Back to Budget: Meal Plan

   


      I didn't spend silly money on vacation but even the non-silly adds up but I have not an iota of regret. The food was delicious, and wish I'd have had even more. I'm going to be on the hunt for real plain Greek yogurt, not what passes in the US. A pleasant surprise...my ridiculously priced beer and quesadille in the Toronto Airport that after tip came to $40, was actually $30 US dollars. I had the exchange rate for Euros engrained and wasn't thinking the US dollar was higher than Canadian. Yay, I guess. Anyhow, pricey cheese on a tortilla and flat beer aside, here's my attempt at a menu requiring no additional groceries.

  • Sunday: Chicken, cilantro rice, and black bean wraps or bowls
  • Monday: Meatballs in mushroom sauce with penne, steamed carrots
  • Tuesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables
  • Wednesday: Tuna hotdish with peas
  • Thursday: leftovers
  • Friday: Dinner out with family, fish fry or may have something else
  • Saturday: Chicken drumsticks with seasoned rice and vegetables
     My weight has been up and down each day since back from vacation, but pretty sure a few pounds was an unwelcome souvenir. I'm trying to limit my portion sizes, plan to going forward, and drink a lot of water so hopefully start feeling and looking a bit better. Despite the nine inches of wet heavy snow, spring is officially here Saturday and I'd like my existing clothes to fit.

Comments

  1. jjMarch 16, 2026 at 7:58 AM

    These meals sound delicious! Good luck this week on transitioning back to things. Pearson is the worst, we typically pack snacks to take (we're from Toronto) to avoid their way too expensive prices.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BelindaMarch 16, 2026 at 8:20 AM

    Sounds like a good menu for the week and not having to get additional groceries for it is a bonus. Now I'm curious about the Greek yogurt too, so please keep us updated on what you find. I eat it almost every morning for breakfast and am curious. I'm glad you're home safe and sound and back to blogging. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. GinaMarch 16, 2026 at 8:34 AM

    I'm going to do my best to stay out of the grocery store this week. I feel like once every two weeks could probably do it for me. Your menu sounds very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. KirstenMMarch 16, 2026 at 10:15 AM

    If you can buy 'live' yoghurt, and have a thermos flask, it's easy to make your own thick yoghurt, maybe not exactly Greek; but still good; heat milk and reduce by about a third, cool to blood heat, stir in a good spoonful of live yoghurt and leave for 24 hours in thermos. (Scald thermos with boiling water first) You can then let it drip through a sieve lined with muslin or kitchen paper. If it's too runny. The liquid can be used for bread making or scones. It's less of a palaver than it sounds. I've used semi skimmed, whole or uht, and don't always bother to reduce it. Quantities are inexact... depends on the size of your thermos. Mine's about three quarters of a pint.

    ReplyDelete

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