March 25, 2013

Menu Planning Monday

I have a love hate relationship with menu planning.  I hate actually doing it but I love having it done.  When I first started menu planning, I just planned meals that we’d be having that week and made sure we had what we needed.  Then we needed to lower our grocery budget.  To make that happen, I started assigning meals to a certain day.  This way I can make sure to use overlapping ingredients before they go bad.  I love doing it this way because I don’t have to think about what’s for dinner…I just check the meal plan.  If for some reason we really don’t want what I had planned, I make something else, normally spaghetti.  It doesn’t happen all that often.

I plan in two week increments, so here’s what we’re eating for the next two weeks:

Monday: Pasta with Italian Sausage, Kale & Beans

Tuesday: Family Burrito Bake from The Pampered Chef’s Dinner in Your Deep Covered Baker (I call this recipe crack because it’s sooo good!)

Wednesday: Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken over Noodles

Thursday: Chorizo, Collard Green and Garlic Stew over Rice

Friday: Steak, Baked Potato, Cauliflower Casserole

Saturday: Loaded Baked Potato Chowder (lunch)

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo (dinner; The Man cooks)

Sunday (Easter): Ham, Stuffing, Bacon wrapped Asparagus

Monday: Homemade Hamburger Helper

Tuesday: Chicken & Rice Casserole

Wednesday: 15 Minute Skillet Cassoulet

Thursday: Crockpot Flank Steak, Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli bites

Friday: Fajita Wantons & Eggrolls

Saturday: Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup

I use pinterest to keep track of recipes.  I just pin things that look yummy and go back and check it out when I’m menu planning.  The italicized items are new recipes that we’re trying.  I’m hoping they are all yummy!

What are you eating this week?

I’m linking up with The Young Retiree and Taingamala for Menu Planning Monday.

16 comments:

  1. i totally understand about having the love hate relationship with menu planning, I'm the same way. I hate having to sit down and figure our food for the next two weeks, but when its done its so much better. its so organized and i know exactly what needs to be defrosted or done prior to cooking.

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  2. It has helped our budget SO much having a menu plan. I seriously don't know how we didn't go broke before. lol And, your menu looks delicious! I really want to try those fajita wontons! Yum!

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  3. I am the same with our love hate relationship. I am planning out all of April and we are trying not to eat out...AT.ALL. I think I'm going to have to try your flank steak in the crock pot and the potato chowder! Talk about a delicious night that will be! I've loved finding tried and true homemade soup recipes because I hate canned soup!
    Looks like a yummy two weeks!

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  4. I love Pampered Chef recipes! Those are ones that I go to a lot. I also love crock pot recipes...that flank steak recipe sounds yummy!

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  5. I'm biased when it comes to PC recipes:) There are so many good ones! Aren't crockpots the greatest? I have three and am thinking I need another....

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  6. It's so nice! What did we do beforehand?

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  7. I'm impressed that you're doing a month at a time! That's way to much for me:) The baked potato chowder is a Pampered Chef recipe. If you want me to email you a printer friendly version let me know!

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  8. Us too! I love how it helps us save money:)

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  9. I'm looking forward to when I have some set plans and I can just rotate them without having to do all the planning all the time!

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  10. I love this idea - I menu plan and shop but I am really trying to get out grocery budget down. I am so glad I came across your blog. I found it searching for a teething biscuit recipe. My son was born in August last year, i love to cook, I love to share ideas and experiences of mortherhood and marriage, I am in love with Jesus and I live in the PNW - I hope we will have lots to 'talk' about :)

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  11. my blog address is www.meettheblochers.blogspot.com

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  12. Thanks so much for your kind comment! I'm glad this is helpful to you:) I'm heading to your blog to check it out!

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  13. Wait, I'll give you one, maybe 2!!!

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  14. Another thing about menu planning is that I will make a little extra (or if I have left overs) and freeze them. That way if I have a day when I need a change or someone shows up unexpectedly I just pull it out of the freezer and defrost. Using a food saver also extends the life of your frozen food. Just "food" for thought

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  15. Yup! We tend to eat leftovers (if there is any) for lunch the next day. Usually the only thing that makes it in the freezer is leftover sauce! And very cute pun:)

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