Menu Plan Monday--March 9

Starting March 2nd, We're going to give this a shot. I used to be so good at planning meals and something happened.

And since we're moving soon, I also would like to need to empty out the abundance from my freezer and pantry. I'm going to try to GOING to spend less than $15 a week for my grocery budget in March (and possibly April.)

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Last week I was supposed to spend $15, I spent $30--we were out of toilet paper and something else. Oh well. This week, I told myself I'd try to spend $30 or less, I spent $50. I was out of stuff for Phil's lunches and breakfasts so--there goes my plan! I'm not going to complain though, I usually spend around $100. So at least we're half of normal. Hopefully next week I'll do better.

And. Because the power went out for 5 hours last night WHILE dinner was cooking, we had to eat out. A couple of the recipes from last week are getting moved to this week. We didn't eat at home Saturday, either, because my brother and sister-in-law invited us at the last minute to see Blue Man Group. The couple they were going to go with had to back out. I need to give a shout out to Cesar's on Clark in Chicago. KillerMargaritas.com If you know me, you know I HATE margaritas. At Cesar's? I had 3 frozen strawberry margaritas and could have had 3 more!

Monday--hoisin and honey pork (homemade hoisin sauce) with Crash Hot Potatoes.

Tuesday--Crockpot great northern beans and smoked sausage

Wednesday--Italian Beef (Portillo's recipe) from our freezer stash. If you're doing an MSG-free diet, make sure your packet of Italian dressing doesn't have MSG in the ingredients--or--even better, use this recipe to make your own Italian dressing mix.

Thursday--Easy Baked Manicotti

(Dessert with leftover Ricotta cheese also using up frozen blueberries that we picked over the summer--Blueberry Ricotta Squares.) OR Fried ricotta cheese balls.

Friday--Leftovers

Saturday--Beef Stroganoff--Make sure your bullion doesn't contain MSG. You can get organic bullion at some grocery stores and most health food stores.

Sunday--We're going to Grill something from the freezer, steaks probably.



Grocery list:

Egg noodles
Manacotti shells
Spaghetti Sauce
Eggs
Paper Towel
Sugar
Sour Cream
Mayo
Velveeta
Ricotta Cheese

The extras I bought?

Pistachios for Zane
Little Smokies for Zane
Hot dogs for Zane
Tortilla chips for Phil's lunch (to go with the Salsa I have)
Smoked Sausage (found out Aldi's carries MSG free!)
Butter
Economy sized yogurt
Cottage Cheese for Sunday

Zane doesn't like a lot of what we eat. This week it's the beans, manicotti, Italian beef, and Beef Stroganoff, so I had to have some choices for him. We don't force food issues. I make enough of what he likes to have leftovers (normally) and have hot dogs or Little Smokies or some other protien availave if he tries our and doesn't like it.