Archive for the Category »Meal Planning «

Meal Plan Monday ~ January 31 – February 6

Monday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers or out to eat  D: Crispy orange chicken bowl

Tuesday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Leftovers  D: Spaghetti and green beans

Wednesday~ B: Banana bread L: Leftovers  D: Pad thai and wontons

Thursday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Split pea soup and homemade bread

Friday~ B: Veggie scramble  L: Leftovers with fruit plate D: Paleo sloppy joes and sweet potato fries

Saturday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers D: Veggie soup and homemade bread

Sunday~ B: Bacon and eggs  L: Leftovers  D: Chili in the crockpot

To visit other bloggers who are meal planning today, be sure to visit The Organizing Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday ~ January 17-January 23

Monday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers or out to eat  D: Nachos

Tuesday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Leftovers  D: Chicken curry

Wednesday~ B: Banana bread L: Leftovers  D: Potluck with friends

Thursday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Veggie soup, salad, bread

Friday~ B: Veggie scramble  L: Leftovers  D: Tostada pizza

Saturday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Antipasta plate D: Pad Thai

Sunday~ B: Bacon and eggs  L: Leftovers  D: Chili in the crockpot

To visit other bloggers who are meal planning today, be sure to visit The Organizing Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday ~ January 10-January 16

As you’ll be able to see on my monthly menu calendar, we are a little off schedule because of date night and having leftovers.  I will be glad at the end of the month that my plan is so flexible though. :)

Monday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Turkey sandwich and fruit  D: Fried rice with leftover beef steak and wontons

Tuesday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Tuna salad  D: Chili

Wednesday~ B: Banana bread L: Leftovers  D: Spaghetti and steamed veggies

Thursday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Vegan mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, veggies

Friday~ B: Veggie scramble  L: Avacado roll ups  D: Pizza

Saturday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Antipasta plate D: Nachos

Sunday~ B: Bacon and eggs  L: Avacado roll ups  D: Steak and wild rice cassarole

To visit other bloggers who are meal planning today, be sure to visit The Organizing Junkie.

SAHM Series – How do I make grocery shopping easier?!

Have you been reading along with the SAHM Series?  I think all moms (or caregivers) can benefit from some of the things we have talked about so far – simplifying, being real about the appearance of our homes, why we do it, and maybe take a look back at planning monthly menus.

Because today I am going to talk about how to make your grocery shopping easier.  Do you ever feel like you are always at the grocery store or it’s more of a hassle because you have little ones in tow?  Maybe you could try my new plan!

Do one huge grocery shopping trip (and maybe ask a friend, partner, or grandma to come along to help).  During this trip, you can gather up all the staples you’ll need for the month.  All of the frozen things, dried foods, canned items, etc that can be stored and will last you the month.

Visit the store only once or twice a week for produce items.  If you have forgotten something or need something for the week that is perishable, now would be the time to buy it.  But you won’t have to go every day in hopes of finding something good for dinner (because you haven’t planned anything yet).

Order online.  This is my favorite one!  I now skip over health and beauty, plastics, papers, and some staples in the store because I am shopping online.  It makes the monthly trip much easier and managable!

Here are my online lists for ordering – maybe they will save you time shopping too!

Vitacost

Vitamins and supplements
Nuts
Dried fruits
Trail mixes
Dried jerky
Tea
Coconut water
Honey
Gluten-free cookies
Popcorn
GF pizza crust mix
Rice noodles

Soap.com and Diapers.com


Diapers.com discounts

Baby Items

use code:JENN0459
Buy Baby Items at Diapers.com

Not valid for existing Diapers.com, Soap.com or BeautyBar.com customers. Some restrictions apply.
Diapers.com
use code JENN0459
shop for all your home essentials: Gillette Razors, Dove Soap, Moroccan Oil Buy Home Essentials at Soap.com

Home Essentials

Not valid for existing Diapers.com, Soap.com or BeautyBar.com customers. Some restrictions apply.

Buy Home Essentials at Soap.com

Diapers and wipes (I use them for over nights)
Paper items – toilet paper, paper towel, paper plates
Shampoo, conditioner, soaps
Saran wrap
Tinfoil
Baggies
Garbage bags
Razors
Toothpaste

How do you make grocery shopping or other tasks of your job at home easier?



Monthly Menu – Calendar Included

I just made a post about my 2011 Resolutions, and one of them was to plan my menu better and include more fresh veggies.  My way of doing that was to plan a monthly menu in advance, finding recipes, and writing up a HUGE grocery list.  It will save me so much time the rest of the month, and there will be less chances of me slacking if everything is right in front of me.

J went with me so I could stock up on a week’s worth of produce and a month of staples.  I am ready for cooking in 2011.  I will make a trip or two a week to get the rest of the fresh produce we will need.  Do you want to take a peek at my dinner meals for the month?  Click on the image to make it bigger.

Take note of the Out/Leftovers on some days – those are just openings in case we go out, are invited to a friend’s or family’s house, or have leftovers.  I am sure I will not stick strictly to this menu, but a general outline is nice to have as a guide.  Be sure to check back on Mondays for my weekly menu with breakfast and lunch included.

Are you making any changes to your diet this New Year?  Could it help to plan a menu like this one?

My 2011 Resolutions

{Photo Credit}

I am sure many of you caught my 11 things to let go of in 2011, but I also want to make a list of things I do want in my life in 2011.  I generally don’t like the idea of resolutions at New Years, but I can’t help but love the urge of big ideas to make me a better person.


My Resolutions for 2011:

1.  Food – more diligent about menus, healthy choices, and including more fresh fruits and veggies

2.  Exercise – make time to stay fit and make monthly goals to keep motivated

3.  Planet – take Sustainable Baby Steps to help our family and our Earth – specifically recycling

4.  Technology – turn it off one night a week.

5.  Minimize – Downsize my stuff and streamline my schedule

Be on the look out for more posts about how I will put these into action, my progress, and how you can do it with me.

What are your resolutions?  How will you stay accountable?

Meal Plan Monday – November 29-December 5

Monday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Soup  D: Tacos

Tuesday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Tuna salad  D: Beef roast

Wednesday~ B: Eggs and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Spaghetti with veggies

Thursday~ B: Toast  L: Leftovers  D: Greek stuffed zucchini boats

Friday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Leftovers  D: Pizza

Saturday~ B: Toast  L: Hummus and veggies and boiled eggs  D: Baked veggie rice

Sunday~ B: Bacon and eggs  L: Leftovers  D: Burgers, homemade baked fries, and veggie

For more meal plan ideas, be sure to visit The Organizing Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday – November 22-November 28

Monday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Leftovers with corn

Tuesday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Tuna salad  D: Beef and cabbage stir fry

Wednesday~ B: Eggs and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Minestrone soup

Thursday~ B: Toast  L: Leftovers  D: Thanksgiving with family

Friday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Leftovers  D: Pizza

Saturday~ B: Toast  L: Hummus and veggies and boiled eggs  D: Meatloaf with potatoes and corn

Sunday~ B: Bacon and eggs  L: Leftovers  D: Burgers, homemade baked fries, and broccoli

For more meal plan ideas, be sure to visit The Organizing Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday – November 15-November 21

Monday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Tuna salad  D: Chili at my parent’s house

Tuesday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Sandwich and fruit  D: Stew (that we didn’t do last week)

Wednesday~ B: Eggs and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Milliet and cheese casserole and biscuits

Thursday~ B: Toast  L: Leftovers  D: Tacos

Friday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Leftovers  D: Pizza

Saturday~ B: Toast  L: Hummus and veggies and boiled eggs  D: Cottage pie

Sunday~ B: Bacon and eggs  L: Leftovers  D: Burgers, fries, and peas

For more meal plan ideas, be sure to visit The Organizing Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday – November 8-November 14

I didn’t post last week because my menu became of a mish mash of whatever I could scrape together and eating with my family a lot.  This week, however; it’s filled with new recipes and my cupboards will be stocked from my monthly shopping trip.

Monday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Out for girl’s day  D: Sweet potato and lentil burritos

Tuesday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Leftovers  D: Chili

Wednesday~ B: Eggs and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Spaghetti

Thursday~ B: Toast  L: Leftovers  D: Nachos

Friday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Chips and guacamole  D: Pizza

Saturday~ B: Toast  L: Tuna salad  D: Stew

Sunday~ B: Bacon and eggs  L: Leftovers  D: Burgers, fries, and asparagus

For more meal plan ideas, be sure to visit The Organizing Junkie.