Last Week of September

I am still feeling under the weather, this just seems to be hanging on which means we are still having a lot of comfort foods. This is coupled with the fact that it is the end of the month so we are working with the end of the groceries on hand.

This week's CSA share. I traded off the cucumbers and gave away the squash and pepper.

Second Week of September

This past weekend was full of activity which has made this Monday extra hard. I am really longing for another weekend. The jumping from one activity to the next is why my CSA photo is just a box shot. I gave the bell peppers and lettuce you see peeking through away.

With the veggies/fruit left from last week and this box I came up with this menu plan:

Sunday Sept 9th:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: chicken with friends
Dinner: Grilled cheese and turkey sandwiches

Monday Sept 10th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Arby's on the run to meet someone for an offerup sale
Dinner: Got home last night and realized we still had leftover sausage to use up so I made Jolean's Cheese Potato and Smoked Sausage Casserole from Genius Kitchen instead and will just bump Monday to Wednesday and go from there.

Tuesday Sept 11th:
Breakfast: Part of a kolache that the birthday boy did not finish
Lunch: The biscuit I had purchased myself for breakfast and a plum
Dinner: Met friends for fast food at the birthday boy's favorite place

Wednesday Sept 12th:
Breakfast: Honey Nut Cheerios
Lunch: Chicken strip kid's meal at Wendy's with friends
Dinner:Chicken Pasta with Bacon and Spinach in Creamy Tomato Sauce by What's in the Pan. The sauce separated on me ( I was cooking it in a separate pot) and so I just dumped it and served the dish without it. Even without the sauce this was a really tasty dish.

Thursday Sept 13th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Chinese buffet with friend
Dinner: Peppery Beef and Broccoli from Cooking Light with steamed rice

Friday Sept 14th:
Breakfast: Kaloche and chocolate iced coconut do-nut
Lunch: Pepper chicken and Lo Mein
Dinner: Stir fry using some leftover steak and noodles

Saturday Sept 15th:
Breakfast: biscuits
Lunch: whatburger on the run
Dinner: Homemade Beef Stew Recipe from Ciao Florentina using leftover steak

Last week of April

This technically is the last week of the month but because payday falls during the week next week I will need to make it 2 weeks before I go grocery shopping.

This week I have this to work with from the CSA and farmer's market

CSA share

Farmer's Market 

Sunday April 22nd:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: fried chicken
Dinner: Grilled ribs, cream peas, strawberries and toasted sourdough

Monday April 23rd:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: leftover ribs, peas and strawberries
Dinner: Made lettuce wraps using up some leftover smoked pork from the freezer. I simmered it on the stove in sauce (Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wraps) from Domestic Superhero. Served with steamed rice this turned out awesome.

Tuesday April 24th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: gyro and fries with friends
Dinner: Mini meatloaf with cheese center with Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus from Cafe Delites.  If I make the asparagus again I will cut the amount of oil, garlic and the cook time. They were a touch soggy and we really prefer ours crisp.

Wednesday April 25th:
Breakfast: donuts!
Lunch: pizza rolls, strawberries and crepe
Dinner:Brinner! Pancakes with blackberry jam, scrambled eggs, and bacon

Thursday April 26th:
Breakfast: donuts for work meeting
Lunch: hamburger in my car while I tried to finish listening to a podcast
Dinner: One Pot Sausage Penne Pasta from Six Sisters' Stuff. This one was pretty good!

Friday April 27th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: sandwich
Dinner: fish sticks with homemade mac-n-cheese.

Saturday April 28th:
Breakfast: Biscuits
Lunch: snacking at home
Dinner: Went out to Hibachi for our anniversary and did not get my phone out at all!

Third Week of April

This week's menu plan is of course inspired by my CSA pick up. I did pass on the beets again this week as well as the radishes to my husband's grandmother. She really loved the last ones and I like that she gets some fresh veggies as well.

Sunday April 15th:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: fried chicken and corn on the cob
Dinner: smoked sausage, steamed corn and homemade mac-n-cheese

Monday April 16th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: grilled cheese

Tuesday April 17th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: Creamy chicken Tomato Skillet from Cooking Light magazine served over rice with toasted sourdough.

Wednesday April 18th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: Pizza for work birthdays
Dinner: Sausage& Rice One Skillet Meal from All Things Mama

Thursday April 19th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls and fruit
Dinner: Spaghetti Carbonara from Damn Delicious with toasted sourdough

Friday April 20th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: Egg Roll Skillet from Mrs.Happy Homemaker

Saturday April 21st:
Breakfast: cream cheese danish
Lunch: ham, turkey and cheese sandwich
Dinner: Chicken Noodle Soup with toasted sourdough

Second Week of April

This food week started with the CSA pick up on Saturday. This week I chose to pick up the all veggie basket as I still had some eggs and sausage. I may alternate depending on what is available but will have to learn on the fly since this is a new CSA

This week I passed on the beets and 1 head of cabbage to grandma as I knew we would not eat them. I still had pickles from last week so I passed those on to a coworker. From there I worked out the following menu

Sunday April 8th:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: hamburgers with friends
Dinner: Baked spaghetti using up the leftovers from last week

Monday April 9th:
Breakfast: leftover kolaches
Dinner: Moo Shu Pork from Gimme Some Oven with a couple of changes and some steamed rice. I did not have coleslaw mix and had picked this for the menu to use up some cabbage so I cut some up as well as "shaved" a carrot and used that instead. I also used up the leftover pork chops cut thin so I was able to skip the cooking step for that.

Tuesday April 10th:
Breakfast: leftover donut
Lunch: Wendy's with a friend
Dinner:Flanken style ribs, Parmesan asparagus and cinnamon apples

Wednesday April 11th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Gyro and fries with friends
Dinner:Leftover Steak Hash from That Susan Williams. I used the last potato from the BB pickup and some of the leftover roast from a couple of nights ago.

Thursday April 12th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Salad, lunch meat and cheese with a friend
Dinner:Grilled chicken, ranch roasted carrots and black beans

Friday April 13th:
Breakfast: Pig in a blanket
Lunch: chicken strips
Dinner: One Skillet Chicken Enchilada Pasta from Chelsea's Messy Apron. I used leftover chicken and black beans in mine.

Saturday April 14th:
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: pizza rolls
Dinner: frozen pizza

First Week of April

This past weekend was a constant whirl, we had family Easter and then Easter at church with a potluck and egg hunt. That coupled with payday, first CSA pick up and getting grocery shopping done has left me drained. This weekend was going to be the beginning of strawberry season and I really wanted to take the boys to a pick your own farm but we have an 80% of rain which may force me to stay home and get neglected tasks done.

Let's start with pictures of all the produce I picked up on Saturday morning

This was the first pick up from bountiful baskets

I then headed to the farmer's market and picked up the following plus a cream cheese pastry that I promptly ate.

Following this I headed to the farm to pick up my CSA share

All of this great stuff of course led to overload making the menu again. I want to use up fragile produce first and other items I have on hand and this is what I ended up with

Sunday April 1st:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: Easter potluck at church
Dinner: Smoked sausage and baked potatoes

Monday April 2nd:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Wendy's with friend
Dinner: Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Soup from Foodie Crush. I did use canned beans and kale instead of spinach since that is what I had on hand. The sausage was from the CSA pick up and the kale from the farmer's market. Served with toasted sourdough also from the farmer's market. 

Tuesday April 3rd:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Pizza with a friend
Dinner: Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom Chicken from The Recipe Critic. This one was really good and I will definitely be making again although I may cut back on the liquid as mine was a bit overwhelming.

Wednesday April 4th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Chicken Fried Chicken with a friend
Dinner:  One Pan Roasted Garlic Potatoes, Asparagus and Sausage  from Chelsea's Messy Apron with toasted sourdough.
I made this one using up the leftover smoked sausage, 1 potato from the BB pick up and some onion from the CSA and asparagus from the farmer's market.

Thursday April 5th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Ham and cheese sandwich at work
Dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs with toasted sourdough.

Friday April 6th:
Breakfast: Kolache
Lunch: Subs with friend
Dinner: Grilled pork chops, sauteed asparagus and mushrooms and grits

Saturday April 7th:
Breakfast: Biscuits with butter and jam
Lunch: Grilled cheese
Dinner: Crock Pot Cuban Beef from Paleo Hacks with steamed rice

Groceries for March

I really thought I had done better this month until I pulled all the receipts and it looks bleak. We will see what this totals up to and get a verdict.

Winco Trip #1

2 jars spaghetti sauce  $1.98
2 liter of Pepsi     $.98
3 gallons apple juice  $10.14
1 gallon milk   $1.50
2 boxes gnocchi  $5.76
1 pkg naan   $2.08
1 kid's sippy cup  $7.85
3 lbs chicken tenderloins   $5.98
1 pkg bottle nipples  $1.86
2 cans refried beans  $1.36
2 boxes cereal  $3.96
1 head garlic   $.48
1 pkg cheese and cracker snacks   $4.68
3 pkgs mini donuts   $5.49
1 pkg gum  $1.75
1 lb fajita beef strips   $4.98
~1/16 lbs ginger root   $.20
1 bag baby spinach   $1.78
1 pkg colby jack cheese slices  $3.18
1 pkg white American cheese  slices  $2.65
1 donut   $.58
2 turkey pot pies    $1.48
1 lb breakfast sausage   $2.98
1 (16 oz) sour cream  $.99
1 pkg chips   $1.28
2 lbs sliced salami  $5.98
5 cans diced tomatoes  $2.70
3 cans beans     $1.71
2 cans bean dip  $3.96
1 pkg pepperoni minis   $2.98
1 pkg frozen broccoli   $1.14
1 pkg feminine napkins  $3.88
~3/4lbs raw sugar   $.63
~3/4lbs whole cashews   $6.59
~1/8lb gummy bunnies    $.30
~1/2lb fresh broccoli   $.50
~3/4 shell pasta    $.62
~1&1/4 lb spaghetti pasta  $1.11
1 pkg fish sticks   $2.98
1 quart whipping cream  $3.38
1 pkg freezer bags   $2.63
2 cans biscuits  $3.16
1 can apple pie filling  $2.18
1 can cinnamon rolls  $1.58
3 (8 pks) powerade   $11.94
1 bottle Dublin soda  $1.28
1 spreadable cream cheese   $1.80
2 spin brush toothbrushes  $7.92
1 pkg frozen corn   $1.13
1 pkg frozen peas   $1.19
~1&1/4lbs white rice   $.46
1 bag chips  $1.98
~3/4lbs elbow pasta   $.62
~3/4lb penne pasta   $.72
~2&1/4lbs flour   $.52
~1/4lb taco seasoning   $1.15
~1/16 lb lollipops   $.23
7 teabags    $.63
~2&1/4lbs sugar   $.74
~2 lbs bananas    $.92
~1 lb asparagus   $.93
~11&3/4lb watermelon   $3.84
1 lb carrots    $.98
1 tube tomato paste  $1.86
1 bag chips  $1.98
1 bottle ketchup  $.78
1 bag chips   $1.98
1 bag chips  $1.28
pkg 2 pork roasts  $5.06

Total::: $177.48


Kroger Trip #1

1 veggie tray   $6.49
1 pkg turkey lunch meat  $2.99
1 cheese loaf  $4.39
3 pkgs cheese  $2.37
2 pkgs m&ms  $1.00
2 lbs butter   $3.00
2 pkgs cinnamon rolls   $2.00
3 cans cherry pie filling  $5.97

Total::: $28.29


Winco Trip #2

~ 2 lbs bananas   $.89
1 pkg tic tacs  $1.01
~1/8 lb gummy fish   $.38
1 gallon milk  $1.50
~1/16 lb cinnamon bunnies   $.12
~1/16 lb orange slices  $.15

Total::: $4.19


Kroger Trip #2

2 pkgs pepperoni   $3.58
2 pints blackberries  $1.98
1 head lettuce   $1.29
1 pkg mushrooms  $1.29

Total::: $8.14


Winco Trip #3

~2&1/4 lbs bananas  $.94
1 loaf French bread  $.95

~1/16lb lollipops  $.19
~1/4 lbs cinnamon bunnies  $.40
1 (1/2) gallon of orange juice  $1.74
1 gallon milk  $1.50

Total::::: $5.77

Trip to the Farmer's market
Gouda cheese   $8.00


Total for the month:

$231.87!!!!!! I am under budget for the month!!! 

Last week of March

You can tell in my last post when Phillip arrived home. This week I need to work on cleaning out the freezer and getting it ready for April's grocery run.

I have not managed to make a meal plan and have just been pulling stuff out of the fridge and freezer for meals. This is not the best method for me since it leaves me in a panic when I get home but it is how this week is going.


Sunday Mar 25th:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: Chicken Enchilada with friends
Dinner: Brinner! Pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs

Monday Mar 26th:
Breakfast: kolaches
Lunch: Ham and cheese sandwich, diced peaches and chips
Dinner: Baked Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomato and Mozzarella from Simply Delicious.  I used leftover bacon for this so I skipped the cooking bacon step. Because I skipped that step I dug out the jar of bacon grease from the fridge and used a smidge to cook the paprika and garlic. I followed the recipe from there.

Tuesday Mar 27th:
Breakfast: kolaches
Lunch: Chicken strips with a friend
Dinner:Pulled Pork Enchiladas from Recipe Tin Eats. No picture but this was on the menu last night using the last of the leftover pork and some leftover tortillas from Sunday lunch.

Wednesday Mar 28th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch:Black Pepper chicken and Lo-Mein
Dinner: Fish Sticks and steamed rice

Thursday Mar 29th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Ham and Cheese sandwich with banana chips and diced peaches
Dinner: Steamed some broccoli, mixed it with the leftover rice and leftover chicken. I covered in cheese and baked.

Third Week of March

This week Phillip was out of town on a business trip so it was just the boys and I so dinner was all about what they wanted.

Sunday Mar 18th:
Breakfast: Donuts
Dinner:

Monday Mar 19th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Wendy's kid's meal
Dinner: pizza

Tuesday Mar 20th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: leftover pizza , yogurt and  blackberries
Dinner: Rosa's for taco Tuesday with a friend and the boys

Wednesday Mar 21st:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: wendy's for kid's meal
Dinner: grilled cheese and ice cream from the ice cream truck

Thursday Mar 22nd:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: leftover pizza, yogurt and blackberries
Dinner: Little Smokies in BBQ sauce and homemade mac-n-cheese

Friday Mar 23rd:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Fresh pizza with a friend
Dinner: Pan grilled chicken with Mesquite seasoning, sauteed asparagus and garlic toast.

 
Saturday Mar 24th:
Breakfast: biscuits
Lunch: Chick-Fil-A with the boys
Dinner: Pork Roast, buttered pasta and field peas

Second Week of March

This is spring break week for my boys but alas not for me. It also marks another week closer to the CSA beginning which is something I am infinitely excited about.

Sunday March 11th:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: Burger and Fries with friends
Dinner: Stir Fry using leftover beef from tacos.

Monday March 12th:
Breakfast: Donut
Lunch: Leftover Tuscan bean soup, watermelon and some chips.
Dinner:Going out to eat did not work as planned so I made cheesy pasta with broccoli and diced ham.

Tuesday March 13th:
Breakfast: Bowl of cereal
Lunch: Soup and Salad provided by work for birthdays
Dinner: Italian Chicken and Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner from Yellow Bliss Road

Wednesday March 14th:
Breakfast: Donuts with the boys
Lunch: Chicken tenders and fries
Dinner: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork from A Mind Full Mom with corn and black beans

Thursday Mar 15th:
Breakfast: Toast with butter and jam
Dinner: Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake from Tasty Kitchen but I used the leftover pork instead of chicken. and the leftover corn and black beans.

Friday Mar 16th:
Breakfast: Toast with butter and jam ( blackberry from the farmer's market)
Dinner:

Saturday Mar 17th:
Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls
Dinner: