Weekly Dinners for 2 under $70 – Menu 2 will give you ideas or the exact menu and grocery list for this weeks dinners. Substitute different vegetables if you don’t like the ones I’ve selected. Also, if you don’t like some of the spices found in the recipes substitute them for ones you do like.
A dear friend of ours turned us on to pesto and I will thank her forever for it. I love the one pot chicken pesto dish because it is filling as well as addicting so be sure to set aside your next meal before you start to eat or you might find yourself eating the whole dish!
I am not a huge fan of adding nuts to my dinner dishes so I pick the almonds off of the apricot almond chicken but Andrew loves this dish with almonds. I hope you like this dish as much as we do!
Nutritional Insight
All recipes are suggestions. I can’t remember the last time I followed a recipe exactly to how it was written. I use what I have to keep cost down. If I don’t have the pasta it calls for I just make one I do have. If I don’t have the type of beans it suggests I use ones I do have.
Everyone has their own nutritional deficiencies and goals they are trying to manage on a daily basis. Our household is trying to accomplish anti-inflammatory, high protein and high fiber. It’s not easy and every meal does not always meet the mark.
We try to focus on making sure we incorporate a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, berries, fatty fish, healthy oils, lean protein, legumes, fermented foods, nuts, warm spices, and whole grains through the week. We really try to limit or not eat fried foods, processed cheeses, processed meats, packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and baked sweets.
Affordable Week 2 Menu for 2 People
Sunday
Breakfast
- Blueberry Honey Pecan Oatmeal
Snack
- 1 Small Apple
- Unsalted Nuts
- 1/8 cup
Dinner
- Grilled Apricot Chicken Breasts
- Side:
- Steamed Potatoes
- Steamed Green Beans
Monday
Breakfast
- Breakfast Muffin
- Plain Yogurt
- Blueberries
Snack
- 1 Small Apple
- Unsalted Nuts
- 1/8 cup
Tuesday
Breakfast
- Blueberry Honey Pecan Oatmeal
Snack
- 1 Small Apple
- Unsalted Nuts
- 1/8 cup
Dinner
- Grilled Apricot Chicken Breasts
- Side:
- Steamed Potatoes
- Steamed Green Beans
Wednesday
Breakfast
- Breakfast Muffin
- Plain Yogurt
- Blueberries
Snack
- 1 Small Apple
- Unsalted Nuts
- 1/8 cup
Thursday
Breakfast
- Blueberry Honey Pecan Oatmeal
Snack
- 1 Small Apple
- Unsalted Nuts
- 1/8 cup
Friday
Breakfast
- Blueberry Honey Pecan Oatmeal
Snack
- 1 Small Apple
- Unsalted Nuts
- 1/8 cup
Saturday
Breakfast
- Blueberry Honey Pecan Oatmeal
Lunch
- Butternut Vegetable Soup
Snack
- 1 Small Apple
- Unsalted Nuts
- 1/8 cup
Grocery List - Store brand (Metro Detroit)
Prep the week!
I like to gather my storage containers before I start my prep. I love the look of the table with all of the containers and as I make progress the containers disappear leaving me with a sense of accomplishment and encouragement to keep going. This picture is an example of one of my prep weeks.
Storage containers needed:
I like to use a sticky note or paper with a piece of tape to label my prep containers with the name of the meals.
- 3 cup; 1 pound green beans, trimmed. (Side)
- 1/2 cup; 5 green onions (Mongolian Beef)
- 6 cup; 1 pound broccoli, chopped (Chicken Pesto Pasta)
Let's start prepping!
I like to use a vegetable chopper to speed up this process.
Side:
- Trim green beans, cut in half, add to container and store in refrigerator.
Mongolian Beef
- Cut green onions in 1 inch pieces add to container and store in refrigerator.
Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Chop broccoli into bite size pieces, add to container and store in refrigerator.
Pesto
I like to freeze unused pesto in ice cube trays. I simply fill each cube with about 1 teaspoon of pesto. Once the tray is full I freeze for 24 hours then place in a freezer zip bag. This makes it easy to use pesto whenever I need it and best of all I don't waste it.
Tips and Tricks for the weekly meals to go flawlessly!
Always start by reading the recipe all the way through then read my tips. Doing this before you start will help prevent “surprises” along the way.
If I’ve posted it then I have eaten it and called it good. Also, I know that the portions should work because I have done it. No guess work here.
Measuring out your portion might be new for you and still leave you hungry after the meal. This is normal and it will take your body time to adjust. Try these tips:
- Don’t miss your afternoon snack because being ravenous at dinner time will lead to over eating.
- Drink 8 ounces of water before you begin your meal and after you end your meal.
- Eat a salad or raw vegetables with your meal.
- Eat a piece of fruit after a meal like an apple, pear, orange, etc. This will subside the hunger and it’s good for you.
- Wait 1 hour after your meal and if you are still hungry make some pop corn.
