The MomGate MG1

So Tuesday's dinner was a Chicken Bruschetta - an idea I got from Meal Planning Mommies and it was a hit. All i did was cook up some chicken breasts - make a box of cornmeal stuffing and crack open some garlic and a can of diced tomatoes. Although I have to admit fresh tomatoes and basil would make it taste EVEN better!

about 2 lbs of boneless chicken breast (bought a 5lb bag of frozen breasts at Aldi and used half) $5.99 at Aldi
Box of cornmeal stuffing - $2.05 at Aldi
Can of diced tomatoes - $.99
Garlic 3 cloves had on hand
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - had on hand

I sauteed the nearly cooked chicken in some olive oil with the three cloves of garlic then spooned the cubed chicken on top of a serving of stuffing. Then I added a heaping helping of the diced tomatoes and sprinkled some basil on top. I bet if I added some cheese it woulda been really tasty too! Even my sometimes picky DS gobbled up his 'chickies'

So not bad - lot of protein and some veggies for $9.03. And one serving left to go. Of course that I should mention... my day was so hectic I COMPLETELY forgot about the steamed carrots I was going to make with it... oh well another night!

So yesterday wasnt a conducive day for doing much of anything... DD was feeling ill and wanted to be held and comforted... which is unlike her - normally she is happy as a clam playing in her bouncer or on her playmat or even just watching her brother run around like crazy... well since she was so eager for mommy's attention... DS got jealous. Normally he LOVES his baby sister... but yesterday when the only way I could get DD to stop crying was to lavish her with attention and singing... DS decided he wanted to be a baby too.

So I was hanging on by a thread yesterday... of course bedtime wasnt any better... while DS had a tummy bug, GG explosive poo and low grade fevers... at least he went to bed without too much of a fuss after he got his book. DD on the other hand... was so exhausted she couldnt sleep. Or rather... she'd sleep for 20 minutes then wake up screaming like a banshee.

I couldnt even nurse her to sleep... she would just kick and kick and kick and kick... I have two bruises on my ribcage starting. Heck she kicks in her sleep now. Not sure if this is because she is on the verge of scooting around or what... but yikes.

Anyway... due to the craziness of the day I never did get to post our dinner for Tuesday... and tonight I am just getting some take out because I am too tired to fight cooking with a toddler who just wants to help...
And by helping... yesterday he opened a cabinet on my shin and dropped a bowl on my foot... blech

Well I've decided to post my meal plans and my grocery lists because I know there are folks out there who do the same as I do... search sites for cheap and easy meals. I am not the only person out there struggling to make ends meet and hopefully I can help folks like other sites have helped me. I'll get my links sorted out soon so you can meet some of the folks who have helped me!

Anyway - onto the meal plan! I want to note that I do most of my shopping between Aldi and Walmart - depending on the grocery store sales... that is the only time I go in there... if they have a really good sale.

I also almost always have some sort of bread with each meal - usually with a flavored butter/oil. Hubby works for a bakery so we get all the free bread we can eat... needless to say I am kinda tired of bread ;)

Monday: Spicy Sausage and Pasta with a fresh tomato salad
Tuesday: Chicken Bruchetta with Steamed Carrots
Wednesday: Calzones
Thursday: Turkey Wafflewiches with fresh green beans
Friday: Shrimp Scampi over linguinie

Saturday and Sunday are usually left over days or we are visiting or being visited by Grandparents! We are lucky in the fact that both my and my husbands parents feed us when we visit or they visit us!

So today's meal... let me break it down:
Spicy Italian Sausage: $2.05 at Aldi
Piccolini Mini Wheels: $1.00 bought on sale
Tomato Sauce: $1.99 at Aldi
Fresh Tomatoes: From the garden

so it comes to $5.04 for this meal - I used half the pasta so I still have half a box to use later this week. The condiments for the tomato salad I had on hand which most do - just olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt pepper and a little sugar.

My son ate the pasta but didnt want the sausage... which is fine - more for Hubby and me. And we still have a serving for lunch or dinner later!

Yes it is a cheesy take on Stargate SG1.. boy how I miss thee...

So introductions first... I am a SAHM who is still a Sci-Fi/Fantasy buff from everything from the books I read to the movies I watch and the games I read. I married like and then next thing you know... we have two kids - a toddler who just loves to chase us around with his toy dragon and an infant who is learning to beat on a keyboard when mommy is playing World of Warcraft...

Yeah I'm crazy... but before bedtime... I am a momma. A momma trying to keep her family afloat on one income (yeah trying to get a job that will net MORE then daycare costs isnt exactly easy to find right now) and a mess of a budget.

This blog shall chronicle not only the joys of parenthood... but also the joys of budget friendly meals and ideas that clunk around in a sleep deprived brain.

As much as I would love to continue... Mommyhood waits for no toddler... and mine is currently telling me nap time is OVER - as well as a crabby infant who is done trying to eat my hair... oh joy