not that again?

Famous words I hear in this house all the time, "that for dinner again?". 

I always did my food shopping Wednesday so i could avoid 2 trips to the store in one week. Wednesday became mu busy day and there went that. After evaluating our budget, I realized that we are spending way to much money and food and must get back on a schedule. I find myself at a grocery store almost every day of the week. Now I have to say I like a bargain, I rather save a little money here and there and shlep to 3 different stores if i need to. I always buy milk, juice and eggs at save-a-lot, cheapest place in town. Then I go to Giant and Seven Mile for all other foods except for meat. Wasserman is the place to go for great meat! I do go to BJ's for a few things but storage in my house is a problem. 
I go with  a list of all the food I need broken down into stores. If I have a coupon for it, I write it down on the list, otherwise I completely forget. With gas prices rising I like to shop at giant for whatever I can because of the gas rewards. I have now earned $.50 off each gallon of gas. I have a 20 gallon tank, so that is a great savings. 
Every week I ask the kids for diner ideas, I don't always listen and they know that, but it gives me an idea of what they will eat. 
Since I do a Wednesday to Wednesday shopping, I like to have my Shabbat plans done by then. Sunday is always leftovers, whether they like it or not. I will say that my kids eat loads of veggies and for the most part are not picky eaters. I will not get into all my opinions about kids not eating veggies, but if you keep offering it, eventually they will taste it. It takes children  few times tasting the same food to like it. So don't give up on the first try. (We grow our own veggies in the spring and summer and i find that the kids eat more when they are part of the growing process. And they love helping in the garden)

Wednesday= Taco salad. Taco salad in our house is like a salad buffet. the kids love making their own salad and eat loads of veggies this way. Our buffet has; romaine lettuce, scallions, avocado, cherry or grape tomatoes, black olives, canned corn, cucumber, sometimes I add in canned black beans. Then we top the salad with ground beef made according to the taco packet directions. Dressing is taco sauce and pareve sour cream. I buy tostido scoops, baked or taco shells and we eat them with the salad. I like to smash the chips and mix it in y salad.


Thursday=  Thursday is always hard for me. I know a lot of people eat out, as my kids get older it is becoming to expensive. This week we will have chicken nuggets, kale, and cucumbers with dip. My girls with eat anything as long as their is something to dip it in to. 
Fresh kale is so yummy if made right. I wash the kale (soak it in the sink). Then i dry it, cut off the stems and cut the leaves into smaller pieces.  I add a little EVOO to a hot pan and add one sliced onion, cook for 2 minutes then add the kale, salt, pepper, and  few drizzles of red wine vinegar, and a tablespoon or 2 of water. Mix then cover and let steam for a few minutes. Mix every once in a while so nothing burns. Let cook until soft and tender but not too mushy. 

Friday night = Gfish of some kind, chicken soup, Roast, broccoli salad (broccoli is on sale at giant starting friday), apple cranberry crunch. (if you want a recipe for anything just ask). 
Shabbat Lunch =  Fish, Cholent, deli roll, salad. (no company so nothing fancy is needed)

Sunday= Most hated day for dinner. Unless it is really nice out, we ave leftovers. If it is nice we BBQ then leftovers are Monday.  

Monday=   Turkey chops in shake and bake, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli

Tuesday= (my husband's aunt and father come for dinner). Beef in red wine sauce (SO EASY and it cooks for a long time so you can even make it n the crockpot before work). Israelis whole wheat cous cous and green beans. 

Enjoy and if you need any recipes or have suggestions on dinners let me know. until then....happy cooking and eating..