Menu Monday

This week, I am letting budget dictate more of my menu than my "real food" aspirations. I am trying to get back on track money-wise after the holiday season and start off 2014 by adding a little more cushion to the savings account. Therefore, anything I can save from the food category, the better! I started by looking through the freezer (which I kind of forget about sometimes, since I don't usually use much frozen food) and found some good stuff to use as the base of meals. Also, instead of going back to the routine lunches for the kids and I (that I am alwasy replenishing ingredients for), I went through the pantry and figured out how to bring back some old favorites that were just waiting to be used. Through this process, I saved $43 in my food budget! Not a bad way to start off :)

 For snacks this week, I'm baking some Apple Granola Squares (that whole post on parents.com has some awesome breakfast recipes) and Carrot Applesauce Muffins

Sunday	Eggs, bacon, toast	Tuna	3 Kings Day dinner with family
Monday	Eggs	PBJ sandwiches, bananas	Pork chops, creamed spinach, baked potatoes
Tuesday	Spice Dutch Baby	Turkey cheese roll-ups, popcorn	Slow cooker beef stew, bread and butter
Wednesday	Cereal or Oatmeal	Grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup	Turkey burgers, oven baked fries, corn on the cob
Thursday	Smoothies	Noodles with butter and parmesan, peas	Bean/cheese/spinach enchiladas
Friday	Hard boiled eggs	Crackers, peanut butter, bananas	Mini-pizzas for the kids, Dinner Kit date night for the grown-ups!
Saturday	Pancakes	Leftovers	Fish, brown rice, steamed carrots and green beans