Monday, June 20, 2011

Menu

We shop biweekly so my menu is for two weeks at a time. I have to feed two grown men, a teen boy, myself, and one year girl that doesn't stop eating. We will also have company this coming week so I have two extra mouths to feed. We eat homemade pizza every Friday. The only staple is that there is always a pepperoni pizza.

Pizza- 2 pepperoni, 2 buffalo chicken
Pizza- balsamic chicken with red onion, undecided, pepperoni
Stuffed Shells
Spaghetti w/ homemade Italian sausage
Chicken Rollatini
Tacos
Asian foil packet chicken
mini meat loaves
Alfredo pasta w/ homemade Italian sausage
Roasted chicken and veggies
Chicken Fajitas
Chicken Parmesan
Roast w/ veggies in crockpot
Beef Enchiladas

We do eat a lot of chicken. My father lives with us and he has a cholesterol issue. Combined with my high blood pressure and need for low sodium, we are left with chicken. A lot. I do try to mix it up so we are not always eating the same sort of flavors. This cycle is bad. The guys must be craving Italian since we are eating so much of it.

Oh....as for my diet, well, I was doing great. I was down two pounds, got a little cocky with the calories, and gained one back. For the week last week, I am down 1.2 pounds. Much better than the nothing I was doing!

Friday, June 17, 2011

I have had a few health issues in the last few months. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (really high!) and I am only 35 years old! I am on some meds that are controlling it. I am working on bringing it down by diet and weight loss. So far I have lose 5 pounds. Not great but better than nothing. A friend recently introduced me to calorie cycling and I am trying that. I am on my first week. Started Monday and I have already lost a pound!!! Another advantage to losing weight will be fitting in my clothes for vacation! Starting Monday, I will try to post my menus with the recipes for the week. Not all will be healthy but all will be yummy!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Some days are more interesting than others. Today, trying to make dinner, I put the oven on the wrong temp. It wouldn't be so bad but it is actually the second time that I have done this! Same recipe too! Thankfully, tomorrow is easy dinner. Spaghetti with meatballs! leftovers from meatball subs last Saturday.
One of my side hobbies is our family tree. It started with Boyfriend being bored at work. If they don't have a class, there is a lot of down time. So he started researching his family tree which prompted me to do the same. An uncle on my father's side did a lot of the leg work for that side of the family so I was only really left with my mother's side. Ironically, I have a book that someone else did on my grandma's birth family! It turned out it was pretty easy to do our family tree for me since someone else had done all of the work! LOL Any way, I think that preserving the family history is important. It allows people to know where they came from. So, I am here to suggest to you guys to start your family tree. You don't have to go back generations. It can be as big or as small as you want it. I found a free site called Geni.com. It is very simple and very basic. Easy to use. Those are things that I was looking for. I think, though I am not sure, that Ancestry.com has a free edition also. Anyway, those are my thoughts for today. It just seems that our family just keeps growing.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I have been horrible with the menu this week. I hate when Boyfriend is on nights. Hopefully, after next year, no more nights. Here's to wishing! Boyfriend is an instructor for the Navy. He is civilian but teaches Navy enlisted students. At the moment, his building is undergoing major refurbishment. Like they gutted the building and are rebuilding just not touching the outer layer of building. In the mean time, he is sharing a class room and system with a different course. Fun times. Anyway. When Boyfriend works nights we have our big family meal in the afternoon while he is home. We tried the Honey Chicken recipe earlier this week. I would repost the recipe but it wasn't to our liking. We will tweek it an then I will post when it is right.
Cute story... Boyfriend told me that when we first started dating that the people at work knew because he smiled and was no longer mad all the time. I love that I make him smile. I love that at the end of a long day, he smiles knowing he will come home to me.
Today, life is good. I think sometimes we all just need to stop and realize the small things that make life so wonderful.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

So we spent a small fortune in groceries this week. We had to do a Sam's run which we all know is expensive but cheaper in the long run. Unfortunately, we went to Sam's hungry so bought a bunch of crap that was not needed.
$100 - at Sam's
$56 - at Walmart
$78 - at Pic n Save
$24- Dollar Tree
Total for two weeks: $258. OUCH! We did have to stock up on things and we are trying some new recipes and had to buy ingredients we didn't have. Boyfriend also went to evening shifts this week. I hate them. So we eat our big meal at lunch as a family and then leftovers or whatever for dinner. Boyfriend needs meals to take in so that is where some of the expenses came in. We have a bunch of night shifts this year. He will be on them for the next month. Anyway, we tried Cafe Chicken today. It was good and everyone liked it! This is a crockpot meal from Weight Watchers. Healthy!

Cafe Chicken (6 Points)
 
2 1/2 Lb chicken breast halves without skin -- cut into eighths
1 Onion -- chopped
2 garlic -- chopped
Salt & white pepper to taste
1 Green pepper -- diced
1 Medium Tomato – Ripe and Peeled -- Seeded and chopped
1 Cup Dry white wine -- not included w/points
1 Pinch cayenne pepper
 
Combine all ingredients in slow-cooker. Cover pot and set at Low.  Cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until chicken is tender.    
YIELD: Serves 6  6 points per serving

Friday, February 4, 2011

I know I am a slacker. I barely posted the last two weeks. I have been working my butt off at ChaCha to make my Disney down payment!!! Can't wait to go. My bestie is meeting me there. I moved from New York in 2003. I have seen her for about two and half hours, literally, since then. I am beyond excited.
ChaCha is a work at home job. We answer questions that people text in. If you have never used us, give it a try. It is FREE! Just text any question you have to 242 242 and we will answer your question! One thing, some cell networks do not work with ChaCha. T Mobile is one of them. Anyway, ChaCha is what will pay for my Disney trip. If you want more info, just let me know. We are hiring! This is a great way to make some extra money.
Anyway, here is the menu for the next two weeks, in no particular order. I will report back later how much we spend at the grocery store.

Foil Packet Chicken
Beefy Nachos (DS request)
spaghetti
Honey Chicken
Sausages w/ Peppers and Onions
Meatball Subs
BBQ Beer Ribs
Salsa Chicken
Steak
Arroz Con Pollo ( a Weight Watchers recipe worth 7 points!)
Cafe Chicken (another WW recipe worth 6 points)
Wings (Super Bowl Sunday!!)
and of course we always (almost) have homemade pizza on Fridays.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Beef Enchiladas

My sister actually showed me this recipe. It is from sparkpeople.com recipes page. This is so easy to make and is yummy!

1 pound 93% ground beef
6 oz can tomato paste
2 cups warm water
1 cup shredded 2% cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garlic powder
dash each oregano, black pepper,
10 soft corn tortillas



Directions
Brown hamburger. Add seasonings to warm water, combine. Add tomato paste. Mix well.
Warm up tortillas.
Pour 1/2 of tomato mixture into the skillet with the hamburger. Add half of cheese. Stir to mix up the meat, tomato sauce and cheese. Scoop a large spoonful of the mixture onto each tortilla. Rollup the tortilla, enclosing the filling and place it seam side down in 13x9 pan. Pour remaining tomato mixture over tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Number of Servings: 10

Now, like I said, we change recipes. We use flour tortillas instead. I make the meat and add taco seasoning to it for more flavor. I also double the sauce mix since there just doesn't seem to be enough. We like our saucey. My trick to healthy cheep beef..anytime you are going to flavor your meat, like tacos or spaghetti, I buy the cheap hamburger, fry it then rinse it off really well. It saves money and I don't get the fat! I save the good stuff for meatloaf and meatballs and such.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Disney Deals!!!

When you purchase a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Magic Your Way vacation package at a select Disney Value Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort for stays most nights Feb. 17 – April 16, April 28 – June 14, 2011 or Aug. 14 – Oct. 1, 2011, kids ages 3-9 stay and play FREE!*

Offer Details:
This Walt Disney Travel Company package includes accommodations at a select Disney Value Resort and a Magic Your Way Base theme park ticket.

Booking and Travel Windows:

* Book: Jan. 3 – Feb. 13, 2011
* Travel: For stays most nights Feb. 17 – April 16, 2011

* Book: Jan. 3 – March 27, 2011
* Travel: For stays most nights April 28 – June 14, 2011 and Aug. 14 – Oct. 1, 2011

Sample Pricing:

* Book Jan. 3 – Feb. 13, 2011 and pay $503 per adult, based on adult double occupancy for this 4-night, 4-day Magic Your Way Package, at a select Disney Value Resort in a standard room for stays most nights Feb. 27 – March 10, 2011.
* Book Jan. 3 – March 27, 2011 and pay $452 per adult, based on adult double occupancy for this 4-night, 4-day Magic Your Way Package, at a select Disney Value Resort in a standard room for stays most nights Aug. 14 – Sept. 29, 2011.

If anyone is interested or have any questions, please let me know and I can get you a no obligation quote! The deposit on a Walt Disney World vacation package is just $200 with the balance due 45 days before travel.
I am a cook from scratch sort of person though I find recipes to be hard. I can read a recipe and all but we almost always change something about it. A lot of the things that I make I do from memory. I learned how to do it growing up and neither my mother nor grandma used a recipe. So I learned without one. Tonight is Sausage Potatoes and Onions. This is Boyfriends night to cook. I love this stuff. Pure comfort food. Even better, it is cheap and makes a bunch. This is almost like hash so we have a habit of frying it in a little olive oil for breakfast sometimes. I try to make it so that we always have leftovers for lunches.
Tomorrow is turkey pot pie. This is a super cheap meal since it utilizes almost only leftovers. I am a keep til you can use it sort of person. You can use leftover chicken for this recipe too. I won't call this healthy but I will say it is healthier than the stuff you buy in the store. I have learned over time that I suck at making pie crust so I just don't. I also don't like soggy pie crust in pot pie. So here is how I make pot pie. Take your leftover turkey, and the broth that you made from boiling the carcass (cuz you know you did! and you should separate that so you have turkey broth in your freezer for the turkey next Thanksgiving!), whatever leftover veggies you have in the freezer. You know those odds and ends that are never quite finished in the bag or the quarter cup that no one ate. Save those! I use whatever is on hand..carrots, celery, onion, green beans, peas. So, simmer your turkey in the broth with the veggies. When it is nice and hot you want to thicken it up. I thicken with cold water and a couple spoonfuls of cornstarch. Let that simmer to thicken. While that is thickening, turn your oven on to 425 degrees. Then I make biscuits. You can use any recipe. I am super fond of Hillbilly Housewife's recipes so I use hers. You can find it here: http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/homemadebiscuits.htm Now, instead of cutting out circles, I just roll it out to 9 by 13. Put the thickened turkey mix into the 9 by 13 pyrex pan and place the rolled out biscuit dough on top. Bake until the biscuits are done. See, super easy and practically a free dinner since it uses all those leftovers!
I am also fond of biscuits and gravy. Boyfriend makes the best! Instead of cutting out circles, I just use a knife and cut squares. If you have kids, you could use cookie cutters for fun shapes too. Maybe I will make Mickey head shaped biscuits! That just sounds fun. LOL

Sunday, January 23, 2011

It has been a while but I have decided to try to do better with my blog. I am going to start posting my menus and costs. I have recently discovered a new grocery store. It is about 45 minutes away but they sell you groceries at cost plus 10%. What I cannot get there, I got to Walmart, Winn Dixie, or Publix for. Yesterday I spent $74 at Pic and Save and $47 at Walmart. I still have a little more shopping to do. I need some more veggies but want a better price than I was seeing. We are a family of five. Boyfriend, 31, me 34, Doodle 14, little miss 1, and my father 62. This is all meals for all of us plus snacks and what not. This is for a two week menu. I am using up some stuff from the freezer this menu which is what made it so cheap. I put anything that can be saved away. We eat leftovers for lunches. I am not working so I try to save as much money as I possibly can on what I can. So here is the menu:
Sun: Italian Beef Subs (left over)
M: Fireman's Chicken, baked potato, veggie
T: Beef Enchiladas
W: Spaghetti
Th: BBQ Chicken leg Quarters, side, veggie
Fr: Pizza, we make pizza every Friday. at least one is pepperoni.
Sat: leftover beef tips and noodles
Sun: Turkey (bought when on sale at Thanksgiving!)
Mon: Sausage, Potatoes, and Onions
Tues: Turkey pot pie (use leftover turkey, broth from carcass and veggies from freezer)
Wed: Alfredo Pasta
Thur: roast
Fri: Pizza

Here is today's recipe for Italian Beef Subs

it is a throw stuff in the crock pot and cook until it is done recipe, no formal instructions or amounts.

1 chuck roast (like you would use for pot roast) as big as you need
vegetable oil
1 jar pepperoncini peppers
beef broth, a can or two, or three
Liptons Onion soup mix
Italian seasoning

Brown the roast in the oil on all sides in a pan on the stove. Transfer to the crock pot. You can deglaze the pan with a little beef broth and add all that if you want. Add beef broth to cover. You can add water if you need a little more liquid. Add the onion soup mix. Pour all of the liquid from the pepperoncini peppers in and a few of the peppers depending on much heat you like. Dump in a bunch of Italian seasoning, I usually use about half the jar, maybe 3/4.

Cover and let it cook for about 8 hours. It should be falling apart. Remove the peppers. Shred beef in the juice and serve on really good quality sub rolls warmed. You can add extra juice to the sandwiches or serve on the side. Add Provolone or mozzarella cheese if you like, and also serve some more of the peppers.

This is really almost better made a day ahead of time and then refrigerated overnight. You can also make it on the stove in a large pot. Cover it and let it cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.

I found this recipe on Disboards.com. Thank you to whomever posted it! Even picky Doodle ate this and loved it. My roast was rather large so it ended up making two meals. Today is leftovers from the last time a few weeks ago. One thing I did was took the juices in a separate pan and thickened it up a little with some corn starch.