Menu Planning: #238

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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.   


January 2023 Report

Per Week 

Male (14-18) = $71.30 

Male (51-70) = $61.50 

Female (51-70) =$51.80 

Total = $184.60/Week or $738.40


Week 1: 

Kroger: $201.92

Week 2: 

Aldi: $98.00 ( I lost the receipt but I know it was less that $98.00)

Kroger: $135.83

Week 3:

Week 4: 


February IBOTTA: $9.00


Total: $436.75


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: 


Control your Kitchen Waste:  Americans throw away hundreds of dollars per year in kitchen waste.  With groceries prices climbing each week, it is imperative that we control this area of our lives.    This week I noticed that we haven’t eaten the blueberries that I purchased over a week ago.    This week they are getting used.   I am going through the containers and picking out the bad berries and using the rest in pancakes or freezing them for smoothies.   


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

  • Menu Planning 

  • Pre-Cut Vegetables

  • Using up the Oatmeal in our pantry for breakfast

  • Pre-pack lunches



Breakfast Options: 

Oatmeal

Cereal


Monday

Leftover Taco Soup

Bean and Cheese Burritos

Salad


Tuesday

Shrimp Tacos

Salad


Wednesday


Mississippi Pot Roast

Carrots

Salad

Zucchini Pasta 


Thursday

Pot Roast Sandwiches

Vegetables w/ Dip

Pasta Salad


Friday

Pizza

Salad


Saturday


 Hamburgers

Corn

Salad


Sunday

Chicken, Broccoli and 

Rice Casserole 

Salad


M- Pasta Bake

T- Leftovers

W-  Shrimp Tacos

Th- Jambalaya 

Fri- Pizza

Sat- Hamburgers

Sun- Salmon


* 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?


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