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Farm Kitchen:  Planning a Menu  |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 5:12:02 PM
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For those of you who are planning your weekly dinner menus, could you give me an idea of what yours might be.I am hoping to get back into the habit of planning meals and making do with groceries I have on hand.
For a while, I used the recipes and menu plans on Hillbilly Housewife site. Being as my hubby is from the South a lot of those recipes were right up his alley. We love beans, lentils, rice, kale/collards, etc.
So, what does your menu look like??
hugs
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
"You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. Seeking You as a precious jewel; Lord, to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all."
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 5:21:08 PM
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I always post my weekly menu on my blog if you want to check that out. I do some cooking and freezing suppers ahead of time to use during the month, and using what I have fresh alot. We buy in bulk alot too.
I really like hillbilly housewife too!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 5:28:42 PM
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I was hoping someone else had heard of the Hillbilly Housewife, I was afraid you all would think I was making it up..lol
I used her menu planning and even grocery lists for a better part of 6 months with great success. :D
It's been almost 2 years since then, and I feel like I am lost trying to figure out where to start again.
I am headed over to your blog now, Jenny. :D Thanks!!
hugs
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
"You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. Seeking You as a precious jewel; Lord, to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all."
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 6:29:32 PM
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I should mention that I usually only plan my suppers for the week...the other meals I figure out usually that morning while I am getting awake...I sit at the kitchen table and figure things out..haha. It has always helped me to know what I am serving for supper ahead of time. I post the menu on the fridge and still answer the "what's for supper?" question at least 4 times a day...sigh. I make my menu on Sunday night for the week coming up.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 6:58:29 PM
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I use rice with alot of my meals, ham steaks and orange rice with green beans and a salad. Southern style dirtyrice with hamburger, and a salad. Fried chicken with creamed rice and chicken gravey.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 8:19:02 PM
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I usually rotate between Spaghetti, Stroganoff, Homemade Hamburgers, Meatloaf, soup or stew, a roast maybe, and cold tuna pasta salad during the summers. I should dig up the meal planning challenge thread from January- there are lots of great ideas there. I also like to shop for the whole month in one go so planning ahead is great for me. And I love Costco!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 04:55:24 AM
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I too need help in the menu planning area. I have tried keeping track of our meals for a time then I would have a set menu. But somehow I fall off the wagon.
Did you know that Miss Maggie - the original Hillbilly Housewife has a new site? Well, newish. http://frugalabundance.com/ Just an fyi.
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
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MissDana
True Blue Farmgirl
348 Posts
Dana
Carrollton
Georgia
USA
348 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 05:30:12 AM
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Hey Ya'll!
I love Hillbilly Housewife! I have gone the way of monthly planning and cooking and freezer meals (when all 3 kids were home) to winging it (not good and expensive!) to now I plan 2 weeks of dinners at a time and rotate those recipes for a month. If I can double up and freeze half, I have saved myself cooking later in the month! My biggest challenge is that we can no longer do fats in any form! Goodbye to biscuits and gravy! (yes, I'm southern) and red meat! Luckily I have only one kiddo at home and I only have to deal with 3 of us at a meal. Summers are hard because it is so darn hot and I can only eat salad so many times a week! LOL! I love my fall and winter because I use my crock pot all the time with soups and stews.
Now I'm hungry........ time for breakfast!
Dana
Proud Farmgirl Sister # 267
www.schultztroupe.wordpress.com
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 06:33:58 AM
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I would love to learn menu planning too! If we had beef every meal, every day of the week my honey wouldn't care, but I need poultry and seafood too!
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 07:18:35 AM
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I also put my weekly menu on my blog. It sometimes changes but I'm okay with that. My hubby NEVER eats breakfast. I typically have some kind of cereal and lunch is often leftovers. However in the summer we usually eat a late lunch/early dinner and snack on chips and salsa or ice cream in the evenings!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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AlyssaMarie
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
AlyssaMarie
Palouse
Washington
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 08:17:49 AM
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Before I moved I had a ring with index cards that had meal ideas on each card, especially what to put as sides (my usual downfall). Then as I was planning my menus each week or month I didn't have to think about different ideas. Somehow it got lost in the move and I can't seem to find it so we've been in a rut. I've started taking requests from my family at the dinner table the day before my menu planning day.
AlyssaMarie @ Link'd Hearts Ranch
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 10:13:27 AM
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I fail with side dishes as well. My family is tired of sides of rice & pasta. I need some new ideas. I found an old printout with someones meal plan on it. I'm going to go through it and see what I can salvage and make something up - new and improved. I like to try new ideas but then I forget what my family loved.
I like the index card idea. Can you elaborate on that? Did you just list out each meal on individual cards?
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
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Laila
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Laila
Kutztown
PA
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 10:50:06 AM
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Thanks so much for starting this post. I need help!!!! I live in PA Dutch country - meat & potatoes. I get tired of it and want to change but I get stuck. I'd like to start meal planning so all the advise given is great and keep it coming! I usually get stuck on the side dishes too. It seems like it is either potatoes or pasta. HELP!!!!
Laila |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 3:44:10 PM
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I love the "Once a Month cookbook" ...very easy meals that you can cook ahead and freeze. We almost never eat prepared foods, but I do make my own versions..much cheaper.
When I make up my menu on Sunday night for the week coming up I always ask a couple family members if they have any special requests...that helps. I also sat down with them all one time and wrote a list of possible dinner entrees that they like..it helps to get that out now and then when I feel like a get in a rut. We tend to eat alot of homemade mexican food!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Tammyb
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Tammy
Bluffton
Ohio
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 5:03:04 PM
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I use to do 30 meals once a month and freeze them. Was super easy. I used Once a month cookbook and 30 day gourmet. This thread is making me wonder why I stopped :)
Tammyb #541 |
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1692 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1692 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 5:23:06 PM
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For many, many years I have managed my meals and the budget. When my children were small my husband got paid on the 1st of each month. I had only 300 dollars a month for food etc. I would plan breakfasts, lunches even school lunchs snacks and dinner. This was done for a family of five. The garden really helps.
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
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AlyssaMarie
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
AlyssaMarie
Palouse
Washington
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 9:25:58 PM
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I've been learning a lot more about budgeting with meal planning. Since I lost my job I chose to take in some extra kids besides my own to babysit so I could be at home with my kids. Daycare was just too expensive and the job market slim. Since I don't charge very much for childcare I have to plan out breakfasts and lunches and snacks as well as our family dinners. Its a lot of work to stay within the budget especially with rising food costs. I can't wait for my garden to get more established and producing. We're also close to having our chickens start laying eggs and this winter we'll have some meat for the freezer. So I have bright spots to look forward to. With our baby due in late October I was planning on freezing a lot of meals ahead of time to make life simpler when we're busy with baby. I just wish I had some good recipes for freezing pasta dishes effectively. Like Chicken Alfredo or like a homemade version of Chicken voila type of meal. I hate the store bought stuff because of quality and price. Anyone have any of those freezer ready recipes?
Oh and I was asked to elaborate on an earlier posting I did about the index card idea. Basically I just got inexpensive 3x5 cards and wrote out entrees and sides (or side ideas). One meal per card or card side. Then I just hole punched the top left corner and got one of those snap rings. It reminds me of those flash card sets I made in high school for studying biology terms or whatnot - haha. Then when I went to plan menus and can't get my brain in gear I just flip through. Its also nice if you know you have extra hamburger in the freezer or some odd ingredient in the pantry to use up then just flip through and find the recipes that used that item. I liked this over a recipe box or notebook because I found it to be more portable and I could take it wherever I needed. That and most of my recipes I've made so much I don't really need directions anymore. I hope this helps.
AlyssaMarie @ Link'd Hearts Ranch
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4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2009 : 11:30:44 AM
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Another great book that I use is "Meals for a Month". Usually the marathon cooking happens in the winter and not so much in the summer.
When I menu plan, I like to serf the net for new ideas by using the main ingredient from the freezer as my search word. Another thing I'll do is pick a "theme" for my food and build up from there. For example, if I'm going to serve Korean ribs, I'll seach "Asian side dishes" for other recipe ideas.
I've been trying to do more and more cooking with what's in season....Epicurious.com has a "peak season map" for the country that might be a jump-start place for ideas.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2009 : 11:54:56 AM
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Sometimes I just get out one of my cookbooks...an old favorite, or maybe one that I bought on impulse and really havn't used enough to not feel guilty about buying it yet...and pick out 3 or 4 recipes that seem to be ones that would freeze well, and get going on them. Or just use that book every night that weeek for meals. It is fun...like Asian week, mexican week, German week, Appalacian week...and like that. I do more cooking ahead in winter too..but I appreciate it when I it in summer more!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Farm Kitchen: Planning a Menu |
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Planning a Menu
