Menu Plan for March 1 - 7 2010

Here is what I have planned for this week after my shopping and what I still have in supply. My usual disclaimer, this menu plan can and will change or alter for any hormonal reason at any time so keep coming back for updated choices.

Sun 2/28:: Turkey roast, roast pots, canned green beans

had as planned green beans

Mon 3/1:: Chicken cordon bleu sammys with lettuce and tomato

had deli sammys - I was low energy (getting sick)

Tues 3/2:: Ham & Egg with F&Y smoothie

had Mon menu with cantaloupe slices-good dilaudid!!

Wed 3/3 ::Chicken nugget salad, breadmaker rolls

Dad made Tue menu still under weather but getting better

Thu 3/4:: CP Chili with tortilla crisps

made beef/bean enchilada casserole, mandarins (xtra kid)

Fri 3/5::Creamchx soup and pbj sammys

simple dinner needed here, it's Friday after all LOL
ended up having Sani Food deli sammys

Sat 3/6:: Beef tacos, refried beans, fixings

Sun 3/7::Chx, Chz, Veg, Bean Enchilada casserole, mandarins

I will be linking this to: MPM, GCC, others to be listed as linked!

1st paycheck of month is gone!!

We get paid 3 times during the month once at the end (which was yesterday) the bulk by the 3rd and once on the 10th. Our EOM check was $499.59 not bad for one of my part time jobs right?? Well, it's gone!! and I mean all of it LOL.

The boys have new shoes for $75 for 2 pair buy one get one half off at the Van's outlet. I figure if I got them WM shoes it would be $60 so why not spend a few bucks more and let them be shoe snobs, right?? Actually they are a better quality for what my guys are into and have lasted until they have been outgrown. Well, now they wear men's 10 and 11 so how much more can they grow!?!?
We paid $120.00 pharmacy bill-Hubs co pay.
I paid back the $50 we borrowed from one of my BFF's Gina (thank you Gina)
$100 at WalMart for groceries and household supplies for a good part of the month.
$60 for pizza we ordered last night - I know this is expensive but all we have is Round Table so we are captive to their prices. Well, there is a pizza oven in a local liquor store but they have questionable health practices and the 2 times we've tried, well, it didn't go so well.
$40 for fast food today breakfast(McD's) and lunch (Long John Silvers)
$40 in the gas tank
$10 Dollar Tree
$5 misc, soda, change left, etc...

I was very happy with our WM groceries. I did make a specific list and followed it pretty well. We definitely have enough groceries(see menu here) for 10 days and house supplies for the month. My best purchase was a frozen turkey roast for $3. My guys like those and they are enough to feed us 4 and with some instant mashed potatoes and a canned veg, that is dinner for under $5. I splurged and got us a half gallon of chocolate milk. We love that stuff! My purchase for me was a box of hair color for $2.50 on the clearance aisle. I can't wait, my wisdom is showing on the top of my head and alongside my ears. (OK, OK!! I really mean grey).

this post is linked to The Grocery Cart Challenge. Go see how great she did this week with her food dollar!! here

Cookie Binge

Some of you may already know this but I have a new to me oven after not having one for about a year. It is wonderful, keeps a honest temp! However, with this appliance I have been a bit crazy with the casserole creating and cookie making. I know big deal but over our vacation last week, I think I made about a dozen dozen cookies and consumed the better part of them along with 5 casseroles LOL. Oh well, I can always go to the gym tomorrow, right?? Well, tonight while making a ziti casserole (thank you $5 dinner from Northwest Coupon Lady) I also made PB Cookies. Linked is the original recipe from Allrecipes Michelle's Peanut Butter Dots but here is what I used.

1 stick margarine
1/2 C white sugar

1/4 C brown sugar

3/4 C crunchy peanut butter

2 T milk

1 t vanilla extract

8/9 C flour almost a cup
1/4 C cornstarch

mix together margarine, sugars, pb, milk and vanilla, add in dry ingredients in 2 - 3 sections,roll into balls then do the usual fork crisscross, bake in 350 preheated oven for 12-13 minutes. this portion makes about 30 smaller cookies. Well, we got 28 cuz of all the taste tests I had to perform. Also, I know weird about the cornstarch but I found that I like the consistency in my cookies while I was creating my shortbread delights. These cookies are crunchy on the outside yet creamy on the inside. give em a try they are very simple to make and even easier to eat.

Menu Plan for the last week of Feb 2010

This is what I have planned for this weeks menu::

Hamburger Helper and can corn had Sat 2/20

out to dinner sat 2/27
Chicken stir fry over rice wed 2/24

Spaghetti,can veg, garlic bread thur 2/25
CP ham, oven fries & veggies Sun 2/21
Ham and Eggs on toast, fruit and yogurt smoothie Fri 2/26
Cheesy chicken, bean, and veggie quesadillas Tues 2/23

Alfredo tortellini with ham, steamed broccoli Mon 2/22

If needed, I can still make 2 chili's, 2 - 3 other soups, more canned baked beans and rice and another breakfast for dinner. However, payday is Feb 27 (next Sat) so we are more than ok with food this month. YIPPEE!!

I will link this to MPM with over 400 similar minded smart women

Shortbread cookies

One of the bloggers that I follow posted about making easy shortbread cookies and it got my sweets craved PMS mouth to watering so I did a bit of research and finding Joy of Baking (once again,) I came up with a easy recipe.


1/4 C cornstarch
3/4 C flour
1/8t salt
mix these together in small bowl

cream together in another bowl
1 stick butter
1/4 C confectioners sugar (powdered)
1/2 t real vanilla

beat together wet ingredients for about 2 minutes then incorporate the dry ingredients wrap in saran wrap in a log shape and put in refer.
I am still at the refer stage. My plan is to cut into 12 then sprinkle with sugar and place in 350* pre heated oven on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until browned.
I will update my families responses after we consume.

I have linked this with:
And Baby Makes Five Colleen's Kitchen Recipe Swap, GCC Recipe Swap, Simply Sweet Home Sweet Thursday

And the rolls are.....

And here's the rolls that I chose. They were the first ones on the list when I put in Bread machine rolls at (again) Allrecipes. I also made a few changes. first I only made 8 rolls worth. Also, I added in some Italian seasoning, parm cheese, and garlic and onion powders. It is mixing in the bread machine right now. I have never used the dough cycle so this is a fun learning experience.

These rolls were a hit. I will be using my bread maker to make more rolls in the future. I want to try a sweet hawaiin type to go with some chili that is on the menu next week.

Bread Machine Rolls from AllRecipes.com

Prep Time:1 Hr 20 Min
Cook Time:15 Min
Ready In:1 Hr 35 Min
Original Recipe Yield 1 dozen rolls
**This recipe should yield 8 rolls**

Ingredients
2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons dry milk powder
2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon butter, softened
2/3 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
2/3 egg white
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon water

Directions::
This recipe's Ingredients were scaled to yield a new amount. The directions below still refer to the original recipe yield of 1 dozen rolls, however, I chose to only make 8 rolls tonight

Place the bread flour, sugar, salt, milk powder, water, butter, and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.(I also added parm cheese, garlic and onion powders, pepper, and italian seasoning) Set on Dough cycle; press Start.
Remove risen dough from the machine, deflate, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into twelve equal pieces, and form into rounds. Place the rounds on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small bowl, mix together the egg white and 2 tablespoons water; brush lightly onto the rolls. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.

Split Pea for me.....

This is what I'm making tonight. The milk sounds interesting to make this a creamier recipe. As I'm sure you can tell I cut and pasted this right off Allrecipes after I changed the serving size to 7 because that is how many split peas I had Also I used bacon bits and pieces that I bought this month instead of regular bacon. We got 3 lbs for $3 instead of 12 oz for $3 when it is sliced. BTW I did make some extra bacon that well, I guess I'm just gonna have to nibble on LOL My other change is I also added in a celery stalk chopped with the carrots. So, Lastly, I will post back later tonight the results of how my family enjoyed this dinner. I am also going to mix up some rolls in the bread maker dough cycle and bake off at about 5 pm for dinner by 5:30 YUM-O I can't wait!!!

This was ok, good, not great. Ended up being a bit thick for our taste even with adding 1 cup of chicken broth halfway through. The milk does not take away from the traditional type flavor so I would add it again however, my picky guy do not eat much food that has color so.....the rolls have it!!! See here for the roll recipe.


Prep Time:5 Min
Cook Time:4 Hrs
Ready In:4 Hrs 5 Min
Servings (Help) US Metric Calculate
Original Recipe Yield 9 servings

Ingredients
11 ounces dried split peas
1-1/3 cups diced fully cooked lean ham
2/3 cup diced carrots
2/3 medium onion, chopped
1-1/3 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/3 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3-1/3 cups boiling water
2/3 cup hot milk

Directions::

This recipe's Ingredients were scaled to yield a new amount. The directions below still refer to the original recipe yield of 9 servings.

In a slow cooker, layer the first nine ingredients in order listed (do not stir). Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in milk. Discard bay leaves before serving.

This recipe is linked to Dining with Debbie's Crock Pot Wednesday although I created it on Thur

MPM week #3 Feb 2010

Well, were home this week - school is off, so I am responsible for all meals my starving, growing boys consume.

For breakfasts, I plan simple stuff like cereal and milk, eggs on toast and cream of wheat that I make the night b4 and leave on the stove

Lunches will mainly be either LO's or self serve sammys with fruit slices and chips

Dinners should go somewhat as follows::::::::::

Sun::Ziti casserole, green salad had chx legs, mac salad

Mon:: IDK maybe leftovers??or Sun Menu??or helper

Tue::CP beef sammys, fruit salad

Wed::pork chop soup and rolls

Thu::hamburger helper, corn

Fri::hash brown casserole, fruit salad or slices

Sat::beans and rice with fruit salad

As usual all items can change at any time for any reason as well, Iposting what we did eat for dinners as I go along

Lastly, I have linked this to the following: GCC, MPM, others to be listed when linked

MPM for week #2 in Feb 2010

Well, it's time again to get my menu plan ready for this upcoming week. It is kind of a push week because we have next week off school so, many assignments need to be completed and turned in for the kids, also school library books returned etc...

I also have created my menu with spending only $350 this month on groceries and household stuff vs. the usual $500 as I am learning to live without dedicated food money. However, years of keeping a pretty good pantry will come into play this month and next while I learn more new budget options

Here is what I have planned::::::

Sun::tuna helper, fruit salad

Mon::Beef tacos and fixings

Tue::ham, stuffing, green beans

Wed::hamburger patties, fries, applesauce

Thu::French toast and bacon with orange slices

Fri::split pea soup and rolls

Sat::ham and potato casserole, fruit slices

My usual disclaimer, all items can be changed at any time for any hormonal reason.

Also, I will be linking this menu with MPM, GCC, Dining with Debbies Crockpot Wednesday, and others I will list and link as I go along.

Taa Daa!!! I have an oven!!!

Hi gals, it's been almost a week since I've been here. My life has been hectic. On Saturday my little baby turned 12 when i say little baby I mean my one that was born at 1 1/2 pounds 13 inches long. Yep, he was that little!!! He now is about 5'6" 145# not so little anymore!!!
Another great thing that happened was I got an oven. It has been close to a year since our oven went out. I changed many things, used my roaster, became friendly with my crock pot, made a cake in my breadmaker and fully utilized my 2 working stove burners. Sometimes doing all simultaneously LOL Well, now many nights will be some type of oven baked one dish casserole hope they love em"
I did go shopping this weekend also and spent about $110 for the next 2 weeks and more. I hope to have another $100 in 2 weeks because the kids will be home from school for a week the 3rd week of this month. I also need to work on my menu plan. I always struggle with this issues the first week f the month and we tend to eat out a bit more. I know this and am working on reigning this in to only 3 times a month. Hubs has a different perspective LOL
Thanks GCC for hosting this linky