I’ve mentioned before about how teenagers eat a lot like toddlers. Today, at the dinner table my youngest teenager said to me, “I didn’t have any breakfast or lunch!” Upon asking her “Why,” I discovered that what she was saying was code for “We are out of Pizza Rolls.”
Keeping a teenager fed and staying on budget can be like nailing Jello to a tree sometimes, but there are a few things that you can do to cauterize the bleeding of your bank account:
- Make a meal plan. Better yet, ask your teenager to help make your meal plan!
- You may have to compromise on what’s healthy & not healthy. See the perfect “compromise” recipe below!
- Do not bring your teenagers to the grocery store with you.
- They will put extra items in your cart when you aren’t looking.
- Make a shopping list – and stick to it!
- This will help you resist temptation.
- Do not bring your teenagers to the grocery store with you.
- They will distract you from your shopping list.
- Avoid pre-packaged foods if at all possible.
- Pre-packaged foods are generally more expensive and less healthy.
- Do not bring your teenager to the grocery store with you.
- They will try to convince you that frozen burritos are healthy.
- Use coupons.
- You can find coupons for some of the ingredients in our featured recipe here: https://cbi.as/8cpd6
You can see all the details of my recent shopping trip by visiting my Google+ Album, where I managed to stick to my list, use coupons and not bring my teenagers (although I did give in and buy some pre-packaged food to use a bribery for later).
Here’s one of my family’s favorite “compromise” recipes. It’s not as healthy as eating fresh from the garden, but it sure it better than mystery meat at the local fast-food joint! Plus, you know exactly what’s going into this dish. And … it has bacon and Velveeta. You know your teen will love it.
Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe
This is a family favorite because the teenagers love it, it can be made ahead of time and it’s pretty economical, especially if you use the coupons found here: https://cbi.as/8cpd6
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp. each pepper, salt & garlic powder
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 cups milk
- 20 ounces Velveeta, cubed
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked
- 1 lb bacon
- Hot sauce to taste (optional)
- Cheddar Cheese for finishing (optional)
Directions:
Cook the bacon using your desired method. My favorite is in the oven.
Just place the bacon on a wire rack on top of a cookie sheet & bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
And you’ll end up with perfectly cooked bacon!
Melt the butter in an oven-proof skillet & saute’ onion until golden brown.
Gradually whisk in flour until smooth and whisk continuously for 2 minutes. Stir in seasonings and hot sauce, then gradually whisk in half and half and milk. Continue to cook for 10 minutes, whisking constantly.
Stir in Velveeta until melted.
Stir in most of the bacon, leaving some for garnishing.
Stir in cooked macaroni until completely coated.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top & remaining bacon. Place in a 350 oven for 15 minutes or until cheese it melted.
Serve to hungry teenagers and watch them smile.
What’s your favorite teen-friendly food? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!
