I had a lot of fun with Project 365 in 2011, so I decided that I would like to do another food related challenge in 2012. 365 recipes was really just too many, so this year I am focusing on our budget.
The goal for 2012 is to spend $100 or less on groceries each week. This is breakfast-lunch-dinner for me and the kidling and dinner-snacks for the hubby.
This first week, the budget is slightly skewed because the refrigerator and freezer are bulging from Project 365 leftovers. This week is leftovers and clean out the refrigerator/freezer week, but I still put together a delicious sounding menu. I can’t seem to get out of the (new?) habit of looking through my cookbooks for recipes, so most of the planned dinners are from my 1001 More Low Fat Recipes book. This is a fantastic book, btw. I have four from this series and intend to add at least two more. What? I don’t have a problem… I just need more bookshelves.
I spent $60.81 for this week’s groceries. This will not likely be the norm
I found juice boxes on clearance, so I stocked up. I only need two slices of bacon for this week’s menu, but the deli didn’t have bacon. I had to buy a full pound, but when I went to go get it, I discovered that one brand was on sale for buy one get one free! The second will go in the freezer and the extras will be served for breakfasts.
The grocery store didn’t have large pasta shells, so I substituted manicotti shells. I’m hoping this works okay with the recipe I have saved.
The small packages of chicken were wicked expensive and there wasn’t much to choose from. I found a HUGE package of chicken in the clearance bin for less than half the price of the small packages. The extras will be frozen in marinade.
My big splurge this week was prepared meatballs at $5.99 for one bag. Hubby and the kidling requested spaghetti and meatballs on the menu this week. Normally this is something I make myself (when meat is on sale! And I sneak extra veggies into them too) and keep in the freezer.
Okay, enough babbling… Here’s the menu! As usual, in no particular order.
Mon 2: Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Pesto
Tues 3: Chicken Fajitas
Wed 4: New England Clam Chowder, salad, crescent rolls
Thur 5: Chicken (leftover turkey in freezer) and Fettuccini Alfredo, salad
Fri 6: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sat 7: Ham and Potato Casserole Au Gratin
Sun 8: CORN/Leftovers night
Lunches: cheese and crackers, salami, leftovers, boiled eggs, celery black pepper kinpira
Touch of Nectar 
A good goal. Good Luck!
This would not work in my house, we have WAY more people, and those people tend to bring home even more people that need to be fed. Also, I have raised a household of foodies. I am not complaining.
What time to you get home from work? Do you start cooking the minute you walk in the door? Do you at least pour a glass of wine first?
I get home by 4pm-ish these days, so I have a little time to either do chores or relax before I tackle dinner. Yes, I pour a giant glass of wine to drink while I’m cooking.