DIY: Preserving Green Beans

This is yet another effort to preserve food for the coming winter months. We purchased lots of green beans at our local Farmer's Market with the intention of blanching and freezing the beans.

This is probably one of the easiest vegetables to preserve for the freezer.  You simply wash the beans, place them whole in boiling water for 2-3 minutes and then place them in ice water (this is what I chose to do anyways) to stop the cooking process.  Then place them in quart size freezer bags and place in the freezer.

It's really that easy and you will have fresh green beans (these were picked the morning we preserved them) for months to come.

Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here.

DIY: Crockpot Applesauce vs. Stove Top Applesauce

Each fall we make lots of homemade applesauce at our house for both enjoying in the moment and for the winter months that lie ahead. In past years I have made applesauce in both the Crockpot and in my stock pots, however I have never done both simultaneously to observe if one method is truly better than the other from the perspective of time, consistency and taste. This year, we did exactly that, cooked applesauce in both the Crockpot and the stock pot(s) to create a side-by-side comparison.

We first purchased two large boxes of apples from a local vendor at our local Farmer's Market.  We purchased a variety of apples as I believe this makes for the best tasting sauce and they were considered apple "seconds".  We paid $7 for all of the apples pictured below.

We washed, peeled and cut the apples.

Then we placed apples in the Crockpot with a little more than 1/2 cup of water.

And then in two large stock pots with a little more than 1/2 cup of water.

The Crockpot Applesauce took approximately 4 hours on high and then an additional 2 hours on low.  We added 1/4 cup raw sugar and organic cinnamon 3 hours into the cooking process.  The overall consistency of the applesauce was chunky and the taste was excellent!

The Stove Top Applesauce took approximately 2 hours to cook down.  We also added 1/4 cup raw sugar and organic cinnamon to each pot and allowed to simmer.  The overall consistency was smoother than the Crockpot Applesauce, obviously took less time and was equally as delicious!

Overall the Stove Top Applesauce took less time, however I will say that the Crockpot Applesauce allows you to turn it on and basically forget it until it is done.  As far as consistency and taste goes, both methods lead to the same result, Delicious!

Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here.

DIY: Freezing Peppers

So another step towards preserving food for the winter months included chopping lots of peppers and freezing in quart size freezer bags.  This is a super simple way to include great produce into your diet for minimal cost.  My husband makes a terrific pasta dish with red and yellow diced peppers and when he makes this in the winter it costs a fortune (in my opinion) to purchase from our local grocer.  However, by preserving these peppers now we will also save money.

I purchased two large baskets of peppers for $14 at a Produce Auction.

We chopped the peppers for my husband's pasta dish, chopped green peppers for use in texas chili and strips of peppers for use in other dishes and for fajitas. 

Want to hear something really sad?  After placing all these nicely cut peppers in my new deep freeze, the deep freeze stopped working and I lost it all!  Fortunately since our local Farmer's Market is still in full swing I was able to partially replenish the chopped peppers.

Saving Family Green's 2011 Food Preservation List to date:

DIY:  Freezing and Canning Tomato Sauce
DIY:  Freezing Corn 
DIY:  Homemade Pesto 


Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here.

October is Celiac Disease Awareness Month NEW Gluten-Free Coupons!

October is Celiac Awareness Month.  We have a good friend who has Celiac Disease or CD as it is sometimes called and we have learned about the disease through her.  As I have cooked meals for this friend, I have learned how challenging it can be to eliminate wheat, barley and rye from your diet.

Celiac Disease, according to the Celiac Sprue Association, effects approximately 1 in 133 people in the United States.  However, only 3% of these have been detected!  Celiac Disease is generally diagnosed with a simple blood test.  Currently the cure for celiac disease is to follow a lifelong gluten free diet.

You can read more information:

Celiac Sprue Association
Celiac Disease Foundation

Mambo Sprouts has released gluten-free coupons that you can find here.  Coupons available thru Mambo Sprouts are:

• $0.75/1 Lundberg Brown Rice Pasta
• 0.75/1 MI-DEL Gluten Free Product
• $2/1 Udi's Gluten Free Product
• $1/2 Lifeway Products
• $1/1 Blue Diamond Nut-Thins Product
• $1.50/1 Rudi's Gluten Free Product
• $0.55/1 San-J Gluten Free Sauce

You can read reviews of the products listed above here.

Sustainable Saturday - Pumpkins in short supply

The Columbus Dispatch
Squashing the shortage
By Robin Davis

Can't find pumpkin in a can? Puree made at home does the trick.

Eric Albrecht, Dispatch photo
Squash types, clockwise from right: acorn, pumpkin, carnival, delicata and buttercup

Anyone who passes by grocery shelves knows that canned pumpkin has remained virtually impossible to find since late last year.

The shortage - caused by heavy rains last year in Illinois, the largest producer of pumpkins - is ending, with cans slowly beginning to show up in central Ohio.

Still, the situation serves as a reminder that cooks needn't go without pumpkin just because it isn't offered in cans: Supplies of locally grown pie pumpkins - and other winter squash - are plentiful at farmers markets and some supermarkets.

A puree made at home is a little time-consuming but certainly not difficult.

You can read the remainder of this article here.
__________________________________________________

Roasting pumpkins is relatively easy and requires lots of time in the oven.  I purchase pie pumpkins from our Local Farmer's Market for $1.  This is much less expensive than the grocery store where you will pay $0.99 / lb. 

Pumpkin Puree

I cut up the pumpkin and placed on a baking sheet with 1/3 cup water. I roasted the pumpkin at 400 degrees for 30 minutes covering with foil, then turned the pumpkin pieces and roasted for another 30 minutes.

Then I peeled off the skin, scoop out the pumpkin, pureed the pumpkin in my blender and placed in a freezer bag to use later.  

 

Here are a couple of delicious Pumpkin Recipes:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Thanks! MoneySavingMom

Pumpkin Scones

Sustainable Saturday - 5 Tips for Eco-Friendly Tailgating!

I honestly can't believe it's that time of the year when it's time to think about football. As I listened to the band play last evening at our local high school football game, I had the realization that fall is on its way.

So you're headed to the game next weekend and you want to improve your overall experience by reducing the amount of trash associated with tailgating. As you can tell I bleed scarlet and gray (Ohio State) for those of you non-football fans. At Ohio State I've heard that the grounds staff spends something like an entire day cleaning up after a home football game due to the amount of trash. Now I agree that this is ridiculous in itself and people in general should take responsibility for their mess, what if everyone had incentive to take their trash home by placing it in their compost pile or getting perks for recycling.

In the past I've done posts on the benefits of both. You can read about Composting Basics and the RecycleBank program here, here and here.

5 Tips for Eco-Friendly Tailgating!

1.  Purchase compostable, biodegradable and sustainable paper products like ultra green, Earth Shell or Solo Bare.  I would like to point out that if you do purchase something that is biodegradable only or plan on placing one of the products listed above into a trash bag headed for the landfill, it will not biodegrade.  Nothing biodegrades a 100% in a landfill that is not a composting landfill.  If you place these products in a separate container or bag to be placed in your compost pile these products will easily break down, usually within a week in my experience, and you will benefit from rich compost for your garden and yard.

2.  Tasty Beverages are usually an essential part of any tailgating experience.  Whether you are talking about some Horizon Organic Chocolate Milk Boxes or some local brews.  One of our favorite companies is Great Lakes Brewing Company.  Great Lakes Brewing Company is a principle-centered, environmentally respectful and socially conscious company committed to crafting fresh, flavorful, high-quality beer and food for the enjoyment of their customers.  Located in on the West Side in Cleveland, OH, they distribute to 13 states in the U.S.

Great Lakes Brewing Company on Sustainability:

Great Lakes Brewing Company is an environmentally and socially conscious brewer of award-winning, all natural beer. The care that goes into the beer resonates from a commitment to the community and environment, otherwise known as the "Triple Bottom Line" - to engage in economic, social and environmental practices that achieve a sustainable, yet profitable, business.
We believe the Triple Bottom Line is going to become increasingly important as people focus more on responsible purchasing. This commitment to sustainability is present in almost every aspect of our business including:

• Reducing, reusing and recycling
• Changing natural resource use from "Take, Make, Waste" to "Take, Make, Remake"
• Implementing efficient energy practices
• Investing in the community through non-profit organizations
• Supporting sustainable urban renewal projects

You can read about their Pint Size Farm and even more Sustainable Initiatives here.

3. Meat is another essential for tailgating.  Look for either a Local Farmer's Market or Farm to purchase your meat to get a better quality product and lessen the impact on the environment.  We purchase meat from a farm in Ashtabula County.  You can also look for products like Laura's Lean Ground Beef at your local grocery store for a more environmentally friendly option.  

4.  Supplement some of your tailgate fair by going meatless.  A great way to do this is with beans (black, pinto, kidney) to make a variety of dishes like nachos, chili (a fan favorite), fajitas, etc.  I like to cook my beans ahead in a big pot and freeze them in quart freezer bags for easy use later on.  These are a great way to make a portion your tailgate fare meatless and so easy to grab a couple bags from the freezer and put them in the cooler. 


5. Purchase tailgate essentials from your local Farmer's Markets to get local and organic fresh produce, meats and even dairy products.  Not all items found at Farmer's Markets are Organic, however many people argue that Local and Fresh are just as important, if not more so than Organic. 

You can search for Local Farmer's Markets in your area at Local Harvest.

Read about The New Dirty Dozen:  12 Foods to Eat Organic


I suppose I've started a Series by accident.  You can read more about my Tips for Eco-Friendly living:

10 Tips to Buying Organic on a Budget
5 Tips for Eco-Friendly Back-to-School
Tips for a Eco-Friendly Vacation

Sustainable Saturday - Uses for frozen fruit

For years I have been taking overly ripe bananas and placing them in my freezer. Sometimes they go in as a whole banana, sometimes just the banana itself in a freezer bag. What do I do with these bananas . . . use them for breakfast! A common weekend breakfast is banana pancakes or waffles sometimes with chocolate chips or even blueberries. Those who have tried them, love them! A really great batch of banana pancakes or waffles are judged by whether or not they have enough banana flavor to not require maple syrup!

Banana Pancakes

1 cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour
3 Tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt

2 eggs
3 frozen bananas (defrosted and mushed, they will be like liquid if they were super ripe) or 2 fresh bananas
1 tsp vanilla (optional)
2% Organic Milk (enough to make the consistency right . . . I just use my best guess)
Chocolate Chips or Blueberries

Combine dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Combine remainder of ingredients in a separate bowl.  I usually mash the bananas first, then add everything else.  Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and add milk as needed for the right consistency.  Cook on griddle for a couple of minutes each side.  Serve warm.

Menu Plan Monday - Gluten Free Recipes

The last few weeks I have taken a break from menu planning for multiple reasons.  We've had a rough plan of what our meals would be, but not as detailed as I usually do.

I did do some cooking ahead this week, but sent the meals off to friends, one of which happens to have Celiac Disease.  So, I ventured into the land of cooking Gluten Free.  Hopefully I did okay, but it sure was challenging to find ingredients.  The meals I prepared were gluten free and mostly organic.

Gluten Free Meals:

Mexican Casserole

Italian Casserole 

Some of the Ingredients:

 The Results:

For our friends who just had twins, I made a good ole standby casserole and homemade banana bread.

Baked Penne & Smoked Sausage Casserole

As for us, our Suppers will include:

Breakfast for dinner, fruit
Sweet & Sour Pork w/ Rice, fruit
Beef Tacos or some sort of Mexican Casserole, fruit
Homemade Pizza
Leftovers
Homemade macaroni & cheese, broccoli

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday

January 17 thru 23 Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 17 - Scalloped potatoes & ham, fruit Tilapa, fish sticks for the kids, salad, broccoli and bread
Monday, Jan. 18 - Chicken & noodles, fruit
Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Pork chops, applesauce, rice
Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Baby Greens with Avocados & Pears
Roasted Red & Green Pepper Quesadillas
Thursday, Jan. 21 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 22 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni & green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 23 - Swedish meatballs w/ pasta, salad

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.

Eat from the Pantry Challenge - January 2010 Update

Well it's the end of the second week and we've managed to stop at the store only once this week!  I am hoping our stockpile combined with the fresh fruit, veggies and dairy we purchased this week will last until at least next weekend.

I changed some things up here and there.  Here's the update:

January Breakfast Menu:
Oatmeal
Banana pancakes, breakfast sausage
Cereal, fruit
Ham, broccoli, egg casserole
Egg, hashbrown, sausage casserole
Zucchini muffins
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins
Homemade granola bars

January Lunch Menu:
Leftovers
Ham & Potato soup
Chicken & noodles
Hot dogs, mac & cheese, peas
Crackers, peanut butter, raisins, apples
PP&J, celery sticks, apple
Soups (Tomato, Chicken Noodle, Minestrone) & grilled cheese
Yogurt
Fruit

January 1 thru 9 Menu:
Friday, Jan. 1 - Rose Bowl parties
Saturday, Jan. 2 - Leftover pasta w/ peppers, garlic bread and salad
Sunday, Jan. 3 - Crockpot Chili w/ cornbread
Monday, Jan. 4 - Chicken, vegetables, pineapple stir fry with rice.
Tuesday, Jan. 5 - Sausage with peppers and pasta Everyone liked this new to us recipe!
Wednesday, Jan. 6 - Chicken enchiladas, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 7 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 8 - Dinner out
Saturday, Jan. 9 - Dinner at a friend's house

January 10 thru 16 Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 10 - Roasted Pork tenderloin, corn casserole, applesauce
Monday, Jan. 11 - Pineapple & Mandarin Orange Chicken w/ rice Dinner at a friend's house
Tuesday, Jan. 12 - Barbeque pulled pork (leftovers from Sunday) sandwiches, peas & carrots, fruit Sloppy joes, fries, fruit
Wednesday, Jan. 13 - Hamburgers with jalapeno cheese & guacamole, chips & salsa, fruit Pineapple & Mandarin Orange Chicken w/ rice
Thursday, Jan. 14 - Leftovers Hamburgers with jalapeno cheese & guacamole, chips & salsa, fruit
Friday, Jan. 15 - Dinner out for Grandma's Birthday
Saturday, Jan. 16 - Leftovers

January 17 thru 23 Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 17 - Scalloped potatoes & ham, fruit Tilapa, fish sticks for the kids, salad, broccoli and bread
Monday, Jan. 18 - Chicken & noodles, fruit
Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Pork chops, applesauce, rice
Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Baby Greens with Avocados & Pears
Roasted Red & Green Pepper Quesadillas
Thursday, Jan. 21 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 22 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni & green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 23 - Swedish meatballs w/ pasta, salad

January 24 thru 30 Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 24 - Minestrone soup w/ pasta
Monday, Jan. 25 - Salmon cakes, salad
Tuesday, Jan. 26 - Crockpot Sweet & Sour Pork
Wednesday, Jan. 27 - Beef Tacos, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 28 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 29 - Ricotta & spinach stuffed shells, salad
Saturday, Jan. 30 - Pork chops w/ apples & onions, rice, applesauce

January 31 thru ??? Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 31 - Shepard's Pie, fruit
Monday, Feb. 1 -
Tuesday, Feb. 2 - Barbeque pulled pork sandwiches, peas & carrots, fruit

Menu Plan Monday

January 10 thru 16 Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 10 - Roasted Pork tenderloin, corn casserole, applesauce
Monday, Jan. 11 - Dinner at a friend's house
Tuesday, Jan. 12 - Barbeque pulled pork (leftovers from Sunday) sandwiches, peas & carrots, fruit
Wednesday, Jan. 13 - Hamburgers with jalapeno cheese & guacamole, chips & salsa, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 14 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 15 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni and green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 16 - Dinner out with friends

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.

Eat from the Pantry Challenge - January 2010 - Update

Well it's the end of the first week and so far we are doing fairly well. However I have had to make 3 trips to the grocery store in the last 7 days due to running out of milk, eggs, etc.! My goal for the next week is to stay out of the stores!

We primarily stayed true to the menu plan, however we did end up getting invited to friends' houses for a couple nights . . . so those meals may shift into February. I'm thinking about continuing this challenge until the freezer is pretty much empty . . . we'll see.

January Breakfast Menu:
Oatmeal
Banana pancakes, breakfast sausage
Cereal, fruit
Ham, broccoli, egg casserole
Egg, hashbrown, sausage casserole
Zucchini muffins
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins
Homemade granola bars

January Lunch Menu:
Leftovers
Ham & Potato soup
Chicken & noodles
Hot dogs, mac & cheese, peas
Crackers, peanut butter, raisins, apples
PP&J, celery sticks, apple
Soups (Tomato, Chicken Noodle, Minestrone) & grilled cheese
Yogurt
Fruit

January 1 thru 9 Menu:
Friday, Jan. 1 - Rose Bowl parties
Saturday, Jan. 2 - Leftover pasta w/ peppers, garlic bread and salad
Sunday, Jan. 3 - Crockpot Chili w/ cornbread
Monday, Jan. 4 - Chicken, vegetables, pineapple stir fry with rice.
Tuesday, Jan. 5 - Sausage with peppers and pasta Everyone liked this new to us recipe!
Wednesday, Jan. 6 - Chicken enchiladas, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 7 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 8 - Dinner out
Saturday, Jan. 9 - Dinner at a friend's house

January 10 thru 16 Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 10 - Roasted Pork tenderloin, corn casserole, applesauce
Monday, Jan. 11 - Dinner at a friend's house
Tuesday, Jan. 12 - Barbeque pulled pork (leftovers from Sunday) sandwiches, peas & carrots, fruit
Wednesday, Jan. 13 - Hamburgers with jalapeno cheese & guacamole, chips & salsa, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 14 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 15 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni and green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 16 - Dinner out with friends

January 17 thru 23 Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 17 - Scalloped potatoes & ham, fruit
Monday, Jan. 18 - Chicken & noodles, fruit
Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Pork chops, applesauce, rice
Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Baby Greens with Avocados & Pears
Roasted Red & Green Pepper Quesadillas w/ chicken
Thursday, Jan. 21 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 22 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni & green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 23 - Swedish meatballs w/ pasta, salad

January 24 thru 30 Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 24 - Minestrone soup w/ pasta
Monday, Jan. 25 - Salmon cakes, salad
Tuesday, Jan. 26 - Crockpot Sweet & Sour Pork
Wednesday, Jan. 27 - Beef Tacos, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 28 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 29 - Ricotta & spinach stuffed shells, salad
Saturday, Jan. 30 - Pork chops w/ apples & onions, rice, applesauce

January 31 thru ??? Menu:
Sunday, Jan. 31 - Shepard's Pie, fruit
Monday, Feb. 1 - Pineapple & Mandarin Orange Chicken w/ rice
Tuesday, Feb. 2 - Sloppy joes, fries, fruit

Menu Plan Monday

January Breakfast Menu:
Oatmeal
Banana pancakes, breakfast sausage
Cereal, fruit
Ham, broccoli, egg casserole
Egg, hashbrown, sausage casserole
Zucchini muffins
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins
Homemade granola bars

January Lunch Menu:
Leftovers
Ham & Potato soup
Chicken & noodles
Hot dogs, mac & cheese, peas
Crackers, peanut butter, raisins, apples
PP&J, celery sticks, apple
Soups (Tomato, Chicken Noodel, Minestrone) & grilled cheese
Yogurt
Fruit

January Supper Menu:
Friday, Jan. 1 - Rose Bowl parties
Saturday, Jan. 2 - Leftover pasta w/ peppers, garlic bread and salad
Sunday, Jan. 3 - Crockpot Chili w/ cornbread
Monday, Jan. 4 - Chicken, vegetables, pineapple stir fry with rice.
Tuesday, Jan. 5 - Sausage with peppers and pasta
Wednesday, Jan. 6 - Chicken enchiladas, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 7 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 8 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni & green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 9 - Sloppy joes, fries, fruit
Sunday, Jan. 10 - Roasted Pork tenderloin, corn casserole, applesauce
Monday, Jan. 11 - Pineapple, mandarin orange chicken w/ rice
Tuesday, Jan. 12 - Barbeque pulled pork (leftovers from Sunday) sandwiches, peas & carrots, fruit
Wednesday, Jan. 13 - Hamburgers with jalapeno cheese & guacamole, chips & salsa, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 14 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 15 - Mac & cheese w/ broccoli
Saturday, Jan. 16 - Dinner out with friends
Sunday, Jan. 17 - Scalloped potatoes & ham, fruit
Monday, Jan. 18 - Chicken & noodles, fruit
Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Pork chops, applesauce, rice
Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Baby Greens with Avocados & Pears
Roasted Red & Green Pepper Quesadillas w/ chicken
Thursday, Jan. 21 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 22 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni & green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 23 - Swedish meatballs w/ pasta, salad
Sunday, Jan. 24 - Minestrone soup w/ pasta
Monday, Jan. 25 - Salmon cakes, salad
Tuesday, Jan. 26 - Scalloped potatoes & ham, fruit
Wednesday, Jan. 27 - Beef Tacos, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 28 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 29 - Ricotta & spinach stuffed shells, salad
Saturday, Jan. 30 - Pork chops w/ apples & onions, rice, applesauce
Sunday, Jan. 31 - Shepard's Pie, fruit

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.

Eat from the Pantry Challenge - January 2010

January Breakfast Menu:
Oatmeal
Banana pancakes, breakfast sausage
Cereal, fruit
Ham, broccoli, egg casserole
Egg, hashbrown, sausage casserole
Zucchini muffins
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins
Homemade granola bars

January Lunch Menu:
Leftovers
Ham & Potato soup
Chicken & noodles
Hot dogs, mac & cheese, peas
Crackers, peanut butter, raisins, apples
PP&J, celery sticks, apple
Soups (Tomato, Chicken Noodle, Minestrone) & grilled cheese
Yogurt
Fruit

January Supper Menu:
Friday, Jan. 1 - Rose Bowl parties
Saturday, Jan. 2 - Leftover pasta w/ peppers, garlic bread and salad
Sunday, Jan. 3 - Crockpot Chili w/ cornbread
Monday, Jan. 4 - Chicken, vegetables, pineapple stir fry with rice.
Tuesday, Jan. 5 - Sausage with peppers and pasta
Wednesday, Jan. 6 - Chicken enchiladas, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 7 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 8 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni & green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 9 - Sloppy joes, fries, fruit
Sunday, Jan. 10 - Roasted Pork tenderloin, corn casserole, applesauce
Monday, Jan. 11 - Pineapple, mandarin orange chicken w/ rice
Tuesday, Jan. 12 - Barbeque pulled pork (leftovers from Sunday) sandwiches, peas & carrots, fruit
Wednesday, Jan. 13 - Hamburgers with jalapeno cheese & guacamole, chips & salsa, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 14 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 15 - Mac & cheese w/ broccoli
Saturday, Jan. 16 - Dinner out with friends
Sunday, Jan. 17 - Scalloped potatoes & ham, fruit
Monday, Jan. 18 - Chicken & noodles, fruit
Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Pork chops, applesauce, rice
Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Baby Greens with Avocados & Pears
Roasted Red & Green Pepper Quesadillas w/ chicken
Thursday, Jan. 21 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 22 - Homemade pizza with pepperoni & green peppers
Saturday, Jan. 23 - Swedish meatballs w/ pasta, salad
Sunday, Jan. 24 - Minestrone soup w/ pasta
Monday, Jan. 25 - Salmon cakes, salad
Tuesday, Jan. 26 - Crockpot Sweet & Sour Pork
Wednesday, Jan. 27 - Beef Tacos, fruit
Thursday, Jan. 28 - Leftovers
Friday, Jan. 29 - Ricotta & spinach stuffed shells, salad
Saturday, Jan. 30 - Pork chops w/ apples & onions, rice, applesauce
Sunday, Jan. 31 - Shepard's Pie, fruit

Eat from the Pantry Challenge - January 2010

I am participating in MoneySavingMom and LifeasMom's Eat from the Pantry Challenge.  You can read more about it here.

Symhomemom's Plan:

• Puchase dairy and fresh produce as needed each week.  I will be budgeting $25 each week for these purchases which will include:
• 1 1/2 gallons Organic milk - $5.29 + $2.99
• 2 gallons 1% milk - $4
• Produce (or other) as needed - $12.72 or less
• Inventory all food we have in our freezer, refrigerator and pantry (I started this and was amazed at all that was in our freezer alone!) 
• Menu Plan for the following meals:
• 25 dinners
• 20 lunches
• 20 breakfasts
• For 2010 I am going to track all grocery spending on this blog.  (I currently track thru http://www.mint.com/).

I'm still working on my menu plan . . . hopefully I will be done before New Year's Day! 

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday - Leftovers from Christmas Day dinner

Monday - Leftover ham, scalloped potatoes and broccoli in the crockpot

Tuesday - Simple-Beef-Stroganoff or Pasta with meatballs . . . I have some Muir Glen sauce I've been wanting to try . . . it has red wine in it.

Wednesday - Chicken Enchiladas (I will probably cook and shred the chicken in the crockpot), fruit

Thursday - New Year's Eve - my husband is doing the cooking! He will be making pasta with a red sauce (red and yellow peppers), salad and garlic bread

Friday - New Year's Day - Multiple Rose Bowl parties

Saturday - TBD - This will be determined as part of my participation in Money Saving Mom and Life as Mom's Eat from the Pantry Challenge.

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday - Dinner at our neighbor's house

Monday - Barbeque pulled chicken, cornbread and peas

Tuesday - Simple-Beef-Stroganoff

Wednesday - Beef Enchiladas, fruit

Thursday - Christmas Eve Dinner at my Parents' house

Friday - Christmas Day!

Breakfast - Crustless Bacon & Cheese Quiche, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Dinner - Baby Greens Pears and Avocados, Honey Glazed Ham with Pineapple Salsa, Corn Pudding, Green Bean Casserole, Crunchy Onion Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, Pumpkin Dinner Rolls, Pumpkin Roll and Cherry Pie

Saturday - Leftovers! Ham & Broccoli Brunch Casserole

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.

FREE e-book: The $5 Dinner Mom Does Holiday Dinner

$5 Dinners is a terrific blog with great recipes and money saving tips!  There is a FREE ebook available The $5 Dinner Mom Does Holiday Dinner.

You can also purchase her new book to be released December 22nd here.

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday - Dinner at a friend's house

Monday - Chicken, vegetables, pineapple stir fry with rice.

Tuesday - Meatball Hash Brown Bake

Wednesday - Chicken Soft Tacos, fruit

Thursday - Simple-Beef-Stroganoff

Friday -We are having our annual Cookie & Beer Exchange with friends. 

Here is the menu:
Baby Greens with Avocados & Pears
Roasted Red & Green Pepper Quesadillas
Texas Style Chili or Texas Style Chili

Saturday - Leftovers!

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday - Cinderella Tea Party, Cinderella Happy Birthday got delayed until Sunday due to illness in our house! It turned out to be a blast with 5 of my daughter's friends in attendence.

Monday - Leftovers from the birthday party including hummus, pita, fruit and sandwich wraps.

Tuesday - My daughter's Christmas Play at school so we will keep it simple with sandwiches and fruit.

Wednesday - Stuffed shells with ricotta and spinach, fruit

Thursday - Crockpot beef stew with potatoes and carrots

Friday - Homemade whole wheat pizza

Saturday - Simple-Beef-Stroganoff

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.