The first week is hardest to get on paper because it assumes you have nothing in your pantry to start with. As the weeks go on certain items will already be on hand. I know there are a lot of sandwiches on this menu.(I told you I like them in the summer so you don’t have to do much cooking that heats up the kitchen) I even buy the chicken already roasted. I find some great deals on big plump chickens for $5. One chicken can cover a number of meals. Get the fresh fruit, tomatoes, potatoes, corn if possible at a local farmers market. They are a great buy right now.

SUNDAY

Brunch  eggs,bacon,toast and jam, American fries,orange juice

Dinner roasted chicken leg and thigh, corn on the cob, salad greens w/dressing, carrots

MONDAY

Breakfast Cereal, orange juice

Lunch egg salad sandwich,carrots, chips if you have them

Dinner pork chops sauteed with cabbage and carrots

TUESDAY

Breakfast cereal, orange juice

Lunch BLT’s

Dinner Chicken salad on mixed greens, corn on the cob

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast cereal, orange juice

Lunch egg salad sandwich

Dinner chicken sandwich topped with coleslaw

THURSDAY

Breakfast egg sandwich, orange juice

Lunch chicken salad sandwich

Dinner BLT salad or meatless salad with hard boiled eggs

FRIDAY

Breakfast cereal, orange juice

Lunch egg salad sandwich

Dinner chicken leg and thigh tacos

SATURDAY

Brunch breakfast hash toast w/ jam, orange juice

Dinner Pork Chop, coleslaw, corn on the cob, fresh fruit

SHOPPING LIST

Roast Chicken, pork chops, bacon,eggs, cereal, ears of corn, tomatoes,cabbage,carrots,potatoes, bread, orange juice,fresh fruit

Soon it will be time to close the windows and turn on the oven.So many great meals can be prepared in the oven. However I rarely use an oven in the summer. I like to use the grill or make sandwiches. At the end of summer so many foods fill our gardens and farmers markets. If you grow your own food it is the greatest money saver. Even if you do not have time or space to maintain a big garden you can plant some big pots with foods that are easy to grow. For $0.49 cents  I have grown the most wonderful salad mix since early spring. The packet of seeds cost $1.50 I have used only a third of the packet. Shared a third and now that the hot August heat is leaving I plan to plant a new crop that will take me to the first frost.

Simply prepare the soil, plant the seed as shown on packet and water daily. In two or three weeks you can start cutting the tender leaves. I find using kitchen shears makes it easy. You just cut back towards the bottom of the stem and it will grow back.  I have used this mix for  salads, greens on a sandwich and for garnishing.

If you have a well stocked pantry (more on that later) you can make your own salad dressings. Quick easy cheap and fresh. So much better than bottled dressings. Especially on these tender greens.