*it was overcast when I took these photos!
Even though I am not publishing menus anymore, I am still feeding myself at home. I'm still not all that jazzed about cooking, but I know that it is the best way for me to get the nutrition I need and not spend a fortune. This particular week, I spent $80 for the next two weeks. On grocery days, I start out by cleaning the inside of the fridge to freshen it up.
Then I might start a crockpot to make dinner easy. (today it was some ribs I had in the freezer) I hit some markdowns at HEB and used my partner card (Son #2 works in their bakery). I think I did fairly well and I have a collection of things to pull out for dinners and lunches.
I bought a package of 5 lemon pepper chicken quarters for $3.89 total out of pocket. They went right into the oven as soon as I got home. Once they cooled, I was able to shred the meat into 5 ziploc bags for a total of 78 cents a portion. The bones went right into a small pot on the stove to simmer for stock.
I poured it into small jars, just right for one person.
While the chicken was cooking I made taco meat with lean ground turkey I got for $5.39 total. Not as great a deal as the chicken, but with my own seasonings and a little time, it ended up being 4 freezer portions at $1.35 each. Once it is cooled, I portion it out and place all the small bags into big freezer ziploc and I can easily grab one to add to a salad or other meal. Taco meat is good in quesadillas or heated up over a baked sweet potato. A very easy way to feed myself when I don't feel like cooking.
I also snagged a package of chuck for $3.94 and that got divided up and frozen. These baskets in my freezer aren't Pinterest-worthy, but they help organize the cooked items from the uncooked. I label the bags so I can see what I might be getting low on. And I usually look at the menus the night before, so I can toss something into the fridge to thaw. All told, I spent $13.22 and got 13 portions of protein.
Once I had the meats sorted, I pulled out some things from the fridge and freezer to make breakfast tacos for work days. I had 8 tortillas leftover from a week or so ago, so I combined them with 8 breakfast links, 8 eggs, and a sliced red bell pepper. I roll each one in a foil sheet and store them in a gallon size freezer ziploc. Then on work mornings, I will toss one into the oven on low while I get ready for work. The taco usually stays warm in my tote bag until I eat, around 8 a.m. I usually alternate tacos with oatmeal so I don't eat the same breakfast all three days.
The rest of that dozen of eggs went onto the stove for boiled eggs to keep in the fridge. These are good for a protein snack or to slice into a salad.
I also loaded up my fruit bowl and keep it front and center in my kitchen to encourage me to eat more fruit. I quit buying waffles, so I eat granola and yogurt during the week for breakfast (or a small bit of leftover dinner with a fried egg!) Lately I am leaning into sardines once a week, lots of salads with added protein, or a sandwich for lunch. In this way, I can keep the eating out down to once a week. What are some routines you use to help feed yourself? I'm all ears!
Gina
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