Menu Plan for 10.16-10.31

I know I haven't been very good about keeping up with my blog. I sat down, just now, to scratch out my menu for the next two weeks on paper (to stick on the fridge). So, I decided I would share:

Sat 10/16: Potato Chowder and Broccoli/Grape Salad  (To send with C to work: Bananna Cream Cheesecake, Broccoli/Grape Salad and Mashed Potatoes)
Sun 10/17: Cheesy Chicken Flats with apple slices
Mon 10/18: Beef and Wild Rice Bake with veggies
Tue 10/19: EZ Slowbake Burritos with tortilla chips (crockpot meal)
Wed 10/20: Picante Peach Pork w/ rice and steamed veggies
Thur 10/21: Salsbury Steaks w/ mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls
Fri 10/22: Bagel Pizza's
Sat 10/23: William's Station Day (supper out)
Sun 10/24: Hot Dogs (got a bogo deal at publix on the hebrew national all beef {no fillers, artificial stuff, etc}, sweet potato fries and peas
Mon 10/25: Mediterranean chicken w/ rice and veggie
Tue 10/26: Spaghetti with green beans
Wed 10/27: hodge Podge Soup w/ cornbread
Thur 10/28: BFS (Breakfast for Supper)
Fri 10/29: Russian chicken w/ rice and steamed broccoli (crockpot meal)
Sat 10/30: BUSY DAY! BoyScouts Fun Day (lunch provided) Chicken Sandwhich, mac and cheese, sweet peas (supper)
Sun 10/31: Hotdogs, sweet potato fries, corn

One of my OCD habits (and im serious) is that I make lists, lots and lots of lists. I sometimes have to write them over because I scratched out on the first one-but anyhoo, my MENU did previously contain breakfast and lunch.  I've decided to just "go with it" on both of these. Some days, the boys will wake up when Chris comes in from work (6:30 A.M.) and he will feed them breakfast and let me snooze for another 30 minutes until M wakes up.  Some mornings, I just do not feel like making oatmeal or grits. Cereal goes through my house like coffee through my body-FAST. So, that is why I have to shimmy my breakfasts but it usually goes something like these and I shake it up: oatmeal, cheese grits, jelly toast, cereal (all with fruit on the side and vitamins).  Lunch could be leftovers, a pb sandwhich, popcorn with cheesesticks and yogurt, really anything! So, i've squelched my intense desire to over-manage mealtimes and I just focus on suppers.  Having a 2 week menu really makes a difference on nights Chris works or we have activities.  I, of course, place certain meals on certain days according to prep-time. :) :)

Have a great weekend!  Blessings!!!!!

Menu Planning/ Meal Plan 7/19-8/1

Ahh, Menu Planning. Or is it more like, "AAAAHHHHH!!! MENU PLANNING!!!!!" ? In my case, it can be a bit of both.  I have figured out that having a set menu helps me save money and my sanity. We can try new meals and decided if it is a keeper or if we never eat it again. I don't have to wonder "Ugh, what is for dinner tonight?" To go even further, I even plan out breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Here is a Dinner-Only look:

• The way I meal plan is simple. I first look at how far out I want to menu plan. Right now, I am only doing per-pay-period menu planning, but for my sanity, I think I will switch to one day of planning a month's worth of meals. So. Much. Easier.
• Next, I get together my recipes together. For this menu, I needed 13 dinners with the 14th meal being out. So, I find 13 dinner recipes and sides.  I gather a few of our good ole standbys that I know everyone will love. Then, depending, I will add some brand new dinner recipes to the menu.
• Now I look at C's work schedule for this week. He works at the same time every day, and the same off days, they just rotate so I like to plan accordingly. I then look at my calendar to see if I have any meetings, play dates, parties, appointments, etc that would interfere with dinner prep or dinner itself. After that is done, I can start placing what meals go on which days. I try and choose meals that take the most time prepping/cooking for nights that C is off. Crockpot meals are easy for days that I may not be home at dinner time and he can just eat and take a plate with him.
• I do a ton on my computer, but menu planning (for right now) just isn't one of them. I like to have a hard copy in front of me. I can't always be on my computer, but I can leave a piece of paper on the counter to come back to if I have a spare moment.
• There are a ton of free blank menu planners on the internet. Organized Home has a nice printable. For more of a calendar format, Donna Young.org has a nice selection of different weekly and monthly printable.
• Lastly, I fill in what dinner goes on what night. :)

Here is a copy of the rough draft I made of this period's menu. As you can see it isn't perfect, and I don't plan on making a nice, neat one either. One important thing: Place your menu plan on your refrigerator or in a spot that is easily accessible and easily seen.

(Yes, I realize my photography skills aren't the best and I cut off and only have six days instead of seven!)

Here is my menu plan for July 19th-August 1st:

Monday 19th: B)grits/Fruit   L)mac and cheese   D)out

Tuesday 20th: B)cereal/fruit  L)Daddy's Choice   D)Potato Soup/Taquitos (homemade)

Wednesday 21st: B) Cheese Toast/Fruit  L)Leftover Potato Soup and Homemade corn dogs  D) Homemade Graham Crackers w/ Homemade peanut butter, bananas and pretzels

Thursday 22nd: B)Oatmeal/Fruit  L) Homemade PB sandwiches/pretzels  D) Crockpot: Bacon Wrapped Garlic Chicken with mashed potatoes, fried squash and fried okra (I bought fresh squash and okra at the farmer's market in town the other day. I LOVE fried squash but rarely fry anything-tonight-we shall FRY! lol)

Friday 23rd:  B) Breakfast Cookies/Fruit  L) Rice and Beans  D) Homemade Pizza

Saturday 24th:  B) Grits/Fruit  L) Homemade PB sandwich/pretzels/cheese stick  D) Spaghetti (homemade sauce) with green beans and bread

Sunday 25th:  B) Cheese toast/Fruit  L) Left over Spaghetti and Carrots  D) Spicy Black-eyed Pea soup and cornbread

Monday 26th: B) Oatmeal/Fruit  L) Mac and Cheese  D) Crockpot Sloppy Joe's with Oven Fries and English Peas

Tuesday 27th: B) Breakfast Cookie/Fruit  L) PB Sandwich/ pretzels/cheese stick  D) TBA  (*If I have a sitter, the kids will eat supper there and I will pack C sandwiches for his take-to-work meal*)

Wednesday 28th: B) Grits/Fruit  L) Mayo Biscuits and Rice  D) Corn Chowder and Rolls

Thursday 29th: B) Homemade Blueberry Muffins/Fruit  L) Homemade Corn dogs (from freezer) and green beans  D)Chicken and Rice with Carrots

Friday 30th: B) Cereal/Fruit  L)Taquitos (from freezer)  D) Crockpot Turkey Steaks with Cheesy garlic mashed potatoes and corn

Saturday 31st:  B) Eggs and Toast/Fruit  L) Mac and Cheese   D) Sante Fe Soup with bread

Sunday 1st: B)Oatmeal/Fruit  L) Left over Soup  D) Mushroom Chicken with rice and green beans

I will be posting recipes for the homemade peanut butter, taquitos and corn dogs in a later post!