Weekly Menu Plan: February 17-22, 2014

February 18, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

In getting back into our routine from some restful and relaxing days last week, I should have created our weekly menu plan over the weekend.

However, I didn’t, and there’s no going back.

The nice thing about planning our menu week by week is I can start the week on whatever day I can menu plan. For the days I missed, I just fill-in what we ate.

Is this method cheating? No way! I’m starting where I am, giving myself grace, and focusing on the next 6-7 days.

Rather than throwing in the towel for the entire week because I didn’t start when I wanted, I just grabbed a pencil on Monday morning and took a trip to our refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.

Using the ingredients I had on-hand, I wrote out our weekly menu plan to kickoff a busy week.

Breakfasts

Cereal
Yogurt
Oatmeal
Grits
Cheesy toast
Fruit

Lunches

Turkey
Cheese
Eggs
Sandwiches (PBJ, grilled cheese, turkey, ham, etc.)
Leftovers

Dinners

Monday: Cheese tortellini with Alfredo sauce and vegetables
Tuesday: Open-faced pork chop sandwiches and vegetables
Wednesday: Entertaining with Papa Murphy’s pizzas, salad, and dessert
Thursday: Pan-seared chicken with gravy, rice, and vegetables
Friday: Roped sausage, macaroni and cheese, and vegetables
Saturday: Steak-um sandwiches with onions and mushrooms, chips, and fresh vegetables

Keeping flexibile within our plan, we may rearrange the order should we feel a need. With a tentative plan, we can make changes knowing we have all the ingredients at home.

These meals are scheduled to land on our plates this week. If you post your weekly menu plan, then please leave a link in the comments for our inspiration. Happy planning!

Question: What’s cooking at your home this week?

Start Saving from Scratch – Part 2 of 6

November 8, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Going back to the drawing board provides a fresh start saving from scratch. Beginning with the basics and then working up allows the process to stay manageable. When the foundation crumbles, then one needs to start over.

In starting over, I took last week’s challenge and organized my food supply. This time around, the pantry took longer although I did not defrost my freezer. I stayed inside as much as possible this week with the drop in temperature.

In continuing this series with an organized pantry, freezer, and refrigerator, I move onto creating a menu.

Part 2: Creating a Menu

In discovering a menu plan, I have used a weekly and monthly plan. Though I no longer plan the full month in advance, I prefer to schedule our meals a week in advance on a monthly menu planner. I like the calendar in the kitchen and a place to add meals as I get inspiration.

1. Choose Meals

With my pantry, freezer, and refrigerator organized, I can “shop” from my food supply to create meals that I have in stock.

2. Assign Meals

Once I have a meal decided, I assign that meal to a day on my menu planner.

Sample Menu Plan

Sunday:

B – Egg sandwiches with fruit cups

L – Roast beef in crock pot, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and bread

D – Pancakes and bacon

Monday:

B – Cereal and fruit

L – Pizza at school

D – Baked chicken, rice, and vegetables

3. Partial Meals

After assigning the meals I can make with the ingredients at home, I might have a few days left on my planner for the week. I continue to see what parts of meals I have in my food supply. For example, to make open-faced pork chop sandwiches I might have the pork chops, cream of chicken, and milk, but I lack the hamburger buns.

For these partial meals, I add the meal to my menu planner on a day after I plan to grocery shop. I then add the remaining items needed, in this case the hamburger buns, to my weekly grocery list. I then plan hamburgers or chicken patties for another meal to use the leftover hamburger buns before they spoil.

In using time wisely to prepare for the week and to save money on food items, I use what we have at home and then write down the missing items on my grocery list for pickup during the week.

Shopping your food supply may only generate a meal or two, at first. But as you build your stockpile, you will find more and more meals in your food supply. Start where you are and work from there, and the savings will come. Happy menu planning!

Question: What type of menu planner do you prefer?

MeetPenny.com: Free Oven-free Menu Plan

August 2, 2012 by Tracy

Meet Penny.com's oven-free August menu plan

Photograph Credit: MeetPenny.com

For those who enjoy the warmth of summer, is it hot enough? I am amazed at how often my air conditioner kicks on during the day. The evening is more sporadic, but the daytime cycles seem much too frequent.

In keeping the heat out of the kitchen, Tabitha from MeetPenny.com offers a free printable August oven-free menu plan on her blog. Woo hoo!

To maximize your savings, compare her menu to what you have on hand. Start with those meals while you scour your store ads for sales and buy one, get one free items. Then enjoy feeding your family without turning on your oven.

Keep enjoying your summer before it’s gone. Stay cool, and happy menu planning! 😉

Question: What is your favorite non-oven-needed meal?

Food on the Table: Lifetime Menu Planning Subscription for FREE

March 8, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Food on the Table

Wow, Food on the Table extended their free lifetime subscription for another month! If February got away from you, then don’t delay.

Food on the Table is a menu planning service that combines sales at your local grocery stores with your meal preferences. For those busy seasons when you still want to save money, energy, and time, Food on the Table comes to your rescue.

Though I plan our family’s meals by what food I have on hand, I love the inspiration and recipes Food on the Table offers. To sign up for this free lifetime subscription, click on this link for step-by-step instructions. Just enter the new promotional code: MARFREE.

This service normally allows you to plan 3 free meals a month before receiving a $5 charge. With your free subscription, you will get free menu planning for life! Don’t hesitate. Go sign up. Even if you don’t need it now, you might need it next year. Happy savings!

Food on the Table: FREE Lifetime Subscription

February 16, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Food on the Table

As an avid menu planner, I love options that get the creative side of my brain formulating delicious meals to feed my family. Though having a set schedule for each night might work for some, I enjoy variety. Sometimes, I need an inspiration boost, and Food on the Table comes to my rescue.

Food on the Table is a menu planning service that matches your grocery store sales with recipes and provides a printable grocery list to get you on your way. This time-saving resource allows three free menu options before accessing a $5 per month fee.

Though reasonable, I prefer a free service, and Food on the Table is currently offering a free lifetime subscription to NEW users with unlimited menu planning options. Wow! Want a free lifetime subscription? Here’s how . . .

1. Click on this link: Food on the Table.

2. In the top right-hand sidebar, enter your e-mail address. (I used my junk e-mail account.)

3. Enter FEBFREE in the promotional code box, and select START MEAL PLANNING.

4. You can then do the following:

Select your stores,
Set your food preferences,
Choose your ingredients,
Select your recipes,
See your grocery list, and
Print your grocery list.

This offer is only valid through February 29, 2012. If you want, or ever think you may need, a menu planning service and have not signed up with Food on the Table, then register now!

NOTE: After you sign up, you can use the menu planning resources immediately. When you log out or close your browser’s tab/window, you will need to check your e-mail to re-access your Food on the Table account.

After registering, Food on the Table will send you a confirmation e-mail with your assigned password. Click on that link, enter the provided password, and select a new password. Now you can get access to your Food on the Table account when needed.

Though I am a lifetime subscriber of Food on the Table, I continue to maximize my savings by purchasing buy one get one free products and matching coupons to those sales. This menu planning subscription will supplement my current system as I continuing using time wisely to feed my family.

Question: If you signed up, was the process as easy for you as it was for me?