I Need Dinner Help For Next Week...A Challenge

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I really need help from everyone for next week. I am going to training for my temporary job. I took this job to help pay for my WDW trip. So it definately has to be budget. Last time I used my crock pot all week and can do it again but the meals, although delicious, were pretty fattening. Here is the low down on my week. I need to leave my house by 7am. I will be training from 8-5. DD12 will have various practices after school so I will not be home until anywhere from 6-8pm. DH will be working that week also from 4am-6pm. We also live out of town so running home to eat is not an option (pack plenty of snacks for the kids). Finally I am trying to get my family to eat more healthy. My DH and I are on a diet. Not a crazy diet but I am trying to keep our meals as healthy as possible. So once again here is the run down...

1. Budget
2. fast
3. healthy

If anyone can help I would be so greatful.

 

[MomofSixinSC]

Here is my favorite budget buster recipe:

Here is how I cook dried beans in my crockpot without pre-soaking.
Combine the following in a 6 qt. crock pot:
3 pounds of dried beans - I use 2 lbs. black beans and 1 lb. pinto
1 tsp. cumin
3 TBS kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
3 TBS olive oil
6 TBS minced, dried onion
Water to within 1 inch of the top of the crock

Set to cook on low. Cook 8-10 hours.

These make enough for 3 meals for my family of 8. We have them with rice one night (You could make rice night before and just microwave to re-heat), with cornbread one night (again, you could make this night before), and one night as meat-free nachos. We put the beans for that night through the blender and call them re-fried beans. I serve them with cheese, micro-cooked frozen corn, and tortilla chips.

Add a salad to any (or all) of these meals and they get very healthy. Even better, fill up on salad as an appetizer and then just have smaller meal portions.

HTH!

 

[AndreaDM]

I just have to chuckle because that is my routine every day!! I have an hour commute for my job, so I'm always looking for quick, healthy options. I use the crockpot at least once a week. Once a week we try to grill, tonight it will be chicken breasts and aspargus and I'll throw together a salad. Yes, we might not eat until 8pm, but so be it. Pasta and salad is another quickie we do frequently. Grilled cheese and tomato soup if it's cold out and if it's warm, cold sandwiches and fruit. It's tough, I know, and don't be afraid to pick up chinese take-out or a rotisserie chicken if you have to. At least with Chinese food we always have enough left for another meal so it's pretty inexpensive.

 

[Justsyd2]

One night you could ask DH to pick up a Roast chicken from the grocery deli on the way home. They are usually around $5.00. Cook some frozen veggies and have a salad and rolls, and you have a meal for less than $10.00.

Bean Burritos or Bean Tostados are also quick and healthy with a nice salad.

You can also bake some unbreaded Fish Fillets in the oven in under 20 minutes when you get home. Serve with veggies and salad.

 

[tower_of_terror_luvr]

whole wheat pasta
Chicken(grilled)
fresh tomatos
feta crumbles

 

[yoopermom]

I'm doing my census training next week, too, so am in the same boat. Don't forget they're going to prefer you to work nights/weekends for the 3-4 wks after that, so plan on lots of quick meals. Here's what I do:

Monday a.m. make huge Tupperware bowl of mixed salad with everything in it that the family will eat. Every meal starts with a bowl of this--filling and healthy.

Precook your meat and freeze in one day portions. (I do hamburger, chix breast, pulled pork, etc.) Take out that days portion in the am to defrost by the time you get home.

When you get home nuke a veggie, make a carb, and you're set. Piece of fruit for dessert!

Terri
PS Don't forget snacks for your car when you're doing all that driving. Look on the Transportation Board for the thread on "snack to take while driving to WDW". I never took a lunch break, just ate on the run...

 

[pjlla]

Here is just one idea. I did it last week and it worked well. I cooked up taco meat (ground beef, well drained and rinsed... plus I always incorporate a full can of fat-free refried beans) ahead of time and cooled it and put it in a double foil packet in the fridge. On the day we were to have tacos, I put the taco meat (in it's foil packet) inside the crockpot. On top of that I put a foil packet of refried beans. I put the crockpot on low with the lid on.

At dinner time everything in the crockpot was nice and warm. I pulled out the two foil packets and put them on plates... then I threw soft taco wrappers directly into the warm crockpot and put the lid on. While I set the table and such, the soft tacos warmed. I put out my (prepped over the weekend) shredded lettuce, cheese, chopped tomatoes, etc on the table, pulled out the now-warm taco wrappers, and we were in business!

It may not seem like a big time saver, since you still have to do the work over the weekend, but it does save time when everyone is STARVING and you are less likely to give in to the temptation of pizza or take-out if you KNOW there is something at home in the crockpot. Plus it cuts down on work-night dishes, since most of the stuff is in tin foil.

I am planning on doing this next week with sloppy joe meat too. I don't work full time, but we have a very busy after school schedule with the kids, so our evenings get crazy. I do a lot of prep on the weekends and on non-work days to make our crazy days a bit more civilized!! I think PLANNING and PREPARATION are the keys. Good luck................P

BTW, I am on WW so on taco night I made myself a nice taco salad... I had bagged salad handy, as I always do for myself, and I loaded it up on my plate and topped it with the taco stuff (meat, beans, tomato). It took virtually NO extra time.

I have used the crockpot for frozen meatloaf too and it worked well. I made up the meat loaf ahead of time and froze it. On the morning of use, I put the frozen, precooked meatloaf in the crockpot on low. Eight to ten hours later I had nice warm meatloaf, ready to go! I actually have more than one crockpot and have been known to use the second one for a side dish so that dinner is almost totally done when I get home!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

These are some great ideas. I won't have a problem with the nights/weekends since I will have a few hours during the day to prepare meals.
Thanks a lot you guys.

 

[apnep]

1. Budget
2. fast
3. healthy

If anyone can help I would be so greatful.

Quiche is great and you can just bake it and keep it in the freezer or the fridge and warm it up by the slice. Serve it with a salad and fruit.

Spaghetti is another thing you can freeze and re-heat and you can use the high fiber pasta. Salad and sliced garlic bread.

Grilled chicken. I used to grill a bunch of chicken at once and then put it in vacuum sealed bags. Can also freeze and reheat.

Chicken salad sandies?

Roast country pork ribs...

I find that once I have the main dish down, I pretty much just serve lots of salad and veggies. Depending on what we are eating, couscous, brown rice, or sweet potatoes as a side, roast potatoes. Hope that helps! Good luck!

Ang

 

[crisi]

http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/2009/02/1-chicken-17-healthy-meals-26-bucks-no.html

 

[It's A Small World]

Here are 2 of go-to crock pot meals:

Pot Roast:

1 packet of dry onion soup mix
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
Mix together in crock pot
Add chuck roast
Add a bag of small carrots
Add a bag of small frozen onions
Add a 3 potatoes cut in chunks

Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over boiled egg noodles. Enjoy!

Mexican Chicken:

-3-4 chicken breasts
-1 packet of taco season
-1 can of tomatoes with chilis

Add everything to crock pot, mix together.
Cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred chicken, microwave a bag of Birdseye Mexican rice, serve black beans, sour cream and tortilla's. Great easy meal!

 

[squirrel]

Wraps.

Gratted cheese
Veg-whatever you like (mushrooms, black olives, pepper, etc)
Lettuce
Meat or Fish-tuna, chicken, ground beef

Most of this can be cut and ready in the fridge. You can heat the meat if you want. I eat mine cold.

If you microwave the Tortilla wrap for 15 seconds it makes it easier to wrap. I also sprinkle with the cheese before I microwave it - melts a bit and then helps to hold it together.

 

[mrsklamc]

Here is my favorite budget buster recipe:

Budget buster? Sounds like it would be cheap to me!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

You guys are the best. I not only have recipes for next week I have a ton more. Thank you so much..all of you!!

 

[Suz D]

I know you're already set for the week, but here's what I do to save my budget and my time.

Grocery list:
large bag of individually frozen chicken breasts from Sam's or Costco.
container of spinach or salad greens from the same place
Fresh Asparagus from the same place
Assorted veggies and fruits that your family likes
Everything else I usually have on hand.

On Sunday thaw the chicken in the microwave and marinate them for the afternoon. I use a mixture of diet 7-up, soy sauce, horseradish and garlic. Grill the entire bag on Sunday for dinner and serve with salad and asparagus that is just crisp tender. (I also cook a batch of rice to use later in the week).

Monday-slice some chicken and serve it with craisins, almonds, feta cheese and dressing on the salad.

Tuesday-Dice a few chicken breasts. Crack a couple of eggs in a pan and scramble them. Add the rice and some low sodium soy sauce. Add a thawed bag of frozen peas and carrots and the chicken and stir until heated through.

Wednesday-In the morning wrap one baking potato per person in foil (each one wrapped individually). Put them in the crockpot on low. After work put one chicken breast per family member in a baking dish. Put one slice of swiss cheese and some leftover asparagus on each piece. Cover with a can of reduced fat cream of mushroom soup and homemade whole wheat bread crumbs. I spray with the butter spray but I usually bake this in the oven so the crumbs get brown. If it's hot I would microwave until heated and serve with baked potato and salad.

Thursday-Slice some chicken and toss it with shredded lettuce, veggies, the leftover fried rice and some bottled teriyaki sauce (I use the Kroger brand and buy it when it's on sale for $1) Serve in a whole wheat tortilla.


Friday-Treat yourself to pizza! If you have leftover chicken I have made a pasta salad with whole wheat pasta, veggies (I use zuchini and cherry tomatoes), diced asiago or swiss cheese, shredded parmesan and a homemade dressing which is 1/3 cup of an oil water combo (I fill the 1/3 cup measure about 1/2 full of oil and then fill the rest with waterl), a scant 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/3 cup vinegar (I use balsamic for more flavor). Season to taste with italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper and onion powder.

Good luck!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I know you're already set for the week, but here's what I do to save my budget and my time.

Grocery list:
large bag of individually frozen chicken breasts from Sam's or Costco.
container of spinach or salad greens from the same place
Fresh Asparagus from the same place
Assorted veggies and fruits that your family likes
Everything else I usually have on hand.

On Sunday thaw the chicken in the microwave and marinate them for the afternoon. I use a mixture of diet 7-up, soy sauce, horseradish and garlic. Grill the entire bag on Sunday for dinner and serve with salad and asparagus that is just crisp tender. (I also cook a batch of rice to use later in the week).

Monday-slice some chicken and serve it with craisins, almonds, feta cheese and dressing on the salad.

Tuesday-Dice a few chicken breasts. Crack a couple of eggs in a pan and scramble them. Add the rice and some low sodium soy sauce. Add a thawed bag of frozen peas and carrots and the chicken and stir until heated through.

Wednesday-In the morning wrap one baking potato per person in foil (each one wrapped individually). Put them in the crockpot on low. After work put one chicken breast per family member in a baking dish. Put one slice of swiss cheese and some leftover asparagus on each piece. Cover with a can of reduced fat cream of mushroom soup and homemade whole wheat bread crumbs. I spray with the butter spray but I usually bake this in the oven so the crumbs get brown. If it's hot I would microwave until heated and serve with baked potato and salad.

Thursday-Slice some chicken and toss it with shredded lettuce, veggies, the leftover fried rice and some bottled teriyaki sauce (I use the Kroger brand and buy it when it's on sale for $1) Serve in a whole wheat tortilla.


Friday-Treat yourself to pizza! If you have leftover chicken I have made a pasta salad with whole wheat pasta, veggies (I use zuchini and cherry tomatoes), diced asiago or swiss cheese, shredded parmesan and a homemade dressing which is 1/3 cup of an oil water combo (I fill the 1/3 cup measure about 1/2 full of oil and then fill the rest with waterl), a scant 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/3 cup vinegar (I use balsamic for more flavor). Season to taste with italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper and onion powder.

Good luck!

this is great..I am going to copy your list..thanks

 

[Cindy B]

I too have to chuckle because that is my routine every day-- all week. I do try to plan the night before and work it all out.

We do a lot of: ground chicken/ground turkey, pork tenderloins, vegetables, quiche, tacos and such like that. WE do pasat occasionally but not that often.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks for the chicken recipes! I also cook enough chicken, beef or pork roast for the week on Saturday. And use it as you have described.

Another favorite chicken dinner we like is Mickey shaped pasta with chicken and white sauce (from a jar). DS 17 still enjoys Mickey pasta night. And now that they sell it in the stores I don't have to run to Disney World just to pick some up!

 

[pjlla]

I know you're already set for the week, but here's what I do to save my budget and my time.

Grocery list:
large bag of individually frozen chicken breasts from Sam's or Costco.
container of spinach or salad greens from the same place
Fresh Asparagus from the same place
Assorted veggies and fruits that your family likes
Everything else I usually have on hand.

On Sunday thaw the chicken in the microwave and marinate them for the afternoon. I use a mixture of diet 7-up, soy sauce, horseradish and garlic. Grill the entire bag on Sunday for dinner and serve with salad and asparagus that is just crisp tender. (I also cook a batch of rice to use later in the week).

Monday-slice some chicken and serve it with craisins, almonds, feta cheese and dressing on the salad.

Tuesday-Dice a few chicken breasts. Crack a couple of eggs in a pan and scramble them. Add the rice and some low sodium soy sauce. Add a thawed bag of frozen peas and carrots and the chicken and stir until heated through.

Wednesday-In the morning wrap one baking potato per person in foil (each one wrapped individually). Put them in the crockpot on low. After work put one chicken breast per family member in a baking dish. Put one slice of swiss cheese and some leftover asparagus on each piece. Cover with a can of reduced fat cream of mushroom soup and homemade whole wheat bread crumbs. I spray with the butter spray but I usually bake this in the oven so the crumbs get brown. If it's hot I would microwave until heated and serve with baked potato and salad.

Thursday-Slice some chicken and toss it with shredded lettuce, veggies, the leftover fried rice and some bottled teriyaki sauce (I use the Kroger brand and buy it when it's on sale for $1) Serve in a whole wheat tortilla.


Friday-Treat yourself to pizza! If you have leftover chicken I have made a pasta salad with whole wheat pasta, veggies (I use zuchini and cherry tomatoes), diced asiago or swiss cheese, shredded parmesan and a homemade dressing which is 1/3 cup of an oil water combo (I fill the 1/3 cup measure about 1/2 full of oil and then fill the rest with waterl), a scant 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/3 cup vinegar (I use balsamic for more flavor). Season to taste with italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper and onion powder.

Good luck!

These are all excellent sounding meal ideas.... but doesn't your family go a little nutty having chicken 5 or 6 days in a row?? ........P

 

[neatokimmo]

These are all excellent sounding meal ideas.... but doesn't your family go a little nutty having chicken 5 or 6 days in a row?? ........P

We eat chicken 90% of the time too. Not big red meat fans.

I would personally grab some of the steamer bags with meat, veggies and pasta in them. I saw steamfresh ones at kroger for $3.50 a bag. I don't know your budget for meals, but 2 of those would still be cheaper and healthier than fast food.