I’m feeling energized for meal planning with the New Year, and I’ve tried setting some weekly goals to get motivated. We’re still eating lots of veggies, but last week’s plan to use dinner prep time to make food for the freezer was only half successful. I got lazy at the end of the week and was just pleased to get dinner on the table, not taking the time to double up. I may be better off trying to freeze 1-2 meals a week than try to do it all at once like that (I’ll try that this week with my soup recipe). We have crummy weather this week, lots of rain and chilly temps, which makes me want comfort foods like soup, homemade bread, and mac & cheese.
Sunday–Crockpot Beef & Broccoli, brown rice noodles
Meatless Monday–Crustless Italian Spinach Pie, salad, and homemade bread
Tuesday–Baked Pesto Chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes (I’ll make double)
Wednesday–Chicken Sausage & Lentil Soup and cornbread
Thursday–Balsamic Mushroom Pork and leftover mashed potatoes
Friday–Macaroni & Cheese Casserole and salad
Saturday–Chicken Fajitas in the DCB, tortillas, brown rice, black beans
I did do better on my goal to shop less–just one trip to the grocery store and one trip to Costco (and I won’t have to do that again for several weeks). I’m trying to stick to my monthly budget for groceries while going out less, and I’m considering going back to drugstore shopping (either CVS or Rite Aid). I haven’t done it in ages and need to decide whether the time & effort is worth the savings and extra trips.
How are you doing on your meal planning so far in 2013?
Linked up to Menu Plan Monday at OrgJunkie.
Stopping by from OrgJunkie. The crustless italian spinach pie looks really good. It seems like it might have a similiar taste to the Gino’s Chicago style spinach pizza we love here. I may also have to give that mac and cheese casserole a go. Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Julie. You can also pour the mixture into a pie crust (I used to use whole wheat crusts from Trader Joe’s), but now we eat it like this and put the carb on the side. Two of my three kids hate pie crust. Weirdos.
Gina recently posted..Meal Planning with Comfort Food
I quit CVSing a while ago because they didn’t seem to have the good deals anymore that they once had. But maybe it is time to revisit them and see how I can do!
Jamie at Prepared to Eat recently posted..Homemade Breakfast Burritos
That’s one of the reasons I quit, Jamie. But when I started having to spend REAL money for toothpaste (!), I decided to give it a try again. I just can’t stomach that!
Gina recently posted..Meal Planning with Comfort Food
We are a family of five, but the three kids don’t eat much. Often I can make a meal and have leftovers for the next night…and sometimes for a third meal, too. If so, I just pop it in the freezer when it is out of the oven or crock pot.
Annette {This Simple Mom} recently posted..Organized Pantry
Enjoy that while you can, Annette! Seems like with mine, one of three is going through a growth spurt any given week. They eat a lot!
Gina recently posted..Meal Planning with Comfort Food
Your chicken fajitas sound great!
Erin
Looks like a yummy week at your house! I’m working on using up much of what I have on hand in freezer and pantry this month, so I can refresh and restock next month. The Baked Pesto Chicken sounds scrumptious!
hsmominmo recently posted..Menu Plan Monday: January 14-20