Menu Planning Monday

Last week was much calmer than the previous few weeks and as a result I was able to prepare 2 out of the 4 meals that I had planned on, the other two meals were dinner out courtesy of my parents. Last night I took stock of our freezer/fridge/pantry and was able to come up with 6 different meal ideas for the upcoming week. Those meals include

1. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
2. Italian Turkey Sausages with Peppers Onions - I will post the receipe later
3. Turkey Sloppy Joe's - My own receipe which I will post seperately
4. Cuban Chicken Salad
5. Saucy Italian Pork Chops
6. Breakfast for Dinner - Whole Wheat Waffles, Eggs, and Turkey Bacon


What will you be eating this week? Do you meal plan - why or why not?

Menu Planning Monday

Last week I had grand plans to prepare 4 home cooked meals for M and I. However, last week was one of those weeks where everything that could conspire against me did. On Monday, M had to be on site for one of the two projects he is managing which meant I would be eating alone. Tuesday was a birthday dinner out for me. Wednesday was a long/late work day which left little time prior to church for cooking. And on Thursday, I was just too tired to attempt to cook. Thankfully, I have amazing in-laws who love to cook for their family.

Therefore on Monday night, I joined my MIL, FIL, SIL and two nieces for a delicious meal of grilled chicken breasts, home made mac and cheese, and lots of fresh veggies. Wednesday night, my in-law's once again saved the day with hamburgers and french fries for a quick meal. And on Thursday my FIL prepared his signature stir-fry. I loved eating all the veggies.....yum-o!

This week is looking like it will be a much easier one in terms of work responsibilities, so M and I should both make it home at a decent hour. Therefore, we are returning the favor to the in-law's and cooking for them. I will be using the same menu as I had last week.

Menu Planning Monday

For several months now, I have seen "Menu Planning Monday" posts all over some of my favorite blogs. The concept seemed easy enough ... each week you layout the meals you are planning on making.

Summer has kept M and I quite busy and most of the meals we've eaten have either been prepared by someone else (pizza at my sister-in-law's, spaghetti with my father-in-law) or fly by the seat of our pants (whatever was left over in the fridge). Needless to say my eating has not been as healthy as I would have liked it to be. So in an effort to regain some control over my eating and retain a bit of my sanity, I convinced M that we should try Meal Planning Monday.

Last Thursday, I sought out yummy looking receipes from a few of my favorite blogs/websites, reviewed the meals with M, figured out what ingredients we had on hand, and then what ingredients we would need to by, and then complied my shopping list. On Friday, I left work a bit early and did all of my shopping. M and I planned on 4 suppers during the week, 1 supper of leftovers, and 1 supper out (date night). With all that being said, here's what we will be eating this week:

Slow-Cooker Beef Stew: I found this meal idea at Org Junkie .

Saucy Italian Pork Chops

Healthy Mexican Skillet

Low-Fat Poppyseed Chicken Casserole

M and I have not assigned a specific meal to each day, but rather will choose a meal based on what appeals to us at that time. Keep checking back for his/her reviews on each of the meals.