Sunday, August 1, 2021

Meal Planning? Whatever!

      


     I sure have gotten away from any attempt at real meal planning in July, well mae for the summer. With DD2 bringin home assorted produce tems, the excessive heat, and work schedules that  crept well past proper meal time prepping, I've just sort of flied by the seat of my pants. I had been tracking groceries, and think I've stayed well within my budget (combined Household stuff, grocery, and H&B) of $500, but I'd like August to be an opportunity to make better meal choices and enjoy what summer has readily available. With two full weeks off this month, plus us being back to a two person household after the 21st, my goal will be to both spend less and eat better thought out meals.  Most of July was top off shops-nothing really planned. At some point this week, I'll do a real shop but likely not today, though we need fresh fruit. Here's a list of potential meals that I can make regardless of if I do a big shop or not. 

  • Stuffed pasta shells and sauce
  • Homemade sausage pizza with assorted vegetables
  • Stuffed peppers (though likely with something else. This is a favorite of mine, but not so much others)
  • Goulash
  • Apple Sausage  Cheddar meatballs and rice pilaf
  • Grilled cheese with tomatoes, roasted potatoes
  • Toasty dogs and au gratin potatoes
  • Tacos with rice and beans
  • Spinach, onion, and cheddar quiche
     DD2 will take leftovers for lunch, and prefers over a sandwich, so I'll put a serving aside each day for her. I've plenty of deli meat for the week, but cheese is running low. I'll add that to the short list with fruit for a needed top off. I plan to get corn and have with at least two meals, and what isn't eaten, I'll strip the kernels and freeze for fall corn chowder. While the excessive heat has lessened (Still hot though), I am not happy that so much of these meals will need my oven. I'll try and do some baking at the same time and make a dent in the supply of frozen bananas and clear out a few lingering pantry items.Baked goods will be a nice breakfast change and add items for packed lunches. 

     I needed a spray bottle and a few other odds and ends and just popped into the Dollar Tree yesterday. I grabbed soft butter (probably overpaid per ounce, but kept me from making another stop) a loaf of wheat bread, and hot dog buns. The cashier mentioned likely this will be the last of the bread products they will have. The ingredients have gotten so high, the seller increased their prices to where it was no longer cost effective for DT to carry. I'm seeing stories and blog posts everywhere on how the cost of basics are going up and up. One of my favorite YouTube Channels, Frugal Fit Mom, posted on June 25th comparing several staples now to a year ago. She deduced that while there is some inflation, overall, not the severity of which people are lamenting. This might already be dated though as things have seemed to change even in the last few weeks. I guess my strategy will be to keep doing as much cooking for scratch, using what I have, and trying to avoid waste. Feel free to comment on this, or what you are cooking this week.




8 comments:

  1. We're eating allotment produce so courgettes, tomatoes, potatoes and shallots/ onions have featured heavily recently... pasta sauces, quiches, courgette soup, pizzas, garlic and herb potatoes, and roasted veg. I brought more courgettes and tomatoes home today!

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    1. I'm thinking you have all the makings of both delicious soups and roast vegetable dinner! I will be taking advantage of produce stands and the farmers market.

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  2. I don't think food prices are rising as drastically as is reported. But, the thing I find disconcerting is the lack of sales on things I only buy on sale. I can usually find Kraft Chunk and Shredded Cheese 5/$10. Now, I am lucky to find it for $2.99/$3.00. When I bought bscb for $1.59, I only bought one package and regretted it almost immediately. I was over 50 miles away, so not going back while the ad was good.

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    1. I do think the sales aren't as good too, but generally a not shopping name brands, and tend to stock up when a good price.

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  3. what sort of goulash? was it any good?

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    1. It's on the list for the week. Mine is basically hamburger cooked with lots of onions, pepper, and garlic, then I add diced tomatoes, a touch of olive oil, and load it with spices-more garlic, Italian herbs, pepper, etc. and let it simmer, then I add Elbow macaroni, an dlet that simmer some more. It's not fancy, but comfort food.

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  4. I definitely have noticed prices creeping up on things! I can’t remember the last time I used my oven. It’s been way too hot this summer. Is there any way you can use the crockpot for some of your meals? I prefer my stuffed peppers in there since I like the pepper nice and soft and I’ve never done stuffed shells but I do make a crockpot lasagna. I worked yesterday and we just had leftovers and whatnot. We’re taking the college tour today, then swinging by the outlets nearby and getting lunch there and that likely will fill us up for dinner. I have a sorta plan for the rest of the week but nothing concrete. I’ll do ham, potatoes and green beans in the crockpot tomorrow, chicken something Wednesday, Thursday is my birthday so I’m not cooking, Friday is to be determined. Saturday is my long work day so dinner is someone else’s problem. Sunday I have a graduation party, so everyone is on their own. August is off to a busy start and I don’t see it letting up. I’ll probably do a grocery pickup Wednesday so I’ll make sure there’s some simple to prepare things. Daughter has requested pasta salad and I like to load mine with protein and veggies so it’s practically a meal, perfect for summer. JoAnn

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    1. I'll do the stuffed shells in the crock pot since I precook the shells anyway and the crock pot will roughly hold them all in one layer. I love your idea of doing the peppers that way-hadn't thought of that!

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