Monday, February 22, 2010

Menu Planning: I'm BAAACK!

After a very long hiatus from menu planning, I'm back. And ready. Ready to start saving some money and the hassle of trying to decide what we are going to eat every night when I'm tired and hungry and the girls are tired and Paul is starving...less stress and good food, can't beat it!

Today is the unofficial day I become a lacrosse widow again. The team has un-scheduled running for the next two-ish weeks and Paul has coaches meetings out the ying-yang this week...infact, it will be a pretty busy week in general.
Today, Paul has running, and then 2 back to back meetings.
Tuesday: medical appointments in Hershey for me (yearly check-ups for my AVM)
Wednesday: Olympics at school for the girls...have a meeting in the morning and then I'll be helping out in Little wee one's class
Thursday: dentist appointment for me and Paul has another coaches meeting about an hour away from home or so.
Friday: might be the only chill day there is.

Back to the menu planning.
I wrote out my menu and then hit the grocery store yesterday morning. I only spent $90 for the whole two weeks!!! I'm super stoked about that!

Yesterday we had enchiladas and homemade mexican rice
~we devoured it...so good!
Today: with the left over meat from yesterday we are having sloppy joes, french fries and corn
Tuesday: garlic chicken with spinach salad and rice
Wednesday: Potato and Leek soup...so easy and so delicious!
Thursday: homemade pizza (the girls love this, just by frozen bread dough, let it rise and go to town)
Friday: fish sticks and mac-n-cheese (it's Lent)
Saturday: nothing planned yet, but I'm sure we'll end up with friends and wing the whole dinner thing
Sunday: I let my mom know yesterday that we'll be having dinner at her house...hehe!
Monday: crockpot chili
Tuesday: Spagetti
Wednesday: meatball pizza...pizza with sliced meatballs on top (I bought the frozen pre-made meatballs)
Thursday: sausage & pumpkin lasagna
Friday: fish sticks for the girls and a possible date night for Paul and I

Thanks to the sites linked for the yummy ideas!!

Potato & Leek soup

4-5 russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut to whatever size you prefer (I did chunks with skin on)
1 Leek, chopped and then set in a strainer and a bowl of cold water to rinse (I rinsed it 3-4 times to get all the sand and grit off)
2 shallots, finely diced
1 garlic, finely diced
box of chicken stock
Olive Oil

In a large pan over medium high heat, soften the shallots, garlic, potatoes and leek for about 10 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a simmer and continue cooking until potatoes are fork tender. Pour into bowls, top with parmesan cheese and sour cream. SO good and SO easy :)

3 comments:

Jenny said...

Seriously how did you only spend $90? Is that for all meals or only dinner? I spend $150 a week on groceries but we never eat out so that's breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Thanks for the new dinner ideas :) I love menu planning, it's the only way to go with kids!

Debra Heschl Photography said...

Seriously T~ How do you do it??? Only spending $90??? I spend almost $300 a week..I am not kidding!!! Good for you though..You gave some good ideas & I am starting to menu plan too:)

Sarah said...

That soup sounds delish! I am trying to start menu planning, but am not so good at it yet...I guess it takes some practice.