Monday, February 10, 2014

This Week on the Dining Table



It's the "Can We Please Not Get Anymore Snow for Awhile?!" Edition


 
Here is what was planned last week---
 
Sunday--Leftovers or FFY(I was the only one home)
Monday--Tuna Noodle Casserole, Grilled Asparagus
Tuesday--Kielbasa and Onions on Rolls, Brussell Sprouts
Wednesday--Roast Chicken, Collards, Smashed Rutabaga
Thursday--Eating Out, #2 Son at District Band Comp.
Friday--Chicken Fajitas(using leftover chicken from Wed.)
Saturday--Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Leftovers of FFY(Fend For Yourself)
 
And here is what actually happened---
 
Sunday--Leftovers or FFY(I was the only one home)
Monday--Tuna Noodle Casserole, Grilled Asparagus
Tuesday--Kielbasa and Onions on Rolls, Brussell Sprouts
Wednesday--Roast Chicken, Collards, Smashed Rutabaga
Thursday--Eating Out at Bob Evans using gift card
Friday--Fend for Yourself(I was home alone)
Saturday--Chicken Fajitas(using leftover chicken from Wed.)

Everything served as planned except I forgot I was going to be home along for dinner on Friday so Friday's dinner was prepared Saturday.
Not a big deal.
Eating out used a previously purchases gift card combined with a BOGO Entree free Coupon.
 
I spent a total of.....*sit down for this one!*....$184.53 on groceries last week.
I had spent $51 or so early on in the week, but then Hubs took me to R-A, The local market and Weis PMITA Markets on Saturday and I spent $133+ I wasn't expecting to.  I found some good deals(b/s chicken breast for $1.88 lb. cantaloupes for $1.47, blocks of cheese on special)so I spent.  We also needed dog food last week and that is something we don't buy often but when we do we stock up. 
Even if I spent loads more than usual in 1 week, my savings rate was still 50%, and my savings rate for February so far is 59.15%.
Pretty darn good. 8-))

I don't expect to buy much this coming week since I've planned a menu around what is here for the most part, except for some fresh produce.

If I am trying to do a $300 food budget month, I have already spent $288.40 in February and it's only the 10th!
Holey Moley.

That means I have 14 more days after this coming Saturday to feed us until the month is over and $11.60 left in my food kitty to accomplish this.
Hmmmmm.......
Don't know how I am going to pull THAT off but I'll give it a shot.  ;-)
 
Going into the new week here are the leftovers we have.....
Collards, Chicken Fajita fixings.
 
Here is this week's meal plan----

Sunday--Broiled Cod, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Onions, Coleslaw
Monday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Sugar Snap Peas w/Red Peppers
Tuesday--Chicken in Wine Sauce, Noodles, Broccoli
Wednesday--Hot Dogs w/Coleslaw, Red Potato Salad, Beans(for Hubs/#2 Son)
Thursday--Quiche(freezer), TBD Veggies
Friday--Mushroom Parmesan, Salad
Saturday--Breakfast for Dinner or Leftovers

That makes 6 new meals and 1 leftover or planned over meal.
As I only have enough turkey lunchmeat for 2 lunches so I'll be eating on leftovers for lunches this week after that is gone.

What I need to purchase for this menu?.......maybe some fresh produce or I'll just dig some veggies out of the freezer instead.
 

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?
 

Sluggy

22 comments:

  1. Ouch. You've got about $12 left for the month... you can do it! Then again, if not, you did spend it rebuilding your stock, so maybe you should discount that from this month's. I have been wondering what I want to do. I need to stop whining about my "food menu"... I only cook once and I whine enough to make you think I'm cooking something different every day for an army. I have plenty of meats at the house, just little desire to cook any of it. I think I'll go with porkchops with honey glaze and a heapload of vegetables. Hmm... and beans. What's mushroom parmesan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mushroom parm is taking a large portabella mushroom cap, sautéing it on both sides, then layering spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese on top and either covering the pan until melted or transferring into an oven to melt/bake or transferring onto your plate and into the microwave to melt the cheese.

      It's basically a parmesan treatment of a mushroom instead of chicken or veal and NO breading or deep frying.

      Delete
  2. I had the same question about the mushroom parmesan. I have chicken breast (boneless, skinless) thawing. It was on special for $1.49. I am making Spanish rice with it. Then, I have a turkey thawing. There are two cabbages, red cabbage, onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, romaine.

    The turkey is so huge that I don't know if I can get it into the oven. I am not sure it will fit my pan. It was a good sale, though.

    And, it is supposed to come a winter storm on Tuesday and Wednesday with ice and snow. ugh

    ReplyDelete
  3. Look at your delicious menu this week? Can I come over?? I have no desire to make a menu today :(....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well you had better start walking if you want to get here before the menfolk here eat it all! lol

      Delete
  4. OK Lena and I are coming over for dinner. I will be there Monday for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wondered what FFY was til I read further on - lol! I'm such a bad mother - all our meals are FFY!! Actually I cook up a bunch of food on Saturday or Sunday to last the week. I don't cook new everyday - I'm just not that into cooking. Like I said - bad mother!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well since your child is 23 years old, you are NOT a bad mother for not cooking for her every day. Heck, she should be cooking for you sometimes! ;-)

      Delete
  6. didn't know you folks up North ate collards. Interesting. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I may live up North now but I am FROM the South!
      Anybody eating at my house no matter where it's located IS eating collards. lolz

      Delete
  7. I'm curious how long leftovers last? you said you have collards and chicken fajitas but leftovers aren't planned til the end of the week...or are they for lunches? I grew up with a mom who tossed most things after the meal yes :-( or within a couple of days. 3 was her absolute limit and if it involved mayo less than that. I really don't have a good idea and the 'smell' test I'm not so sure about....I dont' want to be wasteful but sure don't wanna get sick either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How long leftovers will stay edible really depends on the food, how it's prepared and how it's stored. You might be surprised how long some foodstuffs last in your fridge! I am sure there must be a website somewhere that gives you guidelines on specific foods and how long they are "safe". My rule of thumb is if it still smells ok(doesn't smell "off" let alone "spoiled")and it's not growing mold or contain colors that weren't in there when you cooked it, it still is safe to eat. I try to eat leftovers within 2 weeks of cooking it, but I've had some foods last longer than that, but I try not to tempt fate or the salmonella gods too much.
      Often, if I see that a leftover is not going to be eaten within the week, I'll throw it into the freezer. Doing so stops the clock on it's viability, at least until you thaw it out again.

      Delete
    2. I believe clean hands, using a clean spoon to taste, and storing properly are keys to keeping food fit to eat, unspoiled. Two weeks is my limit, too, whether it is growing red and yellow mold or not and smells as good as when I made it.

      Delete
  8. I am on holiday, so what we eat is both impromptu and restaurant ware; far from 'budget'. But what the heck, I am on vacation. Mexico isn't too bad. Last night's feast (with two glasses of wine) cost me 25$.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey we took some snow, at least 10 inches. So now it is your turn again.

    ReplyDelete
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