Monday, January 11, 2010

Meal Plan Monday

Still no baby...Hmph. I know I can't really be too upset, it's not like I'm overdue or anything. My official due date isn't even until 1/26, but I just really really had a feeling that this little boy was going to meet us before 1/11.

Oh well!


This is what I have planned for our family this week...

I usually plan on making four meals a week. Two nights a week we usually fend for ourselves and I always have a stock of frozen burritos, ramen, canned soup, sandwich fixins, frozen pizza, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, or salad for us to choose from, and then one night a week is usually a left over night or if Josh and I are lucky we get out together.

I'm very happy to report that groceries this week totaled $80. This is $20 under my weekly budget. Lol, not great...I know I can beat that, I'll try harder next week!!!

Sloppy Joe Casserole over Biscuit / Vegi
Slow Cooker Pork Roast / Mashed Potato / Vegi
Tri-Tip Sandwiches / Chips
Chicken Soup / Some kind of Bread

Check back in the week for recipes and for more menu planning ideas check out www.orgjunkie.com

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Slow Cooker Onion Pork Chops

This is a super duper easy meal and it's done in the crock pot so it takes NO time to prepare. The pork chops turn fork tender slow cooking all day and the juice makes a really nice gravy to put over chops.

Whatcha Need...
Thick cut pork chops (I used three)
Lipton Onion Soup Packet
1/3 cup of water
Salt and Pepper
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Whatcha do with it...
Season Pork Chops with Salt and Pepper and place in slow cooker
Mix the Lipton Onion soup packet and 1/3 cup water together and poor over pork chops.
That's it!!!!
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Cook on low for 7-8 hours and viola ya have dinner!
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(We served with good ole Stove Top stuffing and Corn)

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Eat from the Pantry Challenge

I'm jumping on board with some bloggers who are doing a pantry clean out.(Link Here... Eat from the Pantry Challenge.) It would be a good idea for me get our pantry and freezer down to nothing and restock. This will also help me save $$$ while I'm out with Jacob. The official pantry challenge is to spend 100$ for the entire month. I know I won't be able to do that (and I honestly don't know how others do it!) so I'm doing my own version of a pantry clean out which means using and planning with what I have on hand.

I actually think I have enough meat in the freezer to last about two months, woo-hoo! My plan to stock the freezer while out with baby worked...and well, let's be honest as soon as JJ comes, cooking won't be top priority so the meat in the freezer may last even longer. I am really hoping to put the crock-pot in good use though so we aren't living on sandwiches for the next two months.

When I go shopping on Sunday this week I'll report back how I did. If I report back, even if I'm the only one who will ever know, maybe I'll feel more accountable to actual do what I plan on doing.

Here are a couple of photos of the pantry and freezers. I'll post pictures again after the challenge to see if I did good or bad.

*Pantry Cupboard*
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*Indoor freezer, I usually stock this one with the quick go-to meals*
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*Outdoor Freezer, stocked with meat and poultry*
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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Meal Plan Monday

Ok, here it goes. I had to do some of my favorite spicy dishes this week, in case Baby Jacob decides to make his appearance. I usually try to eat pretty bland the first two weeks while I have a newborn in case they have a sensitive tummy and have gas. I don't want to add to their pain since I nurse my babies.

The day we brought Justin home from the hospital our family ordered Round Table Pizza and I ate some pepperoni pizza and some garlic twists. My poor baby was up all night with stomach pains. I didn't know what the heck was going on since it was my first baby, but I soon realized that Justin had a sensitive stomach and I had to watch what I passing to him through my breast milk. Spicy food gave him the worst gas, as did garlic. It was a long 6 months before his stomach toughened up and I could eat spicy food again.

The day we brought Jackson home from the hospital we ordered Subway, lol. I didn't want a repeat of Justin. Although, I would soon come to find that Jackson had a tough tummy from the beginning and I was able to eat whatever without much reaction from him. If I ate really acidic food he would act up a little, but nothing like my Bean.

So, the fear of bringing home a baby with stomach issues is in the back of my head and I know that I may have to eat more bland if this little guy also has stomach sensitivities so I added some of my spicy favorites this week in case it's the last time I have them for awhile.

I usually plan on making four meals a week. Two nights a week we usually fend for ourselves and I always have a stock of frozen burritos, ramen, canned soup, sandwich fixins, frozen pizza, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, or salad for us to choose from, and then one night a week is usually a left over night or if Josh and I are lucky we get out together.

Pork Chops / Stuffing / Vegi (Didn't get to this last week.)
Chili (Recipe Here) / Cheese Bread (Recipe Here)
Taco Dip (Recipe Here)
Complete Chicken Dinner in the Crock pot (Recipe Here)

Check back later in the week for recipes and for more ideas on meal planning visit www.orgjunkie.com

Friday, January 1, 2010

Chipped Beef

This is a meal from childhood. I can almost hear my dad say, "Oh, we're having Sh** on a shingle for dinner?" when the smell of this hits my nose. I'm not sure why the military folks call this Sh** on a shingle?!?! This is a really inexpensive meal to make. I mean really inexpensive. It has to be under 3$ for the entire meal. This is a comfort meal for me...it's creamy and full of flavor...the cayenne gives it a kick you don't really expect. I usually serve it over bisbuits, although traditonal recipes call for it to be served over toast (hence the shingle, I suppose.) I always make green peas to accompany it, because it's what my mom did and sometimes you just don't mess with a good thing!

Whatcha Need...
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups warm milk
About 8 oz of beef. I usually buy the budding lunch meat.
1 pinch cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
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Whatcha do with it...
In a medium pan over low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour all at once to form a roux. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring, until thickened. Bring to a boil, stir in beef. Season with cayenne, salt, and pepper heat through and serve over biscuit.
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Viola, there ya have it. Can easily be done in under 15 minutes!!!
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