Happy Monday! Here's my update:
Wednesday: Made pizza and citrus spinach salad for dinner.
Thursday: Packed breakfast and lunch for hubs & me. Made burritos, refried beans & corn for dinner.
Friday: Packed breakfast and lunch for hubs. I had nachos with leftover ingredients from the burritos for lunch when I got home from work (I leave work early on Fridays). For dinner we went out to eat as was planned. It is a very long and complicated story involving how a "restaurant" turned into a "bar" and thus no longer has a kitchen to make food in. So couldn't use a restaurant.com gift certificate. We went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday because I had a coupon for $5.00 off (it was one from the buy a gift card get a coupon promotion they were running at Christmas). Then in the paper yesterday there were buy one get one free coupons for Ruby Tuesday. Hubs and I both thought that was funny that such a good coupon would come out two days after we ate there. Anyways, moving on...
Saturday: Packed lunch & breakfast for hubs. I was home so ate breakfast and lunch there. For dinner made Mandarin Orange Chicken from Trader Joes and Steamfresh Rice both from our freezer. I told hubs that we're going to Trader Joe's next week and I'm buying case loads of that Mandarin Chicken. So good! Also, I was really impressed with the Steamfresh rice, especially since it was free thanks to the powers of couponing. Oh and we also had pineapple.
Sunday: BFF came over to hang out and brought lunch for us (hubs was at work). After hubs got home in the middle of the afternoon he was feeling snacky so I made homemade popcorn. Oh golly is that good! For dinner I made Falling Off The Bone Chicken Wings, Brown Rice Pilaf, steamed carrots and pineapple again. What can I say, I love pineapple!
I packed both of us breakfast and lunch today. Hubs is working late so not sure yet what I'll do about dinner but I might go ahead and make the hot dogs and chili anyways. Later in the week I have leftover nights scheduled. I don't have any leftovers so I might roast a chicken or make the balsamic chicken that I haven't made yet.
I know I'm not exactly following my meal plan but I like having flexibility when I need it. For example, hubs loves Hamburger Helper so I make it for him every once in a while and had that planned for dinner last night. When I knew that my BFF was coming over I changed the plans to wings (which really are awesome y'all) 'cause I ain't 'bout to be serving no company no Hamburger Helper. I'm jus' sayin'.
How have y'all been doing with your challenge?
Showing posts with label meal planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meal planning. Show all posts
Monday, January 11, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Eat from the Pantry- How've I been doing?
Just a quick little update to let y'all know how I've been doing.
Monday: packed breakfast and lunch for hubs and me. For dinner we had a Hormel Turkey Dinner (http://www.hormel.com/products/refrigerated/HormelRefrigeratedEntrees.aspx) It was ok but we both agreed that mine is better but it sure doesn't take 4 minutes to heat up. :-)
Tuesday: packed breakfast and lunch for hubs and me. For dinner we were supposed to have meatloaf muffins but I was going to switch and have pizza instead since we had mashed potatoes with our turkey the night before. Instead, my in-laws took us out to dinner. Cracker Barrell is never a bad thing!
Wednesday: I skipped breakfast. Didn't pack lunch but hubs is home so he can eat some of the massive quantity of cereal residing in our pantry. I grabbed the January coupon from my Chick-fil-A calendar so I had chicken noodle soup. It was good. I am making that pizza tonight and Crystal's muffins.
I haven't shopped since my trip to Trader Joes. I do want some of those Aldi oranges and some Romaine lettuce though. The new ads in my area start today and I am dying a little on the inside to not be able to get some of these good deals I just keep repeating: "sales are cyclical, sales are cyclical. These deals will come again."
How are you all doing with the challenge?
Monday: packed breakfast and lunch for hubs and me. For dinner we had a Hormel Turkey Dinner (http://www.hormel.com/products/refrigerated/HormelRefrigeratedEntrees.aspx) It was ok but we both agreed that mine is better but it sure doesn't take 4 minutes to heat up. :-)
Tuesday: packed breakfast and lunch for hubs and me. For dinner we were supposed to have meatloaf muffins but I was going to switch and have pizza instead since we had mashed potatoes with our turkey the night before. Instead, my in-laws took us out to dinner. Cracker Barrell is never a bad thing!
Wednesday: I skipped breakfast. Didn't pack lunch but hubs is home so he can eat some of the massive quantity of cereal residing in our pantry. I grabbed the January coupon from my Chick-fil-A calendar so I had chicken noodle soup. It was good. I am making that pizza tonight and Crystal's muffins.
I haven't shopped since my trip to Trader Joes. I do want some of those Aldi oranges and some Romaine lettuce though. The new ads in my area start today and I am dying a little on the inside to not be able to get some of these good deals I just keep repeating: "sales are cyclical, sales are cyclical. These deals will come again."
How are you all doing with the challenge?
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Eat from the pantry update already thinking about next month and beyond
When I sat down last week to write out my month long plan I struggled to come up with the final 10 meals. But since then, I seem to have ideas all the time. So I'm going to write some of them down here because I can and should still draw from my freezer and pantry after this challenge is over so that I use up what I have instead of always using the new stuff and letting the things buried go to waste.
Here are some meal ideas. I'll update this post as I think of more:
Falling Off the Bone Chicken Wings- these are by far my favorite wings ever. I would rather make these at home than go out to eat for wings. When I think of wings these are the ones I want. Can you tell I really love them? I always serve them with pineapple because the flavors just seem to go together. I have several packs of wings in the depths of my freezer and the other ingredients (except ketchup... I'm almost out!) so this would have made a good recipe for this month too.
Here's the link to the recipe:
http://dinnerwithmikeandjen.blogspot.com/2008/07/falling-off-bone-chicken-wings-recipe.html
Bourbon Chicken- we love this and I have everything I need to make it (ya know except ketchup). I also serve this with pineapple. I guess I just really like pineapple
Here's the link:
http://dinnerwithmikeandjen.blogspot.com/2008/07/bourbon-chicken-recipe-from-krashed.html
By the way you should really check out the other recipes from Amber's Kitchen. That is one of my favorite food blogs!
Sweet & Sour Chicken- again I already have everything I need. I haven't posted this recipe. I'm not even sure where I got it from to give credit so not sure I'll post that.
Hibachi steak and fried rice- this is Michael's specialty. I like Michael specialties because then I get a night off from cooking!
Can you tell we like Asian food or what?!?
update 1/9/10 I thought of more:
Chicken Parmigiana
Sweet & Sour smoked sausage
chicken bacon ranch pizza
hash brown quiche
beef/chicken/pork fried rice
Sesame Ginger ribs (Asian style of course) & (crock pot)
One pan spaghetti
baked ziti
slow simmered garlic pork chops (crock pot)
Scalloped Potatoes w/ ham (would have to buy potatoes but will need a bag by then anyways)
Oven Fried Chicken (my mom's recipe-so good!)
Nana's Hamburger Gravy (not my nana someone else on Allrecipes or somewhere. Like sausage gravy but with hamburger... so yummy on biscuits!)
Italian Sausage and Potatoes
Chicken fingers with honey sauce
Meatloaf Patties
Pulled Pork (crock pot)
Beef Stew (I don't care what I have to buy to make it... I'm CRAVING it)
Chili (perfect for a cold winter night!)
Baked Potato Soup- Still working on finding that perfect soup that tastes rich and fattening for hubs but is light enough for me.
Now just need to think of a few ways to use sweet potatoes that hopefully hubs will eat. I would also like to think of a way to use some of these yummy Muir Glen tomatoes that I have sitting in my pantry. They are my absolute favorite canned tomato ever and since, thanks to the power of couponing, I get them free all the stinking time, I refuse to buy anything else.
Also, I have tons of instant oatmeal (the stuff in the packets) that I would like to find a way to use. Since we only really eat breakfast at home on the weekends and then I like to make something hot & homemade I have a ton that I've gotten for free or close to it and haven't been using. Unfortunately most of the boxes have been opened (since they're different flavors) with one or two packets removed so I can't donate any. I have made oatmeal muffins before so I was thinking of substituting a package of that for the uncooked rolled oats called for in that recipe. I'll do some experimenting and let you know.
Here are some meal ideas. I'll update this post as I think of more:
Falling Off the Bone Chicken Wings- these are by far my favorite wings ever. I would rather make these at home than go out to eat for wings. When I think of wings these are the ones I want. Can you tell I really love them? I always serve them with pineapple because the flavors just seem to go together. I have several packs of wings in the depths of my freezer and the other ingredients (except ketchup... I'm almost out!) so this would have made a good recipe for this month too.
Here's the link to the recipe:
http://dinnerwithmikeandjen.blogspot.com/2008/07/falling-off-bone-chicken-wings-recipe.html
Bourbon Chicken- we love this and I have everything I need to make it (ya know except ketchup). I also serve this with pineapple. I guess I just really like pineapple
Here's the link:
http://dinnerwithmikeandjen.blogspot.com/2008/07/bourbon-chicken-recipe-from-krashed.html
By the way you should really check out the other recipes from Amber's Kitchen. That is one of my favorite food blogs!
Sweet & Sour Chicken- again I already have everything I need. I haven't posted this recipe. I'm not even sure where I got it from to give credit so not sure I'll post that.
Hibachi steak and fried rice- this is Michael's specialty. I like Michael specialties because then I get a night off from cooking!
Can you tell we like Asian food or what?!?
update 1/9/10 I thought of more:
Chicken Parmigiana
Sweet & Sour smoked sausage
chicken bacon ranch pizza
hash brown quiche
beef/chicken/pork fried rice
Sesame Ginger ribs (Asian style of course) & (crock pot)
One pan spaghetti
baked ziti
slow simmered garlic pork chops (crock pot)
Scalloped Potatoes w/ ham (would have to buy potatoes but will need a bag by then anyways)
Oven Fried Chicken (my mom's recipe-so good!)
Nana's Hamburger Gravy (not my nana someone else on Allrecipes or somewhere. Like sausage gravy but with hamburger... so yummy on biscuits!)
Italian Sausage and Potatoes
Chicken fingers with honey sauce
Meatloaf Patties
Pulled Pork (crock pot)
Beef Stew (I don't care what I have to buy to make it... I'm CRAVING it)
Chili (perfect for a cold winter night!)
Baked Potato Soup- Still working on finding that perfect soup that tastes rich and fattening for hubs but is light enough for me.
Now just need to think of a few ways to use sweet potatoes that hopefully hubs will eat. I would also like to think of a way to use some of these yummy Muir Glen tomatoes that I have sitting in my pantry. They are my absolute favorite canned tomato ever and since, thanks to the power of couponing, I get them free all the stinking time, I refuse to buy anything else.
Also, I have tons of instant oatmeal (the stuff in the packets) that I would like to find a way to use. Since we only really eat breakfast at home on the weekends and then I like to make something hot & homemade I have a ton that I've gotten for free or close to it and haven't been using. Unfortunately most of the boxes have been opened (since they're different flavors) with one or two packets removed so I can't donate any. I have made oatmeal muffins before so I was thinking of substituting a package of that for the uncooked rolled oats called for in that recipe. I'll do some experimenting and let you know.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Eat from the pantry challenge update- how I've been doing- Epic Fail
I have had some success and one gigantic failure so far in the eat from the pantry challenge.
Jan 1- packed hubs lunch & breakfast for work, I was off so I ate leftovers at home for lunch, made beans & greens for dinner (http://dinnerwithmikeandjen.blogspot.com/2010/01/beans-greens-for-new-year-southern.html)
Jan 2- had breakfast in the car on the way to NC. Made Jimmy Dean brown & serve sausages that I had in my freezer and chocolate croissants also from my freezer. Met friends in Charlotte, NC for lunch, ate out lunch, got coffee, drove through for dinner on the way home.
Now, my big failure comes in the form of a sweet surprise from my husband. I have always been mildly obsessed with Trader Joe's. To the point that I email them every 6 months or so and beg for them to build a store where I live. Afterall, there are stores in GA & stores in NC. It would seem that SC is the next logical step, no? So we were going to be there and hubs decided that we were going and I was going to get everything I ever wanted. My in-laws go up a couple of times a year and bring back wonderful things so I had an idea of what I wanted (more chocolate croissants, mini croissants, 2 buck chuck, etc). Spent: almost $76.00 Epic Fail
Jan 3- I packed hubs lunch & breakfast because he worked, I was at home and ate leftovers all day. Was going to make chicken for dinner but it's a really long story involving thinking that I would need to hold it back to make for next Sunday to make for best friend and her boyfriend to come to dinner but now don't need to because he's an ex-boyfriend. Plus, hubs was working WAY late and it's no fun to eat a dinner like that alone. Made hubs a grilled cheese sandwich when he got home. Don't feel bad for him. He loves grilled cheese.
Jan 4- packed lunch & breakfast for me & for hubs. Making a turkey Hormel dinner tonight because noticed that I need to go ahead and use it. Using leftover mashed potatoes from New Year's Eve dinner.
Schedule will resume tomorrow and I've gotta make some muffins tonight because I just can't live without Crystal's pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2009/06/baking-day-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-muffins.html)
Jan 1- packed hubs lunch & breakfast for work, I was off so I ate leftovers at home for lunch, made beans & greens for dinner (http://dinnerwithmikeandjen.blogspot.com/2010/01/beans-greens-for-new-year-southern.html)
Jan 2- had breakfast in the car on the way to NC. Made Jimmy Dean brown & serve sausages that I had in my freezer and chocolate croissants also from my freezer. Met friends in Charlotte, NC for lunch, ate out lunch, got coffee, drove through for dinner on the way home.
Now, my big failure comes in the form of a sweet surprise from my husband. I have always been mildly obsessed with Trader Joe's. To the point that I email them every 6 months or so and beg for them to build a store where I live. Afterall, there are stores in GA & stores in NC. It would seem that SC is the next logical step, no? So we were going to be there and hubs decided that we were going and I was going to get everything I ever wanted. My in-laws go up a couple of times a year and bring back wonderful things so I had an idea of what I wanted (more chocolate croissants, mini croissants, 2 buck chuck, etc). Spent: almost $76.00 Epic Fail
Jan 3- I packed hubs lunch & breakfast because he worked, I was at home and ate leftovers all day. Was going to make chicken for dinner but it's a really long story involving thinking that I would need to hold it back to make for next Sunday to make for best friend and her boyfriend to come to dinner but now don't need to because he's an ex-boyfriend. Plus, hubs was working WAY late and it's no fun to eat a dinner like that alone. Made hubs a grilled cheese sandwich when he got home. Don't feel bad for him. He loves grilled cheese.
Jan 4- packed lunch & breakfast for me & for hubs. Making a turkey Hormel dinner tonight because noticed that I need to go ahead and use it. Using leftover mashed potatoes from New Year's Eve dinner.
Schedule will resume tomorrow and I've gotta make some muffins tonight because I just can't live without Crystal's pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2009/06/baking-day-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-muffins.html)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
January 2010 Eat from the Pantry Challenge and meal plan
Well I took the first step in not buying groceries in January, I took an inventory (not a very detailed one) and I've made out a meal plan for the ENTIRE month. Hold me because this took forever and also I had to rework it because I had planned mashed potatoes nearly every night all month long. Now, I'm Irish so I wouldn't mind and hubs loves my mashed potatoes so he wouldn't complain either but I am thinking that we probably need more variety in our diet. You'll notice I repeat the same vegetables over and over and over. Well, hubs doesn't eat vegetables so I tend to stick to my favorites which tend to be cheaper anyways. If I'm only making them for myself might as well get what I want, right?
I have included breakfasts and lunches too since I pack us breakfasts to eat at our desks or on the road and we each take our luches to work.
Breakfasts:
muffins- blueberry, pumpkin chocolate chip, dried fruit
granola bars
yogurt
Lunches:
leftovers
sandwiches
quesidillas
soup
salads (chicken, egg, etc)
homemade mac n cheese
Dinners:
Friday, Jan 1, 2010
Traditional southern with a twist
pinto beans w/ ham, sauteed spinach (I don't like my vegetables cooked within an inch of their lives like most southerners)
Saturday, Jan 2, 2010
We are meeting some friends out of state for lunch so not sure what time we will be home. It will either be see food (see food, eat food) or leftovers from New Year's
Sunday, Jan 3, 2010
Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans
Monday, Jan 4, 2010
chicken noodle soup made with leftover roasted chicken and homemade stock that simmered in the crock pot all night
Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010
Meatloaf muffins, rice pilaf, broccoli
Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010
pizza w/ pepperoni and pineapple, spinach salad w/ mandarin oranges, almonds and pear vinegar dressing
Thursday, Jan 7, 2010
Taco night with refried beans and corn
Friday, Jan 8, 2010
leftovers or date night
Saturday, Jan 9, 2010
hamburger helper (don't judge my husband makes me do it), roasted carrots
Sunday, Jan 10, 2010
balsamic chicken breasts, rice pilaf, green beans
Monday, Jan 11, 2010
hot dogs w/ chili, french fries, fruit
Tuesday, Jan 12, 2010
chili bowls with chili, fritos, cheese & sour cream, carrot sticks
Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010
leftovers
Thursday, Jan 14, 2010
leftovers
Friday, Jan 15, 2010
spaghetti with fresh pasta, garlic bread & zuc coins
Saturday, Jan 16, 2010
Chicken Marsala, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans
Sunday, Jan 17, 2010
dirty risotto, fruit
Monday, Jan 18, 2010
Parmesan crusted pork chops, roasted potatoes, carrots & parsnips
Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010
welsh rarebit, broccoli, fruit
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010
hamburger helper, fruit
Thursday, Jan 21, 2010
leftovers
Friday, Jan 22, 2010
Patty melts, french fries, fruit
Saturday, Jan 23, 2010
Dunbar macaroni, salad
Sunday, Jan 24, 2010
Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted parsnips
Monday, Jan 25, 2010
chicken salad, fruit
Tuesday, Jan 26, 2010
Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, carrots
Wednesday, Jan 27, 2010
Stuffed pork chops, broccoli
Thursday, Jan 28, 2010
breakfast for dinner- breakfast potatoes, sausage, eggs, fruit
Friday, Jan 29, 2010
date! I'm gonna need a break after all this cooking!
Saturday, Jan 30, 2010
pizza with Italian sausage, peppers & onion
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010
Stuffed baked potatoes with bacon, broccoli, caramelized onions and fruit
The end. I'm tired just thinking about it.
I have included breakfasts and lunches too since I pack us breakfasts to eat at our desks or on the road and we each take our luches to work.
Breakfasts:
muffins- blueberry, pumpkin chocolate chip, dried fruit
granola bars
yogurt
Lunches:
leftovers
sandwiches
quesidillas
soup
salads (chicken, egg, etc)
homemade mac n cheese
Dinners:
Friday, Jan 1, 2010
Traditional southern with a twist
pinto beans w/ ham, sauteed spinach (I don't like my vegetables cooked within an inch of their lives like most southerners)
Saturday, Jan 2, 2010
We are meeting some friends out of state for lunch so not sure what time we will be home. It will either be see food (see food, eat food) or leftovers from New Year's
Sunday, Jan 3, 2010
Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans
Monday, Jan 4, 2010
chicken noodle soup made with leftover roasted chicken and homemade stock that simmered in the crock pot all night
Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010
Meatloaf muffins, rice pilaf, broccoli
Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010
pizza w/ pepperoni and pineapple, spinach salad w/ mandarin oranges, almonds and pear vinegar dressing
Thursday, Jan 7, 2010
Taco night with refried beans and corn
Friday, Jan 8, 2010
leftovers or date night
Saturday, Jan 9, 2010
hamburger helper (don't judge my husband makes me do it), roasted carrots
Sunday, Jan 10, 2010
balsamic chicken breasts, rice pilaf, green beans
Monday, Jan 11, 2010
hot dogs w/ chili, french fries, fruit
Tuesday, Jan 12, 2010
chili bowls with chili, fritos, cheese & sour cream, carrot sticks
Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010
leftovers
Thursday, Jan 14, 2010
leftovers
Friday, Jan 15, 2010
spaghetti with fresh pasta, garlic bread & zuc coins
Saturday, Jan 16, 2010
Chicken Marsala, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans
Sunday, Jan 17, 2010
dirty risotto, fruit
Monday, Jan 18, 2010
Parmesan crusted pork chops, roasted potatoes, carrots & parsnips
Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010
welsh rarebit, broccoli, fruit
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010
hamburger helper, fruit
Thursday, Jan 21, 2010
leftovers
Friday, Jan 22, 2010
Patty melts, french fries, fruit
Saturday, Jan 23, 2010
Dunbar macaroni, salad
Sunday, Jan 24, 2010
Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted parsnips
Monday, Jan 25, 2010
chicken salad, fruit
Tuesday, Jan 26, 2010
Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, carrots
Wednesday, Jan 27, 2010
Stuffed pork chops, broccoli
Thursday, Jan 28, 2010
breakfast for dinner- breakfast potatoes, sausage, eggs, fruit
Friday, Jan 29, 2010
date! I'm gonna need a break after all this cooking!
Saturday, Jan 30, 2010
pizza with Italian sausage, peppers & onion
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010
Stuffed baked potatoes with bacon, broccoli, caramelized onions and fruit
The end. I'm tired just thinking about it.
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