Heather says:
Here we are, week 5 of winter vegetables. This week I cheated a little and reached into the frozen vegetables, just to make sure there was more green on our plates. The whites and yellows can get old pretty quickly.
I was recently asked how much our family spends on groceries. The short answer is we spend about $140 a week for 5 – 6 people. Yes, there are families that do significantly better or worse than our average. We’re at a place where I’m happy with the balance of effort, time, and return. If you’re utilizing the menu plan, you may find your grocery bill is a little higher for a few weeks until your pantry is stocked. You’ll notice if you look back over the past few weeks that many of the ingredients are used over and over. I rely on seasonal vegetables to keep a wide variety on our menu.
*EDIT* Saymmm no longer works. I’ve teamed up with SayMmm.com to provide Home Ec 101 readers with a printable shopping list. Don’t worry. The list is easily editable. Go ahead and take a look at this week’s printable grocery list.
What’s on the menu?
- Lentil Burgers, Ranch Potato Wedges, Turnips Carrots and Onions
- Chicken Noodle Soup with Drop Dumplings
- Chili Rubbed Maple Pork Chops, Rice, Roasted Broccoli
- Dilled Salmon, Wilted Spinach, Braised Rutabaga
- Chicken Fingers, Peas and Almonds, Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese
- Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad
Yes, that's about the right cost for my family of 5-and-baby, too.
I think my food budget is on the high side, but I'm OK with that. We eat almost everything I buy and most of that is organic and as fresh as possible. (Occasionally we lose a carrot or two to rot in the veggie drawer.) That's my main goal, to make things at home as much as possible and to make them nutritious. On a side note, I love the previous lentil burger recipe and am going to have to give it a try!
My recent post Dear Aunt Sim
Amy, that's exactly the right attitude. If you're not letting food go to waste and you're not robbing Peter to pay Paul, you're doing well.
We go in spurts. Usually we'll eat at home for every meal and then we'll slip for a day or two and then be good for a few weeks or a month. It works. I haven't lost my mind. . . yet. None of the kids have been stunted.
Today I made an Asian Chicken & Rice Bake from Campbell's kitchen. It was really delicious and one-dish. I did make stir fry with frozen vegetables to serve alongside of it. I've got more information on my blog about it. It really is a great recipe.
My recent post A Day off & A Recipe