$50 Meal Plan Challenge #4 {Indiana Family of Farmers}

It's almost hard to believe we've been doing this challenge for four months now. I hope some of you have found some useful tips when it comes to feeding your family on a budget, or maybe at least a recipe or two you want to try. 

This month's $50 challenge is even more helpful than in months past. See, we just got back from a two week vacation in Florida, and all that fun leads to some much needed budget following back here at home. You know how it is, you save for a vacation so you can enjoy yourself, you eat out a lot, you let the normal day to day budget worries slide a little, and then you come back and reality rears its ugly head. But hey, that's what vacation is for...having fun and relaxing! 

So we are home and it's time to get back on track with economical, wallet friendly meal plans that I can feed my family without breaking the bank. This time of year, I love focusing on fresh veggies and fruits because they are in season, and at their best prices, both at the grocery store, or if I'm really lucky, a local farmer's market.  Yes, we love to grill out and barbecue too, but I try to fit in the fresh produce wherever I can too.

The new recipe I'm sharing today is actually one I developed for my little guy. See, our favorite pizza place in the world just happens to be in New Smyrna Beach, Florida where we vacation. Not only do they have hands down the BEST pizza on the face of the planet, but amazing pasta dishes as well. And this time during one of our five visits ( yes in a two week period), we all decided to have pasta instead of our usual pizza. Boy, we weren't disappointed. It was just as delicious as anything we could get at that famous Italian chain restaurant, and easily something I could recreate for him at home. 

Plus, it's super budget friendly and you can stretch a few ingredients to feed a hungry crowd! You might even have most of them on hand right now in the kitchen! Oh, and it can be on the table in under an hour!

Meal #1

Cobb Salad Boats

Watermelon

Meal #2

Grilled Steak

Summer Corn Salad

Baked Potatoes

Meal #3

Creamy Baked Ziti*

Garlic Bread

Meal #4

Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole

Cantaloupe

Biscuits

There you have it. What I could feed my family for $50. Pretty good, huh? Now like always, remember a couple things. One, we have freezer beef, so those grilled steaks are already paid for, making it easier for me to stay in budget with such a treat. Two, I shop at Aldi's, Kroger and Walmart. I get everything at the best price possible and watch sales very closely. And finally, we all know different areas of this country have different prices, so maybe where you live, only 3 of these could be made for $50. That's okay! We all do the best we can with what we have! 

Creamy Baked Ziti

1 lb. ziti

1 (24 oz.) meat flavored spaghetti sauce

1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained

6 oz. cream cheese, diced

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. dried basil

3/4 c. sour cream

2 c. shredded mozzarella, divided

1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and Pepper

Dried Parsley

Preheat oven to 375. Boil pasta to just al dente. Do not over cook. While pasta cooks, in a large skillet combine spaghetti sauce and diced tomatoes. Stir in cream cheese until completely melted and combined. Season with garlic powder, basil, salt and pepper. Stir until mixed well. Reduce heat to low. When pasta is cooked, drain well. Add to sauce mixture and stir to combine. Add 1/2 pasta mixture to 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with sour cream and spread to make a layer. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Add rest of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with a little parsley before serving.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

$50 Meal Plan Challenge Month #3 { Indiana Family of Farmers}

Whew....where did May go? That's okay though. It's June 1st and that means we only have 7 more days of school. Yes, thanks to all those snow days we have class until June 8th. But the beginning of the month also means it's time for me to take the $50 meal plan challenge once again, and share my ideas with all of you! 

This meal plan was actually one designed around our Memorial Day weekend a couple weeks ago. One of our favorite summer time activities is heading to a local park, complete with splash pad, and let the boy run in the sun, play in the water, and then enjoy a tasty meal. And if I plan it just right, watch the sale ads, and buy carefully, a fun day can also be economical! I love when I can give my family great time, make some memories and still stay on budget!

Meal 1 (Picnic)

Fried Chicken

Tex-Mex Pasta Salad*

Deviled Eggs

Nectarines

Chips

Cookies

** I knew with the holiday weekend our local stores would have their deli fried chicken on special. I was able to get 8 pieces for only $4.99. The pasta salad was a great deal because it used many pantry items, and made enough for us to eat, and then have leftovers for lunch all week long. Plus, it's a new recipe to share with all of you!

Meal 2

Dijon Chicken Lettuce Cups

Fresh Pineapple

Cottage Cheese

** I love making salads and light meals during the hot days of summer; plus not serving it on bread or rolls can sometimes save some cash. Plus this week our local Aldi had a coupon for $3 off fresh meat. I got over 2 lbs. of chicken for about $2! Oh, and they had the pineapple for $.99 too. Seriously, if you have an Aldi in your area and have never shopped there, check it out! They have great food (even gluten free and organic) at GREAT prices!

Meal 3

Grilled Steaks

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Horseradish Coleslaw

** If this is your first time reading my challenge posts, seeing the word "steak" might confuse you when I'm supposed to be on budget. So let me explain for those of you who don't know. We have freezer beef on hands at all times. Sure, the initial cost might be something we have to save for, but over time it saves us a ton of money. If you have never looked into it, check with your local butcher and see if this might be an economical option for your family too.

Meal 4

Eggs

Sausage Links

Hashbrowns

Fruit Cocktail

** Breakfast for supper is a great way to feed your family on the cheap! For this menu, it was even better because I had already bought eggs for the picnic, so now had a great use for the extra ones.

So there you have it. Four meals for $50. I love being able to share these ideas with you, and maybe give you something you can start using to keep the weekly grocery store trip a little easier on the wallet!

Tex-Mex Pasta Salad

1 lb. tri color rotini, cooked, rinsed with cold water and drained

1 green pepper, chopped

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained

3/4 c. canned corn

1/2 c. sliced black olives

1 (16 oz.) jar salsa

1/2 c. sour cream

2 tsp. garlic powder

3/4 tsp. cumin

2 TBS dried parsley

1/2 c. shredded Cheddar Jack cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 green onions, chopped

In a medium bowl combine salsa, sour cream, cumin, and garlic powder. Mix well. In a large bowl combine pasta, green pepper, black beans, olives corn, parsley, and cheese. Toss to combine. Pour dressing over. Stir well. Season with salt and pepper. Chill for at least an hour before serving. Garnish with green onions. 

Shared on The Country Cook June 5, 2015

$50 Challenge Month #2 {Indiana Family of Farmers}

It's that time once again! Time to see how many meals I can make with $50, and share them with all of you. 

In case you didn't see the first go round, this fun challenge is being brought to you by my good friends and Indiana Family of Farmers, and there are a couple rules. First off, each meal must include a meat protein. Secondly, the meals can be for breakfast, lunch or dinner. That's it! 

This month I decided to focus on the meal planning itself. I know many of you are big planners, some of you are the "fly by the seat of your pants" type when it comes to dinnertime, and some would love to meal plan if they had just a little guidance. So, I'm here to help. Maybe you don't do it all, and you want to start, or maybe you just want a better way. My thought process explained out, and each meal broke down to why I made it, then at the end, you get a new recipe too!

As many of you know, my meal plans are done on a weekly basis. I know for some that isn't a good fit, but for our family, it works best. I grocery shop weekly, and buy what I need for that plan. To make it easier, here is my thought process. 

Step 1. Write out meal plan for the upcoming week. Include main dishes and sides. 

Step 2. Write out "first draft" of grocery list, including everything needed for meal plan.

Step 3. Check out sale papers to see what bargains are available, and adjust meal plan accordingly. If pork is on sale and not chicken, why not take advantage of it? 

Step 4. Revise meal plan with additions/subtractions according to sales.

Step 5. Finalize grocery list. 

There you have it. That's what I do every. single. week. It might seem redundant to some, but for me, it works. So, for this particular meal plan, I will show you the finalized product, and how we got there. 

Meal #1

Egg, Bacon and Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches

Skillet Southern Style Home Fries*

Fruit Cocktail

Breakfast for dinner is always a great way to stretch a buck, but this week it was even more so because the eggs were on sale, as were the potatoes, which were actually used in another meal too. Plus, the bacon? Have you ever tried the pre-cooked variety? It's usually cheaper than it's fresh cousin, and I love using it on sandwiches because the pieces are smaller, and stay flat. 

Meal #2

Oven Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken 

Rice Pilaf

Fresh Green Beans

Chicken? On a budget? Yep, this week! I didn't originally have it on the menu, but a local store had it on sale for $1.77 per pound for the family pack. So, I knew I could use it for this meal, and freeze the rest. Plus, the same store had green beans on mega sale for $.77/lb! I usually have to wait for summer for such a great deal! 

Meal #3

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Dinner Rolls

This is a good time to remind you that we have freezer beef on hand at all times. So whenever I can include it in our menu plan, I know I will save some money. Plus, this is where those potatoes from Meal #1 come into play again. Actually, they were bought for this meal, and the leftovers used in that one. And the dinner rolls? They were on clearance at Kroger. Be sure you check their bread section if you shop on Fridays or Mondays! Ours always has great mark downs! 

Meal #4

Chili Pasta Bake

Garlic Bread

This meal was actually on the original menu plan, and remained, unchanged. So why did I include it? Because without the amazing sales I got on the items in the first 3 meals, I wouldn't have been able to include this one in my $50 budget. Plus, it's a great one for budget friendly planning since it only uses 1/2 a pound of pasta--perfect for that leftover box you have hanging out in the pantry. 

So there you have it. The steps I take every week to plan our dinners, and a sample menu using them. I realize some will think it's a lot of work, but I promise you after doing it a few times, it becomes second nature. Not to mention, when you see how much money you can save, it won't seem like such work! 

Now, for the recipe I promised. Those breakfast potatoes are pretty killer, and definitely worth sharing! I have a ton of different versions of home fries, but never get tired of finding new ones. Plus, I love dishes that are meant for one time of day, but taste great any other. They are perfect with breakfast, brunch, or even a steak supper! 

Skillet Southern Style Home Fries

6 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

2 TBS vegetable oil

1 TBS butter

1 1/2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. garlic powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and red pepper. Saute until becoming soft. Add potatoes, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir and saute until potatoes just becoming tender. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook 10-15 minutes, stirring often. Remove lid. Increase heat to medium high. Saute' and stir almost constantly until potatoes tender and browned on all sides.

Shared on The Country Cook May 1, 2015

$50 Dollar Challenge Month #1 {Indiana Family of Farmers}

I am super excited to bring you this new series from my great friends over at Indiana Family of Farmers. Each month, for the next 4, we are going to explore exactly how many meals we can make for $50. I will share my meal plan, the inspiration behind each one, and a new recipe too! Plus, I want to hear from you and what you can do in the kitchen with $50. Here are the rules (don't worry, there are only 2!) 

1. The meals can be breakfast, lunch, dinner or a combo of all three.

2. Each one must include one meat protein. 

That's it! Easy, right? Well, maybe not so much for some of you, but that's why we are doing this. To learn, to share and to make our hard earned dollars stretch farther. So, without further adieu, let's get to it.

For April, my meal plan is based on one thing. Leftovers. More specifically, Easter Leftovers. See, this is how my brain works. Whenever I know there is a big holiday coming, I buy too much, I make too much, but in the back of my mind, I don't worry about it because I know one way or the other it will all get used. Rather I simply serve the same dishes later in the week, transform them into something new, or use extra ingredients I bought to make new things, in the end it all works out. Plus, I can make my weekly grocery budget stretch if I'm combining the holiday meal with my weekly menu. 

Here is my menu, and my thought process behind each meal.

Meal #1

Baked Ham Sandwiches

Double Cheese Mac n Cheese

Fresh Pineapple

** Even though I normally make the sandwiches with deli ham, there is no doubt they would taste even better with some leftover Easter ham! Oh, and the pineapple? It always goes on sale around this time because so many use it with their ham, so it's a great time to use it as a fresh side too! 

Meal #2

Butter Bean Soup

Dinner Rolls

**This soup is a great way to use up extra produce you have laying in the crisper drawer. Let's face it, what holiday is complete without a veggie tray? And the extras can easily be turned into a soup the next day. And even though the original recipe doesn't call for meat, you could easily add leftover ham for a delicious new flavor! Dinner rolls are always something we have leftover after a holiday too! 

Meal #3

Copy Cat Cracker Barrel French Toast

Bacon

** Can't figure out where the leftovers come into play here? EGGS! I always buy extra for dying and then making deviled eggs too. So when I have an extra dozen...or two...laying around, breakfast for supper is always on the menu! 

Meal #4

Hamburgers

Egg and Olive potato salad*

Baked Beans

** This a great time to explain one big way I keep my grocery bill down. We have freezer beef on hands at all times. Sure, the initial cost is a little pricey, but then it saves us $$$ every single week. The potato salad is actually a new recipe (see below) and just like the soup, it's based on those extra veggies I'm going to have laying around. Not to mention the extra potatoes too! Oh, and baked beans? Those will simply be a reheated leftover from the holiday! 

So there you have it. My first $50 challenge! I get such a thrill when I'm able to save money; and when I can feed my family at the same time, well that's just icing on the cake!

Don't forget to comment with how YOU would feed your family for $50. How many meals can you make? Have any great tips? Share them, please!!!

Egg and Olive Potato Salad

4 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

4 hard boiled eggs, chopped

1 large rib celery, finely chopped

1 (5.75 oz.) jar green olives, chopped

1 1/4 c. mayo

1 TBS white vinegar

1 heaping TBS yellow mustard

1/2 tsp. onion powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Paprika for garnish

Place potatoes in large pot and cover with cold water. Add some salt. Bring to a boil and cook until just fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Allow to cool. In a large bowl combine potatoes, olives, and celery. Toss to combine. In a medium bowl combine mayo, mustard, vinegar, onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix well. Pour over potato mixture. Stir to combine. Chill until serving. Sprinkle with paprika.

An Affordable Thanksgiving {Indiana Family of Farmers}

Back in the Spring when I agreed to team up with my good friends over at Indiana Family of Farmers for this incredible Affordability Series, I remember thinking "Wow, the last post is in November. That seems so long away." And wouldn't you know it, forever came very quickly! But in case you need to catch up, check out the first three posts below:

* Stretching Your Grocery Store Budget

* Affordable and Nutritious Options at The Grocery Store

* Out The Door and On The Go

So here we are, Thanksgiving in just 3 weeks, and it's time to look at how we can entertain on a budget. How we can enjoy our big family gatherings without breaking the bank. How we can delight in all of our favorite holiday table staples in an affordable, but still tasty way. So here are a few tips on doing just that, from me to you. Plus, the last tip...it just happens to come with a fantastic recipe too! 

1. Start Planning Early The best way to make sure you stay on budget for a holiday is to start brainstorming early...before most people around you are probably even thinking about the holiday. Start planning that menu so early people might think you're crazy; but you're not. You are the smart one. See, the earlier you plan, the earlier you can adjust it, change it, and finalize it. So what does that mean for your budget? It means you won't be at the mercy of the grocery stores. You won't be shopping at the last minute, having to pay whatever price they want, no matter how high, because you have to have it.

2. Use Sales To Stock Up This goes right along with #1. See, if you're planning early, then you can be watching sale ads and stock up on things you know you will need, long before you actually need them. Now of course, I'm talking about things that have a great shelf life, or can be frozen. (Please don't go buy celery in September and then send me hate mail because it's growing fuzz by November...ha ha.) If you use stuffing mix, some stores have it on sale at the end of summer for really cheap. Or maybe you enjoy Cool Whip on your pumpkin pie. That stuff goes on sale year round, and can last in the freezer forever. So once that menu is set, grab your rewards card and sale ads and figure out those things that can be bought ahead of time and still be yummy come the day of.

3. Don't Be Afraid Of "Off" Brands If you are a shopper who 99% of the time buys name brand products, holiday meal planning is a great time to step out of your comfort zone, if you're looking to stay on budget. Take it from me. The generic, or store brands, taste just as good as their more pricey counter parts. I use them in my every day cooking, and we notice absolutely no difference. For example, the name brand of canned pumpkin (the one most of us would recognize) can run you anywhere between $1.50-$2.00. However, at one of the discount stores I shop at, their brand is currently on "seasonal" special, and only $.89/can!!! That's like finding money!

4. Ask Others To Contribute If you are hosting a huge holiday gathering, there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking others to bring a dish to share. In fact, I am not the one who hosts our family for neither Thanksgiving or Christmas. We are at our parents' houses for both. And while I'm not responsible for the entire meal, I always take something; and the couple times I have hosted, I've others have always done the same for me. Taking the task and cost of the entire spread on yourself, is absolutely daunting, and expensive, so don't be afraid to say to your guests "What dish would you like to bring?"

5. Leftovers Isn't a Dirty Word Sure, we all make the joke about eating leftover turkey every day from Black Friday to Christmas Eve, but in reality, having things left over after a huge holiday meal really isn't that bad, especially if they are items that can be morphed into new, yummy dishes. After all, if you're going to spend the time and money making this huge meal, why not make it even more economical by lasting for meals to come. Remember, the freezer is your friend. Freeze some of those leftovers, until inspiration finds you for ways to use them. In fact, with a little planning ahead, you can even know what kinds of things you will have to work with after the guests have done home and the clean up has begun. Knowing what you're having for the holiday meal, you can easily figure out a few days' meals afterwards working with what's left; and not just the "main" things, but ingredients also...as you'll see below.

And that is exactly what inspired me to share this recipe with you today. I will tell you upfront, when I developed this recipe, I fully intended you to make it with leftover turkey, not chicken. But in  the spirit of affordability, I used chicken because it was what I had in the freezer already. Without a doubt, it would be just as delicious with Thanksgiving turkey!

Plus, it's filled with things you more than likely will have on hand for making all those traditional holiday dishes we love. Celery from stuffing. Cranberries and walnuts from stuffing or pies. You see where I am going. Using every last bit of every last thing you had to buy, and turning all of them into a tasty dish you can enjoy for lunch or a light supper days after the holiday is over.

The holidays and all the food that comes with them, are coming...fast! Be prepared to feed the masses, with these easy, money saving tips...and yummy recipe! 

Cran-Apple Chicken Salad

3 large boneless chicken breasts

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/2 c. dried cranberries

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

2 small apples, chopped

3 ribs celery, finely chopped

1 c. mayo

1 TBS lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375. Rub chicken with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a foil lined baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes until juices run clear. Allow to slightly cool. Shred using two forks or a stand mixer. In a large bowl combine chicken, cranberries, walnuts, apples and celery. Mix well. In a small bowl whisk together mayo, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pour over chicken. Stir very well. Chill until serving, or at least an hour. Serve on bread, croissants, rolls, etc. *NOTE* Leftover turkey would be a perfect substitute for the chicken! 

Shared at The Country Cook Nov. 7, 2014

Chicken at Very Good Recipes

Disclaimer: As an IFOF Ambassador for the  Affordable Food Tips For Your Family, From Our Family Series, I was compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Out The Door and On The Go {Indiana Family of Farmers}

Tis the season. No, not that one. Still have a few months before that. I'm talking about"back to school" season. Yep, the kids are back in the classroom, and if your family is anything like ours, that means your already busy schedule just doubled in activities; and hectic days are the name of the game. 

In that spirit, I've teamed up with my good friends at Indiana Family of Farmers to give you some great tips on affordable food options to accommodate your super busy life. Let's not forget, we as Americans spend less of our income on food than most other countries! Shocked? You can read more here. Oh, and worried about nutrition? Read my fantastic tips on finding healthy options at the grocery store here. 

So, in part three of our series, we wanted to help all of you feed your family on a budget when time is of the essence. I have a few that I think really help our family eat well without my wallet feeling it too much! 

1. Make Leftovers on Purpose  I will be the first to tell you leftovers aren't my favorite thing in the world. And I'm not one to serve them night after night until they are gone. However, I do purposely make more of dishes than what the 3 of us can eat. Why? Because they are great for lunches the next day. I don't mind eating something again for lunch, as long as I get something new for supper. Plus, come the weekend, when all of us are home for lunch, I have things ready to eat in the fridge. If you know a huge pan of pasta or casserole is too much for your family, don't half the recipe until you think about this option.

2. Pack Lunch For Work and/or School  I know many of you take the time to pack your kids' lunches for school, but if you have the change to take your lunch to work, do you? Sure it's so easy to hit the drive-thru, or go out with co-workers and enjoy an hour away from the office, but have you ever added up the amount of money you can spend doing so? Mr E. could eat lunch out every single day if he wanted to, but he chooses to pack one to save money. Or should I say, he chooses to have me pack one for him. So, when I am packing little man's school lunch I do the same for my big man. And this is a great use for those leftovers we were talking about earlier. I would say 4 days out of 5 per week, Mr E.'s lunch consists of things we ate the night before. When I still worked outside the home, I always packed my lunch, and saved going out to once, maybe twice a month for a treat. It really helped to save us money, and honestly was healthier too. 

3. Your Crock Pot Is Your Friend  If you aren't using the words "slow cooker and hectic day" in the same sentence, you are missing out. Do you fantasize about someone cooking the evening meal while you are at work, or busy running around through the day? It's not a dream. Your Crock Pot can do just that! Once you find some tasty, dependable recipes your family loves, you will wonder how you ever survived without it. Imagine coming home after a long day and having dinner almost or sometimes completely ready to eat. Heck, if you need a good place to start, the recipe I'm sharing today would be a great one! 

4. Do Prep Work Ahead of Time  No matter what the recipe is, see if there are steps you can do ahead of time, and split the work up, making it easier in the end. Chop veggies. Brown ground beef. Cook and and shred chicken. All of these are things you can do the night before, or if there is time, in the morning before you rush out the door. I do this in many of the recipes I make, and when dinner time rolls around and I'm dog tired, it doesn't seem so over whelming because some of the work is already done. 

5. It's Okay To Call It A Day  We are all going to have those days when the thought of going into the kitchen and cooking, even if it's just a frozen pizza, makes us want to cry. Don't feel bad. It's okay to say "I'm done" and reach for the take out menu, or even treat the family to a night out. We've all been there, and we will all be there again. Let yourself off the hook, and know nobody is judging you because probably half your neighbors are doing the exact same thing. But you can still try to look for budget friendly coupons or even places that offer "Kids Eat Free" specials when those nights come along. 

The recipe I'm sharing today is sure to become a classic the minute you make it, especially with the cooler fall months approaching. Talk about comfort food in a bowl! I actually made this last week when the little guy had come down with strep throat, and it was just what the doctor ordered. It's a great one to utilize some of those tips I mentioned above too. Cook the chicken the night before so you can throw it all together the next day before you leave. Then when you come home, all you left to do is add the noodles. Be sure to make the whole batch because the leftovers are only tastier the next day, and make great lunches! This is going to be something you find yourself making again and again, just like me! 

Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles

2.5 lbs. chicken tenders

Olive Oil 

2 c. chicken broth

1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of chicken soup

3 carrots, diced

1 medium white onion, diced

3 ribs celery, diced

3/4 c. frozen peas

24 oz. bag frozen egg noodles

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375. Drizzle chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Lay on baking sheet. Roast in oven for 30 minutes until juices run clear. Shred with two forks or using stand mixer. In slow cooker, combine shredded chicken, soup, chicken broth, onion, celery, carrots, and peas. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Reduce heat to LOW and cook 5-6 hours. Increase heat back to high and add frozen noodles. Allow to cook just until noodles are done, about 30 minutes. Do NOT overcook, to avoid mushy noodles.

Shared on The Country Cook
Shared at Recipes That Crock 

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Affordable & Nutritious Options At The Grocery Store {Indiana Family of Farmers}

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of walking the aisles of my favorite supermarket like never before. Thanks to my good friends at Indiana Family of Farmers  and the great folks at Kroger, I was able to explore the store with a fantastic lady, registered dietitian, Kim Galeaz. 

What an opportunity to learn from one of the best, so that I could then share some very useful info with all of you, in this the second of the four part series from IFOF, Affordable Food Options For Your Family, From Ours.

I'm sure you remember part one back in May, when we all learned that Americans spend less of their income on food than any other country in the world. 

I'm excited to share some of the highlights of the tour with you, some great tips I was so happy to learn, and then a fantastic new healthy recipe for you to share with your family! 

Our first stop on the tour was one of my favorite sections, produce. But let's face it, it's also one of the more pricey ones. I know so many families who struggle just to put food on the table, and unfortunately can't afford to buy a lot of fresh fruits and veggies. Well, I have good news. You don't need to buy fresh produce to get nutrients! Both canned and frozen fruits and veggies are packaged as soon as they are picked, and offer great nutritional value. So, for those of us who might feel guilty because we are buying the can of peaches instead of fresh because they are only $.69 per can, NO more guilt! We are still giving our families something really good for them!

For more info on all things produce, use these two great sites for a resource!

www.FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org 

*This is a great one to learn what's in season, nutrition info, plus selection/storage.

www.SafeFruitsAndVeggies.com 

*Here you will find a terrific calculator to determine pesticide residue! 

While we were in the produce section, we were introduced to a brand new item we had never heard of, the RockIt Apple. A cross between a crab and rose apple variety, this small, crunchy treat is the perfect snack! It's also a great size for the kid's packed lunches! Plus, it's a great one for baking with too. These little gems are only in season for about a month, right now, so be sure to look for them in your super market today! 

Here's another great tip for your daily diet. Try to remember that half of your grains every day should be whole. So look for the logo from the Whole Grains Council when you're shopping in the bread aisle. 

But don't forget, the cereal aisle is also a great place to get extra whole grains into your daily meals too. (Especially for kids!!) Kim even said don't worry so much about the cereals that have some sugar included (think Frosted Mini Wheats) because of all the added benefits from the whole grains, plus the milk you're going to add to it also! 

Finally, one of my favorite tips from Kim was also one of the most simple. Got canned soup or maybe boxed mac n cheese in the pantry? Need a quick meal but want to increase the nutritional value? This things are great products to add fresh, canned or frozen veggies to! Your kids might be much more inclined to eat that broccoli or zucchini if you hide it under some creamy mac n cheese! 

I learned so much on this tour, and am so grateful for the info, a lot of it new and contrary to what I thought. I think the most important thing to remember when choosing food options, and keeping affordability in the grocery store is one of the first things Kim said, "You can make room for sweets and treats, as long as they are part of a balanced diet." And for someone like me who believes in all things in moderation, it was so nice to hear!

The recipe I want to share with you actually includes one of our favorite veggies, but maybe one you might not have tried. Parsnips. They have been a tradition in our house for years (actually 3 generations now) but I know many people who have never had the pleasure. Plus, roasting veggies are a great way to put a lot of flavor into them, while still keeping them bright, delicious and nutritional! 

Roasted Parsnips and Carrots

5 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4" discs

3 large parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/4" discs

1/3 c. canola oil

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Salt and Pepper

Dried Parsley

Preheat oven to 400. Combine all ingredients in a 8 x 11 baking pan. Stir well to coat. Bake for 1 hour until veggies are tender and golden brown. Stir before serving.

Shared on The Country Cook July 25, 2014

 Here are a few additional sites that are a great resource on this topic and a few of my favorites:

www.incredibleegg.org

www.ChooseMyPlate.gov

www.foodinsight.org

www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/LabelingNutrition/ucm2006873.htm

www.IndianaPork.com

www.IndianaBeef.org

Disclaimer: As part of the Affordable Food Options For Your Family, From Ours series, I was compensated for this post. All thoughts opinions are my own. 

Stretching Your Grocery Store Budget {Indiana Family of Farmers}

Each week when Americans head to our local grocery store, we fill our carts with items on our list, we compare prices, we search for bargains, we clip coupons. All in the name of saving money. Stretching our budget. And I know so many of you are in the same boat as me...we wish our grocery budget would stretch just a little further. I notice prices going up each and every week on the items we buy the most. It's frustrating. 

But in reality, did you know we in this country spend a smaller percentage of our income on food than any other country in the world? At just under 10%, we are at the bottom of the list! And when we consider food consumed at home specifically (vs. eating out), the U.S. leads affordability with only 6.6% of American incomes going toward the grocery bill. 

I'm not going to lie. When I found out those statistics, and looked at the chart above, I was shocked. I guess you don't realize just how good you've got it, until you learn what others in this world are dealing with. Just another example of "the grass is always greener on the other side" until you learn it's not; and you just need to be thankful for the resources available to us. 

Now, while it's a fact America has one of the most affordable food supplies in the world, that doesn't mean your budget isn't any less strained. And making a food budget work in today's economy is something we can all agree is a challenge. So, in that spirit, my good friends at Indiana Family of Farmers have come up with a 4 part blog series, Affordable Food Options For Your Family, From Ours. During this series, bloggers like myself will be sharing our tips, ideas and options for your family. 

Our first challenge? How many meals can we make for $50? The guidelines? Every meal must have some form of meat protein. The plans can include breakfast, lunch and/or dinner options or all the same type of meal. Cost of pantry staples (flour, sugar, spices, etc.) do not have to be included in the $50 budget. 

I was happy to step up to the challenge. Below you will find my meal plan for $50 (for me, this means 3 dinner options), links to recipes I already have online, tips as to why I chose each one, and a brand new recipe I think you'll be very excited about!

$50 Budget Meal Plan 

Meal #1

Chicken and Green Chile Enchilada Casserole

Chips n Salsa

Meal # 2

Sausage and Cheese Quiche

Oven Baked Home Fries

Toast

Meal #3

Creamy Crock Pot Spaghetti

Olive Garden Salad (see recipe below)

My Tips for Stretching a Grocery Budget

1. Sale Prices: When you saw a chicken dish on the menu, did you think I was crazy? Chicken can be one of the most expensive items at the grocery store. But for me it's simple. I don't buy it, unless it's on sale. Wait for those great deals. Usually at least one store around us has it on sale every week. 

2. Casseroles So, you've bought the chicken on sale, but there isn't enough in one package to feed your whole family. But wait. What if you stretch that amount by adding other ingredients and make a casserole? It's a great way to make a smaller amount of protein feed a large number of people. 

3. Make Your Own vs. Bottled That salsa recipe? It can be made for pennies on the dollar compared to buying the already jarred. Sure, it's going to take a few extra minutes, but not only does it taste better, it goes further for less money. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about paying a few extra pennies for convenience, but in this case, making my own is a win win.  

4. Breakfast for Supper In this house, traditional breakfast foods for dinner are a huge treat. And I know many families that agree with us. But besides just being delicious, it's a great way to save some money too. Foods you typically eat in the morning tend to be a little less pricey than dinner foods. Sausage vs. steak for example. Potatoes. Bread. All things that can be economical and easily feed a crowd. 

5. Freezer Beef For our family one of the biggest ways we save money is by always having a surplus of beef in our chest freezer. Sure, the initial cost of a 1/4 or 1/2 beef may be a little salty, but in the end I can tell you from first hand experience just how much money it saves you. Having beef (or other proteins) on hand reduces your weekly budget while still including your favorite meats in your diet. 

6. Buying in Season Produce can be one of the things you spend the most money on every week. Sometimes I can't believe the cost of our favorite fruits and veggies. But if I try really hard to buy at the peak of the season, not only do I get the freshest choices, but also the most economical. And when things are in season, you can also take advantage of buying from your local farmer or farmer's market, saving you even more money! 

So there you have it, my best tips on making that grocery budget stretch a little bit more. I hope something stands out as one you want to try and you can keep a few extra pennies in your wallet. But remember, no matter what we are spending each week on food in this country, so many around the world are spending so much more, for so much less, and for that we can always be grateful. 

Copycat Olive Garden Salad

1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped

1 medium red onion, sliced thin

3/4 c. black olives

3/4 c. grape tomatoes, halved

Pepperoncini Peppers

Croutons

Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

Dressing: 

1 c. oil and vinegar dressing

1 garlic clove, peeled and halved

1/2 TBS dried oregano

1/2 TBS dried basil

1 TBS sugar

In a bottle or jar, place all ingredients for dressing. Shake well. Refrigerate for 24 hours before using. To make salad, combine all ingredients in a large bowl. If not serving right away, don't add croutons. Add dressing a little at a time until desired consistency. Mix well. Serve immediately. 

Shared on The Country Cook May 23, 2014

Disclaimer: As part of the Affordable Food Options For Your Family, From Ours series, I was compensated for this post. All thoughts opinions are my own. 

A Hoosier Autumn {Indiana Family of Farmers}

We are so incredibly blessed to live in a part of the country that gets to experience all 4 seasons. Now, I will be the first to admit I am not a fan of winter, but next to summer, fall is my favorite season. I love the colors. I love the warm-ish, sunny days, the cool, crisp nights, the flavors, and I love the traditions my family enjoys so much. And when I stopped to think about it, many of our favorite things to do are related to Indiana Farms!

From taking Alex to a local pumpkin patch, to wandering through a huge corn maze, to visiting a beautiful orchard to pick a bushel of crisp, delicious apples, all of these are things we are lucky to be able to do because of Indiana farmers!

This year was actually the first time we took him apple picking, simply because I wasn't aware we had an "U pick" orchard near us until just a few months ago. Well, I can tell you he had a wonderful time, and we came home with some beautiful apples, not to mention, gourds and pumpkins too from their farm stand.

Did you know that in addition to livestock and crops, Hoosier farmers grow more than 30 major different fruits and veggies? Don't know which ones are in season? Use the Indiana Harvest Calendar to find out! 

Oh, and here is something extra fun, that I know all the kiddies will love. Chocolate Milk is the official drink of Halloween! Why? Because it is nutrition in disguise! Chocolate milk is a great way for little ones to get the 9 essential nutrients found in milk. It has the same nutritional value as white milk, including the bone building calcium and protein kids need to grow up strong and healthy. 

Especially in schools, chocolate milk chocolate milk encourages kids to make healthier drink choices. In fact, 70% of the milk consumed in schools is chocolate. (And I'm pretty sure my son makes up for at least half of that!!) And the chocolate milk in schools is low in fat, and has been reformulated to contain less sugar, all while keeping the same calcium, Vitamin D and protein as regular milk. 

I will fully admit, I was not aware of these chocolate milk facts, and I'm so happy to learn that I can feel good about letting my little guy drink his favorite choice for school lunch!

So, this fall, be sure to get out there and enjoy everything your area has to offer. And if you are a fellow Hoosier, be sure to include an Indiana farm, or two in your plans!! Farms are where the action is at this beautiful, fun-filled, autumn season!

To Learn More About Indiana Family of Farmers~

IFOF Website

IFOF Blog

IFOF Facebook

IFOF Twitter

*Disclaimer* I was provided with complimentary tickets for this post. All thoughts, opinions and experiences are my own.

It's Fair Time Again {Indiana Family of Farmers}

When the month of August rolls around in Indiana, for our family it means two things. One, the beginning of the school year is just around the corner (this one we try to ignore as long as possible) and two, it is time once again to venture 2 hours south to one of our favorite summer time events, The Indiana State Fair!

For two weeks, Hoosiers descend onto the fairgrounds in Indianapolis to enjoy great exhibits, fun activities and delicious food! It truly is a highlight of our summer; and some of our favorite things to enjoy at the fair are those sponsored by Indiana Family of Farmers.

Fair goers can follow the IFOF Recipe Trail  and help feed the hungry, plus receive a useful popcorn-shaped memento.

For each person who finishes the trail, IFOF partners with Feeding Indiana’s Hungry to donate one pound of food to food banks across the state. Recipe trail travelers donated more than 3,000 pounds of food last year. This year’s goal is 3,500 pounds, so 3,500 people need to go through the recipe trail to attain the goal.

Recipe card locations

• Exposition Hall (Rose Acre Farms, booths 526 and 527, southwest side)
• Ball State Ag/Hort Building (World’s Largest Popcorn Ball)
• DuPont Food Pavilion (3 stops: Indiana Wine Grape Council, Indiana Dairy, Purdue)
• Habitat for Humanity Ag House
• Indiana Farm Bureau Building
• Glass Barn
• Normandy Barn
• Pathway to Water Quality

Final stop/recipe redemption point: IFOF booth at DuPont food pavilion     

Participants collect recipe cards from the 10 locations around the fairgrounds and bring them to the IFoF booth at the DuPont Food Pavilion where they will receive their memento and get counted as a donor of a pound of food. The booth also features a chance to register for a daily popcorn giveaway and the grand prize of a chest freezer.

Rules

·        Start at any location and travel to the 10 destinations to collect recipe cards.

·        Visit the IFOF booth in the DuPont Food Pavilion with your recipes to be pick up your popcorn-shaped memento, be counted as a food donor and sign up for prizes.

·        Winners of the daily giveaway are selected by a random drawing at the close of each day of the fair.

·        One winner of the chest freezer will be selected by a random drawing on the last day of the fair.

·        Winners will be notified by email or phone.

The IFOF recipe cards feature recipes from real farmers around Indiana and highlight Indiana’s commodities such as pork, beef, poultry, soybeans, corn and dairy along with an Indiana wine pairing. On the reverse, you will meet the farmer and read a personal story from his or her family.  

Other IFOF Sponsored Fair Attractions:

Sponsor of World’s Largest Popcorn Ball

IFOF is the sponsor the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball, a 5,000-pound, 9-foot popcorn delicacy featured at the Ball State Ag/Horticulture Building.  This will also be a stop on the 2013 IFOF recipe trail. After the fair, the popcorn will be fed to Indiana livestock. *This is one Alex is looking forward to!!*

IFOF booth in DuPont Food Pavilion

For the second year in a row, the DuPont Food Pavilion will be a part of this year’s state fair. Along with hourly food demos on the Red Gold Kitchen the pavilion will also feature a retail store with more than 30 Indiana made specialty items available for purchase.

IFOF is proud to be part of the food pavilion all 17 days. Along with the recipe trail, different agricultural groups will be featured and providing samples at the IFOF booth.

Partnership with Habitat for Humanity
The Habitat home build on the state fairgrounds will be a stop on this year’s recipe trail. As part of our partnership, Indiana’s Family of Farmers will donate a freezer and meat donations to fill the freezer to the new homeowner. Thanks to the farmers around the state who grow our food and who generously gave back.

I am so proud to work with the IFOF because I believe in their message 100%: Indiana farmers grow the grains, produce and meat you eat every day. We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your family and the environment. Food for your family, from our family.

www.Indianafamilyoffarmers.com  

http://www.facebook.com/FamilyofFarmers

https://twitter.com/familyoffarmers, #recipetrail  

http://indianafamilyoffarmers.blogspot.com/

***GIVEAWAY***

IFOF is giving away (1) 4 pack of State Fair Tickets to (1) Lucky EMM Fan. 

It's easy to enter. Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite attraction at the fair. One winner will be chosen randomly. 

Contest Ends: Monday Aug. 5, 2013 12 am EST