Pantry Challenge in January...

I am still thinking how I can modify this project from (links to go here-HELP!!if you read this I cannot make links - please leave a comment on how - please!!!! ) with how I have to shop because of our income. This (I'm sure) is the last month that my family gets dedicated food money and from Feb on out it is spending cash. In the past few years I have spent about $200 cash per month and $200 SNAP benefits - the new name for Food Stamps - lol - therefore, if I do receive these benefits I want to spend them like I did in December spending $$ to stock up my pantry even more with staples, seasonings, and flavorings.
From Feb on I also spend around $25 each month stocking up my pantry because I work for the school district and am off school for 2 1/2 months in the summer and that is when we really live off our pantry. So suffice it to say perhaps Jan in not the best month for me to be taking this project on??
What I am for sure going to do is to follow others so when do use my pantry as planned so I will have many other ideas to fall back on and the wisdom of other peoples experiences to gleen from.
What I will be doing in Jan is organizing and cleaning out my pantry taking out items that have expired or items that we will just not eat.

Menu Plan Monday - Last week of the year

Hello all, I just got an image uploaded. I know for some no biggie but I am learning this as I go and computers are not natural to me. My kids well, it's in their DNA but I am old as dirt and definitely before computers!!! Anyway here we are the last week of 2009 to do some simple menu planning. I want to remember to link back to http://www.orgjunkie.com/ for more meal plans also http://www.cafemom.com/ in Crock Pot Moms, mommythree0508 has a great week (week 126) of meals planned and in Frugal and Thrifty moms, TonyaLea never fails with her choices.

As for me and mine here is what I have planned as of now and as usual I will update daily what we actually did eat. This is because I reserve the right to alter or change my planned menu for any reason at any time. However, with this being the last week of the month (payday on Thursday) most items will be consumed as planned since choices are a bit more limited.

Mon:: spagheti, peas and garlic toast had soup and popcorn since we had a later hearty lunch and McD treat at 5

Tue:: chicken enchilada casserole another late hearty lunch so had ham and eggs with toast and fruit

Wed:: chili dogs and fries or pizza chicken taco soup in CP-already together in CP in refer

Thu:: Fast food and party faire late night as planned also having extra kids??

Fri:: depends on what is on sale at the grocery tonight pizza??

Sat::soup and sammys, or?? same as friday or LO's

Sun::CP pot roast, veggies and potatoes expect as planned

Also, anybody have any insight onto Super Cook?? I want to be able to use it but am finding some limitations because I do keep a fairly complete pantry and freezer. If you read this, GREAT, please follow me and/or comment so I know I'm not alone out here in the great big blogosphere Thanks.....Julie

PS::looks like I am having challenges linking this with MPM I'll keep trying until I get it done...J

PSS:: I got it done and you guy are coming by, please feel free to leave a comment.....J

menu plan monday

This menu,as usual, is a work in progress. I just did my freezers inventory so I have a little better idea of its contents. These next 2 weeks are a bit challenging since both kids are home from school all meals as well the grandkids who are becoming frequent visitors as their independance increases.(They can now ride bikes the few blocks by themselves) Also as usual, I reserve the right to alter or change this plan at any day and any time for any reason--hehehe--however with it being the end of the month most things will be consumed as planned.

Mon::created chicken,noodles, and gravy with brocoli side-as planned
Tue::chicken fajita pitas and a banana-as planned
Wed::corn dogs and fries with canned fruit had pizza
Thu::pozole,rolls and appetizers, creative desserts done
Fri ::pot roast veggies and potatoes included, creative desserts
going to be stew, rolls, and desserts
Sat::LOs, sammys, brocoli potatoes,etc... may exchange with friday
Sun::chicken noodle soup in crock salsa chicken over rice

While doing my freezer this A.M. I discovered I have several opened bags of chicken pieces that I need to fully utilize so I will be having more chicken recipes than normal.I will also be looking for some creative budget friendly recipes as well, so if you read this please send any suggestions. Again, as usual, I should update as the days get done.....Julie

PS::Almost forgot, Don't forget to find other menu plans at http://www.orgjunkie.com/, I know I'm enjoying reading others ideas at MPM.....J

menu plan monday

Meal planning, I am struggling with this issue right now. I am not being very creative thus frugal because I just use instead of use with a purpose. My menu needs to be adaptable to feed 4, 5, or 6 as this may be changing (due to friends forclosure-upside, she brings a working stove with her, and her son, hehehe) just don't know when. I need to take stock of what is in the freezer and put my food dates in order. As of now this is what I have planned. This is always subject to change.I try to update daily both here and CafeMom.

Mon 12-14 CP beef fajita and go alongs, pineapple
ate as planned pineapple was fresh & yummy
Tue 12-15 ham and eggs on toast with fruit and yogurt smoothie
had as planned smoothie was real good!!
Wed 12-16 chicken nugget salad, garlic bread
made taco soup with chips&cheese and choc ice cream
Thu 12-17 taco soup, rolls may exchange for 12-16
12-18 menu
Fri 12-18 corn dogs,fries,fruit salad
leftovers and whatever u find
Sat 12-19 chicken fajita pitas, orange slices
steak and gravy over mashed, corn
Sun 12-20 sliced beef and gravy over mashed, corn
chicken fajita pita, orange slices

PS::::: I am so proud of myself, I finally was sucessful in getting this post on the MPM Mr Linky. I have been trying for a few weeks and I finally figured it out!!! I am so dense sometimes lol yet persistant to a fault and I got it done!!! might not always be right but it gets done.....Julie

meals week of December 7 to 13

This is my main shopping week for the month and the last month that I will get food stamps that I know of (I may get jan-still up in air)so while shopping I need to get as many staples as possible.
To make matters worse our only car broke down and it is at least $200 more to fix. I am trying to save up for a newer car but life keeps chopping away at anything I get put away.

Mon 12-07 helper,green beans, garlic bread
had Moms nacho supreme
Tue 12-08 chcken burritos and pineapples
had tv dinners & misc snacks
Wed 12-09 sani food deli
had beef stew in can and bread
thu 12-10 fast food-out of town
had chili dogs, corn & orange slices
fri 12-11 veggie soup and rolls
undecided shopping sales were different than expected.
Sat 12-12 creamy chicken/mushroom strogonoff
expect as planned as already have
sun 12-13 CP pot roast and trimmings
expect as planned church day!!!!!

As usual, there is a disclaimer that I reserve the right to alter/change the planned menu at any time for any reason.Hormones be damned