Monday's Menu Plan: July 13, 2009

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This month, we’ve challenged ourselves not to go grocery shopping. Well, let me clarify. We’re getting ready to leave for a family roadtrip back to Florida this week, so we knew we only had about 15 days to challenge ourselves to eat out of our stockpile. Sometimes I get so focused on saving and stockpiling that I forget to stop and look at everything we already have hanging around our kitchen.

Let me tell you, not only has it been helpful on our wallet, but it’s been helpful to our waistline! I did spend about $5 last week to get a fresh loaf of bread and some produce, but we’ve drastically cut back on our meat/poultry consumption and have added a lot of beans, soups and salads. We’ve also cut back on our portions in an effort to make what we have stretch further.

We actually won’t be at home for all of this week, but I still gave you a full week’s plan so you have something to work around. There’s a few dishes I couldn’t begin to give you a recipe for since I’d never even heard of them until I met my husband…for example, beans & kielbasa (essentially slices of kielbasa pan sauteed with 3 cans of pinto beans added in once they’re browned) & grits (which my kids say I’m allowed to make now as long as I make them like daddy). However, I also like to keep my own favorites in the mix, like lentil soup, stir fry and rice cakes! It’s all about collaboration and creativity when it comes to making a menu plan for your family. I’ll talk to you next week from Florida!