Day 207: Vegan Menu Week of October 11 - October 17

I was so looking forward to making the E2 lasagna and tasting it.  It turned out good, but not as outstanding as everyone claimed it would be.  In fact, I think next time I will skip the sweet potato layer and just mix all the veggies with the silken tofu and make two layers of that veggie mix.  Also, it was a little dry.  I am going to have extra sauce on the side next time.  Other than that, it was good!  :)

Here's what I'm thinking for this week:

• Monday - Spicy Lentil Soup:  We ended up not making it last week because the lasagna was so huge, we ate it two days in a row.
• Tuesday - Asian Salad and Spicy Potstickers: I love this!  We have it once a week!
• Wednesday - Thai Peanut Noodles
• Thursday - No Cheese Pizza - Have a lot of the ingredients because I didn't get a chance to make this either. The vegan menudo from last week lasted two days.
• Friday - Tostadas: Flat tortilla chips, covered with refried beans, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, onions, and cilantro.  Yum. 
• Saturday -  Chickpea Stew and Brown Rice: Found this recipe in Cooking Light magazine's Inspired Vegetarian section.  Looks delicious!
• Sunday - Tomato Soup, Salad, and Foccacia bread: Found a new book at TJMaxx called Soup and it has a ton of vegan soup recipes.  I love making soup on Sundays, especially now that the weather is so nice!

Oh, I forgot to mention that last week's grocery bill was $110!  I'm getting close to my $100 per week bill again.  :)  I've already spent $43 this week.  I have $57 left to complete this menu.  Wish me luck!

TTYL.

Day 200: Vegan Menu - Week of October 4 - October 10, 2010

The novelty of being vegan has kind of worn off.  It still feels like an adventure, but we have settled into routines and know what foods we really like, what we haven't tried yet, and what we are dying to try. 

Initially, my grocery bill was enormous, but I am back at $100 per week, even with all organic products.  As always, the key for me is planning ahead, making menus, and a grocery list.

This week, we are having the following:

• Monday - Asian Sesame Salad and Spicy Potstickers
• Tuesday - Tofu Steak, Steamed Kale, Brown Rice with Tamari and Nutritional Yeast, and Roasted Zuchinni, Sweet Potatoes, and Yellow Squash
• Wednesday - Pasta Primavera (Italian spiced tomato sauce with onion, garlic, corn, jalapeno pepper, green and red bell pepper, mushrooms, zuchinni, and kale over 100% whole wheat capellini)
• Thursday - Vegan Menudo (Using Menudo Spice Mix and substituting pork with pinto beans, onion, kale, calabazita squash, and mushrooms)
• Friday - No Cheese Pizza (Pita Bread, Spaghetti Sauce, Green and Red Bell Pepper, Spinach, Artichoke, Olives, Onions, Mushrooms, Garlic and of course, no cheese)
• Saturday - E2 Lasagna. I have heard this is delicious, but I have never tried it. Get the recipe here:  http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianlasagnarecipes/r/engine2lasagna.htm)
• Sunday - Spicy Red Lentil Soup - I like to make soup on Sunday's. I found this great recipe for Spicy Lentil Soup: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/9938

It looks like a lot of new ingredients. I hope I can keep it under $100.  I'll keep you posted!  :)