I hope everyone is well and you were able to get what you need to make it through these difficult times.
Knowing there was a possibility of school closings and the inevitable rush on the grocery stores, I increased our food budget, adding more items to the cart. I started the additional shopping on Friday, February 28 at Costco. I continued to pick up additional items on subsequent trips to various grocery stores until we made are final run to the markets on Sunday, March 15.
Our college student will be home for the rest of the school year and the summer session is still in question. Our 3 children in the public school system will be home until March 31 at the earliest but that can, and probably, will change. At this time I am anticipating no school through the end of the year.
I want to avoid crowds going further, so I've meal planned for the next 4 weeks. The following plan is for 6 people; 2 adults and 4 children (ages 21, 13, 8, and 7). I do not eat so, when needed, I make a meatless alternative.
What is in my freezer after we have stocked up from February 28 - March 15:
- 2- Ground Beef (1 lb. pkg., 2 meals)
- 1- Ground Beef (1.33 lb. pkg. 1 meal)
- 1- Turkey Tenderloin (1.88 lb. 2 meals)
- 1- Whole Chicken (3 lb. 3 meals)
- 1- Chicken Breast (2 lb. 2 meals)
- 1- Sliced Ham (1.8 lb. 2 meals)
- 1- Ground Pork (1 lb. pkg. 2 meals)
- 1- Ground Turkey (1 lb. 1 meal)
- 1- Veggie Crumble (1 lb. 1 meal)
- 1- Turkey Hotdogs (1 lb. 2 meals)
- 1- Beef Hotdog (1 lb. 2 meals)
- 1- Deli Turkey Breast (1 lb. 1 meal)
- 1- Deli Ham (1 lb. 1 meal)
- 1 1/2 Pkg. Chicken Nuggets (3 meals)
Week of March 15
Proteins Used/On Hand:- Turkey Tenderloin (1/1)
- Roaster Chicken (1/1)
- 1/2 Pkg. of Beef Hotdogs (1/2)
- 1/2 Bag Chicken Nuggets (1/3)
Sunday: Spice Rubbed Turkey Tenderloin w/ Dominican Rice & Black Beans
Monday: Roasted Chicken w/ Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday: Chicken or Left Over Turkey Tenderloin Tacos
Wednesday: Chicken Soup & Lentil Soup w/ Homemade French Bread
Thursday: Chicken Nuggets or Hotdogs & Fries & Salad (Veggie Meatballs for me)
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Spaghetti & Meatballs
Week of March 22
Proteins Used/On Hand:- 2 Frozen Chicken (1/3)
- Ground Beef (1/3)
- Ground Turkey (1/1)
- 1/2 pkg. Deli Ham (1/2)
Sunday: Chicken in Slow Cooker & Roasted Potatoes
Monday:Scrambled Eggs w/ Deli Ham & Homemade Bread
Tuesday:Fried Rice & Potstickers w/ leftover chicken
Wednesday: Chili w/ Corn Bread Muffins
Thursday: Plain Spaghetti w/ French Bread
Friday: Bean Enchiladas
Saturday: Turkey Burgers & Veggie Burgers w/ Fries
Week of March 29
Protein Used/On Hand:- 2 Frozen Chicken (2/3)
- Ground Pork (1/1)
- 1/2 Pkg. of Hotdogs (1/1)
- Turkey Lunch Meat (1/2)
- 1/2 Bag Chicken Nuggets (2/3)
Sunday: Salsa Chicken w/ Spanish Rice
Monday: Ground Pork Stir Fry w/ Potstickers
Tuesday: Taquitos (add chicken to some)
Wednesday: Chicken Tenders or Hotdogs w/ Fries
Thursday: Deli Turkey Lunch Meat Sandwiches
Friday: Spaghetti w/ Sauce & Added 1/3 lb. Pork & French Bread
Saturday: Hamburgers Burgers
Week of April 5
Proteins Used/On Hand:- 2 Frozen Chicken (3/3)
- Breakfast Sausage (1/1)
- Ground Beef (3/3)
- 1/2 Pkg. of Beef Hotdogs (2/2)
- 1/2 Bag Chicken Nuggets (3/3)
Sunday: Chicken Rice & Beans
Monday: Soup & Homemade Bread
Tuesday: Left Overs
Wednesday: Chicken Tenders or Hotdogs w/ Fries
Thursday: Spaghetti (Can use the sliced ham)
Friday: Breakfast for Dinner (Chicken Sausage Patties)
Saturday: Spaghetti & Meatballs
At the end of the 4 week meal plan my freezer should look like this:
2- Ground Beef (1 lb. pkg., 2 meals)1- Ground Beef (1.33 lb. pkg. 1 meal)1- Turkey Tenderloin (1.88 lb. 2 meals)1- Whole Chicken (3 lb. 3 meals)- 1- Chicken Breast (2 lb. 2 meals)
- 1- Sliced Ham (1.8 lb. 2 meals)
1- Ground Pork (1 lb. pkg. 2 meals)
1- Ground Turkey (1 lb. 1 meal)- 1- Veggie Crumble (1 lb. 1 meal)
- 1- Turkey Hotdogs (1 lb. 2 meals)
1- Beef Hotdog (1 lb. 2 meals)- 1- Deli Turkey Breast (1 lb. 1 meal)
- 1- Deli Ham (1 lb. 1 meal)
1 1/2 Pkg. Chicken Nuggets (3 meals)