You know I love you, right?
So, can I just say, with all the love in the world, that I’m just the teensiest bit frustrated with you?
Let me explain.
When I go to speak, and I start talking about dinner, EVERY SINGLE WOMAN rolls her eyes and groans. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is perplexed by dinner.
- “I feel like 5 o’clock sneaks up on me everyday.”
- “I buy hundreds of dollars of groceries and there’s never anything in my house.”
- “My whole family is BORED with what I cook, so why bother?”
I love you all. But I’m just sick of it. Because you all assume that it’s easier for the woman next door. You honestly believe that everyone else is out there, whipping up tasty food for their families, while you are the only one who is THRILLED that you at least have a box of Mac and Cheese that could pass for dinner. (It has two of the four food groups, right?)
Yes, there are some women who don’t panic at 4:00 in the afternoon when it comes to dinner. What do they have that your don’t?
A plan.
That’s it. They’ve taken the time to write down what they are going to have for a week, (or a month,) so when they go to the grocery store, they have a plan. And when they wake up in the morning and wonder what to defrost, they have a plan. And when their kids have swim practice, they have a plan.
And I KNOW you know this. But when I ask women if they have a plan, they know they should have it all written down, but for some reason or another, (their child needs them, The Real Housewives of the OC is on…) they don’t. And the Panic continues.
I want you to have a plan, and I plan on providing a public service to those of you who do. Here is what I’ll do:
- Here is the link to my 50 Dinner Ideas Worksheet
- Everyone who tells me by Friday at midnight PST what they are having for dinner next week will be entered into a drawing to win one of my books. (This week it’ll be The What’s for Dinner Solution!)
- I’ll share my menu so you have some ideas
This Week’s Menu
Monday Chicken Sausages, Potatoes and Veggies on the Grill
Tuesday Chicken Stir Fry with Brown Rice and Veggies
Wednesday Lemon Pork Roast and Sauteed Spinach
Thursday Going out!
Friday Pulled Chicken Salad
Saturday BBQ – Everyone’s Coming Over
Sunday Leftovers
Now tell me. What is your plan for next week? I promise you, if you tell me what you are eating, your week will be so much better. Plus, if you put it in the comments, you will be entered to win my book The What’s for Dinner Project.
Monday–spinach lasagna
Tuesday–coconut vegetable curry
Wednesday–salmon and asparagus on quinoa
Thursday–shrimp pineapple curry
Friday–black bean burgers and sweet potato wedges
Saturday–vegetarian pizza
Sunday–roasted vegetables and couscous
Hi Kathi,
I just wanted to say a huge thank you! Your book has been a great inspiration for me so far. I mentioned you in my blog today: http://forty-days-project.blogspot.ca/2012/10/day-17-things-are-coming-together.html – I am taking a 40 day challenge not to eat out and your tips have helped me immensely thus far. I am not yet finished the book but just wanted to say thank you!
Thanks again!
Julia
I am on vacation next week so will be eating out all week! Does that count?
Monday – meatloaf, potatoes, green beans
Tuesday – savanah grilled chicken, sweet potatoe fries
Wednesday – steak tacos, rice, beans
Thursday – grilled chicken salad
Friday – steak, roasted potatoes
Saturday – husband brings home take out!
Sunday – pizza party with the kids
I do my shopping on Fridays so I’ll start with tonight.
Friday. Shrimp boil
Saturday. Pot of beans with cornbread
Sunday. Roast chicken with beans and salad
Monday. Burgers and fries
Tuesday. Chili dogs or beef veggie soup
Wednesday. Fajitas
Thursday. Pork country ribs with beans and salad
Friday. Chicken spaghetti ( from freezer)
Sunday- Meatloaf, smashed potatoes, veggie
Monday- grilled pork, veggies, sweet potaotes
Tuesday- Chicken Fajita Salad
Wednesday- pizza
Thursday- chicken on the grill, grilled potatoes, corn on the cod
Friday- pasta with fresh bread
Saturday- grilled steak, veggies, potato sald
It always makes life easier when I write out my plan! Here it is:
Sun- leftovers
Mon- Flank steak salad
Tues- Chicken legs, grilled veggies, brown rice
Weds- Pasta with TJ’s turkey meatballs
Thurs-Homemade pizza
Fri-Taco salad
Sat-Salmon, cous cous, asparagus
Saturday – going out!
Sunday – steak, potatoes, salad
Monday – chicken strips & mac/cheese
Tuesday – pasta & meatballs
Wednesday – edamane & pasta
Thursday – pulled pork sandwiches and fruit
Friday – pizza & fruit
ahhhh the anxiety is over for this week
Fri: Neighborhood potluck/BBQ
Sat: Lasagna & green beans
Sun: Cheeseburgers, fries, fruit & Shakes
Mon: Chicken caesar salad & garlic bread
Tue: Tacos, rice, corn
Wed: Swedish pancake, fruit smoothies
Thurs: Grilled chicken, pasta salad, veggies
Fri: homeade pizza
Sat: pasta
YAY! Thanks for the encouragement for a procrastinator like me with ADD – it is true that planning makes for PEACE! 🙂
My dinner menu for next week:
Monday- Grilled cheese and Hearty tomato soup
Tuesday-Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings
Wednesday-Chicken Potpies
Thursday-Biscuits & gravy
Friday-Homemade pizza
Saturday-Eat out
Sunday-Grilled hamburgers
Sunday: Meatballs Florentine, Marinara, Linguini
Monday: Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday: Lemon Herb Chicken and Sweet Potato Praline Bake
Wednesday: Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Soft Tacos
Thursday: Seafood Enchiladas
Friday: Pizza Night
Saturday: Marinated Ribeyes
S-Weekly dinner w/ all the siblings/families at my parents’ house
M-Salad night, probably spinach raspberry salad for us, cobb salad for the kids
T-Pasta, hopefully with some squash and tomatoes from our garden!!
W-Dinner w/ my in-laws
Th-Cousin’s graduation dinner
F-Pizza Night (homemade pizza using naan)
S-Leftovers
Monday – Out of town..someone else is cooking
Tuesday – baked fish and salad
Wednesday – spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday – french dip in crockpot with rice and salad
Friday – eat out or order in
My Menu Plan for next week:
Monday–Nachos with all the fixings
Tuesday–Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread
Wednesday–Cheeseburger, French fries, and fresh fruit salad
Thursday–Pepperoni Pizza with a garden salad and ranch dressing
Friday–Top Sirloin Steak, corn, and mashed potatoes
Saturday–Pancakes, Bacon, and Eggs
Sunday–BLT sandwiches, grapes, and baby carrots
What works for me when planning my dinners for the week is to assign a theme to each day of the week (I.e, Mexican food night, Burger night, pizza night, Italian food night, comfort food night, soup or salad night, etc. my goal this year is to build up a collection of great recipes for each themed night that I can rotate.