Monday, January 25, 2010

Eat From the Pantry Challenge





This is our last week of the pantry challenge. My goal is to not go to the store at all. We'll see

That will put us under $250 for the month for grocery's. I think that's pretty good.

Breakfast:

cereal x2

Cinnamon Rolls x3 (our turn for Sunday breakfast)

Raisin Bread x2

Lunch:

Tuna Salad x2

Calzones

leftovers x2

Grilled Ham and Cheese

lunch with family

Dinner

Ham, frozen veggies, homemade rolls

Baked Beans, cornbread

Chili potato's

Mock Chicken Cordon Blue

Chicken, potato salad, baked beans

Potato soup

leftovers

Friday, January 22, 2010

Sweet Sweet Baby!!!



My newest nephew was born yesterday. Mr. Gabriel Alexander Ojeda!! he was 8lb, 11oz 21 in long, and so handsome.
My sweet sister's first bundle of joy. I'm so excited. and my two sweet peas are anxious to be able to babysit already.
What a sweet blessing

Monday, January 18, 2010

Eat from the Pantry Challenge


So we are on week 3 of the Pantry Challenge. Let me tell you, it's been an adventure to say the least.

One of my coworkers gifted me with a bread machine this week. What a blessing. I've been borrowing my sisters for some time, but the chance to have 2 working at once for a weekend was a huge bonus. So Sunday afternoon I made up several batches of bread for the week.

My hubby and I hit the grocery store and we will be just over budget this week. URGH, but it's all okay. I'm still down overall and as I look back at what we have eaten, we are eating home more, it's healthier and less expensive overall. So there are some very definite benefits.


We spent 48.66. We still have Kroger to go and should be around $15.

So our menu this week will be:

Breakfast:
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Bacon Egg Muffins
Cinnamon rolls

Lunch:
rotation of sandwiches (bologna, ham, grilled cheese)
leftovers
Dinner:
Meatloaf, corn and rolls
Steak, baked potatoes
Spaghetti, frozen veggie, French bread (still looking for a good recipe for this bread)
Calzones
Beef stir fry over rice
BBQ chicken, potato salad
Grilled chicken breast, salad and rolls

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Free milk!!

I"ve noticed this year an increase in dairy and produce coupons. Here is a link for the Chance to win free milk for a year. And a coupon for free milk. WOW!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Eat from the Pantry Challenge update


So the Creamy Chicken and Rice dinner didn't go over very well. We didn't have the correct salad dressing, so we substituted regular Italian. I also hate measuring out, so an eyeball here and and smidgen there.... you get the picture.


I think this recipe is worth a 2nd try, but overall, it did not go over very well. Oh, well sometimes you got it, and sometimes you don't.


I'm really struggling today with a menu for this week. We may have a "Menu plan Tuesday" by the time I actually get around to finishing it. We'll see.


I also am contemplating a baking day this weekend. If I had been thinking I would have done this over the weekend, to help with the heating bill. Oh well... live and learn.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Eat from the Pantry Challenge


I really am not in the mood for anything on our menu for dinner tonight. Go figure... So I just received my weekly Kraft Kitchens email and behold: Creamy Rice Chicken & Spinach Dinner. We have every one of these ingredients in our pantry. YEAH!!! What wonderful timing. I'll report back on how tasty this dish is. I have no doubt it will be fabulous.

The Quest for my Lord

With all of our recent changes I have had to withdraw from my bible study. My heart is so torn. I loved the study of John and the weekly gathering of the body of Christ. But alas, I must say a brief farewell, for I know I will one day return.

So I have begun my search for another study that I can do this next semester. Unfortunately I haven't found one that speaks to me yet. So I'm going to list out the things I enjoy in a bible study and the things I'd like to experience through a study. If anyone has any ideas of a good study please let me know.

I am a procrastinator. As much as I try to fight it I have to admit I am one. I am looking for something that will keep me accountable and force me to answer those tough questions.

I'd like something that is very in depth and maybe covers the history and mystery of the Word. I love hearing the accounts of events and trying to put them into modern life perspective.

I want something that will speak to me now and again in several years. One thing I loved about my study of John, it doesn't matter how often I read the book I get something different every time.

I think the best bet at this point is something I can do online. Somewhat on my own schedule. At least until life settles down a bit around me.

I would absolutely love a study that would incorporate scripture memory in an interactive way. I can be told to memorize a verse, but unless I use it, I loose it.

I will say I've previewed a few of the Beth Moore studies and I'm intrigued, but I don't want a topical study. I would much rather have a historical study and/or be able to increase my knowledge of His Word. I think I'm still on baby steps when it comes to my actual biblical knowledge.

So anyone have any ideas for me?

Monday, January 4, 2010

Menu Plan Mondays




My sweet prince made his 1st trip to the grocery store solo. Okay, for the full grocery shopping excursion. I was rather impressed he only spent $63. not too shabby. He purchased several whole fryers and hamburger meat (on sale) and veggies. There were a few other items but the bulk was on meat and veggies. GREAT JOB!!!


So with that here are our menu plans for the week. The weather is supposed to be bitter cold, so this will be a great opportunity to use some of our dried beans.


Dinner:

Chili
Beans and Cornbread
Taco stack up
Roast and potatoes
Chili Baked potatoes
Chicken broccoli casserole
Leftover Buffet

Lunch:

Quesadilla
Bean n Cheese tacos
Chicken salad sandwiches
PBJ, carrots
Sandwich, PB celery sticks
Chili
Taco salad

Breakfast:

cereal and milk x3
coffee cake
breakfast burritos x2

Eat from your pantry challenge

Since I am getting a crash course in budget cutting I thought I would join my favorite blogger in her Eat from your Pantry Challenge. Crystal at Money Saving Mom is using up her stores in January and donating her savings to charity.

My goals for the challenge are:
  • To spend as little as possible at the grocery store.
  • I would like to make every meal with at least %50 of the ingredients I already have on hand.
  • Go the entire month of Jan. and cut our grocery bill by 1/2

As you can see from my goals I can't make it without the local grocer. But the point of the challenge is to use what you have. So I say, bring it on.