Goulash for a frugal quick meal

There is a great blog out there that I have learned so much from that I have spoken of in a couple of my previous posts. This blog is "The Grocery Cart Challenge" the creator is Gayle. And she is doing a recipe swap on Fridays. We are sharing our own frugal and quick recipes via a link on her web page. So here is my contribution this week!

This week I am sharing Mom's Goulash. I remember my Mother making this when I was a child. I don't know if it was her reason to make it because it was frugal and easy. But nonetheless I remember her making it and she still does to this day. I have to be honest it is not a favorite of mine but my brother always loved it! I'll admit to being fussy at times - I am easy to please but picky at the same time. For example a simple bowl of cereal and I'm happy :-)

So here is the recipe for Mom's Goulash.

Ingredients
1 lb hamburger meat
1 (26 ounce) can tomato soup
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can tomato soup
2 (8 ounce) bags macaroni
1/4 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste

All you do is brown the hamburger meat and onion add the tomato soup. While doing this boil the macaroni. Then drain the water from the macaroni and add it to the meat mixture. Add some salt and pepper to taste. You can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese if you desire.

And if you do not have any tomato soup on hand try using ketchup!

There you go!!!

Time To Make The Donuts!!!

Inspired by "The Grocery Cart Challenge" - This morning I treated all three of my boys (that's including my hubby) to homemade donuts. My oldest son was the first one to try them, then he called on the rest of the crew to come enjoy the tasty treats! I have to admit I was intimidated with the thought of making donuts from scratch at first. I am actually a good baker but the frying and shaping of the donuts worried me at first. But the recipe (here) is actually pretty easy and they turned out pretty good! The recipe made 14 donuts and a bunch of donut holes so, I froze half. If I didn't freeze them they would be gone in no time and they are a treat in our household....we do try and eat healthy. Being Canadian it's in our blood to just LOVE DONUTS! Thanks again Gayle from "The Grocery Cart Challenge :-)

Menu Planning Monday

I know I know I'm late with this...

I did my grocery trips this weekend. I'm still intrigued with The Grocery Cart Challenge. I am a work in progress but I'll get there!!! My overall goal for this month is $450 - so let's see!? I think that is realistic and who knows with time I may improve but the goal is to maintain. I want my family first of all to eat healthy and not to feel deprived. I am pretty much up to $300 now - but I have plenty of meals planned and and abundance of food to last at least until 07/22 so I predict all is doable. My curve ball right now is the Safeway Summer Saving Promotion. Check this out over with Money Making Mom. I plan to stock up with the savings using Safeway Summer Saving Promotion, while planning my meals and grocery trips with The Grocery Cart Challenge and maintain my budget. We'll see how it goes!!!!

Menu Planning Monday

Breakfast
Any fruit breakfast cobler
amish baked oatmeal - Another big hit in our household
weight watcher pumpkin muffins
buttermilk pancakes (froznen from last week)
orange julies smoothies - my kids and are lovin these!! And I enjoy them as well!!

Dinners
Vegatarin chili with weight watchers corn bread
Oven Fried Eggplant with marinana sauce
crockpot potato chowder - a hit with both my kids :-)
salmon loaf and brocolli
vegatarian meat loaf with green beans
ranch potatos

Ground Beef Gyros

Falfels - One of my personal favs. but it's growing on my hubby!

Snacks
babysitter cookies
brownies

Fun Times!!

Yesterday we enjoyed a fun day with our special friends from Popsicles on the Porch. We went to a Memorial City Mall Play area, had lunch together and ended the day with a ride on the carousel. It was simple but fun times. The play area is very cool - it is gated with a guard on patrol so no kiddies can escape. You still have to keep a close eye on your kiddos but there is a little degree of relaxation because you don't have to be running after them to keep them contained. It was our first time there and we'll certainly be returning. FUN TIMES!!!

Grocery Shopping Day...and Happy Canada Day!

Today is Canada Day - My husband and I are Canadian and our boys are American but made with Canadian parts! LOL



To follow up with yesterdays post today was my grocery shopping day! I actually got a LOT of groceries for a total of $75.01. I have everything to cover the meals in my blog from yesterday plus lots and lots of extras. I saved $14 with coupons! Yeah! Both my husband and I are cereal fanatics. Today I got Honey Nut Cheerios for 75 cents and Kashi cereal for 50 cents. I got the Kashi cereal deal from Money Saving Mom CVS June 28 posting. Thank You Money Saving Mom!!! After reading The Grocery Challenge blog I am curious to see what my Grocery Bill will be for the month?!?!?