It’s been a few months since I’ve written a Meal Plan post. Based on the success of my recent monthly WinCo trips, I’ve had enough foods in the freezer and pantry to not have to buy too much. So I’ve been winging it; making what I can find. Occasionally, I’ve put together some meals like this hearty chicken and pasta dinner.
Chicken & Pasta
I always keep frozen salmon filets in the freezer. Last month, I bought a 5 lb. bag of chicken breasts (admittedly not from WinCo). Sure, it cost nearly $17, but with 20 breasts, that’s less than $1/piece.
So my Plan for June is to eat more chicken. I don’t have an entire month of menus planned out. But I have my Aroma Rice Cooker. And I have a plan.
Again with the savings I find at WinCo, I’ll supplement what I already have and make some wonderful meals. My goal is to make some scrumptious dishes without having to cook too much in the summer heat. Some of the meals I’ll make more than once because they’re easy and delicious.
Not only do I want to save money, I want to eat better. My eczema has been rapidly improving as I now have prescription-strength ointment and have been eating less fast foods which, I’ve discovered, can significantly induce a flare up. So, for the health of my body and my wallet, June will be a Home-Cooked Meal Month.
Here’s my tentative meal plan (each meal is followed by how many days we can eat from one preparation by how many times I’ll make it for a total amount of dinner days):
- Chicken and Pasta (as pictured above), 2 x 2 = 4
- Steamed Chicken and Rice, 1 x 4 = 4
- Slow Cooker Chicken & Kraut, 3 x 2 = 6
- Steamed Salmon and Rice, 1 x 4 = 4
- Spaghetti with sauce and garlic toast, 2 x 2 = 4
- Baked Frittata (usually a weekend meal for brunch as well), 2 x 2 = 4
That leaves four days with no menu plan. We like to keep a few “open” days on the calendar. We’ll eat at least twice at my Mom’s house, or order a pizza on Pay Day, or just not feel like eating. I know, pizza. But it’s not regular fast food. And if I only eat it once a month, I should be okay…
With this great plan, I already have the main components. My grocery list is just the sauerkraut, cream of chicken soups, and frittata ingredients. I’ll include a cheap dessert like Jell-O and Cool Whip, pudding, or a few of Dot’s favorite cookies. We always keep ice cream in the freezer; especially in the summer.
It’s my goal to spend less than $100 this month, including the cat food, litter, and household needs. At a regular grocery store this would be nearly impossible. But, as I so often like to say, “WinCo Wins!”
*Cheater Meal: We did treat ourselves to Red Robin yesterday since I won a gift card from work.
Ava-Cobb-O Salad at Red Robin
Note, I ate the A-va-Cobb-O and Chicken salad.
So, as I also like to say, “Happy Eating!”
What’s on your plate?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
WinCo Wins
WinCo Wins: Lunch for a Dollar!
My Bento Box: Part I
How To Eat For Free And Have Fun Doing It (Or, How Printing Coupons Gave Me a Really Great Weekend!)
My February Meal Plan
Love that you have a meal plan! I had to smile as I bought A LOT of chicken breasts and even pork chops and froze them so I can do a lot of cooking too. Both are so versatile.
Winnie recently posted..WOYWW #209 – A Kit And Lots of Die Cuts
Thank you, Winnie. I love having a Meal Plan, too. It helps when it’s last minute and we’re not sure what to fix. I’ll have to remember to get pork chops next month!
Molly Jo recently posted..Win a Week at a West Coast Time Share
Last week I decided to take a step into the world of actual meal planning. For most people, the concept is like DUH! but for me it was something I had to step into very slowly. I’ve always been the kind of person that cooks what I want, when I want and only what I’m in the mood for. That lifestyle makes meal planning even just days in advance a real challenge. Not knowing whether I’d be in the mood for chicken or beef, green beans or corn, rolls or biscuits .. well… you get the idea. But I decided it was time to stop spending as much time at the grocery store as my own house.
Marcelino R. Harmon recently posted..No last blog posts to return.
I didn’t used to plan meals, either, Marcelino, but I find that the more I do, the better we eat! Thanks for stopping by.
Molly Jo recently posted..Win a Week at a West Coast Time Share
It’s been much too long since I last had frittata.
I know a great recipe. ;) What are your favorite frittata ingredients?
Molly Jo recently posted..Win a Week at a West Coast Time Share