Menu Planning Monday

I need all the planning and help I can get as the holidays approach and menu planning is a life saver this week. In a season marked by tradition and family I focus on the tradition of bringing the family together at the dinner table. I look forward to a week without grab and go or answering "Where do you want to eat?" During a crazy busy time of year I cherish the indulgence of being HOME for dinner.

Sunday: Garlic-Cinnamon chicken with toasted pine-nut cous cous and mixed veggies (It was good!)

Monday: Black beans and smoked ham with rice, green salad, and apple sauce

Tuesday: Whole Wheat Penne Bolognese, salad, glazed carrots, and apple slices

Wednesday: Grilled Tuna, Mixed veggies & rice

Thursday: Tuscan Chicken and bean soup, carrot sticks, fruit

Friday: Steak, Baked potatoes, glazed carrots, fruit

Saturday: Homemade chicken pot pie (with fewer peas;-) and pineapple casserole

For lunches we'll have leftovers, homemade pizzas, PB & J, or soup.

What are you eating this week? What helps you stay sane during the holidays? I love to read your comments.

Please enjoy more menus HERE or by clicking the logo above.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

The Homeschool Helpers Edition:

This week I've got helpers in the kitchen. The kids are helping from the menu planning to the preparation and clean up. It's a lesson for all of us. The kids will practice their kitchen skills (they help out fairly often) and I will practice my patience (I don't like help in my kitchen whilst cooking). I can't wait to report back next week on the results. Pray for me (really) as I enter a week of shared control which I find REALLY difficult.

The Menu:
Monday: Chopped steak, glazed carrots, peas & rice
(the children will chop carrots, measuring rice, working the microwave, and seasoning the steaks)

Tuesday: Chicken Noodle Soup with green salad & applesauce
(the children will chop carrots and celery, add pasta, season soup, make the salads, and help brown the chicken)

Wednesday: Beans and Ham with cornbread, fruit, and carrot sticks
(the children will sort and soak the beans, measure and make the cornbread, and help chop carrots)

Thursday: Tacos with fruit
(the children will grate cheese, tear lettuce, help brown the meat, and chop olives)

Friday: Make your own pizza night, with fruit and carrot sticks
(the children will grate cheese, and assemble their own pizzas)

Saturday we'll probably go out and for lunches all week we'll have sandwiches or leftovers each day.

It's an adventure everyday right?

Forget luck, wish me patience! Please explore many more fabulous menus HERE.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Like Jet Fuel for Mommies

Ah, coffee!

I could sing it's praises from mountain tops (forget that it stains teeth, is hard on my kidneys, and effects of over consumption of caffeine v. calcium absorbtion are still in question -scroll down halfway). Coffee is my friend.

I'm not a regular morning coffee drinker. This week I began making coffee in the morning as things are kind of chili around here until about 11 when the sun warms things up. [Casey and I are in a 'heated' debate over when to turn the heater on b/c it's still so warm during the day - I'll probably have to cave this weekend if rain comes in] I am finding myself more productive and energized (and quite possibly unbearable to those around me, though no one has mentioned it yet). Who knew? All those "It Moms" must be drinking coffee by the gallon.

I know there are those who do not like coffee (freaks) or even prefer *gasp* TEA (so what if that's my favorite Yerba Mate cup in the photo), but for me, for now, coffee is my energy drink of choice.

What is your 'Mommy Jet Fuel?'

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday - The Pantry Edition

This week I am using up what we have in the pantry and fridge (I see a HUGE grocery trip on my weekend horizon). I got industrious (so I can be lazy all week) and planned breakfasts and lunches - maybe Casey should take the kids out of the house for 6 hours more often?

Monday:
B: Cereal w/milk
L: Hotdogs with carrots and apples
D: Smoky Turkey Shepherd's Pie (thank you RR it's a fave)

Tuesday:
B: Oatmeal/Juice
L: Soup (maybe PB crackers for Toby who doesn't like soup)
D: Chicken Pot Pies

Wednesday:
B: Muffins/milk
L: Quesadillas and fruit
D: Ham and Bean Soup with cornbread and fruit

Thursday:
B: French Toast/juice
L: Leftovers
D: McDonald's (Toby's birthday choice)

Friday:
B: Cereal/milk
L: Boiled eggs, fruit, crackers
D: Summer Sausage & Rice w/mixed veggies

Saturday:
B: Sausage & egg scramble
L: Out - after puppet show
D: Grilled Tuna over salad

It feels good not to have to think about meals for the rest of the week. Everything I need I have (or will after a 10 min trip to the grocery) and it's all planned out. All I have to do now is put it together and that's the part I enjoy.

Check out the inspired menus of other Monday Planners HERE or by clicking the logo above.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday - Hoping for the Best

Considering last week's menu went a little like this:
Subway
McDonald's
Zaxby's (at least it was salad)
Ham Sandwiches
Frozen Pizza
etc., etc.

I think Menu Planning Monday is especially important this week - both waste wise and waist wise.

So I'm making it (really) easy this week and hoping for the best:

Baked Chicken with glazed carrots and green beans and fruit
Spaghetti with meat sauce with green salad and fruit
Meatballs and gravy with rice and peas and fruit
Chicken noodle soup with crackers and fruit
Inside Out Bacon cheeseburgers with carrots & celery and fruit
Chicken Fried Rice with fruit

A week of no-recipe meals sounds perfect and everything (except egg noodles) is already in the pantry so no big shopping for the week - phew! Rachael I promise I'll re-visit you next week and make your fabulous 30-minute meals, but this week - home cooked from memory is just right. For great recipe ideas and everything under the sun from vegan to budget friendly to feeding large or small families please click the logo above and visit the links on the Menu Planning Monday page.

Sometimes I struggle, do you struggle with the day to day? I try to stay within a relative schedule, budget, etc. but sometimes I just struggle. Convincing myself that everyone else does it ALL perfectly (whilst knowing they really don't) doesn't help.

Do you do that? Do you ever feel as though others must be doing it (whatever 'it' is) better and more and with a bigger smile? What are your struggles and how do you overcome them? Let's share and help each other (or just gripe together and know we are NOT alone).

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

Family Favorites Week: This week at Organizing Junkie everyone is posting their Family Favorites menu which should be wonderful I can't wait to check it out.

I made my menu based on an entire week of our favorites. It's hard for me to come up with actual or technical recipes because these are all things I just cook - I don't really follow a recipe - I just put them together. I included directions for my Daughter's requested birthday meal, but it is by NO means a recipe.

M: Chicken & Dressing Casserole with green beans and glazed carrots
T: Maria Tortilla with fruit salad
W: Inside-Out Bacon Cheeseburgers with fruit salad, chips, and carrot sticks
TR: Roast Beef Hash with Peas, Peaches, and biscuits
It's shameful to write a "recipe" for this as it's all out of a can! It's one of those quick-heat-something-up-before-we-run-out-the-door meals and it's what my turning 8-yo daughter requested as her birthday meal. It consists of the following (literally everything from a can):

Canned Roast Beef Hash (the reduced fat one at least)
Frozen Peas (ok not a can, but...)
Peaches
and 'sink' biscuits (those are the ones you have to bang on the edge of the sink to open)

Heat everything up accordingly and dinner is served! I heat the hash for a long time in the skillet so it gets crispy in places, but it's really all about how YOU like it (or maybe you don't and that's OK too).

F: Homemade Make-Your-Own Pizza with carrots & celery & cupcakes for the sleepover
S: Taco Casserole with green salad, and peas for the kids
Sun: Chicken Noodle Soup with crackers and salads

Sounds like a yummy week if I do say so myself - some of our true favorites from my Mom, my friends, and some of our own. Food really is a scrapbook of your life.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

That's Not All....

Menu Planning Monday is not ALL I do I promise. MPM just seems to be the only thing I blog about - gets very boring I know. I am sewing up a storm this week and will have some photos and more interesting posts resulting - I promise.

"What else does she do?" you ask (or maybe you didn't, but you're already here so indulge me).

I've returned to my coupon adventures over he past couple of weeks. I am using the Grocery Game for now as it makes life easier when I don't have to hunt it all down on my own. There are some really great blogs out there about grocery budgeting and coupon savings - these women are truly inspirational! Me, I just want to have some fun (yes for me it's fun) and save some bucks. So far so good. If you do sign up for The Grocery Game please use my email as a referral eemayde AT gmail DOT com.

This morning I braved Wal-Greens and Publix. I've heard some horror stories about Wal-greens and the coupons+sales not matching up, but I had a delightful experience. I got everything on my list and the cashier (use the cosmetics cashier) had some extra coupons for me.

To put it into perspective:
I have shopped three "list" (those on the GG list) stores this week and my totals were:

Shelf Prices: $174.26
OOP (out of Pocket - the amount I actaully spent): $74.02
ECB/RR earned ("cash" for next visits): $8.00
Rebates (due @ end of month): $24.20

Total Savings this week (not including rebates): $100.24 or 57.5% (include the rebates, etc and it's $132.44 saved or 76%)

The trick with all the coupon "deals" is

1. Make sure you are getting a deal - if you won't use it or have to spend money JUST to get it when you normally would NOT - then it is NOT a "deal" at all.

2. Understand the difference between "stockpiling" and "STOCKPILING", by which I mean - even if it's free how many of one specific item does your family really need/want/use... If you are donating, by all means buy all the deals, but for my family - I know what we'll use before it goes on sale again and I'm trying really hard not to get caught up in the "dealio frenzy" (this time).

and

3. Stay organized - also realize that if you miss a bargain it's not the end of the world - it will either come around again or hey, with all that money you are saving you can afford to buy it at a higher price if you really need to.

There are tons of resources out there and I'm having a good time. If it gets too hard, time consuming, or tedious (or I become the crazy mom with 478 cans of 'free' air freshener that we can't even use because it gives Mommy migraines) I'll back off for a while.

Bottom Line: Casey works hard to earn this family a living and MY job (you know aside from lovingly educating the children and keeping them from destroying the house and/or each other on a daily basis) is to make sure I get the best value from his earnings. If I get a new pair of shoes out of the deal then so be it - these things happen.

I do have a menu planned, but this has droned on quite long enough. Tonight we're having "Maria Tortilla" a dish from Casey's childhood. I'll post more about this week's menu tomorrow.

So go check out the coupon sites linked above and see if it's for you. Let me know what you think and what you do to spend less.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

I've got a cold, but the family still wants to eat - what's up with that?

The menu planning is such a help. I stay on track with our spending goals better and we eat better and healthier. I love sitting down around the table every night to an actual meal instead of to take-away. With the trying of new things we became a fine dining establishment and we now serve "whine" with every meal! I'm sure Toby will come around - eventually.

Last week went very well - the island chicken was delicious and easy. I adapted the recipe to our tastes and according to what we had on hand (didn't realize ahead of time that I was missing a couple of ingredients).

This week's menu is as follows:

Inside Out Bacon Cheese Burgers
Grilled Tuna w/Mixed Veggies
Pork Tenderloin w/Apple Stuffing & Egg Noodles (leaving out the fennel as we don't care for it)
Lemon Apple Baked Chicken w/Scalloped Potatoes
Black Beans & Rice w/diced Ham
Easy Spaghetti & Salad

Remember to check out other Menu Planning links on the Organizing Junkie site - these gals are REALLY creative; many have wonderful budgeting ideas as well.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Oh Yeah, It's Monday!

That means it's time for menu planning: (I totally forgot until just about 5 minutes ago that it's Monday - no work, no mail, whatever...)

Tonight we had breakfast, bacon, eggs, and blueberry pancakes.

This week let's try some new things alongside our favorites:

Smoky Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Swordfish Burgers with Lemon, Garlic & Parsley (link is for Salmon Burgers, but it's fairly similar)
Island Bird: Pineapple-Rum Chicken (two links to blogs with the recipe & a pic & review)
Quick & Easy Chicken Quesadillas
Beef Stir Fry with brown rice & lots of veggies that we'll have to "encourage" the children to eat

I think it's a nice mix of new and faves, quick and involved. I'll let you know how that Rum Chicken turns out - that one has me interested!

Please check out the other fabulous menus and recipes HERE to see what others are having for dinner and get inspired.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Looking for Me?

Find me HERE today talking about finance and my personal struggle with keeping it all in perspective. Also be sure and add Lynnae to your google reader or bloglines; I learn something new and useful there everyday.

My two week menu plan had a little fall-down this weekend (lunches on the weekend elude me), but we got back on track last night with taco casserole (YUM - thank you Andrea) and I'm making soup today so everything is headed in the right direction.

Remaining on the two week plan I have:

Sweet Potato Chicken Stoup (Rachael Ray favorite)
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast for Dinner (including pancakes)
Tuna Steaks
Baked chicken with Brown rice
Tuna Salad
Turkey Burgers
Summer Sausage w/Mixed veggies & rice
Cheese Tortellini alfredo (yum it was good last night)
Chicken & dressing casserole
Taco Casserole (thank you Andrea for the recipe)
Salmon croquettes


I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday - finally

Finally back to the menu planning - we've been eating out and going out and bringing home and NOT cooking - time's up for that.

In no particular order for the next two weeks:

Turkey Burgers
Summer Sausage w/Mixed veggies & rice
Cheese Tortellini alfredo (yum is was good last night)
Sweet Potato Chicken Stoup (Rachael Ray favorite)
Chicken & dressing casserole
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast for Dinner (including pancakes)
Taco Casserole (thank you Andrea for the recipe)
Salmon croquettes
Tuna Steaks
Baked chicken with Brown rice
Tuna Salad

Of course there are sides, etc. with all of that, but with all the lesson planning I'm doing for the next school year (it's a hard age spread this year) a list is as good as it gets - but it isn't take-away! Check HERE for even more menus and meal ideas.

Thanks for your support while I'm busy planning - this homeschool thing is a tough job (SO worth it for us) - especially when you're not an "color within the lines" kind of family.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

I am sorry I fell off the planet last week. The kids and I are recovering from a summer cold - nothing major just sniffles really, but when you're tired from a week of running - even sniffles will take you out.

That's ok - Casey is well (thank goodness) and he ordered pizza and brought us burgers (and aleve) when we needed it. He's the VERY BEST and I am a very blessed girl!

Feeling much better this morning I've tackled menu planning for the week - I even assigned days and planned ALL the meals - I really do work better with a plan.

This Week:
Monday:
Banana Bread (homemade - can you believe it Andrea - I baked)
PB & J Sandwiches with grapes
Grilled Swordfish w/brown rice and mixed veggies & cut watermelon

Tuesday:
Oatmeal with Maple syrup
Cheese Pizzas (make your own)
Maple Glaze Pork Tenderloin w/roasted potatoes & peas

Wednesday:
Toast w/Jam
Leftover Pork Tenderloin
Chicken with Corn & Potato saute and green beans (a Rachael Ray, but I can't find it online to link)

Thursday:
Oatmeal (Pancakes if Casey works from home)
PB & J with fruit
Chicken Noodle Soup (homemade)

Friday:
Biscuits w/Jam
Leftover soup
Steak with baked potatoes, green salad, and peas

Saturday:
Sausage & Egg Scramble w/biscuits
PB & J Picnic after Fernbank visit
Dinner Out

For more menus and ideas visit HERE - LOTS of inspiration

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

Yesterday's lunch of "seaweed and barnacles with coral sticks and topped with sand" - using the imagination to make spinach noodles with butter, bacon, & Parmesan more exciting.

The Report from Last Week: The crockpot meals were really good and so easy. We especially likes the fried rice. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to try out the cheesecake, but I'm keeping that recipe filed in my mind and will make it soon.

The "theme" this week is quick and easy. Vacation Bible school is every night this week and Homeschool Expo is Friday so it's going to be quite hectic.

The Menu:
Tacos
Make your own Pizza
Pepper Steak
Chicken & Rice stir-fry
and Sandwiches - probably more than once.

Quick and easy has it this week. Rachael Ray favorites return next week and we bought some swordfish steaks, at Anna's request, that I'll also get on the menu.

Please check out really great menus HERE at Menu Planning Monday central and remember the link is always on my sidebar.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

The Week of The Crockpot

If, like me, you don't know about Stephanie over at A Year of CrockPotting you must go visit her site (WAIT - finish reading this first).

This week, taking my cue from Stephanie and the Taste of Home Slow Cooker cookbook, I'm going to use the time-saving crockpot every day.

Our menu for the week:

Meatballs & Gravy with Rice (carryover from last week)
Turkey Slopy Joes
Golden Chicken & Noodles
Crockpot Fried Rice
Crockpot Lemon & Dill Salmon
Super Easy Crockpot Spaghetti (no mushrooms)
Crockpot Cheesecake

We'll give it a go and I'll let you know how things turn out. Now, to decide what I'm going to do with all the time saved.

Please check out everyone's menus (really great ideas) HERE.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

I took the weekend off - didn't really plan too, but that's how things turned out and it was really nice. Back to reality and getting in the groove for the week.

I'm trying not to heat up the kitchen and reverting to lots of standard, easy favorites this week. I think the family (kids) is tired of trying new things for a while. This week will be only one new recipe (carried over from last week) and lots of standby favorites.

Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Chef Salads
Tuna Salad Sandwiches (PB & J for Toby)
Tamale Skillet Pie (got pre-empted by an improptu cookout last week)
Turkey Burgers
Meatballs & Gravy with Rice

It will be nice to only have to break out a cookbook one time this week AND I only need to pick up milk and celery at the grocery (honey can you do that on your way home?).

Be sure and check out the wonderful menus and recipe links HERE.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

The tangy cherry chicken from last week was a big hit as were the Aussie Meat Pies.

This week we're trying the following - some we know and some are new:

Rustic Overstuffed Pizz-O (an adaptation of the original for us)
Chicken Parm Soup Always a favorite and super easy to make
Carbonara Deep-Dish Pasta Crusted Pan "Pizza"
Fish with Ginger-Orange-Onion Sauce (we're using tuna steaks)
Chicken a la Queen (we're using buscuits instead of puff pastry shells)
Skillet Tamale Pie (subbing ground turkey breast for ground pork to keep it lighter)

These are al from Rachael Ray's Just in Time cookbook.
FAQ:
Do you ONLY use RR recipes?
No, but I find them easy to follow and they work for the way I cook. I cook most things without a "recipe" and really adapt and use the RR recipes as I see fit.

Can You really make it in 30 Minutes?
Usually - or at least approximately. I'm pretty good in the kitchen and I understand RR's process so that helps. I also am quick with a knife. Sometimes when things are coming together too quickly (or need to) I have Casey read out that portion of the instructions as I work.

Do you like all of Rachael Ray's recipes that you've tried?
NO - there have been a few that were definite NOs, but for the most part I know what we like and I know what we'll eat and RR is prolific so there are lots of choices. I try to choose menus all out of one book so I can just keep it in the kitchen all week.

I've been trying to get out of a dinner (OK take-out and eat out) rut lately so we've been trying lots of new recipes. Normally I don't cook from a recipe and I make lots of standard traditional meals like meatloaf, chicken & dressing casserole, tacos, various pasta dishes, homemade pizza, etc. The menu planning is an adventure and trying new things for several weeks in a row is helping us curb the eating away from home.

Overall I am pleased and happy with the project as it stands now and the family seems to be happy (they aren't complaining much anyway). So for a while longer anyway I'll be sticking with Rachael.

Be sure to check out more great menus HERE this week (a guest host with lots to say).

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

Today I was excused from Jury Duty this week b/c I am the primary childcare provider, etc. Otherwise this weeks menu would read something more like: Take Out, Spaghetti, Frozen Pizza, etc - not so good huh? Instead we have the following:

#312 Boo-Sotto
#240 Grilled Chicken Scampi Style
#284 Tangy Cherry Chicken
#201 Aussie Meat Pies: Made Quick (link to One Dinner At a Time's blog & review post)
#2 Smoky Turkey Shepherd's Pie

This week's menu brought to you by Rachael Ray's 365 No Repeats (and the letter E).

As always you can find more fabulous menus HERE.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

Last week was mostly a bust on the menu front. We were so busy and working with only one car so the schedule was killer. We're going for a "reset" this week!

Tuna Steaks, White Beans with Rosemary, Salad, Green beans (for the kids)

Italian Tuna Casserole, Green Beans, Fresh Fruit (Just for YOU Andrea!)

Chicken Caesar Burgers, Chips, Carrot Sticks, Sliced Apples
Chopped Steaks w/Tangy Corn Relish, fresh salad, and super cheesy mashed potatoes with chives

Chicken and Dressing Casserole, peas, pineapple

Chef Salads

Taco Salads

See more menus HERE


I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday

To encourage family unity, save a little money, and in general stop eating CRAP I've redoubled my menu-planning ways. Join me and many others on the Menu Planning Monday crusade. Find out more here.

In no particular order for the week:

Pork Roast with Macaroni & Cheese, Peas with bacon & onion, and Fresh nectarines (had that already, but there are leftovers for lunch)

Vodka Cream Pasta, Chocolate Pots-de-creme, and fresh green salad

Tuna Steaks, White Beans with Rosemary, Salad, Green beans (for the kids)

Italian Tuna Casserole, Green Beans, Fresh Fruit

Chicken Caesar Burgers, Chips, Carrot Sticks, Sliced Apples

Chopped Steaks w/Tangy Corn Relish, fresh salad, and super cheesy mashed potatoes with chives

And Yes - most of those are Rachael Ray recipes - you know how I adore her recipes.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menus on Monday

The "OFF" is pervasive - it extends into regular daily life. I am trying to shake it any way possible and schedules and lists help me. I've already got my stock-up grocery lists ready for tomorrow. Anyone who doesn't know about The Grocery Game should check it out. It's fun and it can save tons if you don't allow yourself to get overwhelmed (I'm trying not to).

This Week:
Monday: Tortellini w/sauce, fruit, salad
Tuesday: Steak fried rice w/fruit and ice cream for dessert
Wednesday: Tacos
Thursday: Leftover Madness
Friday: Inside Out Bacon Cheeseburgers, carrot sticks, fries, frozen grapes
Saturday: Crock Pot Chicken, veggie medley, fruit smoothies
Sunday: Chicken and Dressing Casserole, Green Beans, Green Salad, Glazed Carrots & Pineapple Casserole

Knitting is on hiatus. I've been crocheting some dishcloths/washcloths, but can't seem to focus on knitting so I'm giving it a break for now. I even took my infamous LIST off my sidebar and trashed it - it may just be a "giftcard Christmas" after all.

Right now I'm focused on homeschooling, pottery classes for the kids, library trips, museum trips, homecooked meals, and lots and lots of books. When my brain gets totally fried I do word searches or fill-in puzzles and I've been doing lots of those lately - hmmm??? That's ok - I'm finding a new way. No, I'm finding my way back.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe