The Proof & the Potatoes: Meal Plan (Pt. 3)

The following is our 10 day meal plan. Please scroll down to the other two posts to see the grocery list and the method behind the budget mania! If you like what you see and would like recipes, please let me know!

There will be certain items that you find yourself making almost daily from scratch. If you have not yet memorized the measurements, print or write out the recipes on one page and have on your refrigerator next to your meal plan. (This should also be printed out and hanging on your fridge or another spot that is easily accessible)

If you are packing a lunch for your husband, as we do, plan to set aside some of the meal from the night before for his portion the next day. I also add some fruit, tea bags/mug, and cut up veggies. Since we homeschool, the lunches mentioned are provided for them and myself during the day.

10 DAY MEAL PLAN

SUNDAY

BREAKFAST: BLUEBERRY MUFFINS, SCRAMBLED EGGS, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: BAKED CHICKEN, STEAMED BROCOLLI, BAKED YAMS
DINNER: TURKEY STROGANOFF, PEAS, BISCUITS, APPLESAUCE

MONDAY

BREAKFAST: CEREAL, TOAST, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: TUNA SALAD ON BREAD, PICKLES, PRETZLES, CHEESE SLICES
DINNER: (CHRISTMAS EVE) APPETIZERS; BBQ MEATBALLS, CHEESEBALL & CRACKERS, VEGGIES/RANCH DIP, REFRIED BEAN DIP & CHIPS

TUESDAY (CHRISTMAS DAY)

BREAKFAST: EGG FRITATTA, SAUSAGE LINKS, CINNAMON ROLLS, BACON, FRUIT, FRIED POTATOES, JUICE/MILK, HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE
LUNCH: DINNER AT IN-LAWS (TAKING MASHED POTATOES AND BROCCOLI SALAD)
DINNER: LEFTOVERS

WEDNESDAY

BREAKFAST: PANCAKES W/ FRUIT AND SYRUP, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: BAKED POTATO SOUP, CRACKERS, LEFTOVERS
DINNER: HOMEMADE PIZZA, SALAD/RANCH, & APPLESAUCE

THURSDAY

BREAKFAST: BISCUITS W/ HONEY & JAM, HOT OATMEAL, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: GRILLED CHEESE, CLEMINTINES, CORN
DINNER: CHILI (MADE W/ GROUND TURKEY), TORTILLA CHIPS, SOUR CREAM & SHREDDED CHEESE, BAKED APPLES, SALAD (CHOPPED ROMAINE)

FRIDAY

BREAKFAST: FRENCH TOAST, SYRUP, POWDERED SUGAR, FROZEN FRUIT SMOOTHIES
LUNCH: MAC N' CHEESE, TUNA SANDWICH, PEAS
DINNER: SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS, GARLIC CHEESE BISCUITS, SALAD, APPLESAUCE

SATURDAY

BREAKFAST: TOAST, CHEESY SCRAMBLED EGGS
LUNCH: CHEESEBURGERS, HOMEMADE ONION RINGS, RICE PUDDING, SALAD
DINNER: BAKED CHICKEN, ROLLS, CELERY SALAD, MASHED POTATOES

SUNDAY

BREAKFAST: BLUEBERRY MUFINS, YOGURT, OATMEAL, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: FAMILY REUNION; TAKING DESSERT: NO BAKE BARS
DINNER: CHICKEN QUESIDILLAS, BEAN DIP, CHIPS, BAKED PEACHES

MONDAY

BREAKFAST: COLD CEREAL, TOAST, JUICE/MILK
LUNCH: CREAMED CHICKEN CASSEROLE, BAKED CARROTS, RICE, ROLLS
DINNER: (NEW YEARS EVE) LEFTOVERS & APPETIZERS (MEALTBALLS)

TUESDAY (NEW YEARS DAY)

BREAKFAST: QUICHE, FRUIT
LUNCH: HOMEMADE PIZZA, APPLESAUCE, GREEN BEANS
DINNER: LEFTOVERS FROM THE WEEK

The Proof & the Potatoes: Grocery List (Pt 2)

The following was our 10 day shopping plan that included both Christmas & New Years. I allotted $100 for this plan, but our budget calls for a weekly shopping trip. Therefore, I have the ability (only if needed) to add some items such as fresh produce or dairy after the first seven days. Again, keep in mind that this was a holiday week. I am hoping to get the budget to around $75 weekly as time goes on.

FOOD GROCERY LIST

EGGS (2 dozen)

ORANGE JUICE ½ GAL

1 CAN FROZEN JUICE CONCENTRATE

ONE GALLON VIT D MILK

VEG SHORTNING

CHICKEN STRIPS

BUTTER

2 LBS GROUND TURKEY

1 BOX CLEMINTINES

1 LB BANANAS

1 BAG FROZENF FRUIT MEDLEY

10 LB BAKING POTATOES

SALAD- ROMAINE WHOLE BUNCHES

BACON (2 PK)

5 BLOCKS CHEESE

4 CANS REFRIED BEANS

2 HEAD BROCOLLI

DISH LIQUID

APPLESAUCE 3 JARS

SOUR CREAM 2 16 OZ TUBS

CREAM CHEESE 3 BLOCKS

BOX STROGANOFF MIX

CEREAL 1 BOX MAX

BREAD (2 LOAVES)

CRACKERS

TORTILLA CHIPS 2 BAGS

2 CANS DICED TOMATOES

AMERICAN CHEESE SLICES

BAG APPLES

KIDNEY BEANS *3 SMALL CANS

MAC N’ CHEESE *3 BOXES

PEAS-FROZEN

SPAGHETTI NOODLES 2 BOXES

HAMBURGER BUNS

BAKED BEANS

YOGURT (4)

TOTILLA SHELLS

PEACHES CANNED

CREAM OF SOUPS

SAUSAGE LINKS

The Budget

I Timothy 6:17-19

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

If you've read my profile you know that besides running shoes, my favorite attire of choice is an apron. I love my kitchen and spend 80% of my time in here. So, grocery shopping is quite the outing for me. I enjoy browsing all the produce, snacking in the bakery department and as of late have made friends with the butcher. I love sales and usually only purchase what is on clearance for that week. Still, I knew I was going over my spending amount from our budget when it came to the checkout line 'total'.


I was shocked, however, to realize after some calculations that I was almost spending twice my allotted amount in the food category! I have made my New Years resolution early this year and am going to start planning out meals and shopping lists to make sure we are disciplined to our budget! Although we are blessed to not have car payments or credit card debt, it is still so easy to find myself spending above and beyond.



I wanted to bring your attention to some great websites that I have on my 'favorites'. All three have a Biblical perspective on stewardship. I've spent most of the afternoon working on our new plan and these sites were very helpful!

The first is the "Hillbilly Housewife". It is a fabulous free site that lists menu options, shopping lists, tips, and more for the the money conscious family.


"Living on a Dime" is also a great site to get inexpensive e-books on money management, debt, grocery tips, cleaning & household ideas, and much more! There are no shipping fees since the downloads are immediate to your computer.


If you have not yet had the opportunity to listen to Dave Ramsey during his radio broadcasts, I encourage you to click on the link in my sidebar to hear some of his wisdom on money management and debt. He is the foremost authority on the 'plastectomy' (aka: cutting up your credit cards!)

I look forward to hearing your ideas of stewardship for your family! I find that it is important all year round, but especially during this season of gift giving, parties, and reunion style family dinners!