This week I’ve been thinking a lot about menu planning.
I’ve been all over the web, doing research. So far I’ve gotten some great information and ideas from friends like Marcy at Stretching a Buck, Andrea at Mommy Snacks and over at Blissfully Domestic too. While I’m not officially starting until Monday, I’ve found myself already researching and trying to find recipes that allow me to make multiple meals that share ingredients. Here’s a quick look at what I’m doing this week during my trial run. I’d love to have your feedback as well as any tips or links to sites on menu planning you love.
I had a lot of fun coming up with the menu but it was really hard. You’ll see that I don’t yet know what to do Saturday or Sunday nights. I’ve never really cooked before so ‘ll def. be looking to those of you who rock at this for help!
One additional thing that I should mention that I am trying to make meals that can carry over to lunch the next day. I have sort of a problem with eating out for lunch….. a problem that I am really trying to overcome!
Sunday
Mean Green Tortilla Soup
Monday
Lunch: Leftover Mean Green Tortilla Soup
Dinner: Green Eggs and Ham (son’s request….)
Tuesday
Lunch: Leftover Mean Green Tortilla Soup
Dinner: Sausage Jambalya
Wednesday
Lunch: Leftover Sausage Jambalya
Dinner: Ham & Potato Soup using left over ham from Monday
Thursday
Lunch: Ham & Potato Soup
Dinner: All in One Sausage & Pasta dish using leftover sausage
Friday
Lunch: Leftover Sausage and Pasta
Dinner: Stouffers Lasagna
Saturday
Lunch: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Dinner: TBD
Sunday
Lunch: Stouffers Lasagna
Dinner: TBD
PS. Erin at $5 Dinners has some great, affordable recipes if you’re looking to start menu planning too!
UPDATE:One of my good friends just pointed out that there are not a lot of veggies here and it’s meat/salt heavy. YES. For this week I didn’t sit down and do a plan (like you should) I reacted to what we had in the house. I also want to note that the boys, for the most part, have not eaten what we have had. They do not like meals that are all mixed together like soups, jambalaya, etc. I don’t want you all thinking they aren’t getting their F&V’s, they are. They typically get the meat we are eating with a F&V. Thanks to my gal pal for pointing that out. I promise next week’s menu will be much more well rounded and all family – inclusive.
Don’t feel bad not having an idea for Saturday and Sunday. I always allow one night for going out and then one night for husband to cook!
I think your menu plan looks great! I think you’ll find that it gets easier as time goes on. I’m hoping to get a post up this week about how I menu plan..I’m no expert, but maybe it’ll help some.
Marcy´s last blog post… Free Ziploc Back to Basics Gift Pack
my husband bought me a panini press for christmas, and we have been using the heck out of it! I bought a bunch of meats, cheeses and breads at sam’s and we’ve been doing alot of soups and sandwiches. While the press wasn’t cheap, we’ve gotten good deals on the food, and it’s so easy to make the paninis.
Is the mean green tortilla soup the soup you made last week?
and i wanted to share a few fave recipe sources….the covington library has my favorite cookbook…the big book of casseroles by maryana vollstedt – it just rocks! so many good recipes in it. I often double the recipes in it and freeze one. I love my deepfreeze.
And the foodnetwork.com and allrecipes.com are great for recipes.
and i am a huge fan of my cousin’s website….she has some amazing recipes on there, and most of them are simple to make. http://www.vickyandjen.com (look under “it matters” then “oven light”)
I hope this helps….and by the way, your menu looked yummy. Maybe I could get my kids to eat ham if I served it up with green eggs and a reading of dr. seuss
Happy Cooking! -Katie
looking good!
I post recipes (most with photos) from stuff I find at Kraft, Everyday Food and allrecipes. I like all those sources because they often provide a photo!
My coworkers and I stalled a little around the holidays on our recipe round up posting, but we’ll get back to it. Of what’s been posted and I’ve tried, is tasty! http://www.udandi.com/2008/09/30/new-project-recipe-round-up/
Andi´s last blog post… Recipe: Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Good job! This is something I plan on getting in front of too…we eat out so much because we are just so tired when we get home in the evening. That’s bad for both our waistlines and our wallets, so I need to work on that.
Angel´s last blog post… Thirteen dollars for thirteen years.
Looks good. The hardest part is actually planning and I think it once you get the hang of it you can add the healthy stuff. I also have frozen veggies on hand that are super fast to microwave. Also, petite carrots often make a presence on our table. I find the weeks I menu plan I am less stressed about meals and it is good for my budget.
Sarah´s last blog post… I briefly recall making wedding plans.
This is something I need to work on. Thanks for the links.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. It’s a lot to think about / plan for but I am looking forward to doing it!
shannanb aka Mommy Bits´s last blog post… Recipes for Success
I’m An Organizing Junkie (hey and I am too although you’d never know it looking at my house/car/purse) has Menu Plan Monday. Here is the link:
http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday
My Family Meal Planner is another good source.
http://www.myfamilymealplanner.com/
Good luck! I am totally with you on this voyage. Last night I actually made shrimp red bell pepper fettucini with a dash of garlic and spinach (leftover from some veggie burritos.) My husband was AGOG.
I even took a picture of dinner. I’m such a dork. I have yet to post it, though!
Jamie´s last blog post… When You Least Expect It
I think it looks great! Combining ingredients is a really smart (and frugal) idea too!
My boys will not eat soups or mixed up food either. If they happen to see one veggie in it, it’s like the whole bowl or whatever is tainted! So, I just buy those steamer bags and make them eat the veggies separate – they don’t *get* that if they’re tossed in with other stuff, the taste is much better for their pickly little palates!
Now, you just have to share the recipes for all of them – especially that Mean Green Tortilla Soup. That sounds good!
Aaack! I just posted about the first 3 dinners this week AND linked to you about how easy they are! E-mail me or comment if you want more details on any of them, ok? I’ll keep you in mind with any easy stuff I come across, ok?
OH! Do you have a crock pot?
Headless Mom´s last blog post… Home Run
your menu looks good! you can always just add a salad on the side.. and the salt intake depends on what prepared stuff you are throwing in there..
kudos for planning and cooking as two full time parents and showing that it can be done!!
hey.. just one thing… a fresh lasagna with no cook noodles is better than Stouffers.. and not hard AT ALL.
i meant full time working parents. : )
come over to my place… I have a giveaway that may help you!
I plan out our meals too… saves time, money, stress….
I do my whole day and then the whole family dinners. The kids are easy for breakfast and lunches — cereal or eggs and sandwiches & fruit. Not much planning there!
mimipz5wjj´s last blog post… Now It’s Your Turn to be a Winner!