Starting March 2nd, We're going to give this a shot. I used to be so good at planning meals and something happened--and then I found out by way of a food journal, my system doesn't tolerate MSG--so I'm making thing from scratch to avoid the nasty stuff!
And since we're moving soon, I alsowould 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 April and probably the first two weeks of May. WISH ME LUCK! LOL
And since we're moving soon, I also
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Last week was a success as far as the budget goes! This week, I planned, shopped, spent $14 ($1 under budget!!) Then realized we were out of dog food and spent $17 more. :(
When you do a grocery budget--do you do an entire "everything needed for the household" budget or just a grocery budget and everything else like toilet paper, light bubs, dog food, etc goes on a different budget?
We didn't eat a couple of meals I had planned last week for various reasons. We're not eating the same things two weeks in a row, I've just moved them.
Monday--Round Steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans.
Tuesday--Ravioli, garlic bread
Wednesday--Tuna Noodle Casserole (no mushrooms!) Recipe below
Thursday--Stuffed Peppers (Large--Once a Month Cooking-type Recipe), mashed potatoes, green beans
Friday and Saturday--leftover days.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
1 bag egg noodles
1 can of tuna
1 can of (choose one) either cream of mushroom, cream of chicken or cream of celery soup**
1 1/3 cup milk
2 sticks butter (I hate margarine)
2 row of saltine crackers
salt
pepper
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook egg noodles as directed on package. Drain.
3. In a large bowl (large enough to fit all of the noodles as well as other ingredients) mix the can of soup, the milk and some salt and pepper. Mix well.
4. Add the noodles to the mixture and mix well.
5. Put noodle mixture in a 9x11 pan.
4. Melt the stick of butter in a medium sized microwavable bowl (I do it in the microwave--30 seconds at a time until it is fully melted)
5. Crush the crackers in their sleeve. Be careful the sleeve doesn't pop!
6. Mix the crackers with the melted butter.
7. Place cracker and butter mixture on top of noodle mixture and spread evenly. Make sure all the noodles are covered, if they're not they'll get hard when they're baking (and I don't like that)
8. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to an hour.
**Since I cook MSG free, I either have to look for soup cans that say No MSG or I make my own. To make a tasty substitute for a cream of celery soup: melt 2 tablespoons of butter (I hate margarine!) in a saucepan. Chop up some celery and onions and saute them until the onions are clear. Wisk in a cup and a half milk. You can add salt and pepper if you'd like. That's it!
When you do a grocery budget--do you do an entire "everything needed for the household" budget or just a grocery budget and everything else like toilet paper, light bubs, dog food, etc goes on a different budget?
* * *
We didn't eat a couple of meals I had planned last week for various reasons. We're not eating the same things two weeks in a row, I've just moved them.
Monday--Round Steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans.
Tuesday--Ravioli, garlic bread
Wednesday--Tuna Noodle Casserole (no mushrooms!) Recipe below
Thursday--Stuffed Peppers (Large--Once a Month Cooking-type Recipe), mashed potatoes, green beans
Friday and Saturday--leftover days.
* * *
Tuna Noodle Casserole
1 bag egg noodles
1 can of tuna
1 can of (choose one) either cream of mushroom, cream of chicken or cream of celery soup**
1 1/3 cup milk
2 sticks butter (I hate margarine)
2 row of saltine crackers
salt
pepper
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook egg noodles as directed on package. Drain.
3. In a large bowl (large enough to fit all of the noodles as well as other ingredients) mix the can of soup, the milk and some salt and pepper. Mix well.
4. Add the noodles to the mixture and mix well.
5. Put noodle mixture in a 9x11 pan.
4. Melt the stick of butter in a medium sized microwavable bowl (I do it in the microwave--30 seconds at a time until it is fully melted)
5. Crush the crackers in their sleeve. Be careful the sleeve doesn't pop!
6. Mix the crackers with the melted butter.
7. Place cracker and butter mixture on top of noodle mixture and spread evenly. Make sure all the noodles are covered, if they're not they'll get hard when they're baking (and I don't like that)
8. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to an hour.
**Since I cook MSG free, I either have to look for soup cans that say No MSG or I make my own. To make a tasty substitute for a cream of celery soup: melt 2 tablespoons of butter (I hate margarine!) in a saucepan. Chop up some celery and onions and saute them until the onions are clear. Wisk in a cup and a half milk. You can add salt and pepper if you'd like. That's it!
2 comments:
Thanks for the soup idea! (healthy choice is MSG free too, if that would help)
Ok, I just finished a book and ready to start another ... I would love to try one of yours.I don't believe I have ever read a horror book - which of your books would you recommend first?
Smiles!
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