Weekly Menu: September 27 - October 4

Day One - 30 Minute Meal Night
Breakfast: Hot Rice Cereal, Fresh Fruit, Milk

Snacks: Popcorn and Apple Slices

Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Green Salad, Garlic Bread

Day Two

Breakfast: Pancakes, Sausage, Melon Slices, Orange Juice/Milk

Snack: Baked Pretzels and Cheese Sauce

Dinner: Taco Salad in Shells, Mandarin Oranges

Day Three - Crock-pot Night
Breakfast: Granola, Fresh Fruit, Juice/Milk

Snack: Sugar Cookies and Milk

Dinner: BBQ Pork Sandwiches, French Fries, Coleslaw, Pickles

Day Four
Breakfast: Egg Biscuits with Cheese, Fresh Fruit, Juice/Milk

Snack: Cinnamon Raisin Bread and Hot Chocolate

Dinner: Chicken and Dumplings, Green Salad, Peaches

Day Five
Breakfast: Blueberry Muffins, Juice/Hot Chocolate

Snack: Pumpkin Bars and Milk

Dinner: Peanut Sesame Noodles, Garlic Green Beans, Melon Slices

Day Six
Breakfast: Waffles, Fried Ham, Fresh Fruit, Juice/Milk

Snacks:

Dinner: Salisbury Steaks with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Cucumber Salad

Day Seven
Breakfast: Cold Cereal/Granola, Fresh Fruit, Milk

Snacks:

Dinner: Goulash, Watermelon Wedges, Rolls

I have included breakfast, snack and dinner ideas for a week. For lunches, it is usually leftovers or sandwiches. I didn't use names of the days as everyone's schedule differs. For example, I do my grocery shopping on Wednesday afternoons so my meal plan usually begin with that day as I have a stocked refrigerator and pantry then. I also am currently in school on two days which are my 30 minute and crock-pot days to relieve some stress. It is okay to have day seven on day one and day six on day three, omitting day four because of tastes. This menu is for ideas to help you and feed your creative juices.

September 2010 Distribution Day: SHARE and AngelFood Ministries Food Programs

Today was distribution day for both SHARE Foods and AngelFood Ministries. It is nice when the days coincide. For me the two sites are just a mile or two apart and a whole lot closer than the grocery stores. Today's food cost me $131. For that amount I purchased two deluxe units from SHARE (5 frozen meats, 9 fresh fruits/vegetables per unit) and two Signature units from AngelFood as well as a fruit and veggie box.

When I got home I laid out the food on my table to take pictures (see below). In case the pictures are misleading to the amount of food, the table is eight and a half feet long. I took inventory so I could plan my menus. I had a rough idea as both food programs are online so I can look before ordering day to decide what I want and how much too.

Full Table Shot

Close-Up Shot of Half of the Table

Other Half

The Food List:
2 dozen eggs
2 32-oz shelf stable milk
2 2-lb boxes of spaghetti
2 1-lb bags of white rice
2 1-lb bags of kidney beans
2 5.5-oz packages of pancake mix
2 boxes cornbread stuffing mix
4 bunches green onion
4 6-oz packages radishes
3 heads iceberg lettuce
1 head green cabbage
2 heads of cauliflower
1 pineapple
4 lemons
1 avocado
4 pears
2 1-lb packages of baby carrots
21 plums
1 lb Kiwi
16 Navel oranges
2 dozen apples
1 cantaloupe
1 1-lb carrots
3 lbs yellow onions
3 3-lb bags russet potatoes
1 3-lb bag sweet potatoes
2 1-lb packages frozen corn
2 1-lb packages frozen green beans
2 1-lb. packages frozen peas
2 24-oz packages of French fries
2 8-ct packages of Bean & Cheese Burritos
2 3-lb packages of Splint Chicken Breasts
2 4-ct hamburger patties
2 1-lb packages lean ground beef
2 4-ct packages boneless pork chops
2 1.5-lb packages of popcorn chicken
2 1-lb packages beef sausages
2 1-lb packages meatballs
2 12-oz packages sausage links
2 1-lb packages breaded shrimp
2 1-lb Teriyaki pork tenderloins
2 12-oz packages chicken tenders

When you figure I am feeding 9 people (2 adults, 4 teenager/pre-teen, 3 children), that is a lot of food for little money. I will get 10-14 days of dinners with some food for snacks, breakfast and lunches. $131 is just $14.50 per per person or $1.45 a day figuring 10 days. Even with any extra I might buy to round out the meals, I am feeding my family frugally. Stay tuned for menus!

Weekly Menu: March 8 - 14

Day One - 30 Minute Meal Night
Breakfast: Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, Orange Juice

Snacks: Cinnamon-Raisin Bread and Milk

Dinner: Lemon Tilapia, Seasoned Rice, Broccoli

Day Two

Breakfast: Blueberry Muffins, Orange Juice, Hot Chocolate

Snack: Stuffed Celery (peanut butter or pineapple cream cheese)

Dinner: Taco Salad, Fresh Fruit

Day Three - Crock-pot Night
Breakfast: Veggie Omelets, Toast, Juice

Snack: Baked Pretzels

Dinner: Pork Roast and Vegetables, Tossed Salad

Day Four - Soup/Sandwich Night
Breakfast: Granola Bars, Fruit, Milk

Snack: Magic Milkshakes

Dinner: Grilled Chicken Pitas, Ramen Chinese Salad, Mandarin Oranges

Day Five - Pizza or In Home Restaurant Night
Breakfast: French Toast, Bacon, Juice and Milk

Snack: Cookies and Milk

Dinner: Pizza (cheese, sausage), Salad

Day Six
Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls, Scrambled Eggs, Orange Juice, Milk

Snacks: Nachos

Lunch: Leftovers or Sandwiches

Dinner: Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Steamed Green Beans, Garlic Bread

I have included meal ideas for six days. For the seventh day feel free to serve any leftovers (we call it buffet dinner) or your family's favorite meal. I didn't use names of the days as everyone's schedule differs. For example, I do my grocery shopping on Wednesday afternoons so my meal plan usually begin with that day as I have a stocked refrigerator and pantry then. I will try to post meal and snack ideas for a week the same day (Sunday night) so that you may plan your shopping no matter what day you do it.

Food Programs to Help the Budget

To make my dollar stretch a bit further, I found a couple of food programs in my area that can help. They are called SHARE Foods and Angel Food Ministries. I have mentioned them before, but it doesn't hurt to mention it again.

They benefit me because they are located closer than any grocery store saving me gas. Also the packages are usually a good deal. It might not work for everyone depending on location and costs of different regions. Also I do not do Angel Food Ministries every month as I skip the months where the majority of the food is either beef or prepared foods. I prefer to buy a side of beef from local farmers as it helps my community and tastes better. I also cook from scratch due to allergies in our household. It also has less sodium and tastes better according to my family.

Last Saturday, I picked up food units from both programs. I picked up two basic units from each program plus an additional fruit and vegetable unit and a seafood special from Angel Food. We have Restaurant Nights at home instead of taking 9 people out to eat. Also I can control the allergens better since we have a child that can't eat dairy, eggs or red dye. The Restaurant Night was Red Lobster this past week. $35 is whole lot cheaper than eating at the actual restaurant.
I get ahead of myself, though. I thought I would tell you what my haul got me and the meals I have or plan to make.

MEAT
2 Ground Sausage, 1 lb rolls
2 Italian Meatballs, 1 lb pkg
2 Tilapia Fillets, 1 lb pkg
2 Popcorn Chicken, 1 lb pkg
4 Pork Roasts, 24 oz. pkg
2 Beef Steak, 4 ct pkg
2 Hamburger, 1 lb roll
2 Breaded Drumsticks, 1.5 lb pkg
2 Bnls/Sknls Chicken Breasts, 2 lb pkg
2 Lasanga, 2 lb. ready meal
4 Popcorn Shrimp, .5 lb pkg
1 Stuffed Crab, 8 ct pkg
1 Shrimp, raw & peel-on, 1 lb pkg
1 Crab Legs, 2.5 lb pkg

SHELF ITEMS
(1) Raisins, 6 pk
(2) Spaghetti, 1 lb pkg
(2) White Rice, 1 lb pkg
(1) Pinto Beans, 1 lb pkg
(2) Spaghetti Sauce, 25 oz can
(2) Milk, 32 oz shelf-stable box

FRUITS/VEGETABLES
2 Pineapple
4 Fuji Apples
12 Pink Lady Apples
2 lb Red Delicious Apples
1 lb Plums
9 Grapefruit
2 Pears
2 Tangerines
3 lb Oranges
2 Heads of Iceberg Lettuce
3 Heads of Cabbage
13 lb Red Potatoes (1 3-lb pkg, 2 5-lb pkg)
2 3-lb Russet Potatoes
4 bunches green onion
2 bunches Broccoli
2 6-oz pkg Radishes
2 1-lb Carrots
1 lb pkg Baby Carrots
2 lb yellow Onion

FREEZER/REFRIGERATOR ITEMS
2 1-lb Lima Beans
2 1-lb Broccoli Cuts
2 1-lb Green Beans
2 1-lb Blueberries
2 Pumpkin Pies
2 dozen Eggs

I got all of that for $165. Yes, that is a lot. Let's put that into perspective though. There are nine people in my family. That food will feed us for over two weeks. My normal food budget is $150 a week. It sounds a lot better now.

What did I make with that food? Well, for starters, the kids eat the apples for snacks. I keep those on the counter with other fruit for that purpose. So most of the fruit goes toward snack and breakfasts. The baby carrots are used in lunches as are the raisins. Here is a list of the other meals that used my food program bounty:

Dishes Made
Sausage-Egg Rolls (sausage, eggs)
Honey-Pineapple Shrimp Kabobs (shrimp, pineapple)
Side Dish of Steamed Broccoli (raw broccoli)
Caesar Salad (eggs)
Pumpkin Pie (pumpkin pie)
Chocolate Chip Muffins (eggs)
Sausage Apple Skillet (cabbage, apples, yellow onion)
Spinach-Carrot Salad (carrots)
Shepherd's Pie (hamburger, carrots, green beans)
Tossed Salad (iceberg lettuce, carrots)
Crazy Stir-Fry over Noodles (cabbage, yellow onions, carrots)
Egg Drop Soup (green onion)
Restaurant Night: Red Lobster (popcorn shrimp, tilapia, stuffed crab, crab legs)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (red potatoes)

I also used what I had in my pantry and freezer. I did go grocery shopping but it was items for snacks (baked pretzels, s'more fixings using chocolate syrup, nacho ingredients) and perishables like yogurt, cheese and milk. The shelf-stable milk is used for a back-up. I didn't use all I bought will move the planned items to next week.

Speaking of next week, stayed tuned for I use more of the food program foods!

Weekly Menu: February 15 - 21

Day One - 30 Minute Meal Night
Breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes, Sausage Patties, Orange Juice

Snacks: Graham Crackers and Milk

Dinner: Ham Sandwiches, Cantaloupe Chunks, Chips

Day Two

Breakfast: Hot Rice Cereal, Orange Slices, Milk

Snack: Bread and Honey

Dinner: Chicken Fajitas, Spanish Rice, Fresh Fruit

Day Three - Crock-pot Night
Breakfast: Muffins, Fruit, Hot Chocolate

Snack: Baked Pretzels

Dinner: Beef Stew, Salad, Rolls

Day Four - Soup/Sandwich Night
Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos, Fruit Salad, Milk

Snack: Carmel Popcorn

Dinner: Brats, Onion Rings, Coleslaw

Day Five - Pizza or In Home Restaurant Night
Breakfast: French Toast, Bacon, Orange Juice

Snack: Granola

Dinner: Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Fried Okra, Coleslaw, Biscuits

Day Six
Breakfast: Pancakes, Bacon, Orange Juice and Milk

Snacks: Cookies and Milk

Lunch: Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup, Veggie Sticks

Dinner: Sausage Skillet, Peaches

I have included meal ideas for six days. For the seventh day feel free to serve any leftovers (we call it buffet dinner) or your family's favorite meal. I didn't use names of the days as everyone's schedule differs. For example, I do my grocery shopping on Wednesday afternoons so my meal plan usually begin with that day as I have a stocked refrigerator and pantry then. I will try to post meal and snack ideas for a week the same day (Sunday night) so that you may plan your shopping no matter what day you do it.

Playing With Your Food

My 8 year old daughter, Cara, wanted to take this picture of her breakfast. We had pan-fried toast using hamburger buns (great way to use up leftover buns). We also had kiwi, orange and cantaloupe slices. She added scrambled egg hair after she snapped this picture.

Weekly Menu

Day One - 30 Minute Meal Night
Breakfast: Pan-fried Toast, Fresh Fruit Slices, Scrambled Eggs, Milk

Snacks: Gelatin with Cool-whip

Dinner: Salsa Pork, Rice, Green Beans, Carrot-Pineapple Salad

Day Two

Breakfast: Hot Rice Cereal, Orange Slices, Milk

Snack: Cookies and Milk

Dinner: Seafood Alfredo, Caesar Salad, Garlic Toast

Day Three - Crock-pot Night
Breakfast: Muffins, Fruit, Milk or Hot Chocolate

Snack: Cinnamon-Sugar Pretzels

Dinner: Sweet & Sour over Rice, Egg Drop Soup, Fresh Fruit

Day Four - Soup/Sandwich Night
Breakfast: Biscuits with Sausage Gravy, Orange Juice

Snack: Popcorn and Apple Slices

Dinner: Sloppy Joes, Fresh Veggies and Dip, Chips

Day Five - Pizza or In Home Restaurant Night
Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos, Orange Juice and Milk

Snack: Brownies and Milk

Dinner: Pizza (Sausage, Pepperoni, Cheese), Salad

Day Six
Breakfast: Pancakes, Bacon, Orange Juice and Milk

Snacks: Granola

Lunch: Leftovers or Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Veggie Sticks, Chips

Dinner: Barbecue Ribs, Coleslaw, Corn

I have included meal ideas for six days. For the seventh day feel free to serve any leftovers (we call it buffet dinner) or your family's favorite meal. I didn't use names of the days as everyone's schedule differs. For example, I do my grocery shopping on Wednesday afternoons so my meal plan usually begin with that day as I have a stocked refrigerator and pantry then. I will try to post meal and snack ideas for a week the same day (Sunday night) so that you may plan your shopping no matter what day you do it.