I'm trying to scrape up all the money I can for a downpayment on a new to us vehicle next month. Anyway, I think if I cut my grocery budget down that would help. I already have quite a bit of food in the house so this should be pretty easy for me. Anyone want to join me? Feel free to ask if you need help with specific ingredients. I'm sure I'll have some too.

Here's my menu for the week.

30~spaghetti
31~tacos
1~grilled teriyaki chicken , parm. potatoes, broccoli
2~Easy Baked Ravioli and salad
3~french toast
4~Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Chicken served over rice
5~Honey Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, roasted red potatoes, carrots

My goal is to cut my budget at least in half. That makes my budget for the month $200.

I'm in with you!!! Things are tight here for probably the next 6 weeks, maybe longer :( Food is the most flexible part of our budget so I'm trying to spend as little as possible.

I'll have to get some things, but I've been trying to base my meals on things in the pantry.

Doing my menu today....I'll post when I finish. I'm making bread and broth today. :) And maybe muffins if I get around to it!

Yep - I'm totally in.

glad someone picked up my slack! I am in though I am making a co-op order near the end of the month for staples that we need, but IMo that isn't included in our usual grocery budget. I did buy a bag of organic apples today for 3.99, and several rolls of bread off of the clearance rack - the most expensive was 1.29 and some creamer for my coffee. The salad expires tomorrow so I will go back tonight or in the morning and it should be a managers special! IT is the organic mix like Costco'c sells and it lasts forevah! should cost $2 about vs $6! :drop:

31-Baked Bean Casserole or Chicken Fajitas
1 - veggie stir-fry
2 - baked fish with ...
3 - guluska with Italian bread
4 - veggitarian chili
5 - i would like to try the spinach souffle
6 - Family Dinner night (cook for my parents too) no clue yet what to have

need to put some thought into this :lol: if there are leftovers, we will eat those first and push the menu forward a day.

no menu planning for me today or probably tomorrow since Gavin, Gwen, and I all have the real flu with lovely symptoms like 102 fevers, shaking, piercing headaches, etc... Ugh, I feel like crappola but I am in for the month.

I'm in. I need to use up some stuff in the pantry! I'll post my list later so y'all can help me!

no menu planning for me today or probably tomorrow since Gavin, Gwen, and I all have the real flu with lovely symptoms like 102 fevers, shaking, piercing headaches, etc... Ugh, I feel like crappola but I am in for the month.

Hope you guys are better soon. I had the flu this past weekend. OMG the headache, the shaking. I thought I was dying.


I'm in for the challenge though. I'm getting a spot in our community organic garden next monday so I'll need some seeds..I'm taking that money from our grocery budget. I'd like to cut our bill in half. I'll have to plan later tonight.

I'm up for it. I have A LOT of stuff in my pantry that won't get used if I don't really commit to it. I don't have any $ goals, just the goal of getting my pantry stash way down before summer travel time.

I need to use up some stuff inthe pantry, so Adam and I are going to make a list of meals that we have ingredients for - and decide what we still need to buy. He is all over saving money on groceries and wants to help me plan cheap meals. ;) I'll post later when we have a plan in place.

ok, I have a lot of stuff in the freezer I need to use.

Mon 3/31 - shark steak & chicken sausages on the grill (we aren't sure if we'll like the shark) w mixed veggies in foil on the grill and a rice pilaf

Tues 4/1 - eating on the run at hula - packing our lunch instead of eating out
home made chicken fingers w/honey mustard, fresh carrots and cucumbers, mandarine oranges

Wed 4/2 - bean soup w/Adam's cornbread, salad (need to get salad greens)

Thurs 4/3 - chicken/spinach enchiladas, black beans and rice

Fri 4/4 - home made pizza night - kids will make their own small pizzas - with chips and root beer (movie night)

Sat 4/5 - grilled ham steaks w/grilled fresh pineapple, grilled veggie packets

Sun 4/6 - pork tenderloin, rice pilaf, mixed veggies

Mon 4/7 - salmon on the grill with a brown sugar dry rub, baked sweet potatoes, mixed veggies or broccoli

Tues 4/8 - again, on the run, eating at hula
crunchy chicken tenderloins w/honey mustard, fresh veggies and a fresh fruit (sour cream for dip)

Wed 4/9 - spaghetti w/meatballs, green beans, fresh baked bread

Thurs 4/10 - Chicken sausages, veggies, rice

Fri 4/11 - tacos made with seasoned beans/meat(lettuce, tomato, onion, olives, sour cream, taco sauce), black beans and rice

Sat 4/12 - Boca burgers (buns, fixins), grilled potatoes, mixed veggies

Sun 4/13 - pork tenderloin, cous cous, mixed veggies

Mon 4/14 - my sister gets here, so we'll go out to eat.

That takes me to the next pay day. I need to pick up the things in red. For breakfasts we ususally do oatmeal or granola w/yogurt or Honey Nut Cheerios. I need to get those things and eggs and milk. Lunches are usually leftovers, pb&j sandwiches (have bread in the freezer), etc. Snacks are popcorn, which we have, or fruit and nuts.

Looking at this, my grocery list is rather small! Now, to get in and out of the store without buying a whole lot of other stuff that we just don't need.

I am going to try-- I have a tendency to buy things like oh ethnic rices and couscous LOL at big lots and then never use them. And I mean I probably have 5-6 boxes :P I need to come up with good stuff to turn them into LOL Also have a few crockpot soup mixes.
Canned goods I am on ok, although I do have a ton of tuna-- cant eat too much of that per week though. Going to make spaghetti to use up all of the tomato products (I make a tooon of sauce at a time). I wish I could make chili worth a darn-- i would make a batch of it alongside the spaghetti sauce. I do need to figure out what to do w a jar of greek peppers (I think I had a roast recipe once upon a time that used these is why I bought them LOL). Also have a jar of roasted red peppers-- again a recipe I lost that was peppers, spinach and pine nuts on WW pasta (maybe onion or mushroom or something else too? in some sort of sauce-- again the details are murky) I also have coconut milk -- I keep saying I am going to make tom kha, but so far it hasn't happened LOL. oh i have soba and lomein noodles too-- I used to make really good lomein and have forgotten how :P The soba I think I bought at big lots because they were cheap. I have quinoa that I need to figure out too. And then the dried beans....

Heather, do you mean the yellowish banana peppers?

If so, put a roast in the crockpot, pour one package Italian Seasoning dressing mix on it, pour 1/2 jar of the peppers, including the liquid on top and cook 'til done. Yummy. We don't buy the dressing mix, so we often just pour in 1/2 jar of Italian dressing or something similar.

oh, man - I could have written your post, Heather! All of it - even the tuna, but not too much in one week! :lol:

I have SOOOO many boxes of asian noodles and couscous and yadda yadda yadda. Let's find some good ideas to turn those into meals in April! Lots of good veggies coming into season, so we should be able to do it!

I think my MIL uses those peppers in Italian Beef (for sandwiches) in the crockpot.

Roasted red peppers are fantastic on pizza - caramelize some onions, top with crumbled goat cheese. :eat:

Have any good recipes using oatmeal? I have a bunch of regular rolled oatmeal that I would like to use. We currently use it for breakfast oatmeal.

Have any good recipes using oatmeal? I have a bunch of regular rolled oatmeal that I would like to use. We currently use it for breakfast oatmeal.

Well, besides my delicious breakfast oatmeal with cream and dried fruit and nuts, I use it in chocolate chip cookies - does that count? :) I'm happy to give that recipe!!!

I've heard of using it with ground meat in a meatloaf kind of dish but haven't tried it! I'd like to know of a recipe though - I need to stretch my meat :)

Well, besides my delicious breakfast oatmeal with cream and dried fruit and nuts, I use it in chocolate chip cookies - does that count? :) I'm happy to give that recipe!!!

I've heard of using it with ground meat in a meatloaf kind of dish but haven't tried it! I'd like to know of a recipe though - I need to stretch my meat :)

I would love to have your choc. chip cookie recipe. I have a bag of choc. chips to use.

I also picked up a bag of ripe bananas last week. It was 3-4lbs for $1.29. We usually don't eat that many bananas. I normally cut up and freeze for smoothies, but I would love for some new recipes to use them up. They aren't quite overly ripe yet.

This is the best banana bread recipe I have ever tried:

Banana Banana Bread - Allrecipes (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Banana-Bread/Detail.aspx)

To use oatmeal in Meatloaf, meatballs, etc... all you do is sub it for bread crumbs. It doesn't soak up moisture as fast as crumbs so I either let is sit in the raw mix for a few extra minutes or grind it up in my coffee grinder if I use it in meatball.

This is the best banana bread recipe I have ever tried:

Banana Banana Bread - Allrecipes (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Banana-Bread/Detail.aspx)

To use oatmeal in Meatloaf, meatballs, etc... all you do is sub it for bread crumbs. It doesn't soak up moisture as fast as crumbs so I either let is sit in the raw mix for a few extra minutes or grind it up in my coffee grinder if I use it in meatball.

Thanks! I'll make the banana bread this week.

I am definitely up for this... With not being able to go out, I need to maximize what I have here. I will make a menu up tomorrow.

This is the best banana bread recipe I have ever tried:

Banana Banana Bread - Allrecipes (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Banana-Bread/Detail.aspx)

I am making these into muffins this morning:D

I still haven't gone shopping yet. So proud of myself. I started to last night because I was bored.

I need a couscous recipe. I have a bag here from the farmer's market. It's sad and lonely and I'm sick of seeing it. Also Sophie talked me into buying a can of coconut milk. What can I do with that?

coconut milk...

coconut rice
coconut chicken (or tofu) curry
smoothies
coconut rice pudding

I don't have any great recipes. I've made all of those about once each and just searched online. Except smoothies - we do that often. :)



I need ideas for a can of fava beans. I make a yummy italian tomato salad with them in the summer but it is a long time until tomato season. Any other ideas?

Also got any good lamb recipes? My lamb burgers last night weren't very good - I need to try to salvage the leftovers (I underseasoned them by a lot!). I also have other cuts in the freezer.

I made the banana bread last night and it was mighty tastey. We each had another slice today and dh was asking me to make another loaf. :lol: It's all ready to go into the oven once dinner comes out.

I made the banana bread too LOL! I tweaked it a little (I can never resist, for better or worse!). I used 1/2 WW flour, added chopped pecans (used up a bag from the fridge!) and vanilla, and sprinkled a little sugar and shredded coconut on top! OH, and I made it into muffins! Good recipe though. That's a lot of bananas! OH yeah, I only had 5 bananas which wasn't quite enough (it was 2c) so I added 1/3c of my home canned applesauce to make up for it.....

COOKIES!

yes, cookies. I usually use the Guittard recipe for regular chocolate chip cookies, man I love their chips. I just add in oats - usually about 2/3 c or so. Oh and reduce the flour to 2c.
Guittard Chocolate Company (http://www.guittard.com/home/RecipeView.asp?id=100005)

Today I might try a new recipe though - it looks yummy. I'm going to sub brown rice syrup for the corn syrup (there is on a tsp or so anyway). Since I used all of my pecans yesterday, I'll use walnuts.
John's Kitchen Sink Cookies and more delicious recipes, smart cooking tips, and video demonstrations on marthastewart.com (http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=94441e3e050f7110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCR D&xsc=eml_edf_2008_04_01&popup=legacy)


My 'menu' is off because DH has eaten out 3 times this past week! And one night when he was here I ordered pizza. :o It is ok with me if we do take out a couple of times in the month - I just don't want to do it every week. And honestly, the pizza we got was AWFUL! So, it was a disappointment to spend $ on it - it was supposed to be a 'treat'.... :vent:

Anyway, DD and I have just been scrounging up dinners from leftovers :) I need to inventory the fresh stuff today to make sure I get it used up. Still have lots of milk and yogurt and kefir to use.......any savory ideas are welcome. I always have sweet ones LOL

Thanks for the cookie recipe, I'm going to make them this week.

As for the banana bread, I used 4 bananas for each loaf. The 1st loaf I added choc. chips. The kids thought that was heavenly.

So, I didn't post a menu for last week, but the only thing we bought last week was milk. So, we are doing fairly good at this, although since its just the two kids eating and I have been letting them pick, they aren't the healthiest ever LOL. How is everyone else doing? Our menu for this week:

Mon. 4/7 Cheese and avacado quesadillas, Whole grain rice, and strawberry yogurt.
Tues 4/8 Alexis is going to a bday party, so it's just P eating, and he wants grilled cheese and tomato soup LOL
Wed 4/9 My mommies group is bringing dinner
Thurs. 4/10 Mommies group is bring in dinner as well, she was sick last week so instead of getting one meal last week, they are bringing two this week :)
Fri 4/11 Homemade spinach, artichoke, squash, and zuchinni pizza, with fresh peaches and cream on the side
Sat 4/12 Kids are going to my sisters
Sun 4/13 Artichokes and Spaghetti casserole

The only things I have to buy are peaches, artichokes, squash, and possibly zuchinni depending on if mine is any good.

Totally depends on the size of your bananas. Generally I use 4 bananas in mine and I also sub a bit of applesauce if I don't have quite enough bananas. I should have posted that I never make the banana bread with white flour. I generally either do all spelt or a combo of spelt and whole wheat graham when making it. I also add pecans if I have them on hand and almost always make it as muffins since they are easier for the kiddos to eat.

Here's my menu for the week.

6~chicken fettuccine alfredo
7~grilled cheese and tomato soup (swimming lessons)
8~mini meatloaves??
9~pancakes (gymnastics and girl scouts)
10~maple-mustard glazed chicken, Sweet & White Potato Spears, veggies (gymnastics)
11~midwest chowder
12~chicken manicotti

Good to know that you can do that banana bread with all whole grain flour! I don't usually try that until I've made a recipe a couple times, and I usually start with 1/2 first and see how it goes :) Oh the chocolate chips in there someone mentioned sound SOOO good.

OK, I have to know what 'midwest chowder' is. I grew up in OH but I've never heard of it!

I haven't made it very far for this week....will finish tomorrow when I can dig in the fridge
Sun: salmon, garlic parmesan mashed potatoes, salad
Mon: baked penne, sauteed zucchini
Tues: grilled lamb shoulder chops with ?? some baked cheesy yogurt potato dish would be good....and something green

OK, I have to know what 'midwest chowder' is. I grew up in OH but I've never heard of it!

Prep Time:
15 min
Total Time:
45 min
Makes:
8 servings

1 lb. potatoes, peeled, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 of a small onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
2 cups water 1 tsp.
salt to taste
(1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
5 oz. (1/2 of 10-oz. pkg.) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 1-1/4 cups)
1 can (14.75 oz.) cream-style corn

MIX vegetables, water and salt in saucepan; bring to boil on high heat. Cover; reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 min., stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. (Do not drain.) Set aside.

MELT butter in large saucepan on low heat. Stir in flour; cook and stir 2 min. or until bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring until well blended. Increase heat to medium; cook until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 min.

ADD cheese; cook until melted, stirring constantly. Add undrained vegetables and the corn. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. (Do not boil.)

Variation - Hearty Golden Chowder

Omit corn. Prepare as directed and add 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives along with the undrained vegetables.

Oh yum we'll have to make that soon. I don't have any creamed corn but I noticed the variation and I do have chives outside! :)