Making progress...

Well so far, things have worked out better than I thought. I made spaghetti on Saturday night, and ended up with MORE than enough. Danny and I ate dinner that night, and I made so much I was able to freeze 3 baked spaghetti pans. (Pasta noodles with meat sauce topped with more sauce and cheese.) Today, I made chili. Same thing happened. I over estimated what I needed. We had chili and cornbread for dinner, and then I was able to freeze two small portions, plus I froze some extra cornbread muffins. I am pleased with the plan of two meals that turned into 5 meals. Then, while we were eating dinner tonight I poached some chicken for chicken and bean enchiladas and to also use in my chicken mexican casserole tomorrow(see recipe below).

Now I am up to 7 meals in the freezer. Two pans of chicken and bean enchiladas all done and in the freezer. I have labeled them all with a temp to cook them at and for approximately how long. Then Danny can easily help too. Surely he can handle turning the oven on and popping a meal in.

For this upcoming week I have shopped and planned for this weeks meals. Plus adding two freezer meals. Here's the menu:

Tuesday - Chicken Mexican Casserole - 3 pieces of cooked chicken breasts(chopped), 1 can rotel, 1 can cream of mushroom, 1 can cream of chicken, 2 C cooked rice, 1/2 bag of tortilla chips, and shredded cheese- 13x9 pan. Mix rotel, cream of chicken and cream of mushroom (1 whole can of rotel makes it a little too spicy for Maia, so I usually use 1/2 can or less.) Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix in cooked chicken, top with cooked rice, crumble chips and make this the next layer. Top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese is melty and delicious. Super easy casserole.

Wednesday - Pork Loin with Fried potatoes and broccoli - Grill pork loin, let rest. Potatoes- peeled and chopped, add a little margerine to the pan, add mrs. dash or seasoned salt. Cook covered until soft. Steam broccoli.

Thursday - Kielbasa with mac and cheese, side of corn - Grill kielbasa (aka polish sausage).

Friday night - Freebie/Leftovers - I am headed out to dinner and a movie with a friend, so Danny can fend for himself. Maia will probably go to my Mom's.

While at the grocery store I bought stuff to make the lasagna and to make beef stew (freezer meals). I think I am going to make a full size lasagna. Leftover lasagna is great, so I think that will work out best. My Mom has the best lasagna, but I am going to keep trying. I follow her recipe, and it still doesn't work out right. Eventually I will get it right. I plan to make that tomorrow while throwing together the quick casserole.

I only spent $98 at the grocery store this week. Danny said "you can't do all of that for less than $100" and I did. I think he secretly challenged me so I wouldn't overspend, but I got everything on my list plus a few extras.

I have this secret fear that all this hard work will somehow not work out. I told Danny tonight that with our luck in planning the fridge will probably quit working or we will lost power for days. But really, that's just my brain trying to prepare me for the worst. IF something happens, I can easily take food over to my Mom's fridge/freezer, etc. and we wouldn't lose anything.

Oh and on a side note: Totally bummer there were no coupons in the paper this weekend. I was ready to cut and shop...but alas, there is always next week. I even tried to print some, but the printer is not working right either...brand new ink, and it is barely visible when you print. So, I gave up on the coupons this week. Now I need to start planning on meals for next week.

I will have to find time to make the beef stew, but if I can squeeze it in this week, I will do it this weekend.

What are your favorite recipes that you make? Something family friendly.