Post from: Mommys Idea Book

Menu Plan for the Week 9/25 - 10/1

I know I’m a little behind this week getting my menu posted. I usually work on it on Saturday, but we spent the day at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. My son had been, but was so young he didn’t remember it, and it was the first time for my daughter. We had a lot of fun!

Then last night, I sat down to plan my menu for the week, only to realize I had already done it earlier last week. As I said on my Facebook page, I think I must be losing it

Anyway, let’s get this week started with an easy menu plan for the week.

Here’s what’s cooking this week:

~Breakfasts~

• Sunday - Cereal/Waffles/Muffins
• Monday - Turkey Bacon, Eggs
• Tuesday - Toasted Almond and Banana Waffles
• Wednesday - Yogurt & Granola
• Thursday - Cinnamon Swirl Bread French Toast
  
• Friday - Whole Wheat Honey Muffins
• Saturday - Not sure yet

~Lunches~

• Lunches usually consist of leftovers from the night before, or grilled cheese quesadillas on whole wheat tortillas, fruit, and other quick fix foods.

~Dinners~

• Sunday - Snacky Dinner
• Monday - Tacos
• Tuesday - Campfire Chicken (I never made this two weeks ago because I forgot to thaw the chicken), Cheesy Cornbread Muffins
• Wednesday - Waffle Sandwiches (I use Amy’s Homemade Waffles for these.)
• Thursday - Meatball Subs
• Friday - Homemade Pizza
• Saturday - Santa Fe Soup

What’s on your menu this week?

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

Menu Plan for the Week 9/25 - 10/1

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

9 Ways to Feed Your Family Better On A Budget

A couple of years ago, I started trying to feed my family more nutritious foods. I really went all out like I was ready to conquer the world.  I tried to buy mostly organics and cook everything from scratch with all whole grains. Yes, I went in a little over my head!

As to be expected, this was a drastic and overwhelming change for me and my family. That being said, I regressed quite a bit due to the affect it had on our budget, the fact that I didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing, and my family was not used to eating that way all the time.

To go from even a partially processed foods diet to a whole foods diet is not an overnight process. I’ve learned:

• It takes time to learn how to cook differently.
• It takes time for your family to adjust to eating differently.
• It takes time for you and your budget to adjust to shopping differently.

Of course, and then to make matters worse, while doing research to determine how to best feed my family, I was bombarded with numerous opinions on the web and in books about the right way to cook and eat. How was I suppose to know which ones were right?

Faced with these challenges, I admit, I got absolutely frustrated. I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and forget about it. I wanted to go back to what I was comfortable shopping for, cooking and eating.

But, how could I do that when the health of my family was in my hands. I’m the one responsible for what’s going into their mouths every day.

Have you ever felt this way? Do you struggle with some of these issues? Or is it just me??

Well, I finally came to the realization that I had to do the best I could with our budget and make the best decisions possible for my family, and then be happy.

Here are some things that I think make the process easier and more affordable.

1. Use Coupons/Stock Up On Sales

If you’ve been reading my site for long, you know I’m a believer in coupons. I even wrote this post a while back about using coupons for buying organics.

Although, I don’t use coupons for foods as often as I once did, I do still use them to stock up on basic cooking essentials when I find a good deal. You can read more about getting the most from your coupons in my couponing series.

Even if you don’t have coupons, but find a good deal, stock up when the product is at its lowest price.

2. Buy in Bulk

One of the best ways to save money is by buying in bulk. This could mean buying the huge container of old fashioned oats at the grocery store or buying active dry yeast in a 2lb bag online.

Also, many times buying meat in family packs is the cheapest route to go. Buy it when it’s on sale, divide it into freezer bags and freeze it. This can potentially be a huge money saver.

Basically, if it’s something you know you can use, or freeze, before it expires, and you can get a larger quantity at a lower price, go for it.

3. Cook Homemade and Freeze

This one is a biggie. Homemade foods is the key to eliminating processed foods on a budget. That doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen every day cooking.

Look for recipes that have few ingredients and are simple to make, but use whole, or very minimally processed, ingredients. Add a new recipe or two to your menu plan each week to begin building your new recipe file.

Another great option is to make double batches of muffins, pancakes, casseroles, soups and sauces. Freeze them for days when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

4. Eat More Produce Even If It’s Non-Organic

For so many, buying all organics is just not an option. I mean, let’s face it. Most of the time, they cost a lot more and for some people there aren’t a lot of organic options in the stores where they shop.

However, that is no reason to skip the fruits and vegetables. You’re still better off buying and filling yourself with fruits and vegetables even if they aren’t organic. Try to plan your menu around in-season and on sale produce to stretch your budget further.

5. Choose Whole Grains and Whole Foods

Whole grains is an area that won’t affect your budget nearly as much as you might think. This simply means replacing white breads with whole grain or whole wheat, white rice with brown, white pasta for whole wheat pasta and using whole wheat flour in place of all purpose flour.

Also look for foods that don’t contain MSG, food colorings, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Even though these foods may not be organic, they are better choices than buying foods that do contain these ingredients.

6. Consume Less Refined Sugars

Instead of white refined sugar, try to find other natural sweeteners for breads, muffins, pancakes, waffles, etc. A few great options include honey, raw sugar and maple syrup.

You might say that honey is expensive, and it is, however, you generally don’t need as much honey in a recipe as you do regular sugar. I found this Great Lakes Select Honey to be cheaper than what I can find at the grocery store. It’s not local, which would be better, but this is a sacrifice I make to be able to afford to use honey in place of regular sugar.

The raw sugar I use is turbinado sugar. Probably the best sugar to use is sucanat, as it is the least refined. However, we don’t really care for the taste of it, and it costs twice as much as the turbinado.

Grade B Maple Syrup is a favorite for pancakes, waffles and as a sweetener for plain yogurt. Because of it’s rich flavor, a little goes a long way. The cheapest way I have found it buy it is also through Amazon’s Subscribe and Save.

7. Drink More Water

Seriously, this is an area that can greatly impact your health and your budget. After all, your body is made up of over 50% water. Drinking water fits into everybody’s budget, and it’s the most essential liquid you can put into your body.

I’ve personally seen a huge difference in our budget since we have started drinking more water. Plus it has no calories. Who doesn’t want fewer calories, right?!?

8. Grow Your Own Produce

I love to get fresh vegetables from right out my back door. This is the best way to ensure organic produce and save your budget at the same time.

Start small though. Try growing one or two foods at the time and see how that goes. As your thumb gets greener, you may want to add to your garden. I really want to try growing strawberries next. We eat those like crazy!

9. Cut Yourself Some Slack

Last but not least, give yourself some wiggle room starting out on this journey. It’s unrealistic for majority of people to think they can eat all the perfect foods all the time.

If there is one thing I’ve learned through this experience, it’s that you have to do what works for your family, within your budget and keeps you sane. Sure, we still eat at McDonald’s occasionally and even drink a soda every once in a while, and I’m okay with that as long as it’s not a regular part of our lifestyle.

Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty if you can’t afford to eat the way they do or have time to bake all your own breads from scratch. Just do the best you can to eat healthy and be happy about it!!

Do you have any ideas you can add to this list? I’d love to hear them

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

9 Ways to Feed Your Family Better On A Budget

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

Menu Plan for the Week 9/18-9/24

As far as dinners go, this week I’m looking forward to a fairly simple week with an out of the freezer meal and a couple of slow cooker meals.

The beautiful fall weather we’ve been having lately tells me it’s time to really start breaking out the slow cooker recipes.

Here’s what’s cooking this week:

~Breakfasts~

• Sunday - Cereal/Waffles/Muffins
• Monday - Hearty Whole Wheat Granola Pancakes
• Tuesday - Yogurt & Granola
• Wednesday - Turkey Bacon, Eggs
• Thursday - Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce Muffins - I didn’t get these made last week, so I’m trying again this week.
  
• Friday - Baked Raisin Pecan Oatmeal
• Saturday - Sausage Gravy over Whole Wheat Biscuits

~Lunches~

• Lunches usually consist of leftovers from the night before, or grilled cheese quesadillas on whole wheat tortillas, fruit, and other quick fix foods.

~Dinners~

• Sunday - Grilled Hamburgers
• Monday - Taglarina (African Casserole - from the freezer)
• Tuesday - Grilled Pork Chops, Rice, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey & Cinnamon
• Wednesday - Crockpot Chili, Cinnamon Rolls (These Easy, No Rise Cinnamon Rolls were so simple and quick to make, and we loved them!)
• Thursday - Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, Macaroni & Cheese, Green Beans
• Friday - Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza
• Saturday - Tuna Salad, Cheese, Crackers, Fruit

What’s on your menu this week?

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

Menu Plan for the Week 9/18-9/24

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

Get Fit…With Brooke

I wonder who she’s been watching? Yep…I suppose that would be me

Almost every morning, Brooke sees me work up a sweat as I jump, lunge and squat with my favorite exercise videos. I definitely would not say it’s at the top of her entertainment list, but, obviously, it’s had a positive impact on her.

As I watched her attempt to repeat some of the workout moves she’s seen me do, I realized I have the perfect opportunity to encourage her to develop a healthy active lifestyle, simply by being an example to her.

She even asked me to get her a workout video for kids. Of course, I got her one, and she has actually done it a few times.

We all know our kids pick up a lot of our habits - good and bad. I hope that this is one of the good habits she will pick up from me and keep.

What good (or bad) habits are your kids picking up from you?

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

Get Fit…With Brooke

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

Menu Plan for the Week 9/11 - 9/17

Once again we had a lot going on last week. My husband took our daughter on a field trip, with her preschool class, to a local apple orchard on Wednesday. I had my Lasik post-op checkup that day so I wasn’t able to go, but it made for a fun daddy-daughter day!

They brought back a bag of the biggest apples I have ever seen! I’m not kidding. Oh, and they are so delicious. They make me never want an apple from the grocery store again. I’m not generally one to just sit down and eat an apple, but I almost craved those.

Oh and in case you’re curious, my eye appointment went very well. I am now seeing 20/15 in each eye. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that well.

As far as the menu plan goes, I didn’t stick to it very well last week, but I’m hoping to do a better job this week.

Here’s what’s cooking this week:

~Breakfasts~

• Sunday - Cereal/Waffles/Muffins
• Monday - Bacon & Eggs
• Tuesday - Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
• Wednesday - Egg Sandwiches
• Thursday - Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce Muffins
• Friday - Sausage & Buttermilk Biscuits (I’m cheating and using white flour. I have some in the pantry that I bought before I started using all whole wheat. It needs to be used.)
• Saturday - Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, Fruit

~Lunches~

• Lunches usually consist of leftovers from the night before, or grilled cheese quesadillas on whole wheat tortillas, fruit, and other quick fix foods.

~Dinners~

• Sunday - Chili Dogs, Kettle Chips
• Monday -Meatballs w/Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Black eyed Peas
• Tuesday - Lasagna Casserole, Garlic Bread, Salad
• Wednesday - Steaks, Baked Potatoes, Corn
• Thursday - Baked Spaghetti, Cheesy Bread Sticks, Salad
• Friday -Campfire Chicken, Cornbread Muffins
• Saturday - Sloppy Joes on Whole Wheat Buns

What’s on your menu this week?

Post from: Mommys Idea Book

Menu Plan for the Week 9/11 - 9/17