Meal Planning – Candy Style

I have been a meal planner for as long as I can remember. I’m not inflexible – I often switch up meals through the week depending on our schedule. But I can’t fathom trying to grocery shop 'without a net'.  I like my plans.

I begin my meal planning by checking out our local grocery ads. We live in a small town with only 2 regional grocery store chains. I try to shop at a particular store, as I can’t stand the attitudes of the employees at the other chain. If there is a fabulous sale, I might make an exception and grab the sale items at the other chain, but only under duress and with much grumbling.

We eat a little…differently…in our house. I am lactose intolerant with an allergy to beef. I also have thyroid issues and as a result try not to consume too many soy products. My oldest has a serious neurological allergy to red food dye. I try to cook as “whole” as possible, but there are some convenience foods I adore. A study in contrasts. I also have to cook on a budget – no lobster is served in our house. At the moment, we own two houses and thus have multiple mortgages. So, my grocery budget is as small as possible. I also have to have several quick fix meals during the week. My husband and oldest are second degree brown belts and often train during the week and are famished when they get home. Wednesday nights are church night here and we are blessed that our church prepares a meal that evening. For $10 for our family of four, you bet we take advantage of it!

I will try to post our weeks menus as often as possible, along with any pictures or recipes I happen to have. I am not a chef or even a cook. I have NO professional training and have completely learned “on the job”. <grin>  I’m just a mom with a hungry teen and husband to feed on a budget.

Last week’s meals were simple – I have had some kind of bug for several weeks and needed an easy week.

• Sunday – BBQ chicken on the grill, grilled and seasoned corn on the cob, Pioneer Woman’s Crash Hot Potatoes
• Monday – meet at 5 at **** – Eat Out
• Tuesday – Hot dogs with vegetarian chili, coleslaw and baked beans
• Wednesday – Eat at Church
• Thursday – Pork ribs in the crockpot, steamed broccoli, carrots, rolls
• Friday – grilled chicken over pasta or tossed salad

A simple and easy meal plan. Can you tell chicken and hot dogs were on sale this week? Now, here’s the more in depth plan…

Sunday – BBQ chicken on the grill – I pre-bake my chicken then have hubby toss them on the grill for about 10 minutes with our favorite BBQ sauce.

Grilled and seasoned corn on the cob – easy peasy. I just mix some salt, sugar, pepper, and Tastefully Simple Season Salt with some dairy free margarine. Spread on the corn, the wrap securely in aluminum foil. Grill about 10-15 minutes.

Pioneer Woman’s Crash Hot Potatoes

Monday – meet at 5 at **** – Eat Out – this is a real rarity for us to eat out during the week

Tuesday – Hot dogs with vegetarian chili, coleslaw and baked beans – I can only eat Oscar Mayer Bun Length wieners (beef free). We use Hormel’s Vegetarian chili. I make a simple dressing for my slaw with mayonnaise, white vinegar and sugar. The baked beans? Canned ones I fancy up. I always add ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, brown sugar and minced onions. Then I bake them for 30 minutes or so.

Wednesday – Eat at Church

Thursday – Pork ribs in the crockpot – I just throw them in the slow cooker with my favorite BBQ rub. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. I always add some Sticky Fingers to mine when I serve them, but the hubster prefers his plain.

Steamed broccoli, carrots, rolls  – okay. The steamed broccoli is frozen, the carrots are canned. And the rolls? Frozen. Told you, I like my convenience foods.

Friday – grilled chicken over pasta or tossed salad – this is such an easy recipe! I marinate the chicken breasts in a soy ginger salad dressing, and then throw them on the grill. Either boil up some pasta (helps to fill up the hungry teen) or chop up a salad, then top with the sliced grilled chicken.