Food on the Table

Organic blah-blahs, all-natural thingamabobs and hormone-free yadda-yaddas weigh down grocery store shelves for good reason — being an environmentally conscious shopper is fundamental to a healthier, cleaner earth. On the other hand, these brown-box-with-green-font goods can weigh down a grocery bill too.

This New Year, resolve to go green while saving green by taking a few simple Mother Nature- (and Father’s Bank-) approved measures:

1. Plan meals for the week
   Meal planning is key to saving money in the store and reducing food waste. By knowing ahead what to buy, when to eat it and when to expect leftovers, you’ll be less likely to throw out unwanted food. Lowering waste means less food for the compost and, when your family has a meal plan to stick to, more money in your wallet.
2. Prioritize organic purchases
   Buying strictly organic can easily be a burden on the budget. Start small and save big by opting for organic produce. Fruits and veggies are some of the store’s most contaminated goods, serving as a bright and shiny surface for pesticides and chemicals. No matter how well this produce is washed, scrubbed and peeled, there’s no getting around the nasty unnatural content.
   Go organic when it comes to produce, especially in regard to what many refer to as the especially pesticide-heavy “Dirty Dozen” — peaches, nectarines, strawberries, apples, pears, cherries, imported grapes, sweet bell peppers, lettuce, spinach, potatoes and celery.
3. Consider buying in bulk
   Buying in bulk equates to buying less packaging and making less trips to the grocery store, reducing your carbon footprint in more ways than one. Non-perishable items, such as cereal, pasta and rice, are perfect buy-in-bulk goods because a) they won’t go bad any time soon after purchasing, b) they’re commonly used and consumed in a variety of meals, and c) buying in bulk means saving money. Plus, bulk goods are generally less processed than their individually sold counterparts.
4. Opt for recyclable packaging
   From cardboard boxes to egg cartons to plastic jugs to glass jars, many goods’ packages just aren’t meant to wind up in the trash can. Instead, make a trip to the local recycling center part of your routine.
   Or, if you’re feeling extra crafty, use these packages for your own projects and needs. Instead of buying a candleholder, use that empty glass jar as to save money and have a more unique display for your candle. Egg cartons are perfect for storing small items, such as sewing supplies, or as a paint palette.
5. Don’t grocery hop
   Get all of your shopping done at the same place at the same time to eliminate the need to drive back and forth between your home and the store. In order to do so to save gas and money, it is wise to come prepared with a shopping list when you do make your grocery trip. Check your pantry supply, refer to the meal plan (See No. 1) and work off of that. When shopping with a list in hand, you’ll be much less likely to make impulse buys that will only end up throwing off your budget and your food waste.

Be Mother Nature’s favorite child by showing her some gratitude starting this year. Your wallet — not to mention future generations — will be happy that you did.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

This week will be a lot of fun.  Friends of ours just had twins, so we’re taking them dinner on Tuesday night, we’re celebrating my father’s 67th birthday on Wednesday, and we’re going to a Gala on Saturday night!

• Monday:  Lemon and Cashew Chicken Stir Fry with brown rice
• Tuesday:  New Mom Brisket Tacos with salad
  Doesn’t get easier than two ingredients!
• Wednesday:  Dad’s Birthday, Dinner Out
  The entire family will be going to a popular Indian food restaurant to celebrate.
• Thursday:  Broiled Lamb Chops with roasted broccoli
• Friday:  Pizza Night
  Have you tried ordering on Domino’s website yet?  It is really easy and a lot of fun to watch the pizza order being completed.  Try it for yourself!  Don’t forget to go to the special offer section first.  I think I paid too much the first time around.
• Saturday:  Date Night
  We’re going to a Gala for the local children’s hospital.   Great cause!
• Sunday:  Pork Chops and Roasted Red Pepper Bake with five grain rice
  This will be a great Sunday evening dinner.  It reminds me of the baked pork chops my mom used to make.

What’s on your meal plan this week?

This post is linked to Meal Plan Mondays at Orgjunkie.

Organic blah-blahs, all-natural thingamabobs and hormone-free yadda-yaddas weigh down grocery store shelves for good reason — being an environmentally conscious shopper is fundamental to a healthier, cleaner earth. On the other hand, these brown-box-with-green-font goods can weigh down a grocery bill too.

This New Year, resolve to go green while saving green by taking a few simple Mother Nature- (and Father’s Bank-) approved measures:

1. Plan meals for the week
   Meal planning is key to saving money in the store and reducing food waste. By knowing ahead what to buy, when to eat it and when to expect leftovers, you’ll be less likely to throw out unwanted food. Lowering waste means less food for the compost and, when your family has a meal plan to stick to, more money in your wallet.
2. Prioritize organic purchases
   Buying strictly organic can easily be a burden on the budget. Start small and save big by opting for organic produce. Fruits and veggies are some of the store’s most contaminated goods, serving as a bright and shiny surface for pesticides and chemicals. No matter how well this produce is washed, scrubbed and peeled, there’s no getting around the nasty unnatural content.
   Go organic when it comes to produce, especially in regard to what many refer to as the especially pesticide-heavy “Dirty Dozen” — peaches, nectarines, strawberries, apples, pears, cherries, imported grapes, sweet bell peppers, lettuce, spinach, potatoes and celery.
3. Consider buying in bulk
   Buying in bulk equates to buying less packaging and making less trips to the grocery store, reducing your carbon footprint in more ways than one. Non-perishable items, such as cereal, pasta and rice, are perfect buy-in-bulk goods because a) they won’t go bad any time soon after purchasing, b) they’re commonly used and consumed in a variety of meals, and c) buying in bulk means saving money. Plus, bulk goods are generally less processed than their individually sold counterparts.
4. Opt for recyclable packaging
   From cardboard boxes to egg cartons to plastic jugs to glass jars, many goods’ packages just aren’t meant to wind up in the trash can. Instead, make a trip to the local recycling center part of your routine.
   Or, if you’re feeling extra crafty, use these packages for your own projects and needs. Instead of buying a candleholder, use that empty glass jar as to save money and have a more unique display for your candle. Egg cartons are perfect for storing small items, such as sewing supplies, or as a paint palette.
5. Don’t grocery hop
   Get all of your shopping done at the same place at the same time to eliminate the need to drive back and forth between your home and the store. In order to do so to save gas and money, it is wise to come prepared with a shopping list when you do make your grocery trip. Check your pantry supply, refer to the meal plan (See No. 1) and work off of that. When shopping with a list in hand, you’ll be much less likely to make impulse buys that will only end up throwing off your budget and your food waste.

Be Mother Nature’s favorite child by showing her some gratitude starting this year. Your wallet — not to mention future generations — will be happy that you did.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life As Mom.

The temperature has been dropping, so I’m in the mood for warm stews and hearty dishes.  I don’t feel like getting out much when it’s cold.  It’s more fun to watch movies under a blanket!

• Monday:  Spicy Bratwurst Supper with green salad
  Nothing is more hearty than bratwurst!  I’m going to leave the jalapeno out of this to accommodate everyone’s palate.
• Tuesday:  Dill and Honey Pork Chops with roasted sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli
  When I saw this pork chop recipe, I knew it was for me.  There are only three ingredients and it takes 20 minutes to cook.  This is great for a busy weeknight.
• Wednesday:  Sour Cream Chicken with roasted zucchini
  You wouldn’t think by looking at the recipe title, but this dish has both spinach and green bell peppers.  I’ll throw in a side of zucchini in the spirit of eating more vegetables this year.
• Thursday:  Chinese Take Out
  It’s time for me to take a break from cooking.  We’ll pick up dinner from Chinatown tonight.
• Friday:  Leftover Buffet
  All these hearty meals have translated into a lot of leftovers!  We’ll have the remainder of the bratwurst supper and the sour cream chicken tonight.
• Saturday:  Dinner and a Movie
  Cannot to see the Iron Lady at a local movie/dinner theater.
• Sunday:  Crockpot Chili with green chili cornbread

What’s on your meal plan this week?

This post is linked to Meal Plan Mondays at I’m an Organizing Junkie.

When it comes to saving money on meals, being a homebody is the smartest move to make.

No, that doesn’t mean shutting yourself off from the outside world entirely. No, it doesn’t mean resorting to living life inside moo moos and fuzzy house slippers. No, it doesn’t mean that your idea of a night on the town will be synonymous with walking a clowder of cats.

It simply means learning to master the money-saving art of home-cooked meals. Not only is cooking at home an easy way to relieve your budget of excess food expenses; it’s healthy for the body and in many cases, healthy for the mind. Whether making turkey paninis or lobster thermidor, recipes span the spectrum of cooking ability and prep time, making it nearly impossible to have a valid excuse to eat out every night.

Step One of becoming a homemade-meal maven begins with a smartly stocked pantry. Here’s how to get started:

1. Do have a running supply of hearty grains, namely pasta, rice and bread. The more universal an ingredient, the more you’ll get for your money. Plus, because these basics are so, well, basic, you can build from the bottom-up a vast assortment of global dishes and flavors.
2. Don’t blindly buy in bulk. Buy large quantities of non-perishable foods that you would have bought in large quantity without the bulk package anyway. Generally, the farther away the expiration date, the safer it is to buy in bulk. This means save those nuts, condiments, spices and eggs for one-item-at-a-time purchases.
3. Do stock up on canned goods. This is essential to not only saving money, but saving time when you just can’t squeeze in the washing, chopping, dicing and slicing. Canned tomato products, for example, are cheap and very versatile.
4. Don’t purchase without a plan. While having a pantry bursting at the seams with boxes, cans, bags and jars may seem like a norm, there’s no use having jars of apricot preserves on the top shelf if you know good and well you’ll never use them. Shop with a grocery list, and stick to it. That way, your pantry will, by default, consist of only the essentials. Pantries are for feeding — not for wall art.
5. Do stay organized. Keep older items in front of newly purchased items, and be sure not to open multiple packages of the same item. Watch for expiration dates, too. This streamlined effort makes cooking faster, shopping cheaper and the kitchen cleaner.
6. Don’t forget the snacks. To eliminate spontaneously chipping in for candy bars at the gas station or vending machine chips, keep snacks handy at home. From nuts to dried fruits to cereals, keep your family’s favorite munchies in the pantry for those in-between-meals cravings.

Make home sweet home even sweeter this New Year by showing the pantry some TLC and soon enough, you’ll see that being a homebody, in this sense of the word, isn’t so bad after all.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.