Menu Plan 6/1/09

Over the past few weeks, there were a handful of meals we didn't get to, either because we were travelling or eating out with family. So, you may see several repeats on the menu plan.

Breakfasts:

Strawberry-Mango-OJ Smoothies

Cheerios w/ Milk

Lunches:

PB&J Sandwiches

Carrot/Celery Sticks

Cheese slices

Fruit

Dinners:

M - Taco Salad

T - Leftovers

W - Salmon Cakes, Zucchini, Potatoes

Th - Quick and Easy Alfredo, Angel Hair Pasta, Broccoli

F - Sloppy Joes, Yams

S - Leftovers

S - ???

Visit Menu Plan Monday for more meals!

June Grocery Challenge

I have some household goals for June. I already mentioned my to-do list for the summer here.

But the ones I am currently mapping out this afternoon have to do with our food budget.

We are still on the $300 a month food budget, including cleaning products and toiletries. This also includes our $33/week organic produce order. That only leaves $168 for the rest of the food and supplies for the month, or $42/week! For May, we will be about $20 over on the entire month. That's not terrible, but I want to do better!

My challenge for June is to stay IN budget AND finally order that $37 gallon of coconut oil that I have been debating about ordering for almost a year, now. Hmm. It is going to be tough. Did I mention that we will also be spending a week at the lake with friends and family during which we chip in for food, but that I don't get to bargain shop for? I don't know if it is doable to stay within $300, but I am sure going to try!

To keep me accountable, I will be sharing not only our menu plan as ususal, but also updates on what I have purchased, what I have spent, and what we've actually had to eat each week. (We usually stick very close to our menu plan, but not always exactly.)

(One thing that will help make it more feasible is that while this June there would normally be 5 Fridays of produce delivery, we will be leaving town one week, so I am going to cancel one to keep it the typical 4 per month.)

Oh, yes, and did I mention I am only going for grass-fed, hormone-free beef, now? (Whole Foods usually has some good meat sales in the summer.)

Ok, now you know what I'm up against. It is going to take some creativity, but I am looking forward to it!

Lemon-Garlic Chicken Noodle Soup

I just happen to have leeks, lemons, onions, noodles, and chicken to use.
I think I'll try this soup before it gets too hot outside. Do you think it will be not nearly as good if I don't use real roasted garlic, but just use garlic powder?

Menu Plan 5/25/09

A little bit of an unexciting menu this week, but hey, we just got back from the weekend, and it's the end of the month...

Breakfasts:

Oatmeal with Milk

Waffles with Homemade Syrup

Smoothies

Fruit

Lunches:

PB&J Sandwiches

Chips

Fruit

Dinners:

M - Leftovers

T - Frozen Pizza, Salad

W - Pork Tenderloin, Potatoes, Salad

Th - Leftovers

F - Egg Salad Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks

S - Sloppy Joes topped with Cheese, Vegetable

S - Salmon Cakes, Vegetable

Visiti the Organizing Junkie for more menus!

Thank You, Cotton Babies!

I was thrilled to receive a $25 gift certificate (unsolicited) from Cotton Babies for blogging about their bumGenius diapers!

How thrifty and green is that? A coupon for cloth diapers!

Although I continue to love their bumGenius's, I decided to try and maximize it's usage for what I really "needed". So, here's what I purchased for the whopping total of $6.50 after applying the gift voucher:

1. Bumkins Superbib - My daughter has used the same bib everyday for nearly a year now and since it has been washed SO many times (3 x a day) it was finally starting to mildew in the seams. Time for a new one. These bibs can't be beat!

2. Newborn diaper cover - a LiteWrap. Seems like a good deal, and similar to the Imse Vimse which I love, but we will just have to wait and see. Will fit large.

3. 1 dozen preemie Indian prefolds to fit in our newborn diaper covers. We'll just try them and see. I can always double them up with the newborn size inserts from our bumGeniuses.

I had never ordered directly from Cotton Babies before, but was very pleased with their prices, service, and quick shipping!

Summer To-Do List

Since this weekend is the unofficial kick-off of summer, here is my summer to-do list... Hopefully not as ambitious as last summer's, because I am already tired. I think being nearly in the third trimester is starting to affect me. (Or it could be that I have a cold right now.)

I will be working 3 days a week with the kids at church. So, this is all to be fit in between work and other normal day-to-day tasks, as well. And I want to rest and try to just enjoy things, too!

1. Lots of rearranging of furniture and rooms in order to get ready for baby - need hubby's help for this!
2. Paint furniture for daughter's room.
3. Transition her from her crib to her big girl bed.
4. Make a pillow like this for her bed.
5. Go to the pool.

I think I'll stop there for now. I might add some more things at a later time.

Menu Plan 5/18/09

Breakfasts:

Oatmeal with Milk

Fruit

Lunches:

Sandwiches

Carrots or Chips

Cheese

Fruit

Dinners:

M - Leftover Chili (from the freezer)

T - Chicken Caesar Salad (homemade croutons)

W - Leftovers

Th - Quick and Easy Alfredo over Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli

F - Leftovovers

S - Spinach Egg Casserole, Toast, Fruit

S - Leftovers

Treats:

Kool Aid or Slushies

Other things to make:

Cook and freeze spinach

Liza's Chicken Casserole

Cook and puree beets for Chocolate Beet Cake

Visit the Organizing Junkie for more of Menu Plan Monday!

Arm Roast in the Oven

So I finally made a roast without over cooking it!

I had this arm roast. I was out of time to cook it in the crockpot, and wasn't sure that was the best way to do it anyways. After reading a few recipes and tips, I just baked it in the oven at 325 for about 45 minutes to and hour (I don't remember exactly) on a broiler pan, uncovered, with a meat thermometer stuck in. When the thermomenter read 10 degrees before "medium" for beef, I removed it from the oven since I knew it would continue to cook for a little bit once it was out. When I sliced it, it was perfectly "medium" and juicy! That's the way I like roast beef.

(I soaked the cut of beef in this marinade in a plastic ziploc on my counter for just a few hours while it finished thawing prior to cooking it. A great, easy marinade without being too strong. I used brown sugar because we were out of honey.)

We ate the roast beef both last night and tonight with a fresh, green salad and baked potatoes.

New Reading

I picked up two books from the library the other day, both by the author Nina Planck. I had requested the library buy the book Real Food for Mother and Baby, after being interested in it due to this review by Donielle. It is new book, just published in 2009. We have a great library: they ordered it and sent me an email that it was being held for me to pick up. Yay! I also picked up Nina's original book, Real Food.

I started reading Real Food for Mother and Baby yesterday and got through 173 pages already. It is similar to Nourishing Tradititions (which I started but haven't finished), but is more down-to-earth, so I like it better. Nina basically sets out the "ideal" but goes on to say "do the best you can". It is an easier read and a pretty practical book in my eyes. Even if you don't have a child but want to - it has plenty of information on fertility. So far, I'd recommend it!

I still plan to finish reading Nourishing Traditions, at some point, because it is interesting to me and I am an information addict.

I am guessing Real Food will have a lot of the same information. I had requested both of Nina's from the library because I didn't know that they'd both be ready to pick up at the same time! I'll probably skim it when I finish with Real Food for Mother and Baby.

And of course my other reading: Martha Stewart Living...

When I don't do it, I really miss reading!

Quick Supper: Sloppy Joes

We were supposed to have leftovers Sunday night, but there were no leftovers to be had.

I've always remembered this recipe, that says you can make quick Sloppy Joes by mixing equal parts ketchup and barbeque sauce for the sauce.

In the fridge we had some homemade ketchup (a little on the sweet side) and some locally made barbeque sauce I found at Costco (definitely on the spicy side). In the freezer we had some frozen ground beef.

So, we made some Sloppy Joes and ate them topped with cheddar slices on bread and had steamed veggies on the side. I got my protein fix.

(By the way, I had read the labels at Costco and chose this particular barbeque sauce because the ingredients were only tomatoes, vinegar, salt, sugar, celery, garlic, spices, and pepper. I didn't think that was too shabby compared to some others.)

Menu Plan 5/11/09

Breakfasts:
Oatmeal with Milk (I think I can handle it now.)
Bananas
Orange Juice

Lunches:
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Carrots
Fruit
Dessert

Dinners:

M - Out to eat for husband's b-day

T - Frozen pizza, salad

W - Roast, potatoes, steamed broccoli

Th - Leftovers

F - Tuna sandwiches, raw veggies

S - Grilled chicken, baked yams

S - Bean tacos

Dessert:

Birthday cake with strawberries

Chocolate chip bars

Note: I am not anemic, but if I don't eat a solid dose of protein at least twice a day, I feel icky, so I am trying to be better about that.

Visit the all the participating Menu Plan Monday -ers here.

This 'n' That

I've decided I do not like kale. Usually I like stuff just because I know it is good for me. And I know kale is good for me. But I don't like it and I am not going to eat it anymore.

I am trying to have a productive day at home today. So far I've folded two loads of laundry, washed and dried 3 (still to fold), vaccumed all the floors, mopped the kitchen, hallway, and laundry room floors, went to 2 grocery stores with my daughter, sorted baby clothes for an hour, and redistributed some toys (put some away, got others out).

I made homemade ketchup last night because we were out, but we had tomato paste.

I have been slacking lately on getting blog posts up in time for the theme days. I have things to write, just not the time on those particular days. Maybe I will prewrite some things this weekend.

We need a new grill. Ours has no handle and there is a bird's nest in it. How nice would it be to win this one? Though I'd prefer propane, it is simple and would work just fine.

I want some new throw pillows (see p. 41) for the living room. We don't do a lot of gifts around here, but can I buy myself a Mother's Day present?

Stuff (for my husband) to do hopefully in the next month: move the computer wiring and the computer desk to the basement, move the baby furniture into that bedroom, get "big girl" furniture and move it into our daughter's room. I wish I could do this stuff myself and just get it done, but I can't.

I also want to rearrange the living room this weekend.

That's about it for now. Have a great weekend!

Thrifty Green Facewash

I have not had perfect skin for at least 3 years. Actually never. But I will say that my skin has been probably it's worst in the past 3 years due to all the hormone fluctuations of quitting the pill, getting pregnant, breastfeeding, weaning, and becoming pregnant again. However, having perfect skin is not the most important thing to me right now. As long as it is clean and ungreasy, I am okay with it. During this time of nourishing another being, I am more concerned with not absorbing a bunch of dangerous toxins.

I am using Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Facewash, which I wrote previously about here. I got it on sale for $6.99 at Whole Foods and it lasted me 4 months. When I went to purchase more, I noticed they sold refill bottle. This refill bottle contains 4 times the amount of the little pump bottle but only cost only 4 dollars more! I bought it. I expect it to last me over a year. $11 dollars for 1 bottle of facewash that lasts for a year+? That is thrifty and green to me.

No Shopping

Don't even go into the store. If you want to save money and avoid temptation, don't even go. As if you didn't already know that! Well, a reminder can't hurt. There's my two cents of frugalness for the day.

I was reminded of this today when I had to go to Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart) to look at yarn colors for my husband's grandma who crochets beautiful baby afghans. I had two other things on my list. I walked out having spent $25 and having bought 3 additional things that weren't on my list!

Granted, the additional items were things I would probably buy eventually: a pillow, some plastic baggies (I use reusable containers, but my husband gets annoyed when everything for 3 packed meals is in a separate container he has to wash and bring home), and a lint roller. My excuse was they were as cheap or cheaper here than another place I would have to buy them. I was saving myself time in the future I told myself. But that's not the point. The point is, I didn't have to buy them today. I didn't have to spend the money today. Who knows how long I could have made-do without those items if I hadn't bought them today? I'll never know. But I do know the money is gone. And I have nothing exciting to show for it.

And I consider myself a pretty disciplined person when it comes to shopping, people!

For me, browsing online is much less of a temptation than being in a store with "good deals". Though I know that is not the case with everyone. So... just a final reminder to myself as much as anyone: if you don't have money to spend, just stay away from the temptation and find something better to do with your time!

That is what works for me.

Garage Sale Score!

This is a short story I am going to make into a long story, probably.

First of all, last week I was lamenting about how I wanted to use newborn cloth diapers but wasn't sure if they would be worth the money invested for the time they would be used. Then, my friend Morgan reminded me that you can resell the diapers to recoup some of the cost when you are through with them. I had forgotten about that. Ok, so I've been thinking about trying newborn prefolds or perhaps buying some used newborn fitted diapers. Both types I would need to buy covers for, as well.

Secondly, yesterday was the day to go garage sale-ing in our town. The first weekend of May is the day to have a sale, if you are going to have one. We weren't holding our own. (Whenever we clean out my husband is so eager to get rid of stuff that we just take it immediately to Goodwill. That's not a money-maker, but things are simpler that way, so it is ok with me.) I did not grow up garage sale-ing with my mom and still only occasionally visit them, mainly due to time constraints and my aversion to "stuff". But I did search on Craigslist and find one sale a few blocks away that advertised "cloth diapers - prefolds and covers". I didn't know the size but I thought it would be worth a check on Saturday.

Thirdly, it seems that not a lot of parents in this area cloth diaper yet. So there aren't a ton of resale items to be found locally on-line or at consignment stores. And the ones I find are new, or nearly new, so people want a pretty penny for them.

So... take all these above mentionings into account and you will know why I was so excited to find brand-new, NEVER USED NEWBORN diaper covers at this garage sale! Getting there at 7:30 was worth it because they were the exact size I was looking for! I bought all 3 for $10. Score! The normal price is about $8 a piece. The are Proraps, which aren't my absolute favorite, but they are easy to care for and hold up well, and are the kind I was planning to purchase anyways.

I was excited because that is the best I've ever done at a garage sale: finding EXACTLY what I wanted for less than half the cost!

Edited to add: Ok, now this is funny. When I started cloth diapering, I knew 1 other person who cloth diapered, too, but now I know 5 friends that do it. One of those cloth diapering friends was out of town for the annual garage sale day and put her items in the person's sale that I went to. So I was actually buying my friend's covers and didn't know it! I just found this out!

Menu Plan 5/4/09

We got tomatoes and lettuce in our produce delivery this week, so we are having BLT's again! Bacon is a rarity around here - I try to avoid it because of the nitrates - but I love it and I really love BLT's! So we will enjoy them while we can! And, beef is on sale this week and I am craving protein, so cheeseburgers it is! Plus, we were out one evening last week and didn't get to the pizza, so we will either attempt the southwest pizza (salsa, fajita chicken, etc.) or make bbq chicken pizza. Mmm, I'm hungry!

Breakfasts:

Regular or Multi-Grain Cheerios with milk (got with a coupon)

Muffins

Smoothies

Lunches:

Tuna or Egg Salad Sandwiches

Raw Carrots, Broccoli, & Cauliflower with Dressing

Yogurt

Fruit

Dinners:
M - Leftover Macaroni & Cheese, Salad
T - BLT’s (with avocado slices), Yam Fries
W - Leftovers
Th - Cheeseburgers, Kale Chips
F - Leftovers
S - BBQ Chicken Pizza
S - Leftovers

Snacks:

Popcorn

Check out the Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday for more ideas!

Green Bags (for produce)

Ever since we've been getting our weekly organic produce delivery, I've been using Green Bags. As soon I can, I place each piece of produce in it's own bag and stick it in the fridge. (The only exceptions are apples, oranges, pears, and mangos, which I just put loose in the fruit drawer.)

The Green Bags help keep the fruits and vegetables fresh and good throughout the following week, when we incorporate them into our menu plan.

At first, I didn't think these bags appeared very eco-friendly, but after reading Lindsay's great review, I decided to give them a try. I had a box of them that had been given to me sitting in the drawer, so there was nothing to lose! Guess what. They really do work!

I will keep using these since they minimize spoilage and help me maximize the money we spend on good, fresh, quality food. They're not free, but they are a smart buy in my book!

Check out more frugal tips here.