Sunday, June 12, 2022

Menu Planning

      

     I think how I shopped last week worked out ok. Not excessive, a bit of stocking, but call me a fool, but I'm not going to go hog wild loading up my pantry and freezer for potentially higher increases. I know, I know. If a really good price, sure I'll grab extras but my mental health in being somewhat organized and knowing what's available is going to win over stock piling. At least for June and potentially the summer. At some point today I need to get groceries but need DH and my daughter to give me their must haves. We're all being fed- no doubt  there, but trying to keep him off Arby's, BK, Taco Bell and Jimmy John's and her off Chipotle. We spent an obscene amount on lunches between May and June 10th, as the credit card statement shows. Here's my attempt the past week with supper at least.
  • Sunday - Leftover Papa Murphy's pizza and some other leftovers, college kid wanted pasta so made it
  • Monday- BBQ chicken and twice baked potatoes
  • Tuesday - roasted vegetables, baked leftover spaghetti, cous cous
  • Wednesday- Chicken and spinach tortellini
  • Thursday - BLTs
  • Friday - Ate out
  • Saturday- Daughter was out and about. DH brought home afternoon DQ Buster Bars which ruined any appetite for a real meal. I made a box of Mac and cheese about 7:00 and called it good
     I think these options are the plan this week. I'm not setting a day to the meal as there's some schedule shifting with all our schedules. 

  • Meatballs and gravy over mashed potatoes
  • Hamburgers with fixings
  • Ravioli with red sauce 
  • Pulled chicken sandwiches, potatoes wedges
  • Stir fry and egg roll
  • Tacos or tostada's with spicy black beans and sweet potato, queso, tomatoes, and guacamole 
  • Curry or Dahl with rice and vegetables
  • Baked potato bar and steamed vegetables
  • Grilled bacon and cheese with tomato's, side salad
     I'm trying to have more fruits and veggies for sides and snacks. I need to walk on by any bags of potato chips in stores as I have no will power. I do not want them in the house. I'm still in a rut food wise. I see good stuff on others plans and then go back to the same old. The sweet potato black bean tostada's is a tiny change up, so something. What's Cooking in your house?

19 comments:

  1. Sounds like some great meals Sam. I eat tons of veggies but need to eat more fruit. I like fruit it just isn't something I'll automatically reach for. Have a great Sunday!!

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    1. I think of vegetables as better for me than fruit, but I know both are great. Dinner last night had both.

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  2. Giant Eagle is the name of our local grocery store and they typically are the most expensive place around. They had some great meat deals this week so I took advantage of that. Fend for yourself today, I’ll eat at a grad party. Tomorrow roast, potatoes, carrots, the whole nine yards. Tacos, pork chops, grilled chicken for salads or wraps. My baby turns 18 on Friday so I’m sure we’ll be eating out and splurging but we did really great last week, only eating out once and that was bc Moes had bogo entrees. Next week going to tighten the belt up even a bit more. Your soup picture on insta looked delicious, I could probably get away with making a pot since it’s been awhile that we’ve had any! JoAnn

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    1. The tortellini was supposed to be more a pasta sauce than soup, but it was delicious. Economical too. Your daughter graduates, turns 18, and then to college! So much life in pivotal events.

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  3. M's birthday is this week, so we will definitely be eating one meal out. The boys are heading out on Friday to be with my parents, so meals will be different, & we will likely take advantage of the flexibility & eat out a bit here & there.

    I did come up with a scrappy menu plan for the rest of the week, and tonight I'm making a large pan of chicken enchiladas. Those will make at least two dinners, and take advantage of peppers & cilantro from the yard.

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    1. The sweet potato-black beans ended up being dinner. Delicious. I know your boys enjoy their time with your parents and nice for you to get a week of flexibility.

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  4. I’m also one of the few not worrying about food shortages. I guess if my farm share shuts down, I’ll be scurrying for produce. Good weekend here- my sis and I saw the new Downton Abbey movie and enjoyed it. She bought it on demand so cost me nothing. I brought dinner- subs from a local deli. News here is son-in-law got a promotion and they are moving back to San Fran after a 6 week stint in London! Daughter and 8 year old are excited- 4 year old not so much. They’ll visit here when they return. I just donated 8 boxes to Am Vets so am feeling good about that downsizing. My sis says I am too minimalist- I just have a set of dishes for 8 but I figure, if necessary I can use disposable right? Nan

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    1. That's cute about your grandson. What did he like so much after 6 weeks in London? If you don't regularly seat more than 8, I guess you have the right # of dishes.

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    2. They haven’t left yet- are flying out this weekend. GS is a homebody like his granny. We’re not much on traveling these days. I do entertain more at Christmas but I kept my Christmas dishes…at least for this year. Nan

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  5. My husband has been agitating to go out to eat. I'm glad he's doing so much better. That said, I haven't had the desire to eat out. I don't want to hit the perfect trifecta of overpriced, sub-par food with poor service.
    I barely remember this week's meal, though I do know we had frozen pizzas one night, baked salmon another. Last night we had grilled steaks, which I picked up while getting some one day only loss leaders (like apples at $0.69/lb) The steak was more than I like to pay ($4.99/lb for petite sirloin) but I figured it was cheaper than eating out. Plus, DH really wanted to grill.
    This week I've gotten as far as today. Today I am making a roast chicken with roasted carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy. I imagine the leftovers will be worked into a chicken pot pie. I also told a kid I'd make a chocolate cheesecake today. The cream cheese has been in the refrigerator for some time--I'm pretty sure it might be past its "best by" date, but if you don't say anything, I won't either!

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    1. I'm glad he's feeling better- and wants his eating out back. Your meals sound much better though, even pizza.

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  6. I agree. I am not stockpiling anymore than usual. I feel like we need to take a good look at our lifestyles and adjust there. I remember a friend who stockpiled for Y2K and ended up throwing away an obscene amount of food. I want to be thoughtful and organized.

    Anonymous talked about Giant Eagle and I agree with her they are the most expensive, but I am also finding a lot of yellow tickets which is helpful.

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    1. I mean, we have plenty, but yes, if there are shortages on stuff, we'll just have to do without if I don't have it. We just don't have the clearance prices. I got bread for 45¢ from Walmart rack. That's it for deals.

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  7. It is difficult for me to meal plan with warmer temps. I end up with the oven needed because we do not grill outside and do not have a counter top oven, which would probably be a good investment, somewhere down the road so I end up with some odd combinations, at times. Probably will just get by with a couple of all beef hot dogs and baked beans for today. Planning to make a pasta salad that includes broccoli and cauliflower, along with black olives and red onions and cut up peppers. I use a bottled zesty Italian dressing and flavor it up with McCormicks salad fixings or whatever it's called. It make a decent amount that can be used for a side with other meat options. It can be enough for me as a meal alone. Probably BLT's one night and anticipate making shrimp alfredo for the first time. (using up shrimp from the infamous freezer clean up - getting it used bit by bit) It is not something I plan on making a habit of as it is not the healthiest thing, but it sounds good and a good place to use up the shrimp. Contemplating adding asparagus to it also. Sounds yummy now, but I'm hungry, so there's that. I have stock piled for quite some time and I am not sorry and am convinced I will be glad of it, as time goes on. I'm very careful to keep working at the organization of foods and of course, rotate things as we do eat from this stock using the older items. If something we eat a lot of, I will replace said items as stock lowers. The inflation issues are not going away any time soon and supply issues are still causing problems. When I stock things, it's not necessarily just for us. If any of my family had a need, I could help them. I have family on fixed incomes and none of these current issues have been easy for any of them. We should be grateful we have the means to be able to weather this storm, whatever it may be. Ranee

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    1. We all need to do what works for us. I'm just not going to stock up and have food stored in places all over my house, or price hunt to find all the stock up deals. If that works for others, that's good for them. My mind would be all over the place trying to keep it straight. My cupboards aren't bare by any means, but If I'm caught short, I may be sorry and admit it. I financially support our food shelf and if I need to help individuals in my life, I will/have without question.

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  8. I stopped at the BLTs; oh, to have one !

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    1. Lower sodium turkey bacon, and I only use two slices per sandwich. It's not the full on fatty goodness, but does hit the spot.

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  9. I'm trying to make Jon meal plan whilst we're at Glastonbury rather than him bringing options for every meal - I'd rather have space for more booze and live on noddles for a week! xxx

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    1. Noodles work when your trying for fast fuel. I through a few pouches of ramen in my cart this week.

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