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Menu Monday with Taco Beef Recipe

September 26, 2011 By Kelly 13 Comments

This weekend we were away (more on that to come) so Emma and I didn’t have our usual Sunday morning routine. Instead we shopped on Sunday afternoon, and it proved to me that our Sunday routine is key to saving money. I spent about $80 more than I usually do at the store, about half that was stocking up on some easy snacks for school since this week is a doozy and another $15 or so was on buying snacks for my upcoming trip later this week.

I’m headed to Chicago for the Financial Blogger’s Conference this Friday-Sunday so my meal planning is a bit different this week. I’m leaving some ideas for my husband, but it will up to him to manage breakfast, lunch, and dinner while I’m away.

One habit I’m trying to get into, is making one lunch meal a week that I can pull from all week long. This week may be Coconut Chicken Chili Soup, but I haven’t made it yet since we were away this weekend.

Meal Plan Monday (September 26th-October 2nd)

Monday (26th): We have multiple activities this evening, so we’ll be keeping it simple with gluten-free pasta, and a side salad.

Tuesday (27th): Taco night! Organic ground beef with my special blend of spices, rice (with cilantro and lime), cheese, lettuce and salsa. Choice of flour wraps, hard shells or tortilla chips. You can try this easy recipe for gluten-free chicken tacos, or see below for my beef recipe.

Wednesday (28th): Organic chicken breasts, leftover rice, side salad, glazed carrots.

Thursday (29th): Hamburgers and hot dogs with a side salad, fruit salad (or smoothie) and chips on the side.

Friday (30th): Pizza night. I’ll be gone so it’ll be an easy pizza night for the fam.

Saturday (1st): Leftovers. AKA clean out the fridge night.

Sunday (2nd): Brinner (my husband cooks great brinner/breakfasts). I arrive home late.

Taco Beef Recipe (serves 4-6)

Instead of buying those packets of beef ‘seasoning’ that often include MSG and other scary ingredients I make my own spice mix for taco beef. I often make 2 pounds at once since my kids love it so much and will eat it for leftovers.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. (organic) ground beef (can sub chicken-just shred at the end)
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • sprinkling of dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. cocoa powder (trust me!)
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp of cumin
  • 1/4 tsp of garlic powder or 2 minced cloves of garlic
  • dash of olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped (omit if your kids don’t like it)
Mix all spices together. Turn on stovetop to medium temp and add olive oil, onion and garlic. Cook until lightly translucent about 5 minutes. Add beef, and chop into small pieces. Sprinkle seasoning on and stir, continue to add seasoning as you chop and stir beef. (you may not use the whole spice mix depending on how spicy you like your beef. Cook about 10 minutes until throughly cooked. Drain on paper towels. Serve with taco fixings.

What are you eating this week? Any great dishes I should try? Would especially love some soup recipes, since I adore soup for lunch.

Kelly

About Kelly


Kelly Whalen is the founder and editor of the Centsible Life blog. She started the blog 6 years ago as her family faced a mountain of debt. The blog became a resource to readers and a hub for everything you need in life for less. Kelly lives in the Philadelphia area with her superhero husband, 4 awesome kids, and one adorable dog. She still believes you can have it all....just not all at once.

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Food, gluten free, menu plan Monday, recipes, tacos


Trackbacks

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About Centsible Life

Hi! I'm Kelly Whalen, writer, frugality expert, debt slayer, and money nerd. Welcome to the Centsible Life, my corner of the internet where I help women live happier, healthier, and wealthier lives. My goal is to help you save time + money, so you can spend it how you choose. Want to know more about me and learn how the the Centsible Life has helped millions of readers? Click here.

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