Menu Plan Monday, 03/05

Do you plan your menu each week, or do you browse around your favorite blogs, saying, “I’ve got to start menu planning one of these days?” What are you waiting for?

This past week, I’ve talked to more women who stress over “what’s for dinner” every day than I thought possible. Honestly, I thought everyone planned out their meals for the week so they would only have to go shopping once during the week and never had to defrost anything at the last minute because they decided on a dinner plan at the last minute.

Like I said, “What are you waiting for?” Grab your calendar and sales flyers, open your pantry doors, and peak into that refrigerator and freezer and get planning! Yes, it really is that easy!

Use up foods that will spoil soon first to prevent waste. Keep an eye on your schedule for the week. Don’t plan on roasting a chicken on a day you’re walking in the door minutes before dinnertime. That sounds more like a slow cooker day to me. Check the sale flyers for inspiration. And clean out the refrigerator. You may find some still-tasty leftovers to put on the menu for dinner tomorrow, or you may find that you need to adjust that tuna casserole recipe a bit so more goes into hungry bellies and less goes in the garbage.

What are you waiting for? Simplify your week with a menu plan. A little extra time now in planning saves a lot of time and stress later.  

By the way, in case you didn't notice, your menu does not have to resemble the menu at your favorite restaurant. It doesn't have to be fancy or complicated. You're still going to eat all the foods you've been eating. You're just going to be better prepared.

I pray you have a blessed week with less stress because you created a menu plan!

Don’t forget to stop by Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas! If you’re looking for some new recipe resources, check out this Recipe Index Round Up.

Menu Plan for Week of 03/05/2012

Breakfast 

Fruit, granola, yogurt, smoothies., or oatmeal

Lunch

Lunch of the week – Salads, wraps or leftovers

Fruit of the week – Apples, bananas, and oranges

Dinner

Monday – Rustic Cabbage Soup, artisan bread, salad

Tuesday – Big salads, artisan bread

Wednesday – Grilled BBQ chicken breast, roasted vegetable medley, salad

Thursday – Jared’s Cooking Lesson: Baked macaroni and cheese, herbed tomatoes, salad

Friday – Spaghetti, salad

Saturday – Roasted chicken, smashed whites, salad

Sunday – Taco salad

Snacks – Crackers and peanut butter, fruit, yogurt, carrot and celery sticks, or popcorn.

Thank you for stopping by!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Betty