THE PETERSENS

Money Saving Mom is doing a series called “31 Days to a Better Grocery Budget” and I just wanted to encourage you with a specific one on “Menu Planning.”  Peoples, there is no ONE perfect way to plan your meals.  You can do it once a month or once a week.  The point is is that if you do undertake this task, you will see significant savings in your grocery budget.  This has definitely been true with our family.  So, give it a whirl and let me know what you think!  Without further ado, here is what we will be eating this week…

Oh, and you may see some repeats from last week’s menu plan, but that’s because we ate really simply last week (leftovers, sandwiches, cereal, etc.) because we were going through some unexpected trials.  I hope that it’s still worthwhile for you to glance through for some new ideas though.  And, if you have a blog with great recipes, leave a comment with your link so that I can check it out!  I’m always up for food adventures.

Sunday
Breakfast: Cereal and Yogurt
Lunch: LITTLE CAESAR’S $5 Pizza
Dinner: BBQ Chicken Wraps on Whole-Wheat Tortillas and Grapes
Snack: Bananas and Dry Cereal

Monday
Breakfast: Whole-Wheat Pancakes (from Joy of Cooking cookbook) and Grapes
Lunch: Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Whole-Grain Pasta
Dinner: Beef and Asparagus Stir-fry with Jasmine White Rice
Snack: Apple Slices and Chocolate Milk

Tuesday
Breakfast: Oatmeal and Applesauce
Lunch: Leftover Baked Ziti and Garden Salad
Dinner: Friends treating Ben and I; kiddos will eat Grilled Cheese on Homemade Wheat Bread and Peas
Snack: Graham Crackers

Wednesday
Breakfast: Cereal and Bananas
Lunch: Chicken-Tortilla Soup and Biscuits
Dinner with Community Group: Italian Cheese Bread
Snack: Cheese and Crackers

Thursday
Breakfast: Strawberry Scones and Applesauce
Lunch: Chicken Salad on Homemade Wheat Bread, Pita Chips and Pear Slices
Dinner: Chicken Cambodian Salad with Jasmine White Rice
Snack: Homemade Banana Bread

Friday
Breakfast: Classic Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits
Lunch: PB&Js on Homemade Wheat Bread and Yogurt
Dinner: At the FAMILY ROOM (church event) for us; kiddos will eat Cheese Quesadillas and Peas
Snack: Dry Cereal

Saturday
Breakfast: Cereal and Pear Slices
Lunch: Bagged Lunch of Bagels and Cream Cheese to be eaten at Science Museum in Raleigh
Dinner: Black Bean Veggie Burgers (a new recipe I’m trying out this week!) and Sweet Potato Fries
Snack: Graham Crackers

Remember when I posted a link to this recipe?  I just wanted to remind everyone to please try this Double-Crust Bean Pie.  It’s a hit in our family every time I make it, especially among my boys.  Maybe these pictures will convince you (or maybe not)…

Homemade crust with star cut-outs…my kids love it.

The yummy goodness in between the crusts.

Caleb super-excited for pie.

Sunday
Breakfast: Cereal and Yogurt
Lunch: EATING OUT
Dinner: Leftovers
Snack: Crackers

Monday
Breakfast: Baked Oatmeal
Lunch: Cheese Quesadillas on Whole-Wheat Tortillas and Yogurt
Dinner: Leftovers
Snack: Graham Crackers

Tuesday
Breakfast: Leftover Baked Oatmeal
Lunch: Grilled Cheese on Homemade Wheat Bread and Tomato Soup
Dinner: Chicken-Broccoli Casserole with Brown Rice
Snack: Bananas

Wednesday
Breakfast: Wildberry Muffins and Applesauce
Lunch: BBQ Chicken Wraps on Whole-Wheat Tortillas and Peas
Dinner with Community Group: Lentil Soup
Snack: Pear Slices

Thursday
Breakfast: Sunshine Toast and Fresh Pineapple
Lunch: Baked Mac n’ Cheese and Fresh Mango
Dinner: At a friend’s house
Snack: Homemade Banana Bread

Friday
Breakfast: Cereal and Yogurt
Lunch: PB&Js on Homemade Wheat Bread and Corn
Dinner: At Friday Fun, Food and Fellowship with Community Group ladies
Snack: Graham crackers

Saturday
Breakfast: Homemade Whole-Wheat Pancakes (from Joy of Cooking)
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Beef and Asparagus Stir-Fry with Jasmine White Rice
Snack: Bananas