Meal Plan

This week we are both back in school full force.  It will be important for me to follow my plan.  Here it is:

1. Monday:  Pizza
2. Tuesday:  Leftover Tacos
3. Wednesday:  Spaghetti
4. Thursday:  Roasted chicken thighs/broccoli rice
5. Friday:  Eating Out

Monday Menu

Here is my meal plan for this week:  Clean out the freezer/pantry.  Last night I told my son he was having leftover Mexican casserole.  When I thawed it out, it was Not Mexican casserole.  He was ok with that, though, because he liked the chicken dish.  I want to be able to do freezer cooking next weekend since I start back to work next Monday, so I need to clean out what I have.

Monday:  lunch:  ham sandwiches
               dinner:  Mexican casserole

Tuesday:  lunch: pizza
               dinner:  spaghetti

Wednesday:  lunch:  Red Lobster
                    dinner:  chicken enchiladas

Thursday:  at my parents and son will be there a week, so I will wing it on Weight Watchers

Weekly Menu

Since I particpated in the monthly Freezer Cooking Day hosted by Crystal, I have quite a bit of leeway in the menu department.  It is good to know I won't have to scramble to come up with a plan on the way home from work.  I tend to use casseroles on evenings when I have had a meeting after school.  Here is my plan for this week:

Sunday:  Easter dinner with parents at Ruby Tuesday
Monday:  Spaghetti and homemade garlic bread
Tuesday:  Cheeseburger meatloaf and mashed potatoes (comfort food after a long meeting)
Wednesday:  Hamburgers grilled outside/homemade fries
Thursday:  Southwestern roll-ups
Friday:  Dinner out:  sushi probably
Saturday:  Steak grilled out and sweet potato fries

Menu for the Week

My problem in spending is the grocery store.  I absolutely LOVE a good deal, and I can't seem to pass them up.  As a result, I end up with a stockpile of food.  This is what we are planning for this week, most of which is from my stockpile.

• Sunday night:  Gorton's fish, rice, green beans, salad
• Monday night: Panko-encrusted chicken, herb roasted potatoes, beans
• Tuesday night:  Enchiladas using lean beef I just bought
• Wednesday: Chicken and mac and cheese, green beans
• Thursday night:  Spaghetti from the freeer since we'll be late getting home
• Friday night:  Hot dogs and french fries, salad
• Saturday night:  Fish and chips, salad

Meal Plan for the Week

We are eating from the pantry/freezer this week to try to clear some things out.  Here is what I have planned:

• Monday:  Baked spaghetti leftovers from the freezer
• Tuesday:  Leftover chicken chili from the fridge
• Wednesday:  Panko encrusted chicken tenders, rice, veggie
• Thursday:  My parents are picking Matthew up from my school and since he has no school Friday, they are taking him for the weekend.  I have parent conferences from 4pm-8pm (Yes, 8pm!).  I will probably take some leftovers.
• Friday:  I'm here solo, so a Bocca burger from the freezer sounds good to me.

I am posting this on my blog because that is how I will follow it.  When I write it down, I tend to lose the paper.

Frogmore Stew, Lowcountry Boil, Beaufort Stew

My area is known for its abundance of fresh seafood. One night during our vacation, I made this: Fill a stock pot with water, add a packet of Old Bay Seasoning and boil. Then, add these:

• Kielbasa sausage
• Corn on the cob
• A few potatoes cut up

Boil for about 10 minutes or until done. Add a pound or two of shrimp. The shrimp will be done in about a minute, once they turn pink. Let soak about 3 minutes and drain.

Blueberry Craze!

Every June and July, my addiction rears it's ugly head. It's an expensive one, but one I must feed. This is what makes me giddy during these months:

Blueberries are probably the best fruit for you, nutrionally speaking. They are full of anti-oxidants, and since I'm a cancer survivor, I love them. I am eating them on Kashi cereal every morning at school, and both are so full of fiber that I am full until lunch, around 11. They are pretty cheap now, and since the frozen ones are quite expensive in the off-season, I decided to stock up. Once these have frozen on the pan, I will transfer them to ziploc bags for the freezer. This fall and winter they will be yummy in smoothies. What is your favorite fruit? What is your favorite way of eating it?

Sushi, Part 2

I have been perfecting my sushi, and I think this looks much better. Matthew likes it more. Since I don't trust myself with raw fish, I cooked the salmon first.

Homemade Sushi

Rather than going out *every* Friday night, we are cutting back to twice a month. I bought a homemade sushi kit at Publix and have been perfecting it. Matthew likes it.

Budgeting

I am trying to stay out of the grocery stores as much as possible since they are my weakness. I consulted the Food Lion ad this weekend and got all this for under $40. It will last quite awhile.

• eggs
• pack of chicken breasts
• 2 bags of frozen flounder
• 2 bags of frozen salmon
• Frosty Paws "ice cream" for Buddy
• 2 packs of Louis Kemp crab delights
• 1 pack of spinach for salads
• 2 gallons of milk
• 1 carton of chicken stock
• 2 boxes of Lean Pockets (Matthew's breakfast before school)

Menu for Week of February 23

Here is what I have planned this week:

Monday: Hamburgers and fries (homemade)

Tuesday: Tacos

Wednesday: Shrimp from the local dockside fish market with baked potatoes

Thursday: Spaghetti

Friday: Sushi out

Menu for Week of February 16

Here's what's in store for dinner this week:

• Monday: Spaghetti
• Tuesday: Homemade chicken tenders and either Mexican rice or Chicken Fried Rice leftovers
• Wednesday: T-bone steak and potatoes
• Thursday: Thawed out chili for Matthew; I have a Weight Watchers meeting

Menu for week of February 9

Here is what I have planned for dinner this week:

Monday: Homemade turkey pepperoni pizza made with Pillsbury pizza crust
Tuesday: Ribeye steak and loaded baked mashed potatoes
Wednesday: Leftover spaghetti
Thursday: Chicken with pasta or rice

I know we are supposed to stay out of the middle of the grocery store where the packaged food is; however, as a working single mom who often gets home after 5 p.m., I often have to go for convenience. This week Publix has some great BUY 1 GET 1 FREE deals. I stocked up on the pouches of pasta or rice. I had a few coupons, so they were REALLY good deals.

Weekly Menu

My menu plan for this week is as follows:

Monday: Tombstone pizza
Tuesday: Steak and baked potatoes
Wednesday: Leftover chili from Sunday night
Thursday: Chicken and rice with veggie
Friday: On my own; Matthew will be at my parents'.

Menu for the Week

Here is what I have planned for this week:

1. Monday: White Lightening Chicken Chili (Rachael Ray recipe)



2. Tuesday: Mushroom Chicken leftovers from Sunday



3. Wednesday: Salisbury Steak with mashed potatoes



4. Thursday: Leftover of White Lightening Chicken Chili



5. Friday: Hamburgers and French Fries

I know some people don't like leftovers, but I believe in re-using them where possible. I will wait a few days to serve them again.

Menu Planning

Does anyone menu plan for the week? I have never done that, and my son will ask in the morning, "What's for dinner?" I usually respond, "I don't know." I think that since I work and sometimes we are after 5 getting home, it would behoove me to start planning a menu for each weeknight. This should be interesting. Here goes for the upcoming week:

• Monday: Penne with meat sauce (recipe modified from Rachael Ray) and salad


• Tuesday: Chicken fajitas


• Wednesday: Chicken tenders with broccoli rice and salad


• Thursday: Chili and cornbread (hope it's cold)


• Friday: leftovers--clean out the fridge

I'd like to hear from any of you who menu plan.