Menu Plan 9/23 to 9/29: Feeding the Family

I did another Aldi pick up this week via Instacart.  I thought it went really well until I realized that they charged me for the chicken I ordered, but that I didn't actually receive it.  That was such a bummer.  They immediately gave me a credit on my next order, but I still have to go out and get the chicken.  Not that big of a deal but I thought I was completely organized and I'm not.  

This is the last week of football practices.  I'm super excited about that.  But it's the final tryouts for basketball this week.  I think we get a week or two off before basketball starts.  At least there's that.  

Next week the oldest will be home from college for the weekend.  He has a weightlifting competition.  He will get to choose next weekend's dinner.  

This week's menu:

Friday:  Bow Tie Pasta with Asparagus and Fish Sticks.  I know, fish sticks. But sometimes mama needs a little help and a short cut.  

Saturday:  Pizza Night:  I'm making the Little Italy Pizza and the Fresh Ricotta Pizza from The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner Again

Sunday:  BBQ Chicken Dinner from the Sisters of Notre Dame.  It's a fund raiser for the Sisters so we will pick up our dinners for takeout after football.  I also ordered an apple pie for Thanksgiving.

Monday:  Sausage and Veggie bake.  I have so many veggies and peppers from the garden, I'm trying to use up as many as I can.

Tuesday:  Mexican Chicken and rice (again, this recipe is from The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner Again cookbook)

Wednesday:  Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken Thighs, rice, and vegetables: Recipe from picky-palate.com

Thursday:  Clean up day or sausage and veggie packets

Weekly Meal Plan 3/25 to 3/31: Feeding The Family

 I tried to update the last meal plan with photos, but some I accidently deleted and one day, I completely forgot what I cooked.  The two-week meal plan didn't really make things easier or save me any money.  The only bonus there was that I had more food on hand and could switch up my meal plan when I needed to, and I seemed to need to quite often the last 2 weeks.  

The oldest was home from college, so I tried to stay off the computer and just enjoy his company.  He leaves for school again tomorrow.  I know he'll be home again in a few months, but I will miss him.

This week I'm going back to a one-week meal plan as that is the system that seems to work best for me.

Friday:  Pierogi, Hot Dogs, and left-over Clam Chowder (the Pierogi were from a Ukranian church in our area and were for a fundraiser organized by the high school to benefit the people of Ukraine.  They raised over $22,000 for Ukraine). Today is the Solemnity of Annunciation which makes it a "meat" Friday, even during Lent.

Saturday:  Tacos

These are blue corn taco shells.  I didn't burn them.

Sunday:  gf pasta with chicken Italian sausage and mushrooms, rolls

Jovial foods gluten free pasta

Monday:  gf Mac N Cheese and veg (meatless Monday)

Tuesday:  BBQ Chicken Salad, rolls (pg 177 of The Food Nanny Saves Dinner...Again cookbook)

I made homemade ranch because my egg allergic son can't eat prepackaged ranch.  I just used sour cream, ranch seasoning, and thinned with milk.

Wednesday:  Tamale Casserole, rolls, salad (pg 71 of the same cookbook)  I ran out of butter (shame on me) so I had to regroup and I made Mongolian Beef bowls, but I only had 1.33 pounds of beef which wasn't going to feed everyone so I mixed the beef in with rice and veggies.

Thursday:  Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Have a blessed week!!

Weekly Meal Plan 3/11/22 to 3/24/22: Feeding the Family

 I tried something new this week.  I did a 2-week meal plan vs a 1 week.  I was hoping to save money, but I'm not sure that is going to be the case.  I guess the good news is that it cuts down on my meal prep time. The bad news is that my family eats too much and I'm not sure I'm saving time and money.  But we shall see.

Friday:  Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup  and grilled cheese (on Aldi Sourdough Bread... so good!  GF flat bread grilled cheese for J)

Saturday:  General Tso's Chicken from Skinny Taste.  I modified this for our family and our food allergies.  I left out the egg and made sure the soy sauce and hoisin sauce were gluten free.  J has never had Chinese takeout, so I really wanted to do something special.  I also used jasmine rice, because my guys are not a fan of cauli rice.

Sunday:  Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Monday:  Baked Salmon, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, and Green Beans

Tuesday:  Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Wednesday:  Hamburgers on the grill, Vegetables  Clam Chowder 

Thursday:  Slow Cooker Corned Beef, Sauteed Cabbage, Potatoes

Friday:  St Patrick Irish Cheddar Soup, baked fish, and rolls

Saturday:  Eating Out (It's a surprise for the kids)   We were going to eat out, but we called the restaurant that we had eaten at last time we were downtown (pre-Covid) and they can no longer cook for food allergies.  No problem.  We had burgers on the grill before we headed out to the Cavs game.

Sunday:  Easy White Wine Sunday Chicken (from The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner...Again cookbook.  I want to buy these books, but I can't find them reasonably priced, so I got this one from the library), Vegetable, Salad

Monday:  Old School Hamburger Stew (Same Food Nanny cookbook)

Tuesday:  Chicken Parm, vegetable, salad

Wednesday:  Clam Chowder, salad, rolls  😂 I can't remember 

Thursday:  Tamale Casserole (from the Food Nanny)  Chick Fil A takeout.

The second week, I'm making several recipes from the Food Nanny cookbook because I just got it from the library (after a 2 month wait list).  I will try and come back and post "after" photos of all the meals I make.  The oldest will be home from college for spring break so I'm trying to make filling, comfort food.  

I really want to get our grocery prices down, but I spent $291 at Aldi last week and I HAVE NEVER spent that much at Aldi...not even at Christmas time.  Prices have skyrocketed and I'm trying to work with that.  I know that if you are reading this, you are in the same boat.  All we can do it try to feed our families the best we can, within our budgets.  

Have a blessed and wonderful week!!