Cleaning the Fridge

I don't really like cleaning, but as I meal plan it's helpful to know what I have on hand as I make up my shopping list. Why buy sour cream etc.. if I already have it at home? It also helps use vegetables before they go yucky - I have 3 zucchini's leftover and some diced bacon, this will make a nice zucchini slice for lunch on Saturday all for "free".

So here is before:

And here is after:

There were a few bottles of dressing that had expired, a small bowl with spaghetti that had dried out, and half a lemon that had withered. I am pretty pleased with the fridge mainly needing a good wipe over and tidy.

This Thursday is my big shop so it won't be empty for long. I will post my meal plan tomorrow when it's finished, although I am thinking of joining in Menu Plan Monday - maybe I'll do a pantry challenge and see if I can stretch what's already in the house til then. Mmmm - I'll ponder on that...

Meal Planning and other disasters...

I did most of the meal plan yesterday and finished it off this morning after checking one of the supermarkets online catelogue that is only posted on Thursday mornings.


But I really didn't feel like it... am feeling a little "who cares" in the food department. But knowing I was going to post this kicked me into gear and helped keep me accountable - which is one of the main reason I started blogging about all of this in the first place.


So here are the fortnights meals:

Thursday: Noodles (kids choice - as in 2 min - I'm glad hubby & I won't be here!)
Friday: Sizzle Steak Burgers with chips
Saturday: Nacho's
Sunday: Chicken & vege soup with rolls (held over from last week due to the winter heatwave)
Monday: Corned Beef, mash potato & vege with parsley sauce
Tuesday: Bacon Tortellini
Wednesday: Sheperd's Pie with sweet potato mash topping

Thursday: Macaroni Cheese (kids only)
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Fish & Chips
Sunday: Chicken drumsticks, poato bake & vege
Monday: Lamb Curry with couscous
Tuesday: Beef & mushroom casserole
Wednesday: Chicken satay with rice


This fortnight I am going to keep a list of what we actually end up eating. Last fortnight we did a bit of changing around, but I can't remember exactly what and when. I want to know if I am feeling lazy on certain nights - should I plan an easier menu? Should I spend some time doing a mini OAMC for meat & sauce for spaghetti etc...

Will let you know how it goes!

Meal Planning

On one Wednesday I do a fortnightly meal plan. So, here is this fortnights meals:

Thursday: Macaroni Cheese (kids - we're out)
Friday: Meat Pies & Chips
Saturday: Homemade Burgers
Sunday: Roast Chicken, mash & veges with gravy
Monday: Beef Thai Green Curry with rice
Tuesday: Chow Mein
Wednesday: Chicken, barley & vege soup with rolls

Thursday: Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Friday: Homemade Pizza's
Saturday: Spaghetti Bolagnaise
Sunday: Pea & Ham Soup with pizza scrolls/rolls
Monday: Silverside, mash & veges with parsley sauce
Tuesday: Mex Tortilla Stack with salad
Wednesday: Leftover Soup & BLT foccacia

I have a budget of $295 per fortnight for food. This Wednesday I plan and shop for the breakfasts, lunches & main meals for two weeks. I will do a cupboard review next week and see what we may be needing, and also do a top up on fresh fruit & vege's and milk.

I will post tomorrow on how the shopping goes and how the budget stands!