Let's Eat! Part 1

When we moved to Colorado, we knew that we needed to be a little more frugal when it came to eating out.  So, I decided to try planning all of our meals, allowing for some splurge nights of course.  I've always wanted to be this organized when it came to cooking at home, but never followed through with it.  We would usually decide to eat out at a moments notice or just cook something that was on hand at that second.  That "strategy" worked for us then, but we needed some new habits with our new move.  Plus, I LOVE to cook, so it was a win-win!!

I began scouring my old cookbooks and Pinterest boards for meals that were easy, affordable, and ones I've always wanted to make even if they weren't easy or that affordable (A little culinary splurge now and again never hurt anyone or any budget).  Next, I had to create a calendar.  When I get organized I go all the way people.  I found this neat, dry erase magnet on Zulily.  It makes me happy, so it's perfect.  It's made by a'la Board.

I've decided I have horrible handwriting. Don't judge me.

Every two weeks, I plan the next set of meals and make a grocery list for said meals.  I really enjoy this planning process; especially when I have the time to sit down and really go through all my delicious pins on Pinterest and pull out those tried and true recipes passed down from my mom and grandma.  Sometimes though I find myself saying, "Oh shoot, it's Sunday and I have to cook something tomorrow!"  Those are the weeks where we have a lot of frozen meals or sandwiches.  It's all good though, my family loves me.

Other than the recipes I use from my falling apart, old-time recipe book, I pin everything I make into my Pin Accomplished -- Recipes board on Pinterest (I'm going to officially stop typing "on Pinterest" and assume you'll know what I mean when I say, "I pin..."  Ok?  Good).  If you're on Pinterest, look me up and look on my board.  I type in notes about how each recipe turned out and if I did anything different.  I even put ones on there that were bad, so that I know it stunk and to not make it again.  

I love that I have found some amazing go-to recipes in this meal planning process and have made things that I probably would have never thought to cook.  My family is loving trying new recipes, and enjoying the fact that dinner rarely is a last minute decision like before.  On these meal planning posts, I hope to share some of my favorite recipes that I've made.  Who knows, maybe it'll encourage you to step out and cook one of those thousands of pins you have on your Favorite Recipes board (you know who you are)!  Do it!  ENCOURAGEMENT! 

I'll leave you with pictures of what I cooked on January 14 (See the calendar above!): Crockpot Country Style Ribs, Loaded Twice Baked Cauliflower, and a tomato salad (Ok, so the tomato salad isn't listed or pictured; I basically made it up. It's kind of like this recipe.)  

Please note these are not my pictures.  I, of course, didn't think to take any, BUT my food looked just as appetizing.

You want to make these now don't you! 
I've never made country-style ribs; these were delicious.
Here's the recipe.

This is a fantastic go-to side, especially for those low-carb folks.
I blend the cauliflower until it's nice and creamy, soooo good.
Here's the recipe.

Happy cooking!!