Weekly Menu Retrospective #89

Welcome to my weekly roundup of the past week's eats. I prefer to report what we ate in the last week, rather than what we're planning to eat in the coming week. Why? The reason is pretty simple: although I usually have a general idea of what we're going to eat in the next week or so, life often unfolds a little differently than planned, and I adjust my menu plan on a near-daily basis to accommodate leftovers and other not-possible-to-plan-ahead circumstances. I find this is the easiest way to ensure that I minimize our family's food waste. I'm also willing to admit that I'm a rather spontaneous cook, given to preparing foods that strike me as the most appealing thing to eat right here and now!

If you'd like a whole book full of inexpensive, quick and kid-approved recipes, check out my book, Cheap Appétit : The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month (While Eating Better Than You Ever Thought Possible) on Amazon (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon UK) and Barnes and Noble.  It's gotten multiple 5 star reviews!! I've included page references to recipes that are in the book in my menu plans so you can locate them quickly. For more details about the book, go here.    

Breakfasts:
Granola (p. 92), Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins (variation of this recipe on p. 96), Baked Oatmeal (p. 91), peanut butter toast

Lunches: 
leftovers, sandwiches, pizza 

Dinners:

Monday: Cheesy Mac and Beef Skillet (p.148)

Tuesday: Western Omelette Wraps (p. 124), Colourful Cabbage Salad (p.207)

Wednesday: Chickpea and Vegetable Coconut Curry (variation of this recipe, p. 136)

Thursday: Pasta Alfredo with Sausage, peas and carrots

Friday: Potato, Bacon and Egg Hash (variation of Make-It-Your-Way Potato Hash, p. 140)

Saturday: Basic Bean Burritos (p. 130), Creamy Cucumber Salad (p. 205)

Sunday: Classic Beef Burgers (p. 125), roasted mini yellow potatoes, Chocolate Quinoa Cake

In keeping with my local and organic challenge, I'd also like to note the local and/or organic items on this week's menu:

Organic: coconut (in granola), coconut oil (in granola), coconut milk, canola oil, raisins (in granola), sunflower and pumpkin seeds (in granola), coffee (locally roasted and delivered by bike!), quinoa

Local: potatoes, carrots, onions, apples, cabbage, cucumbers, garlic, salsa (home-canned), ground beef and sausage (from VG Meats), honey (unpasteurized), milk, eggs, sour cream 

Local AND organic: peanut butter, sesame seeds (used to top bread loaves), oats (in granola and baked oatmeal), cornmeal, apple cider vinegar, millet, popcorn, whole wheat flour

For more great meal ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday at orgjunkie.com.

(P.S. Want to join in on my Holiday Food Waste Challenge? All the details are here.)
  
Love what you read here? Find out how you can help support this blog. 

Want to stay connected in between blog posts?

Click HERE to follow me on Pinterest 

Click HERE to follow me on Twitter

Click HERE to like Abundance on a Dime on Facebook and get updates and tips on living frugally

Click HERE to like Cheap Appétit on Facebook and get updates and tips on frugal eating and cooking