Whole-Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins + the beautiful flowers my husband bought for me
We have plans on both Wednesday and Thursday afternoon of this week, so instead of doing my usual Freezer Cooking in an Hour session, I’m splitting it up over three days and just doing one 20-minute freezer cooking project each day. It might not be quite as efficient as my usual Freezer Cooking session, but I think it will work out alright. At least I’m hopeful it will!
Here’s our menu plan for this week:
Breakfasts
Popcorn Cereal, apples
Steel Cut Oatmeal in the crockpot, Pick Me Up Smoothies
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins, fried eggs
Whole-Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, fruit, scrambled eggs
Waffles, fruit, scrambled eggs
Oatmeal, fruit
French Toast, fruitLunches
Snack-y lunch
Salad with shredded turkey and hard-boiled eggs, apples
Cheese Ravioli, frozen peas, nectarines
Salad with hard-boiled eggs, feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted rolls
Macaroni & Cheese, frozen veggies, fruit
Homemade Pizza Pockets
Leftovers x 2Snacks
Granola bars
Fruit/Veggies
Whole-Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Easy Morning Glory MuffinsDinners
Steaks, Twice Baked Potatoes, salad, fruit
Turkey and Cheese on Hoagies (my family had these leftovers from an event and shared them with us), leftover Twice Baked Potatoes, frozen veggies
Macaroni & Cheese With Beef (from the freezer), Easy Morning Glory Muffins, frozen veggies
Homemade Pizza Pockets, fruit, veggies
Dinner with extended family
Dinner outFreezer Cooking Projects
Homemade Pizza Pockets
Easy Morning Glory Muffins
Whole-Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.
Subscribe for free email updates and be entered to win $100!
PREVIOUS POST: Payless Shoesource: Six-pack of infant socks for $3.20 shipped to store
NEXT POST: $1/1 Naked Juice printable coupon (Facebook offer)
Money Saving Mom® is an upbeat and encouraging blog dedicated to helping you 
{ 53 comments... read them below or add one }
I was wondering how to expand my pizza dough for more than just pizza. I’ve gotten pretty good at making fresh pizza dough each week, but it’s so easy I would love to make more than just pizza with it. I’d love to hear any suggestions!
I have tons of recipes that use crescent roll dough, but you could probably sub the pizza dough Anne!
My latest is Meatball Hot Pockets, which look similiar to the recipes for Homemade Pizza Pockets, but easier.
http://thirtythreemom.com/2011/09/19/simple-recipe-meatball-hot-pockets/
Anne, I use mine to make stromboli. It is like a rolled up pizza, but instead of pizza sauce you use a basil/olive oil/parmesan cheese mixture. It’s REALLY good, and freezes well, too. Here is the link if you want to check it out. The original recipe calls for frozen bread dough, but pizza dough works just as well, in fact we like it better with pizza dough.
http://myfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/2011/02/stromboli.html
Let me know if you have any questions.
I made Taco Melts last night from the Pillsbury website: http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/grands-taco-melts/e6b11686-a7bd-4332-bf4d-1f9fe83ddfd2/
I substituted ground turkey for ground beef. I also used biscuit dough but am sure pizza dough would work great too!
We are eating from the fridge/freezer this week! It’s fun to be creative.
As far as actual baking, I found an awesome recipe on realfoodallergyfree.com for dairy-free, gluten-free (my diet) granola bars. I brought them to a camping trip and they were quite substantial as a breakfast with some dried fruit and now I eat one before I go running for my carb boost. LOVE! The mix-ins in the recipe are craisins and chocolate chips, but I’m going to have fun experimenting with different add-ins, like sunflower kernels and nuts. Maybe even some shredded coconut.
Your menu sounds great! I need to make that crockpot oatmeal and start making smoothies again.
I would love to get your recipe for the GF granola bars – I am GF, too! Sounds like a really great healthy snack – or quick breakfast! Do you have a link?
The link is http://www.5dollardinners.com/2011/09/chocolate-cranberry-granola-bars.html
If you go back to realfoodallergyfree.com, she has TONS of gluten free recipes that are super simple and delicious. Next on my list to try are her double chocolate scones.
Please, please let us know how the Popcorn Cereal turns out. I’m a popcorn lover and am intrigued.
Our menu is here: http://www.womworkingmom.com/2011/09/wom-meals-this-weeks-menu-for-919-to.html
Special thanks to you, Crystal, for the Make-Ahead Butterhorn recipe. We’re going to try them this week.
I’ve got to say that I am intrigued by the popcorn cereal!
Our menu plan for the week can be found here: http://simplythriftyliving.com/2011/09/19/menu-plan-monday-2/
Here’s a recipe I tried this week: eggs in a hole. It is super easy and super delicious–thought you might enjoy it!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/07/egg-in-a-hole-see-alternate-names-below/
Eggs in a hole are amazing! We love them for breakfast…or anytime really!
Gagging a bit at the thought of soggy popcorn, yet sounds like homemade corn pops maybe? (I think that’s the name of that cereal)
No, actually, it’s air-popped popcorn served like cold cereal.
It’s one of the recipes in a series I did a couple years ago called “Breakfasts from my Childhood”. I think it’s perhaps an old-fashioned Midwest type of thing… I loved it as a child and it is frugal and healthy. 
My kids love it now! 
Tammy
I’ll have to check out that series! The farthest west I’ve ever been is Tennessee, lol , so definitely never heard ot it. Thanks
Popcorn cereal? I don’t know how I feel about that? The pictures looked interesting. Is it really gpod?
I’m making the No-Bake Energy Bites this week…I bought everything for them today!
Our menu for the week, with a $50 budget, is here:
http://www.savemoneylivejoyfully.com/2011/09/weekly-menu-september-18-24-2011.html
The muffins look yummy!!! Here’s our menu plan this week eating mostly organic/all natural. Crockpot pork was so good tonight!! http://saveliveeatlove.com/?p=572
Your menu looks great! I have a pizza loving family, so I am going to have to check out your homemade pizza pocket recipe.
You can check out our menu plan at
http://savingwithpurpose.blogspot.com/2011/09/menu-planning-why-i-do-it-and-this.html
I made the Build Your Own Haystacks tonight for my family for the first time. They were yummy
I can’t wait to try the Homemade Pizza Pockets. And as a bonus, I actually have a full day next week to make some new recipes for the freezer.
I am intrigued by the popcorn cereal….not enough to try it myself yet, but I can’t wait to hear how it tastes! LOL.
Here’s our menu for the week: http://strengthanddignity-proverbs31.blogspot.com/2011/09/our-menu-919-925.html
Just a note on the popcorn cereal for those that are intrigued… last year my son’s teacher had a Colonial Themed Christmas Party. That was one of the items served, so I believe that’s an old tradition dating back to at least Colonial America. I also noticed as I picked up a Laura Ingalls Wilder cookbook, that there is a recipe in that for it as well. I have a feeling that our ancestors found frugal ways to make snacks
. (Check out a “Long Winter” by L. I.Wilder for a real taste of stretching a meal!) Thanks for sharing your plan and your goals weekly Crystal!
Wondering how you do the steel cut oatmeal in a crock pot – we love this but it takes a lot of time to cook on the stove top.
Thanks.
I don’t make steel cut oats anymore, but when I did I would pre-cook them the night before.
While I was cleaning up the dinner dishes, I would put a pan of water & steel cut oats on the stove (I think it was 1 c. cereal to 3 c water, but not entirely sure about that!) Set the timer for 4-5 minutes so they don’t boil over.
Let them sit overnight with the lid on. In the morning I would bring the cereal/water just to a boil (add water/milk if needed) and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
Here’s our weekly menu. We’re on vacation this week, so I shared a few of our money saving vacation menu tips!
http://armstrongfamilyfare.com/weekly-menu-9182011/
Now that it’s getting to be fall (can you believe it!) I’m starting to put some of my winter recipe back in the mix. While I don’t want winter to come it is a nice change of pace!
http://www.wonderwomanimnot.com/2011/09/menu-plan.html
Here is our menu plan for this week. The Crispy SW Chicken Wraps are on it…I can’t wait to try those. You guys seemed to like them, and I hope my family does, too. I did make pumpkin scones and homemade pumpkin spice lattes Sunday morning before church and they both turned out great. Have you tried the scones yet? You always have the YUMMIEST sounding salads on your lunch menu. I need to work on putting better salads together for lunch. Have a great week!
http://myfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/2011/09/menu-plan-week-of-september-18.html
I’ve never seen homemade popcorn cereal before–interesting! Let us know if your kids like it.
Here’s our $100 Budget Weekly Menu for six:
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/09/16/100-budget-weekly-menu-91611/
and the adjustments we make for our daughter who is gluten free:
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/09/19/simple-gluten-free-weekly-menu-918/
Thank you, Crystal! It’s an honor to have you feature my muffin recipe. I hope you liked them, since they are on your menu for the week.
I tried the no-bake energy balls with sunflower butter the other day and they are fantastic! Of course, my food allergy son didn’t like them…go figure. I love how easy and relatively healthy and wholesome they are.
Have a blessed week!
One more thing…I’d love to know how you like the steel cut oats in the crockpot. I tried this last Sunday for breakfast. I started them the night before on low and was so excited to have a warm breakfast before heading out to early church. It was not a hit! My husband isn’t crazy about the crockpot as it is, but I’m not that picky. I didn’t really like them either though. Ended up throwing most of the leftovers in an oatmeal pancake recipe and had to toss some out. I don’t like the waste, but they were that bad.
Just in case you don’t see my reply above:
I don’t make steel cut oats anymore, but when I did I would pre-cook them the night before.
While I was cleaning up the dinner dishes, I would put a pan of water & steel cut oats on the stove (I think it was 1 c. cereal to 3 c water, but not entirely sure about that!) Set the timer for 4-5 minutes so they don’t boil over.
Let them sit overnight with the lid on. In the morning I would bring the cereal/water just to a boil (add water/milk if needed) and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
I’m so glad you are giving the Pizza Pockets a try. I bet your kiddos will love them!
Thanks for linking to us!!
~Liz@HoosierHomemade & Pocket Change Gourmet
I have a weekly meal plan, too! http://3boysandadog.com/deals/2011/menu-plan-monday-true-southern-meals-kid-friendly-recipes/
Thank you!
Kelli
The pizza pockets look yummy. I bet they freeze really well, too!
I will have to give the popcorn cereal a try. I bet my kids would think that is a great treat!
We are having Pepperoni Pizza Pie, Garlic Cheddar Chicken, and more, all gluten free of course!
http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2011/09/menu-plan-918.html
I think I may have to try the steal cut oats in the crockpot. All of my kids love oatmeal but I rarely make it in the mornings. I can’t wait to hear how it turns out.
Here is our menu plan for the week:
http://www.financeswithfunk.com/2011/09/19/menu-plan-monday-91911/
Whoo-hoo, the Paines are having steak this week! LOL, after years of reading your frugal menus it’s nice to see that you finally get a steak dinner once in awhile.
Does anyone have any easy chicken dinner recipes? I got a lot of chicken on sale last week and need some new ideas.. I would love to see them! (If you could put the link to the recipe on my site I would appreciate it.)
http://www.thegrantlife.com/2011/09/menu-monday_19.html
Thanks for the reminder on the popcorn cereal. I saw that on Tammy’s website a while back and I bet my son would love that.
Here’s my menu this week. I have a freezer full of good stuff, so we’re happy:
http://cookingluck.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-weeks-menu_17.html
The muffins look yummy! Can’t wait to try the recipe. Here’s what we’re eating this week for our mostly organic/all natural menu: http://saveliveeatlove.com/?p=572
so it appears I commented twice on this..once last night (which I thought didn’t go through) and this am…this Mommy needs more sleep! lol
We really enjoy muffins here, so I have been baking a lot to stock up the freezer now that it is cooler. I made pumpkin cranberry muffins, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and a new one-pumpkin pie apple muffins. Very, very good. It was a very healthy recipe too which was a bonus.
Thank you for doing all this work for us. I just made the muffins and they look incredible.
I appreciate everything you post every day. THANKS!!!
I love seeing what you all are making. Gives me new ideas! Thx, Jada
http://foodfunfamily.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/menu-plan-monday-september-19-september-25/
Here’s what’s cooking at our house:
http://www.hummingbirdhomemaking.com/2011/09/menu-plan-monday-primal-on-budget.html
I always get so many ideas from your menus. Love the links! Thanks a lot! We’re also having muffins around here and I my menu includes links for how I make ahead freezer mixes for quicker muffin breakfasts or snacks – an idea I tweaked from LifeasMom. You can see our menu here: http://www.simplifylivelove.com/2011/09/menu-freezer-cooking-plan-919.html
Just thought I’d mention that you can do twice baked potatoes and freeze them. I had a whole bag of potatoes and some sour cream that needed used quickly, and it was a great way to use them up. I wrapped each individually in cellophane and then put them in a zipper freezer bag.
Our menu this week includes pumpkin waffles, but the recipe I tried isn’t working out too well. The batter turned out too runny and I could taste too much egg in it. Would appreciate any comments/ suggestions on how to make great pumpkin waffles.
In other news, out menu each week is based on sales at the Commissary – so if you are a military spouse, come check it out!
K-Mo: do you have a favorite regular waffle recipe that you do like? You could add 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree to it as well as some pumpkin pie spice (or the cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice separately)
I try to make the meal plan simple but I throw in one really dish that takes a little more effort but is worth it. I love to make Asopao. It’s a Latin dish.
http://www.moneysavingenthusiast.com/3/post/2011/09/read-this-not-that-a-simple-meal-plan-with-a-latin-dish.html
Here’s another plan with a meal included from a Tyler Florence Recipe
http://www.moneysavingenthusiast.com/3/post/2011/09/another-meal-plan-including-free-video-with-tyler-florence.html
I’m new to the “freezer cooking” idea. How does one take a recipe from the prep stage – freeze and then cook. 1: do you layer the item in a baking pan and freeze and then bundle together w/ instructions?, 2) do you have to increase the cooking time/temp on an item when you remove it from the freezer to cook? or do you thaw the items first.
thanks
{ 1 trackback }