The Menu Mom

Hi there!  I did not fall off the face of the earth… We just had an absolutely CRAZY (not good crazy) week last week.  You can read more at www.dinewithoutwhine.com/blog  At any rate, I just wanted to check in. 

A.) I will very soon share some about the new eating habits we are developing through the PRISM program.

B.)  Within the next few weeks I have a fun new thing to share with you.. I CAN NOT WAIT!  (but we’re not quite ready yet..) 

Stay Tuned!

For those of you still doing the freezer/pantry challenge, how is it going? 

C-

Well, the month has come to an end!  I’m sorry I didn’t update the last couple days – I took a couple days away from the computer – I need to do that every once in awhile for myself and my family.  It was fun to have so many of you join us on this challenge!  I hope it was rewarding and eye-opening for you.  My friend Susanne, “The Hillbilly Housewife” explained her experiences quite well – I couldn’t have said it better myself! 

We did good on the 30th.  On the 31st we did eat out and shop.  This is because A.) If we go to the big town grocery store, we are gone during at least one meal – always (which means we eat out) and B.) We went shopping because otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to until next weekend and it just couldn’t wait that long.  The big bummer was that I totally forgot to take pictures of my empty pantry and freezer until it was partially stocked again!  I was so mad at myself!  However, the good news is, that what we bought was all healthy alternatives. 

Last month, we did great eating out of our stash – the big picture for me was to get rid of a lot of the convenience foods we had sitting around.  Truth be told, we really need to start eating healthier around here!  I have several pounds I need to lose.  So… today begins a new challenge for our family…  We will not be eating flour or sugar for the next six weeks (well, my husband and myself.. we’re allowing the kids a bit.) 

If you are up for another month of the pantry challenge, please do check in!  I’d love to hear how you are doing!  Especially on month two!  That will get even more challenging!  As for us… I will probably end up donating a lot of what is left in our pantry to our local church food collection, as we move on to a healthier focus in our household. 

C-

Breakfast: Pancakes

Lunch:  Leftover Pizza, & Deerburgers and grapes

Dinner:  Homemade Pizza & Salad

We are almost through!  Couple more days!  How are you holding up?

C-

Breakfast:  Blueberry Muffins, Bananas

Lunch:  Deer Burgers (no buns) Salad, Apples

Dinner:  Leftover Pizza and Salad

So for those of you who have saved quite a bit of money this month, what are you going to do with the extra money? 

My next month’s challenge is going to be no flour/sugar for my husband and myself.  The kids we will try to cut back some, but not cold turkey for them.  YIKES!  A Scary but much needed challenge!  Matt and I will be following the PRISM Program. 

C-

Breakfast:  Eggo’s, Bananas, Muffins

Lunch:  Spaghettio’s

Dinner:  Went out with Gift Certificates – $0 out of pocket  Pizza, Salad, Breadsticks

Kind of a boring day.  I’m exhausted!  Off to bed!

C-

Breakfast:  Blueberry Muffins & Strawberry/Peach Smoothies, Cheerios

Lunch:  Leftover Chili Cheese Dip, String Cheese, Dried Peaches,

Dinner:  Meatloaf, More bread (the recipe makes enough for 3 loaves), and salad

Cheesy Meatloaf
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. dry bread crumbs
ground black pepper to taste
3/4 c. water
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl combine the beef, pork, soup mix, eggs, bread crumbs, pepper and water.  Stir in 1/2 c. of the cheese.  Mix well and spread half of the mixture into a 9×5 loaf pan.  Spread remaining 1 1/2 c. cheese over meat loaf mixture.  top with remaining half of meat loaf mixture.  Bake for 60 minutes. 

Matt did make a trip to Sam’s Club and the Grocery Store today as well. 

Grocery Store:
Bananas $1.44
Salt $.55
Apples $4.59
Bread $2.99
Carrots $1.50
Flour $3.49
Grapes $2.15
Milk x 2 $4.00
Apple Juice $1.67
Total with Tax:  $22.60

Sam’s:
Eggs $3.22 X2 = $6.44
Broccoli $4.66
Salad $2.87
Beef Jerky $7.98
String Cheese $8.42
Total:   $30.37

That brings my month’s groceries to $99.89  My goal was under $100 for the month, so that means no more shopping for the rest of the month!  But I think that will be fine – we should be good until then. 

C-

Breakfast:  Ham & Eggs & Banana Smoothies

Lunch:  There was a potluck at church with the sewing ladies – we joined them.

Dinner:  Matt cooked Homemade mini corn dogs, tator tots & apple slices.

Here’s his corn dog batter recipe:

1 C. flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 T. sugar
3/4 C. cornmeal (he used corn bread muffin mix)
1 egg
3/4 c. plus 2 T. milk

I also made my blueberry muffins again today, but changed one of the cups of flour to a cup of oatmeal.  That was really good!  I might even use 2 c. oatmeal, 2 c. flour next time – we’ll see!  The kids are hooked on those right now!  Soon we will be out of blueberries, so then they will have to live without.  I have a couple more bags left.  They went on sale for $1 a pint last summer and we froze a bunch!

I think Matt will be making a Sam’s Club & grocery store run tomorrow. 

Hey, do any of you have a yogurt maker machine that you like?  If so, what brand is it?  Do you like homemade yogurt as much (or better than) store bought?  I soon plan to completely change my eating habits – I am looking at the PRISM Weight Loss Program, which does no sugar and no flour for the first six weeks!  EEK!  So that will probably be next month’s challenge for me.  Anyone tried that before? (or interested in trying it?)

C-