11-24-12 This Weeks Meal Plan of Cheap 15 Minute Meals. *Shopping List Included*

I’m back to work full time this week. I’m more than a little nervous about returning to my previously hectic life. Now made even more so by this adorable 17 pound Squishy-Face sleeping next to me.  But alas, we have a great five year plan and if I can pull through now, I know that this time will be worth it in the end to meet the family’s goals.

Each Week, I sit down with my schedule book and plan out this week’s meals. Breakfasts are serve yourself from pre-made options, and snack bags for lunches are separated into snack baggies on shopping day (Sunday). I just grab 3 snack baggies for each of our lunches to toss in. We both pack our lunch every day, even being at home these last few months. I pack my lunch as well so I can grab it and go while running errands etc. Jon took over the shopping as one of his chores (You rock Jon!), He does that on Sunday and then I can do food prep that day for the week. I share our menu for the week for those that are new to menu planning. If you have no idea what to do for the week and would like to steal some or all of our plan… I promise not to prosecute:-)

As always, I feel it’s important to note that this is not the healthiest plan to follow. It’s a great plan for us, because it’s breaking our addiction to fast food and other unhealthy habits, and its cut our food budget by about 50%. Slowly, we’re making substitutions that will lead us to a healthy cheap meal plan. Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that jazz.

Weekday Lunches are now also being eaten on the weekends since One of us will almost always be working the weekend.

Monday:

Lunch: Lunch Options and Three Snacks

Dinner: Chicken Quesadillas, Guacamole and Chips, Brown Rice

Tuesday:

Lunch: Lunch Options and Three Snacks

Dinner:  Beef Tacos with shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and taco sauce.

Wednesday:

Lunch: Lunch Options and Three Snacks

Dinner:

Thursday:

Lunch: Lunch Options and Three Snacks

Dinner: Thanksgiving Day – The Daly’s Cook (YES!!!!!! So excited about this!)

Friday:

Lunch: Lunch Options and Three Snacks

Dinner: Bubbles and Squeek! Mom’s famous Thanksgiving leftover recipe which I’ll post late in the week. It’s kind of like a turkey potato stuffing pancake with gravy syrup.

Saturday:

Breakfast: French Toast with strawberry preserves

Lunch: Lunch Options and Three Snacks

Dinner: Swedish meatballs with egg  noodles

Total: $118.00 for this weeks groceries