Ok…I slipped. I got busy and decided to just “wing it” the last few weeks as far as meal planning went. It wasn’t pretty. There were a few pizza boxes here and there, some of those chicken tenders and tators, and multiple times I went to cook something, but realized I didn’t have all the ingredients. It was a train wreck and a good dose of reality. The busier you are…the more important is to have a plan. So Meal Plan Monday is back on track, and I’m feeling good! Volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer, meetings…bring it….we’re ready for you. 😉
This weeks meal plan is from The Atlantic Superstore.
Here’s what I’m making this week…
Baked Nacho Dip (yes it’s called Dip, but we eat it as a meal) with Carrot Sticks
Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks, Baked Potatoes and Frozen Vegetables
Pulled Pork, Mashed Potatoes, and Carrots
Here’s what I bought:
Beef bouillon cubes- $2.79
Long grain brown rice- $3.79
Multigrain tortilla chips – $2.99
Fleishman’s pizza yeast- $2.29
Taco seasoning mix- $ 1.29
Sour cream- $3.29
Large marble cheese- $4.29
Large mozzarella cheese- $4.29
Mixed vegetables- $1.99
Farmers Market 4 pack peppers- $2.50
3lb bag of carrots- $1.50
Bag of yellow onions- $1.50
Celery- $2.29
Pint of grape tomatoes- $2.29
Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast- $4.71
2 pkgs chicken drumsticks- $10.00
Extra lean ground beef- $ 7.33
Pepperoni deli meat- $5.49
Salsa (not pictured) $2.49
10 lb bag russet potatoes- $2.50
Here’s what I had:
Pizza sauce
Flour
Oil
4 garlic cloves
1 tsp dried rosemary
2 cups frozen peas
Salt and pepper
Lemon juice
The cost of this weeks meal plan is just under $67.00….which feeds 5-6 people….for 5 + meals! Also a lot of these items I will still be using next week…the rice, pizza yeast, some celery, etc. Again this week I focused on the sale items most specifically the meat and produce. Extra lean ground beef, chicken drumsticks, and the pork picnic shoulder roast for $0.99/lb are all good deals. The prices on peppers, carrots and onions are all a good price this week, and definitely helped me quickly form this weeks meal plan. I’m using the carrots in the soup, as a side dish one night, and also cutting some up to serve raw another. The peppers are used also in the soup, some diced for the baked nacho dip and the remaining will be sautéed with onions and put on the homemade pizza. A real benefit from making a plan is trying to use what you have each week, as to eliminate waste especially with the produce.
The day I got home with my groceries, I fried the ground beef while putting everything away. Then I just packaged it up, and the base for the soup and nacho dip is all prepped. That alone is a great feeling…and literally took no time while I was in the kitchen anyway.
I’ve talked before about how life changing meal planning can be. This week I am giving you a plan…it couldn’t be easier….you can do this! 🙂
For meal Meal Plan inspiration check out org.junkie.com
For once this week I have a plan of what I am going to cook every night! I always feel like I meal plan so much more in the fall than the summer, probably because I use the crock pot so much more!
Oh wow, this is very impressive. I am so tired of going to the grocery store, and spending over $100 only to come home and not be able to find anything to eat! Lol
Meal planning makes this a lot easier, especially when you are busy. I like to cook meals ahead of time that will last a few days.