December Challenge

December Challenge

 

   For the month of December I am challenging myself! What?! Yea, I know, challenging myself during a holiday month! But, as I went out to my garage and peeked into my freezer, I noticed something: I have meats that I have forgotten about. I had packs of chicken that I had purchased while they were on sale, sausage rolls, and much more. So, for the month of December, I have challenged myself not to purchase meats, and to use what I have in my freezer. Can it be done? Yes it can, I just have to plan ahead. I did leave the exception of Christmas Dinner. Since my mother-in-law moved 2 hours away, we are doing my husbands side of the family on Christmas Eve, at our house, since we live in the middle of his mom and his sister. I will deligate on food items to bring by other family members but I will be doing the majority of the food. So I will be purchasing a small turkey and a ham.

    During this month I will also be adding in No Meat Mondays! That will save on the use of meats! No only will we be using less meat but we will be heating a little healthier as well. Its always a good idea to implement 1 or 2 meatless meals a week. As for me, I could go 3 or 4 meatless meals a week and so could my kids but I have a husband who likes his proteins, rather its in chicken, beef, or pork form, he likes his protein.

     Another pro to using what I have in my freezer is that I save on my grocery bill! That is a major plus factor considering it is December and we all know what holiday comes in December : CHRISTMAS!!! That means I can spend more on presents this year! (Hopefully) My budget that I am going to be sticking to each week is $75. (With the exception of Christmas Week and I am hoping to spend no more than $125 that week) So, that means I will be spending no more than $350 on groceries for the month of December. That means that I will have to be more resourceful with my funds since there are Christmas parties going on just about every week.

      I will be posting my menu plan for each week and whats I spent on groceries for that week as well! I hope that you join in the challenge with me or set one up for yourself!

Menu Plan for the week of November 28th-December 4th

Monday: Homemade Chili- Perfect for a COLD RAINY/SNOWY Night! 

Tuesday: BBQ Pork Shoulder Baked Potatoes- Freezer Meal

Wednesday: Leftover Chili and Hot dogs (church night)

Thursday: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Apples (recipe will be posted on that day), Green Beans, Baked Potatoes

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Chuck E. Cheese (Our son's birthday party)

Sunday: Soup and Sandwhiches

I have a great menu plan set up for this week! I also have a busy week ahead and really only have to cook one full meal on Thursday. I am ready planning the next weeks menu but will post it later on, incase I have some changes.

Don't forget to link up!



~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

Yummy!!! I recieved my Bzzagent kit in the mail for these cookies! They were so delish!! I am one who wants to make homemade cookies, and I have some really good recipes. But, I dont always have the time. These are excellent to have on  hand to curb that sweet tooth craving! They are crunchy yet soft and enjoyable! I love them and will purchase them!!

~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

Michelle's Chocolata Protein Bars

3 cups Quick cook oats

1 cup Cocoa powder

2 scoops protein powder

1 cup each peanuts, dried cranberries, chocolate chips (you can sub any of these for your favorite)

1 14 oz can sweetened Condensed Milk (fat free)

1 cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together well. Spray a 9x9 casserole dish and line with parchment paper and spray again. Pour mixture into dish and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool complelety and cut into 10-12 bars!

Enjoy!



~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

Rooster Canvas Project

This past weekend was my mamaw's birthday! I wanted to make her something instead of buying her a gift. I wanted it to mean more to her and I am sure what I made will. She is a very crafty person herself, even though she will tell you she is not. What I decided to do was to take a canvas and paint it black. My original plan was to stencil "Mamaw's Kitchen" and have several roosters stenciled on it as well. The stencils I bought, I did not like at ALL. Scratch using those, just free hand. I did use the Rooster stencil and touched it up. I actually like the way this turned out. Here is the video on how I made it! Hope you enjoy!



~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

I have started adding videos on Youtube! Check out this one about my recent CVS trip!
http://youtu.be/wA8bnzTyzUA

Enjoy!


~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~

Pantry Challenge Week 2

I am a little late getting this in this week! I have been very busy at my daughters school. I am the PTA President and we are in the middle of a fundraiser! 
I went to the grocery store and spent a total of $93.13. Not too bad I don't think for one weeks worth of groceries. My planned budget for the month is to spend no more than $300. So far I have $206 left for groceries this month...and its only the 7th!!
I can do this! I know I can!! I have a good menu plan laid out! I made some homemade protein bars the other night and I add those to my hubbies lunch. He loves them!! I have been making homemade bread just about every night this week. We use this for lunches also! The kids and hubby love sandwiches made from fresh bread! It is nice to wake up in the mornings to the smell of fresh bread wafting through the house!
Here is what my menu plan looks like this week:
Thursday: Chinese Chicken, rice and tomatoes (for me), Potato casserole (for everyone else), Green beans and a side salad.
Friday: Chicken and Rice Casserole, side salad
Saturday: Homemade Pizza
Sunday: Homemade Hoagie Melts, chips and salads

I have also planned out the menu for next week that goes something like this:
Monday: Southwestern Goulash (new recipe), Rolls and salad
Tuesday: Leftovers, we have a PTA meeting
Wednesday: Baked Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese Sauce, Mashed Tators
Thursday: Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes made with Wednesday night leftovers, Salad
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday and Sunday are not planned yet! I have 90% of the ingredients needed for these dinners.
I plan on shopping tomorrow if I get a chance, if not it will be Friday!
We are running low on the necessities like milk, cheese, cereal and fruit!

I hope you are planning on doing a Pantry Challenge yourself!

Chocolate Protein Bars

Chocolate Protein Bars

3 cups Oats (I use quick cooking)

1/2 cup Hershey Cocoa powder

2 scoops Protein Powder

1 cup Condensed Milk

Pinch Salt

1 cup Dried Cranberries

1 Cup Chocolate Chips

1 cup Applesauce

Mix all ingredients together. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 9x9 baking pan and line with parchment paper and spray again. Pour mixture into baking dish and press into corners and pat down. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Let cool completely and cut into bars!

I came up with this recipe from another recipe posted on YouTube by http://www.youtube.com/user/threemanycooks

I adjusted the recipe to the tasting of my hubby!

I hope you try these out!

Whats your favorite granola/protein bar recipe?

~Remember to put God first, and everything else will follow~