March 2008

This month I think I’m going to do some repeats from the last couple of months, because I’m not feeling to creative right now. LOL  I’m sure they’ll get over it.

Dinner

1. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes
2. chili, cornbread
3. O’charley’s potato soup
4. honey glazed chicken, stuffing
5. southern fried fish
6. vegetable casserole
7. taco soup
8. taco casserole bake
9. beef pot pie
10. open faced roast beef sandwiches
11. lasagna
12. tamale lentil casserole (this was a hit last time)
13. crab stuffed fish
14. shrimp alfredo with broccoli
15. grilled ribs
16. pork supreme
17. Iowa pork steak, mashed potatoes
18. Leftovers
19. chicken fajitas
20. homemade shake –n – bake pork chops
21. chimichangas
22. homemade pizza
23. fried chicken
24. honey glazed ham
25. cheese ravioli
26. leftovers
27. Amish casserole
28. steak
29. open faced roast beef sandwiches
30. stir fry

Now I’m off to the grocery store.  I’ll remember to post my totals this time. 

Ok I'm late posting this but here is the menu for the next 30 days.  You'll recognize some recipes from last month because they didn't get made then. 

Breakfast:

All breakfast are served with fruit and milk

Pancakes

Waffles

Breakfast burritos

Oatmeal

Pumpkin bread

Zucchini bread

Apple muffins

Banana bread

Monkey bread

French toast

Bagels

Cinnamon rolls

Strawberry pancakes

Blueberry waffles

Biscuits and gravy

Omelets

Scrambled eggs

Over easy eggs

Bagel sandwiches

Fruit salad

Garbage potatoes

Hard boiled eggs

Strawberry muffins

Lunches:

All lunches are served with either fruit or fruit juice and a veggie

Grilled chicken salad

Ham roll ups

Fish sticks

Tomato soup and grilled cheese

Leftover dinner (twice)

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Homemade pizza (twice)

Tacos

Ravioli

Pirogees

Chef salad

Taco salad

Turkey sandwich

Bologna spread sandwich

Caesar chicken roll ups

Ramen noodles

Homemade hot pockets

Chicken nuggets

Hot dogs and pork – n- beans

Hamburger helper

Sloppy Joes

Barbeque pork sandwiches

Hamburgers

Homemade lunchables

Broccoli and cheese baked potato

Dinner:

Sweet and sour chicken over rice with green beans

Roast chicken, stuffing, corn

Chicken and noodles

Creamy chicken sandwiches,

Roast beef, potatoes, carrots

Open faced pot roast sandwiches, salad

Beef with sweet peppers

Beef fajitas

Steaks,

Beef and bean chimichangas

Barbeque ribs

Marinated pork loin,

Pork supreme

Iowa pork steak

Pork gravy with mashed potatoes

Harvest pork stew

Chili

Shepherd’s pie

Taco soup

Amish casserole

Salisbury steaks

Southern fried fish, rice, broccoli

Shrimp Alfredo

Shrimp stir fry over rice

Lemon herbed broiled fish, fried potatoes, carrots

Potato soup

Spaghetti, salad

Cajun red beans and rice

Small red beans with pasta and broccoli

Leftovers

Ok here is the menu I've come up with.  It will leave some meat for the freezer to use later.  I will have leftovers that will get used for lunches.  I'll also use some for  dh's packed lunches and dinners for school and work.  As a note I usually serve fruit with breakfast and lunch.  I also always serve a veggie and a bread with dinner even if it's not listed.

Breakfast Menu

Pancakes 

Waffles 

Berry waffles

Berry pancakes

Bagels

Banana muffins

Pumpkin bread

Zucchini bread

Cereal

Breakfast burritos

Oatmeal

Scrambled eggs

Omelets

Fried eggs

Garbage eggs

French toast

Cinnamon rolls

Apple muffins 

Monkey bread 

Garbage eggs – now I don’t know if the recipe name but this is what my dad called them.  He would make these to clean up the leftovers in the fridge and they were a childhood favorite which my kids now enjoy.

I usually make these after the night we had fried potatoes for dinner.  I purposely make too much.  Throw them in a large deep skillet and heat.  Add leftover diced up meat.  We prefer bacon, ham, beef products, or dinner sausage.  Throw in a leftover veggie; I usually add corn or green beans.  Heat thoroughly.  Now make a well in the center by pushing everything to the sides.  Add your beaten eggs in there to cook.  When they are getting close to being done I then mix it all together.  The eggs should start to be formed but still kind of runny.  The eggs are like the glue that holds it all together.  And yes this will look kind of gross.  Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.

Breakfast burritos

Tortillas

Eggs

Fried diced potatoes

Diced green pepper, onion

Meat one of these: bacon fried and crumbled, cooked ground sausage, ground beef, ham bits

Salsa

Cheese

Just cook the ingredients combine and rollup into a tortilla

Lunch Menu

Pirogees and small salad

Chef salad (twice)

Ham roll ups, fries

Fish sticks, green beans, fruit

Tomato soup and grilled cheese (twice)

Chicken salad sandwiches, apples

Hot dogs and pork-n-beans

Pb & Jelly sandwiches, carrot sticks

Leftover dinner (four times)

Homemade pizza (twice)

Ramen noodles, pb sandwich, fruit

Tacos

Fried bologna sandwich, vegetable soup

Rings with meatballs, apples (twice)

Pb & jelly sandwich, pretzels, fruit (twice)

Biscuits and gravy

Nachos

Hot dogs, mac-n-cheese, corn

Chicken salad sandwich, small salad

Ramen noodles and carrot sticks

Fried bologna sandwich, celery with pb and raisins

Bologna spread sandwich, green beans, and fruit

Dinner Menu

5 Chicken dishes (I have some in the freezer):

Chicken noodle soup

Chicken hot dish

Chicken fajitas

Cheesy chicken with rice and broccoli

Chicken parmesan, noodle, salad

2 Turkey dishes (I have some in the freezer):

Turkey, stuffing, corn, gravy

Turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole

7 Ground beef dishes:

Salisbury steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans (this recipe is similar to what I make, except I add some horseradish sauce, an extra egg, add a little more bread crumbs and use cream of mushroom soup.  I also add minced onion)

Vegetable casserole

Chili, cornbread

Hamburger stroganoff

Taco casserole bake

Meatloaf (in freezer) fried potatoes,

 Stuffed peppers

2 Pork dishes (I have some in the freezer plus what I bought):

Sweet and sour pork over rice with vegetable medley

Pork steaks, cheesy noodles, peas

7 Beef dishes:

Roast beef, potatoes, carrots, rolls

Beef stew (made from leftover roast) cornbread

Steaks, baked potatoes, green beans (one round steak cut up into portions)

Open faced roast beef sandwiches (this half of one roast), salad

Beef with sweet peppers (I’ll use the other half of the roast for this and add broccoli)

Beef stir fry over rice (one chuck steak)

Beef pot pie (1 lb chuck steak)

3 Bean dishes (now with these I do throw in a small portion of meat but it is mainly beans, the family seems to think they have to have meat at dinner):

Small red beans with pasta and broccoli (I'll add a little bit of chicken I have cooked and froze in the freezer)

Cajun red beans and rice (I use this recipe except I use dinner sausage)

Tamale lentil casserole

 6 Seafood dishes:

Southern fried fish, fried potatoes, veggies

Broiled fish, buttery garlic rice, veggies

Crab Quesada, Spanish rice, refried beans

Shrimp stir fry with rice

Creamy crab and pasta salad

Crab stuffed fish, loaded mashed potatoes,

Ham dishes:

Baked ham, potatoes, veggie

Snack/dessert Menu

pb and crackers

carrot sticks

celery w/pb

a variety of cookies

popcorn

pudding

cake

granola bars (still have some in pantry)

pb sandwiches

cheese (have some block cheese in freezer) and crackers

fruit

Well I think that pretty much covers it.  The rest of the meat will be froze for future use.   As you can see I will make some tortillas from scratch, along with bread, rolls, cornbread, cakes, cookies, muffins, and bagels.  I buy some bread just in case I don't make enough for the week.  My weeks are just too crazy to try and have 2 baking sessions.  I put the store bought bread in the freezer and pull it out if needed. 

To answer Sonshine's questions, yeah my family is a meat and potatoes family.  I do try to throw in some basically meatless meals where the main ingredient is beans or something else.  I do occassionally get away with a breakfast for dinner type meal but usually only when we are in a time crunch.  Oh like mom forgot to pull out the meat or something along those lines.  I don't get to use a crockpot for cooking either.  I've tried a few different meals and they just won't eat them.  They taste funny according to them.  I usually shop twice a month but I hate shopping so I'm working on going just once a month.  I'm hoping to make the other trip just a quick one for milk and fresh produce.  I set the money aside from each paycheck so it doesn't all come out at once.

Here is my intended plan for the next 2 weeks.  I only shop every other week so I plan my menu for 2 weeks at a time.  Now I have been known to change the days around when I serve meals.

Monday

breakfast: pancakes, fruit

lunch: grilled cheese and tomato soup

dinner: spaghetti, salad, bread

Tuesday

breakfast: oatmeal, fruit

lunch: fish sticks, fruit, veggie

Dinner: chili, cornbread

Wedsday

breakfast: eggs, sausage, fruit

lunch: pizza, fruit

dinner: tacos

Thursday

breakfast: waffles

lunch: leftover chili

dinner: roast chicken, stuffing, veggie

Friday

breakfast:  bagels, fruit

lunch:  sandwiches, fruit, veggie

dinner:  quesidas

Saturday

breakfast: cereal, fruit

lunch: barbecue pork sandwiches, carrot sticks

dinner: southern fried fish, alfredo noodles, veggie

Sunday

breakfast: eggs, toast, fruit

lunch: sandwiches, fruit, veggie

dinner: lasagna, salad, bread

Monday

breakfast:  french toast, fruit

lunch:  chicken nuggets, fries, fruit

dinner:  leftover roast chicken turned into chicken and noodles,

Tuesday

breakfast: cereal, fruit

lunch:  spaghetti's, fruit

dinner:  chicken, broc, rice bake

Weds

breakfast:  oatmeal, fruit

lunch:  ramen noodles, veggie

dinner:  leftovers

Thursday

breakfast:  waffles, fruit

lunch:  chicken noodle soup, pb sandwich

dinner:  pork loin, veggie, rice

Friday

breakfast: bagel sandwiches

lunch:  burgers, fruit, veggie

dinner:  out to eat

Things in the snack basket/snack drawer in fridge:

carrot sticks

bananas

apples

pears

peaches

pb crackers

cheese crackers

string cheese

colby/jack cheese cubes

yogurt

fruit snacks

granola bars

pretzels

peanuts

whatever cookie I make

zuchinni bread

You can check other people's menu plans over at Organizing Junkie's blog.

This week my oldest has to go for standardized testing Mon., Tues, and Weds.  And we have soccer games and practice everyday this week.  We are in for one busy week.  So the meals are going to be simple.

Dinner

1. Creamy Chicken sandwiches, baked potatoes, and green beans
2. Spagehitti, salad
3. leftovers
4. shrimp alfredo, salad
5. sweet and sour meatballs, rice, green beans, pea pods, and carrots
6. hamburgers, pasta salad, corn
7. pizza

 You can find more great menu plans at organizing junkie's web blog.

Well last week there were a few meals I didn’t get to make.  So you’ll see some repeats this week.

Dinner

1. O’Charley’s loaded potato soup
2. Taco salad
3. Shepherd’s pie, homemade bread
4. leftovers
5. fried fish, corn on the cob, butter garlic rice
6. grilled steak, pigorees, corn, rolls
7. family barbecue

And don't forget to check out organizing junkie's blog for other great menus.

My menu for 4-16 to 4-22

Breakfast

1. cinnamon swirl bread
2. banana muffins
3. eggs and bacon
4. pancakes
5. oatmeal
6. omelet
7. bagels w/eggs

Lunch

1. grilled cheese and tomato soup
2. egg salad sandwiches, carrot sticks
3. salsibury steaks, mashed pot. Green beans
4. leftover dinner
5. Chicken pasta salad
6. Pirogees  
7. fried bologna sandwich, applesauce,

Dinner

1. vegetable stew and cornbread
2. leftovers
3. Pizza
4. fried fish, pasta salad, carrots
5. hamburgers, home fries, corn
6. Hot chicken sandwiches, corn on the cob, buttery garlic rice,
7. Shepherd’s pie, homemade bread

And don't forget to look here for more great menus.

1. beef stroganoff (from the freezer)
2. Italian meat roll, mashed potatoes, green beans (from the freezer)
3. hamburger helper, salad (meat is in the freezer)
4. beef stir-fry (from the freezer)
5. chicken parmesan (from the freezer)
6. birthday party
7. stuffed peppers (Sunday dinner – I’ll actually be home to cook)

You're going to see some repeats from last week because I got a few surprises this week.  One night Pumpkin (13 yr. old son) cooked dinner for all of us.  I thought that was really sweet.  He made french toast, bacon, and grapes.  He's a good cook even if he is a messy one.  Then Sat. night dh took me out to dinner so I just made the kids a quick taco salad for dinner.  I on the other hand got to feast at Outback Steak house.  I got some great men at my house! 

Remember I don't cook the list in any particular order.  I just pick and choose until it's gone.  Also don't forget to check for other great menus here.

Breakfast

1. bagels, fruit

2. eggs and toast

3. cereal

4. oatmeal

5. pancakes

6. cereal

7. egg and ham casserole

Lunch

1. homemade lunchables

2. salisbury steaks, mashed pot., corn

3. egg salad sandwich, yogurt, fruit

4. chicken nuggets, cheese sticks, carrots

5. burritos

6. leftover dinner

7.  pb & j sand, chips, fruit

Dinner

1.  beef roast, carrots, potatoes

2. beef stew and biscuits

3. sweet and sour chicken, rice, broccoli

4. grilled pork loin, roasted garlic potatoes, green beans

5. leftover

6. steak, mashed pot., corn

7. homemade pizza

This is my menu plan for the week.  I don't cook anything in any particular order.  I just choose from the list until all the meals are gone.  You can find other menu plans here.

1. biscuits and gravy
2. cereal
3. oatmeal
4. bagel sandwiches
5. cereal
6. omelets
7. French toast

1. pizza rolls, salad
2. taco salad
3. pb celery, cheese cubes, fruit salad
4. chef salad
5. leftover dinner
6. fried bologna, tomato soup
7. egg salad sandwiches, chips, grapes

1. garlic and herb pork chops, alfredo noodles, green beans
2. beef roast, potatoes, carrots
3. eggplant casserole, salad
4. leftovers
5. beef stew, biscuits
6. southern fried fish, buttered noodles, peas
7. pizza

1. oatmeal, fruit
2. cereal, fruit
3. eggs, toast, sausage
4. bagels, fruit
5. pumpkin muffins, fruit
6. bagel sandwiches
7. cereal, fruit

1. leftover dinner
2. grilled cheese and tomato soup
3. tuna helper, sm. Salad
4. ramean noodles, peas, pb sandwich
5. chicken nuggets, fries, green beans
6. ham rollups, chips, fruit
7. lunch out with the kids

1. Joan’s meatloaf, mashed pot, corn on the cob
2. taco, Spanish rice, refried beans,
3. chili, cornbread
4. honey baked chicken II, stuffing, carrots
5. easy oven barbecued pork chops, fried potatoes, zucchini and summer squash
6. fish, rice, broccoli
7. homemade pizza

Well I'm sure glad I have freezer meals this week as I'm recovering.  So this is the plan for the week.

Breakfast - cereal, oatmeal, or fruit

Lunch

1. ham sandwich, fruit, chips

2. leftover dinner

3. chicken salad sandwiches, carrot sticks, fruit

4. pb and jelly sandwich, chips, fruit

5. chicken noodle soup, pb sand

6. hot dogs, mac-n-cheese, fruit

7. tuna helper, salad

Dinner

1. beef strognof, salad

2. sweet and sour pork, rice, green beans

3. meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn

4. leftovers

5. homemade pizza

6. chili, cornbread

7. lasagna, salad, bread sticks

For more menu ideas visit I'm an organizing junkie and check out all the others.

Here is this week's plan.

Breakfast

1. bagel sandwiches

2. cheesy eggs

3. cereal, fruit

4. blueberry muffins, fruit

5. waffles

6. cereal, fruit

7. oatmeal, fruit

Lunch

1. chicken nuggets, carrot sticks

2. leftover dinner

3. chicken corn chowder, toasted pb. sandwich

4. ham sandwich, chips, fruit

5. pizza rolls, salad, fruit

6. chef salad, bread sticks, fruit

7. hamburger helper, sm. salad

Dinner

1. sweet and sour chicken, rice, vegetable

2. beef fajitas

3. pork loin, potatoe, vegetable

4. chili

5. homemade pizza

6. parmesan chicken, noodles, green beans

7. leftovers

I almost forgot you can find more menu plan at I'm an organizing junkie.

This week's menu

1. cereal, banana
2. oatmeal, apples
3. pancakes, peaches
4. cereal, pears
5. French toast, oranges
6. omelets
7. cinnamon muffins, banana

1. Ramen noodles w/ peas, pb. Sandwich
2. fried bologna/cheese sandwich, tomato soup
3. pb celery, raisins, cheese and crackers
4. egg salad sandwich, cheese sticks, fruit
5. leftover dinner
6. chicken burritos
7. homemade lunchables

1. carrot sticks w/ ranch dressing
2. apples
3. animal crackers
4. peanut butter crackers
5. celery w/ peanut butter
6. popcorn
7. cheese crackers
8. oranges
9. fruit cocktail
10. yogurt
11. cheese sticks
12.  cheese it cracker packs

Mjpuzzlemom does this on her blog so I thought I would start doing it also.  Of course I plan all the meals out so I'm just going to post it all.  I don't assign days to each meal though, I just come up with 7 meals for each meal.

Breakfast

1. cereal, fruit

2. oatmeal, fruit

3. bagels, fruit

4. cereal, fruit

5. pancakes, fruit

6. eggs, fruit, toast

7. pumpkin muffins, fruit

Lunch

1. chicken nuggets, carrot sticks, fruit

2. peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, fruit

3. hamburger helper, fruit, sm. salad

4. grilled cheese, tomato soup, fruit

5. tacos and oranges

6. chef salad, fruit

7. hot dogs, mac-n-cheese, fruit

Dinner

1. Potato corn chowder with chicken, cornbread (I was suppose to make this last week and didn't)

2. dinner sausage, some kind of potato, green beans

3. ground beef and vegetable casserole

4. Tangy pork roast, red potatoes, peas, dinner rolls

5. marinated chicken breast, rice, broccoli, homemade bread

6. homemade pizza

7. leftovers