The Ultimate Money Saver!!

Do you meal plan?

Did you know that you can cut down your grocery bill if you went to the grocery store with a list. Now, I'm not just talking about a piece of tablet paper, but a detailed list, which includes condiments, and any other items you may need. Now this is one thing that I am really good with, so stick with me and I will have your family fabulously full and finding themselves feasting for more!

I don't know about you, but I hate the question "What's for dinner". I find it one question that stresses me. So my solution to that was to come up with a meal plan. We're a family of four and the amount of money I spend on food is moderate. For one month, I only spend roughly $300 on food. That includes snacks, lunches and desserts. Now, you have to be disciplined when you do this and make it fun and easy so you don't veer off the plan. Entertainment food is even in that budget. I'm attaching my family's food menu, which you will find some recipes that you may think is challenging. On the contrary, these meals take the "e" out of effort! Their simple and they get you out of the kitchen fast! I cook for my family everyday and if their is left overs I take them to work. Now don't stress, coming up with new meals may be hard, but the key component is not be scared. Log on to http://www.foodnetwork.com/ or check out cookbooks. I know that we all usually don't like to try new things, especially when it comes to children, but you would be surprised how they will react and how much they will eat!

Story for you

My 3 year old doesn't like corn. As a matter of fact we have made her a couple times sit at the table with the corn until she eats it. One time she actually held it in her mouth for like a hour. Well, I can't force her to like it so we gave up on corn (you will some, you lose some). Well, I really thought she would feel that way about zucinni. She actually liked it! I didn't fancy it up with cheese or anything I just seasoned it well. I told her she had to at least try it and she did and ate it all off her plate! I wasn't scared that she wouldn't like it because she would of had to taste it regardless, but I was shocked she ate it all! You just never know....

Check out my family's menu and if you get a chance upload yours, I love to swap recipes!

Milton’s Menu

*9/19/09
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Turkey Sandwiches, chips
Dinner: Grilled Chipotle Mango BBQ Chicken, Fresh salad, grilled veggies *chocolate chip smores sandwiches*

*9/20/09
Breakfast: Chocolate Chip Pancakes, turkey sausage, potatoes
Lunch: Free day
Dinner: Baked chicken, potatoes & green beans, bread-*Apple Crisp*

9/21/09
Breakfast: Chocolate chip Pancakes, eggs, turkey sausage
Lunch: **Turkey/cheese sandwich, applesauce, carrot & ranch dressing**
Dinner: Chicken Quesadillas, Spanish rice

9/22/09
Breakfast: Oatmeal, toast
Lunch: **Chicken & fruit salad, yogurt, snack
Dinner: Chicken Parmesan, creamy rice, salad, French bread

9/23/09
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: **P/B jelly sandwich, apple slices, and a cookie
Dinner: Taco Salad

9/24/09
Breakfast: Oatmeal, toast
Lunch: **Turkey sandwich, pretzel, fruit, snack
Dinner: Patty melts, steak fries

9/25/09
Breakfast: French toast sticks, hash browns, eggs
Lunch: **Eat at school**
Dinner: Smothered Chicken, mashed potatoes, creamy Mac & cheese.

*9/26/09
Breakfast: Ham and cheese omelet, toast
Lunch:
Dinner: Chicken and Cheese enchiladas, rice & beans
**Brownies**

*9/27/09
Breakfast: Biscuits and gravy, turkey sausage
Lunch: chicken salad, chips
Dinner: Thick cut pork chops W/ apple & raisin topping, garlic mashed potatoes-**peach cobbler**

9/28/09
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: ** nachos, snack
Dinner: Polish dogs, chips

9/29/09
Breakfast: Turkey bacon, egg, & cheese sandwich
Lunch: **ham & cheese sandwich, celery & ranch, fruit, snack
Dinner: chicken Florentine, Salad

9/30/09
Breakfast: Oatmeal, toast
Lunch: **Roast beef sandwich/wrap, fruit, pretzels, snack
Dinner: Ruben sandwiches, plain chips

10/01/09
Breakfast: Bacon, toast, & eggs
Lunch: **Cesar chicken salad, fruit, snacks
Dinner: Chicken, bacon, ranch pizza

10/02/09
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: **Eat at school
Dinner: Slow Cooker chicken and vegetables, muffins

Hello world! It's me Casey!!! First off, thank you so much for visiting my blog! Follow me and I will lead you into a world or organization, frugal finds, functional fixes and fashionable flavas!

Every week, I will help you plan for the next, while giving you ways to create memories with your family and friends. So I hope you all have on your high heel pumps because this cruise ship is taking off!

OK, question of the week? Do you take time out for yourself? I have found this such a problem for women, especially working mothers. It is absolutely vital that you take out some time for yourself to relax and rejuvenate. Now, you may be telling yourself; "I'm just to busy". Well believe me, I am as busy as the next person, but your time to yourself doesn't have to be a whole day. If you have that to take, then take it, but if you don't well her are some one hour or more solutions.

• Run a hot bath, light some candles and tell your family to leave you be for 1 hour. (The first step is to tell your family to leave you alone. They will be ok for an hour without you.)
• Go get a one-hour massage. (I would recommend Balanced Body Massage in Westport, Deborah is fabulous and inexpensive. You can get an hour for like $55-$60)
• Go window shopping. Yeah, you might buy something but just getting out the house is relaxing at times.
• Go for a walk. (Simple yet functional)
• Of course I have to say go the gym...
• Read a magazine (Something you don't have to concentrate so hard on).
• Playing a word puzzle or game. (This is underestimated, but doing on of these can relax your mind)
• Finally, a good old fashion prayer because you can conquer anything in his name.

Of course there are several other ways your can spend some time by yourself, but these are what I have found to be best. I am fashionista, but I do it all myself. So if you are a fashionista that likes beauty plesures, go get your nails or hair done. That is a simple pleasure compared to the time you put into your family.

My family is very organized so taking time out for myself usually happens from 8:30-9:30 p.m. and consists of watching "Young and the Restless", hey everyone has their show... That's relaxing to me and I enjoy it. My husband knows that when I am watching that to leave me alone. My kids are in the bed, so it's just me, myself and my laptop. :)

I challenge you to do just this at least one day this coming week. Tell your spouse and family to leave you be for an hour. You can do it! After you do it, tell me how you did it, was it affective and will you continue to do it? The only information I go by is mine and other peoples experiences. I would love to hear from you!!