Back from our 9 day vacation to Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls Ontario, and Columbus OH...now back to real life. Here's what the shortened week has in store (hit Aldi's today to get us through)...
Mon - Cleaned out the last of the good fridge produce and had Aldi's Pear and Gorgonzola Ravioli in a browned butter sauce with a Mango, Frozen Banana, Frozen Peach, Apple Cider and Banana Yogurt smoothie (we wanted something light after eating at Bob Evans for lunch on the road - originally, we were gonna take out, but then it was 7pm and no one wanted to get up...this turned out to be the perfect unplanned meal)...
Tues - Aldi Baked Chicken Patty Sandwiches with Homemade Dijonaise and Iceberg Lettuce, Fresh Corn on the Cob, Choice of Fresh Pineapple and Green Grapes (some like one and some like the other)
Wed - Teriyaki Baked Chicken Breast, Egg and Mushroom Fried Rice, Choice of Fresh Watermelon or Plums (some like one and some like the other)
Thurs - Chicken Tacos with Cheddar, Lettuce, and Salsa, Refried Black Beans, Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie
Fri - All Beef Hot Dogs with Sauerkraut, Onion Sauce, Mustard and Relish, Roasted Red Potatoes with Garlic and Dill, Fruit Smoothie (whatever I have left)
Sat - Date Night - Kids will get the $5.99 carryout large Pizza Hut deal and we will use a Local Flavor certificate to Chinese or Middle Eastern food - makes for a very cheap night (I have 3 certificates to use in 60 days, so 3 dates coming)...we may use Safeway Monpoly game free tickets to see Jurassic World if the kids don't want to go...if they do, we may see a different movie...
So, I decided against the chicken breast this week, and actually made Korean-marinated Beef Short Ribs in the crockpot (so good)...since there were no leftovers, I moved the hotdogs to Thursday and had sandwiches last night...so stayed mostly to plan.
In great news for me, I managed to hit my grocery when they were doing a big "meat purge" in their meat department. I missed the 39 cents/lb turkeys (which bummed me), but I got 14 lbs of 80% ground beef for $1.49/lb and 1 lb of 93% ground turkey for $1.49/lb (someone must have scooped these up, too). They were also clearancing dairy and deli lunch meat, so I got 32 oz of ricotta for $2 and tons of Chobani for 50 cents each and 2 lbs of Primo sliced deli meat and a 1/2 lb of American cheese for $10 total (haven't seen that good a price in months)...so it was a nice trip
. With the new ground beef, I'm gonna throw some in this week...and my spouse and I decided we did want pizza, so we're moving date night to Sunday night (although watching Thor R on Netflix tonight) and having pizza both nights (once with the whole family and leftovers for the kids). So, without further adieu, here's the plan...
Sun - Date Night - Leftover Pizza and Smoothies for the kids
Mon - Beef Meatloaf (probably American-style), Mashed Potatoes, Green Pea Salad with Mint and Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries
Tues - Spaghetti and All-Beef Meatballs meets Lasagna (saw this on Beat Bobby Flay, so I'm gonna make a regular spaghetti and meatballs and then make a seasoned ricotta and parm to dollop on the top - Fabio and Bobby did this, and it looked perfect and easy), Fresh Peaches
Wed - Beef Tacos (Beef, Cheese, Lettuce, Salsa, Diced Avocadoes), Refried Beans with Salsa and Cheese, Red Grapes
Thurs - Fun Food Night - All Beef Hot Dogs, Homemade Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Chips, Fruit Salad (Strawberries, Peaches, Grapes, Bananas)
Fri - Breakfast Night (haven't done this in awhile) - Homemade Old-Fashioned Pancakes, Homemade Fruit Topping (whatever I have left that needs to go), Bacon, Fruit Smoothies
Sat - OUT (I'll figure out where next week - might be time to use my Red Robin gift certificates again b/c they are starting to pile up)