Every 2 weeks I sit down and consider our meals for the next 2 weeks. I really wish that I could somehow streamline this process. For a while I did this for a month and I really liked that. Maybe after we move I will go back to that method (especially since the grocery store won't be quite so close).
Anyway, I try to choose 14 main dishes. That allows for an occassional night or 2 each pay period that we can eat leftovers. And by we, I mean me and the littles, usually on a night that dh is working a double shift and the older boys are gone.
Breakfast
cereal, oatmeal or something leftover in the fridge (lasagna, anyone? That's what I had yesterday morning.) I've been having a pbj sandwich because the protein keeps me going longer. If I can swing it in the budget I buy greek yogurt and granola for me. I'm going to start making my own granola. That can be a later post.
Moving on.
Lunch
pbj sandwiches (The littles usually have either peanut butter or jelly but rarely both together. I don't know why...they are weird)
Grilled cheese sandwiches
lunchmeat
leftovers
Supper
Tacos
Corn dogs
baked potato bar
hot dogs - probably grilled
cheeseburgers - also on the grill
BBQ ribs
spaghetti
pizza - homemade
BLTs
ham and cheesy noodles
jambalya
pancakes/waffles
sausage gravy and biscuits
chicken and veggies
SIDES: I usually only choose the main dishes....I just buy some sides and I pick what we are having when I start cooking. This time I will get french fries, mac and cheese, carrots, corn and some frozen veggies. We also have lots of potatoes so could have fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, etc. When the garden starts producing we will have zucchini, okra, etc.
Snacks
Fruits
Zucchini bread
Oatmeal cookies
Chocolate chip cookies
I spread the baking out over 2 weeks. The fruit will be real lucky to make it 3 days after purchase. My kids are fresh fruit hounds. So then I start baking.
I'm going to start working on new menu ideas and mix making over the next few weeks. With moving I'm not sure how much of that I will get done, but I really need to tighten the belt so it is just going to have to get done. Please share favorite recipes! My guys are kinda picky and my dh is a real "meat and potato"man so it is hard. Right now I need fast, or slow cooker easy. Some days I leave to work at the "new" house early and don't make it home till just an hour before the kids need to go to VBS.
Because someone always asks, I am working with a $200 grocery/household supply budget (twice a month). The above meals will come out of that as will trash bags, baggies, tide, dawn and toliet paper. I get our tolietries from AVON and use my earnings for that. I shop at Aldi mainly, IGA for our meat and sometimes Walmart but only if I am desperate (my yogurt, pizza sauce). I am feeding me, my husband, 2 teenage boys, a 5 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. Some days, Abby can outeat everyone else at the table. We also average 1 extra teenager per day, although they usually show up 2 or 3 at a time. I love these kids and don't mind feeding them one little bit! That's also another place that ready-made snacks come in handy....they are great meal stretchers!
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