now!

We actually did pretty well last week, even without a game plan. I raided the pantry as much as possible and actually got in a date night :) Proof that we don't go out much though - we got WAAAAY more than we could finish and now I have massive amounts of chinese leftovers in the fridge. At least work lunches will be covered!

This week will be much more routine, and I'll be using up the last of the OAMC meals from May. I've already got this month's dishes tucked away in the freezer and will be working on a few extra dishes to stockpile for when the baby comes in August! I can't believe we're at 60 days and counting...

Here's what's on our table, don't forget to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for tons of other great menus!

monday - Leftover pulled pork, homemade cornbread, veggies ($1.75 for 4 servings)

tuesday - Honey Balsamic pork chops, veggies, rice ($5.78 for 4 servings)

wednesday - Autumn Chowder in homemade bread bowls ($4.86 for 4-6 servings)

thursday - Roast turkey breast, veggies, rice ($7.75 for 4 servings plus TONS of turkey leftovers!)

friday - Chicken Cordon Bleu, egg noodles, veggies - OAMC meal ($7.25 for 6 servings)

saturday - Game night at our house - three pizzas to feed hungry gamers! ($7.50 for all THREE pies!)

sunday - Dinner at the in-law's (free!)











Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - May 4, '09

Just another Manic Monday!

I wanted to say thanks to all who sent notes of encouragement regarding the loss of my friend - it was a tough week but we all made it through and the notes and prayers definitely helped :)

Last week I fell off plan a bit - forgot to take the meat out to thaw one night and hadn't saved enough leftovers...so we had grilled cheese on Friday and Chickpea Stew on Saturday. I think I need to give myself reminders to take stuff out to thaw (especially with freezer meals on the menu), baby brain is doing a number on me!! On that front - we are about to hit T-minus 3 months till arrival! I REALLY need to get the baby's room set up....

This week will be the beginning of incorporating Once a Month meals in my menus - I will make a note of when those are being used versus fresh cooked meals and we'll see how things pan out! I am already working on a cooking list for June meals and will keep you posted!

Here's our table for the week, don't forget to visit Laura over at I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas!

monday - Black Bean Quesadillas ($6.65 for 4-6 servings)

tuesday - Turkey and veggie lasagna - OAMC ($5.78 for 6 servings)

wednesday - Chicken Cordon Bleu over noodles - OAMC ($6.75 for 6 servings)

thursday - Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin, veggies, homemade breadsticks ($4.01 for 4-6 servings)

friday - Homemade pizza ($2.95 for 6-8 servings)

saturday - Leftovers! Free!

sunday - Mothers Day Dinner with the in laws - free!








Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - Apr 5, '09

Man it has been a tough week! I barely did any meal planning last week at all and DEFINITELY missed it...We ate a lot out of freezer leftovers and I did a couple of quick meals but there was nothing spectacular. I am starting to feel a little more motivated so I have all of my menu planning done well ahead of time!

Part of that is because of my new-found interest in OAMC (once a month cooking) - because I'm planning some meals WAY ahead of time, I'm thinking more about what I DO want to cook and the MPM planning was actually much easier this week. Hopefully it's a trend that continues!

I have a ton of leftover turkey from making a 7-pound turkey breast last week, so I found a couple of new recipes that will help me use that up this week. Either of these recipes could be done with turkey or chicken! I don't have to cook AT ALL this weekend because of the holiday, so my kitchen will get some much-needed rest before I put it to task for freezer cooking :)

Here's what will be on our table this week, don't forget to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for HUNDREDS of other menus!!

monday - Italian Chicken Skillet ($4.35 for 6 servings)

tuesday - Turkey and Veggie Lasagna ($6.45 for 6 servings)

wednesday - Ginger Chicken and sweet potatoes, couscous ($5.58 for 6 servings)

thursday - Country Turkey Cobbler ($2.27 for 6 servings)

friday - Homemade pizza ($2.54 for 6 servings)

saturday - early Easter Dinner with my dad (free!)

sunday - Easter dinner at the in-laws (free!)




Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - March 23 '09

Ok so I'm posting this from work because we got home WAAAY too late last night after a day of party going with the boy...I am too old to be this social :-)

Anyway, I will post recipes and prices later tonight when I have a moment to breathe, but here's my menu plan for this week! Don't forget to check on the other menu plans at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Monday - Chicken pot pie ($4.00 for 6 servings)

Tuesday - Roast turkey breast, sweet potatoes, mixed veggies ($10 for 6 servings plus TONS of meat leftovers!)

Wednesday - Pulled pork sandwiches (using leftover Pork roast and homemade rolls, corn on the cob ($2.99 for 4-6 servings)

Thursday - Leftovers! (Free!)

Friday - Tomato and chickpea soup, grilled cheese ($5.19 for 4 servings)

Saturday - Homemade pizza ($2.50 for 6-8 servings)

Sunday - dinner at the in laws





Stumble It!

Menu Plan Monday - Feb 9th '09

Well my husband and I managed to survive another Comic Con weekend in New York! As always, it was total madness and mayhem, and we had a blast :) I have as much fun people-watching as I do meeting artists and celebs! I'll try and get some pics posted in the next day or so...

But now it's back to reality, and back to menu planning...we did well for the few days we were at home last week, though instead of making my Chickpea Stew I made Laura's Unbelievable Chicken & Pasta - and it really was! So easy, and SOOO tasty. This one will definitely end up in regular rotation. This week I'm trying (still) to use up pantry items so that we have less to move, so I don't plan on trying anything too exotic until we get settled in the new place.

Oh - and if you haven't heard yet, at the end of this week I'm starting my Chocolate - Covered Giveaway party! Grab the button in my sidebar and spread the word :)

Here's our table for the week, don't forget to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for HUNDREDS of menu ideas!

monday - Chicken Quesadillas using Taco Chicken, leftover black beans and rice ($3.02 for 4 servings)

tuesday - Crockpot beef roast with potatoes and carrots ($6.25 for 6-8 servings)

wednesday - Turkey Meatball Subs, green beans ($5.90 for 4-6 servings)

thursday - Mimi's Sticky Chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli ($5.50 for 6 servings and LOTS of leftovers!)

friday - Leftover night!

saturday - Homemade Pizza ($3.05 for 6-8 servings)

sunday - dinner at the in laws!

Menu Plan Monday - Nov 24th

Happy Thanksgiving! (my condolences to the turkeys...I will enjoy eating you...nom nom nom...)

I love Thanksgiving for two reasons: first, the family gatherings - we are doing a little house hopping but it's worth it. Second - the LEFTOVERS...Thanksgiving is the yummy gift that keeps on giving, and I'm already trying to plan out ways to maximize the stuff that will inevitably come home with us :)

Our menu went well again this week - we FINALLY used the last of the chili in the burritos, but I will be making it again VERY soon - it got better with time! The Sausage and Penne was another huge hit, and is doing its duty as lunch/leftovers :) I made 10 cups of chicken stock from the roast chicken, and froze about 2 cups of leftover chicken meat to use sometime in the next few weeks!

I'm off the hook for Thanksgiving cooking, but I found a SUPER easy recipe for Oatmeal-Cornflake Cookies...They are yummy, easy, and I am going to make a triple batch to bring along!

Here's the rest of our week at the table - and don't forget to check out I'm an Organizing Junkie to tour everyone else's table...hope you're hungry :)

monday - Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce, veggies, rice ($6.40 for 4 servings)

tuesday - Leftovers night (need to clean out the fridge!) - Free!

wednesday - Honey Balsamic Chicken drumsticks, veggies, leftover rice ($3.40 for 4 servings)

thursday - THANKSGIVING! - (about 3 bucks for 3 batches of cookies!)

friday - Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli (Romano's Macaroni Grill boxed - from this sale) ($5.03 for 4-5 servings)

saturday - Turkey N Biscuit Bake ($6.31 for 6-8 servings)

sunday - Going to the Edaville Railroad Christmas lights display, dinner out with family.

Menu Plan Monday - Nov 10th

Yes, I know this is super late - after all the issues with my old URL (and if you were subscribed to the OLD $200 Mission, be sure to subscribe here and follow me in blogger!) I wanted to make sure this week's menu got posted before I was up against the new week! Plus I HAD to pass along a couple of great recipes I found.

Here's what we've been having - be sure to check out I'm an Organizing Junkie for more fabulous menus!

monday - Bee Rocks from the freezer stash (FREE!)

tuesday - Obama's Chili and homemade cornbread - ($8.97 for about 10 servings)

wednesday - Java Beef roast (will update a link to the recipe), veggies, potatos (cost to follow)

thursday - Kielbasa and Pasta supper using broccoli and tricolor rotini ($4.00 for 8-10 servings)

friday - Tacos using leftover Obama chili ($2.50 for 5 servings)

saturday - Caraway Pork Chops, homemade rolls, veggies and taters ($6.50 for 4 servings)

sunday - leftover night, or dinner at the in law's! (FREE!)