Trim Healthy Mama in a Large Family #1

So, I posted before about how my diet is structured around the Trim Healthy Mama plan.   This week, my THM post is a look at how I fed my family of 8 and only spent $197.  Here's the break down...

Menu Plan (all recipes come from the THM Cookbook)
    I don't really decide what I'm making until that day...


~ Coconut Thai Chicken (pg. 45) {S}

~ Cabb & Saus Skillet (pg. 58) {S}

~ Fakertot Casserole (pg. 147) {S}

~ Spaghetti & Meatballs w/Dreamfields pasta

~ Homemade Pizza (on plan for me, off plan for the rest of the fam)
   [crust recipe found here:  All Day I Dream About Food]

~ Hamburgers & Coleslaw (pg. 230) {S}

~ Wipe Your Mouth BBQ (pg. 43) {E}

I loaded all  6 kiddos into our van and drove up to the grocery store.  My list was one page long, also containing some non-food items that aren't a necessity so I left some out.  Most of my cart gets filled up  in the produce section.  After a ton of zig-zagging, and a bathroom break for almost everyone, I finished up and headed to the checkout lane.  (please note that not all of the food in my list is THM approved. My hubby and kids don't do THM 100%.)  My list included:

2 cabbages
20 apples
6 bottles kombucha soda
2 cartons fresh strawberries
2 cartons fresh blueberries
2 loaves sprouted bread
1 carton mushrooms
1 bag pre-mixed coleslaw base
2lbs. ground beef
1lb. bacon
1lb. turkey bacon
1 container sliced roast beef
2 links smoked sausage
2 bags frozen meatballs
2 bottles coffee creamer
1lb. block mozzarella cheese
1 bag frozen seasoning blend
2 bags frozen stir fry veggies
3 bags frozen mixed veggies
1 bottle nutritional yeast
14lb. bag of dog food
2 cans coconut milk
2 packages boxed Thai food
2 jars spaghetti sauce
2 boxed Dreamfields pasta
1 bag peanut powder
2 cartons assorted cookies
2 bags cereal
1 package paper towels
3 boxes smoked oysters
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 carton chicken broth
1 carton beef broth
5 bottles Hog Wash juice

*if I've forgotten anything I will add it.

So, all of this and I had $2.50 in coupons so my grand total was $197!!  All of these meals are filling for my large family, and there are always leftovers for my hubby for work the next day!  If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below and I will answer them as soon as I can! 

A Quick Guide to Trim Healthy Mama in a Large Family

Trim Healthy Mama is an eating lifestyle created by sisters, Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison.  It has taken the world of women by storm.  I started my THM (as it's called) journey 2 years ago.  Since starting I've lost 38lbs!!  (I also had a baby in that time, which explains the slow weight loss.) I won't go into the specifics of the plan, but if you'd like to know more, please visit Trim Healthy Mama.  (for those of you already on plan, I have listed the page numbers and category of meal.)

The THM Plan calls for special ingredients such as non-sugar sweetener (stevia, erithritol, xylitol, etc.), sprouted flours, and lots of veggies. Sometimes it can really add up, especially because stores today price healthy foods higher than the junk-laden ones, sadly.  I have come up with a menu that is very inexpensive, and all of the meals are loved by my brood.  (Most recipes come from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook, which is available at Barnes&Noble, Amazon, or the THM website.)  Please, feel free to share your favorite meal, menu, or website in the comments!!  (If you are interested in purchasing any THM products, please click on my affiliate link in the sidebar.)

Here is a peek at some of our weekly dinner menus:

**Week 1**

MONDAY:  Spaghetti & Meatballs w/Dreamfields pasta  {S}

TUESDAY:  Cabb & Saus Skillet (pg. 58) {S}

WEDNESDAY:  Whatcha Want Mexican Chicken (pg. 47) {E}

THURSDAY:  Eggroll in a Bowl (pg. 62) {S}

FRIDAY:  Loaded Sweet Potatoes w/Chicken (pg. 166) {E}

SATURDAY:  Homemade Pizza {S, XO}

SUNDAY:  Cheat Day (whatever we want) {off plan}

**Week 2**

MONDAY:  Cabb & Saus Skillet {S}

TUESDAY:  Rich & Tender Stew (pg. 38) {S}

WEDNESDAY:  Loaded Sweet Potatoes w/Chicken {E}

THURSDAY:  Spaghetti & Meatballs w/Dreamfields pasta {S}

FRIDAY:  Cowboy Grub (pg. 59) {E}

SATURDAY:  Chicken Florentine w/Dreamfields pasta (pg. 46) {S}

SUNDAY:  Cheat Day

So, as you can see, we repeat a lot of meals.  That's because we LOVE those meals, and they are cheap!  Most of my cart gets filled up in the produce department!  Spinach, cabbage, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.  Depending on the season, things can get very cheap!  I also usually have a small garden so in harvest time meals will be even cheaper!

Now, here's a sample of my breakfasts.  I don't usually have my kids and hubby doing THM all day;  just supper.  I am a nursing mama, so most of my breakfasts are crossovers so I can maintain my milk supply.

MONDAY:  2 fried eggs, 1 slice turkey bacon, sprinkle of nutritional yeast, Trimmy Rich (basically bulletproof coffee) {S}

TUESDAY:  Oatmeal with coconut oil, on-plan brown "sugar", Collagen Tea {XO}

WEDNESDAY:  2 eggs scrambled, 2 slices sprouted toast, 2 tsp. butter, Collagen tea {XO}

THURSDAY:  *same as Monday

FRIDAY:  Oatmeal with on-plan brown "sugar" {E}

SATURDAY:  2 fried eggs, 2 slices sprouted toast, 2 slices cheese, 2 slices bacon {XO}

SUNDAY:  *same as Wednesday

Here is a sample of my lunches during the week.  I am a Drive Thru Sue, so I'm ecstatic that there are a lot of places to go for a good lunch while out and about.  There are even drinks you can get at Starbucks...although I usually just cheat and get my VBH refresher or a WC Mocha.

MONDAY:   Naked chicken Burrito Bowl (Qdoba) {E}

TUESDAY:  BLT salad {S}

WEDNESDAY:  Quesadilla (1/2c shd. cheese, 4 slices deli turkey chopped, 1 low carb tortilla) {S}

THURSDAY:  Loaded Fotato Soup (pg. 117) {FP}

FRIDAY:  Quesadilla (like Wed.)  {S}

SATURDAY:  leftovers

SUNDAY:  off plan

I do enjoy all of the THM desserts and drinks.  I've compiled a list of my absolute favorites for you all.



DRINKS/SHAKES:

Good Girl Moonshine {FP}

The Shrinker {FP}

Earth Milk {FP}

Singing Canary Shot (pg. 399) {FP}


Fat Stripping Frappa {FP}

Chocolate Thin Thick (pg. 423) {FP}

Strawberry Cheesecake Shake (pg. 412) {S}

Chocolate Beauty Milk (pg. 440) {FP}



SNACKS:

Cottage Berry Whip (pg. 374) {FP}

Popcorn w/nutritional yeast {XO}

Breyer's Carb Smart ice cream {S}

Salted Almonds {S}

Cheese Sticks {S}


DESSERTS:

Cheesecake Berry Crunch [w/out the nuts] (pg. 352) {S}

Secret Agent Cake w/Raspberry Frosting (pg. 308) {S}

Key Lime Pie [substituted with lemon flavoring] (pg. 326) {S}

Secret Silk Pie (pg. 330) {S}

Bust-a-Myth Banana Cake (pg.298) {E}

Lemon Curd Layer Cake (pg. 299) {S}

Cry-no-More Brownies (pg.314) {S}

*For more delicious recipes please checkout these websites:  Live, Laugh, Love, Encourage, Mrs. Criddle's Kitchen, Rohnda Sue, All Day I Dream about Food, Briana Thomas, & The Laundry Moms.