My Weekly Menu (July 16th)

So this week I am going to be trying a few new recipes I have found on Pinterest ( I <3 Pinterest!). :) With my hubby on his weight-loss journey, I am having to find some new and creative ways to serve chicken. I have to brag on him since he won't do it himself, but he has lost 22lbs in just a little over 6 weeks! *insert gushing smile* I am so proud of him! Ok, so back to the menu....some of these recipes, I will be changing a bit for some healthier ingredients but over all they will be very similar. 

Monday- Leftovers

Tuesday- Easy Garlic Chicken and Steamed Broccoli (I didn't get to this one from last week.)

Wednesday- Chicken Taco Salad (homemade taco seasoning)

Thursday- Broiled Tilapia and Steamed Carrots

Friday- "Melt in Your Mouth" Chicken Breast and  Baked Asparagus

Saturday- Applebee's Knock-off Oriental Chicken Salad ( :) I can't wait to try this one!)

For more recipes or the share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Have a great week in the kitchen!

Blessings and Love!

Homemade Laundry Soap (What a $$$ Saver!!)

So as most of you know, I have a large herd of children, and with those children come LOTS AND LOTS of laundry. I typically do 2 loads of laundry a day just to stay on schedule, not including bedding and towels and the random child mess :). So the cost of laundry detergent really can add up here. I had heard of different "recipes" to make your own detergent but thought to myself, "Do I really have time or is it really going to save me any money?" The answer is OH MY YES!! :)  It is super simple and costs hardly anything to make! I got this recipe from an awesome blogger :) whom I love over at My Blessed Life!

Here is the recipe:

1 c of Washing Soda
1/2 c of Borax
1 bar of Fels-Naptha Soap (grated) or any bar of soap that you prefer.
5 gallon bucket
Water

Put your grated bar of soap in a large dutch oven and fill it with hot water. Cook it on high heat until all of the soap is dissolved, stirring it during this process (don't let it boil).

Next get your 5 gallon bucket and put the washing soda and borax in it. Then pour the soapy mixture in and stir it all together. Then fill the rest of the bucket with HOT tap water and stir the mixture all together. Cover the bucket and let it sit for 24 hours.

After the 24 hours period, stir it up again and put it in your recycled laundry detergent containers!

Here is what I save by doing this:

Before making my own detergent, I was purchasing a large container of Gain twice a month and a large container of Dreft once every other month.

All of these prices are from Walmart:

Gain- $15.97 x 24
Dreft- $15.97 x 6

Total for the year = $479.10 (before tax) YIKES!

Now that I make my own, I had to purchase a 5 gallon bucket, one box of borax, one box of washing soda, and a bar of Fels-Naptha soap.  I typically make 1 batch a month which takes care of all of our laundry, along with my parents laundry and my father-in-law too!

Bucket- $2.47
Borax- $2.97
Washing Soda- $2.97
Fels-Naptha Soap- $0.97 x 12

Total for the year = $20.05 (before tax) Ahh...much better!


That is an amazing total of $459.05 saved!! *insert happy dance*

My next mission is to find a great recipe for dishwashing detergent! :)
Blessings and Love!!

This Week's Menu (July 9th)

Well yesterday was quite eventful, hence my menu is just now getting posted! We had a baby scare so I spend most of the morning and into the late afternoon at the birthing center. All is well though, but I did find out I am 2cm dilated already so it won't be long before the little princess is here. So the preparations continue... :)

Well this week's menu is going to be some fresh yummy summer foods. I am so glad to have a break of the crazy 100+ degree weather. I might even be able to talk my hubby into grilling out some this week! ;)


Tuesday- Key Lime Chicken Tenders and Steamed Carrots


Wednesday- Chicken Taco Salad


Thursday- Out to the County Fair


Friday- Easy Garlic Chicken and Steamed Broccoli


Saturday- Balsamic Garlic Pork Tenderloin and Corn on the Cob


For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!




Have a great week in the kitchen!!
Blessings and Love!

My Weekly Menu- July 2nd (Preparing for Baby Jones)

Hey everyone!!

I hope you all have had a great week last week! Our week was packed full of fun. We went on a mini vacation to Hopkinsville, KY. It was so refreshing to get away and recharge with some awesome people. We also got a chance to see our sweet little bun in the oven. :)

She is growing great at 4lbs 3oz and she has lots of hair (as a Momma it just excites me for all of the cute little bows I see in her future). With only 4 more weeks for me to get this house in order and ready for our new addition, I am starting to feel the pressure. So this week begins the fun and crazy process of reorganizing closets, washing clothes, putting her bed and bassinet together, and doing some "spring" cleaning cough...cough that I didn't do in the spring. :)

Along with us adding a new sweet baby to our home, we will be starting a new chapter of homeschooling! We will have Trey in 3rd grade and unofficially Ben and Emma doing some preschool work. :) So I am also working on getting our school area all organized and ready to start the year off.

And of course, I can't forget that this is 4th of July week!! :) We traditionally go to as many firework shows as possible and cook out with our family. So this week is going to be a fun one!

Monday- Broiled Tilapia with Steamed Carrots
                *cleaning out the girls' closet 
                *making laundry detergent (which I will post the recipe for
                  tomorrow) 
                *routine household cleaning


Tuesday- Dinner with friends
                *"spring" cleaning the girls' room 
                *routine household cleaning
                *Q-MIX fireworks


Wednesday- INDEPENDENCE DAY!!
                     Grilled BBQ Chicken
                     Corn on the Cob
                     Grilled Cheesy Potatoes
                     Salad
                     Watermelon
                     Dirt Cups (for the kiddos....and the big kiddos too! :) )
                 *of course more fireworks


Thursday- Beef Tenderloin Roast with Broccoli
                 *organizing our craft supplies and taking inventory of what we
                   have :)
                 *routine household cleaning


Friday- Lean Burgers with Corn on the Cob
              *errand running and  grocery shopping
              *routine household cleaning


Saturday- Date Night with my hubby :)


Sunday- Small Group (We are bringing the main dish)
              Chicken Tacos and Beef Enchiladas


For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie! 


I hope you all have a great week in the kitchen!
Blessings and Love!!