Meal Plan Monday

Sorry I missed posting last week's meals. I'll post them below this week's current menu.

While I'm not participating *really* in the Eat From the Pantry challenge, I have been trying to use up what we have and have gone back to my cash only grocery system which I got away from after baby #5 was born. I'm amazed how much just using cash and being intentional in my tracking has saved us!

This week I'm cleaning out the freezer.

Sunday: Leftover Italian pasta soup (from last week), biscuits, canned peaches and sliced apples. Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins for dessert.

Monday: Stromboli (ham or pepperoni), carrots.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, peas. Here's the full article for "fool-proof" grilled pork tenderloin. Includes brining tip and cooking instructions.

Wednesday: Chicken mushroom casserole (from freezer), broccoli, 5 minute Artisan bread.

Thursday: Pulled bbq chicken sandwiches. (shredded chicken from the freezer and homemade burger rolls from the freezer as well.) sweet potato fries, raw veggies.

Friday: Baked salmon, rice (make extra for Saturday), peas.

Saturday: Pork fried rice (with leftover tenderloin from Tuesday)

And last week:

Saturday: Trader Joes orange chicken, rice, brocolli

Sunday: Chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, fruit.

Monday: Tomato, basil, spinach chicken over pasta.

Tuesday: Italian veggie soup, homemade rolls

Wednesday: Burgers, fries, apples

Thursday: Marsala chicken, leftover pasta from Monday.

Friday: Black beans and rice. (mix 1 can black beans with one can tomatoes and diced chilies)

Saturday: spaghetti and salad at 8isgreat's house.

As always, for more ideas check out Org Junkie!

Meal Plan Monday

Sunday - leftovers
Monday - Hamburgers on the grill, chips, salad
Tuesday - Ham & Pepperoni Strombolli, Ceasar salad, pineapple slices
Wednesday - Grilled BBQ Chicked leg quarters, baked potatoes, peas
Thursday - Chicken Enchilada's, refried beans, Mexican rice
Firday - Cheese and Broccoli stuffed Jumbo shells, garlic bread, beans
Saturday - baked chicken strips, egg noodles, corn

Meal Plan Monday

This will be my last MPM post for a bit. A woman from school has generously organized families to bring meals for us for the most of the nights of the following 2 weeks as we prepare for and celebrate baby's arrival!

Sunday: Burrito Pie, fruit salad
BURRITO PIE aka Mexican lasagna 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 onion, chopped 2 teaspoons minced garlic 6-7 (6 inch) flour tortillas 1 (16 ounce) jar taco sauce 1 (16 ounce) can black beans 2 cups shredded Colby cheese 1 (10 ounce) can diced tom. w/ green chiles 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground beef for 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 5 more minutes. Drain any excess fat. Mix in the tomatoes with green chile peppers, taco sauce and beans. Stir mixture thoroughly, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. 3. Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Cover with a layer of tortillas followed by more meat mixture, then a layer (2 cups) of cheese. Repeat tortilla, meat, cheese pattern until all the tortillas are used, topping off with a layer of meat mixture and cheese (another bag=2 cups). 4. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is slightly brown and bubbly.


Monday: Lazy lady shish kabobs--Beef, red/green pepper, onion marinated in Kraft Roasted Red Pepper Italian dressing cooked in grill basket, buttered egg noodles, pineapple and watermelon.

Tuesday: Oven baked "fried" chicken, mashed potatoes, corn.

Wednesday: Spaghetti, green beans.

Thursday: Grilled cheese or quesadillas, fruit, carrots.

Friday: Salmon cakes, rice, green beans

Saturday: Spiral cut ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn

As always, check out more ideas at Org Junkie!

Meal Plan Monday

This is another edition of the very tired, very uninspired, very pregnant lady's weekly meal plan.

Sunday: Dinner at a friend's house.

Monday: Ham and spinach quiche, fruit

Tuesday: Leftovers that the very generous friend from Sunday night sent home with us!

Wednesday: Grilled chicken breasts with grilled packet potatoes, green beans

Thursday: Grilled homemade pizzas, salads

Friday: Cold tuna noodle casserole, chips, carrots, fruit

Saturday: Burgers and fries

Meal Plan Monday

Here we go again! It looks to be an easy cooking week for Mom!

Sunday: Take out pulled chicken and pork for a picnic dinner from Red, Hot and Blue using a gift certificate from www.restaurants.com.

Monday: Grilled steaks, corn on the cob, baked potatoes

Tuesday: Zesty Herb chicken, brown rice, peas (make extra rice for Saturday)

Wednesday: Mom's night out! (leftovers for everyone else)

Thursday: Spaghetti and green beans.

Friday: Pot luck at church for the end of Vacation Bible School

Saturday: Chicken fried rice

Meal Plan Monday

Sunday: Popcorn chicken, mac-n-cheese, corn/peas and cantaloupe.

Monday: Caribbean Jerk Chicken, black bean corn salsa, mashed potatoes
Recipe from Good Seasonings Casual Entertaining cook book:
1 envelope Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing Mix
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground thyme 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 2 1/2 pounds chicken breasts

Mix all ingredients except chicken in small bowl until well blended. 
Pour dressing over chicken; cover.  Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate.  Drain; discard dressing mixture.
Place on greased grill over hot coals or on rack of broiler pan 5-7 inches
from heat.  Cook till cooked thru. (I top mine with a spritz of lime juice.)

Salsa:
1 can drained black beans
1 cup rinsed frozen corn
1/4 chopped red pepper
1 tsp Good Seasonings Italian dressing mix
1 T lime juice
Mix together and chill

Tuesday: Burrito Pie, carrots, peaches
BURRITO PIE aka Mexican lasagna 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 onion, chopped 2 teaspoons minced garlic 6-7 (6 inch) flour tortillas 1 (16 ounce) jar taco sauce 1 (16 ounce) can black beans 2 cups shredded Colby cheese 1 (10 ounce) can diced tom. w/ green chiles 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground beef for 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 5 more minutes. Drain any excess fat. Mix in the tomatoes with green chile peppers, taco sauce and beans. Stir mixture thoroughly, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. 3. Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Cover with a layer of tortillas followed by more meat mixture, then a layer (2 cups) of cheese. Repeat tortilla, meat, cheese pattern until all the tortillas are used, topping off with a layer of meat mixture and cheese (another bag=2 cups). 4. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is slightly brown and bubbly.

Wednesday: Cold Tuna Casserole served on a lettuce leaf with wedges of tomato and cucumber and potato chips on the side. Cooked macaroni noodles, drained tuna, mayo celery seed, minced onion, parsley flakes, shredded carrots, pickle juice (If I have any). Chill for a few hours before serving.

Thursday: Burgers and nachos

Friday: Cheese pizzas on the grill, salads

Saturday: Ham and cheese stromboli, carrots, fruit (supposed to have last week, but we were invited to a friend's house for dinner instead!)

As always, visit Org Junkie for more meal ideas!

Meal Plan Monday--The Tuesday edition--again

After a nice 12 day trip to visit family we are back home! It was a wonderful break to not have to think about what was for dinner or cooking anything! We were thoroughly spoiled by my in-laws for almost 2 weeks. Unfortunately, all good things seem to come to an end and we're back to reality now!

Tuesday: Grilled marinated sirloin steaks, grilled potato packets (sliced regular and sweet potatoes and sliced onions tossed in olive oil with rosemary, salt and pepper wrapped in foil and grilled), green beans, blueberries.

Wednesday: Chicken fajitas, refried beans

Thursday: Quiche and salads (baby greens, walnuts, chopped apples and Newman's Own Light balsamic vinaigrette.)

Friday: Pasta with spaghetti sauce, broccoli, bread

Saturday: Grilled turkey burgers with roasted red pepper mayo, fries, salad

For more ideas as always check out Org Junkie!

Meal Plan Monday

Finally--I got to post this on a Monday again!

Here's what's on tap for the week:

Sunday: Chinese food take out for Father's Day

Monday: Rosemary-Orange pork tenderloin, grilled potato packets (sliced regular and sweet potatoes and sliced onions tossed in olive oil with rosemary, salt and pepper wrapped in foil and grilled), broccoli. Here's the full article for "fool-proof" grilled pork tenderloin. Includes brining tip and cooking instructions.

Tuesday: Grilled Chicken Casear salads , pineapple

Wednesday: Baja lime chicken, black bean rice salad.

Thursday: Turkey club sandwiches, chips, raw veggies and dip, fruit salad.

Friday: Grilled pizzas (veggie for grown ups, plain cheese for kids) and salads. (I use this recipe for the dough--but add an additional cup flour and a little more water. I use my bread machine to mix it all up and knead it for a while, but never let it run the full dough cycle, then roll out individual size pizza crusts, spray with cooking spray and throw on a hot grill for just a few minutes per side to cook the crust, then top with sauce, cheese and toppings and return to low covered grill for just a bit until the cheese is melted. You need to watch carefully so they don't burn though!)

Saturday: Fajita salads (Marinate thinly sliced steak strips in half bottle of Italian dressing, 1 tsp cumin and a couple of dashes of hot sauce for 1 hour--or however much time you have! In hot skillet coated with cooking spray cook thinly sliced red & green peppers and onions. Add steak--and marinade--and cook through. Serve over salad greens, drained and rinsed black beans, rinsed frozen corn, crushed tortilla chips/taco shells. Top with cheese and dressing made from equal parts sour cream and salsa.)

For more suggestions, check out Org Junkie's Meal Plan Monday.

Meal Plan Monday

One of the easiest ways to begin saving money is by planning your meals in advance. This helps ward off last minute runs to the store to get "just one ingredient" where you come out with 10 extra things, or trips through the drive thru.

I've just gotten serious about this again because I know doing it makes my life so much easier. I don't have "what's for dinner?" hanging over my head all day and it helps me to avoid my "pregnancy paralysis" (which is my seeming inability to make even the smallest decisions while pregnant without stressing over them and all the options entirely too much!)

This week starts a new challenge for my family--balancing sports schedules, music lessons and family dinner. It's also what forced me to write out a dinner calendar for the whole month of April. I marked out which nights have:
-Tball games (which means I need to feed my tball player before the game and have something easy to eat at the ballpark for the rest of us),
-Tball practice (which needs a meal that can be ready for us to eat as soon as we all return home from Tball practice)
-and nights that have piano lessons (which is something that either I can put in the oven before I take my daughter to lessons while my husband stays home, or if I'm staying home something that's easy to prepare but can sit a bit if need be after it's finished to accommodate them getting home a little later.)

Also, since my morning sickness and can be known to be "all day sickness" I'm trying to cook with "planned overs" (not leftovers) in mind, so I can spend less time in the kitchen. You'll see examples of that this week.

And--the best thing I found while planning my month long menu--aside from fresh items like milk and produce--I only need 8 additional things from the store to make my entire month of meals! I planned my meals based on meats and frozen veggies I had in the freezer and other items I already had on my pantry shelves. April will be a month of huge grocery store savings for us!

For this week we have:
Sunday: Burgundy Pork Tenderloin (modified--no celery, used half red wine, half beef broth and topped with sliced onions and mushrooms), mashed potatoes (made double for the previous night's dinner), corn, homemade rolls.

Monday: Mom's night out with friends! (woohoo!) Dad and kids are having frozen pizza, carrots and apple slices.

Tuesday: Pork lo mein (using half of planned over pork tenderloin from Sunday night, remaining pork will be chopped and frozen for fried rice later in the month.)

Wednesday: Tball game Turkey, bacon, guacamole, cheese, salsa, and baby spinach in sun dried tomato basil wraps, chips, and grapes. (turkey breast is on sale at Giant for $4.99/lb. this week and grapes are $.99.lb.)

Thursday: Piano practice Cheesy chicken and rice with broccoli, remaining homemade rolls from Sunday. (Make extra rice for tomorrow night's dinner)

Friday: Red beans and rice with corn bread and baby spinach salads. (Recipe: mix 2 cans undrained kidney beans with one can undrained stewed tomatoes--chopped. Add .5-1 tsp dried basil and a couple of dashes of Tabasco sauce. Heat on low for 15 minutes or until heated through.

Want more dinner ideas? Check out I'm an Organizing Junkie where you can find tons of Meal Plan Monday ideas! (We're number 234!)