Menu Monday: 1/4/10-1/10/10

This week, not only am I showing you my menu for the week, but I’m also telling you what’s in my pantry! I’m taking part of the Eat from the Pantry Challenge put on by Money Saving Mom and Life as Mom.

Here are some guidelines to help you think about this challenge and how you can grow in kitchen management this month:

• Reduce grocery spending. We’re talking about reducing grocery spending this month, not eliminating it. Set a goal that is lower than your regular food budget and shoot for not exceeding it.
• Take stock. Take an afternoon and empty your pantry, freezer, and refrigerator. Ditch what’s gone bad and make a list of what’s left. Knowing what you have will make you less likely to buy more.
• Use what you have. Check your pantry before you meal plan or head off to the store. Develop meals based on what you have rather than buying new.

I still have to take inventory of my pantry items. I have a good idea what’s in there and know I don’t need to buy anything to make what’s on my menu for the week! My goal is no more than $150 spent on groceries for the month of January. My normal budget is around $400! I’d really like to do even less if possible!

So here is this week’s menu:

Here’s my freezer list (pantry list coming soon!)