Friday, July 20, 2012

..and...TIRED!

Whew! Just spent the last few hours perusing my Pinterest boards to create a two week menu plan. While this is something that isn't new for our family, I have become much more devoted to it, as I can plainly see the ease in the work week along with the money savings that come with careful planning. We are on a budget (and who isn't?) and it feels as though the food budget is always the first thing (after all the fun stuff is gone!) to get minimized. Granted, it's a stretch, but hey! I'm open to the challenge! In the past few years though, our food budget has changed dramatically.

When I joined the family, there were three boys and daddy. Three GROWING boys, mind you. I thought we were doing great on food, and just couldn't believe the sheer QUANTITY that we were purchasing. And what was more shocking was that after two weeks, I'd have to buy it all again! I mean, who really can finish those huge boxes of cereal from Sam's club in two weeks? HA! Try 4-5 boxes and then you'll fully understand what I was up against. Two teenagers and one pre-teen boy...two of which were active in football and other sports. Holy Moly! 

But life has shifted again....due to summer break, we only have one kiddo at home with us right now. What a difference that makes! My bank-account is sighing in relief to the break it's getting.

Lack of kids is not the only change, however. I have taken shopping/meal planning/food budgeting into a new perspective and am launching forward with this approach. I have always loved cooking and baking - this is no secret. But, I have recently (past year or so) really fully embraced the power of both my slow cooker AND my bread-maker. Holy wonderful appliances. On top of that, I am not afraid of any recipe so this weekend I'm taking on English Muffins. Am curious to see if the homemade ones are any good....If so, guess who will be having an English Muffin Marathon complete with freezing for future consumption??? Mmmmhmmmm. 

IF (and that's a big if) I can complete what I have laid out for myself this weekend, there will be MANY proud pics to follow. Breakfast will be handled for quite a while and so will bread. I hope I can do it!

Peace out.