Meal Plan Monday- April #3

This week's meal plan is full of easy dinners that both kids and adults can enjoy, thanks to plenty of non-recipe suggestions from this post over at Pick Any Two. Getting the kids involved with dinner prep is fun for all and teaches valuable life skills. Even the youngest kids can get involved sprinkling cheese, washing lettuce, and other small tasks. Most of this week's dinners can be prepared within a short window of time, so we'll have plenty of time to do other activities with our longer daylight hours.

Between daily walks and visits to the park, we've had plenty of time to enjoy the bountiful sunshine that we've be having here in Northern California. Later today, I'm headed to the first family barbeque of the season. I baked up a batch of delicious brownies loaded with chocolate and cherries (which I'll be sharing this week in a guest post) to bring. You do not want to miss the recipe! Also, my April Stitch Fix came in, and I'm aiming to get my monthly review out this week or early next week.

Meal Plan Monday - April #2

I'm so thankful to be back to the daily grind after Spring Break! While my teenager might not feel the same way, I need to get back to my regular routine. I allowed myself to sleep in an extra hour all of last week, and then I was kicking myself about losing that extra hour. Since I'm not a morning person, I need the motivation of getting the kids to school to get up early. As the school year comes to a close, my next thought is: How am I ever going to survive the summer?

Getting meal planning scheduled gets me ahead during the week, especially when I stick to a consistent routine. I can grocery shop for the week in one trip, and stock my freezer and pantry accordingly. It also allows me to think ahead so I'm not rushing about at 5:30 trying to figure out how to feed my family before the "I'm Hungry" grumbling starts.

Meal Plan Monday - April #1

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter yesterday! We survived our first egg hunt (even with the bit of rain we had) and didn't go candy crazy, but treats were involved. We celebrated with an afternoon full of family and food, and even squeezed in a walk and a nap. The kids are on Spring Break this week, so hopefully I'll have plenty of time to work on my April recipes and projects. Keep an eye out for some drink recipes this month and a craft featuring reusable shopping bags.

Does the warmer weather of spring inspire you to eat lighter? I'm making two meatless meals instead of our usual 1, partly because we all ate too much at yesterday's events. Later this week, I'm trying some pinned recipes featuring fresh and healthy ingredients.

 

Meal Plan Monday: Wrapping up March and Hello April

I'm a little late getting my weekly meal plan out to you guys, some weekends just get away from you! This past weekend, we celebrated the Teenager's 15th birthday with a night out at the restaurant of his choosing, and ended with ice cream. I've been trying to get some important blogging tasks accomplished (like setting up Google Analytics), and I connected with a great group of bloggers for a Blog Staycation and I'm working on mapping out my blogging goals for the rest of the year. I don't want to divulge any spoilers, but let's just say there will be a few changes coming throughout the rest of the year!

Meal Plan Monday - March #4

I hope you had a lovely weekend, and you are refreshed for Monday! This past weekend was full of productivity and sunshine, as well as making a plan for the week ahead. We celebrated one kid's birthday last week, and we have another one this week. I have a request for pie as birthday dessert this time, so I'll be fitting in baking into my busy schedule! Tell me, what is your favorite pie?

Here's what we'll be eating this week:

Meal Plan Monday - March #3

Did you guys enjoy the crockpot meal plan last week? I love how crockpot cooking can really free up time when it comes to getting dinner on the table. When the majority of the meal gets slow-cooked, all I have to do was put together a quick side, steam a little rice (or put taco toppings in bowls) and dinner is ready in less than 20 minutes! This week, I'm taking some cues from last week, as well as taking some help from my freezer to keep on the easy dinner track. Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day, so of course corned beef will be involved, but no cabbage (what... can that be?). Keep reading for my full dinner plans for the week!

Meal Plan Monday - A Special Week of Gluten-Free Crockpot Meals

My goal is to please. When my girlfriend asked me for a meal plan that could work with her dietary restrictions and her busy schedule, I jumped on the challenge. Her needs: a working mom with 3 young children. She wanted meals that could be prepared in the crockpot to easily be able to feed her family when she got home from work. And they had to be gluten-free.

Many people with Celiac disease can't just run through the drive-thru when they are in a rush for dinner. Gluten, even in the smallest amounts (say, a brief cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients) can cause distress. Thankfully, there are some amazing gluten-free food blogs in internet land! Between recipes from blogging friends and searching through Pinterest, I was able to come up with a plan that would suit both my girlfriend's needs, and follow my food philosophy.

When I think about cooking in the crockpot, I want more than just soups and stews. I want variety in colors, textures and flavors. I went in search of recipes that the whole family could enjoy, with just a little prep, including flipping the switch on the crockpot to "on". These recipes are so good, even people without dietary restrictions will love them!

Meal Plan Monday: Welcome March

We said goodbye to February this weekend and welcomed March with a family trip to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Children's Discovery Museum. We ended the evening with dinner with my 91 year old young grandmother. All in all, it was a good day. We got back on the meal planning track last week, as my body recovered from being sick and my energy returned. This week, we are back on track with good-for-you meals that include a few surprises.

If you like my meal plans, you can follow along with then even easier! I've created printable files so you can print out my meal plan for the week or a blank planning page to write you own! Either way, I hope my weekly meal plan helps you better plan your own meals and gives you suggestions and inspiration to not fall into a cooking rut!

Meal Plan Monday - February #4

Some weeks are better than others when it comes to meal planning. We had a sick toddler all week, so going out was limited. A kid with a cold usually means a mom with a cold by the end of the week, and sure enough, by Thursday I was down for the count. That meant that by the time we were out of groceries (I shop Fridays) I was done cooking for the week. Thankfully, between leftovers and pizza on Saturday, we had enough for dinners to get us through the weekend. I'm totally bummed that I didn't get to try the lamb chops or the pork stew from last week's plan, but I have plans to try them in the future.

This week, the keywords for our meal plan is simple and kid-friendly, while still being somewhat healthy. The toddler and I haven't been eating much because nothing tastes good with a stuffy nose. Eating less isn't a problem for me, but for an active kid like mine, who has always been slim and on the underweight side (according to all the pediatric charts), it is frustrating. I'm hoping these dinners will tempt his taste buds, since I know that these are dishes that have been successful in the past.

Meal Plan Monday - February #3

Another Monday, another meal plan. I hope I'm inspiring some of you to not fear the kitchen, and to cook for your family. Even if you are using a lot of shortcuts, as long as the finished product came from your hands, you are helping shape the way your children will respond to food as grown adults. I know we are all busy, but finding a 30-minute window a few times a week can make a world of difference. I was brought up on home-cooked meals, and I swear it affirmed the love and respect of food that I have today.

If I menu plan early for the next week, it helps keep me on track for the week. I like to plan on Wednesdays or Thursdays and grocery shop on Thursdays or Fridays. That way, I can shop the circular and make sure to add any digital coupons to my club card, which saves me money. Have your grocery stores gone digital yet? It is so much nicer than remembering to clip coupons!

Meal Plan Monday - February #2

Happy Monday! I hope the weekend treated you well. We experienced quite a bit of rain this weekend, which was a lovely sight to see, hear and feel. I love the sound of raindrops on the windows. My garden enjoyed the rain, too! I am starting to see buds on my hydrangeas and the grass on all the hillsides is greening up. Are you excited about Valentine's Day on Saturday? I'm hoping to take the opportunity to whisk the kiddos away to Grandma's for a bit and have a quiet evening with my husband. How about you, any plans for Valentine's Day?

 

 

Anyway, onto the real reason you are all here - Meal Plan Monday! Isn't it amazing how with a little planning you can be so much more motivated to cook? The only meal we didn't get to last week was the butternut squash mac and cheese. I had a request to cook up the shrimp tacos on Sunday while visiting my parents, so I happily obliged. You will see the recipe on the blog one of these days, so look out for it!

Meal Plan Monday: Welcome February

Happy Groundhog day! Did the groundhog see his shadow where you live? Welcome to the first Meal Plan Monday in February! Man, how January flew by. I got 11 blog posts out, you can see them all here if you missed any! February looks just as promising, with another edition of the Spring Craft Blog Hop coming a few weeks.

Today is Monday, meaning we are going meatless! Do you know that going meatless at least once a week can reduce your carbon footprint and reduce your grocery bill? It also encourages eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which we all know is good for us. I also attribute my commitment to meatless dinners to my kid's (and husband's) willingness to try new foods.

Need help getting your kids to be less picky? Kristen at Mommy In Sports and Lauren at Oh, Honestly share tips to get their children to try #onenewfood monthly. This month: Butternut Squash [Oh Honestly] [Mommy in Sports].

Keep reading to see what we are having this week:

Meal Plan Monday: From Sweet Potato to Superbowl

Welcome to the beginning of Superbowl week! I'll be sharing recipes for game-day, be sure not to miss them!

Last week was a busy one, with a sick kitty and last-minute blog posts. With a little menu re-arrangement, we were able to have all seven dinners that I planned! Last week, I focused on getting the most out of shopping dollar by re-purposing our leftovers into new meals my family wouldn't balk at. It must have worked, because I got compliments and thumbs-up on the meals that the kids said were "just ok" the first time around.

Utilizing leftovers: Stewed Chicken with Lentils and Tomatoes got transformed into Chicken and Lentil Soup, which later got topped with drop parmesan biscuits and baked into Chicken and Lentil Biscuit Bake.

 

Tips for using up your leftovers:

 

Cooking a whole chicken or a roast?

 - Have a go-to meal later in the week that utilizes a pre-cooked protein. If you cooked more than enough for one leftover meal, consider portioning and freezing.

 

Extra roasted vegetables?

 - Make a roasted vegetable frittata or create a simple soup.

 

Extra produce in the crisper?

 - Julienne, sauté, and use as a flavor base for pasta. Toss with a quick sauce and you have a quick meatless dinner.

 

Shopping your fridge and pantry for leftovers to create new dinners is a sure way to please your family, and you might even come up with new favorite meals! It also reduces spending and food waste, and those mystery containers lurking in the back of your fridge (Where Good Food Turns Bad, the sequel). For more tips on reducing food waste, see this post by CarrieElle.com.

Meal Plan Monday #3

Hey everyone! Putting out my meal plan for the week a day early because I have something special to share tomorrow. My January Stitch Fix box arrived, so I'm going to share it with you tomorrow on the blog. I am in love with Stitch Fix, and it is only my second fix. My sister recommended it to my as a way of getting new clothing without having to go to the mall, which with a toddler can be difficult. So be sure to come by tomorrow and learn all about why I love Stitch Fix, and I'll reveal the pieces that came in my Stitch Fix box!

For the second week in a row, we have been able to stick to the meal plan that I've created, but am I grateful for our wildcard nights! Last week's wild card night happened to coincide with me being at the veterinary hospital with one of the kitty's (mystery illness, as I'm writing this she is hopped up on IV fluids and supportive drugs) so I wasn't too hard on myself when I called my husband to order pizza for the kiddos!

Missy Kitty needs your well-wishes!

Of course, that means we have an extra day of leftovers-dining this week, but I will make the most of it by transforming boring leftovers into a new, exciting dish!

Meal Plan Monday: Keeping Resolutions

We survived the first full week of 2015! It's Monday again, meaning its time for me to post this week's meal plan. I followed last week's plan almost flawlessly. Friday night turned out to be a late night at my mom's working (and wine drinking) so my husband was in charge of feeding the kiddos. Thankfully I had extra pork stew in the fridge for them to reheat! Saturday night I treated my parents and guests to homemade pizza and kalamata olive focaccia bread (with more wine). My parents graciously hosted and it was a fun-filled, full-carb affair.

The only resolution that I didn't touch on was my 3 day a week, get active plan. This week, I need to plan better so I can get some sort of workout in, especially after enjoying pizza and pasta this past weekend.

Meal Plan Monday: Eating Healthy Starts at Home

I'm sure more than a few of us have spouted our New Year's resolutions and included one or more of the following:

"I want to eat better this year"

"I want to make healthier lifestyle choices"

"I want to spend less money"

All three of these goals are on my list this year, and cooking dinners consistently at home are part of my plan for making better lifestyle choices.

Each week I will start with meal plan, and then stick to it. With a family of diverse palettes, meal planning is key to make sure that everyone is satisfied at mealtime. I made a really easy meal planning worksheet, complete with a removable shopping list, that you can print out right at home!

As part of my goal for eating healthier, I will make at least one vegetarian meal a week, and incorporate more vegetables and whole grains into our nightly meal. For the money-saving goals, I will stick a few "wildcard" nights where I will strive to make a meal out of the fridge and pantry (and utilize those leftovers!).

Week of January 5-11

Meal Plan Monday- How is it June already?

I hope you had a great weekend! I spent the weekend running errands and catching up on housework. I picked up my produce for this week's Farmer's Market Friday at the Brentwood Farmer's Market on Saturday. If you haven't linked up to Farmer's Market Friday yet, there is still time! Party closes at 5 PM PST on Wednesday.

We have one more week of school for my teenage son, but it involves mostly 8th grade activities (field trips and the typical last week of school fun). I am so ready to have my daughter fly back to California for the summer, she lives with her mom in Louisiana most of the time. This week we have a visit to the dentist for our bi-annual cleaning, lets hope for zero cavities!

This week I'm cleaning out the fridge, utilizing leftovers from the weekend and the produce that I just picked up. My grocery list is already written, and I can get away with checking out through the express lane this week!

Monday
We're off to the dentist after school. that means we will be having Crock-Pot BBQ Chicken from Oatmeal Smiles. I will be serving this with a corn-nectarine salsa and steamed green beans.

Tuesday
I need to pick up eggs from the farmer's market, and then I will be making my Swiss chard and sweet potato frittata. Since I will miss Meatless Monday, we will be having Meatless Tuesday instead.

Wednesday
Using up leftover carnitas for Carnitas Quesadillas. If you need an easy crock-pot carnitas recipes, check out Jonesin' For Taste's Pineapple Pork Carnitas. Will be rounding out the meal with a green salad and fruit.

Thursday
More leftovers! This time I will be making Broccoli Beef using leftover tri-tip. I have to figure out how to make it without the oyster sauce (or with a vegetarian oyster sauce).

Friday
Sometime during the week I need to make chicken stock to utilize the chicken bones that are piling up in my freezer. I will be making some kind of corn soup for Friday, to utilize all this corn I bought. I'm thinking a spicy corn bisque served chilled with shrimp and avocado sounds really tempting, especially since the weather is supposed to be up in the 90s!

Saturday
Pizza night or eat out!

Sunday
If the weather is nice, we will probably invite some friends over and grill out and chill. Chicken and kielbasa, probably, with veggies and potatoes.

What do you plans look like for dinner this week? Kids out of school yet, or still stuck for another week?