Ever since I met Kelly of Faithful Provisions, my view on dinner has changed! After being mentored by her in a new way of shopping, it naturally led to a new way of eating and menu planning, as well! I believe that Kelly's shopping techniques will work for stay at home moms as well as working moms. In fact, I believe that there are a lot of moms who could even manage to stay home if they decided to follow her shopping principles! It could make that much of a difference in your family's budget! (I just have to mention that this pic was taken last summer, and just seeing that beautiful sunny day is giving me spring fever! It has snowed more in the last three weeks here in Middle Tennessee than it has in the past seven years! Not kidding!)
Here's a sample of one way that a two-income family could make up a week's dinner plans, with a few tips I've learned from Kelly sprinkled in!
Monday—Dad cooks. Leave something defrosting in the fridge for Dad to throw on the grill or in the oven when he gets home. What will it be? It will be whatever meat you have bought on sale! Kelly suggests adding your marinating sauce to your meat before you put it in the freezer. I have tried this and it works great!
Tuesday—Mom cooks. Use the crock pot for everything from lasagna to low-cal vegetable soup. One of my favorite crockpot recipes is here.
Wednesday—Many churches offer a family night supper on Wednesdays. If yours does not, make this meal a light supper of salad, sandwiches, or hot dogs before your regular mid-week church activities. At our church, the Wednesday night meal costs $3 per person, which adds up to $15 for the Powells. Obviously, I could cook at home for a much lower price! However, the value here is for the fellowship and the friendship that is so generously offered around our tables!
Thursday—Casseroles are easy to put together when you cook the meat ahead of time and freeze it. Also, Kelly encourages folks to have baking days and put your casseroles together, then freeze them. You then have go-to meals available in your own freezer, which helps tone down the impulse to "just grab something" on the way home.
Friday—Celebrate the weekend by eating out or ordering in! Just be sure you use a coupon! LOL!
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