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