Menu Planning Weekly with Pricematching 2-8

Menu Planning with Pricematching for Omaha 2/8 to 2/14

We added a lot of people this week! If you know anyone who wants to be on this email list, please pass it along and have them (or you can email me their address) If I put you on this email and you don't wish to be on it or if you no longer wish to receive it, please email me and let me know!  I don't want to spam your inbox!  Also if you have any suggestions or things you want to share with everyone, please email me and I will get it out in the big email to everyone!!

I would love feedback on this email! If you are using the recipes, how they turned out, if you loved them or not. Please let me know how this email is helping you!

Menu planning is a great way to also save money.  By planning your meals, you can make sure you buy exactly what you need, stick to your budget, and create healthy homecooked meals.

This works under the assumption that you keep certain pantry staples always stocked.  (Here is a great site that has a pantry staples list: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/pantry-staples-checklist-00000000000197/index.html)  It also works under the assumption that you are stocking up on the good deals such as meat and cheese when it is on sale so that these are always staples in your pantry.  For example, chicken is a great price at No Frills 1.49 for boneless skinless chicken breasts.  I bought 8 packages and will be using them for the next month in my meal planning.

This week with Jen still being gone, I am focusing on weight watcher meals.  I found a great blog www.skinnytaste.com which is a lovely woman who bases all her meals off of weight watchers tips and includes the points!  I hope this helps you dieters out there, some of these look AWESOME!!  Please leave her some loving in her comments if you enjoy the recipes, us bloggers LOVE feedback!

Per suggestion (thank you!) I'm including the pricematching for the sides at the end of the main meals.  Hope this helps you read thru this a little easier!!

Also this is a GREAT week to stock up on spices because Tones Mini Spices SV .80 at HyVee

Menu Planning for 2-7-12

Loaded Turkey Santa Fe Baked Potato Skins ( http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/loaded-turkey-santa-fe-baked-potato.html#more )

Alternatives: For vegetarians, omit meat. Can also use shredded chicken or ground beef

Sides: Salad and asparagus

Price match ups: Best Choice Yukon Gold Potatoes 5lb bag $1.88 at Super Saver or Russet potatoes on sale from last week, Jumbo Red or White Onions 1.00 lb at Bakers, Tones Mini Spices SV .80 at HyVee, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese 1.66 at No Frills, Generic Sour Cream SV 24oz 1.99 at HyVee

Chicken Ropa Vieja (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/01/chicken-ropa-vieja.html )

Alternatives: For Vegetarians make Southwestern Black Bean Salad (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/03/chipotle-cilantro-lime-rice-4-pts.html ) and make a rice bowl

Sides: Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/03/chipotle-cilantro-lime-rice-4-pts.html ), Canned black beans, avocados, lettuce, cheese

Price match ups: Chicken on sale from last week, Jumbo Red or White Onions 1.00 lb at Bakers, Tones Mini Spices SV .80 at HyVee, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese 1.66 at No Frills, Generic Sour Cream SV 24oz 1.99 at HyVee

Meatball and Spaghetti Soup (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/03/meatball-and-spaghetti-soup-5-ww-pts.html )

Alternatives: For Vegetarians use pasta sides and salad and Steamed Veggies, there aren't many alternatives to this recipe. Can also use ground beef

Sides: Salad, Steamed Veggies

Price match ups: 90% Fresh Ground Round Beef 2.77 lb at Bag N Save, Jumbo Red or White Onions 1.00 lb at Bakers, Tones Mini Spices SV .80 at HyVee

Slow Cooked Sweet Barbacoa Pork (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/01/slow-cooked-sweet-barbacoa-pork.html )

Alternatives: For Vegetarians make the sides and make a rice bowl

Sides: Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/03/chipotle-cilantro-lime-rice-4-pts.html )Southwestern Black Bean Salad (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/06/southwestern-black-bean-salad.html )

Price match ups: Most of these ingredients were on sale from last week, (coke, pork, ect) Jumbo Red or White Onions 1.00 lb at Bakers, Tones Mini Spices SV .80 at HyVee, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese 1.66 at No Frills, Generic Sour Cream SV 24oz 1.99 at HyVee

Crock Pot "Baked" Potatoes (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/06/crock-pot-baked-potatoes.html )

Alternatives: For Carnivores, you can ground hamburger or used leftover chicken or pork from previous week's meals. Also can use extra veggies, using frozen veggies on sale last week or fresh veggies on sale this week

Sides: Salad

Price match ups: Yukon Gold Potatoes 5lb bag $1.88 at Super Saver or Russet potatoes on sale from last week, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese 1.66 at No Frills, Generic Sour Cream SV 24oz 1.99 at HyVee

Kalyn's Stuffed Cabbage Casserole (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/01/kalyns-stuffed-cabbage-casserole.html )

Alternatives: For Vegetarians, omit meat and add root veggies such as zucchini or squash

Sides: Knorr pasta sides

Price match ups: Green Cabbage .33 at Bakers, 90% Fresh Ground Round Beef 2.77 lb at Bag N Save, Jumbo Red or White Onions 1.00 lb at Bakers, Tones Mini Spices SV .80 at HyVee, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese 1.66 at No Frills

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/spaghetti-squash-lasagna.html )

Alternatives: For Carnivores add ground beef

Sides: salad and fruit salad

Price match ups: most of these ingredients are pantry staples, Tones Mini Spices SV .80 at HyVee, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese 1.66 at No Frills

Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/04/broccoli-and-cheese-stuffed-chicken.html )

Alternatives: For Vegetarians use pasta sides and salad and Steamed Veggies, there aren't many alternatives to this recipe.

Sides: Salad and Knorr Pasta or Rice sides

Price match ups: Most of these ingredients are on sale from last week or pantry staples

Sides Price match ups:

Salad Iceberg Lettuce .88 at Bakers or Fresh Express Bagged Salad .88 at Super Saver

Asparagus Asparagus 1.69 lb at Bag N Save

Knorr Pasta or Rice sides Knorr Rice/Pasta Sides SV 1.00 at HyVee (use .50/2 from RP 01/29/12 Pay 1.00 when you buy 2 or .50 each)

Fruit Salad Strawberries 16oz 1.49 at Aldi,Bananas .44 lb at Aldi,Blueberries 1.59 a pint at Aldi,Green or Red Grapes .89 lb at Aldi, Tangelos .76 lb at Super Saver

Menu Planning with Price match ups 2-1

Menu Planning with Pricematching for Omaha 2/1 to 2/8

Hello Everyone!  Welcome to week 4!! We have no been doing this a month! I hope that you are seeing good changes in your life by using this. I hope you are eating more family dinners, saving money, making more homemade meals, and hopefully sticking to eating healthier.

We added a lot of people this week! If you know anyone who wants to be on this email list, please pass it along and have them (or you can email me their address) If I put you on this email and you don't wish to be on it or if you no longer wish to receive it, please email me and let me know!  I don't want to spam your inbox!  Also if you have any suggestions or things you want to share with everyone, please email me and I will get it out in the big email to everyone!!

I would love feedback on this email! If you are using the recipes, how they turned out, if you loved them or not. Please let me know how this email is helping you!

This is a blog I have mentioned before with longer increments of menu planning, she has some great tips!!!http://daily-sips.blogspot.com/2012/01/menu-planning-2-of-2012.html

Menu planning is a great way to also save money.  By planning your meals, you can make sure you buy exactly what you need, stick to your budget, and create healthy homecooked meals.

This works under the assumption that you keep certain pantry staples always stocked.  (Here is a great site that has a pantry staples list: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/pantry-staples-checklist-00000000000197/index.html)  It also works under the assumption that you are stocking up on the good deals such as meat and cheese when it is on sale so that these are always staples in your pantry.  For example, chicken is a great price at No Frills 1.49 for boneless skinless chicken breasts.  I bought 8 packages and will be using them for the next month in my meal planning.

Jen is on vacation for the next couple of weeks, so I will try to focus on making my menu a little healthier!!  Jealous!!

This week I am focusing on Super Bowl type foods, but healthier! Don't be afraid to make large portions of these meals and turn around and serve them again on Sunday! I'm sure your family and friends won't mind, mine don't!! These recipes are in no particular order.

Quick Fall Minestrone Soup (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/quick-fall-minestrone-10000000549834/ ) for Carnivores add beef or chicken or turkey or shredded pork

Note: This is a great make ahead soup that freezes well. We usually make a batch once a month and freeze it in single serving portions for me to pull out when we are having a meal I can't omit the meat from. You can use whatever veggies are in season!

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-red-beans-rice-10000000443497/ ) for Carnivores add ground beef

Note: This is a recipe I know they use in Jen's house a lot for a side filler! Its great in wraps!

Springfield Chili (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/springfield-chilli-10000001835264/ ) for Vegetarians, omit the meat. Serve with baked potatoes and/or steamed veggies.

Price match-ups: Oscar Mayer Bacon SV 16oz 1.99 at Fareway, White Onions .69lb at Bag N Save, 3% Lean Ground Beef 2.88lb at No Frills, Hunt's Tomatoes or paste SV 12-14.5 oz .49 at Bakers (use $1/3 Hunt's Canned Tomatoes,(SS 01/22/12 R) makes it .47 when you buy 3 or .15 each, Generic Chili Beans .48 at Hy-Vee, Budweiser, Miller or Coors SV 24pk Cans 15.87 at Super Saver, Kraft Cheese (shreds, chunks, cubes, crumbles or cuts) 5-8oz 1.88 at Fareway

Pork and Pinto Bean Nachoes (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pork-pinto-bean-nachos-10000001924722/ ) for Vegetarians omit meat and add black beans. Serve with rice.

Price match-ups: Whole Boneless Pork Loins 1.69lb at Fareway, Generic Kidney Beans (dark or light red) .48 at Hy-Vee, Generic Chili Beans .48 at Hy-Vee, Generic Sour Cream 8oz .50 at Fareway. Kraft Cheese (shreds, chunks, cubes, crumbles or cuts) 5-8oz 1.88 at Fareway, Generic Tortilla Chips SV 12-14oz .99 at Fareway, Vine Ripened Tomatoes .88lb at Fareway, Avocados .29 each at Aldi, White Onions .69lb at Bag N Save, Oscar Mayer Bacon SV 16oz 1.99 at Fareway

Bacon Mac (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/bacon-mac-10000001918488/ ) for Vegetarians omit bacon add broccoli. Serve with a salad

Note: If you want to make this even faster, do what I do and use the boxed mac n cheese instead of making it from scratch. I also put extra cheese on the top because I'm horrible.

Price match ups: Oscar Mayer Bacon SV 16oz 1.99 at Fareway, Kraft Deluxe Mac and Cheese or Velveeta Shells & Cheese 1.29 at Bakers, Broccoli .99 per 16oz at Aldi, Iceberg Lettuce .88 each at Bakers, Kraft Salad Dressing SV 16oz 1.75 at No Frills (use $1/2 Kraft Dressing, (SS 01/22/12 R) makes it 2.50 when you buy 2 or 1.25 each, Kraft Cheese (shreds, chunks, cubes, crumbles or cuts) 5-8oz 1.88 at Fareway

Barbeque Pulled Chicken Sliders (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/barbecue-pulled-chicken-50400000110405/ ) for Vegetarians make extra sides such as baked potato or steamed veggies mashed with cream cheese(In our house this is a staple we call “Mash”. Serve with salad and mac n cheese

Note: A shortcut is to use pre-made BBQ sauce.

Price match ups: Generic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Tenders 1.85lb at Super Saver, Bulls-Eye BBQ Sauce SV .98 at Super Saver, Heniz Ketchup 40oz 1.79 at Bakers, Broccoli .99 per 16oz at Aldi, Cauliflower .99 a head at Aldi, Iceberg Lettuce .88 each at Bakers, Kraft Salad Dressing SV 16oz 1.75 at No Frills (use $1/2 Kraft Dressing, (SS 01/22/12 R) makes it 2.50 when you buy 2 or 1.25 each, Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8oz .99 at Bakers, Russet Potatoes 5lb bag 1.69 at Fareway, Kraft Deluxe Mac and Cheese or Velveeta Shells & Cheese 1.29 at Bakers

Shepard's Pie (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/shepherds-pie-10000001036179/ ) for Vegetarians omit meat or make extra veggie sides such as “mash (see above) or baked potato and soup

Price match ups: Russet Potatoes 5lb bag 1.69 at Fareway, 93% Lean Ground Beef 2.88lb at No Frills, Generic Kidney Beans (dark or light red) .48 at Hy-Vee, Kraft Cheese (shreds, chunks, cubes, crumbles or cuts) 5-8oz 1.88 at Fareway

Stuffed Cuban Pork Tenderloin (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/stuffed-cuban-pork-tenderloin-50400000114444/ ) for Vegetarians grill up Veggies or steam veggies with cheese Serve with salad and baked potatoes

Price match ups: Whole Boneless Pork Loins 1.69lb at Fareway, Kraft Cheese (shreds, chunks, cubes, crumbles or cuts) 5-8oz 1.88 at Fareway, Russet Potatoes 5lb bag 1.69 at Fareway, Iceberg Lettuce .88 each at Bakers, Kraft Salad Dressing SV 16oz 1.75 at No Frills (use $1/2 Kraft Dressing, (SS 01/22/12 R) makes it 2.50 when you buy 2 or 1.25 each

Peasant Stew (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peasant-stew-10000000451343/ ) for Vegetarians omit meat Serve with warm bread and butter

Note: I use chicken breasts instead of thighs

Price match ups: Generic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Tenders 1.85lb at Super Saver, Hunt's Tomatoes or paste SV 12-14.5 oz .49 at Bakers (use $1/3 Hunt's Canned Tomatoes,(SS 01/22/12 R) makes it .47 when you buy 3 or .15 each, Yellow Onions 3lb bag .99 at Fareway, Generic Kidney Beans (dark or light red) .48 at Hy-Vee, Generic Sour Cream 8oz .50 at Fareway

Welcome!

Hi Everyone!  We have a lot of different people coming to the blog for a lot of different reasons.  So I decided to try to get a little more organized!
This is the Menu Planning blog!  What is Menu Planning?
Menu planning is a great way to also save money.  By planning your meals, you can make sure you buy exactly what you need, stick to your budget, and create healthy homecooked meals.

This works under the assumption that you keep certain pantry staples always stocked.  (Here is a great site that has a pantry staples list: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/pantry-staples-checklist-00000000000197/index.html)  It also works under the assumption that you are stocking up on the good deals such as meat and cheese when it is on sale so that these are always staples in your pantry.  For example, if chicken is a great price at No Frills 1.49 for boneless skinless chicken breasts.  I buy 8 packages and will be using them for the next month in my meal planning.

I do most of the menu posting, but I do have a helper, Jen from http://mrsrizzer.blogspot.com/ for healthier meal planning and Kelley http://daily-sips.blogspot.com/ for longer increment meal planning.  I like to crockpot and do fast meals that are good comfort foods.

The best part of this blog is that if you follow our Omaha pricematching blog or receive the email, you can save even more money by pricematching the ingredients!  I include the money saving match ups in the recipe.

We hope you enjoy our meals!  Please Please Please give us lots of feedback, it will only help us get better!
If you would like to receive a weekly email of our weekly posts, please email carriehellbusch (at) gmail (dot) com, we will be happy to add you to the chain!