Frugal Familly Meal Planning

Not only do I have rising gas costs to worry about, but my weekly grocery bill has shot up $30 too.

Every time I go shopping I have a nagging feeling every time I scan my bank card, like "there has to be something I can do to cut back."

I came across this article on one of my favorite frugal sites. It was a timely reminder (grocery day is Tuesday) to start doing what I can to save our family money beginning with the place we spend the most money, aside from our mortgage.

Through this article I came across this site and also this one. Most of the recipes use beans instead of meat because beans are cheaper to prepare.

But they also have the added bonus of being healthier for ourselves and the planet. I was a vegetarian for close to ten years but I was young and ate really unhealthily. I was a more a "junk-etarian" than anything else. I felt so much better after I began to eat meat again (once I became pregnant) but I know now that if I ate well and added plenty of alternate protein sources I'd feel great.

Not that I am particularly planning on becoming a full-on vegetarian again, but I am interested in cutting back where I can in my diet, in my budget, and in my actions that affect the environment.

I am excited to adopt a more Depression-era mindset. I am a great cook, a creative person and I am committed to helping my family ride out this recession we are mired in.

We are not rich people and I am holding on to every asset we have as tightly as I can.

I feel guilty every time I reach for horribly overpriced organic "convenience" food items, knowing that I can make something similar for much less and avoid all the extraneous packaging.

I have been spending my creative energy (and then some) on my crafty endeavors but I hope to get back on track with cooking and meal planning for my family.

I have been so tired lately and I have to say I haven't been eating well at all. I feed the boys but neglect my own needs. It's hot here and I think I'm not hungry but it's taking it's toll.

My friends brought me a sandwich today and I can't believe how much better I feel than I normally do. I have just been wiped out. I just don't eat solid, healthy, substantial meals when I should.

I hope to start making some of these recipes asap, I'll let you know which ones are keepers!