Eat from the Pantry Challenge-Monthly Menu

I have made our menu plan for the month and it looks pretty good. I'll be off to Winco and Costco this morning to replenish a few things before we start our "Eat from the Pantry" challenge. I will mainly just be buying dairy items, refilling my spice jars, and topping off my sugar and flour buckets. I think we are good to go, so wish us luck. I'm sure we'll be at the Farmer's Market for veggies and Costco for milk, but my focus is to use what we have or make do without! I am totally hoping to stay out of the grocery stores as much as possible this month!

Here's what we have on the dinner menu this month:

• Pizza x 5 (Every Friday, but I think we'll switch it up by making individual sizes)
  
• Sloppy Joes
  
• Fajitas
  
• Talapia
  
• Beef Tri-Tip x 3
  
• Roasted Chicken x 2
  
• PW's Chicken Pot Pie
  
• Poor Man's Meal
  
• Breakfast for Dinner
  
• Spaghetti
  
• Tacos
  
• Pulled Pork (may use PW's recipe)
  
• Hamburgers x 2
  
• PW's Enchiladas
  
• Lemon Chicken
  
• Fettuccini Alfredo
  
• Toasted Cheese and Soup
  
• PW's Marlboro Man Sandwich
  
• PW's Lasagna
  
• Pork Country Ribs
  
• Meatloaf
  
• Quesedilla
  
• Pasta with Red Sauce
  

Until next time,

Pantry Challenge

Well, I challenged myself to use what we have in our food supply for January and now I see the pantry challenge all over blogland. I guess great minds think alike! I always menu plan for the month since I get paid once a month, but this time I really wanted to use what we have on hand. Hopefully we'll get off to a great start since we don't go back to school until the 11th. I am hoping to prep a lot of stuff while I'm still on break so life back in the real world will be easier!

I will have to buy milk and produce over the month, but as far as everything else goes we are looking pretty good. I'll be posting my freezer inventory and pantry inventory over the next few days so you all can see where my menu plan came from!

Goals for this challenge:

*Save grocery money
*Prepare as many things from scratch as possible
*Make room for possible bulk meat purchase this spring
*Make myself really stick to my menu plan
*Have fun trying new recipes
*Keep all my mens' tummies happy

Until next time,

Gratitude in 2009

I have been thinking a lot about what I am most grateful for in 2009 and it finally dawned on me; my family.

I think the faces I get to see everyday will speak for themselves.

My "Z"


My "L"


My "N"


and my best friend "K"

With these men in my life I have it all!
I am looking forward to seeing what 2010 has in store for us!

For more Gratituesday head on over to
Laura's at Heavenly Homemakers.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 12-27-09

I cannot believe it is the last week of 2009! It has been such a crazy year in our house, but also such a year of growth. We have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to reflect on as we begin 2010. Planning and budgets and organizing are always my favorite things, but there is something about having a fresh start that is invigorating! I am looking forward to seeing where 2010 takes us!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Waffles , Pancakes, French toast, Frittata (I'll be restocking the freezer this week!)


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather


Dinners:
Sunday- Leftovers

Monday- Quesedilla with Chicken or Beef, Beans, Spanish Rice

Tuesday- Beef Stew, Rolls, Salad

Wednesday- Country Ranch Chicken, Rice, Steamed Veggies

Thursday- YOYO Night

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Sloppy Joes, Corn, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,