Menu Planning

While I haven't stepped on a scale to see if this new eating plan (I can't think of it as a diet) is working yet, I'm proud that I'm sticking to it.  Just keeping in mind that I only get two carbs a day allows me to plan my meals around that, making sure I still can have my end of the day bowl of cereal.  Hey, I'm a cereal addict, what can I say?  So here's my menu plan:

Lunches for me this week Endame Salad, Vegetarian Chili with Avocado Salsa

Monday Grilled Sesame Salmon

Tuesday - Thai Basil Chicken

Wednesday - Very Veggie Omlet
I think if I promise them toast for eating a few bites, the kids might try it and discover they like it!

Thursday - A serving of whichever of the other three meals I liked the best
Mac and Cheese for the kids with frozen fish sticks

Friday - Potluck Shabbat dinner at my synagogue
My contribution will be Sauted Green Beans.

Saturday - Mish Mash (A.K.A. Finish all the leftovers)

Sunday - Dinner at my in-laws'

Be sure to check out I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu plans.

Menu Planning

Okay, it's not Monday, but I'm still trying to do:

Let's review last week first, okay?

Last week, I made a big batch of Quinoa Vegetable Salad for lunches, which I'm still eating a little of this week.  It was pretty good, but not great.

Tuesday I made Peanut Butter Vegetable Chicken Soup, which also was pretty good, but not great.  The kids tried it (though A spit it out), but no one really loved it.
Wednesday was Tuna Casserole - everyone but A liked it.
Thursday should have been Sour Cream Chicken Quiche, but that didn't happen.
The rest of the weekend involved no cooking on my part - woo hoo!

Now let's get back to this week.  Again I am going to try to use what I have here at home as much as possible - money's tight!
Tuesday:  Spaghetti and meatballs
Wednesday:  Sour Cream Chicken Quiche
Thursday:  Frozen Raviolis
Friday: Shabbat dinner at my parents'
Saturday: BBQ at my sister's (and boy do they know how to BBQ!)
Sunday: Dinner at my IL's

And I have everything necessary for those recipes here already. 

Menu Planning

Menu planning is key to making sure I don't go crazy. Tonight I didn't plan ahead, but at least last time I was at the store I stocked up on some last minute meals the kids like, so we had frozen ravioli with sauce. I have the chance to run to the grocery store alone while J (my daughter) is at her dance class and A and B (my sons) are home with my DH. I am going to try to make my menu plan based on what we already have at home, as much as possible. Here's the plan for the rest of the week:



For my lunches this week: Quinoa Vegetable Salad

* I bought all the ingredients for this last week, so do not have to buy anything new.

Tuesday: Peanut Butter Vegetable Chicken Soup

I never made this before, but it got lots of stars on Allrecipe and it sounds REALLY good. For my children who are not as adventurous as I am, I will serve them some of the already cooked chicken and some of the cooked veggies and potatoes that will also be in the soup. Our rule for new food is they have to at least try it. I refuse to make an alternative meal for them, but have no problem separating the basic parts of any soup/casserole for them as long as they try it in its original form.

* Already have every ingredient!

Wednesday: Tuna Casserole

I have tuna, I have mac and cheese, I have peas, put it together: Yum!

Thursday: Sour Cream Chicken Quiche

Can you tell I have some cooked chicken to use up? This is another one I have never tried before, but not only does it sound so good, I have all the ingredients for this, too!

Friday: Shabbat dinner at my parents

Every Friday night we get together at my parents' house (they live about ten minutes away): my family (5), my sister and her family (4 + any of the many extended family members from my BIL's family that might be staying at her house at any given time), and my parents (2 + up to three foreign college students that they host) - just a nice, quiet, cozy dinner.

Saturday: Mish Mash

Otherwise known as "Eat all the leftovers in the fridge."

Sunday: I've going out to dinner with my mom and sister; DH and the kids can fend for themselves.