What do you think?

I made my very first blog background!  It's pretty simple, but I like simple.  I'm still not sure that the colors of my background match the header.  But, now that I know how to do it, I'll probably play around more.  Hopefully the cream background is much easier on your eyes.  Also, if I can ever find some free digital frogs that I like, I will try and add them to the site.  So tell me what you think... even if you hate it. 

Menu Plan Monday on a Budget

My cousin texted me last week saying she could use my help.  Back when we were both at Central Washington University, we'd go grocery shopping together, and I'd always find all the amazing deals to help us both feed ourselves and hubbys on the cheap.  She wanted to start doing more eating at home, and using the extra money for other things.  I enjoyed searching the ads and creating a meal plan for her family, more than I do when I'm just figuring out my family's menu.  The benefit was, we both went shopping together Saturday, and I had created a menu for my family in the process.

Monday: Tacos (hamburger, refried beans, cheese, lettuce, fresh salsa, avocado on corn tortillas)

Tuesday: Sweet and Sour Pork Steaks, rice, salad (pan fry the pork with green pepper chunks, add sweet and sour sauce, and chunks of pineapple)

Wednesday: Corned Beef and red potatoes in the crock pot with fresh veggies. 

Thursday: Roasted Chicken thighs, grilled potatoes and carrots

Friday: Easy Huevos Rancheros

Saturday: Roast Beef with potatoes and Carrots (with half the roast reserved for next weeks meal)

Sunday: Leftovers

Monday:  BBQ Beef Sandwiches (from Saturday's roast) with salad

Tuesday: Pork steaks with cream of mushroom soup in crockpot, served over rice with broccoli and cheese.


I'll complete next week's menu,  next week.  But we still have plenty of ground beef, round steak, chicken, and chicken fried steak patties to use. 

On Saturday I purchased- Roast, avocados, re-fried beans, corned beef, broccoli, red potatoes, pork steaks, spaghetti sauce, bananas, radishes, green onions, lettuce, sweet potato, mini carrots, chicken thighs, tortillas, sausage for breakfast, crackers, cheese, sweet and sour sauce, bbq sauce, cream of mushroom soup and more for about $48.  It would have been more, except I had a WIC check for $10 worth of veggies. 

So have any of you non-menu planners, decided to give it a try yet?

For more menus visit www.orgjunkie.com

Northwest Profiles

I have shared a few of these before, remember the Blue Tarp Camper video?  These are radio and tv commercials for the Northwest.  I love to listen to them, because so often they are completely true of people here in Washington State.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Please be patient

I have some kind of wild hair to change up the blog.  But, can't decide what to make it look like at this time.  I'll be playing around over the next week.  Feel free to chime in at anytime on whether you like it or not.  Right now is just a "time to leave it alone for a bit" look.

Steak Strip Marinade

Here it is the yummiest marinade ever.  I had my choice of any restaurant I wanted for my birthday dinner, yet I wanted to eat these!  You can use most any cut of meat.  Even tough meat will be tender after this treatment.  I am going to savor every bite for my dinner tomorrow! Thanks to my mom for calling me with the recipe, since I keep losing it.

Steak Strip Marinade
1/2 c chili sauce
1/2 c tomato juice (or ketchup with water)
1/3 c oil
1/4 c vinegar
4 T brown sugar
1 T mustard
2 t instant coffee (or just add about 1/4 cup of leftover coffee)
1/2 t salt
1/2 small onion chopped

Mix together and marinade meat for at least 8 hours.  Enjoy!