I came up with a dinner menu for the week, and a list of groceries that we needed in order to have said menu items. It should be noted that all items here are vegetarian.
Sunday: Baked Ziti
Monday: Chicken Nuggets
Tuesday: Stew
Wednesday: Chili
Thursday: Stir Fry
Friday: Fish & Chips
Saturday: Pizza
After I made the list of items to pick up at the grocery store I altered the menu a bit with other menu items. This would give me options – because as most parents know, things do not always go as planned during the week. But I did not write down the new menu items either on the shopping list or week’s menu list. Some of the necessary items for the week were already in our pantry, so here is my shopping list:
beef bits (for stew)
bread (both sandwich and “nice” bread)
carrots
fish sticks
ziti
chips (actually, tater tots)
chips (as in snack chips)
corn bread
cilantro
canned tomatoes
crumbled blue cheese
shredded mozzarella
pasta sauce
Pirate Booty
Here is what I wound up getting at the grocery store:
oatmeal (so I don’t need to get more during the week)
Guinness (because Dad comes in from Ireland on Tuesday)
penne rigate (standing in for the ziti)
cans of tomatoes
cans of beans (just a couple of extra)
ricotta cheese
cornbread mix
pasta sauce
salsa (part of the “rice dish” I added to the menu after the fact)
fruit snacks (no, not on the list)
fish sticks
pretzel sticks (counts as part of the chips)
tater tots (counted as the “other” chips)
peanut butter (should have been on the list in the first place)
cilantro
yogurt (not on the list, but the kids will eat it)
chicken nuggets
meat crumbles (not on the list but on sale for 75% off and we could use it)
shredded mozzarella
apples (how was this not on the list)
Pirate Booty
zucchini (for the stew)
tortillas (for the “rice dish” added to the menu after the fact)
bananas (never put on the list because I get them every time)
lime (for the stew)
carrots
Sun Chips (see “chips” above)
So yes, I did get items not on my list. In my defense everything I got has a purpose for the menu this week.
Well, except for the Guinness.
Sadly, I know I will need to go to the store again during the week.