February Menu Plan

This month we're again focusing on using our pantry and freezer staples, but also trying to put a few meals in the freezer for when baby #2 comes.  I'm also focusing on including more whole grains and less sugar, since I've slipped up on these a bit (pregnancy cravings) and I think that's affecting my overall health some, which in turn is getting passed on to baby.  We're also going to take advantage of as many free meals as we can through community and church events.  We know there are at least two or three this month, so that will help out with the grocery budget too.

Looking at the menu, we'll need to purchase some of the following:

• organic milk
• butter
• ricotta cheese
• molasses 
• bananas
• cabbage
• apples
• other fresh fruit/veggies on sale

So, here's the plan for the month:

Breakfasts:  egg and cheese sandwiches, oatmeal with dried fruit and seeds/nuts, whole wheat banana muffins, cappuccino chocolate chip muffins (to satisfy the chocolate craving without a lot of sugar), fruit smoothies with freezer fruit or donated fruit from food pantry, whole wheat pancakes/waffles with eggs or sausage, homemade banana bread with jam or cream cheese, gingerbread pancakes, chunky monkey muffins (a chocolate, banana, peanut butter muffin)

Lunches:  leftovers, bean and cheese quesadillas with salsa, smoothies, homemade yogurt with fruit and granola/dry cereal

Dinners:  potato soup, loaded mac and cheese with broccoli and mushrooms, veggie stir fry over rice with egg rolls, crockpot lasagna soup with ricotta and mozzarella, rice and beans with cheese, salsa, and cornbread, black bean crockpot chili, lentil and turkey sloppy joes over potatoes or homemade bread, rosemary white bean soup (we'll add some diced veggies because we found it a bit thin last time), chicken with roasted root veggies (potatoes, turnips, and beets) and brown rice pilaf, turkey and black bean tacos with fixin's, homemade pizza with sausage, onion, mushroom, or whatever we have on hand (x 3-4; this is our standard Friday night dinner), maybe tomato basil soup, open faced meatball subs with oven fries, sausage and apple skillet meal over barley/brown rice

Snacks:  popcorn, homemade trail mix with nuts and dried fruit, fruit (usually oranges or bananas this time of year), homemade yogurt with dry cereal/granola or fruit, toast and jam, homemade hot cocoa

New Recipes to Try:  This is for my New Year's habit to break us out of the rut we sometimes get into.

• Crockpot Lasagna Soup (we actually tried it with Mom last night and it was very tasty)
• Gingerbread Pancakes
• Chunky Monkey Muffins (from Feed the Belly which has great recipes in general, but especially for pregnant mamas)

These aren't really menu items, but things I want to make this month before baby arrives next month. 

• Citrus Scouring Cleaner (we love this stuff and use it regularly in our bathroom.)
• Homemade Lotion Bars  (I'm hoping that we'll love these and that they'll make great Christmas gifts that I can make ahead.)

What about you?  How are you living and saving green with your menu this month?  I'd love to hear from you!