Thrifty Healthy Easy Meal Plan

     

Eatingbirdfood.com has
 free printable meal plan.

     I'm trying a new format for 2022, or rather a tweak to my blogging. I have a pattern in my head that will evolve in January. Sundays will continue to be based on menu planning and maximizing our food stores for value, taste, and healthiness.  I'm back to work tomorrow, but having the bonus weekend day helped me shape up my kitchen. DD2 is only home through Wednesday so I want to spend time with her and treat her to meals she likes, plus load her up with a few meals for the rest of the week at school. She's going to just do the small meal plan at school through dining services that covers a meal a week day. Even with one fewer obligation this semester, she'll likely pick up more hours at her other two jobs and maybe get to do more of the fun things on campus, so 100% cooking from her apartment is not realistic, and I don't want her skipping meals. She'll have grocery money too. Since she's not back until late Wednesday afternoon and starts class bright and early Thursday, several ready meals will tide her over until the weekend. I'll send fruit and a couple mini loaves of pumpkin bread. She said she has oatmeal and unopened shelf stable plant based milk to round out her first few days back. 

      I thought after the indulgence of Christmas - New Year's, starting the new year with a thrifty menu, but full of taste would be a positive start. I shopped Friday, but didn't spend much. I'm still using up odds and ends from pantry fridge and freezer. I'd like January to be a low spend month as well, kicking off our just a bit tighter budget. Here's my planned options with flexibility.

• Pasta fagiole soup with grilled brie( use it up) sandwich ( jar of soup to send back to school) I don't follow a recipe but this one is pretty close to how I make mine, though I make it completely plant based, and individuals add parmesan
• Crockpot pasta primavera 
• Pulled pork, but will refreeze most of the meat for a future easy meal, and au gratin potatoes
• Bean, beef, and cheese enchilada casserole with rice on the side. This recipe was a success, and you could leave out either beef or beans to your preferences. I make an enchilada sauce with 8 ounce tomatoes sauce, lots of seasonings ( chili powder, cumin, onion powder), and then stretch with a butter flour roux, with cup of veggie broth made with Better than Bullion. You could just use water too. I think mine tastes better than the canned enchilada sauces
• Mushroom stroganoff over egg noodles ( Hopefully a meal left to send back)
• Chicken, broccoli, cheese and rice hotdish
• Homemade chicken tenders with potatoe wedges
• Cottage pie- mine is whatever meat and vegetables I have, in gravy, then covered in mashed potatoes, then baked.
• Chickpea and veggie masala ( mostly to send back to school)

     I'm trying to build up the vegetable quantities with all of these meals. I vow portion control and getting my evening snacking under control is my personal mantra. Let's hope that resolve holds beyond week one. I did a weigh in and an arm measurement yesterday. While I need to lose more than 10%, I don't want a target that will feel defeating before even starting. Remember last year? My photo a month just depressed me.  I'll cut up veggies today for ready snacking. If it's prepared, I'll eat it rather than reaching for chips or crackers. 

     I'll do my best to link inspired recipes, or share how I make what I make. I'm excited to try new things, but also update and enhance old favorites. What's on your menu?