Meal Planning

     Do you find yourself buying extra groceries that you don't really need?  Then wonder why you're spending so much money each week at the grocery store?  Well, that's where I have been for the last 3-4 months.  I would go to Walmart one week to spend $150+ on groceries and necessities and then go the next week spending another $100.  I couldn't understand why my pantry was completely full of food yet I was spending so much each week on groceries.  It's just ridiculous! 
     So, I am attempting to meal plan this summer to see if we save any money.  So far, we've spent about $100 each of the last two weeks.  It is summer break which means I have extra time so I am trying new recipes and such, so I think that's why the bill is still a little expensive.  The meal planning has actually helped Andy and I not eat out as much.  It has even saved some headache on arguing about what to eat for dinner.  We simply made a list of main dishes that we like and a list of potential side dishes.  Then I choose on Sunday (before grocery shopping) what meals we will eat for the week.  Surprisingly, most of the ingredients for our main dishes I already have in stock (rice, flour, noodles, spices, venison, etc.).  If you have any tips, hints, or suggestions, please share!
     Below is our most recent "new" recipe called Taco Braid.  Thank you Brittany for the recipe and Pinterest for showing her.  It was absolutely delicious!!!

Ingredients:

1 can Pillsbury pizza dough

1/2 can refried beans

1 lb. ground venison

1 pkg. of taco seasoning

1/2 jar of Black Bean & Corn salsa

Shredded cheddar cheese

Cook meat and add seasoning.  Roll out dough and top with beans, venison, salsa, and cheese.  Slice strips down the side of the dough.  Fold over and bake at 375 for 20 minutes.