Skip to main content

Menu Planning: #234

 

The USDA food plans represent a healthy diet at four different cost levels. (thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost and liberal-cost)  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) utilizes the thrifty level of the USDA food plans.   Each food plan specifies quantities of food and beverage categories that can be purchased and prepared to make healthy meals and snacks at home.  


This year, we decided to use the Official USDA Plans: Cost of Food Reports to guide our food budget this year at the thrifty level.   


December 2022 Report

Per Week 

Male (14-18) = $68.90

Male (51-70) = $64.20

Female (51-70) = $57.70

Total = $190.80/Week or $954.00


Week 1: 

Aldi: $51.74

Meijer: $0.49

Kroger: $81.48

Week 3: 

Kroger: $212.76


Total: $341.17


NOTE- 

1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe. 

2- Although all prices were correct at the time of the blog postings, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.     


Cost Saving Tip of the Week: 


Sunday Prepping 

A little bit of preparation goes a long way in keeping us away from eating out and/or getting takeout.     This may look like freezing leftovers and pulling them out once or twice a month for a quick meal or taking an hour on Sunday to pre-cut vegetables, meal plan and pre-cook breakfasts. 


Here is what we did this week to make our week easier: 

  • Using my Crock Pot several times this week.  

  • Picked up convenience food, but will eat at home, so it is still cheaper. 



Breakfast Options: 

Hard Boiled Eggs

Bagels 


Monday


Pasta 

w/ Homemade Gravy 

Salad

Bread


Tuesday

Mississippi Pot Roast

Cole Slaw

Mashed Potatoes

Broccoli


Wednesday

Tacos w/

Leftover Pot Roast

Chips w/ Salsa


Thursday

BOGO Boneless Buffalo Wings

Exhaustion came over me and

we broke down and got takeout. 


Friday

Pizza

Salad

Leftover Buffalo Wings


Saturday

Smothered Pork Chops*

Potato Cakes

Broccoli 

Salad


Sunday

Salmon

Sauteed Spinach

Rice

Salad


M- Crock Pot Tacos

T- Leftovers

W- Clam Chowder

Th- Soup and Sandwiches

Fri- Pizza 

Sat- Sausage Sandwiches

Sun- Pasta Bake


* Indicate that the recipe is a new one for our family.    


If you are interested in last week’s Menu Plan, the link is below. 


What is your meal plan for this week?


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Menu Planning: #245

  NOTE-  1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.  2- Although all prices were correct at the time of the blog postings, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      March USDA Thrifty Food Plan ccording to this plan our family would have a budget of $186.20 per week.  Given our health concerns, we struggle to maintain this budget, but I am going to try to make this happen.    Cost Saving Tip of the Week: Check your sale flyers for loss leaders.   Each week grocery stores advertise specific products at a great price to get you in the store.   Recently, I have noticed a very specific time frame for getting these deals.   Good luck and happy hunting.   Here is what we did this week to make our week easier:   Refrigerator Clean Out Pre-cut all vegetables for the week Pulled older items to the front for easier consumption C...
Post a Comment
Read more

Menu Planning: #250

  NOTE-  1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.  2- Although all prices were correct at the time of the blog postings, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      March USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan our family would have a budget of $186.20 per week.  Given our health concerns, we struggle to maintain this budget, but I am going to try to make this happen.    Cost Saving Tip of the Week: When I purchase fruit for the week, it helps to calculate the cost per serving vs. the cost in general.   For example, this week a whole watermelon was on sale for $3.99 each.    When it is cut up, the watermelon will yield at least 20 servings which will place the cost per serving at $0.20.    Here is what we did this week to make our week easier: Breakfast Options:  Hard Boiled Eggs Yogurt Homemade Breakfast ba...
Post a Comment
Read more

Crocktober Day 3==> Sloppy Joes

  The leaves are turning colors and starting to drop.   In addition, the weather is turning cool and October is Crock Pot Month. So dust off your slow cookers and start using them to help get dinner on the table this month.     My slow cooker is a big asset and gets a lot of use over the fall and winter months.    When it is cold outside I use my slow cooker to make soups, stews, sauces, and one-pot meals.      Since school is in full swing, I can get my dinner going in the morning when I have more time.   Then, dinner is done when I am exhausted and this avoids the desire to eat out.    Crocktober is a challenge, to use your crock pot every day in October.    Although I will not use my crock pot daily, I will use it more this month and post several recipes.    Come along for the month and see what is cooking.    Day 3 Our third recipe is homemade Barbeque or Sloppy Joe....
Post a Comment
Read more