During the winter we eat a lot of frozen veggies, but now that summer is here we are back to getting our fresh local veggies again. Today my Mom and I made our first trip of the season to the Farmer's Market at the Yorktown Riverwalk. I didn't go with a list this time, I wanted to see what vendors were participating this year. I didn't get a lot today, but I found some fresh tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, blueberries, and sweet potatoes. I also picked up some dog treats for our Golden Retriever. He's one of our kids too, after all!
I like to plan out my meals for two weeks at a time. It makes my life easier, and I don't have to make extra trips to the grocery store throughout the week. The initial cost is more, but in the end we actually spend less this way.
Here is our menu:
Saturday: Leftover chuck steak with bok choy, fresh sauteed squash, and leftover mac and "cheese" casserole.
Sunday: Cookout with friends- Burgers and brats, cold salads and baked beans
Monday: Going to my best friend's house for a Memorial Day cookout
Tuesday: Sam's birthday dinner at my Mom's- she's requested pork chops
Wednesday: Taco Night (Kids' choice)
Thursday: sauteed cauliflower with grape tomatoes over pasta
Friday: Black beans and rice with andouille sausage
Saturday: Homemade baked chicken fingers, tater tots, green veggie* (Kids' choice)
Sunday: crab cakes, with salad and veggies* (husband's choice)
Monday: Potato gnocchi with Marinara sauce and veggies
Tuesday: Brinner- pancakes with fruit, bacon, hash browns (kids' choice)
Wednesday:Stir fry veggies
Thursday: Fried polenta with marinara sauce
Friday: South African style Lasagna (Kids' choice)
Saturday: Steaks on the grill with veggies.(Husband's choice)
*Not sure what veggies we will be having until we get our next CSA bag.
Also on the menu:
Breakfasts: cereal, overnight oats, pancakes, or scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit
Lunches: tomato basil soup (will share recipe), veggie wraps or leftovers
My grocery list:
Soy milk- 4 cartons, cereal bars, Tatar sauce, cocoa powder, banana chips, dried mango, 2 cans green beans, polenta, mini toasts, eggs- 1 and 1/2 dozen, garlic powder, buns, bananas, tortillas-2 packs, strawberries, graham crackers, walnuts, lemons, ginger, guacamole, chicken breasts, white basmati rice, peanut butter-2 jars, sandwich bread, prosciutto, cauliflower, watermelon, grape tomatoes, parsley, mint, pasta noodles, soy sauce, canned whole tomatoes- 2 cans, vegetable oil, potato gnocchi, 2 jars marinara sauce, bag spinach, 2 avocados, bag of limes, fish sticks (The oldest one asked for them), tator tots, pancakes, organic instant oatmeal, olive oil spray, bagels, hash browns, wine, Corona (we are having a cookout with friends tomorrow afternoon)
We managed to get most of what we need for the week from Trader Joes this week. Our bill came to around $180.00 for 5 people for 2 weeks. Not bad! Keep in mind- that is also because we get the CSA veggies, and I visited the Farmers Market today- that was around $14.00. My goal is to bring our food bill down more than I already have.
I am also going to freeze some of our veggies from the CSA so we can keep them through the winter. I will start doing this as we get closer to the end of summer.
The 3 kids and my husband went grocery shopping with me. We are all involved in the meal planning and grocery shopping. We also let the girls pick out one treat while we are shopping- this week they picked bananan chips and dried mango slices. They did that all on their own! Never even asked to go to the cookie aisle. I am so proud of them for making these healthy food choices so early in their lives- I just hope they keep it up!
For now... Happy Cooking!
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