Happy New Year my friends! I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to begin a new year. I’m so ready, how about you? I also can’t wait to get back to some healthier eating that is for sure with none of that sweet stuff that magically appears during the holidays 🙂
So I’ve got a few things I wanted to tell you this week (such a surprise I know!). A whole group of ladies are cutting back on their grocery budget this month and using up what they have in the house by participating in the Eat From The Pantry Challenge. This event is being co-hosted by Jessica at Life as Mom and Crystal at Money Saving Mom. If this is something you might be interested in, be sure to visit their sites to find out exactly how they are doing it. Feel free to make a note by your name in Mr. Linky if you are participating so others can find you!
Look what I got in the mail last week. A copy of The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook!
This week I’ll be trying out a couple of Erin’s recipes in my menu plan and later in the week I’ll be hosting a giveaway for TWO of these cookbooks over at my review site.
My recipe highlight of last week goes to the Baked Spaghetti recipe hands down. I’ve tried many variations of baked spaghetti and I think this one might be my new favorite! It sure makes a lot though, we were eating leftovers for days. Would make a great dish for company. What was your highlight?
If you are looking to take your menu planning to the next level, don’t miss my Plan to Eat giveaway over here and you still have time to enter the Goals Workshop giveaway here.
Here’s what we’ll be eating this week:
Monday: Asian Chicken Wraps
Tuesday: Mama’s Amazing Ziti
Wednesday: Beef Roast with Potatoes and Squash
Thursday: Leftover buffet
Friday: Breaded and Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Saturday: Corn Chowder
Simple Supper Sunday
WHAT’S ON YOUR MENU THIS WEEK?
JOIN US!
Menu Plan Monday guidelines and banner selections are here.
Kayren says
That baked spaghetti looks good. I’m bookmarked it to try soon. Thanks for sharing it.
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
Another great week! Thanks so much for hosting!
Happy New Year! (I’m excited too!)
~Liz
Leah says
Happy New Year Laura 🙂
Amy @ Finer Things says
Hi Laura. I goofed big time. Told Toni (The Happy Housewife) I’d link up for her. #30 says THH, but it’s MY link. OOPS! I corrected it in #32. Would you delete #30, please? Thanks so much!
Amy @ Unforgettable Childhood says
I am joining in Menu Plan Monday for the first time! Your week looks great. I need to check out your recipes. Thanks for sharing.
Diann @ the Thrifty Groove says
Hi Laura and Happy New Year!
I can’t wait to hear how you enjoy the new recipes from this book!
Denise says
I’ve heard great things about the $5 dinner mom book but haven’t read it yet. Have a great week, Laura and all!
Renee says
Hi Laura 🙂
I’ve been a follower of your for some time, but this is my first time posting with Menu Plan Monday and my first time EVER trying to do the Mr. Linky. (I hope I didn’t mess it up.) Thanks so much for letting me join in the fun!
Amber @ Classic Housewife says
Hey, old friend!! Have you missed me? Can you believe I planned a menu this week for the first time in…. forever??? I’m looking forward to getting back in this habit and also for picking up some new recipes over here. I also love the idea of tagging entries with frugal and healthy and whatnot. Great idea!
I’m really excited about this week’s menu because I have a recipe in there that I actually MADE UP. All by myself. And it tasted good, too, wonder of wonders. Nobody threw it in the trash! =P
Just reading “Mama’s Amazing Ziti” made my mouth water.. I’m going to have to plan something like that for next week. MMMmm!! Later, sweet lady!
Carrie says
It’s my first official menu plan this week, but I think I’m going to have a really hard time sticking to it. We’ll see!
Christine@Money Funk says
I just heard someone twitter about baked spaghetti and then find out it is a great recipe. Definitely going on next week’s menu plan. Thank you!
Stephanie says
The ziti looks good. I have been craving some baked ziti myself. I guess I am going to have to fit it into my menu.
Tara V says
Finally after almost 3 years of following you I am participating!!
Thanks
Tara
colleen says
OK, trying this for the first time–be kind, everyone!!!
Glory says
Well, as a “First Timer” I’ve already made a mistake and linked twice. Sorry about that. I am still learning how all of this works. Please feel free to delete my first link, #105. I’ve been a lurker for a while now. I am finally ready to start my own blog up again. I used to blog a lot, but just got too busy as we started to homeschool this year. Thanks for doing MPM!
purple moose says
Happy New Year to you and I hope it brings you many blessings. Top of the list is a job for your honey!
Yvonne@StoneGable says
Your weekly menu sounds yummy. I have chicken in my freezer and will make that breaded and baked chicken- with boneless chicken though. I am also having an “Eathing From My Freezer/Pantry Challenge. After my freezer is clear I want to organize my freezer so I never have 5 whole frozen chickens in it at the same time again!
Love your blog! Very inspiring!
Yvonne
Krisi says
For some reason I can not see Mr. Linky this week.
My menu can be found here though:
http://adamandkrisi.blogspot.com/2010/01/menu-plan-monday.html
Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads says
The eating out of the pantry sounds great. Unfortunately, I don’t currently have a well stocked pantry that would allow that. I’m getting ready to stock up on all of my staples soon. 🙂
Bethany says
Happy New Year!
Susie's Homemade says
That menu looks amazing!!
Miriam says
This is my first time linking up to your MPM posts. Fun 🙂
Dara says
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy new year! Thanks for hosting Menu Plan Monday, Laura!
Martianne Stanger says
We’re joining you for the first time this week. We hope to get inspired by all the wonderful posts others make. Thank you for hosting.
The Happy Housewife says
I just got Erin’s cookbook! The recipes look so good and easy to make. Once I finish my pantry challenge, I’ll be trying some of her recipes too!
Toni
Jessica says
My highlight meal so far was last night’s sweet and sour meatballs! I love the meatball recipe and the sauce was great!
jsprik@blog-diggidy says
Happy New Year!! Menu looks great, as usual!! 🙂
Laura @ TenThingsFarm says
I left a link to our pantry challenge menu – I’m also hosting a giveaway for a cast iron grill pan right now, so if you’re there, click the header to get the whole blog, then scroll down to enter the grill pan giveaway. 🙂
Becca says
The baked spaghetti sounds delicious! We love spaghetti at our house, I’ll have to give that one a try!
Rachel says
Happy New Year!! First time linking up over here. Our family has been menu planning for some time. Great to see lots of other recipe ideas. Thank you for hosting this! Happy Monday 🙂
Kelli says
Oh, I am so jealous!! I love Erin and follow her blog religiously… I wish I had received her book in the mail. LOL!
Kelly says
I’m joining for the first time this week! I’ve always had a plan, but it is great to formalize it!
Blogaroni and Dees says
i’m back on the bandwagon!
Mellisa swigart says
This will be my first week planning a menu! We spent WAY to much last year on eating out simply because I didnt plan ahead.
Pamela says
The cookbook looks really interesting, thanks for the give-away! Saving money is going to be a focus for us this year. I am going to try the Baked Spaghetti this week as well 🙂
Sammy says
Cleaning out the pantry sounds like a wonderful idea, but I haven’t been home so my poor pantry is quite empty! haha Good Luck to the ladies that are taking on the challenge!
Louise says
I received one of the 5.00 Dinner Mom Cookbooks too, it’s great
Becky L says
I’m getting a $5 dinner mom cookbook soon cuz I won it. Can’t wait to get it!!! Am working on my blog and working on my quilt today and finish the machine quilting today. Will blog that soon as well. Take care!!
B.Keefer says
I have followed your blog for quite some time but this is my first week participating with Menu Planning Monday. I am hoping this will keep me focused and on budget this year.
Here’s to a great (and organized) 2010!
Kathy says
I have followed your blog all thru the year of 2009 and love it. This is my first every time of linking with your Menu Planning on Monday, I hope I did it right. LOL Maybe this will help me to stay organized for the year 2010 🙂
Rachel says
I’ve got to get back into meal planning this year! It’s so helpful to see what everyone else is doing. 🙂
cathy says
I am not sure I am ever going to get that mr linky thing down. Cathy isn’t a very click inspiring title. 🙂 But I have been totally motivated to start planning my meals in 2010. I have wanted to learn to cook more fresh, vegetarian meals forever. My old standbys have staled. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jess says
Love the site and meal planner… started end of last year, fell off the wagon during the holidays and back to it today!
Laura says
Woohoo, I love seeing so many newbies today…I do hope you find menu planning rewarding and that it becomes a life long habit for you and your family. It has been such a lifesaver for me. If you have any questions or need help please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Megan says
Here’s to a fun year of menu-planning! I’m so glad I started it in 2009, and can’t wait to start cooking up grub in 2010. Thanks for hosting!
Brooks says
Laura,
This is my first time participating but I think this is a brilliant idea that you came up with. I’m a single woman with no kids but I believe its for everyone.
I look forward to visiting your site often and learning more about you.
Twitter: @inherheels
angie says
menu sounds great as always thanks for sharing your thoughts on the cookbook I am for sure thinking about getting one
Dena says
Learning to be frugal as well as menu plan. Thanks for the great tips!!!
Tamara says
I love meals that make leftovers that you can use for days. I must give your recipe a try.
For me the best find is from this link. http://www.weightwatchers.co.nz/templates/print.aspx?PageId=2007901&PrintFlag=yes&previewDate=12/12/2009.
I love its versatility, the fact that all my veges get used every week with nothing left and that everyone in my house loves it…children and all.
Tamara
May says
G’Day,
I’m late but I have uploaded my meal planner…
Every one have a grand week 🙂
From Australia
Sal says
Happy New Year… I miss the old format 🙁 Not liking the new style – takes more time to read and harder to see what is new. Sorry –
Sal says
Happy New Year… I miss the old website format 🙁 Not liking the new style – takes more time to read and harder to see what is new. Sorry –
Jennifer says
A little late, not how I wanted to start the year off! But better late than never! Thanks for continuing to host this- it kind of holds me accountable 🙂
GiBee says
Yep – I made the baked spaghettie yesterday, and it was really good! It’s a keeper for us. I even messed the recipe up by not reading it well, and it still turned out great!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda) says
Whew! I am so glad to be back on track with my meal planning–I even did the whole month of January because I was on a roll! 🙂
insanitycooks says
I have printed off the recipes for both Mama’s Amazing Ziti and the Corn Chowder. Can’t wait to try them!!
insanitycooks says
We had the corn chowder last night and really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting the recipe link.