B is on a cooking kick lately. He has decided he will cook half the meals from no on. We'll see how long this lasts for. We're starting this week and tomorrow is his first day. He has no idea what he's going to be making. I hope he is able to utilize what's on sale and what's in the pantry. Beggars shouldn't be choosers.
Sunday
Dinner: Salad
Monday
Dinner: Black Bean Burgers with chips and homemade pico de gallo
Tuesday
Dinner: B's Day
Wednesday
Dinner: Salad
Thursday
Dinner: B's Day
Friday
Dinner: Asparagus Risotto
Saturday
Dinner: B's Day
Monday, October 29, 2012
Creamy Polenta
This is not a diet food. That being said, it is absolutely delicious!
2 C water
2 C half and half or milk
1 1/2 C cornmeal
5 Tbsp butter
Salt and Pepper to taste
Bring water and half and half (or milk) to a boil. Gradually whisk in cornmeal a little at a time. The mixture will be thick, but should be able to stir. If it is too thick, add a little bit more water or milk. Bring heat to low and simmer for approximately 6 minutes. Taste and if it is "crunchy" cook a little longer. If it looks a little dry, add more liquid. Take off of heat and stir in butter and cheese and season. Serve immediately.
I've had a rough couple of weeks and a large bowl of this creamy polenta really hit the spot. You can eat it just as is, or add a little browned sausage or roasted veggies.
2 C water
2 C half and half or milk
1 1/2 C cornmeal
5 Tbsp butter
Salt and Pepper to taste
Bring water and half and half (or milk) to a boil. Gradually whisk in cornmeal a little at a time. The mixture will be thick, but should be able to stir. If it is too thick, add a little bit more water or milk. Bring heat to low and simmer for approximately 6 minutes. Taste and if it is "crunchy" cook a little longer. If it looks a little dry, add more liquid. Take off of heat and stir in butter and cheese and season. Serve immediately.
I've had a rough couple of weeks and a large bowl of this creamy polenta really hit the spot. You can eat it just as is, or add a little browned sausage or roasted veggies.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The Universe is Playing Tricks on Me
Remember how I said that I would not eat out in the month of October? Remember how I posted a few times how I f'ed that up and we're starting fresh? Well, let's scratch this altogether now.
This challenge was chosen for a month that was absolutely crazy. My job is kicking my butt right now. All I want to do is go home and eat large amounts of comfort food (NOT always made at home. Yesterday's large pizza speaks for itself) and shop online. Yes, shop. As in, spend money.
I have placed several items in my online shopping carts waiting for me to hit "checkout". I've refrained from doing that for now, but I don't know how long I can keep that up.
I've said it a million times. I save a large percentage of my paycheck every month. I live on a tight budget on purpose. For the past several months, I have NOT been hitting my monthly savings goal. Some of the reasons were purchases out of necessity, some were wants, and others were just being reckless. I still pay off my credit cards in full each month and I will still max out my IRA by the end of this year.
My liquid savings currently stands at a little over $16,000. My IRAs total up to something like $22.6K. I have to pay my registration to the tune of $200 next week. I will get my carpets cleaned for which I have budgeted $200. So even with all of that, I will still hopefully just hit $18K by the end of this year. I've already have put approximately $550 aside for holiday shopping, so that is taken care of.
I go these periods every now and then. I'll save like crazy only to lose complete control and wonder how I was ever able to live on such a budget for so long. I've decided just to live and put my ass in gear next month. Of course, I've been saying this for months now, but I really mean it now. I'll track my spending very closely in November and see how well I do.
Wish me luck!!
This challenge was chosen for a month that was absolutely crazy. My job is kicking my butt right now. All I want to do is go home and eat large amounts of comfort food (NOT always made at home. Yesterday's large pizza speaks for itself) and shop online. Yes, shop. As in, spend money.
I have placed several items in my online shopping carts waiting for me to hit "checkout". I've refrained from doing that for now, but I don't know how long I can keep that up.
I've said it a million times. I save a large percentage of my paycheck every month. I live on a tight budget on purpose. For the past several months, I have NOT been hitting my monthly savings goal. Some of the reasons were purchases out of necessity, some were wants, and others were just being reckless. I still pay off my credit cards in full each month and I will still max out my IRA by the end of this year.
My liquid savings currently stands at a little over $16,000. My IRAs total up to something like $22.6K. I have to pay my registration to the tune of $200 next week. I will get my carpets cleaned for which I have budgeted $200. So even with all of that, I will still hopefully just hit $18K by the end of this year. I've already have put approximately $550 aside for holiday shopping, so that is taken care of.
I go these periods every now and then. I'll save like crazy only to lose complete control and wonder how I was ever able to live on such a budget for so long. I've decided just to live and put my ass in gear next month. Of course, I've been saying this for months now, but I really mean it now. I'll track my spending very closely in November and see how well I do.
Wish me luck!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Menu Plan 10/21 - 10/27
Again, this menu is a compilation of a bunch of items that I did not make the previous week or two. Hopefully, this will cut down on my grocery bill this week.
Sunday
Dinner: Baked Potatoes
Monday
Dinner: Salad
Tuesday
Dinner: Corn Cakes
Wednesday
Dinner: Rice and Gravy with Grilled Polenta Cakes
Thursday
Dinner: Veggie Potstickers with Steamed Rice
Friday
Dinner: Creamy Polenta
Saturday
Dinner: Veggie Chili with Cornbread
Sunday
Dinner: Baked Potatoes
Monday
Dinner: Salad
Tuesday
Dinner: Corn Cakes
Wednesday
Dinner: Rice and Gravy with Grilled Polenta Cakes
Thursday
Dinner: Veggie Potstickers with Steamed Rice
Friday
Dinner: Creamy Polenta
Saturday
Dinner: Veggie Chili with Cornbread
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Menu Plan 10/14 -- 10/20
I did not cook a couple of items from the previous menu plan, so I just bumped them to this week.
Sunday
Dinner: Corn Cakes
Monday
Dinner: Pasta with Pink Sauce
Tuesday
Dinner: Black Bean Burgers
Wednesday
Dinner: Salad
Thursday
Dinner: Vegetable Thai Curry
Friday
Dinner: Spinach Calzones
Saturday
Dinner: Burrito Bowls
Sunday
Dinner: Corn Cakes
Monday
Dinner: Pasta with Pink Sauce
Tuesday
Dinner: Black Bean Burgers
Wednesday
Dinner: Salad
Thursday
Dinner: Vegetable Thai Curry
Friday
Dinner: Spinach Calzones
Saturday
Dinner: Burrito Bowls
October Spending Update
Well, the no eating out idea is not going well. From the first of the month to right now, we've eaten out a total of 6 times. Starting Monday, October 15, we're starting fresh for the second part of the month.
Friday, October 5, 2012
California Gas Prices
Gas prices in California are completely insane!! I guess there is a shortage of gas in the state which is causing all the stations to buy gas at high prices which then pass on the increase to us. Yesterday, my local gas station the price for regular unleaded was $4.65. I'm afraid to look to see what it is today. I'm ready to put less in my savings until gas prices start to decrease. According to the news, it won't be happening in the immediate future and we'll see an consistent increase before a decrease. Great, can't wait!
October Strike 1!
Last night I had food ready to prepare, but B suggested we split a burger and fries. It was getting late and I was engrossed in my book so I relented. We ended up spending a total of $12.26 for the both of us. That puts us a little over our $5 per person budget. I could beat myself up, but I won't. We'll do better next time.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Menu Plan 10/07 --- 10/13
B is going to be a vegetarian again.
Sunday
Dinner: Penne Pesto
Monday
Dinner: Garden Chopped Salad
Tuesday
Dinner: Corn Cakes with Ranch Dressing
Wednesday
Dinner: Falafel
Thursday
Dinner: Veggie Potstickers with Vegetable Rice
Friday
Dinner: Spinach Calzones
Saturday
Dinner: Veggie Chili with Cornbread
Sunday
Dinner: Penne Pesto
Monday
Dinner: Garden Chopped Salad
Tuesday
Dinner: Corn Cakes with Ranch Dressing
Wednesday
Dinner: Falafel
Thursday
Dinner: Veggie Potstickers with Vegetable Rice
Friday
Dinner: Spinach Calzones
Saturday
Dinner: Veggie Chili with Cornbread
Menu Plan 09/30 -- 10/06
It's been a while since I've posted one of these!
Sunday
Dinner: Tacos
Monday
Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tuesday
Dinner: Sausage and Rice
Wednesday
Dinner: Curried Cabbage
Thursday
Dinner: Thai Vegetable Curry with Rice
Friday
Dinner: Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
Saturday
Dinner: Roast Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
Sunday
Dinner: Tacos
Monday
Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tuesday
Dinner: Sausage and Rice
Wednesday
Dinner: Curried Cabbage
Thursday
Dinner: Thai Vegetable Curry with Rice
Friday
Dinner: Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
Saturday
Dinner: Roast Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
October Spending Strike
In California the past couple of months, the temperatures were ridiculous. I cannot remember it being so hot for so long. Needless to say, cooking in a hot kitchen was not tempting. We ate out. We ate out a lot. A. Lot.
Now that the temperatures seem to have stabilized. Well, at least yesterday we didn't have to turn the AC on for the first time since mid-August, I've imposed a eating out strike. B and I have agreed (mostly me) that we will not eat out for the month of October. Does that sound doable? Sure. Will it happen? No. That's why, I altered it. We will not spend more than $5 on eating out on any given day. The $5 will not rollover (nice try, B). So if you HAVE to have that burger (B) or HAVE to have the slice of chocolate cake (me), it's fine as long as it is not more than $5.
So far, so good. Four days in and we have not spent money on eating out. I'll keep you guys posted.
Of course, this strike is to save a bit of money, but the gas prices in California are insane. Gas went up 50 cents in two days. I'm hoping that will start decreasing soon otherwise all the savings will be eaten up gassing up the cars!
Now that the temperatures seem to have stabilized. Well, at least yesterday we didn't have to turn the AC on for the first time since mid-August, I've imposed a eating out strike. B and I have agreed (mostly me) that we will not eat out for the month of October. Does that sound doable? Sure. Will it happen? No. That's why, I altered it. We will not spend more than $5 on eating out on any given day. The $5 will not rollover (nice try, B). So if you HAVE to have that burger (B) or HAVE to have the slice of chocolate cake (me), it's fine as long as it is not more than $5.
So far, so good. Four days in and we have not spent money on eating out. I'll keep you guys posted.
Of course, this strike is to save a bit of money, but the gas prices in California are insane. Gas went up 50 cents in two days. I'm hoping that will start decreasing soon otherwise all the savings will be eaten up gassing up the cars!
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