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Meal planning to save time

15th September 2018 by shoestringjane@outlook.com 9 Comments

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meal planning to save time

Although it can seem like a faff, meal planning really does pay dividends. It saves both money and time. The latter I seem to be particularly short of at the moment. There aren’t enough hours in the day! Meal planning to save time is essential this week.

We have a student from China staying for a fortnight from tomorrow. She has finished her studies at the university and is obliged to leave her accommodation, but wants to hang around for a couple of weeks. As our lodger left yesterday and we don’t have anyone long term at the moment, this suits us. We do have a few people asking to view the room, though, so I hope she keeps it tidy!

A deep clean

I have been spending time giving the house a deeper clean than usual. Sorting and cleaning drawers, the oven, the fridge and freezers, for example. When you have someone new coming to stay, it makes you hyper critical!

We also couldn’t let our grape harvest rot on the vines so have pulled some off to make grape liqueur. It is a very basic mix of grapes, a small amount of sugar and some cheap vodka. Hopefully it will be ready for Christmas! I need to find time at some point very soon to make some grape jelly too. We offered the grapes to everyone we know to see if anyone fancied making wine, but had no takers. They aren’t really sweet enough to just eat, so we need to find ways to preserve the harvest.

With all this activity and our usual hours at work, no wonder time is short!

Meal planning to save time: this week’s dinners

Our student is happy to sort out her own food, so that’s something. It means I don’t have to fuss. I do have friends round on Friday for dinner, though! I will have to make it all the evening before as I am working on Friday. Everything apart from the food for Friday is quick and easy to put together.

Saturday

Pork chops or veggie burgers with new potatoes, broccoli and peas.

Sunday

Nut burgers with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, carrots and broccoli. We have quite a few bananas that need eating, so will have those with custard for dessert.

Monday

Haddock with parsley sauce, new potatoes and green beans from the freezer.

Tuesday

The last of the chilli for Mr S and chick pea curry for me, both from the freezer, with some Indian wraps I found in Lidl.

Wednesday

meal planning to save time

Vegetable risotto and salad. Mr S can have a chicken breast with his. I shall just top mine with some grated cheddar.

Thursday

Something really quick so I can get on with cooking tomorrow’s dinner! Just an omelette and chips I think or maybe some leftover risotto is there is some.

Friday

This is the evening I have the girls round! We are having cashew nut and mushroom roast, with roast potatoes, onion gravy and vegetables. For pudding I am planning apple and almond pudding – a Delia Smith recipe that I really love. It is easy to make and gluten free to boot. We won’t have a starter – just some nibbles.

Do you do meal planning to save time and money? For more on this see my post here.

As usual, to keep my shopping budget on track,  I am linking up with Katy Kicker . If you want more ideas on meal planning and saving money, take a look here.

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Filed Under: FRUGAL FOOD Tagged With: Meal Planning

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Comments

  1. Tree says

    16th September 2018 at 12:34

    I’m so impressed you grow your own grapes! That is awesome.
    Hope you enjoy your girls night!
    Tx

    Reply
  2. Sarah - Mud, Cakes and Wine says

    16th September 2018 at 14:30

    What a wonderful idea for grapes as we have some i have no idea what to do with them. Love veggie risotto and can you beat omlette and chips

    Reply
    • shoestringjane@outlook.com says

      16th September 2018 at 16:06

      Fried eggs and chips with ketchup! Divine

      Reply
  3. Louise Fairweather says

    16th September 2018 at 15:12

    I do love a good Delia recipe. Sounds lovely x

    Reply
  4. sam says

    16th September 2018 at 15:12

    Do you link to your recipes? The mushroom and nut roast sounds so goo. My vegetarian daughter is with us for a few weeks as she starts a new job tomorrow and hasn’t found an apartment yet (and still has her old lease until November 1 so happy to have her stay and save a bit of her money.) girls nights beg simple food-they get it.

    Reply
    • shoestringjane@outlook.com says

      16th September 2018 at 16:07

      I will post the recipe soon

      Reply
  5. Kim Carberry says

    17th September 2018 at 10:19

    I hope your student is nice and tidy. Good luck. I love the sound of the grape liqueur! It sounds like you have a tasty week planned…

    Reply
  6. Katy Stevens says

    20th September 2018 at 15:02

    Sounds like you’ve got a delicious week ahead! Thanks for sharing x

    Reply
  7. Sarah Mclaren says

    26th September 2018 at 01:55

    Sounds yummy! I try to meal plan – it doesn’t always work out how I planned that it would but it definitely helps to keep costs down!

    Reply

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About Me

Would you like to take control of your finances, pay off your debts and save for the future? At Shoestring Cottage we aim to show you that you can live a good and happy life on less than you think, you can get off the consumer treadmill and you can live more simply and healthily and not feel deprived.
We are also moving toward a less wasteful, more sustainable lifestyle and believe frugality and sustainability go hand in hand. Read More…

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