Eat at Home 3!

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

We need to do this too. I think it'd really help with what we spend at the grocery store. I just updated our expenditures, and we've been to Walmart 5 times already. And we didn't go after Jan. 9. So 5 times between Dec. 31-Jan. 9 (plus a trip to Target). Further, I budgeted $500 for the month since there's 2 of us. We've spent $250 of that so far in 13 days. I know part of that is Walmart and their greedy, outrageous food prices. But part of it is just going to much. Anyway, I'm going to find an inventory sheet and go through my pantry/fridge. Anything that is almost empty or out of date will go in the trash, and we'll start over.

I went through my freezer and pantry this past weekend. Had to toss a couple things, but now I have a much better idea of WHAT I have on hand. So meals will be based around that for awhile.

 

[barkley]

Even when I'm eating down my pantry/freezer (I've been doing that since Thanksgiving and I have officially reached near the bottom in mid January!!!) I will still grab really good deals if I can't pass them up. Some are too good to pass up.

I thought of you today-went to Walmart and nearly DIED when I saw they had big beautiful butterball turkeys on sale for....................50 cents per pound . I snagged one which is defrosting in the fridge to cook later in the week.

We need to do this too. I think it'd really help with what we spend at the grocery store. I just updated our expenditures, and we've been to Walmart 5 times already. And we didn't go after Jan. 9. So 5 times between Dec. 31-Jan. 9 (plus a trip to Target). Further, I budgeted $500 for the month since there's 2 of us. We've spent $250 of that so far in 13 days. I know part of that is Walmart and their greedy, outrageous food prices. But part of it is just going to much. Anyway, I'm going to find an inventory sheet and go through my pantry/fridge. Anything that is almost empty or out of date will go in the trash, and we'll start over.

i've found it helps curtail my Walmart shopping if I do grocery pick-up for the bulk of my shopping. I still prefer to select my own produce and dairy but for frozen/shelf stable I start an order online about a week out add/delete until the day before I want to do pickup (until you hit 'submit order' you card is not charged, at most you have to reenter your pickup date/time if it's expired). I pull up to pickup, they load the car and then I pull around and park to go in for the last few items. it's also a bit of a way to track your shopping habits b/c it will keep a record of your purchases for a year or more so you can see if you are really buying more or it's a case of prices increasing more than you realize.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Yes, we do online pickup for nonperishable foods and things like toiletries, etc. But we won't do it for cold items. So yes, we do the online thing. We love it, especially at our Walmart. We actually went to Kroger (and not Target) on the other run. It was a Friday, and we went after eating dinner using a gift card we had gotten for Christmas. So 5 trips to Walmart and 1 trip to Kroger in the first 13 days of 2025. We chose Kroger because it was across the street from the restaurant, and we wanted to see how prices compared to Walmart (and they were a little higher, so we probably won't be going back).

i've found it helps curtail my Walmart shopping if I do grocery pick-up for the bulk of my shopping. I still prefer to select my own produce and dairy but for frozen/shelf stable I start an order online about a week out add/delete until the day before I want to do pickup (until you hit 'submit order' you card is not charged, at most you have to reenter your pickup date/time if it's expired). I pull up to pickup, they load the car and then I pull around and park to go in for the last few items. it's also a bit of a way to track your shopping habits b/c it will keep a record of your purchases for a year or more so you can see if you are really buying more or it's a case of prices increasing more than you realize.

 

[DisneyTexan]

We chose Kroger because it was across the street from the restaurant, and we wanted to see how prices compared to Walmart (and they were a little higher, so we probably won't be going back).

Do you have an online loyalty account set up with Kroger, and did you clip the online coupons before visiting? There can be some great online coupons available. For example, today I got a coupon for free eggs.

However, if you really don't have time to clip online coupons, then Walmart is usually better.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I didn't know about either program. We do have a thing where you have to put in your number before they start ringing up your items. But I'm not sure that gets us anything. I'll look into the online program. Do you have to do online shopping though to use it? I don't want to do online. I'd rather just go in and get my own stuff.

Do you have an online loyalty account set up with Kroger, and did you clip the online coupons before visiting? There can be some great online coupons available. For example, today I got a coupon for free eggs.

However, if you really don't have time to clip online coupons, then Walmart is usually better.

 

[DisneyTexan]

I didn't know about either program. We do have a thing where you have to put in your number before they start ringing up your items. But I'm not sure that gets us anything. I'll look into the online program. Do you have to do online shopping though to use it? I don't want to do online. I'd rather just go in and get my own stuff.

No, you don't have to shop online. Both Kroger and Tom Thumb have very good online coupons. You get a discount when typing in your phone number at check-out, but it is even better if you clip additional coupons before going to the store. Tom Thumb points also accumulate for cash discounts. I've been getting a $20 discount every couple months for quite a while.

 

[tinkeryarn]

These meal ideas are very helpful! It's neat to see other ideas because I am definitely in a rut. I stuck to my list last week, and now I have to regroup for next week. I am eating up mac and cheese and other rice/pasta box sides. I started marinating meat the day I come home from the grocery store so I have it ready to grill/air fryer and not be tempted to order out.
I joined Sam's Club and got some basics. I hope to get into making soup and sandwiches for dinner some nights, and then have a dessert on those lighter meal days. Thank you for the ideas here!

 

[barkley]

the turkey I got for a crazy bargain a week or so ago is in the oven. plan is to have some w/ mashed potatoes and gravy, maybe some stovetop stuffing but the bulk with be carved and air sealed for future meals. oldest is coming over on Monday and we will be making 2 soups-thanksgiving (mix from canadian company that will use some of the turkey) and the old eas standby-taco (the online one that uses dry ranch dressing powder). most will go into containers to freeze to pull for easy meals.

 

[Sheree]

we had to get a new freezer so it was interesting to see what was in the chest freezer. got an upright
it's going to snow so today I'm making a clam/shrimp seafood chowder and a thing of chili. 2 crockpots going.
going to really try to eat down the pantry/freezer

 

[Bellex917]

Today: Chicken parm stromboli, salad
Tomorrow: Chicken empanadas, salad
Tue- penne vodka, garlic bread, salad
Wed- matzoh ball soup, salad, Italian bread
Thur- ham, zucchini, rice pilaf
Fri- Probably picking up Chipotle

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

(Chicken heavy this week)
Snowing today so grilled cheese and soup
Monday: Teriyaki tacos with yellow rice
Tuesday: Garlic brown sugar chicken with l/o rice
Wednesday: (back at my parents, dad's request): Lazy chicken saltimbocca roll ups
Thursday (parents again, dad's request): Beef stew

That's as far as I've gotten

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I went to the store last Thursday and spent nearly $200 on groceries (for 2 people, thanks Walmart for being so greedy). So we're trying to not spend anything on food this week. Lunches will be leftovers of everything. I also bought a couple of lunch things at Walmart to keep at work in case I don't have any leftovers. Everything listed is in the pantry/fridge/freezer.

Today: Hoagie sandwiches and homemade french fries;
Monday: Homemade lasagna, salad and garlic bread (using the leftover hoagies);
Tuesday: Either chicken fajitas or sausage wraps;
Wednesday: Bible study/choir practice, so it's PB&J sandwiches;
Thursday: Either chicken fajitas or sausage wraps;
Friday: Not sure
Saturday: Homemade meatballs and mashed potatoes;

 

[bigpinkdaisy]

Joining late for this week...
Sunday: Meatball subs with potato wedges
Monday: Beef Stroganoff and homemade Italian bread
Tuesday: Chicken Noodle Soup, Salad and breadsticks
Wednesday: Cheeseburger sliders and fries per college boy's request
Thursday: Chicken fajita rice bowls
Friday: Sausage bread
Saturday: Fried chicken sandwiches with macaroni salad

 

[first*toright]

These meal ideas are very helpful! It's neat to see other ideas because I am definitely in a rut. I stuck to my list last week, and now I have to regroup for next week. I am eating up mac and cheese and other rice/pasta box sides. I started marinating meat the day I come home from the grocery store so I have it ready to grill/air fryer and not be tempted to order out.
I joined Sam's Club and got some basics. I hope to get into making soup and sandwiches for dinner some nights, and then have a dessert on those lighter meal days. Thank you for the ideas here!

It's all about the prep - much easier to stick to eating at home if you have tasty, easy options at hand. I have totally made my peace with doing really simple sandwich meals or breakfast for dinner a couple of nights a week - no one in my house minds, they are just happy that dinner is ready.

Friday: Sausage bread

What is sausage bread? Sounds like it could be good?


DH is traveling for the next couple of weeks (sniff), so just me and the kiddo at home. Work has (finally) calmed down, so I have a minute to actually cook, but because I'm the one doing all of the kid-shuttling (which DH does most of usually), there are still plenty of busy evenings. This week:

Sun - steak salads w. pickled beets, pecans, bleu cheese and balsamic dressing. DH bought me some really good balsamic vinegar for Christmas - the dressing came out amazing! Also used up some of the costco roasted beets that have been languishing in the pantry.
Mon- Chicken lettuce wraps w. peanut sauce (so good - had leftovers for lunch today, and made enough peanut sauce to freeze for another meal)
Tues- Chicken Salad Sandwiches (homemade dinner to-go to eat between the gym and music lesson)
Weds - Greek Chicken & Rice, tomato/cucumber/feta salad
Thurs - breakfast for dinner (probably pancakes w. sausage, or maybe a potato fritata)
Fri - Takeout
Sat- Homemade Pizza

 

[barkley]

i've got a crockpot of taco soup going while a pot of meaty turkey bones/wings from the roasted turkey simmer in water on the stove. once the meat separates from the bone i'll have the base for my Thanksgiving soup mix/carrots/onions to add in. dh plans to bake a loaf of sourdough today and I'll do a box of red lobster cheddar biscuits. the oldest will go home with lots of soup/bread products tomorrow while we will eat off it a couple of days but primarily freeze it for future meals.

 

[bigpinkdaisy]

What is sausage bread? Sounds like it could be good?

So I think it might be a regional thing...my husband is Italian and he grew up with it, when I was little our neighbors were also Italian and made it - which is how my immediate family became familiar with it - both families came from the Utica, NY area(we are in Central NY). It's basically pizza dough topped with crumbled hot Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese rolled up into a loaf of bread. You bake it and slice it - it's pure deliciousness! My extended family loves it as an appetizer at holidays, our son loves it as part of our rotation on Friday Pizza night, and it is great for a potluck or get together. My mother in law also has added scrambled eggs to the mix, making it phenomenal for a Sunday brunch item!

 

[barkley]

So I think it might be a regional thing...my husband is Italian and he grew up with it, when I was little our neighbors were also Italian and made it - which is how my immediate family became familiar with it - both families came from the Utica, NY area(we are in Central NY). It's basically pizza dough topped with crumbled hot Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese rolled up into a loaf of bread. You bake it and slice it - it's pure deliciousness! My extended family loves it as an appetizer at holidays, our son loves it as part of our rotation on Friday Pizza night, and it is great for a potluck or get together. My mother in law also has added scrambled eggs to the mix, making it phenomenal for a Sunday brunch item!

is the crumbled sausage pre-cooked before it's put on the dough? what's the cook temp/avg time? this sounds delicious, esp. with soup or on the side of a nice saucy pasta

 

[bigpinkdaisy]

is the crumbled sausage pre-cooked before it's put on the dough? what's the cook temp/avg time? this sounds delicious, esp. with soup or on the side of a nice saucy pasta

So, fresh pizza dough - I make it the day before but in a pinch we get it from our local pizza shop, Then we take link sausage (Gianellis is the very best CNY based - choose what you like) and squeeze it out of the casing. We use a wooden spatula to crumble it up as it cooks in a pan with some olive oil and a sprinkle of kosher salt. When it is cooked through, that's when we add it to the pizza dough and mozzarella and roll it up. Pro tip: save the grease from the sausage/oil combo and pour it over the rolled up pizza dough, top with garlic salt and crushed red pepper. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes - I can't promise times, I go by my nose....when you can smell it, it's done. Let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

 

[first*toright]

So I think it might be a regional thing...my husband is Italian and he grew up with it, when I was little our neighbors were also Italian and made it - which is how my immediate family became familiar with it - both families came from the Utica, NY area(we are in Central NY). It's basically pizza dough topped with crumbled hot Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese rolled up into a loaf of bread. You bake it and slice it - it's pure deliciousness! My extended family loves it as an appetizer at holidays, our son loves it as part of our rotation on Friday Pizza night, and it is great for a potluck or get together. My mother in law also has added scrambled eggs to the mix, making it phenomenal for a Sunday brunch item!

Thanks for the details! Sounds like one of those simple and super tasty standbys!

 

[DanceDisney23]

I haven’t posted in a while, but I’ve actually been pretty good about meal planning. I find it’s less daunting if I do 4-5 days at a time. Luckily because of DD’s dance schedule I get to go grocery shopping several times a week while I wait for her classes to end.

Today: penne marinara
Friday: taco bowls
Saturday: potato pancakes
Sunday: homemade pizza with leftover marinara sauce
Monday: baked sausage, potato and peppers