Menu Plan Monday... a lil late

So, I still Menu Plan at home, but I havent posted it in a long time. I love menu planning, I just don't really see how people do it otherwise. But that's my OCD, right?

When Will turned 1 I planned all the meals & snacks for the day so that I made sure he got all the food groups he needed. Now, I'm a little more flexible. I know that each meal/snack has to have certain things.

Breakfast we have a grain, a fruit, and every other day we make eggs. Grains for breakfast vary from bagels, toast, cold cereal, & once a week I make something special like pancakes or french toast & I make enough to have that one more time during the week. Fruit is either strawberries, blueberries, applesauce, peaches or even mandarin oranges.

Lunch we have grains, veggies, protein, & dairy (sometimes). Things like sandwiches, organic mac & cheese with veggies mixed in it, or leftovers.

Snack we have fruit & a grain. Grains like whole wheat crackers, nilla wafers, teddy grahams (which are actually pretty healthy!!), goldfish, & lately he LOVES pretzels!

So, anyway for dinner this week we have...
Monday- Cheese Ravioli in marinara & mixed baby califonia veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, & carrots)
Tuesday- Taco Salad
Wednesday- Out to Eat at the Melting Pot to celebrate Corey's success at work!!!
Thursday- Baked Crispy Chicken, smashed potatoes, broccoli
Friday- Vegetarian Lasagna (ricotta & spinach)
Saturday- Leftovers
Sunday-BLTs & homemade tomato soup

I'm really looking forward to the lasagna, it's been awhile since we've had it!
Also, wanna hear some good news? I convinced Corey, my dear husband, to learn how to cook, so he can make dinner one night, every other week. lol. I know some of you are blessed with husbands who cook, but mine is scared & this is a big step for us. Usually I cook or we go out to eat! haha. I never really mind, but I think this will be good for him/us. He'll gain confidence in his abilities, we'll save money not going out to eat just because I'm too tired to cook (we are having another baby!!), & I wont have all the pressure on me. I'll let you know soon what he plans on learning next week!!

Menu Plan Monday~ Sept 21st

Starting back on posting Menu's! I always do menus now. I don't always follow them to a T, somedays frozen pizza just sounds better. BUT here is my plan for the upcoming week:

Breakfasts: oatmeal, cereal, banana bread, or toast & fruit

Lunch: salad, sandwich, chicken & organic Mac, taquitos, or pizza

Dinners:
monday: Lemon Pepper Chicken, garlicy broccoli, & rice pilaf
tuesday: Spinach Ricotta Lasagna, salad, & garlic buns (using leftover hot dog buns)
wednesday: BBQ Chicken, salad, & corn
thursday: Taco Casserole & fiesta rice
friday: Pulled Pork sandwiches, green beans & glazed carrots
saturday: Leftovers
sunday: Probably more leftovers

I plan on making banana bread or muffins (or both) because we have 3 bananas very ripe. Sometimes Corey eats them all & wants more, other times he doesn't even look at them. Maybe we'll have banana smoothies & muffins for Corey to take to work.

I also want to make whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, but we'll see. BTW, they are WAY better than with white flour (just remember to cut back on the flour, I leftout 1/4c for the tollhouse recipe).

For more Menu's or to do your own Menu Plan Monday, check out the Organized Junkie's site!

Menu Plan Monday April 6-12th

So... it's been a long time since I menu planned! I had a baby so things have been hectic & my appetite was pretty much non-existent. Poor Corey had nights he had to fend for himself. lol.
Anyways, Will's naps are getting more consistent, I'm not as stressed, so I'm eating more & I have the time to Menu Plan, so here I go. I'm not sure how much of this is actually going to be made, but I'm going to try.

Monday- Bean Burritos & fiesta corn (easy peasy)

Tuesday- Chicken Fried Rice

Wednesday- Steak, Juliene Potatoes, & green beans

Thursday- Taco Ring

Friday- Corey's Birthday, I think we will go out to eat for this one!

Saturday- BLT's (corey makes the most awesome bacon!)

Sunday- Burgers (we are going to invite people to come hang out)

So, there we go. I think I might even try to make a dessert or two. Well, I'll definitely have to make Corey a cake! lol
Wish me luck!

to get more recipe ideas & to join menu plan monday's visit the organized junkie's blog here

Menu Plan Monday- 26Jan- 01Feb

Wow, it has been a very long time since I posted a planned menu! I have been menu planning, just not getting around to posting it.

I decided to increase our grocery budget, I actually doubled it. It was too small & then with the prices going up, something HAD to be done. Not to mention the fact that we eat out about once a week (weither for lunch or dinner).

Before I post, can I share some good news? I am eating better throughout the day. Not craving as much fast food & junk. Although chocolate is still a fave, I go for two pieces of dark chocolate (rich in antioxidants) rather than endless amounts of cookies & candy bars. lol. Yaye!

Okay so here is my menu for this week:

Monday: Chicken Paninis with broccoli cheese soup

Tuesday: Steak, baked potatoes, & green beans

Wednesday: Minestrone (we can't get enough!)

Thursday: Spaghetti w/mixed green salad & garlic bread (ohhh I can't resist)

Friday: Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, corn (Corey's fav)

Saturday: Fettucine Alfredo with Broccoli

Sunday: Chicken Ceasar Salad

If you want ideas on how to menu plan or if your in need of fresh menu ideas visit the Organized Junkie's webblog.

Menu Plan Monday~ Nov. 30- Dec. 6th

Aww, it's been awhile, eh? Well, last week Corey & I had a delightful time up north in Maryland. We spent the week with our family & friends. We got home late last night & I woke up this morning to an "empty" fridge & cupboard. So, I got on with the menu plan & here it is:

Sunday: Minestrone w/crusty french bread (perfect for today's weather; I might do a different recipe)

Monday: Leftover Minestrone

Tuesday: Steak, Potato Casserole, mixed salad w/vinegarette & feta

Wednesday: Spaghetti w/beef, green beans, garlic bread

Thursday: Chicken Fried Rice w/ mixed veggies

Friday: Homemade Artichoke-Pesto Pizza & salad

Saturday: Sweedish meatballs on rice or noodles, mixed veggies

I'm pretty excited about all the food on this menu. We don't normally have steak, but we somehow we have some in the freezer.

I think we'll do leftovers for lunch this week, as we are sure to have them. For breakfasts, we'll be rotating these:

~Smoothies & PB toast

~Cereal w/fruit on the side

~Oatmeal w/fruit & milk

~Pancakes w/fruit & milk

All of this in an effort to make sure I'm getting the right nutrients for baby Will. The doctor wants me to make sure I gain the recommended weekly weight from now on. I actually need to buy a scale. I guess this is better than gaining too much, right?

Anyways, I'm off to the commissary...

Menu Plan for Nov. 9-15

I'm early, I know.
I was kind of anxious to make our menu for 2 reasons;
1)The Commissary (base grocery store) is closed Monday & the meat is reduced price Sundays &
2)I just read how much weight I should have gained to-date being pregnant & I am WAY behind. I checked out a personalized food pyramid plan (for your own, go here) & apparently I'm not eating enough in general, let alone of the right veggies.

SO, this week I'm going to make a real effort. I'm not trying to make up for lost time, just trying to start gaining weight, slowly & healthfully.

*Of course there are somethings we didn't get to last week

Sunday: Layered Enchiladas w/peppers & corn

Monday: Salisbury Steak w/potatoes, corn, & cresent rolls (Corey's FAV)

Tuesday: "Panera" Broccoli Cheese Soup & Chicken Ceasar Salad (My Birthday, *the last broccoli cheese soup did not turn out)

Wednesday: Chicken, Black Bean, Rice Bake

Thursday: Beef Stir-fry w/rice

Friday: Pesto Chicken & Cheese Ravioli w/green beans (easy-peasy one)

Saturday: Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese (we love this one too!)


*I know it looks like I get all my recipes online, but I actually have to Better Home & Garden Bridal Cookbook & the also have their recipes online. I just put the links for you guys. I'm nice like that, hehe jk.

If you want help menu planning, or need meal ideas check out the Organized Junkie's site & the Menu Plan Monday section.

Menu Plan Monday November 2nd-8th

So, My dad & siblings are still staying with us, so I'm not really trying to be creative this week, just cheap. lol. I also decided to plan out the breakfasts & lunches, because without it, the twins seem to snack all day. I cannot believe how fast they go through somethings (milk, bread, etc.)
Anyways, here it is:

Breakfast: *Oatmeal w/jam, cinnamon, or raisins

*Cereal

*Pancakes

Lunches: *Top Ramen

*Mac n Cheese

*Soup w/ biscuts

*Turkey Sandwhiches

*Burritos

Dinners: *Layered Enchiladas w/corn (substituting turkey with chicken & omitting cranberries)

*Chicken & Rice soup

*Spaghetti w/salad & garlic bread

*Broccoli Cheddar Soup

*Taco Salad on top of potatoes (I know it might sound wierd, but it's sooo good)

*Meatloaf w/hashbrown casserole & mixed vegetables (w/ hashbrowns I'm omitting onions & mixing the cornflakes in the casserole a little, it comes out more crunchy throughout)

*Pancakes w/bacon & eggs for everyone, I'm having a BLT (I still can't do eggs, I haven't since I was preggers)

Snacks: *Crackers w/cheese, tuna, or pb

*apples or bananas

Dessert: *Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

*Also, I didn't get around to the creme brulee, so I'm doing that this week.
*There is a memorial service this Monday & I'm making sweet scones & cheddar bacon scones.
*Monday Night is Enlisted Spouse Club Potluck, so I'm making another Hashbrown Casserole.

This will be a full week.

If you'd like to start Menu Plan Mondays, or if you need creative ideas for menu making visit the Organized Junkie's Blog!

Menu Plan Monday October 27th-Nov 1st

AhA, I'm ahead of schedule! C'est Sunday & I have my menu planned yaye! Okay Okay...

So this is the 2nd week my dad, brother, & sister are staying with us & I totally underestimated how much they snack, so I had to buy more groceries earlier than expected. All that to say I went for inexpensive meals this week. Oh yeah, & we didn't get to the Pepper Steak last week, so it's on here again.

Monday- Pepper Steak with rice

Tuesday- Ceasar Salad with crunchy oven-baked chicken

Wednesday- Date Night (going out to eat, leftovers, or scrounge-around)

Thursday- Pesto Ravioli with grilled chicken & squash

Friday- Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, & mixed vegetables

Saturday- Chicken Fried Rice *substituting mushrooms w/frozen corn & carrots*

I realize now we are having quiet a bit of chicken... oh well, I guess next week I'll have to look for more meat recipes.

Oh!!! For special treats this week, I am making

*Sugar Crinkle Cookies (w/ the twins, these will last all of two seconds, lol)

*Creme Brulee (Corey's favorite)

If you want to start Menu Planning, need help or ideas, visit Menu Plan Mondays on the Organized Junkie's website!!!

Menu Plan Monday

Okay, Okay so It's Tuesday, I'm new at this though and I will get better... hopefully. Here is my plan for this week October 20th - 26th, 2008.

Monday- Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

Tuesday- Beef Pot Roast & cresent rolls

Wednesday- Leftovers

Thursday- Cobb Salad w/turkey, bacon, & hard-boiled eggs

Friday- Swedish Meatballs & Mixed Vegetables

Saturday- Bean Quesadillas & Corn

Sunday- Pepper Steak & Rice

I'm very excited about the Cobb salad, the baby really loves this protein-filled salad. I've never tried most of the other recipes really, so this will be a fun week. I think I'm going to try to sneak in a decadent dessert on one of these nights.

*If you would like to get organized & join Menu Plan Mondays & get ideas for your weekly menu visit The Organized Junkie's blog.

Menu Plan Oct. 13th- 19th

http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/mpm121.jpg

Hey, so I'm getting involve in this Menu Planning website, mainly because I'm running out of good ideas for dinners. So Here is my Oct 13th - 19th.

Monday- Beef Pot Roast w/biscuts

Tuesday- Leftovers

Wednesday- Spaghetti w/salad & garlic bread

Thursday- Grilled Cheese on Whole Wheat & Chunky Tomato Soup

Friday- Pepper Steak w/rice

Saturday- Leftovers

Sunday- Cobb Salad w/bacon & turkey