Meal Planning 2015-30 days of meals revamp

I have started my list for February. I have about 24-26 recipes, and have left out 2-4 day's for takeout or leftovers etc.
While I was planning an actual calendar, with assigned meals each day of the month, (and I actually had a pretty good rotation going as far as splitting up 6 chicken days lol) you don't always know in advance what you want to eat, or how you are feeling and how long you want to cook.
So I printed & boxed all of my recipes and I will have the kids pull the meal out the night before, if it is something I am not up for, we will repick.
The few meals that are the exemption to this "pick at random planning", especially if you are doing a one time shopping haul-is the stuff that needs to be eaten fresh. In this case, I will make the Italian grill cheese sandwiches with the garlic breadsticks on day one, a nice easy quick meal while I am sorting and putting away all of the groceries. Day two, will possibly be the stuffed cabbage rolls- to avoid the fresh cabbage spoiling, and then the pinwheel steaks with the spinach on day 3. Everything else that requires peppers, onions, garlic, etc. I have previously peeled, chopped/diced onions and peppers in single containers and froze them, so that I just have to throw them in the pot on cooking day. (you can also buy them frozen buy the bag and just pull out what you need)
I took one day to go through all of the recipes and sort out how many pounds of hamburg I would need, how many pieces of chicken etc, and I ballparked a number of $228.00 for everything I had on the list, so I would say $250.00 to be sure. That's a whole month of freshly prepaired, home cooked meals, with leftovers for about $200.00 a month. (because some items such as throw away pans, cooking spray, tin foil etc don't really count into the food total. as well as I factored in some items such as sauces and spices that I already have and don't need to buy.) PLUS some of the recipes are multiple day recipes, like the traditional Italian meatball recipe is for 50-60 2inch meatballs, or more if smaller. you can pull out 20 for dinner and freeze 40 for two more meals, or put away meatballs for appetizers or pizza toppings! (or divide the total to make only what you need and save some $$ there too)

HINT: if you make on bulk shopping list, that lists everything you could possibly ever buy at the market, you can laminate it or put it in a sheet protector and use a highlighter dry erase board to fill in how much you need, or erase what you already have, and you can reuse the same shopping list each month.

EDIT** i did NOT list the items for the toasted italian cibatta sandwich as I will buy the deli meat fresh when we are going to eat it. I also added mini pepperoni, an extra cup of cheesex a rotini pasta, and a sauce to the list to make the pasta posted below. I did noy make a recipe csrd foe this pasta but it can be found in pinterest**.

SHOPPING LIST:

also on the list there are "staple" items, such as instant potates, rice, and canned veggies for serving with the recipes (bacon wrapped chicken with rice, cabbage rolls with instant potatoes, etc. my family has found a brand of instant that tastes just like the real thing without all the extra prep-we like the baby reds instant potatoes in the foil pouch)

GROCERY ITEM, FOLLOWED BY ESTIMATED COST

MEATS

HADDOCK 1 frozen package usually contains 5-6 fillets for $10

(also usually on sale buy one get one free)

HAMBURG 12lbs needed, $30

BONELESS CHICKEN 16 pieces $20

BACON 40 pieces 3/packages $10

STEAK 6 grill size pieces + 1 large flank $20

GROUND SWEET SAUSAGE 1lb $4

GROUND CHICKEN OR PORK 1lb $3

HAM 1lb/diced $3

SCALLOPS (aprx 16pieces) $8

PORK CHOPS 5 chops $10

BONE-IN CHICKEN 3lbs/10 pieces $5-$10

SMALL COCKTAIL SIZE SHRIMP (handful/20pieces/small bag) $5

VEGGIES/DRY PRODUCTS

BABY SPINACH 1 bag $3

LETTUCE: 1 head $1

CABBAGE: 1 head $1

WHOLE POTATOES-8/1bag $3

FROZEN PEAS 1bag $2

ONIONS-6 $3

CANNED CORN-5   $5

CANNED GREENBEANS-5  $5

SPAGHETTI- 1box $1

ELBOWS-1 box $1

TRIOLE OR ROTINI PASTA-1box $1

INSTANT RICE MIX-3 $3

INSTANT POTATOS MIX-3 $3

BOIL IN BAG RICE-1box $3

BOXED STUFFING- $2

BREAD CRUMBS-2PKS $4

SAUCES

BBQ $1

ITALIAN DRESSING $1

SPAGHETTI SAUCE-7 $7

JAR GRAVY-2 $2

FRIDGE/FROZEN

SHREDDED CHEESE-12-14CUPS $20

PIZZA DOUGH-2 $4

MEAT PIE/EMPANADILLA DOUGH-1 $2

**recipe for the meat pies is not shown, its a regular dish in our home so we try to have it once a month or so on our lazy cooking day, the hamburg and cheese is also tallied in the counts**

RICOTTA CHEESE-1 $3

SOUR CREAM-1 $1

FRENCH FRIES-$2

EGGS 3 DOZEN $8

LITE/HEAVY CREAM 4CUPS $4

PEPPERONI-1bag $3

 

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS YOU MAY HAVE

BUTTER

OIL

TINFOIL

ZIPLOCK BAGS OR STORAGE BAGS

COOKING SPRAY

 

Total estimated cost $228.00 without taxes, I'm going to plan on $250 to account for drinks and other snacks we grab.

 

 

 

 

 



Stuffed Porkchops

I was looking for ideas for stuffed porkchops...most of which included apples, mushrooms, or some type off odd and end that I'm not interested in trying. I'm all for apples, but in a pie where they belong, and not smothering my pork chops.
My second issue is we are not huge stuffing fans, mushy globs don't appeal to us, SO my thoughts on stuffing the sides, turned into layering on top.

For the actual recipe,
I decided to keep things simple.

I used
-1 large frying pan & 1 baking/casserole dish
-a box of stove top stuffing, I used turkey.
-4 porkchops (1 actually used 3 and a diced one because I didn't  have 4)
-A few tsps of oil
-salt, pepper, adobo (optional)
-1 jar of gravy, I had turkey on hand.
-1.5 cups of water (for stuffing)
-Diced onions (for stuffing)
-Diced peppers (for stuffing)
-other optional stuffing toppings such as diced celery, ground sausage, pork, etc.
** usually use celery & onions with ground sausage but because I didn't have any I decided to dice a piece of extra pork.

1.Warm your frying pan over medium heat with a few tsp of oil. Add in your diced vegetables and saute for a few minutes. Scoop out the veggies into a bowl leaving the oil in the pan. (This would be easier as a second step, i did it first so the flavor would cook into the pork chops when they brown next)

2.Season your pork chops on one side, and place them seasoned side down in your pan, then season the top. Allow them to brown on both sides. They wont cook through, just get a brown coating. They will cook in the oven.

3. Remove browned pork chops from the pan, add a slice to the center and place them in a lined or cooking sprayed baking dish.

4. Add your vegetables back into the same oil. Also add any extra meats or fillings at this time. I added diced pork during this step because I had a few extra cubes. I simply cut them into small onion dice size pieces with household sizzors or kitchen shears.
After any meats have cooked or warmed, add 1.5cups of water, and your bag of stuffing and mix it thoroughly. You do not need to add the butter, the oil replaces it.

5. Scoop round spoonfuls of stuffing onto the center if your chops, drizzle with gravy, and cook on 350 for about 45 minutes.

**I appologize if any photos are out of order mobil isnt the best version for posting.

CHORES, CHORES, CHORES.

If you are like me, you probably don't have enough hours in the day to even think of all of your chores, never mind complete them...AND if you do, the next day the sink is full again, the laundry has piled up, and the kids have trashed the living room.
I have just learned to let it go.
Let the dishes wait until morning, let the laundry soak for a few hours while you play cops and robbers, and opt for takeout when there's a busy afternoon or evening with enough running around to be done without throwing a home cooked meal into the mix.
This works, but often leads to pile ups, leaving me working my butt off for hours getting chores done that I have slacked on the days before.
I wanted to share this chart I found on social media. I would like to give it a try, and perhaps see if I can keep up with the chores, If I break them down and plan ahead.
I DID NOT create or edit this chart. I'm sharing it "as-is" to give you an idea of how to get started.

I will probably try it out as it is written, and add in a few extras in the spaces,

but I also plan on making a kids version for the children and their chores.

Cupcake bouquet

Heres my quick tutorial for a cupcake bouquet.
You can make sunflowers, roses, or any flower pattern you would like.
You will need:
Frosting in the colors of choice.
12-16 plastic 2oz sauce size cups
12-16 wooden or plastic dowels or bbq skewer sticks
A basket, flower pot, or bucket
Foam pieces (small pieces or a half circle)
Green tissue paper
12-16 cupcakes baked in paper, traditional size.
A knife or sizzors

After baking and cooling your cupcakes, fill your basket with foam. I used a dollar tree halloween sign and trimmed it into multiple pieces to fit inside my basket.
Then, using your knife or sizzors, poke a hole in the bottom middle of the cup and slide it onto your stick. Insert the sticks around the outside edge of your bucket. Then continue a second row leaving a little more length so there above the previous row, and finish off with one center cupcake.
Next, slide your cupcakes onto the sticks and tuck them into the cups. Take pieces of green tissue and fill in the gaps between the cupcakes.
Cut off the excess dowels if any, this may require you to remove the cupcake, cut, and put it back on, so that you dont get wood splinters on them. But putting them on before trimming helps you jugde the length, and also the point is an easier hole maker then the dull cut end.
Then you will decorate the cupcakes IN the arrangement. Its much easier than trying to get them on after decorating.
I made sunflowers, the center was a cut decorating bag with no tip and chocolate frosting, then brown sprinkles. Then I used a leaf tip and yellow frosting to make the petals, starting at the center and pulling to the outside, letting the edges drip off.
I finished of by adding a fondant bumble bee and ladybug, on toothpicks inserted into two cupcakes on top.
There is an alternative to use oreos as the sunflower centers, but they may slide off given the cupcakes are at an angle, so I went with the sprinkles.
Enjoy :)

The pictures will show progress from step 2 and completed work, I didnt take a foam picture prior to inserting the dowels.

Before you judge.

My biggest pet peeve, is people who judge your parenting, or throw out their opinions when they are not solicited.

I'm learning this more and more with my son. While he has had no diagnosis because of the lack of being old enough or being in school, we are suspecting he may have a condition along the lines of autism or adhd.

He's entirely hyper active and loud. He stays up all hours of the night and sleeps all morning. He's specific on how things need to be, and does not do well with change. His feelings are hurt extremely easily, and sometimes he just has off days. He has no concern for authority and threats, he could care less if his TV is taken away, or if he can't go outside. Time out does not phase him. He can't concentrate on one task for more then a few minutes, and frequently changes his mind or has a meltdown when faced with a decision. His opinion is made known, he has no filter, and will interupt anything and anyone to state his own point...but don't ever interupt him or the meltdown will come.

At four, he's capable of getting dressed, putting on his own socks and shoes, getting a snack or a drink. Most of the time he does these with ease.

But then you have the days where he just refuses to cooperate and wants the extra help.
A request for him to put his shoes on, Then ends in the "I can't" reply. Granted I KNOW he can do them. And maybe I'm wrong. But I prefer to save my sanity and put the shoes on him, rather then to get into an hour debate over what he can an can't do himself, which throws our entire day off, and despite the threats, usually ends in my putting the shoes on anyways. I am his mother. I KNOW how he responds to these situations. I'm not baby-ing him. And I'm not giving him his way, I'm giving myself a stress break. Day in and day out I can only take so much of the repetitive requests, and telling him or showing him he can do it.

A request for a truck from TV for a gift, you would think he would be ecstatic to receive it. Only to find out that he opens it, and discovers the doors are not "openable", he has a meltdown. It's not because he's spoiled and wants more toys. It's because he can't process the change and the purpose. A truck has a door, the driver goes in the door and drives the truck. What is he to do with a truck that has no driver? Again he's particular. He's not ungrateful or greedy, he's expressing his feelings.

If he's given a gift, and he sees more, he's thinking they are for him, like the one he just received, and he will ask for more. Doesn't mean he likes his gifts any less, or that he is greedy. He's making assumptions. A simple explanation solves the situation.

A piece of cheese on a "cheeseburger" can ruin his appetite. What he ment was a hamburger, but his way of thinking tells him to say a cheeseburger without cheese. Which the server, cook or myself didn't understand, resulting in a cheeseburger, and he refuses to eat it. A cheeseburger with the cheese pulled off is not the same as one cooked without it. He will point out every last spec and trace of cheese. scolding him over not finishing his meal can end in a three alarm meltdown and scene for everyone. He's not hurting anyone else, and surely he's healthy enough without it.

He has his own opinions, and doesn't always realize right from wrong. He may call you fat, or say you look funny. He doesnt do it with the purpose of hurting feelings. He simply has no filter, and doesnt always know what's not so OK to say.

My point in being, is before assuming that he is babied, or saying that he can do it himself, or yelling at him for being himself, stating I can't handle my children or I'm in over my head or don't know what I'm doing, please remember one thing...
I know my son best. I know when to yell at him, or when to leave him be. I know the cause and effect results, I've been down these roads many times before, and I know the domino affect and I choose my battles with him.

Pregnancy ruins your body

Wrong.
Pregnancy does not ruin my body. Having a baby turned me into a canvas.

A walking show, of the life (lives) that I had the blessing of growing inside me. A feeling that some woman long for, but sadly will never know.

I may no longer be as skinny and flawless as I would like, however my faults are my achievements.

That extra 40lbs I carry around, after having three children and just not making it too that weightloss goal. The struggle to fit in exercise on top of having three children.

The inability to diet at the current given time, as I am providing for my 5month old, who has never had formula, and my higher calorie intake, while haulting my weight loss, provides her milk.

My wide hips that have moved to complete my childrens journey into this world. While they make it hard for pants shopping, they are a part of me.

The stretch marks that line not only my stomach, but other areas as well. A daily reminder that my body was a vessel to protect and nurture my children, and they are there to empower me with strength, a reminder- every stripe like a tiger, is worn with pride, and will always remind me to protect my young at all costs.

During pregnancy, their every movement & kick, every pain, and the endless nights of heartburn and indigestion. the promise to myself and realization to know that in the end, it would all be worth it. I know now each and every one of those pains was my heart growing larger to encompass an amount of love I could never imagine until I seen my children for the first time.

I may not have a super model figure, and the best selection of clothing.
My mornings are content with getting my children fed, bathed, and dressed. Buttons and bows and shoes. Then my morning is gone leaving this mommy to go out in sweatpants, a messy bun, and no makeup.
I'm comfortable and I'm happy.
A fine day of pampering would be nice, but I'm no longer self consummed in getting my hair, and nails done, or clothes shopping, and putting on makeup etc. Of course on occasion such as a holiday I may attempt to get fancy should time allow, but it no longer interests me in my daily life.
Perhaps when my children are grown, and have been raised to the fullest extent with all the luxuries and memories I can provide, then I can relax and have my hair done for her graduation, or my nails done for his wedding, as I sit back and watch what my years have accumulated too.

Baby cereal, jar or self mix?

I've noticed a lot of controversy on this topic.

As far as I'm concerned,  what is the problem with the added convenience of ready to eat cereal? Same manufacterer, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if u mix it yourself or you buy it mixed, there's no big difference in ingredients. The only downside is your not getting the choice of added breastmilk/formula of your choosing for mixing, but rather the formula or juice they use for mixing.

For two cereal with fruit meals a day, it was costing me about $2 a week for boxed cereal ($8 mo) and $5 a week for 7 jars of fruit, ($20 no) split in half for each twice daily feeding, for a total of $28. Which would technically be more if I had to buy juice or formula to make the cereal, but i use breastmilk.
Which is turn requires mixing, adjusting to get the right texture, heating, and washing a bowl.

For two cereal feedings a day, one plastic rectangle container or one jar lasts for two feedings as she only eats half. So one 2 pack of rectangle containers, is $1 at pricechopper. Theres a great variety of oatmeals, and mixed rice, granola, etc with all different fruit combinations.
$1 is 4 meals or 2 days. 30 days in a month, is $15 cost to have premixed, always the same texture and amount, room temp, no bowl, and ready to take with you or keep in the diaper bag when your on the run.
Even moving up to three a day, still keeps this cost at 3packs/two days to about $20.

So yes, I buy jars/containera and pay for convience, but it also saves me money!