Economical Two Week Menu

I learned something new on Wednesday. Some people may want to see my "I'm cooking the old stand-bys" menu. I don't usually post these because I figure everyone knows how to cook these things, and it doesn't sound very interesting. However, a new friend said she keeps checking this blog and has been disappointed in the lack of posts. I was like, Wow! Really? To be honest with you, I felt like no one really cared, so I've focused my energy elsewhere. Since someone asked, here I am.

She said she wanted to see what my stand-bys were. These meals are usually some of the cheapest, easiest meals that I make, and they are usually kid pleasers. At least they please my kids. The other nice thing about them is I don't have to think. Just cook.

Remember, I shop for two weeks at a time. Well, at least most of it. I have to go back for milk, bread and sometimes butter and eggs (and whatever little things I forgot, or we ate for a snack instead of saving it--CHEESE). So, here is a menu of 15 dinners. I have also started putting half of certain dishes in the freezer instead of putting the leftovers in the fridge. Three of the meals on this list came out of my freezer. (I already threw the grocery list away, sorry!)

TIP: A good way to choose what to freeze? If they love it when you make it, but never eat it left over. Freeze it, warm it in the oven and they will never know the difference!

1. Tacos (beef or chicken--ready in 10-15 minutes)
2. Hamburgers/hotdogs on the grill, potato salad
3. Grilled cheese and tomato soup
4. Chimichangas (store bought frozen burritoes are given new life)
5. Oyoko don, rice, salad (This is not a stand-by. It was the one new meal I wanted to do this go around. Maybe tonight?)
6. Baked potato bar--chili, green bell peppers, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing (or whatever you want to put on it)
7. Toasted Hoagies (who needs Subway??)
8. BBQ chicken on the grill, corn on the cob (You know, slap some bbq sauce on chicken, throw it on the grill, yummy, easy!)
9. Taco soup
10. Scalloped potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls (from freezer)
11. Porcupine meatballs, rice, green peas
12. Alfredo Pasta with vegetables

From the Freezer:
13. Lasagna (a little more expensive initially, but we get three meals out of one pan--so cheap!)
14. Three cheese chicken linguine
15. Stroganoff on rice

And there you have it. I'll work on writing up some of the recipes--potato salad, taco soup, and Oyoko Don for next week.

Next week also starts my new drive to keep running and drop this last stubborn 10 lbs. I've held a steady weight for the last two years, and although that is good, I'm ready to kick that last 10! No one really signed up for the fitness challenge (just my best buds Laura and Mia). Is it because you don't run? You don't have to be a runner. You get to pick and choose what elements of the challenge you want to take on.

I'll post the Google Doc and make it public on Tuesday. Then you can log in with an alias and record/track what you want. :)