Eat at Home 3!

[tampabrat22]

This week...
Sunday - Roast Pork, rice & plantains
Monday - Chicken and green beans
Tuesday - Taquitos and refried beans
Wednesday - Pork Chops, peas and baked potatoes
Thursday - leftovers
Friday - Texas Roadhouse (using a gift card from xmas)
Saturday- unsure

 

[tampabrat22]

Ok, I need help. Decided to get back on a budget (we were on a budget in May, but we got off of it in June and the first 15 days of this month, so I did one for the final 16 days of July. Needing to start eating at the office. So looking for ideas of frozen meals that are healthy and a decent amount (I usually eat a salad, or a burger and fries or a sandwhich and chips, just to give an idea). So looking for some cheap stuff I can keep in the freezer that I can jusst pull out, pop in the microwave, grab a team at Chickfila or Canes and eat lunch. So what are the healthy, frozen food items out there?

I also have been buying a loaf of bread every 2 weeks or so to keep in the freezer for PB&J sandwhiches a couple of days a week, and I keep a bag of chips and little debbies or cookies (or both) in my desk for desert. So just looking for entree ideas.

I prep our lunches for the week every Sunday night, but we don't take frozen meals so I don't have many ideas for you. But I love the brand Real Good Foods, have you tried them? They make all sorts of healthy frozen entrees and may work for you (burritos, quesadillas, chicken tenders, chicken bowls, and frozen meals).

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Thanks. I've never even heard of Real Good Foods to be honest. I'm not sure how to meal prep, but then again I don't like eating leftovers. Some stuff, like spaghetti, I will. But not much else. Plus, it won't stay in the fridge more than about 24 hours before I throw it out, lol.

I prep our lunches for the week every Sunday night, but we don't take frozen meals so I don't have many ideas for you. But I love the brand Real Good Foods, have you tried them? They make all sorts of healthy frozen entrees and may work for you (burritos, quesadillas, chicken tenders, chicken bowls, and frozen meals).

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

Thanks. I've never even heard of Real Good Foods to be honest. I'm not sure how to meal prep, but then again I don't like eating leftovers. Some stuff, like spaghetti, I will. But not much else. Plus, it won't stay in the fridge more than about 24 hours before I throw it out, lol.

Why are you throwing things out after 24 hours? And why is commercial frozen food fine, but your own homemade food frozen gets tossed? You don't have to answer me of course, but the rationale for this is so confusing. I'm not trying to be harsh in any way but you seem to always ask for advice about food budget, but you have very rigid and arbitrary "rules" surrounding food that makes it difficult to offer suggestions.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

As far as freezing stuff, we don't because we never get around to using it again. A couple of times we bought the large packs of chicken, used a couple of pieces and froze the rest. We never got around to using them. We don't like laying food out in the kitchen before work or even overnight.

And yes, I am very weird about food. No leftovers after 2 days (36 hours), and that makes it tough to cook since it's just 2 of us. We strictly adhere to dates on packages (I tossed out a half box of zingers this week that expired June 16, and my coworkers went nuts about that because they said they weren't bad even though they were a month past the date on the box). If something smells/tastes bad or is green, it gets tossed.

If we ever buy fresh fruit/veggies, we'll eat on them 3-4 days at the most, same with milk. Just stuff like that. Trying to be as safe as possible. I did keep my loaf of bread I brought to the office this past week for lunches next week. I will just take 2 slices out of the freezer every day, toast them, cut the edges off and make me a PB&J or tuna sandwich. So that, I believe, is a step forward (the fact I'm eating bread more than a week after I bought it).

Why are you throwing things out after 24 hours? And why is commercial frozen food fine, but your own homemade food frozen gets tossed? You don't have to answer me of course, but the rationale for this is so confusing. I'm not trying to be harsh in any way but you seem to always ask for advice about food budget, but you have very rigid and arbitrary "rules" surrounding food that makes it difficult to offer suggestions.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Double post. Sorry.

 

[DanceDisney23]

I’m enjoying a quiet Sunday morning and a low key week that allows for meal planning.

Sunday: breakfast for dinner, pancakes and bacon
Monday: chicken cutlets, potatoes, cucumber salad
Tuesday: pasta bolognese
Wednesday: spinach frittata with homemade bread
Thursday: salad with salmon/chicken strips, olive bread from TJ’s (amazing reheated!)
Friday: grilled hotdogs, green beans

 

[DanceDisney23]

As far as freezing stuff, we don't because we never get around to using it again. A couple of times we bought the large packs of chicken, used a couple of pieces and froze the rest. We never got around to using them. We don't like laying food out in the kitchen before work or even overnight.

And yes, I am very weird about food. No leftovers after 2 days (36 hours), and that makes it tough to cook since it's just 2 of us. We strictly adhere to dates on packages (I tossed out a half box of zingers this week that expired June 16, and my coworkers went nuts about that because they said they weren't bad even though they were a month past the date on the box). If something smells/tastes bad or is green, it gets tossed.

If we ever buy fresh fruit/veggies, we'll eat on them 3-4 days at the most, same with milk. Just stuff like that. Trying to be as safe as possible. I did keep my loaf of bread I brought to the office this past week for lunches next week. I will just take 2 slices out of the freezer every day, toast them, cut the edges off and make me a PB&J or tuna sandwich. So that, I believe, is a step forward (the fact I'm eating bread more than a week after I bought it).

Am I right to assume that looking up how long it’s actually safe to store food would not make you any more comfortable with the idea of eating food that has been refrigerated several days? Because there is no scientific reason for throwing out food that quickly. This really sounds like an irrational fear that ends up costing you a lot of money.

 

[dpswift]

As far as freezing stuff, we don't because we never get around to using it again. A couple of times we bought the large packs of chicken, used a couple of pieces and froze the rest. We never got around to using them. We don't like laying food out in the kitchen before work or even overnight.

And yes, I am very weird about food. No leftovers after 2 days (36 hours), and that makes it tough to cook since it's just 2 of us. We strictly adhere to dates on packages (I tossed out a half box of zingers this week that expired June 16, and my coworkers went nuts about that because they said they weren't bad even though they were a month past the date on the box). If something smells/tastes bad or is green, it gets tossed.

If we ever buy fresh fruit/veggies, we'll eat on them 3-4 days at the most, same with milk. Just stuff like that. Trying to be as safe as possible. I did keep my loaf of bread I brought to the office this past week for lunches next week. I will just take 2 slices out of the freezer every day, toast them, cut the edges off and make me a PB&J or tuna sandwich. So that, I believe, is a step forward (the fact I'm eating bread more than a week after I bought it).

Good work. You can also thaw food in your refrigerator it just takes a little longer. Did you get a chance to check out Trder Joes?

 

[karen4546]

We freeze leftovers if possible. When I cook rice, I make double batches. You can make fried with just about any protein (I don't use beef).

I make Poppy Seed chicken today served over rice. I don't think it will freeze well since it has sour cream in it, so we will probably have it for dinner tomorrow night also even though I have Shepherd's pie made.

I made one Shepherd's pie to eat and one to freeze. The one I am freezing does not have cheese in or on it. (This recipe calls for cheddar cheese in the potatoes and sprinkled on top.

I bought rotisserie chicken and froze it whole in a freezer bag and will make chicken enchiladas for one meal and chicken fried rice for another meal.

vegetables this week are squash, green salad, butter beans, and tomato, guacamole salad, and cucumbers in vinegar. I have not premade these because they don't take long to prepare. We have a farm and all the produce except the avocado in season.

I don't cook everyday, and if I don't cook, we make wraps or breakfast for dinner.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

As far as freezing stuff, we don't because we never get around to using it again. A couple of times we bought the large packs of chicken, used a couple of pieces and froze the rest. We never got around to using them. We don't like laying food out in the kitchen before work or even overnight.

And yes, I am very weird about food. No leftovers after 2 days (36 hours), and that makes it tough to cook since it's just 2 of us. We strictly adhere to dates on packages (I tossed out a half box of zingers this week that expired June 16, and my coworkers went nuts about that because they said they weren't bad even though they were a month past the date on the box). If something smells/tastes bad or is green, it gets tossed.

If we ever buy fresh fruit/veggies, we'll eat on them 3-4 days at the most, same with milk. Just stuff like that. Trying to be as safe as possible. I did keep my loaf of bread I brought to the office this past week for lunches next week. I will just take 2 slices out of the freezer every day, toast them, cut the edges off and make me a PB&J or tuna sandwich. So that, I believe, is a step forward (the fact I'm eating bread more than a week after I bought it).

There's a difference between something smelling/tasting bad or being green and just arbitrarily throwing things out for no reason and then complaining about your food budget. You defrost chicken like the rest of us do....put it in the refrigerator the night before. Honestly, none of this makes any sense whatsoever. Do you think the fast food places you enjoy patronizing follow your arbitrary rules? I can guarantee they don't.

You keep milk for 3 days at the most? I can't fathom this. What are you trying to be safe from? Because the rest of us are perfectly fine and not doing any of this nonsense.

 

[tampabrat22]

Thanks. I've never even heard of Real Good Foods to be honest. I'm not sure how to meal prep, but then again I don't like eating leftovers. Some stuff, like spaghetti, I will. But not much else. Plus, it won't stay in the fridge more than about 24 hours before I throw it out, lol.

Peanut Butter and Tuna sandwiches sound like a good start. We like light lunches, so lunch prep for us is normally just deli meat, cheese, crackers or almonds and raw veggies or fruit. I keep tuna pouches, olives, beef jerky, protein bars, oatmeal and dried fruit in my desk in case I don't have time to bring something. Sometimes I don't want to eat what I have in my desk, but it keeps me from having to go buy something.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

This week:
Sunday: My dad is back in the hospital so we are staying with my mom and taking her out to the diner (her preferred spot)
Monday: Cheap Chicken deal from Acme - 8 pieces for $6.50 this week with coupon
Tuesday: Sloppy joes and fries
Wednesday: Teryiaki tacos with rice
Thursday: Chicken cutlet (honey lime or fried cutlets)
Friday: Either leftovers or sliders
Weekend: Back down the shore with friends

 

[tampabrat22]

Busy week ahead so I'm planning quick and easy meals with food on hand...

Sunday - Pot Roast, Potatoes & Carrots in slow cooker
Monday - leftovers
Tuesday - Parm Crusted Fish, bacon cheddar cheese fries
Wednesday - Hot Dogs and Mac & Cheese
Thursday - Egg & Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches
Friday - Quesadillas
Saturday- unsure, may go to Epcot or Disney Springs

 

[tampabrat22]

This week:
Sunday: My dad is back in the hospital so we are staying with my mom and taking her out to the diner (her preferred spot)
Monday: Cheap Chicken deal from Acme - 8 pieces for $6.50 this week with coupon
Tuesday: Sloppy joes and fries
Wednesday: Teryiaki tacos with rice
Thursday: Chicken cutlet (honey lime or fried cutlets)
Friday: Either leftovers or sliders
Weekend: Back down the shore with friends

That's a great deal on the Acme chicken! And the honey lime chicken sounds delish!

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

That's a great deal on the Acme chicken! And the honey lime chicken sounds delish!

The Acme chicken is usually $8 which is still good but this is a steal. Leftovers for lunch this week for sure.

The honey lime chicken is so simple and you just have to marinate for a half hour if you're in a rush although I try to do it for an hour. The marinade is olive oil, honey, lime juice and cumin. If you google Rachael Ray's honey lime chicken sandwiches that is the marinade I use, but I just use thin sliced cutlets and either make them in a skillet or DH cooks them on the grill. They are great and make perfect leftovers the next day for lunch or cut up in a salad! I've never actually made the sandwiches in the recipe (just the marinade) LOL.

 

[Moana]

Hi all,

Hope you are all having a good weekend!

The plan for this week:
Sunday - Fish / pork & shrimp dumplings / green beans
Monday - Chicken thighs / rice / veg
Tuesday - Left-overs
Wednesday - Orecchiette with ham, peas, and crème fraiche
Thursday - Dinner out with extended family
Friday - Takeout pho
Saturday - Steak, sweet potatoes, strawberry shortcake for dessert

 

[Moana]

This week:
Sunday: My dad is back in the hospital so we are staying with my mom and taking her out to the diner (her preferred spot)
Monday: Cheap Chicken deal from Acme - 8 pieces for $6.50 this week with coupon
Tuesday: Sloppy joes and fries
Wednesday: Teryiaki tacos with rice
Thursday: Chicken cutlet (honey lime or fried cutlets)
Friday: Either leftovers or sliders
Weekend: Back down the shore with friends

I’m sorry about your dad. I hope he recovers quickly.

 

[tampabrat22]

The Acme chicken is usually $8 which is still good but this is a steal. Leftovers for lunch this week for sure.

The honey lime chicken is so simple and you just have to marinate for a half hour if you're in a rush although I try to do it for an hour. The marinade is olive oil, honey, lime juice and cumin. If you google Rachael Ray's honey lime chicken sandwiches that is the marinade I use, but I just use thin sliced cutlets and either make them in a skillet or DH cooks them on the grill. They are great and make perfect leftovers the next day for lunch or cut up in a salad! I've never actually made the sandwiches in the recipe (just the marinade) LOL.

thank you! I may try those soon!

 

[ariel1025]

Trying to get back in the swing of things after having family in town last week.

Tonight we are having a sheet pan meal - apple chicken sausage, squash/zucchini, red potato

Beyond that I'm still not sure. Need to do a fridge clean out and organize the pantry before making a meal plan. Hoping to avoid the grocery store for anything other than dairy and fresh produce.

Sourdough starter appears ready to go, so going to make my first attempt at a sourdough loaf as well. Any tips?

Have a great week!!