Change Jar Savings » Meal Plans / Recipies

Sep 14-20 Menu Plan

Jim — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:52:00 +0000

It is going to be another busy week. A birthday party yesterday and another today also another next Sunday. My daughter and wife both have doctor appointments. I will be putting in 10m – 12 hour days. So here is another simple meal plan.

Sunday – Chili (I will make a big batch this morning. Planned leftovers for Tuesday and lunches)
Monday – Chicken Helper (extra cut up chicken in the freezer that should be used)
Tuesday – Chili (see Sunday)
Wednesday – Spaghetti
Thursday – Hot Dogs
Friday – Pizza
Saturday – Mac & Cheese

My grandsons love their mac & cheese. I admit I do too, the box kind. I love Kraft but will not pay the premium for the name, so it is store brand. My wife just cringes when I say this but she indulges the grandkids too. BTW – I case you do not know they oldest daughter and grandsons live with us.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

Sep 8-13 Menu

Jim — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:03:00 +0000

I know we do not eat as healthy as we should. Usually we sit around at meal time asking each other what is for supper. This week we are going back to a plan for suppers. Breakfast is mostly cereal and toast. Lunch is on our own as I do not come home for lunch and my oldest grandson is at school all day.

So here is this week’s menu:

Mon: Spaghetti
Tue: Chicken Stir Fry (I have to work late a couple nights this week. So I may be eating leftovers)
Wed: Lasagna
Thur: Hot Dogs and Bratwurst
Fri: Mac & Cheese (My oldest is standing up in a wedding. This is my 5 year old grandson’s favorite. He would eat it every meal. But Mama does not let him have this often. So we are spoiling him.)
Sat: Chicken Nuggets (We will be at a birthday party for lunch and need a quick meal when we get back late.)

Note: Since we are starting to plan we are just figuring out the main portion of the meal. The side dishes are still up in the air.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

Menu Monday – Pigs in a Blanket

Jim — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:33:00 +0000

“Pigs in a blanket! Yeah!”, my kids would holler. My kids loved these when they were little. It takes very little time to make. And it dresses up the old hot dog. The kids would be happy and we had a cheap meal with chips or french fries.

1 Pkg – Refrigerated Crescent Rolls (can use store brand or Pillsbury)
8 Each – Hot Dogs

Open crescent roll container and separate crescents. Take 1 hot dog and roll it in a crescent. Place on cookie sheet. Allow space between for crescents to expand. Repeat until all hot dogs and crescents are gone. Bake according to instructions on crescent roll container.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

Frugal Living Friday

Jim — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:14:00 +0000

I love Hamburger Helper! My favorite is cheeseburger macaroni. I also like Chicken Helper. Chicken Alfredo…mmm!

The only problem I had with it was a box barely feed four people much less five. I have three kids. But I found a way to make it go farther.

Add more noodles. Yes, you can add about a cup (sometimes 1-1/2 cups) of uncooked noodles to extend Hamburger Helper. Then it would be able to feed five very easily. Now that the kids are out of the house and in college, I still add extra noodles it cuts the salt per serving down (health benefit). And I use the leftovers for lunches at work.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

Monday Menu – Lazy Lasagna

Jim — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:00:00 +0000

My wife started making Lazy Lasagna several years ago. I loved it more when it was reheated for a second time (Less runny). I also always had leftovers for my lunches at work. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.

Ingredients
1 lb Hamburger
1 jar 32oz spaghetti sauce 32oz
1 lb Cottage cheese
8 oz Sour cream
8 Uncooked lasagna noodles
18 oz Mozzarella cheese (Slices or shredded)
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan
1 cup Water

Brown hamburger in skillet until meat is brown; drain fat. Add spaghetti sauce. Reduce heat to low. Heat through, stirring occasionally; set aside.

Thoroughly combine cottage cheese and sour cream in medium bowl. In a 13 x 9 inch pan, spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce. Place 1/2 of the uncooked noodles over sauce, then 1/2 the cottage cheese/sour cream mixture, 1/3 of the mozzarella, 1/2 the remaining meat sauce and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers starting with noodles.

Top with remaining 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese. Pour water around sides of pan. Cover tightly with foil. Bake in a preheated 350* F. oven 1 hour. Uncover and bake 20 minutes.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

Menu Monday – Quick and Easy Spanish Rice

Jim — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:57:00 +0000

Menu Monday is a new feature I am starting as of today. We have three kids and stretching the food dollars was very important as they were growing. We found this recipe several years ago. It can be a side dish or double to make a meal. If you like peppers you can hollow out a pepper and use this for stuffed peppers. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

QUICK AND EASY SPANISH RICE AND BEEF
3/4 lb. ground beef
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) stewed tomatoes
1 c. water
1 pkg. (10 oz.) corn (or mixed vegetables)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 c. Minute rice

Brown meat in large skillet. Add tomatoes, water, corn, and seasonings. Bring to a boil and boil about 2 minutes. Stir in rice. Cover; remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Makes 4 servings.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com