Hey friends – let me help you out by being a cautionary tale…
Last week Roger and I were out of town at a conference. As you know, I plan my meals in advance, but we got home on Monday and I didn’t feel like going to the store, so I figured, “Hey, it won’t kill us to eat out one night…” Well one night turned into four. All because I didn’t feel like going to the store.
Why didn’t I want to go to the store? Because although I made the meal plan, I didn’t make my shopping list. That’s where the plan went horribly wrong.
So, in order to save those hours, (and dollars) do two things:
1. Make your meal plan (and share it here so you have some good peer pressure…)
Here is mine if you need a little inspiration:
Monday – Whole Roasted Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables
Tuesday – Chili, Salad, Corn Bread
Wednesday – Steak, Veggie and Brown Rice Bowls
Thursday -Whole Wheat and Brown Rice Bean and Chicken Burritos
Friday – Whole Wheat Pita Pizzas
Saturday – Every Man For Himself
Sunday – Chicken and Veggie Soup with Brown Bread
So tell us what you are having. But then, make your list. Make it right now before you move on to the rest of your life.
You will have the accountability of a whole tribe of women who are trying to get dinner on the table, and then a plan to get your food into the house so you will have peace each and every day at 4:00.
So what are you having for dinner?
I do a monthly menu.
Monday-chicken
Tuesday-mexican
Wednesday-breakfast
Thursday- Monk’s kitchen (our last name, i.e. left overs) Trash day is Friday, so everything not eatten goes out.
Friday- try something new
Saturday- Beef
Sunday- family dinner @ the in-laws
M- Chicken Alfredo with bread sticks & broccoli
T- Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops with mashed potatoes & carrots
W- Ham & Potato Bake with corn
Th- Hamburgers, fries, baked beans & apples
F- Chicken Fajitas
S- leftovers
Sun.- eating out after church
Mon. – roast chicken, potatoes, mixed veggies and “bobbat” (white cake)
Tues – chili and fries
Wed. – chicken noodle soup and chicken sandwiches
Thurs. – fried hamburgers (“clops”) and potatoes
Fri – pizza and salad
Sat – baked chicken in purchased curry gravy, rice, green salad
Sun – leftovers
Mon – baked potatoes with remaining gravy or cheese, green salad, pear wedges
Tues – burritos (hectic night) with refried beans and remaining rice, apple wedges
Weds – veggie stirfry on rice, fruit smoothie
Thurs – meeting potluck
Fri – dinner out
Sat – soup made from remaining veggie stirfry
Sun – baked chicken leftover from morning seder meal, charoset salad, matzoh brei
M – birthday dinner out (hubby’s surprising me)
T – spinach salad and dinner rolls
W – in-laws are bringing dinner
Th – artichokes and chicken pasta
F – pizza and movie night!
Thanks I needed to do that! =)
My dinner menu is now set for the week. And, I’ve already been to the grocery store too! I try to keep each day themed to make my menu planning faster. While Friday is usually my husband’s favorite night, I like Thursday’s best because it is easy for me to make and breakfast is my favorite meal of the day!
Salad Monday – Buffalo Chicken Salad
Meatless Tuesday – Roasted Vegetables
Wild Card Wednesday – homemade Chipotle Rice Bowl
Brinner Thursday – Florentine Omelets
Man Food Friday – Alton Brown’s Hot Wings (thanks to your book!)
New Recipe Saturday – Italian Beef Sandwiches.
Monday: crockpot taco chicken
Tuesday: filet w/ red wine mushrooms
Lasagna
Stuffed chicken breasts
Peanut chicken satay
Monday – chili dogs ( Back to school dinner)
Tuesday – Calzones and salad
Wednesday – Chicken Tacos (done in crock pot), beans and rice
Thursday – Salisbury steaks, noodles and green beans
Friday – Grilled Chicken, baked potatoes and veggie
Monday–Boy Scout potluck–We’re taking a veggie platter.
Tuesday–tarragon chicken, orzo, rolls
Wednesday–leftover enchilada casserole, salad
Thursday–apple pork chops, brown rice, green beans, rolls
Friday–smoked sausage creole w/ black-eyed peas, salad, cornbread muffins
Saturday–chili, salad, leftover muffins, orange slices
Sunday–at Mom-in-law’s
We are really working hard to cut our expenses. Not so many meat-centered meals. I am also learning that I don’t feel so guilty serving leftovers if I plan it ahead for the nights I know are going to be too busy to cook. I’ve even found myself consciously cooking extra to save for planned leftovers. I used to think hubby would object. I’ve discovered that it bothered me way more than it bothers him!
Mon: spaghetti salad and garlic bread
Tue: chicken with rice and Santa fe cooking cream in crock pot with veggies
Wens: meatloaf with zucchini in it, potatoes, and veggie
Thur: tacos
Fri: Italian pork chops with diced tomato and red onion, rice and veggie or salad
Sat: Applebee’s ( going to Austin to see the bats)
Sun: whatever leftovers are in the fridge
Ok – I have to know- why are there bats in austin and why are you going to see them?
Monday- Sweat and sour pork in the crockpot
Tuesday- left overs
Wednesday- white chicken chili
Thursday- steak and potatoes
Friday- lasagna
Saturday- lemon asparagus chicken
Sunday- sausage and potatoes
Sunday – double recipe of white chicken chili with cornbread…I cheat and use 1 can craned corn and 2 boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix bake in 9×11 pan for 30 min at 400
Monday -tuna noodle casserole
Tuesday – leftovers
Wednesday – cowboy casserole from fix it & forget it crockpot recipe book. With more cornbread
Thursday – freezer dinner. Using up tilapia fillets rice and broccoli
Friday – potato soup
Heidi – You always have the best sounding menus – i want to come to your house!