Re-Focus!

so.....I have decided that my 50 day plan may have been too agressive. It is frustrating trying to make this work, but I am going to do it! Only 27 more meals to go....I am focused, planning, and ready to get down to business!

Look for more recipes to follow....my goal is to post 3 recipes this week.

MEAL 2 - SANTE FE

ok....sorry for the delay. I made a fish dish on Wednesday, but decided it was not that great.

This meal is SIMPLE! A new family favorite!

5 ears of corn - $2.00

Organic Tomatoes - $3.68

Dried Black Beans - $0.65

Brown Long Grain Rice - $0.72

TOTAL= $7.05

This is a plan ahead meal b/c you have to soak the beans overnight. This made plenty. We will have leftovers tomorrow. I used 1/2 of the bag of beans. Next time, I will only use 1/3.

After I soaked the beans, I cooked them for about 2 hours. I sprinkled a little dried cilantro in the beans. I cleaned the corn ( Corn does not absorb alot of pesticides so it is ok if you do not buy it organic) and cut the corn off the cob. Put the corn in a skillet with about 1 tbsp of butter. I let that cook for about 4-5 minutes. I chopped the tomatoes and added to the corn. I put a little but of sea salt and pepper. I added the black beans and cooked for another 5 minutes. Then serve over rice.

KID TEST: All three loved it. I did not serve theirs over rice. I let them mix them if they wanted to. Ted loved it and said it was very filling. This is a cheap meal and healthy.

FINDERS KEEPERS

Hey Everyone! I am more than ever convinced that we have got to change our way we think of food! I am beginning to see myself as Mel Gibson on Conspiracy Theory. What???? DO you think it is weird that I lock up my coffee? :)

Anyways, I watched POV_Food, Inc. CRAZY!!! Thanks Ashlie for the link.....

www.pbs.org/pov/foodinc/photo_gallery_watch.php

I began researching local meats....I found place called Peaceful Pastures. They may a delivery at Good Shepard each month. They have a CSA plan that seems interesting. I may go there and purchase some meat and try it out. I have never had goat meat before, so I am a little nervous to sign up for a month supply that may include it. I will let you know what I find.

http://www.peacefulpastures.com/csa.html

Also, here is a helpful link.

http://foodnews.org/EWG-shoppers-guide-download-final.pdf

Anyways, post any cool finds, local produce, articles that you locate. I want this blog to be a source of information for us all! I want us all to feel empowered for the sake of our families!!!

BTW.....if you see me mysteriously placing mail in different drops around Cookeville, just smile and wave! HA!

Day 50 - Meal 1 - Spinach Manicotti

Ingredients :

1 pkg cooked manicotti shells $2.00

1 jar organic spaghetti sauce $2.00 (purchased on sale 2/$5, coupon for $1 off)

16 oz. cottage cheese $1.00

2 cups mozzarella cheese $2.25 (purchased a larger bag of 4 cups on sale, save 1/2 for other receipe)

10 oz. chopped spinach $0.80

2 eggs $0.27

basil, oregano, salt and pepper to taste ( not calculated in price/considered pantry item)

Served Salad:

Organic Romaine Lettuce $1.65

Cucumber $0.65

Salad Dressing ( not calculated in price/considered pantry item)

TOTAL DINNER PRICE = $10.62

Although the price is $10.62, there was plenty left for Ted and I to take for lunch tomorrow. If you are feeding 3 or less, I would freeze 1/2 of the manicotti before you bake it.

KID TEST: 2 out of 3. Lily and Ethan loved it. Taylor ate it, but was not crazy about the spinach. But at the McWilliams there are 2 choices for dinner.....Take it or Leave it. He ate it :)

Month of Meals - “Wishing consumes as much energy as planning”

"She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Proverbs 31:15

Do you wish you could afford to provide healthy, cost effective meals for your family. Do you worry about what is going in your families bodies.....do you wish for a plan?? The wishing is over....I am not going to feel defeated before I begin. I am no longer going to tolerate high fructose corn syrup and hydrogentated oils harassing me at the grocery store! I believe a plan is our best defense!


Mission: To provide 30 delicious, heathy meals for $10 or less per meal for my family.

Mission Countdown: 50 days ( this will compensate for soccer games, life group, etc)

Details: My plan is to buy as much natural and organic products that I can afford. I will be using coupons. I will take pictures of meals along with detail list of products and cost.

GOAL: To prove we can feed our family and feel good about it on a budget!


So here goes.........