2014 $50 Budget Menu Plan Week #7

2014 $50 Budget Menu Plan Week #7: Happy Valentines! This weeks $47.12 menu plan is all about fresh fruits, veggies and convenience! Here’s what we grabbed at the store . . .

1 lb Scallops, fresh strawberries, Cantaloupe, fresh broccoli crowns, 2 whole pineapple, fresh mushrooms, 3lbs gala apples, carrots, bananas, fresh spinach, 4lb lamb roast marked down, Fresh Asparagus, yogurt, lettuce, celery, cucumber-

Here again – if you pay attention to the sales cycles, this would be a fantastic time to stock up on Chicken and certain cuts of meat. This week Chicken is on sale for $1.59 a lb for Boneless, skinless breasts:

If you aren’t sure what’s on sale in your area, Check the flyersof your favorite stores. Be sure to plan your menu based on what you have on hand and using your flyers BEFORE you go, so you can price match at one store rather than driving around from store to store to get the best deals.

From our Backyard: Fresh Eggs (Getting nearly 2 dozen per day again!)

Breakfast Options for this week: Fresh Fruit – Apples, Bananas, Fresh Berries, Cantaloupe, fresh pineapple

As usual We’ll throw together a fruit salad to snack on and eat for breakfast, along with the following choices:

• Egg White Omelets (Egg whites, diced veggies, seasonings)
• Poached eggs on toast
• Cinnamon Cherry Cheeseball & Apple Slices
• Egg McMuffins (on homemade english Muffins)
• Strawberry Stuffed French Toast
• Espresso Muesli
• Pineapple Mint Jalapeno Smoothie
• Strawberry Burst Refrigerator Oatmeal

Monday February 10th:

• Lunch: Hummus Wraps
• Dinner: Grilled Pork Chops, Crispy Sweet potato fries, pear butter,salad

Tuesday Feb 11th:

• Lunch: Mini Bagel Pizzas
• Dinner: Chicken Strawberry Salad

Wednesday Feb 12th:

• Lunch: Cinnamon Pear Butter Ravioli & Salad
• Dinner:Szechuan Stir Fry over Asian Garlic Ginger Noodles (homemade!)

Thursday Feb 13th:

• Lunch: Broccoli Fritatta
• Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

Friday Feb 14th: Happy Valentines Day!

• Lunch: Leftover Szechuan Stir Fry
• Dinner: Bacon Wrapped Broiled Scallops with Apricot Chutney , Roast Lamb with Asparagus, Mint Jelly and Lyonnaise potatoes, Chocolate Lava Cake

Saturday Feb 15th: Chances are we’ll end up getting together with friends instead . . .

• Midday: Cowboy Casserole

Sunday Feb 16th:

• Lunch:Leftover Chicken Cacciatore
• Dinner:“Restaurant Night” – this isn’t actually eating out, instead we use the individual portion size meals that have been vacuum sealed and frozen.

Various Snacks & Desserts:

• Fresh Fruit Choices Available– Apples, Bananas, Fresh Cantaloupe, Fresh Berries
• Eclairs
• Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars
  
• Microwave Popcorn
• Frozen Banana Bites

Drinks Available:* Iced Tea (Unsweetened or Sweet Tea)
* Coffee
* Hot Chocolate/Cocoa

Less Likely to be used, but still available:
* Copycat Gatorade
* CopyCat Arizona Green Tea
* Lemonade
* Iced Coffee Drinks
* Almond Milk

For Further reading/help we recommend the following:

• $50 Dollar Menu Frequently Asked Questions– There are certain questions that seem to pop up again and again, so rather than be redundant and repeat answers, we’ve put them all in one convenient place for you!

  • Basic Questions–Why we don’t provide a shopping list, Random ingredients that aren’t in the shopping list, are groceries cheaper , etc

  • More Questions– more in depth questions regarding dietary guidelines, dealing with picky eaters, junk food and more

  • It Doesn’t Add up– Learn why some items in the Menu plan aren’t listed in this weeks grocery purchase list & how it all comes together

• February Sales Trends–not sure what Should be on sale right now? Here is a list of the current Sales trends throughout the month of January so you know what savings to expect and look forward to.

• The 2012 Family Guide to Groceries under $250 a Month– a guide of how and where to cut grocery expenses to get spending under control while providing an eye-opening view of the dirty manipulation tactics retailers use to keep you spending.

• $50 Weekly Menu Plan Help across the USA–Do you find yourself struggling to reduce your grocery bill each month? Check out our Menu plan help across the USA to see if your area has been featured for more 1-on-1 help, if not, feel free to add your request to have your city/state featured.

• Making Fruits & Veggies Last: At the beginning of each week we prepare the vegetables and fruits to make meal preparation easier during the week and to save money by preventing waste. You can read more about that here.

• How Spending $25 Now can save you Hundreds Later – if you gain nothing else from this site, don’t overlook this tip. It has been an EXTREME money-saver for our family