Our family meal plan for Aprill 22-26:
Easter leftovers & egg salad sandwiches.
Maybe one night we'll have popcorn.
With a fridge full of leftovers and a short, but busy (2 track meets!) I am giving myself a break from meal planning.
Everyone will survive.
Have great week friends!
Spicy Shrimp Burrito Bowls that I tried last week - YUM!
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I put strong value in family dinners. It is a time that our whole family can connect, sit down together, have conversation and share a meal.
I do not want to portray the illusion that every family dinner in our household is calm and blissful. Nor do I want to brush aside the effort it takes to plan, prepare, and time everything so that it works with a busy family's schedule.
I do want to emphasize that, however, that this habit, has paved the way for daily family connection in our family. As much as it is a chore, the benefits make it all worth it.
I know too, the opportunity to spend this time with my four children around our family table is fleeting. My children are growing up quickly. I want to share this experience with them.
To make this happen I take some time each week for meal planning, which I am choosing to share with you as well!
I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).
I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well!
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I am planning four meals this week. We'll be on break for Easter Friday through Monday so I am giving my planning brain a break.
------Our weeknight family meal plan - April 15-18------
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas with Spanish Rice
need: shrimp, tortillas, spices, peppers, cilantro, limes, spanish rice mix
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Spaghetti and Meatballs with garlic bread and caesar salad
need: pasta, pasta sauce, meatballs, french bread, parmesan cheese, romaine lettuce, croutons, caesar dressing
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Taco Crescent Ring a variation of this recipe.
need: homemade crescent dough, ground beef, taco seasoning, tomatoes, lettuce, black olives, green onions, lettuce, sour cream
*I have a great recipe for homemade crescent dough from Make the Bread, Buy the Butter: What You Should (and Shouldn't) Cook from Scratch to Save Time and Money
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Homemade Hawaiian Pizza
need: pizza crust (my go-to recipe HERE), pizza sauce, cheeses, pineapple, canadian bacon
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Have great week friends!
This snapshot is from my first Spring trail run! Although we still have snow I am feeling the shift of the seasons!
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I put strong value in family dinners. It is a time that our whole family can connect, sit down together, have conversation and share a meal.
I do not want to portray the illusion that every family dinner in our household is calm and blissful. Nor do I want to brush aside the effort it takes to plan, prepare, and time everything so that it works with a busy family's schedule.
I do want to emphasize that, however, that this habit, has paved the way for daily family connection in our family. As much as it is a chore, the benefits make it all worth it.
I know too, the opportunity to spend this time with my four children around our family table is fleeting. My children are growing up quickly. I want to share this experience with them.
To make this happen I take some time each week for meal planning, which I am choosing to share with you as well!
I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).
I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well!
------Our weeknight family meal plan - April 8-12------
Lasagna Rolls (I made these over the weekend) & caesar salad
need: lasagna noodles, cheese, ricotta, Italian sausage, romaine lettuce, croutons
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These were so good we're having them again this week - thanks Kel for the recommendation!
need: ground pork, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, paprika, coconut milk, pineapple juice, lime juice, avocado
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Venison Brats & Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries (with leftover chili)
need: brats, yellow potatoes, sweet potatoes, hot dog buns & leftover chili
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Savory Sandwich Ring with homemade relish & cranberry preserves
need: deli meat & cheese, lettuce, tomato, relish and cranberry preserves
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need: shrimp, black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, spices
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Have great week friends!
The sap started running this week! It is officially Spring!!!!!!
Well, I am back in the routine of meal planning. We are in the transition from soups and hearty winter meals to quick and light spring suppers.
Here it goes:
------Our weeknight family meal plan - March 25-29------
Chicken Noodle Soup
need: cooked chicken, noodles, carrots, celery, stock, fresh parsley
Spaghetti Carbonara
need: noodles, parmesan cheese, eggs & ham
Rice Bowls & Chips
need: rice, avocado, tomatoes, cooked chicken, canned beans, lettuce
Spring Sheet Pan Dinner
need: pork loin, asparagus, peppers, potatoes & fresh pineapple
Chicken Ceasar Wraps
need: frozen chicken tenders, romaine lettuce, caesar dressing, croutons & tortilla wraps
Have great week friends!
Pictured above is a snapshot from an overnight getaway to a hotel in Duluth over our "spring Break". I totally recommend Girl, Stop Apologizing if you want a quick and inspirational read.
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Meal planning has gone by the wayside the last couple of weeks .
1) Our three boys (in two different sections) had a two week class of after school swimming classes between 3:30-5:30 p.m. in a nearby community. Instead of meals together we split up, James took the boys to swimming lessons with a picnic supper in a cooler bag.
2) A week ago everyone in our household was hit with the stomach flu.
3) We have been off of school for a couple of days for a short "spring break" from school.
Needless to say we have been out of routine.
Well, now I am back to business, and I have to be! The track season starts tomorrow and the girls head coach is out of town for two weeks, so I (the assistant coach) needs to run practices. That means I have to be extra organized with dinners at home as well.
Here it goes:
------Our weeknight family meal plan - March 18-March 22------
Taco Soup with Chicken & Fritos
need: chicken broth, cooked chicken, salsa, canned corn, canned black beans & fritos corn chips & cheese for topping
Fried Rice with Orange Chicken & wontons
need: rice, egg, frozen peas and carrots, Aldi's frozen orange chicken, frozen wontons
need: cooked chicken, noodles, olives, feta, cherry tomatoes, hard salami, red onion, olive oil, parsley
Chicken Burgers & Fries
need: Frozen Chicken Burgers, buns and fries
Orange Chicken, Broccoli Stir Fry and Rice
need: frozen orange chicken (Aldi), broccoli, soy sauce, ginger, brown rice
Sheet Pan Dinner with Bratwurst and Roasted Vegetables
need: brats, onions, peppers, buns, relish
Weekday Lunches: peanut butter and jelly calzones
Have great week friends!
pictured above: Beef Stew & Jo Jo's Biscuits from the Magnolia Table Cookbook as recommended by Maggie Martin. I made a big double batch of this last Wednesday when school was canceled. We ate half and I froze half so I would have an easy go-to meal in the freezer when I need it.
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I am getting into a routine of sharing my meal plans for the upcoming week. I know so many of you are challenged, like me, with this ongoing chore, working to prepare nutritious weeknight meals that already before your kids fill up on after-school snacks. Read more of my ramblings on this topic HERE.
I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).
I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well!
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On the family agenda this week: parent-teacher conferences & a ski meet.
Our weeknight family meal plan - February 4-8.
Monday: (Trying something NEW!) Ginger Peanut Hoisin Noodles with Chicken (from The Alaska from Scratch Cookbook)
**read my interview with Maya Wilson HERE
need: cilantro, green onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, peanut butter, chicken, rice noodles, honey, peanuts, limes, red pepper, ginger, carrots
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Dinner With Bratwurst and Roasted Vegetables
need: baby potatoes, brats, brussel sprouts, onions, peppers, hot dog buns
Wednesday: Sloppy Joes (using a ground venison with this recipe)
need: tomato sauce, onion, ketchup, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper, hamburger buns
Thursday: Chicken Noodle Soup
need: noodles, stock, celery, chicken, dried parsley, carrots
Friday: Chicken Enchiladas (didn't get to this one last week-)
need: cooked chicken, tortillas, enchilada sauce, rice
Have great week friends!
calzones! (see notes at the end of this post)
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I am getting into a routine of sharing my meal plans for the upcoming week. I know so many of you are challenged, like me, with this ongoing chore, working to prepare nutritious weeknight meals that already before your kids fill up on after school snacks. Read more of my ramblings on this topic HERE.
I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).
I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well!
---------------
On the family agenda this week: parent-teacher conferences & a ski meet.
Our weeknight family meal plan - January 28 - February 1.
Monday: Lasagna Soup (from Alaska from Scratch) **read my interview with Maya Wilson HERE
need: lasagna noodles, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Baked Parmesan Pork Chops
need: baby potatoes, thick cut pork chops, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs & asparagus
need: cooked chicken, tortillas, enchilada sauce, rice
Thursday: Crock Pot Venison Chili & Cornbread Muffins
need: ground venison, chili beans, canned tomatoes, sour cream, cornbread
Friday: Chicken Tender Ceasar Wraps
need: tortillas, frozen chicken tenders, romaine lettuce, caesar dressing,
Weekday Lunches: Calzones!! I have been making a big batch (18+) calzones on weekends for school lunches and second suppers for my growing children (and husband). I originally thought they would make it through the week. They have been gone by Tuesday. Calzones are working for our family. I am finding making a double batch of pizza dough, rolling out balls of dough, filling and baking them into calzones is a satisfying and cost effective way to feed my family. I am going to be experimenting (and sharing) the variations I create from week to week in this space as well.
dough: I double THIS RECIPE and make it using the dough setting in THIS BREADMAKER.
Calzones of the week: BBQ Chicken - filling: cooked chicken, bbq sauce, provolone, red onion
Have great week friends!
I set aside some pretzel knots from the (4x) batch I made this weekend to have with our soup on Monday (recipe link below)
I am getting into a routine of sharing my meal plans for the upcoming week. I know so many of you are challenged, like me, with this ongoing chore, working to prepare nutritious weeknight meals that already before your kids fill up on after school snacks. Read more of my ramblings on this topic HERE.
I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).
I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well!
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Our weeknight family meal plan - Jan 21-25.
Monday: Chicken Noodle Soup with Soft Pretzel Knots
need: cooked chicken, dried parsley, chicken stock, noodles, carrots, celery
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas with Spanish Rice
need: steak, peppers, red onions, cilantro, avacados, spanish rice mix
Wednesday: Crock Pot Porketta Sandwiches
need: porketta & brioche buns
Thursday: Power Bowls (with fajita and porketta leftovers)
need: leftovers & brown rice
Friday: Burgers & Salad
need: frozen burgers, canned relish and pickles, buns, lettuce/salad mix
last week's taco dinner night
I am getting into a routine of sharing my meal plans for the upcoming week. I know so many of you are challenged, like me, with this ongoing chore, working to prepare nutritious weeknight meals that already before your kids fill up on after school snacks. Read more of my ramblings on this topic HERE.
I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).
I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well!
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Our weeknight family meal plan - Jan 14-18.
Monday: Hot Ham and Swiss Pinwheels
need: homemade crescent dough, ham, swiss, butter, worcestershire sauce, poppyseeds
Tuesday: Sheet Shrimp Fajitas & rice
need: shrimp, tortillas, red onion, limes, spices, cilantro, avocados, rice
Wednesday: Spaghetti & Meatballs, garlic bread & salad
need: spaghetti noodles, frozen meatballs, garden pasta sauce, french bread, romaine lettuce, caesar salad dressing, croutons
Thursday:
Quick Sesame Chicken Noodles (Taste of Home)
need: sesame oil, cooked chicken, carrots, snow peas, ramen noodles, chicken broth, garlic, green onions.
Friday: Brats & Buns (going to try this sheet pan dinner style)
need: Brats, Buns, homemade relish, peppers, onions
I am getting into a routine of sharing my meal plans for the upcoming week. I know so many of you are challenged, like me, with this ongoing chore, working to prepare nutritious weeknight meals that already before your kids fill up on after school snacks. Read more of my ramblings on this topic HERE.
I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).
I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well!
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We are heading into the first full week back after winter break. Our daughter had an out-of-town ski meet this last Saturday so week took the opportunity to stock up at Aldi's. Here we go!
Our weeknight family meal plan - Jan 7-11.
Monday: Meatball Subs & Salad
need: frozen meatballs, pasta sauce, deli rolls (Aldi's), & salad (mix).
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin Dinner
need: pork loin, baby potatoes, brusel sprouts, mushrooms, onions
Wednesday: Crock Pot Venison Chili & Corn Bread
need: ground venison, canned chili beans, canned garden tomatoes, onion, plus cornbread ingredients from my go-to Moosewood Cookbook Recipe.
Thursday: Chicken Caesar Wraps (*inspiration from J0)
need: frozen chicken tenders, tortillas, caesar salad (mix)
Friday: Chicken Tacos
need: chicken, taco seasoning, tortillas, olives, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados, sour cream, chips and salsa
Lunches & Breakfast Prep: Calzones (pictured above). Making and baking a big batch of calzones on the weekend has been a hit with the kids for their lunches.
Last weekend I also made a double batch of homemade bagels (24 total) from the recipe Alana Chernila's Homemade Kitchen cookbook. I froze half of them so we will be enjoying them for breakfasts this week.
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I would love to hear what you are cooking too!
Post a comment or shoot me an email.
Have a great week!