OK July…you’re doing a great job reminding us what summer can really feel like. We’ve had very little rain which is so very hard for the farmers and gardeners and a wave of heat and humidity has settled in for what feels like a few weeks now. Wowza…it’s the dog days of summer! Whether you’re working, out in the garden, at the beach, or relaxing at the cottage, there is still a constant, even on beautiful summer days, we all need to eat. By request…a meal plan Monday…summer edition. 🙂
I struggle HARD in the summer with meals. I just don’t feel like eating a big meal at the end of the day…but the men in my house…feel a bit differently. 😉 I also really don’t like spending a lot of time in the kitchen in the heat of the summer, so some planning and making sure I have my meals prepped, or cooked early in the day is a must. Get in…get out. 😉
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Summer also means some fresh food from my garden, picking up items from market and the occasional trip to the weekly farmers markets. It’s so much easier to plan by what’s in season and what is growing. There are lots of green beans and peas in my garden right now, so they’ve been making appearances in meals, or even as a snack. There’s nothing like the taste of vegetables picked right from the garden. Delicious!
There is however still need to pick up a few things from the grocery store. My disdain for grocery shopping in the summer, has been eased tremendously with the online shopping the Atlantic Superstore now has. I shop from home early in the morning in my pyjamas, and then later when I am in town, I pull up, give them a call, they come out and load all my groceries into my car. I don’t even have to get out! It’s a total game changer and I can’t say enough about it. Love it!Â
Here’s what we’re having this week:
Tuna Burgers and Chickpea and Black Bean Summer Salad
Hodge Podge and Rolls
Here’s what I bought:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts- ($3.99lb)- $8.98
Raw, zipper back white shrimp- $5.99
Red, seedless grapes- ($1.99/lb) $2.28
Alymer diced tomatoes- $0.88
(2) PC Blue Menu Black Beans- $1.29/$2.58
PC Blue Menu Chickpeas- $1.29
Lean ground beef- $3.99/lb
(3) No Name Tuna-1.29/$3.87
Green Giant Peaches and Cream Corn- $0.99
Doritos- $3.00
D’Italiano Hamburger Buns- $2.50
Total spent- $36.35
Everything else required for these meals I had at home or picked up at the farm market. It does feel good to have a plan, even if we don’t stick to it. Knowing I am somewhat prepared and have the basics on hand, with Meal Plan Monday, hopefully I can avoid us eating ice cream for supper…again. 😉Â
How are you doing with meals in this summer heat? Barbecuing a lot…salads every night…fudgesicles on the beach? Leave a comment and let us know your summer meal planning tips. 🙂
