Mon. – Homemade mac & cheese, mixed veggies, apple sauce
Tues. – zipper beans & rice, honey glazed carrots
Wed. – vegetable or chicken potpies, sweet potatoes
Thurs. – creamy potato soup, broccoli
Fri. – homemade pizza (cheese and pepperoni), bread sticks, salad
Sat. – roast chicken, baked tofu, orange soufflé, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies
Sun. – sesame chicken or tofu stir fry, oriental veggies, rice
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Weekly Menu Planning – July 6th
Mon. – Homemade mac & cheese, hot dogs/tofurkey, green beans
Tues. – Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad
Wed. – Veggie rice casserole, bread, fruit
Thurs. – Black bean soup, tortilla chips (purchased last month)
Fri. – Bagel pizzas, salad
Sat. – Meatballs & rice, bread, green beans
Sun. – Greek salad, tazhiki sauce, pita bread
Tues. – Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad
Wed. – Veggie rice casserole, bread, fruit
Thurs. – Black bean soup, tortilla chips (purchased last month)
Fri. – Bagel pizzas, salad
Sat. – Meatballs & rice, bread, green beans
Sun. – Greek salad, tazhiki sauce, pita bread
Monthly Challenge – Unprocessed Groceries
I’m a little late in posting this, but I decided to give myself and/or my family a monthly challenge. I thought it might be fun to have a goal to work towards each month.
After reviewing last month’s grocery spending and realizing that it was WAY over budget, I thought that a grocery-based challenge might be a great place to start. Over the past few months, our grocery spending has been all over the place. For some reason, it is one of the most variable areas of spending in our budget. I think that it is primarily because I find myself stocking up on groceries when they are on sale, which then results in higher food bills.
So this month, we will not be purchasing any prepackaged goodies, snacks, cereal, and the like, in hopes of lowering our grocery spending and eating more healthily. We already eat a primarily process-free diet, eating a majority of our meals at home, made from scratch. We will really just be cutting out some of the extras. It shouldn't be too much of a loss. I plan to buy in bulk (from our natural foods store), make all of our snacks (such as granola bars), and try to do some preserving of goods from our garden.
According to a 2007 USDA Publication about the average food costs of individuals and families, it is suggested that our food costs should fall between $631.20 and $1236.10 each month for a family of our size. Now, these figures are for the thrifty plan and the liberal plan. In our efforts to keep to the most frugal ways possible, I would like to see our grocery costs fall between the thrifty and the low-cost plans. The low cost plan would put us at $820.40 per month for our family of five.
An average of the thrifty plan and the low-cost plan puts us at $725.80. My goal is to get our food costs down to $650. I think that is an attainable goal. Let’s see where we are at the end of the month and see what adjustments we need to make.
So far this month we have spent $115.07 on groceries. I’ll keep you updated.
After reviewing last month’s grocery spending and realizing that it was WAY over budget, I thought that a grocery-based challenge might be a great place to start. Over the past few months, our grocery spending has been all over the place. For some reason, it is one of the most variable areas of spending in our budget. I think that it is primarily because I find myself stocking up on groceries when they are on sale, which then results in higher food bills.
So this month, we will not be purchasing any prepackaged goodies, snacks, cereal, and the like, in hopes of lowering our grocery spending and eating more healthily. We already eat a primarily process-free diet, eating a majority of our meals at home, made from scratch. We will really just be cutting out some of the extras. It shouldn't be too much of a loss. I plan to buy in bulk (from our natural foods store), make all of our snacks (such as granola bars), and try to do some preserving of goods from our garden.
According to a 2007 USDA Publication about the average food costs of individuals and families, it is suggested that our food costs should fall between $631.20 and $1236.10 each month for a family of our size. Now, these figures are for the thrifty plan and the liberal plan. In our efforts to keep to the most frugal ways possible, I would like to see our grocery costs fall between the thrifty and the low-cost plans. The low cost plan would put us at $820.40 per month for our family of five.
An average of the thrifty plan and the low-cost plan puts us at $725.80. My goal is to get our food costs down to $650. I think that is an attainable goal. Let’s see where we are at the end of the month and see what adjustments we need to make.
So far this month we have spent $115.07 on groceries. I’ll keep you updated.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Free Fun in the Sun
We spent a few hours at the beach this afternoon just enjoying some family time. Here are some photos from our wonderful day in the sun.
And because fun cannot be had without some sort of injury...here is Justin. This is what happens when flesh meets shells and sand. The thought that blood in the water might lure certain creatures to shore kept Mr. Justin out of the water the rest of the trip. Unfortunately that meant that he had to miss out on his own surfing fun, but the younger boys sure did have fun.
And because fun cannot be had without some sort of injury...here is Justin. This is what happens when flesh meets shells and sand. The thought that blood in the water might lure certain creatures to shore kept Mr. Justin out of the water the rest of the trip. Unfortunately that meant that he had to miss out on his own surfing fun, but the younger boys sure did have fun.
Weekly Menu Planning - June 29th
This week's menu might get changed around...we'll have to see. Justin and I will be starting our P90X exercise program this week, and I have yet to read the "diet" portion of the plan. Hubby says that it isn't much different from the way we usually eat, so I'm not too concerned. I'll look it over tonight and see. Here is a rough draft of this week's meals.
Mon. – Quesadillas, fruit, black beans
Tues. – Red beans and rice, kielbasa, green beans
Wed. – Chicken casserole / tofu casserole (Jake changed the menu on me last Wednesday for his birthday, so we'll try casserole again this week), mixed veggies, apple sauce
Thurs. – Out to eat (Mexican) with my parents
Fri. – Homemade pizza (cheese and pepperoni), bread sticks, salad
Sat. – Burgers (veggie and meat), Italian pasta salad, cinnamon apples
Sun. – Leftovers
Mon. – Quesadillas, fruit, black beans
Tues. – Red beans and rice, kielbasa, green beans
Wed. – Chicken casserole / tofu casserole (Jake changed the menu on me last Wednesday for his birthday, so we'll try casserole again this week), mixed veggies, apple sauce
Thurs. – Out to eat (Mexican) with my parents
Fri. – Homemade pizza (cheese and pepperoni), bread sticks, salad
Sat. – Burgers (veggie and meat), Italian pasta salad, cinnamon apples
Sun. – Leftovers
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Happy Birthday, Boogie-man
Today, Jake turned 10 years old. We celebrated a bit early when we were visiting family a few weeks ago. He is now the proud owner of a surfboard! It's just a trainer, but it will serve him well for the next few years, I'm sure. He got to take it out last weekend to paddle around (of course I forgot the camera), and had a blast. He and Justin are hoping for waves this weekend so they can get out there and catch a few.
I can't believe how quickly the past ten years have flown by. It seems like just yesterday he was playing "knock knock" in utero, and now his feet are bigger than mine (which really doesn't take much...I wear a size 5.5). He is growing more mature and is becoming more reliable every day. I look forward to watching him grow into the man he will some day be.
I love you, Jake. Happy birthday.
Here are some photos from his Fiesta Celebration!
I can't believe how quickly the past ten years have flown by. It seems like just yesterday he was playing "knock knock" in utero, and now his feet are bigger than mine (which really doesn't take much...I wear a size 5.5). He is growing more mature and is becoming more reliable every day. I look forward to watching him grow into the man he will some day be.
I love you, Jake. Happy birthday.
Here are some photos from his Fiesta Celebration!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Can Your Puppy Do This?
That’s right, folks. He is actually getting himself ice.
Lincoln has figured out how to press the ice button, all the while avoiding the water button. He is up there getting ice every fifteen minutes or so.
Lincoln has figured out how to press the ice button, all the while avoiding the water button. He is up there getting ice every fifteen minutes or so.
Who could blame him…the heat index has been 105+ for the last week. Nice job, Lincoln. Good boy.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Weekly Menu Planning – June 22nd
Many of the blogs I follow post a weekly menu. Because I’m such a follower, I thought I would start posting my weekly menu as well. I’d like to write about a different topic each day of the week (i.e. frugality, homeschooling, eco-friendliness, recipes, etc.), but I haven’t gotten there yet. Maybe a weekly menu post will steer me in the right direction.
Mon. – Tacos (bean and cheese or shredded beef [that was given to us as leftovers from a retirement ceremony and froze nicely in the deep freezer]), Spanish rice, refried beans, corn
Tues. – Pasta primavera, herb bread (premade and in the freezer), salad
Wed. – Chicken casserole / tofu casserole (yes, I’ll make both to please the masses…great for leftover lunches), mixed veggies, apple sauce
Thurs. – Grilled cheese, tomato soup, salad
Fri. – Homemade pizza (cheese and pepperoni), bread sticks, salad
Sat. – Tuscan pasta salad, shredded roasted chicken (leftovers from the freezer), salad
Sun. – Taco salad (using the leftover taco fixins from Monday), tortilla chips, salsa
Mon. – Tacos (bean and cheese or shredded beef [that was given to us as leftovers from a retirement ceremony and froze nicely in the deep freezer]), Spanish rice, refried beans, corn
Tues. – Pasta primavera, herb bread (premade and in the freezer), salad
Wed. – Chicken casserole / tofu casserole (yes, I’ll make both to please the masses…great for leftover lunches), mixed veggies, apple sauce
Thurs. – Grilled cheese, tomato soup, salad
Fri. – Homemade pizza (cheese and pepperoni), bread sticks, salad
Sat. – Tuscan pasta salad, shredded roasted chicken (leftovers from the freezer), salad
Sun. – Taco salad (using the leftover taco fixins from Monday), tortilla chips, salsa
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Baking Soda is My Friend
As a child, I loved to clean the bathroom. I’d grab the can of Scrubbing Bubbles (after I was assured that it didn’t contain any CFCs) and went to town. I would trade chores with my sisters so that I could clean the bathroom. To me, cleaning a bathroom is fairly straight forward, and orderly…just the right core for me.
Well, now that I am older and wiser, and no longer use Scrubbing Bubbles or any chemical in my bathroom, my joy of cleaning the bathroom has waned a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy it more than say the kitchen, but for a while, it just wasn’t the quick and easy project I was hoping it to be.
So there I was, cleaning the bathroom one day, struggling to get the hard water stains and soap scum off the all-in-one tub/shower with vinegar and water, when for some reason I got to thinking about Comet (you know, the powdery stuff in the green can). I’d never used the stuff before, but I had seen the commercials as a child and got to thinking about baking soda. So I said to myself, “I wonder if baking soda will work like Comet does?” Again, I’m not sure exactly what Comet is made of, or how well it works (I could look it up online if I really wanted to), but the fact that it popped into my head some twenty years after seeing a commercial really does say something about advertising…or my memory, not sure which one.
I sprinkled some baking soda on the side of the tub, and started scrubbing a bit with a wet rag. Guess what? With little to no elbow grease, the hard water stains and soap scum were seemingly melting away. I was so excited. I had found my new best cleaning buddy.
Now, looking back at my Green Housekeeping book, it talks about using baking soda for a plethora of things…controlling odor, draining cleaner, fire safety, stain removal, etc. It does mention the use of baking soda as a nonabrasive cleanser in the kitchen section, but for some reason my “memory” must be lacking in some areas because I completely forgot about it. I guess I should maybe reread this wonderful book and see what other useful information I can “re”glean from its pages.
So give it a try. I can get a large, 4 lb. box of baking soda at the Commissary for next to nothing (they used to carry the 12 lb. bag, but I can’t seem to find it anymore). Sprinkle a bit in the sink or in the tub and just give it a little rub with a wet rag. Let me know your thoughts. I’m a big fan. Can’t believe it took me so long to “re”discover this tried and true cleaning method.
On a side note - I also found a book the I’m going to check out from the library, Baking Soda : Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of by Vicki Lansky. I’ll let you know if I come up with any other useful tricks for baking soda.
Well, now that I am older and wiser, and no longer use Scrubbing Bubbles or any chemical in my bathroom, my joy of cleaning the bathroom has waned a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy it more than say the kitchen, but for a while, it just wasn’t the quick and easy project I was hoping it to be.
So there I was, cleaning the bathroom one day, struggling to get the hard water stains and soap scum off the all-in-one tub/shower with vinegar and water, when for some reason I got to thinking about Comet (you know, the powdery stuff in the green can). I’d never used the stuff before, but I had seen the commercials as a child and got to thinking about baking soda. So I said to myself, “I wonder if baking soda will work like Comet does?” Again, I’m not sure exactly what Comet is made of, or how well it works (I could look it up online if I really wanted to), but the fact that it popped into my head some twenty years after seeing a commercial really does say something about advertising…or my memory, not sure which one.
I sprinkled some baking soda on the side of the tub, and started scrubbing a bit with a wet rag. Guess what? With little to no elbow grease, the hard water stains and soap scum were seemingly melting away. I was so excited. I had found my new best cleaning buddy.
Now, looking back at my Green Housekeeping book, it talks about using baking soda for a plethora of things…controlling odor, draining cleaner, fire safety, stain removal, etc. It does mention the use of baking soda as a nonabrasive cleanser in the kitchen section, but for some reason my “memory” must be lacking in some areas because I completely forgot about it. I guess I should maybe reread this wonderful book and see what other useful information I can “re”glean from its pages.
So give it a try. I can get a large, 4 lb. box of baking soda at the Commissary for next to nothing (they used to carry the 12 lb. bag, but I can’t seem to find it anymore). Sprinkle a bit in the sink or in the tub and just give it a little rub with a wet rag. Let me know your thoughts. I’m a big fan. Can’t believe it took me so long to “re”discover this tried and true cleaning method.
On a side note - I also found a book the I’m going to check out from the library, Baking Soda : Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of by Vicki Lansky. I’ll let you know if I come up with any other useful tricks for baking soda.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Kayaking the Intracoastal
Justin and I grabbed a babysitter and ventured out into the Intracoastal on Monday to kayak around the islands near the Navy base. That was my first time kayaking in waves, and I think I did okay. My near drowning incident made me a bit leery, but knowing that Justin was there to “save” me, made all the difference.
The water temp was wonderful, and the sun’s rays weren’t too hot. We saw a pod of dolphins swim by, a jumping fish, and possibly a sea snake. The waters started to get crowded with boats towards the end of our trip, which increased the waves dramatically. I’d like to try that trip again when there are fewer boats out and about (plus, the smell of exhaust on the water is not all that appealing).
I hope you enjoy the photos.
The water temp was wonderful, and the sun’s rays weren’t too hot. We saw a pod of dolphins swim by, a jumping fish, and possibly a sea snake. The waters started to get crowded with boats towards the end of our trip, which increased the waves dramatically. I’d like to try that trip again when there are fewer boats out and about (plus, the smell of exhaust on the water is not all that appealing).
I hope you enjoy the photos.
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