Weekly Menu

Goal:  Making my life easier through planning.


We've been being frugal since January.  After two back to back maternity leaves, a bunch of unplanned "must dos" on the house and some out of control spending in the fall, we're not exactly where we want to be financially in our lives.  In January we did a financial check-up, re-evaluated our goals, re-set our budget, and got back on track.  We started using mint.com as a way to keep us accountable daily to our spending.  


Suddenly my husband is a miser.  That's okay.  I really don't mind.  In fact, I'm loving it!  I'm just surprised, because up to this point he hasn't taken a huge interest in how our money is used beyond the willingness to work as much overtime as necessary to buy us the extras we like.  Mint lets him easily (and really, isn't easily the key for most people?) check our account balances, so we know exactly at any minute where we are in our monthly spending.  Hubby noticed a $4.40 purchase at Canadian Tire the other day.  This from the man, who in combination with me, would spend $100 a month at Starbucks!  Now that's progress.


What does this have to do with menu planning?  Good question.  Darling Hubby has taken over the grocery shopping since I've gone back to work, and now makes it his weekly goal to spend as little as possible.  My man has almost halved our grocery bills.  I fully expect to see him on Extreme Couponing in the future.  He's already talking about calling the local free paper to have it delivered to our house, so he can get the fliers and price match when he shops.  This is especially ironic because whenever the paper does land on our doorstep, he calls and yells at them that we don't want it, and have requested it to not be delivered many times in the past.    Oh, how times change.


Because Hubby does the grocery shopping, I have to plan around his crazy work schedule.  Hence why this week has eight nights in it.  He went shopping on Thursday, and won't be able to go again until after next Friday.  Last week I gave you less, and this week more.  Never say I'm not fair to my loyal readers.

Thursday's Dinner:  My Homemade Turkey/Beef Burgers on Homemade Black Bread.  Beyond yum.

Here is our weekly menu!  I've included my very basic burger recipe, and my friend has graciously allowed me to post her baked beans recipe as well.  Yum all around!

Family Menu

Thursday, February 9- Thursday, February 16

Thursday - Turkey/Beef Burgers on leftover Black Bread, and spinach smoothies
Friday - Meat Pie and Coleslaw
Saturday - Homemade Pizza
Sunday - Pan fried Tilapia, rice and creamed spinach
Monday - Perogies
Tuesday - Tuna Noodle Casserole
Wednesday - Homemade Schnitzel, Braised Cabbage and mashed potatoes
Thursday - Nebraska Baked Beans


Turkey/Beef Burgers


So I'm not much for exact measurements.  Ask my hubby.  I rarely get exactly the same result twice when I cook, so please take all of my recipes with a grain of salt.  Make them work for you!


1 lb extra-lean ground beef
1 lb extra-lean ground turkey
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup egg whites
Steak Seasoning, to taste (I used The Keg Steak Seasoning)


Mix together all the ingredients.  Form into 8 burgers.  Grill until desired doneness.  Serve on buns or if you have leftover bread like I did, toast it up and serve it on that.


Nebraska Baked Beans


I'm going to try making these in the crockpot.  I'll let you know how it goes next week.  We might have to eat from the freezer one night if it is a disaster.


2 cups navy beans
4 cups water
1/2 tsp baking soda (less)
1 1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup brown sugar
pepper
1/4 lb bacon, fried, with drippings (or more)


Put beans and water in large pot.  Boil 15 minutes.  Add baking soda.  Bring back to boil for 2 to 3 minutes.  Drain; add fresh water to cover.  Cook 1 hour over slow heat.  Add salt, ketchup, brown sugar, pepper, bacon and drippings.  Keep hot in oven - no need to keep baking.  Will reheat and be tasty.  Double recipe to fill a crockpot.