Kelly's Menu 4/28 thru 5/4

I haven't really cooked a decent meal in a few weeks.  The fast and furious nature of my husband's track schedule mixed with child commitments, organization meetings, illness, and holiday shopping left me standing still.  I am happy to be able to be running at least 3 nights a week...in the long run, my exercise helps my family more than the home-cooked meals.  I have decided that I have to be okay with that.

Recently, my son started getting up in the middle of the night after 30 months of nearly perfect sleeping.  When I was a mom of just one, I got up and fed my daughter each time she woke in the night.  When I was a mom of two, I developed a sleep and feeding schedule; I sat next to the bed, in the room, outside an open door, and finally in the hall making comforting "sssshhhhh" noises.  It wasn't easy, but I was trying to begin with the end in mind.

Now as a mom of three, I got up with my son and tried to put him back to bed once; when he returned to my room a second time, I said, "Go back to bed or sleep on the floor." He dropped down and slept-no pillow, no blanket.  I did mumble to my husband that we had a visitor on the floor and to be careful not to step on him.

I have to be okay with that. It is where I am. I am doing everything I can with my remaining resources. Decided I was okay with a messy house, non-perfect meals, and kids sleeping on the floor has has had the opposite effect...so here's my attempt at a meal plan.

Monday-Italian Baked Chicken with broccoli

This is a favorite in our house.  The leftovers will go great as additions to a salad in our lunches.

Tuesday- Slow Cooked Tex-Mex Chicken with quinoa

I haven't tried this recipe of Joyce's yet and both green and red peppers were on sale this week.  I may have overused Salsa Chicken the past few months so I am hoping this southwestern-styled dish will give me another option to fuel our need for no prep, crock-pot friendly, and spicy food. 

Wednesday- Eating assorted breakfast foods or sandwiches in the Car

My husband's first of two LONG track meets will be tonight.  I hate when track meets happen on days the girls have after-school activities because I will have to do both drop-off and pick-up over a one-hour class.  Going home is a waste. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate so we can head to the park...if it rains, we'll be visiting Target and filling the gas tank.

Thursday-Spicy Chicken Rigatoni with salads

I think this is my favorite dish!  I got a 2 pound bag of rigatoni recently for 88 cents. This meal is large enough to leave a decent amount of leftovers for lunch tomorrow. 

 Friday-Delicious Crock-Pot Pork Chops

John will be out of town again tonight, racing home to take our oldest daughter to the Daddy-Daughter Dance and heading back to the meet. But I figure we can eat the leftovers on Saturday.

Saturday-Oatmeal Energy Bites 

My girls can start helping me make these easy breakfast bites.  These will be nice for John and I so we don't need to prep breakfast all next week.

Sunday-Lemony Tuna Toss

Trying to work ahead for the week, we can eat this light and healthy lunch on whole wheat mini-bagels. Quick and easy so we can keep working.  

Joyce's Menu Plan 1/25 - 1/31

Around the holidays, meal planning gets a bit crazy for me.  Right after the holidays are over, my son has a birthday.  Once all the celebrating is done, I can finally get back in gear and get some good planning in.  Things always go better with a plan.

Saturday - General Tso's Chicken

I have been dying to try Kelly's slow cooker version of this take-out favorite.  With my morning plans being cancelled due to weather, I will be able to prep this early and have it ready to go.

Sunday - Potato Soup (and prep Lasagna)

Nothing beats a cup of hot soup on a blustery winter day.  With things being on track in our area for this to be the coldest winter in over thirty years, we have certainly been enjoying our fair share of yummy soups.  This one is one of our favorites.  While I am throwing it together in the morning, I will also prep the lasagna for Monday.

Monday - Lasagna

My family went to Disney for the first time over Christmas break.  When we were standing in line for a ride at the Magic Kingdom, out of the blue, my daughter says, "You know what we haven't had for a long time?  Lasagna.  Can you make it soon?"  It is time to oblige.  Since we have an In-Service day, this being prepped on Sunday will be perfect...I will just pop it into the oven when I get home from work.

Tuesday -  Honey Orange Chicken

This dish has become a staple in our house.  It is amazingly easy, healthy, and full of flavor.  

Wednesday - Leftovers

Since it is just the kids and me on Wednesdays, we tend to heat up leftovers.  When there are several options in the fridge to reheat, I have been known to make a paper menu for the kids so that they can see their options and check off their choices.  They love playing restaurant - especially since we don't go out the real ones often!

Thursday -  Salmon Cakes

I have been trying to have either a meatless or a seafood meal once a week when we can.  With a side of quinoa and a veggie or salad, this fits the bill.

Friday - Knock-off Spinach Power Salad 

We've been making hard boiled eggs early in the week to have for a quick mid-morning snack.  My son will also take one for breakfast on some days.  Usually, we have a couple left at the end of the week; they make a great topping for this salad.  And since I usually grocery shop on Thursday, I should have some fresh spinach to make this quick meal on a Friday.

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 

Joyce's Menu Plan 5/2 - 5/8

The plan is to go grocery shopping after work today, so last night as I was making my list, I threw together this meal plan.  The past few weeks have been a little odd for my family, with me being gone on a trip and my son getting his tonsils out and being on a soft diet.  We are finally ready to get everything back to normal!

Thursday - Barbecups and mixed greens

These "meat cupcakes" as my son calls them are always a huge hit with my kids; I need something that will meet no resistance after dragging the kids grocery shopping on the way home from school and work.

Friday - Tuscan Chicken and Beans (slow cooker)

With the weather as nice as it has been, I have been wanting to spend more time outside and away from the kitchen.  Coming home to this slow cooker meal will be great on a Friday.

Saturday - Pizza at my niece's birthday party

I will gladly bring a salad to accompany the pizza, but no cooking for me this day!

Sunday - Easy Cheesy Enchiladas and salad

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  I am bringing out an old favorite for dinner.

Monday - Asian Pork Chops

My husband just bought a new grill; I know I can count on him to cook our favorite pork chops to perfection.  All I will have to do is make the marinade.  I will serve them with rice, seaweed sheets, and some fresh veggies.  My kids can't get enough of the seaweed sheets.  Fortunately, they now carry them at Costco!

Tuesday - Salmon with Dill Sauce

Another meal for my husband to grill while we play on the swing set. We all love the Dill Sauce for dipping our salmon.

Wednesday - 4 Cheese Lasagna (slow cooker)

 My husband will be late getting home.  Another perfect day to not have dinner waiting for us when the kids and I get home.  I just have to remember to do a bit of prep work Tuesday night!

Kelly's Menu 2/25 - 3/3

This is the last week before spring track starts.  Preparing this meal plan is my attempt at getting myself ready for the additional two evenings my husband will be out of the house.  Spring track means so many great things-longer days, more sun, warmer temperatures, the end of the school year...but the beginning is always hard.

I read a great quote by the author Sophie Kinsella, "Sometimes you don't need a goal in life.  You don't need to know the big picture.  You just need to know what you're going to do next."  This meal plan is me trying to keep it together by making simple plans.

Monday-Hearty Taco Stew

This great slow cooker meal will be a great way to start the week.  We'll be enjoying our dinner with fresh bread bowls.

Tuesday-Chicken and Spinach Rigatoni

I picked up a Kraft Philadelphia Cooking Creme a few weeks ago; it disappeared in the fridge.  I rediscovered in yesterday; it needs to be used this week.  It works great with this one dish recipe.

Wednesday-Leftover Hearty Taco Stew

Wednesdays are the busiest days in our home with tutoring and two dance classes added to the mix.  I'll top a few baked potatoes with the leftover stew for a quick meal.

Thursday-Slow Cooker Italian Beef with Honey Ginger Carrots

Beef roasts were on sale last week.  This is another easy crock pot meal; I'll prep it Wednesday night.  When I prep the night before, I add about 30 minutes to the cook time to compensate for the cold crock.

Friday-Salmon

I bought salmon weeks ago when Costco featured a coupon; its been in the freezer ever since.  I am looking forward to trying Joyce's tried and true salmon recipe (look for it later this week).

Saturday-Spinach Mozzarella Egg Bake

I hate spending the weekend mornings cooking, but love eating with the whole family to start the day.  I'll get this ready at night and bake it in the morning.  I may throw some green food coloring in to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday as well.

Sunday-Grandma's Apple Crisp and Spinach & Artichoke Dip

We'll be having dinner with my family so I will need to bring a dessert, the apple crisp. I have a party to attend; I hate to show up empty handed so the dip modified to go in a small crock pot with some mini Club crackers will be great!

Joyce's Menu Plan 1/25 - 1/31

My meal plans have been a bit odd lately, so I have refrained from posting.  As I created this week's, I thought it might be one worth sharing.   To save me from too much time in the kitchen, I am taking advantage of the slow cooker, prepping ahead for one meal while making another, and leftovers.  I hope you can find something useful in it!

Friday - Tacos

For a quick low-key Friday meal at the end of a long, cold week, I thought the kids would enjoy putting the fixings on their own tacos.  

Saturday - Breakfast for dinner

Friday night, I will be sleeping in the auditorium of the high school where I teach and am the co-sponsor of the Actors' Society for a lock-in function that culminates in a performance (by the students, not by me) for charity on Saturday night.  Thus, I will be MIA for the day.  My husband is awesome at making breakfast - omelets, pancakes, you name it - so this meal is on him.

Sunday - Potato Soup, Grilled Turkey Sandwiches, and salad

I have typically saved slow cooker meals for work days because it is so nice to have the meal made when we get home.  However, I have been taking advantage of the slow cooker more and more on Sundays.  I get the meal ready in the morning and have the rest of the day to spend with my family.  

Monday - Salsa Chicken Bake and steamed veggies

This will be an easy and delicious meal for a Monday, and it gives me an opportunity to prep some chicken for Thursday.  

Tuesday - Sausage, Tomato, and Spinach Pasta

Tuesday is gymnastics night, and we get home at dinner time with everyone hungry.  I don't want to spend a long time on a meal; this one takes only as long as it takes to make the pasta - 20 minutes from start to finish.

Wednesday - Leftovers

It will just be the kids and me for dinner, so we should have enough leftovers from earlier in the week to feed us.

Thursday - Pulled BBQ Crescents and salad

My husband will get home late on Thursday, so I want something with an easy prep.  This meal is one of my kids' favorites, and with the chicken already prepped from Monday, it takes no time to put together.

Joyce's Menu Plan 9/22 - 9/28

Kelly and I both wrote menu plans for this week, but I am a bit late in publishing mine.  I am already through much of it, and can tell you that it is working out really well.  We have enjoyed a nice variety so far this week, and have had some very yummy lunches to take to work.  My colleagues are some of this website's biggest fans...when I sit down to my reheated leftovers, I often hear, "That looks awesome! Is that on your website?"  Yep!  And it sure beats a school lunch or cold cut sandwich!

Sunday - Southwestern Stuffed Peppers

Years ago, I tried my hand at a recipe for traditional stuffed peppers and it was a disaster.  Something went wrong with the rice, and the filling turned out to be crunchy.  I have always been hesitant to make stuffed peppers since, but this recipe is fantastic.  I use the quinoa, as Kelly recommends.  

Monday - Parmesan Crusted Chicken

You just can't beat this easy meal.  My kids gobble it up every time.  My motivation for making it this week is that I have a bunch of fresh grated Romano cheese that I want to use.  The recipe calls for Parmesan, but this will give it a slightly different twist and use up my ingredients so they don't go to waste.

Tuesday - Bratwurst, potato pancakes, veggies

I drive past ALDI's on my way home from work and occasionally make the time to make a quick stop before picking my kids up from school.  This week, they have their Oktoberfest foods on sale, so I grabbed some for an easy meal after gymnastics.

Wednesday - Pork and Apple Skillet Meal

Time for one of my family's favorite fall meals.  I have apples in the fridge, mushrooms are on sale, and I just bought onions last week.  Looking forward to this one!

Thursday - Pizza

The kids and my husband have Taekwondo; I have Open House to attend.  This day must have a meal that is quick to prepare (buy!) and quick to eat.  

Friday - Pasta and Sauce with tossed salad.

The last time I made Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, I froze three bags of it.  I will take a bag out of the freezer on Thursday and it should be thawed by dinner on Friday.  Since the meat is already in it, this meal will be a snap to make.

Joyce's Menu Plan 8/18-8/24

I've kind of been dreading writing this post.  As a teacher who lives by a bell schedule for nine and a half months of the year, I really relish the unstructured nature of summer.  I actually had every intention of meal planning throughout my ten weeks off, but that plan quickly dissolved once I had the luxury to go the the grocery store to buy fresh ingredients more than once a week.  Why plan for the week when a few days will suffice?  And the plan constantly changed as we made decisions on the fly about what we would do that day.  Well, all of that is about to change in a hurry.  School starts on Monday, and what I have been able to stretch out over the course of the day will now be crammed into the short evening hours.  Efficiency is a must.  So, here we go...meal plan #1 of the 2012-13 school year.  Enjoy!  

Saturday - Black Bean and Quinoa Toss

We are going on a picnic with my family and this will be our contribution, along with some sandwiches.

Sunday - Chicken Marsala, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies

I am going to make a double batch of this family favorite so that we can have it for leftovers later in the week.

Monday - Sausage, Tomato, and Spinach pasta

This is my first day back at work and it will be an in-service day.  Since in-service days start later than my usual workday, they also end later, leaving me less time to cook.  This is a super quick and easy meal to make that always is a hit, and I have everything on hand in the freezer and pantry except for the bag of spinach right now.

Tuesday - Tuscan Chicken and Beans

Bring on the slow-cooker, baby.  

Wednesday - leftover Chicken Marsala from Sunday

This is why I make a double batch.  Leftovers = luxury by the time Wednesday rolls around.

Thursday - leftover Tuscan Chicken and Beans

Thursday will be my first day with students, which is the most exhausting day of the year for a teacher, if you ask me.  My body is adjusting to everything from waking up at 5AM to wearing heals, and I am full of excitement and energy as I meet each of my new classes.  By dinnertime, I feel like the microwave is heaven-sent.

Friday - Burgers on the grill.

Often, I am completely sick of cheeseburgers by the end of the summer.  But, for some reason, they have not been common at all for us to make or even eat at picnics and parties this year.  So, I think a good burger with some fresh tomatoes would be nice at the end of the week.

Kelly's Menu Plan-5/13 -5/19

I used to organize my meal plans on our over sized kitchen calendar, but I am running out of room given all the kid classes and commitments.  Posting it online,  I can easily pull up ingredients on my smartphone while shopping or see the steps to one of Joyce's recipes.  This new way of organizing has been saving me some time...and every second matters with three kids!


Sunday-French Toast Casserole

I can throw it together Saturday night and miss the Mother's Day breakfast crowds.

Monday- Chicken and Spinach rigatoni

I like that this is a one-dish casserole.  No need for a side; it is Monday after all.

Tuesday-Taco Cupcakes with Oven Roasted Brocolli and Quinoa

One day this week, my daughter and I were practicing sound matching while singing, "We'll have muffins on Monday, Tacos on Tuesday..." She suggested we have the tacos.  With that decision out of the way, I think I'll make a large batch of quinoa to use as needed the rest of the week.

Wednesday-Pulled BBQ Chicken Crescents

Been wanting to try Joyce's recipe...and those crescent rolls are calling my name.

Thursday-LEFTOVERS!!!

John has a coaching commitment so I am NOT cooking. Despite my packing him a lunch from our meals prior to serving it, we still have leftovers (that is one of the best hints anyone ever suggested to me-lunch is made, dinner portions don't need to be SO big).

Friday-Slow Cooker Italian Beef with sweet potato fries

As the weather is getting warmer, I want to start using the crock-pot more to keep the oven off; every degree counts when you are on a budget.

Saturday-GOING OUT!

Family birthday party so no plan for me, but I will be making Oreo Bombs to take to my parents house-there was a great sale on them under $2.00 (I just couldn't pass up the price and hid them at home)

Joyce's Menu Plan 5/5-5/11

Menu planning is a job.  It is a job I don't like.  But it is a necessary job and if I don't do it, I find myself going quite crazy throughout the week.  Without meal planning, I waste a lot of time trying to figure out what to cook at the last minute and by making extra trips to the grocery store.  I also find that I spend more money without meal planning...those extra trips to the grocery store not only require extra time, they also require extra money.  And there is a far greater chance that we will head out to eat when I don't meal plan, as well.  So, I suppose it is a job that is worth the effort for me...despite my love/hate relationship with it.


I usually meal plan on Wednesdays.  Why?  Because on the weekends, I avoid the stores like the plague.  Not that I like trying to fit one more thing into the work week, but I would rather shop on a Thursday or Friday on the way home from work so as to not have to do it on Saturday or Sunday.  So here I am, planning away, and I thought I might share.  

Saturday: I am running a half marathon on Sunday, so I am planning on a pasta dish.  I have some chicken in the freezer; salsa, sour cream, and peppers are on sale at our local grocery store...Zesty Chicken it is.  (Sort of Cinco de Mayo-ish, right?)

Sunday:  As I am running the race in the morning, I am giving myself the day off of cooking.  And planning.  If that means we eat out, so be it.

Monday:  It has been a while since I have made mini meatloaves, and my kids love them.  I will probably make some potatoes and corn or broccoli to go with them.

Tuesday:  We eat dinner early on Tuesdays because my kids take (and my husband teaches) Taekwondo on Tuesday evenings.  This is the perfect day for a crock pot meal.  I am thinking Salsa Chicken and salad so I can use the rest of the salsa and sour cream from Saturday's meal.  It will be done when we get home.  Love it.

Wednesday:  I always plan at least one day of leftovers and because my son takes gymnastics on Wednesdays until 5 and my husband has meetings every Wednesday and doesn't join us for dinner, usually this is the leftovers day.  The kids and I will be finishing off the mini meatloaves and maybe some mac and cheese and a veggie side.

Thursday:  I still have some Big Batch Bolognese in the freezer.  Sounds good.  And easy...hubs has another meeting.

Friday:  An awesome thing about Salsa Chicken is that we always have leftovers.  We like to eat the leftovers as burritos a few days after having it over rice or quinoa.

So there it is.  We may not stick to it exactly, but at least it is a plan, right?