Menu Planning
Fresh & Healthy: Our Garden – Cherry Tomato, Zucchini, Summer Squash and Green Beans!
Our first pick from our garden…..a red cherry tomato!
We are super excited to seeing the fresh vegetables growing in our garden again! So far we haven’t had to water too much because we have been getting so much rain, now we need to get a little sun to help balance things out. Our first produce was ready to be picked the first day of June, one little cherry tomato! Since then we have noticed more veggies starting to pop up. We got our garden planted late this year with all the traveling, but we are hoping that it will be a fruitful year. We split the “first” produce of the year but cutting up the cherry tomato and putting it in a meal for the whole family to enjoy.
Zucchini, 2 for 1 Summer Squash, and a handful of Green Beans
We have started to slowly see the fruits of our labor in the garden this year. It seemed to take longer with us plant much later but we hope to have plenty to share with others. We have picked lettuce a few times for salads but since it is usually at dinner time when I busy prepping for the meal I have been forgetting to take a picture to share.
What are you eating out of your garden this week?
Fresh & Healthy: Fun Snacks for the Kids
Delicious Smiley face snack
The girls always enjoy it when we put together snacks. It is super fun to surprise them with a treat. As summer break quickly approaches I know there will be plenty of opportunities to bring them some sweet snacks. Tomorrow is the girls last day of school and I am super excited to spend more time with them over the summer! Here are the items I included in this snack:
- Fresh Clementines Slices
- Fresh Grapefruit Slices
- Slice of Summer Sausage
- Ritz Crackers
- Cheese Slices
- Pepperoni Slices
- 2 Car Shaped Marshmallows
- 1 M&M
- Cashews or Pecans
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
This is the girls last week of school so we are getting excited about summer break! Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pasta Entree): Penne Pasta Casserole, Caesar Salad
- Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree): Sesame Teriyaki, Asian Noodles
- Wednesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Brina & Karlie’s Night to Cook Dinner
- Thursday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Garden Vegetable Soup, French Bread
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or pasta entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
The girls were wrapping up their last full week of school so we had a lot of extra activities now we just need to get through the next few days and it will be summer break! It was hard to get everything done last week with all the year end activities therefore I am hoping to catch up this week. We have a lot of really great activities planned for this summer. It will be fun to travel a little and catch up with some family and friends too.
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Connect with each family member at least once a day- Prep for Summer Break – I got their summer reading wall put up now need to finalize all the other little details
- Read at least one book to the girls every day – didn’t get a chance on Monday night it was packed full with KOH, 1 John Ministry – Homeless Dinner, Girls 1st Grade Program and Swimming Lessons
- Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day – we missed Monday night but otherwise did well
Attend the Girls First Grade ProgramSpend some extra time catching up with family and friendsSwimming Lessons for the Kids- Confirm the Schedule / Flights for upcoming Family Reunion – schedules confirmed just need to get flights arranged
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – getting closer
- Update my goals – didn’t get to it this past week
- Finish reading Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst – I keep leaving the book in random places so getting behind
Finish The Hunger Games by Susan Collins (recommended by several friends)– while the book captivated my attention I have a lot of mixed feelings about the book…..
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up & cleaning the house – had a couple days I let it go with all the activities going on this past week
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention- 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk – I ended the week with a stack of papers that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchEmail the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community GroupFeed & Serve Homeless – 1 John Ministry
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – so close but went over by $1.76
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – getting closer
- Put aside cash for upcoming trips – on hold momentarily
- Save money for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – working on it
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
- Final Prep for Summer Break
- Read at least one book to the girls every day
- Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
- Spend some extra time catching up with family and friends
- Confirm the Schedule / Flights for upcoming Family Reunion
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Update my goals
- Finish reading Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up & cleaning the house
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Email the updated schedule to our Community Group
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Save money for upcoming trips
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
I apologize it has been so long since I have posted my $40 for 4 grocery update! It has been a fun, amazing, wild, memorable several months with a trip to India, Charleston, Disney, Kennedy Space Center, Sea World, family staying with us on and off for a month as well as many other wonderful activities! I have been doing my best to stay within budget but having you alongside of me and reading my regular post definitely keeps me more accountable because I have blown the budget several times since I last posted! Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Save A Lot | RiteAid and Ingles
Save A Lot | RiteAid Groceries:
- $4.87 at Save A Lot | RiteAid for 1 gallon Milk and 1 bag Brown Sugar (ran out of milk and used the rest of my brown sugar for the homeless dinner our Community Group hosted on Monday evening so had to restock these items)
Ingles Groceries:
- $11.79 at Ingles for 2 loaves Bread, 1 gallon Milk, 1 Yellow Sweet Onion, 1 container Pina Colada Yogurt (on clearance & so delicious I almost didn’t share it), 1 bag Fresh Green Beans (clearance $0.99), 1 bag Fresh Cauliflower, Broccoli, and Carrots (clearance $0.99), 1 container Mushrooms (clearance $0.99), 1 container Dill Veggie Dip (clearance $0.99), and 1 package Wholly Avocado Dip (clearance $0.99). Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance at Ingles.
Groceries from Ingles and Save A Lot | RiteAid
Ingles Groceries:
- $7.77 at Ingles for 1 container of Dill Seasoning, 1 loaf French Bread, 1 container Peach Yogurt (on clearance), 1 container Fresh Pink Lemonade (clearance $0.99), 1 container Veggie Dip (clearance $0.99), and 1 container fresh Chicken Salad (on clearance) Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance at Ingles.
- Save A Lot | RiteAid Groceries:$17.33 at Save A Lot | RiteAid for 1 package Flour Tortillas, 2 multi-packs Trident Gum (clearance $0.74), 2 Ham & Cheddar Lunchables, 1 bag Chicken Breasts, 6 packs Sandwich Creme Cookies (clearance $0.69), 1 pack Powdered Donuts (clearance $0.84), bags of Cheddar Cheese Balls, and 1 Watermelon.
I was able to get a few great items this week. Thankfully, I was able to make it by the store and pick up some items that we’ll need over the next couple of weeks even if a couple of unexpected items got added to the list. Thanks for helping keep me on track even in the midst of this busy season! I don’t anticipate life slowing down too much though since the girls will be getting out of school next week and we have a lot of exciting adventures planned for their summer break.
This week I spent $41.76 on groceries. I was bummed that I went over on my budgeted amount for the week again but thankful I was only $1.76 over! I would have made it but I was asked to provide snacks for the girls field day so it was extra items I wasn’t planning on for the week that helped me slide past my goal. I was happy to find a few items marked down on clearance and provide snacks (watermelon, cookies, and cheese balls) for 20 students while staying pretty close to my budgeted amount. I hope that next week we can come under budget!
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Dinner Time – Change of Scenery
Have you noticed that sometimes when you add a slight twist to a normal activity it can make it super special for the kids? Occasionally we mixed things up a bit around our house just for fun. Our girls don’t watch a lot of TV so when they do watch a movie or show it is a special treat for them. We have found that after a busy week sometimes all you need to do is have a quiet evening with your family to unwind and relax.
It has been a crazy few months around our house so Jake & I decided to make up some of the kids favorite foods, put them on their TV / travel plate and eat while watching a movie together. The girls were super excited! Typically, we stop what we are doing for a family meal but as a treat every couple of months we’ll switch it up a bit and eat in front of the TV. While this meal may not be the most well balanced ones we have made it does have variety, it was simple to put together, we used up some items we had on hand, and most importantly the family enjoyed it.
On the Menu:
- Cheesy Noodles (as the girls call them) Mac & Cheese
- Yogurt Stick
- Canned Peaches
- Fresh Clementine
- Slices of Summer Sausage
- Cashews
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of June 6 – 12, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Ground Beef – $1.99 lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – $1.69
Grilling Steaks – $6.99
Assorted Pork Chops – $1.69
Eckrich Bologna or Frank (12 or 16 oz) – $1.00
Use $0.55/1 printable coupon from Eckrich
$0.45 each after couponButterball Turkey Bacon (6 oz) – $1.00
Use $1.00/2 coupon from June All You Magazine (Expires 8/5/12)
$0.50 each after couponJohn Morrell Sausage or Links (9 oz) – $1.00
Carolina Ground Turkey (12 oz) – $1.00
Fairgrounds Hot Dogs (12 oz) – $1.00
Boston Butt – $1.69 lb
Chicken Drumsticks & Thighs – $0.99
Hickory Springs Bacon (12 oz) – $1.99
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more. Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):
Fridge and Freezer
Oscar Mayer Lunchables (4 oz) – $1.00
Reser’s Potato or Macaroni Salad (16 oz) – $1.00
Totino Pizza Rolls (15 count) – $1.00
Fisher Boy Fish Sticks or Shrimp Poppers (4 – 6 oz) – $1.00
Minute Maid Lemonade and Fruit Punch (59 oz) – $1.00
Popsicle Novelties (13 oz) – $1.00
Tony’s Crispy Crust Pizza – $1.00
Blue Bonnet Spread (15 oz) – $1.00
Buyer’s Best Crinkle Cut French Fries (32 oz) – $1.00
World’s Fair Ice Cream (56 oz) – $1.99
Eggs (dozen) – $0.99
Mantia’s Pizza – $1.99
Produce
Head Lettuce – $0.79
Vine Ripened Tomatoes – $0.69
Red or Yellow Peppers – $1.00
Avocados – $1.00
Mini Carrots (1 pound)- $1.00
Cabbage – $0.25 lb
Cucumbers – $0.29 each
Green Peppers – $0.39 each
Onions (3 pounds) – $0.99
Strawberries (1 pound) – $1.99
Whole Seedless Watermelon – $3.99
Russet Potato (8 pounds) – $2.29
Assorted Apples – $0.99 lb
Grocery
Crystal Drinking Water (24 pack) – $1.99
Hormel Sandwich Sliced Pepperoni or Hard Salomi (3.5 oz) – $1.00
Sundia Fruit Cups – $1.00
Pringles Potato Crisps (4 oz) – $1.00
Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta (14 – 15 oz) – $1.00
Kurtz Ketchup (32 oz) – $1.00
Woeber’s Yellow Mustard (24 oz) – $1.00
Hunt’s Manwich Sloppy Joes (15 oz) – $1.00
Sunflower Seeds (8 oz) – $1.00
Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding Cups (4 count) – $1.00
Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper – $1.00
TGI Friday Snacks (3 – 4 oz) – $1.00
Duke’s Mayonnaise (32 oz) – $1.00
Save A Lot Soft Drinks (12 count) – $1.99
O Day’s Mac n’ Cheese – $0.39
Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbeque Sauce (24 oz) – $1.69
Ginger Evans Sugar (4 pounds) – $1.99
Kraft Salad Dressing (8 oz) – $0.88
Ginger Evans Flour (5 pounds) – $1.69
Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese or Velveeta Shells & Cheese – $1.99
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends. For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
We are back to a more “normal” week around our house again. We had a blast in Florida at the Kennedy Space Center, Disney, and Sea World. The girls are in the last couple weeks of school and we have some busy evenings with events, school programs, and activities. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pasta Entree): Special Activities (4 separate activities all in the span of 3 hours so squeezing in dinner on the run)
- Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree): Korma Curry, Jasmine Rice
- Wednesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Brina & Karlie’s Night to Cook Dinner
- Thursday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Tomato Pasta Casserole, Caesar Salad
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or pasta entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Our family was able to spend some time in Florida, visiting friends and seeing the area! We got to go to Kennedy Space Center, Sea World, and Disney Magic Kingdom! We had a blast visiting the amazing places and spending time with our friends. Thankful for the awesome opportunities to create memories!
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Connect with each family member at least once a day- Prep for Summer Break – working on it 🙂
- Read at least one book to the girls every day – didn’t do this every day we were on vacation
Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every dayPlan & go on at least one family Adventure– went on a adventure to Kennedy Space Center, Sea World, and Disney soooo much fun!Spend some extra time catching up with family and friends
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – almost made it
Review my upcoming goals- Finish reading Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst
Finish reading No One to Call Me Home by Rev James J. Close
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day- Work on Spring / Deep Cleaning the House – work in progress
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week – didn’t get home until the middle of the week and with everything going on so didn’t get this done
Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my deskWork on upcoming speaking engagement
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchBe a blessing to a total stranger this weekEmail the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community Group– emailed the updated schedule and information
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – working on it
- Save money for upcoming trips – starting it
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – work in progress
- Save money for upcoming home projects – on hold temporarily
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
- Prep for Summer Break
- Read at least one book to the girls every day
- Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
- Attend the Girls First Grade Program
- Spend some extra time catching up with family and friends
- Swimming Lessons for the Kids
- Confirm the Schedule / Flights for upcoming Family Reunion
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Update my goals
- Finish reading Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst
- Finish The Hunger Games by Susan Collins (recommended by several friends)
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up & cleaning the house
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Email the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community Group
- Feed & Serve Homeless – 1 John Ministry
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Save money for upcoming trips
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
- Save money for upcoming home projects
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results
Kids in the Kitchen: Ham & Pasta Casserole Recipe
The girls made dinner for us this week. They wanted to try a casserole so Jake found a recipe from Better Homes & Garden and adapted it for the girls. They got the items out of the fridge and pantry, measured, and added them to the casserole. I did help with getting it in and out of the oven but otherwise they put the casserole together on their own. It turned out really well!
Ham & Pasta Casserole:
- 1 1/2 cups Milk
- 1 can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (10 3/4 oz)
- 2 cups diced cooked Ham
- 1 cup dried Elbow Macaroni
- 1 can sliced Mushrooms (4 oz)
- 1/2 cup chopped Onions
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
Grease a 8 x 8 pyrex dish and preheat oven for 375 degrees. Mix the milk and cream of chicken soup. Stir in the ham, macaroni, mushrooms, and onions. Cover the casserole and bake for 40 minutes or until the noodles are tender. Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the casserole and bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes prior to serving.
