i'm such a dork.  i scheduled a crockpot meal for today, fully intending to go start it and then totally forgot about it.  i just came down (and was pleasantly surprised to see your post on here sara!  no prob on "messing up" the thread - i always like new ideas).  anyway i just came down to see what was scheduled and it's a meal i can't serve now!

 

i like the calendar idea.  i don't think i could deal with paper - i'm terrible with keeping track of notebooks and stuff and a calendar would be similar.  i'm good with other kinds of paperwork nowadays, but i have trouble keeping track of papers i carry around with me, the notebooks or papers i use for jotting.  for example, right now i don't know where the schedule i made for disney is so i can make hoopdedoo reservations.  it would have been fine if it were something that came in the mail or was done because my files are great, but it was scribbled in a notebook and unfinished it and i was carrying it around everywhere.  same with the big menu i made!  i sat down and did this whole calendar grid thing that would repeat every month or two with 2-3 alternates for each day so that we could technically have 6 months of menus without repeats other than the stuff we really like like spaghetti and grilled chicken (and fish for s& the kids).  anyway, i lost it.  not permanently - it's somewhere in a notebook, probably in my hellhole of a car. 

 

i  keep my calendar online too because i don't trust myself to do a proper paper one.  i use yahoo's calendar.  i also have this "thing" about messy papers - my writing is really bad and i scratch things out a lot and it bothers me to see it.  i need it to look fresh or it bothers me (stupid i know, it's just a thing i have).  if it's typed i can come down, fix it and reprint it but if it's handwritten i'd have to rewrite it which actually is painful nowadays (you should see handwritten notes for the inventory i posted - unreadable!) :-)

 

i think i will take your calendar idea and add the meals to my yahoo calendar?  it emails me every day with events so it would email me the dinner menu the night before.  you can definitely list dinners.  that would be great!  i have several other typical things i make that aren't in this one.  if you need ideas you can scroll thru my other menus - i do that sometimes to remind myself of dishes we like that i forget about...

 

oh and no i don't freeze raisins.  but c doesn't like grapes (or so he says, i think he was just being a pain the day he said that because he did the same thing w/raisins and recently begged me to buy a box).  so the raisins on the list are in case he complains about the grapes.  i've found that my kids will eat anything for a snack and be mostly happy IF it's scheduled and they see that it's scheduled.  kids are weird.  like i could schedule popcorn and they are happy as clams, but if they come home the exact same day and say what's for snack and i say "i don't know, how about popcorn?" they will suddenly hate popcorn for a snack!  or they both end up wanting different things which is a pain. 

 

that reminds me i need to put the lemon cookies in right before i go get them which is in a few minutes.

oh and snack ideas would be appreciated too!  i get in the habit of just giving them junk food sometimes, esp with all the baking i did at xmas because it was easier to just give them the brownies that just came out than make something else.  i need some healthier ideas.  or, if not healthy, at least not fattening because braeden is starting to chunk up again, poor kid!

I want to reply better to this but for snacks, we always have cut up fruit and something else like yogurt, crackers, popcorn, etc. I find if I can at least get some produce into them, it helps! Ideally, I'd love to just give them cut up apples and cut up carrots and that be snack but we're carb lovers and that just doesn't do it for them.

that's funny - i never thought of adding fruit to the snack.  only having fruit alone but not every day because they like variety.  braeden is usually still hungry and gets an apple since they don't get unlimited snack.  i would love to find a good protein snack they love but yogurt and cheese crackers are as close as i've come.  they love veggies w/dip and apples but i know them enough to know that if i serve it everyday they'll get sick of them and never eat them again.  i think i will try the cutup fruit thing altho they don't like bananas or fresh oranges and it's hard to find much else right now.  other than fresh pineapple which is way too $$$$$$.  they love all canned fruit tho and as long as it's not in sugary syrup it's still better than no fruit.  not as good as fresh but still not as bad as cookies.  you also just reminded me how much braeden loves frozen fruit but i had totally forgotten about it...

wow i wrote that message awhile ago and it was on the screen when i just came down so i posted it.  it reads like i'm on drugs lol.  mostly i was saying i want to try cutup fruit along with snack or at least canned - i hadn't thought of that before

 

my darn kitten keeps walking on the keyboard now and trying to get the cursor

lol, you crack me up! (the post on drugs.) I get what you're saying and don't think it sounds too bad!

 

When I make up my more detailed menu next week with snacks, I'll post it so you can get some ideas.

 

 

smokehouse almonds

walnuts

fruit

onion powder

fake honeynut cheerios

fake rice krispies

sugar-free punch, lemonade, raspberry ice

water bottles

fat-free lactaid

string cheese

endust dusters

tuna

blueberry sugar-free applesauce (containers look like little barrels)

blueberry lowfat breyer's yogurt (on sale)

cheap hug drinks for soccer snack

lettuce

hot dog buns

corn

green beans (aldi?)

chicken breasts

chicken drumsticks

granny smith apples - the bigger kind

pillsbury pie crust

french vanilla ice cream

vegetable oil - cheap

dw detergent

bendie straws

napkins - cheapest

giant brand cheap frozen cheese pizza

shredded mozzarella - fat-free is fine

hot dogs?

tortillas?

spaghetti?

rice?

chocolate milk?

bread and lactaid later?

fruit later?

pancake mix

 

MENU:

 

9/21 Fri - Hamburgers/hot dogs/chicken nuggets, carrots & broccoli with dip (snacks:  soft pretzels, cut-up apples, popcorn; lunch:  kids pack; b school snack:  string cheese, grape tomatoes)

9/22 Sat - Olive Garden (snacks:  cut-up apples, tomato & basil salad; breakfast:  regular; lunch:  ham sandwiches, strawberries)

9/23 Sun - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, crescents or b&s rolls, corn, apple pie with ice cream (snacks:  soccer, mandarin oranges, baked doritos; breakfast:  regular; lunch:  tuna sandwiches, soup)

9/24 Mon -Fish, broccoli, rice (snacks:  sugar-free popsicles or baked doritos, canned peaches; lunch:  check menu; b school snack:  yogurt)

9/25 Tue - Spaghetti (snacks:  carrots & broccoli with dip; frozen yogurt; lunch:  check menu; b school snack:  string cheese, grape tomatoes)

9/26 Wed - Fish, broccoli, rice (snacks:  cookies, frozen fruit or cut-up apples; lunch:  check menu; b school snack:  almonds, grape tomatoes)

9/27 Thu - Pancakes & turkey bacon (snacks:  pizza toast, sugar-free popsicles; lunch:  check menu; b school snack:  almonds, raisins)

9/28 Fri - Pizza - kids & Scott to Wizard Safari (pack canned fruits, nuts, raisins, string cheese)

9/29 Sat - Me alone - ???? Calzone?

9/30 Sun - Beef brisket, campfire potatoes, noodles, green beans

10/1 Mon - Fish, broccoli, rice (snacks:  nuts and raisins; lunch:  check menu; b school snack:  string cheese, grape tomatoes)

10/2 Tue - Spaghetti (snacks:  grilled cheese, sugar-free popsicle; lunch:  check menu; b school snack:  almonds, cut-up fruit or grape tomatoes)

10/3 Wed - Fish, broccoli, rice (snacks:  cookie or frozen yogurt, frozen fruit or cut-up apple; lunch:  check menu; b school snack:  yogurt)

11/28 Wednesday - CROCKPOT Chicken-in-a-hurry, side dish rice, vegetables - Snack:  Mandarin oranges or other canned fruit

11/29 Thursday - CROCKPOT Tomato chicken, rice, green beans - Snack:  Cheese & peanut butter crackers

11/30 Friday - Fajitas, tortillas, lettuce, salsa, cheese, tomatoes - Snack:  Popcorn

12/1 Saturday - CROCKPOT Chili FREEZE, biscuits

12/2 Sunday - Chili dogs, salad

12/3 Monday - Meatloaf FREEZE, campfire potatoes, side dish rice packet, corn - Snack:  Fresh fruit

12/4 Tuesday - CROCKPOT Beef stew FREEZE (make night before), bread-n-butter sandwiches - Snack:  Broccoli & carrots with ranch dressing

12/5 Wednesday - Baked chicken, rice, broccoli - Snack:  Mandarin oranges or other canned fruit

12/6 Thursday - Fish, side dish packet, beans - Snack:  Cheese & peanut butter crackers

12/7 Friday - Tacos, soft shells, lettuce, salsa, tomatoes, sour cream, corn - Snack:  Popcorn

12/8 Saturday - CROCKPOT Cheesy chicken FREEZE, rice, broccoli

12/9 Sunday - CROCKPOT Roast chicken, ??

12/10 Monday - Fish, side dish packet, beans - Snack:  Fresh fruit

12/11 Tuesday - CROCKPOT Italian cheesy chicken FREEZE, rice, green beans - Snack:  Broccoli & carrots with ranch dressing

12/12 Wednesday - Taco bake FREEZE, fruit salad - Snack:  Cheese & peanut butter crackers

12/13 Thursday - Chicken noodle soup and tuna sandwiches - Snack:  Mandarin oranges

12/14 Friday - Chicken fajitas, tortillas, lettuce, salsa, cheese, tomatoes - Snack:  Popcorn

12/15 Saturday - Spaghetti

12/16 Sunday - Chili (thaw out)

12/17 Monday - Fish, side dish packet, beans - Snack:  Fresh fruit

12/18 Tuesday - Beef stew (thaw out), bread-n-butter sandwiches - Snack:  Broccoli & carrots with ranch dressing

12/19 Wednesday - Cheesy chicken (thaw out), rice - Snack:  Mandarin oranges

12/20 Thursday - Italian cheesy chicken (thaw out), rice - Snack:  Cheese & peanut butter crackers

12/21 Friday - Fish sticks or nuggets, french fries - Snack:  popcorn

12/22 Saturday - Spaghetti

12/23 Sunday - Frozen lasagna, garlic bread

12/24 Monday - Christmas Eve Dinner!!

12/25 Tuesday - Frozen pizza

12/26 Wednesday - Hamburgers, fried potatoes

12/27 Thursday - Hamburger rice

12/28 Friday - Tangy pork chops, egg noodles

12/29 Saturday - Meemaw's

12/30 Sunday - Meatball subs

12/31 Monday - Calzones, pizza

1/1 Tuesday - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes

1/2 Wednesday - ??

Wow has it really been 10 months since I did this??  No wonder we eat out way too much!

 

10/16 Thursday (Fall Fest 6:30-8:30) - Sloppy joes - Snack: fresh fruit

10/17 Friday (work in school, S&J overnight, dessert night) - Spaghetti/hot dog - Snack:  popcorn

10/18 Saturday (HW Days) - Calzone

10/19 Sunday (Bon-Ton 11-12, make cupcakes) - Fried chicken

10/20 Monday (Den meeting, cupcakes to den meeting) - Cheesy chicken - Snack:  mandarin oranges

10/21 Tuesday (Jen) - Salmon patties - Snack:  cheese and pb crackers, fruit

10/22 Wednesday (Rocky 4pm, Warren 6pm) - Tuna sandwiches, soup - Snack:  veg w/dip

10/23 Thursday (Dr. May 3pm, make cupcakes) - Fish - Snack:  fresh fruit

10/24 Friday (work in school, cupcakes to school, dessert night) - Spaghetti/hot dog - Snack:  popcorn

10/25 Saturday (Codorus HW party) - BLTs or deli subs

10/26 Sunday (nothing OMG!) - Roast beef

10/27 Monday (9:15 nerve study, no den meeting - maybe a family game night?) - Tomato chicken or fajitas - Snack:  mandarin oranges

10/28 Tuesday (Trick-or-Treat!) - Beef stew & biscuits - Snack:  fresh fruit

10/29 Wednesday (flu shots 4pm? or 5pm?) - Tuna sandwiches, soup - Snack:  veg w/dip

10/30 Thursday (parade 7pm, make cupcakes) - Shake-n-bake chicken - Snack:  fresh fruit

10/31 Friday (Halloween, work in school, cupcakes to school, S&B to Camporee, maybe make creepy dessert or ice cream party with Chane?) - Spaghetti/hot dog - Snack:  popcorn

11/1 Saturday (S&B at Camporee) - maybe McD's or Wendy's with C?

11/2 Sunday - Roast chicken

11/3 Monday (Den meeting) - Chicken-in-a-hurry - Snack:  mandarin oranges

11/4 Tuesday (Election day) - Hamburger helper - cheese and PB crackers, fruit

11/5 Wednesday (Carolyn, Rocky 4pm) - Tuna sandwiches, soup - Snack:  veg w/dip

11/6 Thursday (Roundtable) - Oven barbecued chicken - Snack:  fresh fruit

11/7 Friday (work in school, dessert night) - Spaghetti/hot dog - Snack:  popcorn

11/8 Saturday (Maizequest?) - BLTs? or Breakfast for dinner

11/9 Sunday - Pork chops

11/10 Monday (Den meeting, Scott off work?) - Steak-in-a-bag - Snack:  mandarin oranges

11/11 Tuesday (Vet day - Scott off work?) - Lasagna - Snack:  cheese and PB crackers, fruit

11/12 Wednesday (Rocky 4pm) - Tuna sandwiches, soup - Snack:  veg w/dip

11/13 Thursday (Committee Mtg 6:30) - Grilled chicken - Snack:  fresh fruit

11/14 Friday (PT conferences, dessert night) - Spaghetti/hot dog - Snack:  popcorn

11/15 Saturday - Tacos

11/16 Sunday (Jesse's Bday, prob Chuck e Cheese) - Meatloaf

11/17 Monday (Pack meeting) - Italian cheesy chicken - Snack:  mandarin oranges

11/18 Tuesday - Hamburger rice - Snack:  cheese and PB crackers, fruit

11/19 Wednesday (Rocky 4pm) - Tuna sandwiches, soup - Snack:  veg w/dip

Ideas for next month: Crockpot chicken barbecue, Beef & rice fiesta, Meatball subs

 

Good luck, Joni!!! We're in the same boat. I'd much rather spend money on the house than eating out but instead, we're doing both and digging quite a deep hole. augh augh augh

 

I'd like to focus on not eating out so much as well. Hard when we've got hectic-ness until we move in but this is ridiculous. I'm tempted to call Dec. a NO eating out month because with the holiday stuff, we actually eat out less, I think.

 

We should hold each other accountable!

if we were moving we'd probably be eating out even more.  i hope you can do it!  maybe plan a lot of sandwiches.  i didn't used to consider sandwiches dinner but that's what we get from fast food places so i finally started making them for dinner and the kids are happy with tuna sandwiches.

 

that's funny that you eat out less during the holidays.  i find that if i'm baking a lot or tired, we eat out.  if we're out and about a lot, we eat out.  if the house is in upheaval from decorating or cleaning, we eat out.  or stop and get food.  even if it's just from the dollar menu.  if we'd just stay on the dollar menu it wouldn't be so bad but we end up buying supplemental food from the regular menu - like the kids will get crispy chicken sandwiches from the dollar menu and scott will get chili and a salad but then i end up with a real chicken sandwich that costs $4.  hopefully going back to spaghetti one night a week will help save money and the tuna sandwiches and soup are cheap.  sometimes it costs more to cook at home tho but at least when it does, it's more healthy and satisfying sometimes.

I think I'm going to rely on the crockpot a lot. I have a bunch of stuff in the freezer that I can throw in the crockpot to heat up as we're unpacking, etc. That's the plan, anyways! lol

 

Yeah, I think spaghetti should be a weekly thing here. EVERYONE loves it, especially Timmy. And, I can hide veggies in there so why do I feel like it's wrong to have it once a week!?