Menus on a Dime: Plan Ahead Leftovers is an e-book that will not disappoint those looking to use their food budget wisely and creatively. Jill and Tawra explain the concept of making one large meal and planning for 2-3 leftover meals from the original meal. We have all made meals from our leftovers, but have you ever planned for leftovers before cooking the meal? If you haven't, this e-book will show you the way. This is one of the most clear, concise, and flexible books for menu planning out there.

This e-book is user friendly. The authors acknowledge that not everything on their menu may be for you or your family. They encourage you to alter their menus to fit your family's needs, schedule, and tastes. They also urge you to create your own plan ahead leftover menus. Their lighthearted approach is welcoming and not overwhelming, even for the newbie homemaker. Menus are extensive yet simple. By this I mean that there are three basic menus: one for chicken, one for beef, and one for ham. These are then broken down into a main meal and four leftover meals.

The authors begin by presenting the color guide, one of the most healthful, tools for meal planning. The more colorful your plate, the more healthful the meal. They expand this to include offering a variety of food textures. Another positive is the variety of the side dishes suggested.

Jill and Tawra have done an excellent job of presenting the information without being too wordy in their explanations. This clear and simple writing is great for homemakers who do not have much time to spend reading about menu planning because they are busy being homemakers. However, there are two essential bits of information to keep in mind. First, as any homemaker with a large family knows, recipes must be adjusted for a larger number of portions. So if you normally need to roast two chickens for your family, adjust the menu accordingly. Second, if your family is not a fan of having the same meat several nights in a row, just package the leftover meat from the original meal and place it in the fridge or freezer to be used with a later recipe.

At the reasonable price of $5.95, this e-book is a great deal for any homemaker looking to stretch her food budget and yet still prepare tasty meals. However you use this e-book, you will find yourself throwing away less food and thus keeping more money in your pocket!

Product review by Leslie Valeska, Contributing Writer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, March 2007