Category Archives: Menu Planning

Menu Plan Monday: July 1st Edition

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Menu Plan: July 1st –  7th

Summer time is a bit crazy when you also work Full Time outside the home.  Menu planning is a life saver for our family.  We try to have a meal each night together, but with soccer games and soccer practice that also can be very challenging.   We do the best we can and menu planning helps a great deal.

You might notice behind many of my menu items, it says Emeals.   Emeals.com is a great menu planning service.  For a fee of $5 a month you receive a weekly menu plan.  Emeals has many type of meal plans.  We personally receive the Aldi Classic Family menu since we find that shopping at Aldi it very good for our budget.   Other menu plan options include, gluten free, clean eating, Paleo diet, portion control and many more.  If you have been wanting to start menu planning Emeals is a great way to ease into the habit of meal planning without spending hours trying to figure out what to make!

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

July 1st – (Game – 6:00) – Chicken Salad / Veggies

2nd (practice – 6:30) – Bacon Lettuce Tomato Salad

3rd – Firecracker Shrimp/ Angle Hair Pasta and Caesar Salad (Emeals  – 486)

4th (holiday – Potluck with family) – Ribs – Cole Slaw – Watermelon

5th – Beef Stroganoff – Peas

Beef Stroganoff

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • (1 t salt, 1 t onion powder)
  • (¼ c water, 1 t beef bouillon cube)
  • 1 pkg egg noodles
  • 1 pkg frozen peas

In large skillet, brown the ground beef; drain.  Add sour cream, soup, salt, onion powder and water to skillet. Heat to a low boil; add bouillon.  Stir to dissolve; reduce heat to simmer.

Boil noodles while preparing meat mixture. Serve stroganoff over cooked noodles. Serve with steamed peas

6th – Chef Salad

7th – Rotisserie Chicken, Stuffing and Corn

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I’m an Organizing Junkie.

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Menu Plan Monday June 23rd Edition

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Menu Plan: June 23rd – July 7th

23rd – Rotisserie Chicken, Stuffing and Corn

24th – ( Soccer Game – 6:00) –  Slow Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwiches

25th – (soccer practice) – Beef Macaroni Casserole/ Garlic Toast (Emeals – 484)

26th – (Game – 7:30) – Pesto Sandwiches / Noodle Soup

27th – (Sorting) – Biscuit and Gravy

Friday, 28th – Brats and Pasta Salad

29th – Crunchy Chicken – Corn/Steamed Carrots (Emeals  487)

30th – Barbecue Ribs/ Baked Beans and Coleslaw (Emeals  – 486)

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

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Menu Plan Monday: June 10th Edition

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Menu Plan Monday June 9th – June 23rd

June 9th – Rotisserie Chicken and Stuffing

10th (Game @ 6:00) – Cheese Turkey Sandwiches Bites, Cucumbers and Strawberries/Bananas (Emeals 485)

11th (Practice) – BLT’s and Chips  (Emeals -483)

12th (Game @ 7:15) – Slow Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwiches

13th – Creamy Angel Hair with Sausage and Spinach and Garlic Bread

14th – Chicken Salad / Veggies

15th (Grad Party – Amy) – Leftovers

16th (Father’s Day) – Savory Chicken Legs on the Grill, Garden Ranch Pasta Salad, Corn on the Cob

17th – (Practice) – Rosemary Pork Roast, (Taste of Home Best Loved pg 522) and Red Cabbage

18th – (Practice) – Beef Fried Rice and Egg Rolls (Emeals – 484)

 

19th  – At Home:  Seafood Salad on lettuce

(Camping up North)

Lunch:  Sandwiches, Chips and Fruit on the road

Supper:  Lloyd’s Ribs, Camping Mac And Cheese, Canned Corn

Dessert:  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Evening Snack:  Fire Roasted Nachos

20th – At home:  Lasagna – Salad

(Camping)

Breakfast:  Breakfast Burritos – Campfire Monkey Bread

Snack: Cheese & Crackers and Meat Sticks

Lunch:  Cup of Soup – Pizza Sandwiches

Snack:  Warm Cheese Dip and Chips

Supper: Steak Tips, 3 Cheese Potatoes, Canned Green Beans

Dessert:  Campfire Cones

Snack:  Smores Camping Trail Mix

 

21st – At home: – Beef Macaroni Casserole/ Garlic Toast (Emeals – 484)

(Camping/Ely)

Brunch:  Pancakes, Sausage and Eggs –

 

22nd – Fish Tenders and Waffle Fries with Dip

23rd – Rotisserie Chicken, Stuffing and Corn

 

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

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Menu Plan Monday: May 27th Edition

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Menu Plan Monday May 25th – June 9th

Saturday- 25th  – Leftover Chicken Salad, Chinese Salad, Fruit

Sunday – 26th – Balsamic Pork Chops – Carrots and Roasted Asparagus (Emeals 482)

Monday – 27th – (6:30 Soccer) – English Tuna Melts Crispy Baked Fried (Emeals -482) (make salad for tomorrow)

Tuesday – 28th – (6:30 School Play) –  Layered Salad and Baked Potatoes (Emeals -482)

Wednesday- 29th – (7:30 Game) – Fish Tenders and Waffle Fries with Dip

Thursday – 30th – Creamy Angel Hair with Sausage and Spinach (Emeals -483)

Friday – 31st – (6:15 Game @ Maple Grove) – Sub Sandwiches in the Fridges to Grab and Go/ Chips

Saturday – June 1st (10:30 & 6:00 Game) – Chicken and Rice Bake/ Apple Cheese Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette (Emeals -481)

Sunday – 2nd -( 11:45 Game @ Maple Grove) Fried Chicken Thighs/ Mac and Cheese/Corn

Monday – 3rd – (6:30 Game) – BLT’s and Chips  (Emeals -483)

Tuesday – 4th – (6:30 Soccer) – Easiest Chicken Pot Pie (Emeals -483)

Wednesday – 5th – (6:30 Game @ Woodbury) Baked Deli Sandwiches/ Chips (Emeals -481)

Thursday – 6th – (Last Day of School) Chicken Fajitas – Chocolate Dipped S’mores Sandwiches (Healthy Lunch – 479)

Friday – 7th – Grill Hot Dogs/ Pasta Salad

Saturday – 8th – (Joyful Noise) – LEFTOVERS or Ramen

 

 

Lunches     Chickpea and Tomato Salad Pita/ Pretzels/Cantaloupe (Healthy Lunch 478) 

Pesto Tortellini and Fruit 

Ham and Broccoli Mac and Cheese (Healthy Lunch -482)

 

Dessert – White Chocolate Almond Butter Cookie Bars (Healthy Lunch 477)

 

Recipe to try:

 

BLT Macaroni Salad – ♥ ♥ 
 
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chili sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
3 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
1/2 cup tomato, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
3 cups lettuce, shredded
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Directions: 1. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients; mix well. 2. Add the macaroni, tomato and onions; toss to coat. 3. Cover and refrigerate. 4. Just before serving, add lettuce and bacon; toss to coat
 
 
 

 

 

 

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife. 

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

 

Happy Cooking!!

 

 

 

 

 

Menu Plan Monday: May 20th Edition

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Menu Plan Monday May 18th -26th

 

 

Saturday – 18th – (Soccer Tournament)  Rotisserie Chicken, Stove Top and Garlic Oregano Zucchini (Simple & Deli pg 176)

Sunday – 19th – Dijon Herb Pork Chops, Roasted Carrots (Fresh 20, May 3rd) (Didn’t Make)

Monday – 20th (Soccer Game @ 6:00) – Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles – Corn and Dinner Rolls (Emeals 482) – brown extra meat for Tacos on Wednesday.

Tuesday – 21st – Culvers Fundraiser

Wednesday – 22nd (Soccer Game at 7:15) Beef Tacos/ Red Beans and Rice (Emeals 482)

Thursday – 23rd (Book Group @ our house) – Chicken and Seafood Salad – Chinese Cabbage Salad – Veggie/Dip – Fresh Strawberry Sheet Cake

Friday – Fish Tenders and Waffle Fries (Didn’t Make)

Saturday – Balsamic Pork Chops – Carrots and Roasted Asparagus (Emeals 482)

Sunday – Fried Chicken Thighs/ Mac and Cheese/Corn

 

 

Lunches     Chickpea and Tomato Salad Pita/ Pretzels/Cantaloupe (Healthy Lunch 478)

 

Dessert – White Chocolate Almond Butter Cookie Bars (Healthy Lunch 477)

  

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife. 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

 

Happy Cooking!!

  

  

Menu Plan Monday: May 6th Edition

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Menu Plan Monday
May 4th – 19th

Saturday – 4th – Pizza

Sunday – 5th – Chinese Pork Roast (crock 6 hours) , Steamed Rice and Broccoli (EMeals 475)

Monday – 6th – (Soccer) Great Gravy Chicken/ Egg Noodles/ Peas  (EMeals 480)

Tuesday – 7th – Turkey Sausage Spaghetti/ Salad/ Garlic Bread  (EMeals 479)

Wednesday – 8th – (soccer) Chicken Broccoli Rice and Salad

Chicken Broccoli and Rice (quick meal) Double Recipe for our family – Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups water
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cups Broccoli (I use frozen, straight out of the freezer)
2 cups Instant Rice

Process:
In a large skillet, make sure that you chicken is warm and put aside in a bowl. Then mix water and soup together and bring to a boil (now is when you add any seasonings). Turn down and mix in all ingredients remaining. Cover and cook on medium/low for 5 minutes. If you are using frozen broccoli it will take up to another 5 minutes.

Thursday – 9th – (School Program) Ham Salad Pita Sandwiches – Apple Slices (Healthy Lunch 479)

Friday – 10th – Italian Meatball Calzones – Salad  (EMeals 480)

Saturday – 11th – Creamy Pork Chops and Potatoes (EMeals 480)

Sunday – 12th – Mexican Sausage Bake (Make Night Before) (EMeals 480)

Monday – 13th – Culver’s Fundriasing Night

Tuesday – 14th  – (Late Mtg) Turkey/Cheddar Hawaiian Rolls and Fruit Salad  (Healthy Lunch 479)

Wednesday -15th – Crab Salad Croissants (Simple & Delicious Cookbook -63) Strawberry Spinach Salad (SImple & D pg 183)

Thursday – 16th – (Late Meeting) Scallop Pesto Pasta  (Simple & Delicious Cookbook -21)

Friday – 17th – Garlic Chicken Pizza x 2  Broccoli with Ranch (Emeals 479)

Saturday – 18th –  Rotisserie Chicken, Stove Top and Garlic Oregano Zucchini (Simple & Deli pg 176)

Sunday – 19th – Dijon Herb Pork Chops, Roasted Carrots (Fresh 20, May 3rd)

 

Lunches  
Leftovers
Turkey, Avocado and Bacon Roll-ups/ Fruit/ String Cheese (Healthy Lunch 478)
Tortellini Salad with Ham and Peas / Grapes (Healthy Lunch 477)
Chickpea and Tomato Salad Pita/ Pretzels/Cantaloupe (Healthy Lunch 478)

Dessert – White Chocolate Almond Butter Cookie Bars (Healthy Lunch 477)

 

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMEALS EASY AND DELICIOUS DINNER RECIPES

 

Recipes to Try:
Desserts – Better than Mounds Bar

Amish Broccoli Salad
 
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 head cauliflower, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound bacon, fried and crumbled
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
 
Combine the chopped broccoli and cauliflower in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and salt to make a creamy dressing. Add the dressing to the broccoli–cauliflower mix, stirring to evenly coat the vegetables. Stir in the bacon and the cheese, reserving a small amount to sprinkle on top of the salad just before serving.

 

 

Groceries: Cut the Dance and Start to Wiggle!

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Grocery

If you are new to the budgeting/debt-reduction lifestyle, then step 1 is usually the maddening struggle to find your “Wiggle-room“. Wiggle-room is that extra corner you can cut somewhere (anywhere!) in your current spending to begin your snowball. It is vital to find your wiggle-room quickly, in order to sock away your emergency fund and then get that snowball rolling! Where is the best place to start? Well, for us it was: The Grocery Budget. You might be amazed at the amount of wiggle-room you can find by doing some smart shopping.

1. Plan your meals.  (emeals.com – a great site for menu planning inspiration)
2. Plan to do your own cooking.
3. Make and stick to your shopping list
4. Shop where the prices are lowest.

Note: To make our life easier in this area, we have completely eliminated the biggest headache of them all: The Coupon Dance. We Clip Zero Coupons. None. Nadda. Not a single one. Never, never, never ever. We’ve simply decided we will assign none of our precious evening or weekend free time to this.

So, First begin shopping where the prices are consistently lowest.

For us they are (and in this exact order)

1. Aldi, and if it’s not there,
2. Walmart, and if it’s not there,
3. Sam’s Club.

If you don’t want to take our word for this, then spend a bit of your free time doing a research project. (and this is actually kind of a fun and very eye-opening motivator for frugality!) Pick 20 common items you are likely to consistently buy that can be found at any grocery store. Price-check those 20 items at Aldi, Walmart, Cub, Rainbow, Festival, Kowalski’s, Byerly’s & Lunds. (Leave Sam’s Club out of this, unless you’re ready to play with a calculator for an extra hour. We go to Sam’s Club mainly because they have very good produce for the prices.) Trust me though, your end result will quickly reveal your wiggle-room. (Spoiler Alert: We’ll see you at Aldi )

Next: Figure out what might be an appropriate amount to budget for groceries for your family. (Pick a goal, any goal, then challenge yourself to beat it over time)  Recently I was reading a blog that recommended budgeting about $100 per person each month.  So for our family we should budget about $500 per month.

I decided that for the month of April I would track our grocery expenses to see how close we are to this amount. We shop only twice a month for grocery related items.  One of the shopping trips is usually larger due to when items run out, etc. 

4/6/13

Aldi – $67.67
WalMart – $ 40.76
Sam’s Club – $52.72

Two weeks’ total On Food – $161.15 

4/21/13

Aldi – $ 142.41
WalMart – 102.15
Sam’s Club – $ 57.64

Two weeks’ total on Food = $302.20

Total for month of April – $463.35

Based on our totals for April, I find the $100 per month per person to be a fairly generous amount to budget for groceries. This month our totals were a bit higher as Jen is going out of town for 5 days next week, so we bought more convenient things for meals prep while she is gone. 

So if you are new to budgeting, and need to find that wiggle-room to create your emergency fund and then start your snowball, I would start with making your monthly grocery budget be $100 per person in the family and start shopping where the same foods are cheaper in price. I think it is a very easy place to start.  As you get better at cooking and frugal shopping, that amount will probably decrease, but this is a very good starting place. 

Happy Budgeting!!

Paul and Jen
Joyfully Living Below Our Means!

Menu Plan Monday: March 11th Edition

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Menu Plan Monday
March 9th – March 24th

 

Saturday, 9 (Party at Katies) – Sausage Gravy and Biscuits/ Eggs

Sunday, 10 – Shrimp Alfredo Pasta (Double)with Garlic Bread and Broccoli

Monday, 11th (working late) – Tater Tot Hotdish

Tuesday, 12th (Soccer @ 7:00) – Chicken Fajita Bowls/ Tortilla chips – emeals 469 (*Use the Chicken Thighs up with this recioe)

Wednesday, 13th – Vegetable Oven Omelet/ English Muffins (Emeals # 472)

Thursday, 14th (Soccer @ 8:00) – Swiss Turkey Tenderloin Strips – Carrots (Simple & Delicious Cookbook pg 30)

Friday, 15th (working late) – Fish Sandwiches/ Chips

Saturday, 16th – Short Rib Barley Soup – Yeast Rolls (soup cooks 5 hours)

Sunday, 17th (St Patty’s)- Corned Beef and Cabbage

Monday, 18th (Soccer @ 7:45) – BLT Chicken Salad/ Pita Crackers and Pear Slices  (Emeals # 472)

Tuesday, 19th (working Late) – Unforgettable Chicken Casserole/ Green Beans Crescent Rolls  (Emeals # 472)

Wednesday, 20th – Meatball Sandwiches/ Celery and Dip and Chips (Emeals # 472)

Thursday, 21st (Soccer @ 8:00) – Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta/ Sliced Pineapple (Emeals # 472)

Friday, 22nd – Broiled Tilapia Parmesan (Allrecipes)/ Risotto/Veggies

Saturday, 23rd (1st Communion Class) – Beef Enchiladas and Spanish Rice

Sunday, 24th – Saucy Pork Chop Skillet= (Taste of Home Feb/Mar 2013)

 

Recipes to Try:

Pesto Caprese Chicken

Roast Lemon Garlic Roasted Carrots

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

EMEALS EASY AND DELICIOUS DINNER RECIPES

 

Menu Plan Monday: February 25th Edition

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MPM-Winter

Menu Plan Monday
February 23rd – March 10th

Saturday, 23rd – Chicken Risotto – veggie

Sunday, 24th (Magnuson Sunday)- Short Rib Barley Soup – Yeast Rolls (soup cooks 5 hours)

Monday, 25 (Soccer 7:45) – Beef Stroganoff with Green Beans

Beef Stroganoff (double recipe) – Peas

1 lb ground beef
8 oz sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
(1 t salt, 1 t onion powder)
(¼ c water, 1 t beef bouillon cube)
1 pkg egg noodles
1 pkg frozen peas

In large skillet, brown the ground beef; drain. Add sour cream, soup, salt, onion powder and water to skillet. Heat to a low boil; add bouillon. Stir to dissolve; reduce heat to simmer.

Tuesday, 26 (Soccer 7:00) – Mom’s Mac N Cheese (Double) – Polish Hot Dogs

Wednesday, 27 (Church 6:30) – Pesto Pepper Tortellini (Simple & Delicious Cookbook pg 33), Salad

Thursday, 28 (Conferences 7:20) – Chili & Frito Chips (crockpot) Double Recipe

Friday, 1 – Chilli Hotdogs – Fries

Saturday, 2 (Date Night) – Tater Tot Hotdish

Sunday, 3 – Swiss Turkey Tenderloin Strips – Carrots  (Simple & Delicious Cookbook pg 30)

Monday, 4 (Mom Works Late- Soccer 7:45) – Pot Pies

Tuesday, 5 (Soccer 7:00) – Bow Tie Beef Skillet – Salad (Simple & Delicious Cookbook pg 29)

Wednesday, 6 – Herbed Tuna Sandwiches/Pickles (Double)/ Grapes and Chips  (Simple & Delicious Cookbook pg 123)

Thursday, 7 – (Soccer 8:00) – Sausage Gravy and Biscuits/ Eggs

Friday, 8 – Pizza/ Cheese PIzza

Saturday, 9 (Party at Katies) – Chicken Fajita Bowls/ Tortilla chips – emeals 469

Sunday, 10 – Shrimp Alfredo Pasta (Double)with Garlic Bread and Broccoli

 

Homemade Chocolate PUdding

Pizza Ideas…

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

 

Menu Plan Monday: February 11th Edition

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MPM-Winter

Menu Plan Monday
February 10th – February 24th

Sun 10th – Confetti Chicken Bake with Cheddar Biscuit Topping (good)

Monday, 11th – Chili & Frito Chips (crockpot)

Tuesday – Split Pea and Sausage Soup (Simple & Delicious Dec/January 2013 – page 73), – Crockpot – 7 hours

Wed – Tortellini Spinach Casserole (Simple & Delicious Feb/March 2013 – page 20), Salad

Thurs – Steak – Chive Red Potatoes (Simple & Delicious Feb/March 2013 – page 29), Veggies (Sam’s Medley) – No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

Friday – Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches/ Chips (Emeals – #468)

Sat – Shrimp Alfredo Pasta with Garlic Bread and Broccoli

Sunday – Pork Chops with Mushroom-Tarragon Sauce and Vegetable and Barley Pilaf   (Simple & Delicious Feb/March 2013 – page 30)

Monday – Rib Dinner – Baked Potato and Salad

Tuesday –  Monte Cristo Sandwiches – Apple Slices – Chips (Emeals – #467)

Wednesday – Creamy Cavatappi & Cheese / COrn- Cantaloupe (Simple & Delicious Feb/March 2013 – page 19)

Thursday – Tortellini & Sausage Medley with Garlic Bread (Emeals – #467)

Friday – Crunchy Fish, Rice and Veggie (green Beans)

Saturday – Chicken Risotto – veggie

SUnday- Short Rib Barley Soup – Yeast Rolls  (soup cooks 5 hours)

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

 

Recipes to try……

Chocolate Frosted Brownies