Emeal update

Tonight's dinner on our emeals list is Dirty Rice and Sausage.  They have many menu types available, but what I really like is how versatile the menu and grocery list.  I chose the Any Store Meal Plan.  The first week I followed it exactly, which was really difficult for me because I like to twist things up a little... its my personality!

The following week I crossed out some items to allow for some things I new the family would not want to eat.   It was as easy as they said.  Where ever I saw the number 4 on the grocery list (that was the meal we decided not to eat)  I just crossed that item out.   Also I don't follow the list like Monday is rock solid for meal 1...   I generally just pick and choose, which you could do either way.  I am just not that structured.

The other thing I enjoy about it is I can easily change items like whole grain brown rice vs. white, or fresh spinach vs. frozen.  The menu can be molded to fit your needs.   So in essence, if you are not sure sign up for a trial and see how it goes.

I think you will enjoy it, if you are strapped for time, fighting with a disability, or just would like to alleviate one of the pressures of your day. I think this would be a good fit it has worked for me so far.

Emeals!

Well we are on our second week of Emealz.  I had decided to do a 3 month trial.  But I already LOVE IT!    I am not a too busy mom type, but I am sick and in dealing with those issues I am not always on top of everything.   I wasn't too sure if I was going to be a fan because generally I like to do everything myself, because it saves money.

But the menu's are organized really well.  So if there is something I don't like I just cross of ingredients on the shopping list that correspond with that menu number so if I don't want meal 6, I write in hamburgers or whatever I happen to want to make or is requested on the shopping list I cross out all items that have the #6 next to it and add meat and buns (or pizza night)...  right  are we clear.

There are a ton of kinds of menus, like low fat, carb free, gluten free, based on particular stores, or just general.  We are using the basic menu, and so far things have been tasty.  I have also made a few changes that were relatively painless to do, like ground turkey in place of ground beef, substituted certain veggies I already know that won't work with our family.   Its been easy to maneuver around.

The price didn't change too much for us, because we were already at 80-100 per week budget, however the variety is fantastic, it has been nice getting away from the  Monday hamburgers, taco tuesday wednesday chicken and rice a roni...  etc.  I was getting tired and so was my menu.   

And frankly its nice to have one thing I don't have to think about. There is enough on my plate, and anything I can do mindless I am all for.   So my rating is... so far so fabulous!

How do you use Menu 4 Mom's

I have to say I have really gotten into this pre-made menu stuff.  For me the key is too not get crazy modifications or changing the schedule is okay, this is huge growth for me people.  (sigh... I miss the non-neurotic,  oh well version of me I remember being less stressed)  Anyhoo FOCUS!

I like the schedule and with my recent awesome gift from my family of the ITOUCH!  YEAH FOR ME!  (I named her Brae... you know like Braeburn APPLE, I am so clever!)  oops FOCUS!  You see what I do is email myself a copy of the menu and the grocery list and open it in Brae (my itouch), and tada! I just turn it on flip the through the pages and shop.  

I have saved paper and I don't have to worry about forgetting my list.  yeah for technology.

Dinner thoughts

Last week marks my first week of using menu4moms.  I have been subscribing for over a year now, and when the email comes in I look at it then delete or save it whatever.  Then last week I just grown tired of my same old standby's.  I get home and I am so tired that I just don't even want to think about what I am going to make let alone try and decide if I have the stuff to make it. 

I opened the email, printed the menu, which comes with the recipes too, and put it on my fridge with the recipes in my junk drawer.  Then I printed the shopping list.  I went over everything deciding what changes I need to make to it to lower the calories and fat content, and went shopping.

When I was finished with this weeks shopping, I had only spent $35  which is alot less than what the shopping list assumed it would be but, I am cooking for only 3 people.  Also there was a few items I already had, but I did pick up a few essentials.

All in all, I was happy because of the no-brainer cooking, and the family enjoyed it cause it was different.  In fact last night we had stuffed pork chops and cinnamon baked apples  2 things I don't think I have ever made, and it was GOOD!