What do i do with 30lbs of meat...

Had a small grocery list so i headed to our local Military Commissary, because I am trying to keep under budget this month.  What do I spy but the BEST deal i have ever seen on chicken breast...  only 93 cents a pound!  This generally goes for $4-6 a pound at our local grocery stores.  Nearby the ground lean sausage was only $1/lb.  I really felt like i had hit the jackpot, bought a total of 30lbs...

On my way home I considered going back for more, but didn't ;)

Some quick googling at the grocery store and I decided to try a few 'junk' type recipes..  you know, the ones with 'can creamed soup' or those 'spice packets' and convenient 'meal helpers' because I knew realistically right now, as I am also juggling the family, farm AND working nearly full time, I just can't prep all this alone without a few 'helpers'.

Fingers crossed they turn out!

First up I did a big batch of Chicken Pot Pie using BOTH premade dough and can of generic mushroom soup.  It was pretty quick, I did the prep while the chicken baked.  I am SO in love with our 'new to us' garage fridge, it is the perfect place to freeze my meals flat then transfer to our big freezer.  I did end up with a little extra Pot Pie sauce to turned that into a soup!  4 meals down.

Next up some quick BBQ chicken bags using a 'healthy' low sugar BBQ sauce and some diced onion,  4 made, no recipe needed here, just a bottle of bbq sauce, some diced onion, fresh garlic and olive oil!

Then Balsamic Peach chicken, using this recipe, 3 of those...  wondering if it will work well in the crock pot?  hmmmm....

I bought some 'butter chicken' seasoning packets and whipped that up.  Trying to think back, i think this may be the only time i have EVER purchased a seasoning packet, LOL!  Lets hope it turns out ;)

For a fun Italian dish I made Sun Dried Tomato Chicken, I will serve this with pasta and veggies of course! Another 3 dinners down!

Who doesn't love Eggroll in a Bowl?  I believe a friend shared this recipe with me about a year ago... its a family favorite!  I don't even have a particular recipe I use, just a quick google or pinterest search and I get the basic ingredients, be sure to use plenty fresh ginger and sesame oil, those make the dish :)  4 packs ready to go, must add fresh cabbage...  on busy nights simply use cole-slaw mix!

...and more!  I was so busy finishing these meals I never finished this post. I saved SO much money doing this, most meals were only a few dollars.  Commitment and organization...

IF I made 30 dinners for 4 people at only $4 each...  normally a dinner for 4 made at home is closer to $14 and up...  meaning I saved $10 per meal, times 30...

a savings of $300!  WOW!

What do I do with 14lbs of chicken.....

Ran to the Military Commissary and for the first time in my 15 years of shopping there I saw discounted chicken!  So, yeah, I got 14 lbs!

Tips for Shopping and Bulk Cooking; A quick Saturday Project

I plan my families menu every single week.  I don't just plan out what sounds good to me.  Nope.  I scan my pantry, fridge and freezer to see what I have on hand, sort through my recipes then hit the grocery store.  I ONLY buy what is a true bargain.

While at the store my husband texted me and asked for granola.  There was none on a discounted price so I didn't buy any.  Thats how I shop.  We have other food and will make due.  When granola is on clearance again I will stock up.

fast frittata for the freezer!

Easy and fast, this 'recipe' can be adapted to pretty much anything you have on hand!  Eggs.  You do need eggs for this one!  Everything else is pretty much flexible ;)

Budget Minestrone Jar Soup for the pantry, Cheap, Healthy Crockpot Meal

I was gifted a wonderful book off of my husbands grandmothers shelf while visiting over the Christmas holiday.  I knew the second she gave it to me I would covet it.  Homemade Mixes is the title, seems to be a vintage book from 1981..  does that make it vintage?  I was 3 years old when this came out, sure hope that doesn't make me vintage!

This book is packed full of thrifty, natural pantry meals.  I am testing and adapting them as I go, this recipe is actually mainly created by myself, only inspired by the book as it does not contain a Minestrone Soup....  it is so delicious, you will be amazed!