Week 3, 2014!

So I decided to blog the meal plans... because well, it's a bit easier for me to keep track off. And if you want to actually subscribe etc, well you can.
By doing it this way, I can also easily link you to the recipes that I am using!

So, it's a late start, but Welcome to Budget Family Ideas for 2014... If you have stumbled across me on google, be sure to like Budget Family Ideas on Facebook.

So what are your aims with food for 2014? I am on a weightloss mission, so i want to be creative with the food my family are eating, but be able to lose some KG's... I had a goal to be 70kg by my 30th birthday, but with 8 days and 12kg to go, things are not looking good!!! Maybe 80 kg should be my new goal!

Anyhow, here is this weeks meal plan

So if you can not get beef cheeks, substitute it with Brisket. You could also use rump, but i find rump falls apart pretty easy...

This shopping comes in at $127. That includes lunch every day except Day 7, because i usually buy lunch once a week...

Assumed existing cupboard ingredients are:

Rice, Dried Parsley, Salt Pepper, Flour, Caeser Dressing, Cheese, breadcrumbs.

If you don't have them, add them to your list!

For Day 1.
I usually just grill some chicken breast, fry some garlic and then add cream and parsley to it. easy sauce! 

Day 2's recipe you can find here

Day 3 -  Crack some salt & pepper into a plastic bag with some flour... Chop the squid (i usually make pineapple cut in it so it curls) and shallow fry.... this is another quick and easy dinner in our house... just make a caeser to suit (i usually have cos lettuce, bacon & Egg)

Day 4 - Home made Lasagne.... Just layer it up baby! I make our own chips these days... you have 3kg of potato! Use them!

Day 5 - I have allowed $10 for sausages... but you could get them from less... I just love our local butchers snags... they are freaking awesome! If you are local to Newcastle, i suggest you pay Grant and Brad a visit... Sausages are great and the red wine and garlic minute steaks are heaven. I lived on them when i used to party hard lol

Day 6 - At your discretion! My hamburger consists of Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese, Bacon, Egg, Mince & Bread roll... Healthy option? Have a bunless burger! Much less Calories!

Day 7 - oh how i love this meal! and it is diabetic friendly! Worth a try!

Some notable specials at coles this week! (not included in meal plan)
Apples! I got Pink Lady apples for $3/kg. I bought a lot.

Continental Pastas are 4 for $6. I grabbed 2 alfredo & 2 4 cheeses, as they will be part of next weeks meal plan

Radiant washing power. $5! I didn't need it, but it's good to have a back up for when it's not on special

Peppa Pig Cupcake mix $3. Because its easy to bribe your kids with Peppa bloody pig. (I Would love if someone can explain to me why that show hypnotises children!)

Here is the shopping list for the meal plan

If you spend over $100 at coles charlestown (I assume it's every coles, but not 100% sure) you get a free 24pack of coles water. I grabbed it! 

Also, with the left over buttermilk, i make my own chicken nuggets for the kids. I cook them in the oven and then freeze them. Much nicer than the store bought ones and you know what is in them! However you can freeze buttermilk for future use!

Anyhow, if you have questions or any requests, please let me know! I would love to have input so i know i am doing the right thing!