Kale Pizza

I've been learning new ways to use kale, besides just putting it into green smoothies and lasagna.  This is one of our absolute favorites.  Amazing.  The picture doesn't do it justice, believe me.  Or don't.  Just go try it for yourself.  :-)


Kale Pizza

3 really large handfuls chopped kale (You can buy a bag of pre-chopped kale or chop it yourself)
3 cloves garlic (use more or less to taste)
olive oil
parmesan cheese
mozzarella cheese
goat cheese (optional)

Make homemade pizza dough.  Yum!

Spread the dough out on a 9x13 pan.

{I actually like to use one recipe of dough to make 2 pizzas sometimes.  It makes a more thin and crispy crust.  I have done the Kale Pizza with the thick crust and the thin crust, and we liked the thin better.}

Spread olive oil all over the top of the dough.

Place the kale and garlic in a medium sized bowl (you need a bowl with a lid that fits it).  Drizzle a good amount of olive oil on the kale and garlic.

Put the lid on the bowl and shake until the kale and garlic are all coated with oil.

Dump it all on your pizza.  :-)

Sprinkle goat cheese, a little parmesan cheese, and then mozzarella cheese on top.

Pop it in the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes.  I do 10 for thin crust, 15 for thick crust.

The kale will get a little crispy, and it's oh.my.goodness, soo good.

My husband said it was the best I'd ever made.

Menu Planning Monday 12-5-11

Getting up at 6:00 in the morning is seeming like a pretty good idea lately.  Right now it means I have a few minutes of quiet to spend with Jesus and blog or whatever before the children all get up.  That is a REALLY GOOD THING for this mama, considering the high stress of life lately.  Even the chance to write out my menu plan is rather exciting.  I know, call me crazy!  :-)

So here we go.  What we're eating this week...


Monday - Baked Brown Rice, Black Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Salad

Tuesday - Cilantro Lime Rice, Black Beans, Salad

Wednesday - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Fruit

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Crockpot Taco Soup

Saturday - Pumpkin Pancakes

Sunday - Leftovers


For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

The 200 Challenge - December 2011

So, we used cash for the month of November, and it was really good.  It helped out a lot with keeping track of where we were at with the spending and with having a visual of how much was left.  I also managed to stay out of Walmart for almost the entire month, and it looks like my guess of what we would need for the month was pretty close.  :-)

I was thinking a bit today about how much our eating has changed with being back on this $200 budget.  We are learning to be content with less and to be content without many of the things that we want {but don't need}, which is good.  For example, we used to eat a lot of bread, muffins, etc. and now we eat so much less of that.  We don't make as many sweet treats, because we have cut way back on how much honey we buy.  We also eat A LOT of rice and beans.  But that's ok, because we are learning many ways to make it new and different. So overall, it's going well.

For the monthly totals, in November we spent $219.94 out of our $200 budget, meaning that we were $19.94 over.  Better than last month, but we've still got to get just a little bit tighter.  So far we haven't been to the store for December yet, and I know we still have enough food for several more dinners.  Hopefully I can stay out of the store for a little bit longer!

How did you do with your budget for November?

Menu Planning Monday 11-14-11

I've been MIA with the menu planning for the last few weeks.  I did menu plan part of the time, but just didn't post it, and the rest of the time was just a make-random-meals-as-they-come type thing.  Menu planning helps so much!  Whenever I get loose on it, it is so much harder to get dinner done on time and to stay on budget.  Although I do have to say that I'm getting much better at throwing together decent meals super quick.  :-)

I've managed to stay out of the store so far since this post.  Here's what we have on the menu for this week!


Monday - Cheesy Vegetable Chowder, Baked Butternut Squash,  Breadsticks

Tuesday - Lasagna {with Homemade Sauce}, Salad, Breadsticks

Wednesday - Minestrone Soup, Oranges

Thursday - Taco Salad, Chips & Salsa

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Easy Italian Pasta, Garlic Bread, Fruit

Sunday - Pancakes


For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

The 200 Challenge - November 2011

I KNOW.  I'm super late posting this...sorry.  Life has been busy, and I just got carried away living it.  But, I'm back now.  :-)

Ok, so I'm beginning to think that we just need to raise the budget.  Seems like we have a trend of going over now.  I don't think my strategy from last month went very well.  Being in the store more inevitably makes me spend more.  Since that wasn't the best plan, I'm trying something a little different this month.  But first for the totals...

Out of our $200 budget for October, we spent $224.28.  Yikes!  That means that we were $24.28 over our budget.

So...new plan for November?  I decided that it would be better to withdraw cash and put it in an envelope for our food budget.  I used to be good about doing this, but recently I have been in the habit of just using the debit card, which makes it a bit harder to keep up with everything exactly.  So, back to the envelope system...I think this will be really good.

Also, I took a big trip to the store today and bought a bunch of staples {things like beans, rice, peanut butter, etc.} and tried to guess about what we would need for the rest of the month.  I also bought produce and some dairy items and I plan to stay out of the store for most of the rest of this month.  We'll see how that goes!  I think this will help me to see how many bags of rice we use a month, etc. and hopefully help me plan better.

The main plan is...we're just going to keep working at it.  :-)

For November we've spent $152.30 out of our $200 budget.  I'll try to update on this again later!


Please tell me that someone else is having a hard time staying under budget too?

Menu Planning Monday 10-17-11

So far we're doing pretty good on the 200 Challenge for this month.  We've spent $136.36 out of our $200 budget for October.  We discovered a new discount store that sells dented and expired items for pretty cheap.  You never know what is there as it varies depending on whatever they get in their shipments, but had a bit of basics when we went and a good bit of organic items, so it was nice to find out that I can get some things there and stretch the $200 just a little further.  Here's the menu plan for this week!


Monday - Spaghetti, Green Beans, Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Enchilada Casserole, Chips, Apples

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Lentil Rice Casserole, Curried Potatoes, Salad

Friday - Burritos, Fruit

Saturday - Creamy Avocado Pasta, Green Beans, Garlic Bread

Sunday - Black Bean Soup, Pumpkin Pie


For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Taco Salad

I know this is so super simple, but it is one of our favorites here.  :-)  Taco Salad {aka Build your own haystacks} is healthy and yummy and makes a really quick supper.


Taco Salad
Add the following ingredients as desired in whatever order you please!
Lettuce {any kind you want}
Beans {sometimes we use refried beans and sometimes black beans}
Spanish Rice
Tomatoes
Cheese
Olives
Sour Cream
Salsa {we love Homemade Salsa - pictured here, or Pico De Gallo}

Add some chips and that's it!

Enjoy!  :-)

Menu Planning Monday 10-10-11

This week's menu may seem a little boring...full of beans and rice and potatoes...but I don't plan on going to the store this week unless just to pick up some fruit.  :-)  Here's what we'll be eating.


Monday - Perfect Potatoes, Brown Rice, Carrots

Tuesday - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Lentil Soup, Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes

Friday - Make your own Sandwiches, Fruit

Saturday - Red Beans & Rice, Fruit

Sunday - Taco Salad, Chips & Salsa

For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

The 200 Challenge - October 2011

September was a hard month on the 200 Challenge.  You can already tell that we failed again, can't you?  I'm still glad that we have a goal set though, even if it is really hard to stick with it and to make ends meet.  I am constantly reminded of how much food prices have gone up.  I am also constantly reminded of those who make do on much less with a good attitude. 

I've decided to use a slightly different approach for October, to see if it makes any difference.  Instead of grabbing items {that I want to stock up on for later} while I shop, I'm going to try only buying the exact items that we need for the meals we will be eating for the week.  That does mean that I will be in the store every week, but I think it will help me to not end up with 2 jars of peanut butter left at the end of the month, and no rice.  :-)

So here are the totals.  Out of our $200 budget for the month of September, we spent $211.73, which means we spent $11.73 over our budget.  I do feel like it has been a really busy month and I think I could have been more on top of it with planning better menus {to use exactly the things we already had in the pantry} and I could have kept better track of the amount of money we had left each week, too.  So my goal for this month is to sit down and total everything the same day I go to the store.

How did you do?

What helps you stay on top of your budget goal?  Do you shop weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?  Do you have a special trick or strategy that helps you out?  Please share it!  :-)

Also, how do you deal with extra stuff like having guests over, or birthday parties?  Right now, I'm not including those things in our budget if it's extra items that we purchased specifically for a hospitality event.

Potato Cheddar Soup

This soup is sooo good on a cold day!  Actually, we like it even on not so cold days too.  Paired with some rolls or focaccia bread, yum!  :-)  Easy and versatile, it will probably quickly become a favorite in your home, just like it is in ours.


Potato Cheddar Soup
4 cups (approx.) Potatoes {peeled & diced}
1 large onion {finely chopped}
1 stick celery {finely chopped}
1 carrot {finely chopped}
4 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups milk or water {I use water most of the time}
2-3 Tbs. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. dried sage
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 cup of grated cheddar cheese

Melt butter in large pot over medium heat.  Add chopped onion, celery, and carrot {I just chop these in the food processor}.  Cook, stirring often, until soft, about 10 minutes.

Add broth, water {if using milk, add later}, potatoes, and salt.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered until potatoes are tender, approximately 15 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the potatoes to a medium bowl and mash with a potato masher until desired consistency.  If you like a thicker soup, leave a few larger chunks and don't mash the potatoes super fine {this is the way I do it}.

Put the mashed potatoes back into the soup pot.

Stir in flour and spices with a whisk. 

Bring soup to a boil, then simmer {stirring often} until the soup thickens a little {about 5 minutes}.

Stir in cheese {and milk, if you are using it}.

Serve.

Enjoy!

Today's harvest...

  Tonight's dinner.  :-)

So Simple Spice Cake

This Spice Cake makes a good breakfast cake or snack cake {It's similar to muffins}.  The molasses and spices give it such a yummy and unique flavor!


So Simple Spice Cake
1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup oil
1 egg {I like to use a flaxseed egg substitute}
2 cups flour {I use a mixture of whole wheat & all purpose}
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Stir together applesauce, molasses, oil, and egg till blended.

Stir in remaining ingredients.

Pour batter into a greased 9 x 9 pan.

Bake 45 minutes or until cake is done in the center.

Enjoy!

Menu Planning Monday 9-12-11

I feel like I'm in a bit of a rut with the menu this week...trying to make yummy stuff and NOT go to the store, but my creativity is not working with me!  So...what's your best frugal-get-out-of-a-rut-recipe?


Dinners -
Monday - Easy Italian Pasta, Chicken, Salad, Bread

Tuesday - Bean, Rice, & Cheese Burritos, Fruit

Wednesday - Potato Cheddar Soup, Focaccia Bread

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Cilantro Lime Rice, Black Beans, Fruit

Saturday - Homemade Pizza, Veggies & Easy Cream Cheese Veggie Dip

Sunday - Leftovers

Breakfasts - 
Spice Cake
Oatmeal {with raisins & coconut oil}
Cereal
Date Muffins
Grits & Eggs

Lunches - 
PB & Honey Sandwiches
Lettuce & Tomato Sandwiches
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Leftovers
Fruit
Yogurt
Veggies

For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Easy Cream Cheese Veggie Dip

This is a yummy dip for veggies or pita chips and also makes a great spread for sandwiches, tortilla roll-ups, bagels or crackers.  I love that it has fresh veggies, but they are ground up so small that your children won't even know they are eating them!  My kiddos love this stuff!  :-)


Easy Cream Cheese Veggie Dip or Spread
1 {8oz.} block cream cheese
1/2 carrot
1/4 bell pepper
1/4 cucumber
1/2 stick celery
1/4 cup broccoli

Pick 3 veggies from the ingredient list and chop them finely in a food processor.  {The 1st time I used carrot, bell pepper, and cucumber.  The 2nd time I used carrot, bell pepper, and celery.  Both were good!}

Place cream cheese and chopped veggies in a medium bowl and mix together well.  I used an electric hand mixer.

Serve and enjoy!

Menu Planning Monday 9-5-11

This past week we were gone a lot visiting with family, so some of the menu changed and I didn't end up making everything I had planned, but it still worked out good.  I made one grocery store trip {all by myself with 4 kiddos...whew!} and spent $58.53 out of our $200 monthly budget, leaving us with $136.13 for the rest of September.  I'd better stay out of the store.  Here's our menu for this week!

Dinners - 
Monday - Potato Cheddar Soup, Artisan Bread {last week}

Tuesday -Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps, Fruit

Wednesday - Homemade Pizza, Veggies & Dip {dip recipe coming soon!}

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Homemade Spaghetti, Meatballs, Salad, Bread

Saturday -Bean & Rice Enchilada Casserole {recipe coming soon!}, Salad

Sunday - Leftovers


Breakfasts - 
Simple Granola
Oatmeal {with raisins, cinnamon, & coconut oil}
Yogurt with Fruit
Eggs and Toast
Spice Cake

Lunches - 
PB & Honey Sandwiches
Lettuce & Tomato Sandwiches
Leftovers
Veggies & Dip
Fruit

For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

The 200 Challenge - September 2011

 
So...here we go.  August was our 2nd month back on the 200 Challenge.  I'm not feeling so good at this right now.  We did ok until about the last week, and then it didn't go so well.  I think the biggest mistake that I made was running into the store to grab some stuff in a hurry and not taking my calculator along to add it up as I went.  I was trying to tally it all up in my head as I sped through the store and couldn't keep count, so then I ended up spending more than what we had left in our budget at that point.  I've made a mental note not to do that again.

Ready for the totals?  Because I don't exactly want to tell you.  Out of our $200 budget, we spent $209.47, meaning we spent $9.47 over our budget.  I just keep telling myself that at least having a goal gets me closer than if I didn't have a goal at all.  :-)  And...we'll try again next month, right?

So don't be discouraged if you didn't quite make it under budget either.  We're going to stick with it and do our best.  :-)

Hello September!  It's only the 1st day and we have already spent $5.34.  That's better than last time though!  I think pushing the grocery shopping back for a day, and then another day, etc., sort of helps me, because the longer I stay out of the store the less I spend.

I don't actually have many meals for September planned out yet, but you can see this week's menu here.

**I'm not including a link-up for now, but if you are doing the 200 challenge please blog about it and leave your link in the comments, or just comment and tell me how you're doing.**

Menu Planning Monday 8-29-11

 So...we didn't do so well on our budget this week.  Not to mention right now I'm sitting here thinking of several things I wish we had, but I know it is good for us to learn not to take everything we want for granted.  Did I say this challenge is hard?  I'll be giving the complete update in just a few days, including the details about what went wrong.  You just have to keep going!

Dinners -
Monday - Mexican Casserole {from last week}

Tuesday - Basil Pesto {freezer}, Fruit, Garlic Bread

Wednesday - We'll be at a meeting with dinner provided

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup, Salad

Saturday - Potato Cheddar Soup, Salad, Rolls

Sunday - Leftovers

Breakfasts - 
Oatmeal {with raisins, cinnamon, coconut oil}
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Oatmeal {with bananas & cinnamon}
Malt O' Meal

Lunches - 
Sandwiches
Leftovers
Fruit Smoothies
Veggies & Dip

For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Planning Monday 8-22-11

It's a struggle this month as we get near the end of the month and the budget already feels really tight.  I do need to pick up a few things from the store this week.  As of now, we have spent  $171.44 of our $200 grocery budget so far this month, leaving us with only $28.56 for the rest of August.  Time to do some serious stretching!


Dinners -
Monday -  Crockpot Taco Soup/Chili Beans {from the freezer}

Tuesday - Spaghetti {freezer}, Garlic Bread, Veggie

Wednesday - We'll be at a meeting with dinner provided

Thursday - Mexican Casserole, Fruit

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Perfect Potatoes, Tilapia, Veggie, Biscuits

Sunday - Leftovers

Breakfasts - 
Grits, Eggs, Biscuits
Oatmeal {with rasins, cinnamon, & coconut oil}
Malt O' Meal
Cereal
Oatmeal Raisin Muffins

Lunches - 
Burritos
Sandwiches
Yogurt
Fruit
Leftovers

For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Planning Monday 8-15-11

 Eeek...this 200 Challenge is hard!  We are still under budget for August, but we are doing a lot of eating things that might not be what we would pick if we could pick whatever we wanted.  It makes us feel really thankful for what we have though.  We are very blessed to have plenty of food to eat.  Here's what our budget totals look like so far this month.  With a few shopping trips, we've spent $27.11 this past week, plus $133.47 earlier this month, all out of our $200 budget, leaving $39.42 left for the rest of August.

I'm trying to stretch some meals too.  Last week I made Homemade Pizza, but instead of just making one, I used the same recipe and made two pizzas with mostly the same amount of ingredients.  I did add a little bit of extra tomato and basil.  It was a thin crust {yummy!} which turned out great and we had a lot of pizza leftover to eat for lunches over the next few days.


Dinners - 
Monday - Black Beans & Brown Rice Casserole, Salad

Tuesday - Chicken & Wild Rice Bake, Curried Potatoes, Broccoli

Wednesday - Easy Italian Pasta, Garlic Bread,

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Taco Salad, Fresh Fruit

Saturday - Lentil Rice Casserole, Tilapia, Biscuits

Sunday - Leftovers

Breakfasts - 
Oatmeal {with honey, cinnamon, & coconut oil}
Orange Cranberry Muffins {from last week}
Malt O' Meal
Spice Cake
Cereal

Lunches - 
Leftovers
Sandwiches
Bean, Rice, & Cheese Burritos
Fruit
Veggies

For more menu planning visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Fruity Yogurt Sundae

This is one treat you can eat without feeling guilty!  The Fruity Yogurt Sundae is yummy and healthy.  It makes a great breakfast, snack, or dessert.  I just finished eating this for lunch today!  :-)


Fruity Yogurt Sundae
Plain Yogurt
Granola
Fruit {I used Peaches here, but I've also used blueberries and bananas before, so do whatever you like!}
A drizzle of honey {optional - I do this once in a while for an extra special treat}

Grab a bowl and put all of the ingredients in one at a time.

Yes, it's that easy!  :-)

Enjoy!