Well, I thought I hadn't posted here in about 2 weeks - more like 2 MONTHS! Wow! But I have been on a roll with meal planning. This week is a busy one for us, but there is another factor to throw into meal planning: we are out of ground beef and I would like to wait for a sale to buy more. On top of this, Mike has proclaimed that he is "sick of beans." Talk about challenging!
Monday: We have some leftover taco filling (ground beef and black beans) that we will use to make either taco salads or nachos.
Tuesday: I have a meeting and I already promised Mike a night of chili dogs and corn muffins. The corn muffins are in the freezer and I bought hot dog rolls at the store on Sunday. The chili is from the freezer as well.
Wednesday: I've started attending a local Zumba class which meets at 6pm - EARLY! I will try to get home early and put together a pan of baked ziti (no meat, maybe some peas) and put it in the oven before I leave. Mike can take it out when it is done and serve himself or wait for me to get home. The only issue with this item is that I have no ricotta and I don't really want to buy any. The current plan is to make some soft cheese from an extra package of sour cream that I have. I have done this before, but didn't like the cheese much by itself. However, I think it will be suitable for baked ziti.
Thursday: Leftover Chicken Pot Pie from Sunday will need to be finished by this point. I might switch Wednesday & Thursday if I run out of time to make the fresh cheese earlier in the week.
Friday: Pizza night! I've been mixing it up a bit and trying different things with my pizza dough recipe. Last week I made some bread sticks which we really liked as well as 2 thinner crust pizzas. I'm going to see if I can make 4 thin crusts out of one batch of dough without the quality diminishing too much. I can parbake the extra 2 crusts and save them for a busy week or when I would like Mike to put dinner together.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
MPM: Holidays are upon us!
Less than 2 weeks until Christmas and it is definitely time for holiday parties and other fun! This also means that Mike's work schedule is ramping up due to extended holiday hours.
Monday: This morning I started the crockpot with a variation of Stephanie's Salsa Chicken. My version this morning was sans beans. A can of corn, a can of petite diced tomatoes, a small can of green chilis, and about a pound of frozen chicken. I will cook up a pot of rice when I get home to go with it.
Tuesday: It is definitely turning into soup weather around here! I'll set the bread machine in the morning and make a steaming pot of turkey noodle soup when I get home from work.
Wednesday & Thursday: Mike is working until 9pm both nights, so I'll probably throw together something simple for myself.
Friday: Mike is going to see TRON Legacy in 3D IMAX, and I am staying home as 3D movies make me motion sick. I will make some English Muffin pizzas for before he leaves so he doesn't spend too much on movie theater food.
Saturday: We have a holiday party to go to, so we are eating there.
Sunday: I'm going to either make a Chicken Pot Pie or a chicken and rice casserole from a recipe from Campbell's. It will depend on how much energy I have left at the end of the week!
Monday: This morning I started the crockpot with a variation of Stephanie's Salsa Chicken. My version this morning was sans beans. A can of corn, a can of petite diced tomatoes, a small can of green chilis, and about a pound of frozen chicken. I will cook up a pot of rice when I get home to go with it.
Tuesday: It is definitely turning into soup weather around here! I'll set the bread machine in the morning and make a steaming pot of turkey noodle soup when I get home from work.
Wednesday & Thursday: Mike is working until 9pm both nights, so I'll probably throw together something simple for myself.
Friday: Mike is going to see TRON Legacy in 3D IMAX, and I am staying home as 3D movies make me motion sick. I will make some English Muffin pizzas for before he leaves so he doesn't spend too much on movie theater food.
Saturday: We have a holiday party to go to, so we are eating there.
Sunday: I'm going to either make a Chicken Pot Pie or a chicken and rice casserole from a recipe from Campbell's. It will depend on how much energy I have left at the end of the week!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
MPM: Shortened Week
Well, I knew Monday and Tuesday were planned out for me, but that doesn't excuse this being late!
Monday: Had dinner out. We had planned on meeting Mike's co-workers, but we missed them (they must have eaten fast). We still had some delicious Italian food, though.
Tuesday: I have a meeting, so a quick meal of green beans, chicken nuggets and french fries is on the docket.
Wednesday: Things will slow down a bit and I will make a meal of Easy Enchilladas with leftover rice and some frozen home made refried beans.
Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs haven't been on the list in a while. More green beans while we have fresh ones to eat. If I am on my game, I will program the bread machine in the morning and have fresh bread to go with it.
Friday: Pizza night! Last week I was half asleep when mixing the pizza dough and had to mix in the olive oil after the dough had come together. This resulted in a chewier, crispier crust. I'm not sure if I want to attempt this again, though. We'll see. My recipe is always in flux!
Monday: Had dinner out. We had planned on meeting Mike's co-workers, but we missed them (they must have eaten fast). We still had some delicious Italian food, though.
Tuesday: I have a meeting, so a quick meal of green beans, chicken nuggets and french fries is on the docket.
Wednesday: Things will slow down a bit and I will make a meal of Easy Enchilladas with leftover rice and some frozen home made refried beans.
Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs haven't been on the list in a while. More green beans while we have fresh ones to eat. If I am on my game, I will program the bread machine in the morning and have fresh bread to go with it.
Friday: Pizza night! Last week I was half asleep when mixing the pizza dough and had to mix in the olive oil after the dough had come together. This resulted in a chewier, crispier crust. I'm not sure if I want to attempt this again, though. We'll see. My recipe is always in flux!
Monday, November 29, 2010
MPM: Skipped a week
Last week was crazy and short due to Thanksgiving, so I gave myself a planning break. I was also at the end of my solid week of migraines, so I needed it. But this week we are back in the swing of things! December is just around the corner, and being organized during the season helps me to say relaxed and enjoy the fun.
Monday: We have our first concert of the season, so we need to have a quick dinner. Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
Tuesday: No rushing around, and in for the night, so I am going to make a Mexican Pasta Casserole so that we have some leftovers in the house.
Wednesday: My mom is coming over for dinner and we will have chicken stir-fry served over rice.
Thursday: Pizza night! Mike is working on Friday, so Pizza night is moved. My brother might be coming over as well and it is easy to make some extra pizza to make it a party.
Friday: I will be fending for myself as Mike is working late.
Monday: We have our first concert of the season, so we need to have a quick dinner. Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
Tuesday: No rushing around, and in for the night, so I am going to make a Mexican Pasta Casserole so that we have some leftovers in the house.
Wednesday: My mom is coming over for dinner and we will have chicken stir-fry served over rice.
Thursday: Pizza night! Mike is working on Friday, so Pizza night is moved. My brother might be coming over as well and it is easy to make some extra pizza to make it a party.
Friday: I will be fending for myself as Mike is working late.
Monday, November 15, 2010
MPM: Keep on keeping on
I can't believe that today marks the middle of November! Seems like time is just flying along and I am racing to keep up. Fortunately, doing a menu plan every week has kept dinner time under control.
Monday: Tonight I am going to make Spaghetti with meat sauce. There is a sale on ground beef at the local grocery store, so I will be picking up 10 pounds to freeze. It will be nice to cook up some fresh meat for this meal instead of using something frozen out of the freezer (even though it is sooo much more convenient!) I will steam the rest of the fresh green beans to go along with this.
Tuesday: Over the weekend, I made a delicious Chicken Pot Pie. We will have some of the leftovers for dinner.
Wednesday: Mexican night! Depending on what we are in the mood for, we will either have Mexican Pasta Casserole or tacos.
Thursday: Stir fry! Lots of veggies and chicken to use. I also want to use up the leftover bamboo shoots that are in the fridge. Will make white rice to go with it. Yum!
Friday: Pizza night! Last Friday we were out and did not have homemade pizza. This week we will be very happy to be on schedule!
Monday: Tonight I am going to make Spaghetti with meat sauce. There is a sale on ground beef at the local grocery store, so I will be picking up 10 pounds to freeze. It will be nice to cook up some fresh meat for this meal instead of using something frozen out of the freezer (even though it is sooo much more convenient!) I will steam the rest of the fresh green beans to go along with this.
Tuesday: Over the weekend, I made a delicious Chicken Pot Pie. We will have some of the leftovers for dinner.
Wednesday: Mexican night! Depending on what we are in the mood for, we will either have Mexican Pasta Casserole or tacos.
Thursday: Stir fry! Lots of veggies and chicken to use. I also want to use up the leftover bamboo shoots that are in the fridge. Will make white rice to go with it. Yum!
Friday: Pizza night! Last Friday we were out and did not have homemade pizza. This week we will be very happy to be on schedule!
Monday, November 8, 2010
MPM: Menu Planning as a part of life
It is becoming routine to start thinking about a menu on Monday morning. I come here out of habit and out of a desire to have less stress in my week. Planning out meals ahead of time makes me happy! Here's what I've got for this week.
Monday: I have leftover bread from this weekend and some pre-cooked meatballs in the freezer. Spaghetti and meatballs with home made bread (possibly made into garlic bread table-side). Yum! This will be an easy meal to put together. While preparing dinner, I will use the quick-soak method to cook up some black beans.
Tuesday: Taco night! With a mixture of black beans and ground beef, we'll have the choice of hard or soft taco shells. Hopefully we'll have a little bit of meat mixture leftover for lunches or snacks, but I'm not holding my breath on that one!
Wednesday: Stir Fry. It has been a long time since I've made stir fry. I will probably have to cook some frozen uncooked chicken to make this, but it should not take very long. Also, we have lots of veggies around in the fridge and freezer. I'll make a pot of rice and we'll be good to go.
Thursday: Baked macaroni and cheese with ham. I will either use the package of Kraft home-style mac and cheese that I have laying around or I will make it from scratch. Either vegetables or salads as a side.
Friday: Pizza Night! Nothing fancy this week. Just home made pizza with personalized toppings. We always look forward to pizza night.
Monday: I have leftover bread from this weekend and some pre-cooked meatballs in the freezer. Spaghetti and meatballs with home made bread (possibly made into garlic bread table-side). Yum! This will be an easy meal to put together. While preparing dinner, I will use the quick-soak method to cook up some black beans.
Tuesday: Taco night! With a mixture of black beans and ground beef, we'll have the choice of hard or soft taco shells. Hopefully we'll have a little bit of meat mixture leftover for lunches or snacks, but I'm not holding my breath on that one!
Wednesday: Stir Fry. It has been a long time since I've made stir fry. I will probably have to cook some frozen uncooked chicken to make this, but it should not take very long. Also, we have lots of veggies around in the fridge and freezer. I'll make a pot of rice and we'll be good to go.
Thursday: Baked macaroni and cheese with ham. I will either use the package of Kraft home-style mac and cheese that I have laying around or I will make it from scratch. Either vegetables or salads as a side.
Friday: Pizza Night! Nothing fancy this week. Just home made pizza with personalized toppings. We always look forward to pizza night.
Monday, November 1, 2010
MPM: Week 4!
I am so excited to be posting my fourth menu plan Monday in a ROW! WOW! So, here it goes.
Monday: Tonight I'm going to make macaroni and cheese and hotdogs wrapped in crecent rolls. I'll let Mike pick if we will have a veggie or salads.
Tuesday: I have a meeting and it's election day, so dinner will be early and easy. Chicken patty sandwiches with pretzels or chips.
Wednesday: A "fend for yourself" day! I'm supposed to take my sister out to dinner as a birthday treat, so Mike will be probably having sandwiches for dinner or possibly chicken nuggets or grilled cheese. All easy things we keep around the house for these sorts of meals.
Thursday: We have a bunch of tortillas that need to be used up, so tonight will be make your own quesadilla night. We have leftovers to be used as well as shredded chicken in the freezer. I think I'll break out the griddle so we can make a few at a time. This will be quick and easy, but also filling and fun!
Friday: Definitely Pizza Night! We missed pizza night last week due to a birthday celebration, so I have a feeling we'll be ready this week. I bought some mozzarella sticks (farm fresh brand) to try, so if we are feeling like an appetizer, I'll throw some of those in the oven.
I don't usually plan meals for the weekends, but this week, Mike is not working nights at all! So, here we go!
Saturday: Soup and Bread. I'm going to make a loaf of rye bread with the bread machine (and possibly bake it in the oven?). I'll also make a nice pot of chicken and noodle soup. I've got homemade stock in the freezer as well as already chopped carrots and cooked shredded chicken. I just have to pick up some more celery this week.
Sunday: After a busy week, a night of leftovers is in order. Or, if we are so inclined, we may pick up Chinese food. For some reason, Chinese food and Sundays go together for us!
Monday: Tonight I'm going to make macaroni and cheese and hotdogs wrapped in crecent rolls. I'll let Mike pick if we will have a veggie or salads.
Tuesday: I have a meeting and it's election day, so dinner will be early and easy. Chicken patty sandwiches with pretzels or chips.
Wednesday: A "fend for yourself" day! I'm supposed to take my sister out to dinner as a birthday treat, so Mike will be probably having sandwiches for dinner or possibly chicken nuggets or grilled cheese. All easy things we keep around the house for these sorts of meals.
Thursday: We have a bunch of tortillas that need to be used up, so tonight will be make your own quesadilla night. We have leftovers to be used as well as shredded chicken in the freezer. I think I'll break out the griddle so we can make a few at a time. This will be quick and easy, but also filling and fun!
Friday: Definitely Pizza Night! We missed pizza night last week due to a birthday celebration, so I have a feeling we'll be ready this week. I bought some mozzarella sticks (farm fresh brand) to try, so if we are feeling like an appetizer, I'll throw some of those in the oven.
I don't usually plan meals for the weekends, but this week, Mike is not working nights at all! So, here we go!
Saturday: Soup and Bread. I'm going to make a loaf of rye bread with the bread machine (and possibly bake it in the oven?). I'll also make a nice pot of chicken and noodle soup. I've got homemade stock in the freezer as well as already chopped carrots and cooked shredded chicken. I just have to pick up some more celery this week.
Sunday: After a busy week, a night of leftovers is in order. Or, if we are so inclined, we may pick up Chinese food. For some reason, Chinese food and Sundays go together for us!
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