Monday Menus

Having the closest grocery store over 20 miles away has really taught me to plan better in the kitchen. I understand that people's lifestyles are different, some have children, some eat out a lot, etc. This is just what I have learned works for Bryan and me. I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner most days. We really do not have any restaurants close, so I cook, cook, cook. Here are few tips that I have learned.

1. Make a list. Stick to it and do NOT stray.

2. Make a weekly menu. If you know you are going to eat out 3 nights, just leave them blank. Or you can opt to fill them in and have the meals carry over to the next week.

3. Try to find meals that have certain ingredients in common. Example: I do not normally buy green onions, but this week I have two recipes that call for them.

4. Buy simple things that can be eaten in multiple ways. Example: I could eat a banana with oatmeal for breakfast, with peanut butter for a snack or after a run. I could eat hummus with any number of veggies that I could also steam or put into salad. I need 1/2 cup of veggie broth for a recipe, but I could use it to make soup the next day or even freeze it for later use.

5. If you are trying to eat healthy check labels. On my last trip to the store I randomly checked a generic brand canned item vs. the name brand canned item and was surprised to see that it had less sodium and reigned healthier in all ingredients.

6. Try to incorporate things that you already have in your fridge or pantry. This will eliminate extra costs and will force you to use products before their expiration date.

7. If you buy junk food, you will eat junk food. Just don't buy it.

8. If you have leftovers think of a different way to eat it for lunch the next day. Example: I will be fixing grilled salmon one night. I could make salmon croquettes or a salmon sandwich/wrap with leftovers.

9. I promise that by making a menu, sticking to a grocery list and purchasing things that can be used multiple ways your grocery costs will go down. I spent $110 on groceries and look at what all I purchased.

Of course, staples will have to be gotten along the way, organic products are more expensive and other variants cause the price you pay to either increase or decrease. I honestly try to keep my grocery purchases under $100 per week, usually more like $80. With the $110 spent I purchased everything I need to make the following recipes, plus more. (If you want to see a list of the groceries I purchased, just let me know.)

Breakfast:

oatmeal + banana

uncooked Oats + Greek yogurt + fruit

Egg + 1/2 bagel (cheese is optional)

bagel + almond butter or peanut butter

egg + fruit

yogurt fruit smoothie

breakfast pizza on tortilla

Lunch:

leftovers from night before

Skinny Tuna Melt

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

grilled chicken salad

grilled chicken wrap

Dinner:

Cheesy Zucchini Enchiladas

Grilled Chicken Bruschetta (I'm using turkey.

Barbacoa Beef + Cilantro Lime Rice + Corn Salsa (We're having company.)

Salmon + brown rice + grilled Asparagus

Stir Fry Spicy Chicken

Snacks:

apple + almond butter

celery + peanut butter

Greek yogurt + fruit

string cheese

veggies + ranch/hummus

We are having 20 lbs. of fresh shrimp brought from the Gulf, so knowing this allows me to figure out lots of ways to cook it. I found this Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad, this Shrimp Cobb Salad and this Garlic Shrimp; and I already know that I have the ingredients to make all of the above. It's good to have options. I could always make shrimp tacos or tostadas, too.

I have a couple of other things I think I will post about for Monday Menus the next couple of weeks. If you would like me to do a post on something specific, just ask! I hope some of these tips help!