Meal Planning on a Budget - 5 weeks

When finances are tight it is necessary to cut back wherever possible. I'm looking at some creative meal options where I can use leftovers to create new meals. The order is an important part of this meal plan. More meal plans to follow.


1. Beans and Rice

Roasted Chicken w/cauliflower

Chili (leftover beans and rice)

Chicken enchiladas

Meatloaf

Chicken stromboli

Spaghetti (use leftover meatloaf)

2. Roasted Chicken and Veggies

Vegetable bean ham soup

Chicken and dumplings

Roast beef mashed potatoes veggies

Chicken lasagna

beef enchiladas

pizza

3. Hamburger stroganoff

buttered herb noodles/ broccoli

taco meatloaf

mac and cheese (leftover noodles)

taco soup (using leftover taco meatloaf)

Spaghetti with red sauce

roasted chicken w/carrots and potatoes

4. Baked spaghetti

Chicken soup (use broth, carrots, potatoes)

Black beans and rice

Chicken salad

Chili (use leftover black beans and rice)

Chicken quesadilla (use leftover chicken salad)

Macaroni and cheese

5. Tuna mac (leftover mac and cheese)

Zuppa Tuscana

Stuffed Baked potatoes (broccoli, cheese, sour cream, bacon bits)

roasted chicken

Breakfast for dinner

Chicken enchiladas

pizza

Creating

Creating has always been a major part of my life.

I love to draw, paint, craft, invent, design, and write. Some might call it a weakness making an assumption that I am an ultra emotional individual who cannot handle being let-down or being criticized. I suppose that could have been a description of me at one point, and sometimes tendencies can creep back. Thankfully, God has changed my personality. I use logic yet I create - imagine that!

Creating is a way that I can live elegantly. I can create for my home and for others.

I recently made a facebook page of my art in hopes to fill some financial gaps. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/drawing4Him?ref=hl

Here's my work:

Nostalgia 1 - memories of fishing trips

Nostalgia - A calm day on the lake

Praying Hands - done for a camp prayer card

Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff

I love Stroganoff. I have often used cream of mushroom soup when making it, but I did not have any, and this way it is healthier. Rather than using mushrooms I added spinach. It adds more nutrients, some color, and great flavor. This is a quick, easy, and healthy recipe.

1 lb ground beef
1 cup dehydrated chopped spinach
1 can beef broth
1/4 cup flour
seasonings - onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt/pepper, w-sauce
1 cup milk
2-3 cups no yoke egg noodles of preferred width
1 cup sour cream

1. brown the beef, add the seasonings
2. add flour and stir, then add in the beef broth
3. turn to medium and stir - will thicken
4. add the milk, spinach, then add the noodles and stir - make sure there is enough liquid. Add more milk if necessary.
5. Cook covered until noodles are desired tenderness
6. Add sour cream and cook through

NY apartment #2

This is probably our favorite rental space so far. Almost everything has a space even though it is smaller than our previous home. I hope you enjoy the personal touches and some of the vintage style that I have added to the space.

Oldest son's Mickey room

Pantry

Pantry & Kitchen

Our picture with SC license plate where we met

White

Wildlife corner

Box I painted for Ryan after first date

Resting area

We split the main room in two

Youngest son's room - our room is on the other side of the partition. I'll add those pictures down the road

3 Meals - Ham/Au gratin Potatoes, Goulash, Mushroom Frittata

Au gratin Potatoes

8 oz Muenster Cheese

1/4 butter
1/4 flour
2 cups milk
onion powder
1 teaspoon creamy horseradish sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
6 medium potatoes, sliced
3 round ham slices cut in quarters

1. Arrange sliced potatoes in baking dish
2. Make roux with butter, flour, and milk
3. Add grated cheese, horseradish, and seasonings. Cook until smooth.
4. Pour cheese sauce over potatoes
5. Arrange ham on top.
6. Bake at 350-375 for around 45 minutes


Goulash

1 lb ground beef
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
1/4 cup dehydrated cabbage or 1 cup fresh chopped cabbage
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 cups dry macaroni
2 t. salt

1. Cook macaroni to desired tenderness
2. In deep skillet, cook beef, add tomatoes, cabbage, and seasonings
3. Mix the macaroni in with the sauce


Mushroom Frittata

3 cups diced frozen potatoes
Salt/Pepper/Basil/Onion Powder/ Garlic Powder
2 Tablespoons chopped chives
1/4 cup half and half
6 eggs with salt/pepper
1 cup sliced baby bella mushrooms
4 oz white sharp cheddar

1. In a deep skillet, add olive oil to the bottom and put on medium heat
2. Dump in 3 cups of potatoes spread in pan
3. Add seasonings and chives
4. Mix eggs and half and half in separate bowl, put heat to low
5. Pour egg mixture over potatoes, top with mushrooms and then the cheddar
6. Take off of heat and put in oven at 400 until cooked through

Keeping it Personal - Keeping it Practical

After living in several rental/borrowed properties, there are two essentials that I would like to pass on to others who may be in the same situation. Keep your home personal, and keep it practical.

Many of us have spent hours looking at ideas in home magazines or Pinterest. This can be very helpful even for the most creative homemaker. Something to remember though as you look at these articles and pictures is your own personal life. It should be integrated in to your home. Your favorite color, family heirlooms and even photos can be beautiful additions without being tacky.

The license plate from where we met with a photo on canvas of us

Family photo as a mounted photo

Deer my husband shot

a little box that I gave my husband before we were officially dating

Practicality is another essential when you are renting a home. You often only have a certain amount of space for dishes and kitchen items, so you may need to get creative with food storage. Under bed boxes, linen closets, peg boards, and open shelving are options that you can use and be creative with storage.

Kitchen organization

adding some cuteness

hanging veggie fruit basket/cookbook storage/general food storage