Menu Planning Monday: Living in Lean Times

This is definitely going to be a week of planning.  I don’t know that I have any meals lined up; we will play each day by ear.  But I am planning.  It has been suggested to me to make a Master Lunch Menu and eat the same thing for lunch every day.  So Mondays will be …. and Tuesdays …. and Wednesdays …  Well, you get the picture.  So here’s what I’ve got listed so far:

• beans and buns
• leftovers
• soup and sandwiches
• crackers and cheese
• veggies and dip
• grilled cheese
• ramen noodles
• sandwiches
• sliced fruit

With our new schedule, I have us eating two small meals in the middle of the day – at 11 and at 2.  So we will probably rotate through those ideas by having something more substantial (like soup or sandwiches) around 11 and something more like a snack around 2 (veggies and dip or fruit).
I’d like to get our suppers on a similar rotation.  W likes the “chicken Thursday” commercial and every time we have chicken he asks if it’s chicken Thursday.  And if it’s not Thursday I say, “No, it’s chicken Saturday.”  So I think I’ll put chicken on Thursday, just for the boy.  We all like Nuggets and Fries, so I think that will go on Thursday.  Thursday is a crazy mixed up day (as long as dance happens on Thursday next fall as well).  I think nuggets and fries will work great on Thursdays.  I can pop them in the ovens before taking the kids to dance and they will be done when we get home.  We will follow up with a movie.
So far, here are my ideas for supper “themes” each week:

• Sunday – fish
• Monday – pork
• Tuesday – ground meat (beef or moose)
• Wednesday – breakfast for supper
• Thursday – chicken; such as nuggets and fries or chicken fingers, or a crock pot chicken meal
• Friday – beef; such as roast, steak, stew meat
• Saturday – outdoor cooking; such as burgers, hot dogs, grilling

Because we are eating what’s in the house right now, this will not take place until we figure out some income issues.  We are really living on faith.  And although it’s not easy, we’ve been here before and God has always provided.  I’m not worried, it just makes planning a pain.  I am so glad that I have the internet for a resource to find frugal meals and menus, friends to give guidance and support and that my dh has had two days of work in the last week!  (That translates to some income, right???)
NOTE:  Writing about our financial situation is hard but I think it’s important.  I think I can help others see that it’s not the end of the world, that there are ways to make ends meet.  I want people to know that we have hope and faith in God.  I don’t want anyone (local or otherwise) to think that this is a plea for help.  I just don’t know how to share what I’m thinking and planning without mentioning our situation.  We’ve gotten used to asking for and accepting help when it comes when it’s needed.  And we will continue to do so.  We will not let our little ones suffer because of our pride.  We don’t use the system.  We are hardworking and try to be thrifty.  We like to live in the fat times but we certainly know how to tighten up the belt in the lean times.  When you are a large family, living on one income and without credit cards, with minimal coupons, you learn a few tricks and dollar stretching ideas.  I guess I could start sharing some of what we do. 

Many more menus at: Org Junkie.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,