$50 Menu Plan Help: Oklahoma City, OK

Recently it seems we’ve received an influx of requests from Military families seeking to lower their expenses and find additional ways to save. We are incredibly thankful for the service men and women and we’d be honored if we could offer some assistance! Without further ado, this weeks $50 Menu plan help is for Oklahoma City, OK.

Rebeckawrote “”I am a military wife living in Oklahoma City (73112). We are about to have a baby and are going down to one income here in a little over 5 weeks. ANY help would be greatly appreciated. We shop Aldi, Walmart, and Homeland.”

Congratulations on your new addition! While there are some great deals in your local stores, don’t forget to check out the Farmers Markets in your area for excellent deals on fresh produce, eggs and even meats. We’ve listed a few near you at the end of this weeks menu plan.

Aldi Deals from this weeks Flyer: July 11-17th

Peaches, Plums or Nectarines .25 each
Strawberries .99 #
Blueberries $1.29 pint
Honeydew Melon $1.29
Fresh Cherries $1.49 lb
Fresh Pineapple $1.19 each
Tyson Boneless Skinless Chicken thighs $1.49 lb

Aldi Everyday Prices:
Artisan Lettuce $1.99
Romaine Hearts Lettuce (3 heads) $1.99
Bell Peppers $1.29
Cucumbers .99-1.29
Frozen Ground Turkey $1.47 lb
Frozen Veggies .79-.99 bag
Refrigerated Roll Dough (Like the pillsbury bread dough in a can) .99
Potatoes 10#/$3.99 (or less)
Oatmeal $1.69
celery $1.29
Bananas .39 # (or less)
Bread $1.29 a loaf (or less)
eggs .99
Sweet Potatoes 3lb $1.49
Honey $2.49
Sugar $2.19
Flour $1.79
White Rice $1.69

Buy For Less Deals from this Weeks Flyer July 10th – July 16th, 2012
Cucumbers $3/1
Country Style Pork Ribs $1.44
Fresh Express Iceburg Garden Salad .97
Shredded Cheese 4/$5 ($1.25 each)
blade end pork chop $1.69
Whole Tilapia $1.69
Best Buy Bacon $1.99lb
Pasta .99 box
Kiwi Fruit 4/$1
Jalapeno Peppers (2lbs) $1
Bell Peppers 2/ $1
Whole Strawberries (Frozen) .88
Cottage Cheese $1.48

Homeland Deals from this Weeks flyer

Beefsteak Hot House tomatoes .99lb
Broccoli Crowns $1.39
Russet Baking Potatoes .45lb
Whole Carrots (2lbs) $1.59

Sample Grocery List: This grocery list is assuming that your pantry is practically bare! It has allowance for extreme basics in the pantry including flour/sugar/rice. You will save more money in the long run if you purchase fresh ingredients based on sales and restock the pantry & freezer in separate weeks. To see this in action view weeks 1-5 of our initial $50 weekly menu plans.

Peaches, Plums or Nectarines .25 each (4 of each) $3.
Strawberries .99 # $1.
Blueberries $1.29 pint
Honeydew Melon $1.29 each
Fresh Cherries $1.49 lb x 2 = $2.96
Fresh Pineapple $1.19 each
Romaine Lettuce (3 heads) $1.99
Bell Peppers 2/ $1
Cucumbers 3/$1
Frozen Ground Turkey $1.47 lb
2lbs Jalapeno Peppers $1
Bread $1.29 a loaf
eggs .99
Sweet Potatoes 3lb $1.49
Sugar $2.19
Flour $1.79
White Rice $1.69
Refrigerated Roll Dough (Like the pillsbury bread dough in a can) .99
Potatoes 5lb @.45 = $2.25
celery $1.29
Shredded Cheese 4/$5 ($1.25 each)
blade end pork chop $1.69 x 3lbs = $3.38
Whole Tilapia $1.69
Tyson Boneless Chicken (1.49 x 3#) = $4.47
Best Buy Bacon $1.99lb
Pasta .99 box (x2) 1.98
Kiwi Fruit 4/$1
2 lbs Carrots $1.59
Broccoli Crowns $1.39
cream cheese .99 (aldi)
Total – $53.64

Sample Menu Plan:

Breakfast Ideas:

• Blueberry Turnovers
• Simple Plain Cake Donuts
• Peach Enchiladas
• Waffles
• Honeydew Melon & Strawberries x 2 days
• Just Middles

Lunch/ Dinner Ideas:

• Grilled Tilapia w/ Fruit Salsa & Dilled Carrots
• Grilled Chicken, Jalapeno Texas Cheese Fries, Salad
• Spicy Marinated Pork Chops w/ Sweet Potato Fries
  
• Armadillo Eggs & Salad
• Hearty Taco Pasta Dish(Leftovers next day)
• Salad with chunks of leftover chicken & maybe a hard boiled egg cut up in it
• Tandori Chicken w/ Cucumber Raita & Seasoned Rice (Or couscous- which is the same price as rice at Aldi) (Next day- tandori chicken wraps in flatbread which is simple to make)
• Bacon & Egg Salad Wraps (Using leftover bacon from armadillo egg recipe)
• Pasta Salad with shredded carrots and finely chopped broccoli crowns, Italian dressing
• Kiwi Strawberry Salad

Snack Ideas

• Fruit salad made with honeydew, strawberries & pineapple
• Fresh Plums & Nectarines
• Carrots
• Copycat Nature Valley Granola Bars
• Cherries
• Grilled Pineapple (absolutely delicious!)

Additional resources that are available that you might not have known about:

Farmers Markets:

• Berry Creek Farm-offers peaches, grapes, blackberries, strawberries, free range chickens, grass fed beef – Location: 1021 S. Tyler Ave. Blanchard, OK 73010 website

• Bethany Farmer’s Market– June – August Location: Asbury and 38th Bethany, OK 73008

• CommmonWealth Urban Farms– A group that turns vacant lots into green spaces! They offer a “Veggie Club” for only $10 per bag. website ~ FB

• Crestview Inc. Farms -Hierloom tomatoes and transplants, they also grow gourmet salad greens, Spring onions, garlic, spinach, squash, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes,beans,summer peas and eggplant as well as some bedding plants this year we hope to have sun chokes. Apple trees, pear trees. Also blackberries – website
  Location: 5521 N. Douglas Blvd. on corner of Sorghum and Douglas
  Arcadia/ N.E. Edmond, OK 73007

• Guilford Gardens– Offers weekly bags of fresh veggies for $20-30 website

• Oklahoma Food Cooperative– offer all natural meats, farm raised venison, organic veggies/grains, prepared foods and more website
• OSU-OKC Farmers Market– Produce, dairy, eggs, meats, nuts and baked goods. Also offers orchids, fresh cut flowers, crafts and more. Location: 400 N. Portland Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73107 – website

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