Vacation Menu

Days away from heading to the beach, the feeling of excitement is being overshadowed by the need to prepare.  Just last week, we tried to go out to eat for the first time in a long while; we won't be heading out again for a while.  I will not be subjecting the vacationing crowds to my children; it is not worth the stress, the cost, or the looks.  So, I am preparing my meal plan for vacation-breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This is a family vacation; I haven't been on a beach vacation with my family since I was in college.  My parents are planning to eat out pretty often, but I will be sharing cooking duties with my cousin's boyfriend.  Matt volunteered to grill.  Our breakfasts are easy; I will prep them the night before so that someone can throw it in the oven while I am out on my runs.  My lunch options are also easy; hopefully, someone in the party will decide to head back to the house for a bit with the kids while I enjoy reading or napping in the sun.

We will hit the grocery store Saturday night.  I plan to buy fruits, vegetables, meats, bread, and dairy products at the store.  I'll bring things like cereals, bars, snacks, and spices (I learned to do this from Joyce as I was paying $7 for chili powder while she had brought her cumin from home).  The last time my mom hit the grocery store on vacation, it was after a big dinner so she and her friends bought only Breyers ice cream and drink mixes.  I plan to be on hand with my list. Not sure I am as organized as Joyce who has even produced coupons for the things she needed from the stores at the beach, but I think we will be set.

Saturday

Traveling day...we will eat what we can find.

Sunday

Breakfast: Pancake Squares and blueberries (I will be cheating a bit and use bagged pancake mixes for this recipe)

Lunch: Grilled cheese with tomato slices

Dinner: Sausage, Spinach, Tomato Pasta

Monday

Breakfast: Egg in a Cup (my dad's specialty...he can make them for me)

Lunch: Macaroni & cheese and hot dogs

Dinner: Shrimp and veggies on the grill

Tuesday

Breakfast: French Toast Casserole

Lunch: Grilled chicken wraps

Dinner: Pulled BBQ Crescents

Wednesday

Breakfast: Cereal and fresh fruit

Lunch: Avocado Chicken Salad

Dinner: Italian Baked Chicken with broccoli and salad

Thursday

Breakfast: Cereal bars and bananas

Lunch: PB&J wraps

Dinner: Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with corn on the cob

Friday

Breakfast: scrambled eggs to get rid of all remaining eggs

Lunch: Grilled cheese and fruit

Dinner: Whatever I can do to use all remaining food-thinking grilling