This Week on the Dining Table.....Nov. 24th to Nov. 30th

 The "Have a Twinkie Christmas" Edition.........

I snapped a shot of this display in Walmart last week.  Ginormous boxes of Twinkies in Christmas themed boxes.  These have to be the largest boxes of Twinkies I've ever seen!

I don't think most people would be happy to open this as a present on 

Christmas morning.

Would you?

I wonder how many of these will be bought?

Personally, I didn't eat these as a kid(well, maybe a couple)but I was never a fan.  I preferred the little fruit pies Hostess made.

Onward to the meal planning!

Here is what was planned for last week.....

1. Sunday--Beef Pie

2. Monday--Cheddar Broccoli Soup, Biscuits

3. Tuesday--something Leftover

4. Wednesday--something Leftover

5. Thursday--probably Ham in some iteration, Green Beans

6. Friday--Leftovers? with Roasted Broccoli

7. Saturday--more Leftovers

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Beef Pie

2. Monday--Didn't feel like cooking so we fended for ourselves(Hubs wanted Taco Bell for lunch so I didn't feel the need to eat much of anything after that)

3. Tuesday--Cheddar Broccoli Soup, Biscuits

4. Wednesday--Ham, Teriyaki Green Beans

5. Thursday--Rotisserie Chicken, Roasted Broccoli w/Balsamic Vinegar

6. Friday--Leftovers(Pork Stir-Fry)

7. Saturday--Leftovers(Beef Pie)

Pretty much most of what was planned happened.  I made the Beef Pie(which provided leftovers)and the Soup, though the soup happened a day later due to a scrumptious(eye roll)Taco Bell lunch on Monday.

What got taken out of the freezer last week....

*  1 lb. Ground Beef

*  a bag of Broccoli(went into the soup)+ some fresh Broccoli

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  a Ham Bone

                   

Last week we spent $109.87 grocery shopping.

Total shopping comes to $357.69 for November.  There are 5 shopping days left in November.  We are taking our last donation for the year to the food bank today so other than some Brussel Sprouts and maybe some Sweet Potatoes I am done shopping for the month.

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $245.25 on Ibotta in November.

I've earned $30.91 on Checkout51 in November.

I've earned $84.13 on Aisle, etc. in November. 

I've earned $15.58 on TaDa in November.

I've earned 35,652 points on Fetch from food shopping in November.

I've earned 15,074 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in November.($60.29)

I've earned 20,290 points on My Points in November.(not sure what the conversion rate is here)

I've earned 1,259 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in November.($12.59)

That is $360.29 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/MyPoints/Swag Bucks/TaDa/The Insiders were I earn gift cards)on $357.69 of grocery spending so in reality it's negative $2.60 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending(but I do count any rebates on those items) so it's a win/win--the food bank gets a large donation of goods and I get a lower grocery bill.

My savings percentage for the last week was 40.00% and the monthly savings total for November comes in at 42.15% spent.

Leftovers going into this week.....Beef Pie, Ham, a Piece of Pork Tenderloin, Ham, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Ham, Roasted Broccoli, Ham, Green Beans, Some Rotisserie Chicken, Ham.

Here is this week's food plan.....

1. Sunday--Leftovers(Ham and Green Beans)

2. Monday--Leftovers

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Turkey, Stuffing, Brussel Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls, Rutabaga(if I can find one that is bigger than the size of a tennis ball), Pie

6. Friday--New Leftovers

7. Saturday--New Leftovers

Other than Thanksgiving, we are all about the leftovers this week.  I've got meatballs and sauce in the freezer if we get tired of same old, same old.

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

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week? 

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Enjoying the Last of the Morning Glories" Edition--

Fairly soon my flowers here will be history for another year.  Between the weather turning colder(not yet)and both of the dogs eating the vines they can get to(yes they are EATING the vines lolz)I haven't got much longer to enjoy these beauties.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

This  is what was planned--

1. Sunday--Leftover turkey breast w/gravy, roasted broccoli

2. Monday--various meat leftovers and squash and onions

3. Tuesday--Anniversary Dinner Out(36th)

4. Wednesday--Something out of the freezer

5. Thursday--Lobster, Cole Slaw, Mac and Cheese

6. Friday--Leftovers or BLTs
7. Saturday--Pizza(homemade), Salad

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Leftover turkey breast w/gravy, roasted broccoli

2. Monday--various Meat leftovers, Roasted Broccoli

3. Tuesday--Anniversary Dinner Out(36th)

4. Wednesday--TV dinners(various)

5. Thursday--Sausage, Squash and Onions, Mac and Cheese

6. Friday--Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Sliced Tomatoes
7. Saturday--Chili and Cornbread

Last week saw 4-5 nights of home cooked dinners, 1-2 night of leftovers/fend for yourself/tv dinners, 1 night of Take-Out or Eating Out.  
I didn't buy any lobster last week because I found other clearance/pantry deals to use up the rest of the monthly grocery budget including some discount meats(sausages, fryer chicken).  We also didn't make a pizza either.
Maybe I'll get some lobster this week if I want to splurge out but haven't checked the PC ad yet to see if they are still on sale.

Trips to Weis, the Shursave Market, Walmart, Target and the Farm stand brought the weekly food spending to $110.63 and the monthly total to $398.20.
I have 0 days left in my shopping month for August and have $1.80 left in the food budget that I didn't spend. 

My savings percentage last week was 59.62%(without Rite-Aid trips)and August's monthly savings grand total came to 58.50%.

Leftovers going into this week......chili, cornbread, squash and onions, small piece of London Broil.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Fish, Coleslaw, French Fries

2. Monday--Steak, Corn, Deviled Eggs

3. Tuesday--Chicken Fajitas

4. Wednesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs(freezer), Salad, Garlic Bread

5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--BLTs
7. Saturday--Eggplant in Hoisin Sauce, Rice

This week will see 6 new meals cooked, 1 night of leftovers/FFY, 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.
Maybe one less new meal if we have enough leftovers for 2 nights.  Not sure since Hubs often eats leftovers for lunch(he doesn't care for cold sandwiches).

What needs buying for this menu? Steaks, Corn, Mushrooms, Salad Greens, Milk

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

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week? 

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Lots of Veggies to Use Up Now" Edition--

I grabbed this off of someone on Facebook.  It made me laugh hard! lolz
It also made be think of you McVal.  8-)))

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

1. Sunday--Hot Dogs on Rolls, leftover Macaroni Salad(Hubs can handle this)

2. Monday--Pizza, Fried Zucchini(If I can get ex-College Boy to make the zuke)

3. Tuesday--Tacos or Taco Salad(Hubs can handle this)

4. Wednesday--Leftovers, Squash and Onions(Hubs can handle this, at least the leftovers part)

5. Thursday--Chicken and Dumplings(If I am well enough to traipse downstairs)

6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Hot Dogs on Rolls, leftover Macaroni Salad

2. Monday--Pizza(Hubs got take-out)

3. Tuesday--Tacos or Taco Salad(Hubs made this.)

4. Wednesday--Fried Zucchini

5. Thursday--Meatloaf in the freezer, Squash and Onions, Garlic Mashed Taters

6. Friday--leftover Eggplant Parm, Tomato and Cuke Salad
7. Saturday--Mexican Stuffed Zucchini

Last week saw 6 nights of home cooked dinners, 0 night of leftovers/fend for yourself, 1 night of Take-Out or Eating Out.  
Since I was bedridden for 3 days Hubs handled dinner(and I told him what to make/do).  He did Sun, ordered a pizza on Mon, Tues, the daughter handled Wed and some of Thurs.
The chicken and dumplings didn't happen obviously so it moves to this week.

Two trips, one to each of Weis and the Shursave Markets brought the weekly food spending to $24.99 and the monthly total to $85.43.
I have 18 days left in my shopping month for August and have $314.57 left in the food budget to spend this month.

My savings percentage last week was 35.20%(without Rite-Aid trips)and August's monthly savings total comes to 48.52% so far.

Leftovers going into this week......

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Pork Chops, Squash Casserole, leftover Fried Zucchini(Daughter cooking)

2. Monday--Breakfast for Dinner(Meat, Eggs, Waffles)

3. Tuesday--BLTs

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Ham and Zuke Quiche, Tossed Salad

6. Friday--Something on the Grill, Tomatoes
7. Saturday--Chicken and Dumplings

This week will see 6 new meals cooked, 1 nights of leftovers/FFY, 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.
Using up garden veggies this week(squash casserole, Waffles, Quiche, Salads)or freezing them.  Only running the oven 2 nights(for casserole and quiche)and those will give us leftovers.  I may make a cake while the oven is on for the quiche too.

What needs buying for this menu? Half and Half for the quiche.  I am waiting until later in the week to make/serve this as half and half is going on sale at Weis. ;-)  I'll be picking up some loss leaders and almost freebies w/Qs.  Other than that I have all the meats but just have to dig something out of the freezer to grill.

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

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week? 

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "There is Handicapped and Then There is 'Handicapped' " Edition--

Here is another clueless person parking in a none parking spot at a Walmart in WV.  Yellow cross marks are NOT a parking space.....it is the space BETWEEN the parking spaces.
Why is this so hard to understand?
Heck next thing you know these folks will be just pulling their cars up to the doors onto the sidewalk and leaving them there. lolz

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Leftovers(or Eating-Out while on the road)

2. Monday--Leftover Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

3. Tuesday--Leftover Beef Pie

4. Wednesday--Leftover Haluski

5. Thursday--Leftover Ham, Sugar Snap Peas
6. Friday--Leftovers if still available or ?
7. Saturday--Leftovers if still available or ?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--We ate a late lunch on the road and no dinner

2. Monday--Leftover Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

3. Tuesday--Leftover Beef Pie

4. Wednesday--Leftover Ham, Potato Salad, Sauteed Cabbage

5. Thursday--Fish, Glazed Carrots, Cheddar Biscuits(Hubs cooked!!)
6. Friday--Fend for Yourself(I had a pbj)
7. Saturday--Pork Tenderloin, Cauliflower in cheese sauce

Last week saw 3 nights of home cooked dinners(or mostly home cooked), 3 nights of leftovers, 1 night of eating-out(for me and Hubs)and 0 nights of Take-Out.  

When I made Halushki the week before, it only used up half a huge head of cabbage.  So I sauteed the other half with onions and added some bacon for a side last week.

I made 1 trip to Weis Markets, 1 trip to the Shursave Market  and with what I bought in VA last week, it brought the weekly food spending to $68.67 last week, and bringing food spending in September to $276.99 so far.  I have $73.01 left to stay under $350 spent for the month on food and 6 days left in the month.  I should stay under that budgeted amount unless I find some pork butts to smoke.  ;-) 

My savings percentages last week and for the month to-date?   Last week's percentage was 57.36% and the monthly ends up at 48.72% as well(without Rite-Aid trips added in). 

Leftovers going into this week.......a hunk of baked ham, Halushki, Potato Salad, Sauteed Cabbage, Pork Tenderloin, Cauliflower in Sauce, Beef Pie.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Roasted Chicken with Roasted Veggies

2. Monday--Tuna Noodles Casserole, leftover Cabbage

3. Tuesday--Beef and Broccoli over Rice

4. Wednesday--Something with Ham, Roasted Asparagus

5. Thursday--Mac and Cheese w/Ham, Sugar Snap Peas
6. Friday--Leftover Pork Tenderloin, Leftover Cauliflower
7. Saturday--?

This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 1-2 nights of leftovers and ? nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out.
I'll be trying to find ways to use up that ham hunk this week.  I am still clueless about what to serve on Saturday and am hoping inspiration hits between now and then. lolz

What I need to buy for this menu?  Nothing really as I have all the ingredients I need to make this lot.

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

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The  "Well We Won't Try THAT Again!" Edition--

Hubs and I decided to go out to lunch on Sunday to Bob Evans around 1pm.  The place was bonkers crowded!  There was a 30 min. wait for a table which I have never seen there.  Then we tried Denny's and it was the same story!  We tried to think if we had ever tried to eat out on a Sunday afternoon before here......and I guess we haven't since moving here in 2000.  Evidently, the entire population of Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding areas eats out on Sunday!  Well everyone but us. lolz
Don't attempt to eat out on Sundays around here......duly noted.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Primo Hoagies(take-out)

2. Monday--Tacos, Salads or Burritos(using leftover filling+)

3. Tuesday--Pinto Beans w/Ham, Cornbread

4. Wednesday--Grilled Chicken Thighs, leftover Mac/Cheese, Salad

5. Thursday--Pork Chops, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Veggies
6. Friday--Leftovers or homemade Pizza
7. Saturday--Dinner Out(using a gift certificate)

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Primo Hoagies(take-out)

2. Monday--Tacos, Salads or Burritos(using leftover filling+)

3. Tuesday--Chicken Parm, Penne Pasta, Tossed Salad

4. Wednesday--Grilled Chicken Thighs, leftover Mac/Cheese, Asparagus

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Swiss/Mushroom Burgers, Mac Salad
7. Saturday--Homemade Pizza

Last week saw 7 nights of dinners....1 night of take-out, 2 nights of Leftovers and 4 nights of cooking new meals.  The beans and pork chops didn't happen and move to this week.

One trip to Weis(which was "free" as I used a gift card paid for last year), 1 trip to Shursave Market and 1 trip to the Bread Outlet put a dent in the food budget of $43.97.   This brought my May food spending total to $43.97.  There are 23 days left in the month.  

I got a 9+ lb. spiral sliced ham for .99¢ lb. at Shursave as they were on clearance(leftovers from Easter stock I assume).  I put that into the freezer so Hubs and Daughter can eat off of it when I am on my trip later this month.  Hopefully this will help keep them from getting take-out every night.  ;-)

My savings percentages last week was 71.18%. 

Leftovers going into this week....... Ham bone, 3 Rolls, Taco filling, small amount of Mac & Cheese, 3 Chicken thighs, 2 Chicken Parm pieces and Pizza slices.

Here is this week's "food plan"....
* Denotes "complicated" meals

1. Sunday--Pinto Beans w/Ham, Cornbread

2. Monday--Flounder, Fried Potatoes, Yellow Squash and Onions

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Pork Chops, Garlic Mashed Taters, Stir-Fry Veggies

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Meatloaf, Veggie TBD
7. Saturday--maybe Chinese Take-Out

This week will see 4 new meals cooked, 1 night of Take-Out/Eating-Out and 2 nights of Leftovers.

What I need to buy for this menu? Some fresh produce and milk but that's about it.  I haven't even looked at the sales ads for this week so not sure what I want to pick up otherwise.  I do need to use my rain checks as they will expire while I am out of town.

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

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "No Energy/Getting Back into My Groove" Edition.......

I have felt so sluggish this past week with no 'umph'.  While the weather has cooled off into the 70's and 60's it has rained or been high humidity all week so I didn't get a lot accomplished other than grocery shopping/cooking/dogsitting/the usual.  Nothing much on my monthly To-Do List got done last week.
But my morning glories are still going gangbusters!

Moving on......

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Leftovers

2. Monday--Subway sandwiches Take-Out

3. Tuesday--Tuna Noodle Casserole, Sauted Squash

4. Wednesday--Meatloaf, Noodles, Fried Green Tomatoes

5. Thursday--Kielbasa, Halushki

6. Friday--Crab Cakes, Fries, Cole Slaw, Broccoli

7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Leftovers

2. Monday--Subway sandwiches Take-Out

3. Tuesday--Tuna Noodle Casserole, Sauted Squash

4. Wednesday--Meatloaf, Noodles, Green Beans

5. Thursday--Kielbasa, Halushki

6. Friday--Chinese Take-Out(The kids went to the fair)

7. Saturday--Rigatoni in Meat/Mushroom Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread

5 meals cooked at home, 1 of them a night of leftovers, 0 nights Eating Out and 2 night of Take-Out(1 I was feeling badly and the other we treated ourselves since the kids were out.)

Some leftovers were eaten for lunches last week.  The Crab cakes which were not cooked/served move to this week and WILL happen this week, finally! lolz

As for the grocery spending.....2 trips to Weis and 1 trip to the Shursave grocery store brought my weekly spending to $101.00 and my September food spending Grand Total to $721.51.
Yes I could have gotten by without any food purchases this last week of September but there were some awesome Deals on things other than meat this past week and I took advantage of those Deals--8 boxes of cereal for .44¢ a box + a free gallon of milk coupon, 18 boxes of facial tissue for .55¢ a box, 16 cans of soup for .52¢ a can, 2 large boxes of pancake mixes for .99¢ box, 5 x 1 lb. blocks of cheese for $2.99 each, 10 x 8 oz. bags of shredded cheese for $1.50 each, 4 x 8 oz. containers of mayo for .50¢ each, 2 boxes of taco shells + 1 can refried beans for .76¢ each, 2 jars of spaghetti sauce for .89¢ each, 8 containers of instant potatoes for .19¢ each, and 3 small tubes of cinnamon rolls for .21¢ each.  The Deals cost me $59.90 but it was tremendous value for that amount($164.83 regular retail)and now I won't need certain products for months to come and won't have to worry about paying full price for them if bought when absolutely needed.  8-)

Leftovers going into this week........beef bourguinon, 1 chicken thigh w/peppers, 1/4 turkey breast, stuffing, rigatoni in sauce, 2 kielbasa, small container halushki, small container of flavored noodles, 2 pieces garlic bread.

Here is this week's "food plan".

1. Sunday--Cheese Steak Sandwiches with Peppers and Onions(requested)
2. Monday--Hamburgers on Rolls, Fried Green Tomatoes, French Fries
3. Tuesday--Leftovers(probably Beef Bourguinon)
4. Wednesday--Chicken & Stuffing Casserole(using leftover stuffing)
5. Thursday--Leftovers(Hubs and are going out/Kids on their own)
6. Friday--Crab Cakes, Cole Slaw, Broccoli
7. Saturday--Leftovers

This week will see 4 new meals cooked and 0 nights of Take-Out and 3 nights of Leftovers.

What I need to buy for this menu?  Sub Rolls, Steak-Umms, and Provolone Cheese.(Already bought on Saturday and a great deal.)

I do need to find a deal on B/S chicken breasts soon as I have none left.  Other than that and the few things I need for this menu I don't plan on stocking up on anything this week.

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

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "On the Road Again" Edition.............

We are settling into the Shit Hole Motel here in Coastal Maine.
I guess I am just getting too old to travel anymore......

Moving on......

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Take-Out Chinese
2. Monday--Chicken Parm, Tossed Salad or Leftover Asparagus
3. Tuesday--Chicken Pot Pie
4. Wednesday--Quiche, Tossed Salad
5. Thursday--Tuna Noodle Casserole
6. Friday--Verde Salsa Chicken on Tortillas
7. Saturday--No Clue?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Take-Out Chinese
2. Monday--Leftovers
3. Tuesday--Chicken Pot Pie
4. Wednesday--Quiche, Tossed Salad
5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Wax and Green Beans, Chipotle Noodles
6. Friday--Tempura Zucchini
7. Saturday--Don't know what Daughter fixed yet*will update this later

6 meals cooked at home, 1 of them nights of leftovers and 1 night of Take-Out.   Daughter made the quiche on Wednesday and the pot pies were emergency provisions from the freezer after I had my abscess excised and I didn't feel up to cooking from scratch.

As for my grocery spending..... I spent a total of $574.57 on July's groceries.  I have negative $124.57 left of my $450 food budget for the month.
Let's just move along....nothing to see here.  ;-)


Leftovers going into this week........asparagus, quiche, chicken parm.

Here is this week's "food plan"--Daughter is in charge of food while we are gone.

1. Sunday--Pizza(home made with Boboli crusts)
2. Monday--Kielbasa on Rolls, Onions, Veg.
3. Tuesday--Tuna Noodle Casserole
4. Wednesday--Salsa Verde Carne Burritos
5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Beef Pie
7. Saturday--Take-Out of some kind

This week will see 5 new meals cooked and 1 night of  Take-Out and 1 night of Leftovers.

What we need to buy for this menu.....milk and fruit maybe.  I have everything here to make her dishes but will leave some grocery $ too.

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

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "I spent money this weekend" Edition--

 

 Besides my "wild" spending spree at Big Lots this past weekend, Saturday was the annual local Church fundraising auction.  I dropped some major coin at that too!  I got some deals(I was more selective than last year's lot)and helped out a local church keep their doors open.  I also had my annual bowl of haluski there as they served lunch.
More on my auction haul later......

Onward to the meal planning!

 

Here's what was planned last week.......
 

1. Sunday--Eating Out while traveling-I had a Roast Beef Panini and Salad
2. Monday--Leftover Beef Stroganoff, Veggie TBD
3. Tuesday--Ribs, Yellow Squash and Onions
4. Wednesday--Smoked Chicken, Smoked Potato Salad, Smoked Apples
5. Thursday--Fish, leftover veggies, cheddar broccoli soup
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--Leftovers

 

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Eating Out while traveling-I had a Roast Beef Panini and Salad
2. Monday--Leftover Beef Stroganoff, leftover mixed Beans or Salad
3. Tuesday--Ribs, Smoked Potato Salad
4. Wednesday--Smoked Baked Chicken, Sauted stir-fry Veggies
5. Thursday--Fish, Yellow Squash and Onions, Noodles
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--Red Lobster, eating out

I basically cooked 2 days last week for 3 days worth of meals(except for the stir-fry which was made on the 3rd day of eating).  We splurged Saturday and went out for an early dinner for seafood.  Not a big fan of that chain but it was "Endless Shrimp" after all.  ;-)
 

As for my grocery spending last week......ended Sept. with a couple of small Weis shops($70.15 total) for a total of $212.25 spent for the month.  I did a shop(or two)at Big Lots this past weekend on October's food monies and spent $30.76 of my $300 Oct. food budget.

Leftovers going into this week....ribs and smoked chicken.  We ate ribs last night(and there are still 2 more servings)and I might take the leftover smoked chicken and make a garlicky broth soup with it to have for lunches this week.
 

Here is this week's food plan--

1. Sunday--Leftover Ribs, Leftover Potato Salad, Leftover Squash & Onions
2. Monday--Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread
3. Tuesday--Fish(freezer), Mixed Veggies(freezer), Roasted Potatoes(pantry)
4. Wednesday--Meatloaf(freezer), Collards(garden), Roasted Potatoes(leftover)
5. Thursday--Leftovers(Lasagna or Ribs)
6. Friday--Leftovers(Lasagna or Meatloaf)
7. Saturday--More Leftovers or Pizza take-out(use freebie)if we are tired of eating Leftovers


What I need to buy for this menu?......cottage cheese, Romaine lettuce.  I'll be picking up a few other items that are on sale this week besides those 2 items but it shouldn't run more than $25 total(unless surprise meat/produce specials pop up while I'm in the store).  8-)  Spending $25 will put me right around $55 spent of my food budget for October.  I have to keep reminding myself that I am only giving myself $300 this month for groceries/toiletries.  If $55 spent gets us through Oct. 10th I'll be in great shape to meet this challenge.

Cooking 3 days this week(other than making side dishes to have with leftovers)will yield me 2 more leftovers(lasagna, meatloaf)to eat up later in the week.  But I already have a premade meatloaf in the freezer that just needs a bit of thawing and then sticking in the oven so not really "cooking" that night.  It's difficult even if you make a small one to NOT have leftovers when it's lasagna and meatloaf and it's only 2 people eating those meals.

It's a compact cooking week with plans to eat all the leftovers keeping food waste at bay.
 

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

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten that week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week? 

Sluggy