Menu Planning Monday 5/17/09 - Freezer Week Part 2

Last week I began trying to use up some odds and ends in the freezer. I had to make a few changes due to our schedule and so I continue this week using up these items.

Sunday: Spaghetti Pie

Monday: BBQ Beef Sandwiches

Tuesday: Turkey, Broccoli and rice Bake

Wednesday: Black eyed peas and ham soup

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza and Salad

Saturday: Grill out, chicken or hot dogs


Not the most exciting menu plan, but I find that I need to do this every once in a while or I have to throw away items that get freezer burn.

Menu Planning Monday 5/11/09 - Freezer Week

I usually plan the whole month of meals out at the beginning of the month. Well, this month seems to be just slipping away! I will be trying to use up some odds and ends up from my freezer over the next few weeks so I will just be planning a week at a time - so I can assess what's left and needs to be used up.

Here is the plan for this week:

Monday: Taco Salad's with left over chili from the freezer

Tuesday: Turkey Noodle soup - use broth from freezer

Wednesday: Breakfast - with bacon and hash browns from freezer

Thursday: Turkey, Broccoli and rice casserole - use turkey and broccoli from freezer

Friday: Black eyed peas and ham over rice - use ham from freezer

Saturday: Pizza and Salad


I really hate to waste food, so I'll be trying to get creative to use up the things I have in there that really need to be eaten before they get freezer burn or get too old.

I would challenge you for this week, as you plan your menu - look at what needs to be eaten in your fridge or freezer and see what you can do with it to make a yummy meal!

Menu Planning Monday 4/26/09

Well, I am on the last week of my Monthly Menu. It's time to start planning for next month!

Here is the original plan for this week:

4/26 - 5/02/09

Sunday - Beef BBQ, Baked Potatoes

Monday - Baked Rigatoni Casserole, bread and veg

Tuesday - Turkey Noodle Soup, bread

Wednesday - Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper and vegs

Thursday - Tuna Casserole, Peas, salad

Friday - Eat out as Family

Here is the updated plan for this week:

Sunday -Lasagna
Monday - Roast Beef, Baked Potatoes
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper and vegs

Thursday - Tuna Casserole, Peas, salad

Friday - Eat out as Family ?

Saturday - Pizza


If you would like more Menu ideas go here.

For some Recipe ideas go here.

Menu Planning Monday 4/20/09

I arrived home Saturday night after being away for over 2 days at a conference. My family was one big stuffed up mess! The hubby and both the kids have been suffering from a bad case of stuffed up sinuses.

For some reason, Spaghetti sounded good to everyone on Sunday for a late lunch / early dinner so I've made a few changes in the weekly menu. Also, I fed them the Turkey Noodle soup (planned for Tuesday next week) on Wednesday night last week, because of the colds.

So, here is the updated plan for this week:

Sunday - Spaghetti

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Turkey and Rice and broccoli casserole

Wednesday - Baked Fish, Potatoes, veg

Thursday - Beef Stir-fry w/ veggies and Ramen

Friday - Pizza

Saturday - Out (date night?)

If you would like more menu ideas go here.

If you would like some recipe ideas go here.

Menu Planning Monday 4/13/09

If you would like to see my month of meals planned out please go here.

Although I plan out a month of meals, I usually have to adjust the final weekly menu due to the amounts of leftovers or schedule changes.

My original menu for this week looks like this:

4/12 - 18/09---------------------------------

Sunday (Easter) - Baked Ham, Scalloped Potatoes

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Ham and Bean Soup

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Pizza

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Turkey Noodle Soup


Well, we ate the Turkey Noodle Soup last week on one day when my husband was sick, so that will have to change and I've made a few other changes so the final menu looks like this:


Sunday: Baked Ham, twice baked potatoes, carrots, rolls
Monday: Ham and Cabbage, carrots
Tuesday: Ham and Scalloped potatoes
Wednesday: Spaghetti
Thursday: Leftover Spaghetti
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: BBQ Beef Sandwiches


It's nice to have a little stockpile of stuff because I have the ability to change around the menu when I need to without running out to the grocery store!

If you would like to learn more about why you should make your menu out of your stockpile go here.

Menu Planning Monday 4/6/09

Last week, I showed you my basic meal plan for the month. You can go here to see the plan and pictures of my monthly menu.

As the month goes along, I do change the meals around a bit - because nothing ever goes exactly as planned. But, because I have 30 meals planned out, I know I have enough to get through the month - and usually more.

Last week, because I was busy nursing my sick computer back to health and fighting an army of ants, my meals got changed a bit. We ate turkey leftovers of one form or another during the week.

On Saturday- I did a complete Spring cleaning of my kitchen cabinets to rid them of the smallest speck of a crumb! I had to put everything on the table and island, clean the cabinets and then sprayed for the ants - really I've never had ants like this before. I am however, somewhat encouraged that a neighbor is having the same trouble (sorry Kathleen if you are reading this! I really don't want you to have ants too) -I was beginning to question my housekeeping abilities! Really, is the kitchen not clean enough?

Well, the Saturday work seems to have helped the ant situation because I've seen less than 10 ants today - and believe me that is an improvement!

So because of the rather enormous state of disorder on Saturday - we went out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant! We used a restaurant.com certificate and so we got a great meal with appetizers and dessert for everyone for only about $20 including tax and tip!

That said, my meals for this week were planned as this:

Sunday - Turkey Sandwiches (Lunch) Pizza (Evening)

Monday - Spaghetti and Sausage

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Beef BBQ Sandwiches (Crock pot), Roasted potatoes

Thursday - Turkey Noodle Soup - Homemade Bread

Friday - Baked Fish, Twice Baked Potatoes

Saturday - Pizza

But they will be more like this:

Sunday - We just ate PB crackers in a rush to get back to church (Lunch) Pizza (Evening)

Monday - Turkey Noodle Soup - Homemade Bread

Tuesday - Eat at Bob Evans (Special day planned with family and have gift card)

Wednesday - Beef BBQ Sandwiches (Crock pot), Roasted potatoes

Thursday - Ham and Cabbage (planned last week, didn't use)

Friday - Baked Fish, Twice Baked Potatoes

Saturday - Pizza

If you try to plan the month of meals - don't feel like you are a slave to it! It is a great tool to organize your basic meal structure, but it is only a tool. Be flexible and change as you need to adjust to your day or week.

I often substitute an easy meal planned later in the month if I am having a very busy day, or make a more complicated or time consuming meal, if the day allows. I just mark off the meals that I made on the calendar and that way I know what meals are still available for me to make!

If you are looking for great deals to help you plan your weekly menu - check out the new feature we have at Frugal Indy it is called "The Grocery Get-Together", it is where we are bringing you the grocery deals! We have some great bloggers who have linked up their deals for you!

Go here for the deals for the week of 4/2 - 4/8/09 (Thur. - Wed. ads).

If you would like the deals for the week of 4/5-11/09 (Sun - Sat) and 4/9-15/09 (Thur - Wed) you can go here.

Menu Planning (Monday) Tuesday - A Month of Menus

This is my basic meal plan for the month.  I may not follow this exactly to the date.  If I decide to make a certain meal ahead, I will just cross it off that date as I make it.  I also have several other meals I can make - If my leftovers don't go as far as planned.

Also, I will add in more fruit and vegetables to the meals with fresh ones I can get that week on sale.

Because I am making all these meals from items in my stockpile, I am free to use some of my grocery money to add to the stockpile with items that are on sale.  I will also use some of my grocery money to purchase eggs, fruit, and vegetables.

3/31- 4/4/09 --------------------------------

Tuesday - Tacos with black beans, salad

Wednesday - Turkey, baked potatoes

Thursday - Turkey, Stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn

Friday - Turkey Noodle Soup - Homemade Bread

Saturday - Ham & Cabbage w/ potatoes and carrots

Here is a picture of the planner that I use to plan my month of meals on.

4/5 -11/09 -----------------------------------

Sunday - Turkey Sandwiches (Lunch) Pizza (Evening)

Monday - Spaghetti and Sausage

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Beef BBQ Sandwiches (Crock pot), Roasted potatoes

Thursday - Turkey Noodle Soup - Homemade Bread

Friday -  Baked Fish, Twice Baked Potatoes

Saturday - Pizza

4/12 - 18/09---------------------------------

Sunday (Easter) - Baked Ham, Scalloped Potatoes

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Ham and Bean Soup

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Pizza

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Turkey Noodle Soup

   (Our Family's Favorite Meal - Turkey Noodle Soup)

04/19 - 25/09 ------------------------------

Sunday - Roast and Potatoes

Monday  - Meat pie - from Roast leftovers

Tuesday - Turkey and Rice and broccoli casserole

Wednesday - Baked Fish, Potatoes, veg

Thursday - Beef Stir-fry w/ veggies and Ramen

Friday - Pizza

Saturday - Out (date night!)

04/26 - 5/02/09

Sunday - Beef BBQ, Baked Potatoes

Monday - Baked Rigatoni Casserole, bread and veg

Tuesday - Turkey Noodle Soup, bread

Wednesday - Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper and vegs

Thursday - Tuna Casserole, Peas, salad

Friday - Eat out as Family

Saturday - Pizza

For more of my menus go here.

More Menu Planning Monday here.

Menu Planning Monday

I took a week off the normal Menu Planning Monday post last week,  because I have family visiting.  Since I do need to think through the meals for this week, so I can avoid going to the grocery store unnecessarily,  here is my menu. 

Come back Tuesday and get the recipe for the easy and really delicious baked fish.  This is one of my 5 year old son's favorite dinners.  (And he is a very pick eater!)

Monday:  Italian Beef and Lentil Stew (Crock pot)

Tuesday: Baked Fish 

Wednesday: Chicken Parmesan w/ spaghetti

Thursday: Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls, Sweet Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole Homemade Cheesecake.

Friday: Turkey Noodle Soup or leftovers.

Saturday: Turkey Leftovers (soup, turkey croquettes or turkey ala king)

Sunday: More Turkey Leftovers of some kind

If you want more menu planning ideas go here.

Menu Planning Monday

How the weeks are flying by so quickly!  Only 3 & 1/2 weeks left in 2008 and 2 & 1/2 weeks until Christmas and it seems like there is much to be done yet!

This week I am trying to finish up some projects around the house and get ready for a visit from my parents who will stop here for a few weeks before they make their 2nd Annual Winter Pilgrimage to warm and sunny Florida.

The "To Do" list is very long this week, so I've tried to plan some easy meals - but I'm also trying to do a bit ahead so I don't have to cook every night they are here.

Monday:  Beef and Lentil Slow Cooker Stew

Tuesday: Tuna Burgers and Baked Potatoes (& make extra Tuna Burgers ahead to freeze)

Wednesday: Spaghetti (make big batch of sauce to freeze for next week)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza (make extra individual size crusts and freeze)

Saturday: Cook up 20 lb. turkey (on sale at Target .79/ lb.)  Turkey and ?

Sunday: Turkey sandwiches

If you stop back Wednesday, I am planning to share my recipe for  Tuna Burgers.  If you like crab cakes, you should like these.   I am planning to make a big batch of them up and freeze them so they are ready for quick and easy dinners.

If you want more menu planning ideas check here.

Menu Planning Monday

I know this is an important week to menu plan because we are so busy - but that is when it is the hardest too! So I'm going to try my best here and see how it goes!

Weekly Menu:

Monday:  Eat out.  I have to be out tonight and I am meeting my husband after work to drop of the kiddies so he will just pick up something for them all.

Tuesday: Turkey Noodle Soup.  If you are not in the habit of making soup from your turkey carcass please stop back tomorrow and check out my blog!  I will show you how.  This is my family's #1 favorite meal in the whole world - seriously!  It is soooo easy and good!

Wednesday: Chicken and rice casserole with broccoli

Thursday: Italian Vegetable Beef and Lentil Stew.

Friday:  Pizza

Saturday:  Chili from the freezer

Sunday: ?  I can't think that far right now!

If you want more Menu Planning ideas go here.

Menu Planning Monday

This is going to be a very busy week!  We are in the midst of doing some house remodeling and rearranging and we hope to get a big chunk done over the Thanksgiving weekend.  So I've tried to plan some easy meals and also do a little bit of cooking ahead early this week so that on Thanksgiving  I won't have much to cook except the Turkey.

This week I plan to cook ahead:

1. Big batch of pancakes and freeze (DONE! This AM  72 pancakes = 9 breakfasts)

2. Homemade Butter Rolls for Thursday (Done and now cooling - will freeze them tonight)

3. Personal Size Pizza crusts (Maybe tomorrow)

Here's the Dinner Plan for this week:

Monday:

Leftovers from Sunday

Casserole, corn, salad, garlic bread

Tuesday:

Tuna Burgers - these are yummy! Almost like a crab cake sandwich.

Baked Potatoes

Coleslaw (left over from Saturday)

Wednesday:

Personal Size Pizzas

Thursday:

Turkey

Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes

Corn

Rolls

Cranberry Sauce

Gravy

Friday:

Turkey Noodle Soup

Saturday:

Turkey something?

Sunday:

More Turkey something?

(According to how much time I have!)

For more good menu ideas check here.

Menu Planning Monday

Okay, so here is my second time at the Menu Planning Monday.  I have to admit, I wound up not making several of the meals last week and substituted in others because of time or in the case of the Potato Soup planned for Monday, I forgot to buy chicken stock.  

I did have a chicken to make broth in the fridge, but that was for my family's favorite - Chicken Noodle Soup, also on last week's menu.  I think I would have risked bodily injury if I messed with the chicken soup chicken - these guys are serious about their chicken noodle soup!  Even the (almost) 1 year old begs for more - she does a baby sign for "more" and jumps up and down in her high chair.  So, that said,  you will see Chicken Noodle Soup very often, until of course the turkeys start going down in price - because Turkey Noodle is even better!

I try to do cooking in large batches, when I can and freeze another meal or eat it again later in the week.  I will really be utilizing that method in this week's menus.

Here is the dinner plan for this week.

Monday- Chili (Actually made BIG batch this weekend for Church supper - (this is what's left) + salad and cornbread

Tuesday - Making BIG BIG pot of Spaghetti sauce.  Spaghetti, salad and bread tonight.

Wednesday- Left over Chili as Taco Salad.

Thursday - Chicken Noodle Soup (broth from freezer made last week) Bread

Friday - Homemade Pizza.  It's going to be a busy day, so I will make some individual pizza crusts up this week and freeze them and I'll just have to top them and bake. 

Saturday - Birthday party!  Meatballs with sauce made Tuesday.  (I'll make the meatballs earlier in the week too and stick it in the crock-pot.)

Sunday - Friends over for lunch.   More meatballs.  Jello salad?  Leftover cake.

This is the plan anyway....   What's that famous saying?  Best laid plans of mice and men... (or in this case men-u)

Psalm 34:8  Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;  Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Menu Planning Monday

This is my first post with Menu Planning Monday, but I'm really trying to get better organized so I can get more done during the week.  Normally I have a loose menu plan for dinners and I just pick what sounds good for that particular night.  This week I'm going to try to do a little cooking ahead for busy nights when and if I have some extra time.

Here is my dinner plan for this week:

Monday - Potato Soup, homemade bread or rolls, salad

Tuesday - Homemade Mac & Cheese casserole w/ Chicken and Broccoli.

Wednesday - Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Homemade Rolls

Thursday - Baked Fish, Potatoes, steamed veggies

Friday - Pizza

Saturday - ? I can't think that far ahead this morning!

I will post some of my recipes later this week!  I'm trying a new recipe for potato soup in the crock pot, so I'll see how that is!  Also, the Mac and Cheese is great and a good way to use some of the canned milk you may have scored for free at Kroger.