So, School is out, I am not driving 36 miles (more or less depending on who I am picking up) Round Trip 2-3 times a day... my life has gotten a little quieter.
So Summer is here -- but my 9 week Menu is still going. I haven't posted much on my menu because I made the mistake of not documenting *where* I got each of the recipes while making my 9 week menu. Sooo I can't give credit where credit should be do -- Ooops, poor planning -- maybe I will take the time in the near future to go on a hunt for the original blogs they were on.
I actually got my family to sit down, and look at recipes with me, and decide -- YES I will eat that at least once every 2 months for the next year.... My kids had less of a choice, but I did take into consideration their "Preferences." I know Middle Girl doesn't like Onions, Mushrooms, & most veggies except for Broccoli & Green Beans -- Tough!! She has to eat Veggies that are in the meals no matter what ... No picking them ALL out. This also means that I have had to discipline myself to not pick out the green bell peppers whether I like the texture or not that day. -- It's fair that way.
The Menu I made came from 3 places. 1. Traditional Family meals - Meals that family made growing up, I make regularly etc. 2. Once a Month Cooking Blogs / Pinterest (My Pinterest acct - Feel free to follow me!)3. Casseroles.
I made a NINE -- 9 --- Yes 9 week Menu -- so I can switch out, or just rotate on those months that have 5 weeks an have it covered.
After finding the recipes I wanted included - I then made a shopping list for what to buy at the beginning of the month when I do my big shopping trip (I color coded each week and have the lists by week but combined) Ex:
- Beef 5 lbs (Pink, Green, Yellow, and Black)
- Bell Peppers 7 cups (Pink, Green Yellow)
- Onions 7 cups (Pink, Green, Black)
- and the items like dairy that won't last all month for the weekly shopping trip that is quick and fast in & out, Ex: (Pink week)
- Heavy Whipping Cream 1 Qt
- Sour Cream 1 pt
- {Check} Cheese quantity - need 3 cups Cheddar & 2C Parm
- Need Lettuce for a salad & other items
and a Pantry list.
- Soy Sauce {Check Quantity}
- Garlic Powder {Check Quantity}
Dried Parsley- I know I have enough - hence the line through it- Fresh Basil - I grow it, so make sure there is enough on the plant to not kill the plant
I am still needing to do some "tweeking" to my menu as on Tuesday Nights we have Boy Scouts. We need to have a meal to either be ready by 5p or after 8:30 and plan that we will be starving and needing a bit more food -- Plus hunny doesn't get home til 8:30 anyhow. & during the school year, the kids stay at school until nearly 6 p.m. and even though they are served dinner at school, they often get in the car saying "I am Hungry!!" so I was making the mistake of running through the nearest drive through for something... UM NO-- I need to be feeding them leftovers or what ever is ready for dinner pre-packaged. -- this is the goal to have ready for next fall!
Ohh a note on the "Oops"es of I forgot to put something in or get something ready....
I often cook/tell the kids to cook things my family likes, but aren't on the Menu regularly such as Grilled Cheeses, Ham & Cheese with soup (defrosted), Mac n Cheese in a box with hotdogs, My kids still love Ramen Noodles – with left over meat chopped in …. etc — or Left Over Night.
Anyhow - let me know if you want to see my menu. It is totally a work in progress. All the meals are reasonably priced to cook -- ok Minus the steaks (which I sometimes "replace") ... And I may share it with you... but I am really needing to give credit where it is due.. Like I said... so if you are willing to wait til I get the recipes attributed I would appreciate it!
