Weekly Meal Plan and Shopping Trip

Last week was a very unusual shopping trip, but this week was more of a normal week.  Even though I plan out my meals for the week, I don't always follow my plans exactly.  For example, we were supposed to have left-overs last Tuesday, which normally would have worked out, because my husband had a meeting and wasn't going to be home for dinner.  What I forgot, however, was that he actually was going to be home for dinner because I needed him to watch the kids while I went to an appointment before his meeting.  We didn't have enough leftovers for all of us, so I resorted to plan B.  Thankfully, I had some quick, easy meal options on hand so we didn't have to spend money eating out.  I'll have to post about some things I keep on hand at another time, but this time we had noodles and a jar of marinara sauce in the pantry. These ingredients make for a super easy and quick meal whenever I'm in a pinch, saving us from having to eat out.  Another change to our menu was that Saturday's meal provided enough leftovers for Sunday, so I was able to move the quiche to this week.

Monday: Ham and Potato Quiche, English muffins, pineapple

Tuesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup, salad

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole (make half/freeze half), broccoli

Friday: Southwest Chicken Roll-ups, Spanish rice (recipe to come!)

Saturday: Date night!

Sunday: Left-overs or breakfast

Whole chickens were on sale this week, so my menu is largely based off of that.  I'm hoping to use the meat from a chicken for the soup, casserole, and southwest roll-ups.  I may not have quite enough, but I will supplement with boneless, skinless chicken breasts as needed.

Store 1: Valley Produce Market

Broccoli: $1.34

10 lbs potatoes: $1.19

Romaine hearts: $1.99

Pineapple: $1.69

Grapes: $1.58

Cucumber: $0.33

Acorn squash (for baby food): $0.70

Gala apples: $1.21

Pitas: $0.79

Total: $10.82

Store 2: Ralphs

Sour cream: $1.50

Tortilla chips: $1.79

Whole chicken: $4.25

Total: $7.54

Store 3: Food4Less

Diced green chilies: $0.79
Enchilada sauce: $1.00 (I was planning on making my own enchilada sauce, but this was cheaper than            the ingredients I was going to use for homemade)
Baby oatmeal (I would prefer to make my own, but baby is picky about texture): $1.25/box
Pinto beans (bulk): $2.01
Red beans: $1.79
Sweet potato (for baby food): $1.29
Baby carrots: $0.99
Red bell pepper: $0.79
Frozen corn: $1.99
Frozen green beans (for baby food): $1.00
Total: $14.15

Store 4: Sam's Club

1% milk: $3.28
Skim milk: $2.75
6 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts: $11.98
Heavy whipping cream: $4.17
Tortillas: $3.68
Total: $25.86

Grand Total: $58.37

I came in $0.68 cents above budget, and I still have to buy one more ingredient for a special (secret) Father's Day treat, but I was $4 under last week, so I'll be using that excess to cover this week's overage.