*Weekly Meal Plan*

I can't help but feel a little fickle.  I never seem to keep up with my blog.   But I'm going to give it another shot ;-)

We've been making an effort to eat healthier and incorporate more all natural and organic foods into our menus.

Finding all natural and organic foods that fit a budget can be difficult, and I'm so thankful that a Trader Joe's has opened up near us.

This weeks meals are as follows , though in no particular order ...

Homemade Pizza with Avocado Bacon Bleu Cheese Salad.  Using this dough recipe.  
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/pizza-dough-recipe/index.html

Tofu Parmesan with spaghetti and salad.

Tilapia with brussel sprouts and herbed quinoa.    I cook the quinoa according to instructions, then saute onion, garlic, fresh Italian parsley and dried thyme in EVOO, add some lemon juice, and fluff it into the quinoa.   I do this for any recipe that uses quinoa.

Chicken burgers (ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, seasonings, shaped and grilled) on homemade buns with steamed spinach.  I use this bun recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hamburger-buns/detail.aspx

Sweet potato and black bean chili over whole grain rice with salad. Chili recipe here:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Sweet-Potato---Black-Bean-Chili

Quinoa and kale patties with mixed veggies and farmers cheese.

We bake white whole wheat bread to use for pbj sandwiches , and the kids alternate between cereal, oatmeal with raisins and bananas, pancakes, etc for breakfast.

Below was my grocery list with an estimate of cost, I ended up spending about $80.  We already had some things on hand, like frozen tilapia, and staples like oatmeal, quinoa, flour, butter, rice, etc.

I bought most of our food at Trader Joe's, then follow up with Krogers for items that I know will be substantially cheaper or that aren't available at Trader Joe's.

Cereal , organic 2.50
Milk 3.30
Juice 2.00
Sugar 2.50
Eggs , organic 2.79
Marinara sauce, organic 1.99
Cheese 2.00
Mushrooms, organic 2.00
Salad  2.00
ground chicken  3.50
Tomatoes 2.00
Pickles, organic 2.00
Organic frozen spinach 1.70
Organic frozen Mixed veggies 1.70
Salad 2.00
Tofu , organic 2.00
Spaghetti , whole wheat, organic 1.40
Cheese 1.88
Organic pasta sauce 2.50
Ricotta  2.50
2 Onions 1.60
Bag of sweet potatoes 1.89
2 cans organic black beans 2.40
Can of fire roasted tomato 1.00
Cheese 1.88
Coffee, organic fair trade 8.00
Salad 2.00
Pears, bananas, apples 4.00
Natural peanut butter 2.50
Garlic .50
parsley 1.00

Please comment with your menu!!