Chicken Bone Broth

I love making broth. I love how easy it is, how it smells, how it tastes, and how it is pretty much free. Lately every time I roast a chicken, I have thrown the bones back in the oven while I am cleaning up the kitchen. After they brown, I cool them and throw them in a bag in the freezer. Then, when I have a spare moment ( you know, while I am eating bon-bons and watching mexican novellas...) I make broth. Seriously, this is as easy as it gets folks.
Yesterday I was going to make gumbo and found that I was out, so I thought this would be a perfect Frugal Friday post. Here's what you do, follow closely, it's tricky.

1. Grab the chicken bones from your freezer, or the pan you just roasted it in and put them in a pot of water.
2. Add whatever veggies you have in your house. I typically use the tops of my celery, an onion cut in half, 3 smashed garlic, and some carrots. I don't peel anything, skins an all in the pot. Maybe wash them though...
3. Add 2 bay leaves, a small handful of peppercorns, and some parsley or whatever herb sounds good.
4. Boil on low for... well, however much time you have. I have done it for 3 hours, and I have done this in the crock pot overnight. When it first gets going, you need to skim off the foam, that stuff is gross.
5. Strain through a cheesecloth lined colander and refrigerate or freeze for later. I like to freeze mine in pint jars so I have 2 cups at a time. If I know I am making something that requires more, I freeze close to a half gallon. If you are really frugal, you can pick of the meat that is left from the bones at this point. I tend to pick mine over really well before hand, so there is usually not much left to add to the broth.

When this cools down, it will look something like chicken jello, this is normal, it will turn back into liquid when it is reheated so no worries there. We eat a fair amount of chicken, so it seems like I am never at a loss for broth. What is your favorite frugal recipe?

Shopping trip for March 23rd

Way under budget so that we can make up for eating out on our return home from vacation.

Kwik Trip
#3 1/2 Bananas 1.41
#2 Onions .75
Total 2.16

Downtown Grocery
2 doz eggs 9.98

Quality Foods
#5 potatoes 1.39
2 cans mushrooms 1.58
Corned Beef 7.39
Cabbage 1.50
Buttermilk 2.28
Yogurt 2.89
#1 Sliced ham 5.24
Smoked turkey sausage 3.00
Lettuce 4.26
Coupon turkey -.55
Coupon ham -.55
Total 28.41

5 Gallons raw milk 20.00

Grand total 60.55

Menu Monday March 21-27

Sunday-On the road from Nebraska
Breakfast- Pancakes and cinnamon rolls
Lunch- Applebee's
Supper- Subway

Monday
Breakfast-Cereal and raw milk
Lunch- Grilled cheese and applesauce
Supper- Steak, green beans, corn, ranch potatoes

Tuesday
Breakfast- Eggs and toast, white peaches
Lunch- Chicken soup and ham roll ups
Supper-St. Patty's day late Corned beef, colecannon, cabbage (boiled and fried), scones

Wednesday
Breakfast- Pumpkin muffins, bananas
Lunch- Ham and cheese pockets, applesauce
Supper- Grilled chicken legs and wings, corn, salad

Thursday
Breakfast-Cereal and cinnamon toast
Lunch- At school
Supper- Gumbo and corn bread

Friday
Breakfast-Waffles and peaches with whipped cream
Lunch- Spaghetti
Supper- Cheese and bean enchiladas

Saturday
Breakfast- Cranberry white chocolate scones
Lunch-Grilled chicken, green beans, coleslaw
Supper- Pizza and a movie

Hamburger Buns

4 1/2 c unbleached flour
1 1/2 t salt
1/4 c powdered milk
3 T sugar
2 t yeast
1 large egg
3 1/2 T butter room temp
1 1/2 c water plus a bit more
1 egg for egg wash

Mix together flour, salt, milk, sugar and yeast. Pour in one egg, butter, 1 1/2 water and mix with a spoon or paddle attachment until water is absorbed into flour and ball forms. Add more water if dough seems stiff, you want it soft and supple.

Sprinkle flour on counter and knead dough, or if you are like me, swap out the paddle attachment for your dough hook and mix 6-8 minutes or until it clears the side of your mixer bowl. You should be able to stretch a small amount of dough into a translucent window, if it breaks, keep kneading.

Ferment in a covered, greased bowl for 1 1/2 -2 hours, and then divide into 2 oz pieces (18) dinner rolls, or 3 oz (12) hamber buns. Shape the pieces into tight rounds by cupping your hand over the ball of dough and rolling it with pressure against the counter and sides of the dough around in circles. You will feel the ball tighten up, that is what you want. Mist balls with oil, cover with plastic and a towl and leave to nap for 20 minutes or so.

Place buns or rolls on parchment lined baking sheets, pressing the dough balls down if you are making buns to flatten them a bit. Mist and cover again for a hour or better nap until they double in size.

Preheat oven 400 degrees, brush rolls or buns with egg wash and top with sesame, poppy or no seeds. Bake for 15 minutes or until just above 180 degrees. Remove them from the pans immediately and cool on wire rack to prevent having soggy buns.
No one likes soggy buns....

A street in Puerto Vallarta

Pad Thai Pizza

Photo Credit

Tired of the usual pizza? We made a variation on Pad Thai chicken pizza from Clean Cooking last night. Yummy!

1 pre-made pizza shell
1/2 c or more Pad Thai sauce
1 large chicken breast diced
1/2 red pepper chopped
1/2 c onion chopped
3 oz mozzarella shredded
1 c bean sprouts
1/4 c cilantro
1/4 c peanuts chopped (optional)

Spread Pad Thai sauce on pizza shell. Top with chicken, peppers, onion and cheese. Bake according to shell directions. After slicing pizza, top with sprouts, cilantro and peanuts. (Hot chili sauce too, if you are my hubby). This whole works took 15 minutes, and that included the bake time, how easy is that?

Menu Monday March 7-13

This will be a shorter week as we are leaving town again, and that coupled with my itchy desire to clean out my freezers makes for an interesting and cheap menu. Headed back to Nebraska, and the big question is whether to pack food for the trip down, or stop at some dreaded restaurant along the way. If you pack for a trip, what is your favorite food to have in the car?

Sunday
Brunch- Pigs in a blanket and eggs
Supper- Pad Thai and pepperoni pizzas

Monday
Breakfast-Oatmeal and milk
Lunch- PB&J, oranges
Supper- Tuscan Style potato soup, chicken salad pitas

Tuesday
Breakfast- Cranberry and white chocolate scones, keifer
Lunch- Tacos
Supper- Nebraska steak, naan, green beans, corn

Wednesday
Breakfast- French toast and peaches
Lunch- Butter noodles and veggies
Supper- Chicken-a-la-king wraps, apple sauce, cottage cheese

Thursday
Breakfast-Whatever is left in the freezer
Lunch-Spaghetti
Supper-Whatever is left in the fridge (I love leaving town!)

Friday
Breakfast- Cereal
Lunch- Frozen pizza served on paper towels... lol
Supper- TBD

Saturday
At my in-laws, see you in a week!

Beans

When I was little, my dad read me a book called The Bike Lesson by Stan and Jan Berenstein. Each time the dad in the book taught his cub a new lesson he would follow it by saying, "This is what you must never do, now let that be a lesson to you."
Don't leave a pot of beans soaking on your corn stove for two days. When you try to salvage them by washing (and scrubbing) the beans, repeatedly rinsing and adding new water, and then put them on to cook, and they still smell like they have fermented....
Holy cow, who puked!
That was the question I got from my husband when he walked into the kitchen this morning. When I told him what happened, he very nicely suggested I share the beans with the compost pile.
What a thoughtful man.
Actually, I was relieved because there is nothing worse than making a recipe that takes a long time and having it be ruined by one bad ingredient. Besides, my fridge is so overwhelmed with leftovers that we have enough food to feed the neighborhood. To bad it is Friday, the ribs are calling me...
Have you ever had something not quite work out in the kitchen?

Shrimp in a bucket

Menu Monday February 28-March 6

We are back from our lovely vacation where we ate tons of our favorite foods and soaked in culture as well as a bit of sun (and mezcal as well). Now we are back to the grind, but with a bit of a breather as my kids and their parents are taking the month off of activities. With the exception of Wednesday night CCD and karate one day, we are done for the month of April with swimming, gymnastics and wrestling. Swimming starts again in April for #1 and in May for #2 and #3 but just this month off will help tremendously. We also have decided to take the plunge concerning our kids education, so frugality will be a hot topic here, more on that later. Here is the menu for this week.

Sunday
Brunch- Eggs Benedict or homemade egg sandwiches, bacon, bananas
Supper- Roasted chicken, brown rice, garlic green beans, strawberries

Monday
Breakfast-Raisin cookie oatmeal
Lunch-Leftovers from Sunday
Supper-Chicken stir-fry and eggrolls

Tuesday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast, grapes
Lunch-At school
Supper-Ribs with my sister's family, coleslaw, beans, fruity salad

Wednesday
Breakfast-Muffins and yogurt with bananas
Lunch-Pb&J, grapes
Supper-Ham and bean soup, corn bread, oranges

Thursday
Breakfast-Cold cereal and toast
Lunch-at school
Supper-Chicken and rice casserole, salad, applesauce

Friday
Breakfast-Waffles with blueberry syrup
Lunch-Tuna salad and grapes, hummus with veggies
Supper-Fish fry

Saturday
Breakfast-Peach crepes
Lunch-Turkey sandwiches and tortellini soup, peaches
Supper-Homemade pizza and a movie

I'm Back!

Been gone a while,
now I'm back.
Had lots to do,
cut me some slack.... lol!

A taste of the Flylady

As I have mentioned I love Flylady. So I thought that I would move on from the bedtime routine and show you how I start my morning. Since my clothes are already laid out, and my gym bag is packed if I am going, I head straight to the kitchen. I like lists and time lines, they give me a goal even if I don't exactly follow them. Also, this is today's routine, it does vary from day to day, but stays fairly close to this.

5:20 Roll out of bed head for the kitchen. Fill and start teapot, plug in and start up computer, open recipe book to page needed for whatever I have started. Sit at computer, catch up on blogs I follow and wait for teapot to whistle.

5:30 Make tea, finish mixing up breakfast and get into oven or started cooking on stove, run a sink full of hot water to clean up as I go, or make sure there is room in the dishwasher so clean-up is quick, load washing machine.

5:50 If they are not up already, go wake up #1 and #2 ( warning, this process may need repeated for #2 several times) get them to the table, dish up breakfast. Then while I have them as a captive audience, review any after school activities that they may have.

6:15 Send them on their way to finish getting ready (timer set for #2 as motivation) Since they practice a bit of the Bedtime Routine themselves, getting dressed is not an issue, neither is finding backpacks or gloves.... usually...

6:40 Send them out the door for the bus and move on to #3 (#4 is an early riser too, so he is usually getting ready while the others are. Finish getting him ready, dress myself after cleaning up kitchen

7:15-8:00 Roll laundry, make bed, load car, grab water bottle and kids, head out the door.

On Tuesday and Thursday, this is shortened by an hour. Kids have to be at school by 7:30-7:45 so I am at the gym by 8:00 with #3 in tow. The only things that are different on these days are making sure all the kids are up by 5:50, and making a breakfast that involves very little clean up, Tuesday is oatmeal, and Thursday is cold cereal. Sometimes it is like pulling teeth to keep the kids going, but I have to remind myself that I have tired days too. While this works for us, I am always open to new ideas. What do your mornings look like, are you military strict, or do you roll out of bed and take your time with your coffee and your computer?

Shopping trip for January 18th

We hit four stores this time in order to maximize my budget dollar. Here is what we got and how much I spent of my budget so that I didn't have to cry over coupons.

Hmong Grocery
Mirin 2.99
Puddings 1.99
Roasted green peas 2.99
3 Udon noodles 2.67
Basil 1.25
Cilantro 1.25
Coconut rolls 1.29
Total 14.43

Kwik Trip
#3 Onions 1.16
#5 Bananas 1.94
Total 3.10

Downtown Grocery
2 Kifer 2.38
3 doz eggs 8.97
Cucumber 1.40
Celery 2.59
Leeks 4.93
Oatmeal to go 2.94
Red onion 1.58
Total 24.79

Quality Foods
Whole milk .89
Cottage Cheese 2.83
Plain Yogurt 2.89
Natural creamy pb 2.29
Natural crunchy pb 2.29
Ground turkey 4.30
Orange juice 3.34
Coupon -1.00
Total 17.79

5 Gallons raw milk 20.00

Grand total 80.11
Saved budget 44.89
Saved budget for year 100.03

Menu Monday January 18-24

Since I seem to have the grocery budget somewhat in hand, time to add on dining out to that number. Short of packing a picnic every time we are in town for an activity, there is no way we can avoid it completely. I hope that by posting it, I will be more accountable for money spent dining out. My Money program is doing a good job of making me aware already.

Monday (make bars for mission at church)
Breakfast-Green smoothies and cinnamon muffins
Lunch-Bento #3 Peekaboo sandwiches, dates, cheese worms
Supper-Turkey Keema with spinach, rice

Tuesday
Breakfast-Oatmeal, brown sugar, milk
Lunch-Bento #4 Somen noodle bento, meatballs, fruit cup
Supper-In town (wish me luck)

Wednesday (soak peas)
Breakfast-Crepes with peach filling
Lunch-At school (cheeseburgers-mom bento)
Supper-Bacon, leek and tomato soup, no kneed bread

Thursday
Breakfast-Cereal and bananas
Lunch-At school (Italian dippers-mom soup)
Supper-Split pea and ham soup, homemade rolls

Friday-No school
Breakfast-Blueberry pancakes, bananas
Lunch-Garlic alfredo pasta, salad
Supper-Tortellini soup, turkey and asiago sandwiches, apples

Saturday
Breakfast-Kid's choice
Lunch-Roast chicken, green beans, rice
Supper-Pizza (stock in crock pot)

Sunday
Brunch-Eggs and toast, cinnamon rolls, fruit
Supper-Chicken noodle soup, homemade bread, cheese

$5 eggs on a budget

I'll admit, paying $5 a dozen for something that comes out of a chicken's butt seems a bit crazy. Roll with me on this one. Please bear in mind that this is what we do, in no way am I saying that if you don't do things like I do are you a bad person. This works for us, and blogging is just a way for me to share that, not make people feel bad because they can't or don't eat like we do. Believe me, we went through years where we ate a lot of .60 eggs because that was what we could afford, and we were just fine.

Enter my shopping post for this week. Just doing a quick calculation, I figure I make bread at $1.47 a loaf. I bought bread similar to what I make in my own kitchen last week, and it cost me $3.19! That $1.72 difference is how I budget for our eggs. As to why, we eat a lot of eggs. Our whole family will eat a dozen on Sunday mornings and a loaf of bread. That is breakfast for six people for $6.45. Yes it could be much less if I bought conventional eggs, but my husband is rather fond of shakes made of raw eggs and raw milk. Not my favorite, but I don't worry about these eggs carrying some nasty bug like I do conventional ones, and pasteurizing them just seems like they are taking out some of the health benefits...

So there you go. I love that you are commenting on things, it makes me think more about the choices I am making when feeding my family. Sorry the post was so long in explaining, but I have never been accused of saying things the quick way, lol.
How bout you? Are there areas of your household where you have cut back on something in order to afford something else? Do you budget your grocery bill, or just buy whatever looks good?

MOMDAR

Those of you who have kids already know what MOMDAR is. Before our oldest was born, I was so excited some nights I couldn't sleep. After he was born, I was so worried I would miss a cry I couldn't sleep. Later, he cried so much I couldn't sleep. This pattern repeated itself for each of my four kids until they no longer cried in the middle of the night.
Ahhhhh, sleep...
Not.
Apparently the lack of sleep was just training for MOMDAR mode. You know, that feeling that lets you know your kids are doing, saying, trying something they should not be. That nagging signal in the back of your mind that tells you where they are, and what they are doing even if you can't see them. Kids call them eyes in the back of your head. Sometimes that signal even picks up someone else's kids...
This morning I woke up at 4:15 and couldn't, for the life of me, fall back asleep. Fifteen minutes later I knew why. MOMDAR. Apparently it works on ESP mode as well. It must have known that my husband's bath soap was going to fall in the shower, wake up #2 and #3, and just wanted to give me a heads up.
On an up note, we shouldn't be late for the bus this morning...

Help!

Ok, this post was supposed to be something that was working for me. Unfortunately, things are just not working right now. I wish I could take the batteries out of my schedule, hit the reset button and start over, but that is not the case. My calender looks like Crayola threw up on it because I have so much going on, and my grocery bill looks great because we keep eating out! Here is a sample of yesterday...
5:06 alarm going off, hit hubby to hit snooze
5:15 alarm off again, groan, hit hubby, roll out of bed
5:19 realize we are out of milk, start car, find coat (still in pj's) run to neighbors, bother cows, get milk
5:35 get home, start water for oatmeal, agree to let oldest eat last 2 pancakes and last of cereal, hates oatmeal
5:55 have scolded youngest for crying about cereal being gone, pacified him with promise of sugary oatmeal if it would ever cook!
6:16 sigh and tell#2 that if she misses bus she will be very sorry
6:40 shoo #1 and #2 out door, clean up kitchen, roll over laundry, dress self and #4, pack gym bag, kiss hubby goodbye and take #4 for first day of pre-school
7:45 drop off #4, go to Y, laugh at thought of trying to find parking spot
8:00 breath and attempt to clear mind for first yoga class (mind never cleared, yoga hard!)
9:00 pacify irate person who found out my class may change times, take step since yoga didn't raise heart rate (at least not to where it needed to be)
10:30 showered, changed, dropping off #3 at school, meet hubby for coffee and then lunch
12:45 back on the run, groceries to get, have to run home, put away groceries, feed dog, pack bags for tonight, roll laundry, pick up house
4:00 meet hubby, switch cars and kids, drop off #2 gymnastics, go to meet sister to pick up nephew to watch during appointment (read in car)
5:15 appointment done, nephew returned, picking #2 up from gymnastics, meeting hubby after dropping off #1 at swimming for second meal in town
6:15 kiss hubby goodbye (off to meeting) drive to swim, #2 does homework in lobby, keep #3-4 from killing each other, breakdown and turn on sponge bob, scold #2 for not doing homework, scold #3-4 for beating up each other and playing tag in lobby
7:35 can't stand it anymore, take kids #2-4 to car so that at least the other parents can have some peace, text hubby with questions of possible illegal drug use by kids...
8:00 driving home to 3000 viewing of Backyardagins despite swearing no more tv to and from town
8:30 collapse on couch, laundry waiting, kids in bed still yipping, exhausted knowing that hubby will soon be home, hoping that I can stay awake and interested in some personal time with him, rather than him finding me asleep and drooling on a gardening catalog only open to page 3

This is not working for me....

Shopping trip for January 12th

This was a fast shopping trip. I only needed to get a few essential things and while I came in on budget, I still may need to get milk this week. We will see how far I can squeak that one. Plus we have been spending a ginormous amount eating out, so that would explain my coming in under budget. Gonna have to put the kibosh on that one...

Downtown Grocery
2 doz eggs 9.98
#1 butter 2.89
3 boxes cereal 16.57
Tea 5.59
Tomato soup 3.19
Monkey bars 8.98
Arthur o's 3.19
Total 50.39

Quality Foods
Baby carrots 1.59
2 tomatoes 1.73
Buttermilk 1.22
Whole grain bread 3.19
Ham and turkey 4.38
Unbleached flour 2.39
White chocolate chips 5.53
Pineapple 2.49
Total 24.36

Grand total 74.75
Saved budget 50.25
Saved budget for year 55.14

Menu Monday January 11-17

Freezer cooking, week 3 and the resolution to stay on target for our grocery budget is stronger than ever!

Monday
Breakfast-Soaked pancakes, applesauce
Lunch-Leftover buffet
Supper- Dublin coddle, cabbage, soda bread

Tuesday
Breakfast-Blueberry muffins, smoothies
Lunch-Lunch date with hubby
Supper-Noodles and Company

Wednesday
Breakfast-Waffles
Lunch-Pb and J or BLT sandwiches, apples
Supper-Ham, sweet potatoes, salad

Thursday
Breakfast-Cereal and toast
Lunch-Lunch date with hubby again
Supper-In town activities (Fazoli's)

Friday
Breakfast-Spice pumpkin scones, boiled eggs
Lunch-Grilled cheese, tomato soup, fruit
Supper-Pizza and a movie

Saturday
Breakfast-Chilaquiles with chicken, beans
Lunch-Split pea and ham soup, no kneed bread
Supper-Roasted chicken, green beans, rice

Sunday
Brunch-Biscuits and gravy
Supper-Gumbo and cornbread

Crepes

We love breakfast in our house. Some of us are ready to eat the minute we get up, some others take an hour to warm up to the idea. No matter what time, breakfast style is always a welcome meal. This morning we had crepes.

Unless your first thought on reading this is yuck, you should be making these babies. Especially if you are like me, and have a hard time paying 8-12 dollars for a plate of them. I made my own, used a jar of home canned organic peaches (and one banana) and had a troupe of smiling kids (and mom) headed out the door in regular time. Ok, I am never on time, but I swear these are so easy and good, there is no reason not to add them to your breakfast favorites. This is the recipe I use from Nourishing Traditions, I am sure your favorite cookbook has one as well.

Crepes
2 c flour (I use soft white wheat that I grind and store in my freezer)
2 c buttermilk
3 eggs lightly beaten
1/2 t salt
1/4 c melted butter

You can soak your flour overnight in the buttermilk, but I forgot, so...
Stir everything together, and then add water until it is the consistancy of cream (or creamer if that is what you are used to looking at). Put your pan on to medium heat and then brush with butter. Set out your plates, open your fruit, dig for your powdered sugar, mix up any extra filling, go wake your daughter up for the third time... By now the pan should be hot.

Pour 1/3 c into pan and grab the handle (using potholders if necessary) and roll the batter around coating the bottom of your pan. Let this cook for 2 minutes and flip. You can use a large pancake turner or if you have asbestos fingers like I do, grab the edge which should be peeling away from the pan, and pick the whole thing up and flip it over. Cook for 1 more minute and put on the plate. Butter your pan, add 1/3 c batter again, and now turn to the crepe on the plate. We like ours filled with fruit and a mixture of Neufchatel cheese and honey. Roll and top with powdered sugar. Throw plate to first kid and flip crepe in pan. Get second plate and kid into chair, repeat. My kids know by now that when Mom is in the kitchen and in her zone, stay outa the way!

Other popular filling choices are pb and banana, applesauce, sour cream and jelly, just jelly, eggs, eggs with stuff in them... you name it, the options are endless. I have even made a "lasagna" of sorts with layers of crepe, ham and cheese, and broccoli and cheese repeated in a pie plate. Talk about pretty when cut! The cost of this breakfast, even with the jar of organic peaches was less than one plate at a restaraunt, and I fed five out of the six of us with leftovers. Can't beat that with a stick, can you? What is your favorite frugal breakfast idea?

Oh the piles

How do you keep up with your laundry, is probably the most frequent question I get with four kids. I know many of my friends designate Saturday as laundry day, and there they stand, with a mountain piled up on their bed, couch, counter etc. What am I doing on Saturday morning? Usually I'm drinking coffee and making breakfast. The key is not to save it. It's not wine, definitely not going to get better with age. It's not leftover cake, so no one else is going to take on the task of getting rid of it. It's not moldy cheese, can't just throw it out and start over. Pace yourself...
Every morning I get up and do three things right away before anyone gets out of bed. 1) Start my tea 2) Open my computer and read my morning inspiration 3) Start a load of laundry
I try to do two loads a day this way. Does it always get done? No. Do I beat myself up if I don't? Are you kidding me! I start one first thing in the morning and I either dry or hang that one. The second load gets started right after breakfast and I put away the dried clothes. Now all that is left before I leave the house is to throw the second load in the dryer. I don't worry about folding that load until after the kids are in bed and I am sitting on the couch watching a little tv with my hubby, and sometimes he helps fold too. No stress, no pile, no mold... well I hope not anyway, and my Saturday morning is free. Relatively speaking that is. Works for me!

Shopping trip for January 4

I know the numbers seem a bit high, I was 4.89 under my goal, need to work on that for next week. And then there is the elephant in the list. Let me just say, that when you see a deal, you gotta go for it, right? We don't drink a lot of wine, more of a beer girl myself, but we have friends that do, and we are social people. So when I saw this deal on Facebook, I called my hubby and we made a quick decision to bite the bullet and snap it up. 12 bottles of domestic and imported wine, varying types, all wonderful, for less than $6 a bottle! This will last us quite a while, especially since I am on a bit of a detox in prep for going to Mexico. No alcohol. Yes, you heard me. None. The things I will do to fit in a swimsuit...

Downtown Grocery
Cereal 5.69
Rye flour 4.09
Eggs 4.99
2 Arthur Loops 6.38
Cabbage #1.7 2.63
Pearled barley 2.03
Split peas #2 4.01
Leeks #1.7 5.45
Lime .79
Cilantro 2.89
Wine 71.95
Total 114.59

IGA
6 Lean Cuisine meals 6.00
2 Enchilada sauce 3.78
Buttermilk 2.27
Tortillas 1.79
Green peppers 1.02
Home fries 1.98
Mozzarella 4.20
Lettuce 1.69
Grape tomatoes 1.99
Grapes #2 7.90
Cucumber .44
Donut holes 4.78
Carrots #1 .89
Ground Beef 3.00
Sausage 4.13
Beef shank 3.63
Own bags -.20
Total 50.29

Pick 'n Save
Flatouts 2.49
Deli Turkey 5.04
Bananas 2.27
Avocado 1.39
Total 11.14

Raw milk 5 gallons 20.00

Food grand total 120.11
Wine 75.91

Saved budget 4.89
Saved for year 4.89

Menu Monday January 4-10

Wow, welcome to 2010. I love January because it is a time of fresh starts and resolutions. The parking lot at our local YMCA was packed, which is good, unless you are trying to find a parking spot so you don't have to run through the freezing wind with a wet head. Kinda makes me wish the new year started in, oh, May...

Monday
Breakfast-Lemon poppy seed muffins, cheese
Lunch-Tuna salad on a roll
Supper-Enchilada casserole, guacamole, plain yogurt

Tuesday
Breakfast-Oatmeal with brown sugar
Lunch-Tacos (at school)
Supper-Noodles and Company (in town night)

Wednesday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast
Lunch-Grilled cheese and tomato soup, grapes
Supper-Roasted pork loin, red beans and rice, salad

Thursday
Breakfast-Cereal
Lunch-Turkey roll-ups, Arthur o's
Supper-Crock pot lasagna, salad

Friday
Breakfast-Pancakes
Lunch-Chicken nuggets, apples and grapes
Supper-Pizza or leek and cheese soup with bread

Saturday
Breakfast-Kid's choice
Lunch-Beef and barley soup, whole wheat rolls
Supper- Dublin coddle, cabbage, soda bread

Sunday
Brunch-Egg casserole, bananas
Supper-Sliced ham, potatoes, green beans

Menu Monday Dec 28-Jan 3

What a wonderful Christmas! No where to be except church in the morning, the kids behaved, the gifts were loved, I was spoiled as usual, and the Eggs Benedict were heavenly. We have one more week of being at home together, I only wish the weather was just a bit more conducive to being outside. Can't have it all, I guess.
Here is what we are eating this week. I got a new cookbook for Christmas (hence the black eyed peas), so next week will be a bit more exciting...

Monday
Breakfast-Cold cereal
Lunch-Spaghetti
Supper-Roast chicken, fried potatoes, onions and apples, salad

Tuesday
Breakfast-Oatmeal with brown sugar
Lunch-Grilled cheese, tomato soup
Supper-Black eyed peas, cornbread and rice

Wednesday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast or omelets
Lunch-Bagels with turkey and cheese
Supper-Chicken pot pie, salad, cottage cheese

Thursday
Breakfast-Soaked pancakes
Lunch-Creamy mac and cheese and fruit cups
Supper-Nacho bar, meat and cheese tray, fruit

Friday
Breakfast-Muffins and fruit smoothies
Lunch-Creamed chicken on toast, peas
Supper-Pizza

Saturday
Breakfast-Kids choice
Lunch-Maid-rites, chips
Supper-Sweet and sour chicken, rice, salad

Sunday
Brunch-Sausage egg skillets or waffles
Supper-Leftovers or chicken noodle soup

Menu Monday Dec 20-26

Wow has Christmas snuck up on me! Don't get me wrong, I spread out my shopping over a couple of very organized days and did some online, but sitting in church yesterday and looking at the huge trees behind the priest reminded me how December has flown. Here is our menu for this week, again shopping from the freezer since the $65 I spent last week mostly went to Saturday night's party.

Monday
Breakfast-Cold cereal (mom is baking while they are eating)
Lunch-Grilled beef sandwiches, carrots and celery
Supper-Philly steak pizza

Tuesday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast
Lunch-Ham and cheese paninis
Supper-Pork roast, oven fries, green beans

Wednesday
Breakfast-Oatmeal and peaches
Lunch-Cheeseburger rolls and apples
Supper-Multi-bean soup, rolls

Thursday
Breakfast-Fruit smoothies and pb toast
Lunch-Popcorn chicken, ff, applesauce
Supper-Chili and oyster stew, no-kneed bread, cheese

Friday-8:30 Mass (oldest serving, Mom nervous)
Brunch-Waffles, whipped cream, fruit, Eggs Benedict
Supper-Frozen pizza

Saturday
Breakfast-Sticky buns

Lunch-Roast chicken, potatoes, beets, salad

Supper-Potato soup, chicken salad sandwiches

Sunday
Brunch-Kids choice, egg skillets
Supper-Ham, corn casserole, salad

Frugal gift giving

"Happy birthday, Mom!" This was my greeting this morning from the usually grouchy #2 as she got ready for school. "My gift to you is Love." How appropriate is that, on a frugal Friday, love? Easy to give, no need to wrap, always in stock, and free.
At least for her...
How many of us give love with a price tag? I know that I have been guilty of it's not fair thoughts, I give so much and what do I get back thoughts, I deserve something too thoughts.
Oooo, Satan is tricky, huh?
Whispering in my ear. Telling me to give my love to others, at a price.
Dear Lord, thank you for the lesson from my beautiful daughter. Help me to always give the ultimate gift that I was given.
Thank you for the quiet lesson.

Menu Monday Dec 7-13

Well, the soup and sandwich as a lighter supper option has gone over fairly well. Hubby and I loved last nights ham and beans made with the leftover ham bone from Thanksgiving. We poured it over some homemade cornbread and it was so rich and creamy, I had a second helping. Here is the menu plan for this week, with high hopes that we can avoid going out to eat, although that never seems to happen with Tuesday's craziness.

Monday
Breakfast-Morning muffins, bananas
Lunch-Creamy Mac n cheese, raw veggies
Supper-Popcorn chicken, egg rolls, rice

Tuesday
Breakfast-Oatmeal, peaches
Lunch-Hot lunch at school (mini corn dogs, yuck)
Supper-Sub sandwiches, chips, dried fruit

Wednesday (snowed in)
Breakfast-Banana bread, warm vanilla soothers
Lunch-Pb and j, bananas
Supper-Baked chicken, rice and garlic green beans

Thursday
Breakfast-Cereal and toast
Lunch-Chicken salad, fruit slushy, carrots and celery
Supper-Cheese soup, Blue cheese and bacon roast beef panini

Friday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast
Lunch-Hot lunch (tacos)
Supper-Pizza (Dad gone)

Saturday
Breakfast-Pancakes with jam
Lunch-Spaghetti, salad and garlic toast
Supper-Chicken nuggets and ff

Sunday
Brunch- Kid's choice
Supper-Grilled cheese, tomato soup

Enchilada Casserole

Since no day of the week starts with R, I guess Friday will have to continue to be my place for adding new recipes to the blog. This is my version of, "Ratfarts, the tortillas didn't come out near big enough or round enough for enchiladas", enchiladas. I love Mexico and its food, but I don't like to take kids to a restaurant, and certainly don't like to pay the bill. This is a go to recipe when I have a bunch of leftover things in the freezer, you know, a little beans here, a little rice here, end of a bag of corn, type thing. All these measurements are approximate. If you don't have an ingredient, no biggie, just makes the casserole a bit smaller. The rice and meat are interchangeable, so if you have a vegetarian (not here) or just a little bit of meat left over and you are tired of chicken salad, this is a very easy way to use it. Kinda reminds me of when we were kids an leftovers got added to white sauce and poured over toast... only way better...

Enchilada Casserole
One batch of homemade corn tortillas (or about 16 store bought ones)
2 cans enchilada sauce
1-2 c cooked chicken, turkey, or beef
1 c corn
1 c beans- black, pinto, whatever
1-2 c brown rice
1 1/2 c sharp cheddar, or your favorite cheese blend

To assemble
Pour 1/2 can sauce into the pan you are baking this in. I am using the same pan that I made my tortillas in because I hate to do dishes. Shred 5 tortillas on top of the sauce layer. In the bowl I mixed up my tortilla dough in and still have not washed, mix meat, corn, beans and rice. My beans and corn are even still a bit frozen at this point. Spread 1/2 of this mixture on the shredded tortillas, pour the other half of the can of sauce over that and top with a bit of the cheese. Repeat process with 5 more tortillas, other half of mixture and 1/2 can of sauce. Shred last 5 tortillas and pour last 1/2 can sauce over that. Now top with cheese. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes, or until bubbling and your family has asked you for the thousandth time if supper is done yet! We top this with plain yogurt and Cholula hot sauce. Typically I serve lettuce on the side as well.

Shopping trip for Nov 30

Downtown Grocery
Cereal 5.69
Fruit bars 4.49
Mayo 7.29
O's 3.19
Cabbage 1.19
Swiss 4.77
Eggs 4.99
Tomatoes 2.69
Apples 6.85
Zucchini 1.20
Total 42.35

Quality Foods
Buttermilk 2.23
Bacon 2.94
Total 5.17

Grand Total $47.52
This is what I will be making this week from my shopping trip.

Menu Monday Nov 30- Dec 6

Thanksgiving went of without too much of a hitch. There was some issue with the shape of my rolls, and my friend was not entirely happy with her pies, but everything tasted wonderful and our kids had a great time playing together.
I just got my Country Life order, and since it was rather large, I am shopping from my freezer for the next two weeks. Also, I have been finding that as the nights get longer, I tend to cook heavier. This results in my scale reading heavier... So, in order to combat that, I will be testing lighter suppers this week in order to see how the rest of the family feels.

Monday
Breakfast-Cinnamon rolls (left over from company) bananas
Lunch-Leftovers (Enchiladas or potatoes and ham)
Supper-Noodles & Company (already have these)

Tuesday
Breakfast-Crock pot steel cut oats, peaches
Lunch-Turkey salad, oranges- Hot lunch for kids
Supper-Cream of tomato soup, ham and cheese sandwiches

Wednesday
Breakfast-French toast sticks, apple sauce
Lunch-Salmon salad, apples- Hot lunch for kids
Supper-Potato soup, cheese, no-kneed bread

Thursday
Breakfast-Cereal, bananas
Lunch-Ham and cheese sandwiches, chips
Supper-Creamy pasta bake, salad

Friday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast
Lunch-PB and J, bananas
Supper-Frozen pizza (we are going to a party)

Saturday
Breakfast-Waffles
Lunch-Crispy chicken, salad, creamy mac&cheese, beets
Supper-Veggie soup, bagels with cream cheese

Sunday
Brunch-Biscuits and gravy, fruit cups, cereal
Supper-Fish tacos, coleslaw, mangoes

Happy Thanksgiving!

It was quite a deal, deciding what to have for Thanksgiving. I got so many suggestions from the kids that we nearly ended up having frozen pizza. In the end, smarter heads prevailed, and we had ham. It kept the holiday feeling for hubby and the kids, but provided three meals worth of leftovers for mom. Since we celebrate with another family every year, I only had to make half of the food in our photo. Next year it will be at their house, and we are already talking tacos...

Update on 101 things

You may have noticed the countdown on the side of my blog telling how many days are left in my challenge. If you have never heard of the 101 in 1001 days or the Day Zero Project, go here to check it out and see examples of other's goals around the world. I have to remind myself to update what I have done every once in a while. It has really helped to keep me accountable to my goals, and has made me realize that some goals just are not appropriate for a season of life. 101 things seem a bit overwhelming to you? How about cutting it down to 10 things in 101 days? Actually setting a group of goals down on paper helps you to focus on something you really want to accomplish, and setting a time limit encourages you to complete your goals rather than putting them off or just forgetting them. So, what are your goals? Is there a list that has been rolling around in your head and is just dying to get out and be looked at?

Shopping trip for Nov 23

Downtown Grocery
Eggs 4.99
Arthur loops 3.19
Tomatoes 3.89
Tomato soup 3.59
Garlic 1.33

Total 16.99

IGA
flour 2-3.58
marshmallows 0.99
milk 1.49
cool whip 3-3.00
oranges 5-4.45
pineapple 3-2.97
pudding 3-2.37
cheese 3-4.98
dish soap 3.19
Parmesan 2.50
enchilada sauce 2-3.58
cottage cheese 1.79
cherries 1.69
bananas #5-3.43
jello 2-1.58
pineapple 2.99
ham 19.54
Total 64.27

Milk 5-20.00

Grand total $101.27
I have to keep in mind that this total includes a rather large and tasty looking ham I normally would not have bought, and ingredients for a fruit salad for 25 hungry teachers since I volunteered to make food for them during conferences. That actually added $10.11 to my bill. So for this week, $91.16 is not too bad with company and the holiday. Definitely under my $125 a week goal! This just goes to show that God does provide (in the form of sale prices) when we practice hospitality.

Absent this Friday

It used to be a tradition, getting up at 3:30 AM and going through the ads with my in-laws to see what bargains we could find on "Black Friday". Since we've moved, I don't go anymore. While I do miss the fun of spending a crazy morning with them, it has been somewhat freeing to not have go through the insanity of standing in line for an hour, or getting shoved by some crazy lady who had to get to the $1 Barbie first. We have simplified our giving so much, that I save more now at Christmas by simply not buying, then I ever would have if I steamrollered some Grandma to get to the toy isle ahead of everyone.
I am grateful to be able to afford to skip the consumer hype and just enjoy the day after Thanksgiving digesting with my kids over puzzles. What are you grateful for? Head on over to Laura's at Heavenly Homemakers and let the rest of us know.

Something new to your table this year

Every year for zillions of Americans (I researched this) families join together to eat the same food on Thanksgiving day. Turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with marshmallows and some sort of roll, bun, bread option.
Not this year! We have spent several days hearing opinions as to what we should eat this year on turkey day. I have heard brisket, ribs, cereal, corn on the cob, crab legs, ice cream, you get the idea. I think that I will have to keep corn casserole on the menu, but we are still up in the air as to what else we would like. We can have turkey any day (read-when on sale), so pork seems to be a popular choice for a main dish. I would like to avoid green bean casserole as I am about the only one who really likes it.
So, this year we will be trying new dishes! I am going to challenge myself to look for new hot sides to serve, using produce that is local and seasonal. This means I am looking in the squash, apple direction, and not the peach, shrimp direction. Local produce is fresh, and because of that, nutritionally better for you as a general rule. We could eat a local turkey, but since we are trying to avoid turkey all together....
So here is the challenge. Take a poll with your family and those who will be spending the holiday with you. Is there a dish that no one would really miss if you, say, "forgot" to put it on the buffet. Next, look for something in the same category of your old dish (salad, hot side, main meat) and replace it with a new, exciting dish of something that is grown or raised within a 100 miles of your house. Really brave people can post their link early and inspire the rest of us. What will you challenge your family with this year?

I will go first. No mashed potatoes and gravy this year, we are going to give Tyler Florence's Ultimate Potato Gratin a try. It is getting rave reviews and with the exception of the parmesan, can be made with all local ingredients.

Menu Monday Nov 23-29

Monday
Breakfast-Pb toast, yogurt smoothies
Lunch-Homemade raman, veggie sticks, cheese
Supper-Potato soup, cheese toast

Tuesday
Breakfast-Cereal
Lunch- Hot lunch
Supper-Subway (in town for gym and swim)

Wednesday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast
Lunch-Creamy mac n cheese, garlic green beans
Supper-Spaghetti, salad

Thanksgiving Thursday
Breakfast- Gingerbread pancakes, yogurt smoothies
Lunch-Ham, Ultimate potato gratin, sweet potatoes, corn casserole, orange salad, garlic green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, pumpkin and pecan pie
Supper-Crock pot turkey and stuffing, leftovers

Friday
Breakfast-Waffles with fruit
Lunch-Cheesy beef and rice, salad
Supper-Pizza movie night

Saturday
Breakfast-Steel cut oats, peaches
Lunch-Chili, rice, pickles, cheese
Supper-Scalloped potatoes and ham, salad

Sunday
Breakfast-Sausage egg skillet with hollandaise
Lunch-Sandwiches and tortellini soup
Supper-Beef and been enchiladas, lettuce, tomato, onion, olives

Waffles

My poor Schwan's man. Every time I hit on something new that works, I drop yet another product from my order. Good for me, but at some point he is going to start taking it personal... One package of waffles is $5.39 and I make that last for 2 weeks by only allowing each kid to have 2 at breakfast, one time a week. I felt like I was sending kids to school hungry, and it killed me to pull the box out, knowing that I could make better ones. I have now made 5 batches of waffles for pennies, and can't believe I didn't start sooner. This morning, I made a batch of whole wheat, two batches of kamut, and one batch with unbleached white flour. The kamut were my favorite.

Belgian waffles

1 3/4 c flour (white, wheat, kamut, oat or a combination of any)
2 T sucanant
1 T baking powder
1 3/4 c milk
1/4 c olive oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and make a well, combine wet ingredients in a large measuring cup. If you add the eggs last, you can combine and measure all at once, less dishes... Whisk the wet into the dry just until combined, there will be lumps and let it set. This is an important step for me, because I grind my own flour, the grain needs a few minutes to absorb some of the liquid. If I was smart, I would soak them the night before....
Preheat your waffle iron (gotten on sale with coupon at Kohls for $18) and pour 2/3 cup batter (or whatever yours takes) on and cook. We top ours with our neighbors syrup that I buy by the gallon in the spring, or whipped cream and fruit.

When someone ruins it for everyone, or my shopping trip

Don't you hate it when people don't play by the rules. I know I was like that as a kid, because I see it in my children. There are rules, it is fair, you may not like it, but as my MIL says "Suck it up and get back on the bus".
I don't know who ruined a good thing for everyone else, but as a was checking out at the grocery store with my fist full of new found money savers, the checker informed me they don't accept Internet coupons.
I wanted to cry.
Not only was there $8 worth of coupons that I had spent time searching for in order to save more on top of what was already on sale, there was a ton of groceries in my cart I would not have normally bought, if not for the great coupons. Sigh....
Who has time to counterfeit coupons?
Whoever they are, I am not happy with them...
IGA total $145

Thanks for the turkey

Ok, I swore I was not going to fix turkey this year for Thanksgiving. To tell you the truth, I just don't find it very exciting. We can have turkey any time of the year. Thanksgiving is a special day, why not challenge myself to make something new, different, special (read HARD) on this wonderful holiday?
When you get free turkey, however, it makes it hard not to. We found out last spring that our neighbors raise chickens, so we asked if we could add ten to their flock. Sure, if you come help when it is time to butcher, was their reply. Now if that doesn't take a girl back to her childhood.... We agreed, July came and we helped butcher 75 beautiful four to five pound birds. They cost only $6 a bird, and we knew where they were raised, what they ate, how they died, and how fast they were into our freezer. Our order of ten somehow magically grew to twenty and we were in chicken heaven. We knew they were going to do this again, since the family didn't even take any they had raised for themselves, so we cheerfully told them to call us and we would help with their chickens in November.
Fast forward to this last Saturday. Only 25 birds and nine turkeys total this time, seemed like cake. We started at 8:00 and were done and freezing them all three hours later. Here is where I get really grateful. That wonderful family decided to take only six of these birds. The young couple who came to help their aunt and uncle, took six.... hmmm, what are we doing with the other 13? "Those are yours, and take a turkey breast as thanks for helping. Are you staying for lunch?"
What was I going to say, no?
Now I have 13 more birds, and these were a bit bigger... 9 POUNDS! And what did I pay for this beautiful bounty of birdom? $6 a bird. Yup, you heard me. To sweeten the deal, they threw in a turkey breast as thanks, fed us lunch, told they would be happy to do it again next year, and did I want all the other backs and necks for soup.
You are reading one happy post...
Want to read some other grateful posts?
Head on over to Laura's at Heavenly Homemakers

Menu Monday (on Thursday) Nov 17-23

Breakfast
Eggs and toast
Waffles
Oatmeal
Cereal
Cinnamon rolls and fruit smoothies
Biscuits and gravy or eggs
Waffles and fruit with whipped cream

Lunch
Chicken, biscuits, fruit
Hot lunch
Turkey sandwiches, chips, apples
Cheese sandwiches, Arthur O's, dried bananas
Turkey sandwiches, tortellini soup
Company casserole, salad, beets

Supper
Noodles & Company
Lasagna, crescent rolls, salad, kiwi
Hudson's
Chili, rice, pickles, rolls, raw veggies
Roast turkey, baked potatoes, slaw, squash, corn, bread
Leftovers
Pizza

Recipe Index

Breakfast
Steel cut oats in the crockpot
Super Food- Chia
Whole grain waffles
Crepes
Brown soda breakfast scones

Breads
Whole wheat bread and rolls
No need to kneed bread

Bento
Bento #1 Angry eyes
Bento #2 Balsamic chicken on focaccia
Bento #3 Egg heads
Bento #4 Pretty flowers
Bento #5 Munchables
Bento #6 Noodle Flowers
Bento #7 Ham Roll-Ups

Soups and Stews
Oyster stew


Main dish
Lasagna rolls-WW
Enchilada casserole
Barbecue beef sandwiches
Pad thai pizza


Other
Taco seasoning
Pumpkin for pie and such
Chicken bone broth

Steel Cut Oats in the Crockpot

Gotten from Ann, grateful for people who share their wonderful ideas!

1 1/2 c steel cut or Irish oats
4 1/2 c water
1/2 tsp salt

Stir all ingredients in a bowl that a) is safe to get hot in your crockpot and b) will fit in your crockpot while still allowing the lid to close completely. Now, here is where it gets tricky and you need advanced skills for this recipe, ha! Place bowl in crock and pour more water into the crock around your bowl. Don't add the water to the bowl, or you will get very soupy oats, and who wants oat soup? Add enough water to reach the sides of your oatmeal bowl at the same level as the cereal. Put on the lid. Set it on low. Go to sleep.
In the morning you will wake up to the most beautiful bowl of chewy, creamy, easily made steel oats you have ever had. At this point, put some fruit in your bowl, I like peaches, and pour some of the oatmeal on top. Add whatever sweetener you like, cinnamon and sugar or honey for me, and enjoy.
On a side note, if your oats call for more or less water per cup, follow your bag... 1:3 was the Bobs Red Mill ratio.

Girls morning out

There are days I really need to connect with other women on some level besides just being a mom. Usually when I get together with my friends, it is for something that revolves around our kids, cooking for them, playing with them (although I am kinda the joke of our group, only attending playgroup once a year), or some activity. If we make a lunch date to go out, we spend $5 and hr on a babysitter, 7-10$ on lunch, and still end up discussing our kids.
Well, a group of us have come up with a different idea. Our YMCA has personal trainers to the tune of $38/hr. None of us can justify spending that on a pair of shoes, let alone an hour to work out. There is another option, however. We can pay $50 and a whole group of us can go. Because I am a volunteer in the aerobics department, my childcare is free, and I spend $12.50 (less than a lunch date, and doesn't cost me a pound of guilt) and work out with a fun group of women. We have our workout in common, but we are so busy disliking the trainer for making us sweat, that we don't have time to talk about the kids. I am sure this is the state of mind I am supposed to be achieving in yoga, you know, no thoughts about the day, but this way I really can't think about anything but how bad my butt hurts, and when is this exercise going to end. We laugh and sweat together for cheap! Even if you only do it once a month, what a great girls morning out.

Bento #2

I'm packing your angry eyes....

A chance to clean up

It is the middle of November and it is 55 degrees. I am going to clean out my garden today. Need I say more? Head over to Laura's and see what everyone else is grateful for this beautiful Tuesday.

Weekly shopping trip

What a beautiful day to go grocery shopping.

IGA

Turkey back and necks 1.30
Sausage 3.41
Bacon 2.99
Brisket 9.78
French bread 1.49
Sour cream 0.99
Cottage cheese 1.19
Ham #1 4.64
Grapes 3.52
Swiss #1 6.17
Romaine lettuce 3.59
Rye bread 2.39
Pomegranates 2/2.58
Garlic bread 1.50
Total $45.54

Downtown Grocery
Kashi 2.99
Eggs 2/5.98
Celery 2.79
Granola 3.69
Kiwi 3.71
Shredded cereal 5.59
Mac n cheese 2.69
Cabbage 2.58
Total $31.71

Gas station
Bananas 5# 2.45

Grand total this week $79.70
Not bad, considering the corned beef and Swiss cheese will last two weeks, and the turkey necks will not even be eaten this week. Didn't need the garlic toast, but sometimes a treat is ok. How did you do?

Menu Monday Nov 9-15

We are back from our whirlwind trip to Iowa and Nebraska to see family. I cleaned out the refrigerator before we left, so I was scrounging for breakfast and lunchbox things for the kids. Freezer waffles to the rescue!

Monday-Bake bread for the week
Breakfast-Waffles with pb
Lunch-Mac and cheese, fruit cups
Supper-Crock pot lasagna, garlic toast, salad

Tuesday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast
Lunch-Hot lunch at school
Supper-Subway (scrips)

Wednesday
Breakfast-Cold cereal, bananas
Lunch-Hot lunch at school
Supper-Roast chicken, root vegetables, salad (bake potatoes for week)

Thursday
Breakfast-Crock pot steel cut oats, peaches
Lunch-Rice and chicken bento, raw veggies, pomegranate
Supper-Baked potato soup, ham and Swiss panini, apples

Friday
Breakfast-Fruit and yogurt smoothies, muffins
Lunch-Pb and j sandwiches, dates, carrot slices
Supper-Pizza, salad

Saturday
Breakfast-Pancakes with blueberries
Lunch-Chicken with lemon-tarragon mayonnaise and grapes, coleslaw
Supper-Corned beef brisket, colcannon, squash, salad

Sunday
Brunch-Egg and sausage skillet, fruit smoothies
Supper-Chicken and noodles with carrots, smashed potatoes, salad, apple pie

Before I lay me down to sleep

I have to agree with Cheryl that the time change as been wonderful. It's not so much that we got an extra hour of sleep for one night, but that my kids have not reset their internal clocks yet. This means no work getting them up in the morning, they just wake up, on their own, early... and so does mom. Despite having that extra time in the morning, I take a couple minutes at night to make my morning that much easier. Ten little minutes before I go to bed makes all the difference in the world.
Flylady has been the best thing to happen to me. My husband will be the first to say he didn't marry my for my cleaning abilities, and to tell you the truth, I was not terribly orgainzed either. Mornings were always a rush out the door with this or that missing and me not starting my day with a very good attitude. Now when I get up in the morning, everything flows perfectly, and everyone has a smile on their face as we drive away.
NOT! It has gotten much better though, and that ten little minutes before I go to bed has made a huge difference.
Flylady calls it her Before Bed routine, and it is wonderful. Before I climb into bed to read, or sleep, I do two simple things.

1. Lay out my clothes for tomorrow and pack my gym bag
2. Set out breakfast supplies on the counter and mix up dry ingredients if I am baking

These two things may not seem like much, but in the course of my morning, they save me a ton of time. Now, don't think that I stop there... I do have 4 kids, what about their stuff? This is the Before Bed routine, for everyone. Yes, everyone. Ok, not my hubby, but do guys really care what they are wearing the next day? This simple thing helps us all to avoid the following morning wreaking statement: "MOM! I can't find my..............." Don't be fooled, I still have to say hurry up at least 29 times to #2, but we are working on that too. What do you do in the morning that helps you get out the door faster? Are you already a Flyer, or will you just visit her for the first time today? Let us know!

Two pieces of bread, a slice of cheese and a napkin...

My best friend in high school always joked about how I could make a meal out of nothing. To this day she still comments on how I could take two slices of bread, a piece of cheese and an empty fridge and make a gourmet meal. Wished I would have taken that idea and ran with it, I would be a household name like Sandra. I admire her strength and creativity and wish I could come up with a tenth of the ideas she does for my own house, decorating wise.
I am, however, still blessed with the ability to look in my kitchen for three minutes and come up with a day or two (or week) of meals that require nothing more than milk or an egg to round it out. My sisters tell me they have no clue how I do it, and I am stumped to explain it to them. I think cooking must be my love language. I can't even tell you how grateful that God has blessed me with this gift as it has come in handy, well, every day. What are you grateful for?

Shopping trip for Nov 2

Slim shopping this week so that I can stretch our budget in preperation for my Country Life order due at the end of the week.

Downtown Grocery Store
Panda puffs 5.69
Crackers 4.29
Lettuce 2.19
Wild Rice 4.19
Bananas #13.5 10.64
Eggs 2.99

Raw milk
5 gallons 20.00

Gas Station
1 gallon whole milk 2.29
#6 bananas 2.94

Total for the week 55.22

Menu Monday Nov 2- Nov 8

I decided to include this under the budget label as I am shopping from my freezer again in an attempt to give the checkbook a breather...until I have to place my Country Life order...

Monday
Breakfast-Irish Oatmeal with apples or peaches
Lunch-Sandwiches on no kneed bread, chips, fruit cups
Supper-Noodles & Company (Thai curry soup for me, gotta get a recipe)

Tuesday
Breakfast-Waffles with pb, nectarines
Lunch-Soba noodles with peas and carrots, grapes,
Supper-Subway (already have Scrips)

Wednesday
Breakfast-Eggs and toast
Lunch-School lunch (pizza day)
Supper-Roasted chicken, root vegetables, cottage cheese

Thursday
Breakfast-Toast and yogurt parfaits with peaches and blueberries
Lunch-PB&J roll-ups, carrot sticks with dip, fruit cups,
Supper-Buttery Shrimp and Pasta, salad

Friday
Breakfast-Blueberry muffins, boiled eggs
Lunch-Cream cheese, banana and honey wraps, apples
Supper-Pizza and salad

Saturday
Breakfast-Pancakes and fruit
Lunch-Fish sticks, french fries, green beans
Supper-Lasagna and salad


Sunday
Breakfast-Brunch (kids choice)
Supper-Chicken and noodles, smashed potatoes, salad

Thanksgiving jumpstart

I know it is a month away, but the thought of having to eat turkey this Thanksgiving makes me crazy. Aside from all that I have learned about turkeys this year, I am simply tired of them. So, since I have a few weeks to plan, I am taking suggestions for main dish ideas. I love all food, but can tell you that a vegetarian/vegan Thanksgiving will go over with the guys about as well as a fart in church... so think meat! I will also be hosting a "Something New To Your Table" challenge as we get closer. Start digging out those recipe boxes, I know I can't wait!