OCTOBER - 2009

1    Shake N Bake Pork Chops/ Rice a Roni/ Corn

2    Ham and Cheese Wraps / Chips & Dip (Good Add to Site)

3    LUNCH:  Mac And Cheese

      Bean and Sausage Soup (soak Beans over night) (Good Add to Site)

4    LUNCH:  Sandwiches

      Turkey Breast Tenderloin (Crock Pot) / Mashed Potatoes/ Green Beans

5    Spaghetti & Meatballs/ Garlic Bread

6    Chicken Risotto (Bakes 1 hour) (Good Add to Site)

7    Cheese Hashbrown Casserole with Ham/ Green Beans/Biscuits (Bakes 45 minutes) (Good Add to Site)

8    Taco Cresent Bake/ Spanish Rice

9    Chili Cheese Dip with Chips/(Good Add to Site) Italian Wraps / (Good Add to Site)Mozzarealla Sticks (store bought)

10   LUNCH: Pizza Bagels

Sausage and Tortellini Soup (crockpot) (Very Good Add to Site)

2 – 141/2 oz can Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes, undrained

3 cups water

2 cups frozen Italian style or cut green beans

1 10-1/2 oz can condensed French onion soup

8 ounces cooked smoked sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into ½ inch slices

2 cups packaged shredded cabbage with carrots (coleslaw mix)

1 9 ounce package refrigerated cheese filled tortellini

Shredded Parmesan

In a 4 -5 quart slow cooker combine undrained tomatoes, water, green beans, soup and sausage.

Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high setting for 4 to 5 hours.

If using low setting, turn cooker to high-heat setting.Stir in cabbage and tortellini; cover and cook for 15 minutes more.If desired, garnish each serving with Parmesan cheese.

Comments:  Hubby added a can of tomato soup to make thicker and added whole bag of cabbage. 

11   LUNCH: Grilled Cheese /Noodle Soup
Oven Fried Fish and Chips (Good Add to Site)

12   Sloppy Joes  (crockpot)/ Fries

13   Country Ham and Cheese Macaroni, (Good Add to Site) Carrots and Dinner Rolls (Bake 30-45 mins)

14   Pancakes/ Eggs/Bacon

15   Easy Chicken and Feta Bake/ Brocolli/ Pesta Noodles

16   Meat and Cheese Tray/Chips & Dip

17   LUNCH:  Quesadillas

Pecan Crusted Salmon/(Very Good Add to Site) Garden Vegetables/ Crusty Bread

18   LUNCH: Mac And Cheese

Chicken Barley Vegetable Soup (good Add to SIte)

19   Frozen Pizza

20   Baked Penne & Smoked Sausage (DIDN"T MAKE...Carry Over)

21   Pork Roast, Roasted Pots and Green Beans  (DIDN"T MAKE...Carry Over)

22   Duggar Tater Tot Casserole (DIDN"T MAKE...Carry Over)

Duggar Family Tater Tot Dish
1 lb ground turkey cooked, seasoned, drained
2lb bags tater tots
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can evaporated milk
1 can cream of chicken
Brown meat & place in large cass. dish.
Cover with tater tots. Mix soup & milk together.
Pour over top. Bake at 350 for 1 Hour.
(One of Daddy’s Favorites!) Makes 1- 9”X13” pans

Add Mixed Veggies to meat before doing rest of recipe.

23    Oriental Chicken Wings (crock 4-5 hours) /Fries  (DIDN"T MAKE...Carry Over)

24    LUNCH:  LEFTOVERS

Steak, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad 

25    LUNCH:  Chicken Salad

Crockpot Chilli - Corn Bread (6 hours)   (DIDN"T MAKE...Carry Over)

26    Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Easy Chicken Rice Casserole
Chicken breasts
1 cup brown rice
1 can your choice cream of … soup
1 packet Italian seasoning mix
2 cups boiling water
Salt & pepper, or your favorite seasonings

Mix soup, rice and Italian Seasoning with 2 cups boiling water. 

Pour into a 9 x 13 baking pan, place Chicken on top and sprnkle with paprika. 

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Put in oven at 350.

27    Baked Ravioli, Pecan Salad

28    Biscuit and Gravy / Scramble Eggs/ Bacon

29    Beef Enchiladas, Spanish Rice , Corn

30    French Bread Pizza

31    LUNCH:  Soup Grilled Cheese

HALLOWEEN -Squirmy Wormy Sandwiches, Fries

Squirmy Wormy Sandwiches - good add to site!

1 package (16 oz) hot dogs

1 tbls vegetable oil

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tbls brwon sugar

2 tsp Worchestershire Sauce

1/2 tsp spicy brown mustard

Dash Liquid Smoke, optional

6 Hamburger buns

Cut each hot dog into eight strips.  In a large skillet, saute hot dogs in oil until goden brown.

Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, Worchestshire sacue, mustard and Liquid smoke if desired; heat through.  Serve on buns.   Yield 6 servings.   Tip:  Use your favorite bottle barbecue sauce for even quicker treat!!!  

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Tina at Mommy's Kitchen  or Laura at Organizing Junkie.

My church just became an express distribution site for the Fare for All food program.  While these type of food programs are wonderful and you can really stretch your grocery dollars with the power of cooperative buying, if you end up wasting the food you didn't save money!

I particpated in a program like this years ago, before I was consistent with my meal planning.  I would end up wasting some of the food because I either didn't know what to make with it or had never made it before.   My cooking skills have improved greatly since then.

My attitude about this now is very different!   Have you ever watched the show "Chopped" on the food network??   On the show Chopped the contestants get a basket of food that they must be creative with planning a meal with.  This is how I look at this type of food program now.  So today I got my box of food from Fare For All and now I must be creative so I use all the meat I bought!  I will have no problem using up the produce as they are things I frequently buy.  

I hope if you particpate in Fare For All program you will find this post helpful in helping you to feed your family from the items you received this month!!

September 2009 - Mega Meat Pack - $22

Chicken Boneless Skinless Thighs - 2 meals

Chicken Barley Vegetable Soup with Herbs - Meal #1

This simple, hearty and flavorful soup will remind you of the bounty of your summer garden. Its assortment of herbs and vegetables will warm you down to your toes. It has become a family favorite with or without the chicken added.

• 6 chicken thighs, skinned
• 2/3 Cup barley
• 8 Cups chicken stock* or water
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 small carrots, sliced
• 1 Cup chopped broccoli florets (optional)
• 1 large tomato, peeled and chopped or 2 TB tomato powder (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 TB tamari, or naturally fermented soy sauce
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1/8 tsp. oregano
• 1/8 tsp. thyme
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 2 TB minced fresh parsley

Put all of the ingredients except the parsley into an 8 qt. stock pot or 5 liter or larger pressure cooker such as a Duromatic™. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat. In the Duromatic™ bring ingredients to second red ring and pressure for 15 minutes; allow pressure to drop naturally. Or simmer the soup conventionally for 1-1/4 hours, stirring occasionally, in a large stock pot. Remove the chicken thighs from the soup. When cooled slightly, remove the meat and cut into bite sized pieces. Return the meat to the soup. Simmer the soup an additional 10-15 minutes if desired. Adjust seasonings to taste, and add the parsley and serve.

Meal #2  Chicken Risotto

Italian Turkey Sausage

Bean and Sausage Soup - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bean-and-Sausage-Soup/Detail.aspx

Turkey Breast Tenderloin (throw in crockpot)serve with Mashed Potaotes/ Vegetable

Bacon - Use for Breakfast

Hamburger – 3lbs – Brown and freeze in 3 packages.  I always have cooked hamburger on hand to make a quick meal that requires browned hamburger. 

Smokes Sausage x 2 - 2 Meals

Meal #1 - Baked Penne & Smoked Sausage

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Penne-and-Smoked-Sausage/Detail.aspx

Meal #2 - Sausage and Tortellini Soup (crockpot)

2 – 141/2 oz can Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes, undrained

3 cups water

2 cups frozen Italian style or cut green beans

1 10-1/2 oz can condensed French onion soup

8 ounces cooked smoked sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into ½ inch slices

2 cups packaged shredded cabbage with carrots (coleslaw mix)

1 9 ounce package refrigerated cheese filled tortellini

Shredded Parmesan

In a 4 -5 quart slow cooker combine undrained tomatoes, water, green beans, soup and sausage.

Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high setting for 4 to 5 hours.

If using low setting, turn cooker to high-heat setting.  Stir in cabbage and tortellini; cover and cook for 15 minutes more.  If desired, garnish each serving with Parmesan cheese. 

Cocktail Smokies - Friday Movie Night Food

Italian Wraps

http://www.gomeat.com/sitecontent/appetizers/archive/2007/11/02/italian-wraps.aspx

Boneless Ham Steak – Dice for Recipe

Country Ham and Cheese Macaroni Casserole

1 lb. smoked cooked ham, chopped
1 large onion, diced
1 lb. elbow macaroni
2 c. shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese (80z)
1 c. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 c. margarine, melted
1 c dry, plain bread crumbs

Boil noodles according to package instructions along with diced onion, until noodles are done. Drain. Meanwhile, mix together rest of ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix in cooked noodles/onion and add to oven safe casserole dish (greased). Pour bread crumbs evenly over noodles and then pour melted butter over the crumbs.

Bake for 30-45 minutes at 375 degrees or until cheese is well melted.

I have not been doing very well keeping up with routine since school started!  I have forgotten a number of things or jsut too unmotivated to do them.  I haven't really been planning my week either so I am going to really do that for a few weeks and see if that helps!

MONDAY
Working 12:00 - 10:00pm
Fax Staff Time Cards
Mop Floors
Working Late - hubby cooks - Spaghetti Meatballs.Garlic Bread
Tommy Shower

TUESDAY
Feather Dust
Change Towels
Working - 9 :15 - 5:00
Training at work until 4:30
3:50 - Erik Dentist
Enchilada Casserole /Spanish Rice
Prep Crock for Morning - Chicken
Bake Muffins - For Breakfast

WEDNESDAY
Work Early - Court in Hastings 9:00 - 5:00
6:30 - 7:30 Tutition Bucks Workshop with Cori
Chicken Abodo Crock
Tommy Shower
Vac/Sweep
Clip Nails
Sweep Laundry Room/Pantry
Clean Filter

THURSDAY
Clean Bathrooms/Showers
Change Towels
TP
Tommy Ortho Appointment - 10:30
Working  11:00 -  4:00
Sort at 4:30
Cheese Beef Mac and Corn

FRIDAY
Classroom Help in AM
Clean Pic WIndow/Doors/ Mirrors
Quick Tidy
Work Afternoon - 12:00 - 5:00
Family Movie Night
Steak/Cheese Sandwiches and Steak Fries

SATURDAY
Working at Office 10:00 - 2:00??
Focus Clean:  Bathroom - Wipe Walls
De-Clutter Medicaine Cabinet
Cat Litter
Change Towels
Errands/Library
Fish & Chips

SUNDAY
Wash Bedding
Dust/Sweep  Bedrooms
Clean Desk
Fill Meds
Prok Roast - Roast Potatoes and Green Bean Casserole

MONDAY
Working 12:00 - 10:00pm
Mop Floors
Working Late - hubby cooks - Duggar Tater Tot Casserole
Tommy Shower

I have not been keeping up with things this week very well, so today I need to get things done!  

Vacuum/ Dust Living Room - DONE
Vacuum/Dust Dining Room -DONE
Clean Bathroom/Showers - DONE
Clean Out 1 Shelf in Bathroom Cabinet - DONE
Fill TP - DONE
Wash Dishes - Done
Clean Kitchen - Done
Boils Eggs for Breakfast - DONE
Change Towels - DONE
Scrub Floors - Kitchen and Baths - DONE
Start Laundry - DONE
Dust/Sweep Bedrooms - DONE
Fill Med Box - Done

Left to Do later this week:
Sweep Laundry Room
Change Bedding

Wish me luck as it is an ambitious list for how motivated I am today!!

 We are up and ready for school ahead of schedule.  I hope that is a good omen for our year.  I woke up and made monkey bread for breakfast.   I used the wrong kind of pan and made a mess all over the oven...oopsy!!  But it was still a tasty breakfast treat for the 1st day of school. 

Tommy's First Day of 2nd Grade

We are off to 2nd Grade.  Here is to a great school year!

Wishing you a Happy First Day of School!