Menu Plan for the Week 10/9 – 10/15
Posted: October 10, 2011 | Author: Ready.Set.Simplify. | Filed under: Menu Plans, Recipes | Tags: Menu Plans | 5 CommentsHow last week’s menu went:
I mostly stuck to last week’s menu except that the enchiladas got bumped to this week because of a date night that was happily added to Friday!
Oh, and the salad I made to go with the steaks last week was this Roquefort Pear Salad that I have made before and it is just. so. good. I think of it as a special occasion salad. Serious yum.
Favorite meal from last week:
OK, they were all great meals last week, but I’m going to pick the Autumn Sausage Casserole as the favorite because it’s easy, healthy, and just oh-so-fall. We all loved it. I used some apple chicken sausage that was on sale, and about a cup more of (brown) rice than the recipe says. And I actually didn’t get it into the crock pot in time, so this time I made it like the original recipe from Taste of Home. I also used both celery and carrots. Mr. RSS requested that I double the recipe next time!
This Week’s Menu Plan
Sunday:
- Easy Chicken Enchiladas (I add enchilada sauce on top before the cheese, and sliced black olives, too. We topped these with fresh tomatoes and sour cream.)
Monday:
- Slithering Stromboli Snake (a family favorite, I’ll use homemade dough)
- Raw veggies
Tuesday
- Corn Chowder (I couldn’t find the recipe I usually use online, but this one is sort of similar. One difference is that my recipe uses more bacon. Lots more. Use it crumbled as a topping.)
- Salad
Wednesday
- Tuscany Pot Roast served over egg noodles mixed with sautéed mushrooms (no poppy seeds)
- Peas
- Maybe a salad, too
Thursday
- Butternut Squash Soup (new recipe I’m trying)
- Salad
Friday
- Bow Ties with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cream
- Green beans or salad
Saturday
- Leftovers
I’m linking up with OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday, where you can find many more meal plans to check out!
Menu Plan for the Week 10/2 – 10/8
Posted: October 3, 2011 | Author: Ready.Set.Simplify. | Filed under: Menu Plans, Recipes | Tags: Menu Plans | 5 CommentsHow last week’s menu went:
I moved things around a bit last week. I made the pizza for lunch one day instead of dinner, and added the Pizza Penne Bake (I add more sauce), which has turned into a new favorite “go-to” dinner around here.
Favorite meal from last week:
I’m going with the BBQ Country Style Ribs. I cooked them about 1 hour longer than the recipe and finished them on the grill. We all loved these. The Chicken Tortilla Soup is also loved by all five of us and is a family favorite!
This Week’s Menu Plan
Sunday:
- Barbeque Shredded Beef (from the freezer) sandwiches
- green beans
- nectarine slices
Monday – Celebrating Mr. RSS’s birthday!
- Grilled Steak with sautéed mushrooms
- Mashed potatoes
- green salad
Tuesday
- Hearty Lentil Soup (I add celery, add chopped spinach instead of parsley, and only use 1/2 tsp of the balsamic vinegar – and I like to use turkey bacon, too)
- Maybe some fresh-baked bread, like this Olive Bread
Wednesday
- Autumn Sausage Casserole (I have been making myself wait for fall to make this again.)
Thursday
- Pizza: one Buffalo Chicken pizza (I use a bit less of the chicken and blue cheese dressing. You must use Frank’s Hot Sauce if you want it to be right) and one regular cheese pizza with this crust (I double the recipe and use 1 cup of whole wheat flour)
- Raw veggies
Friday
- Easy Lasagna
- green beans or salad
- maybe garlic bread (I love garlic bread.)
Saturday
- Easy Chicken Enchiladas (I add enchilada sauce on top before the cheese, and sliced black olives, too.) topped with lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and sour cream
- Chips and salsa
Other Updates:
- The MOPS playdate was a success! Things were looking pretty good around here, but I did hide some clutter. Again.
I’m linking up with OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday, where you can find many more meal plans to check out!
Menu Plan for the Week 9/25 – 10/1
Posted: September 26, 2011 | Author: Ready.Set.Simplify. | Filed under: Menu Plans, Recipes | Tags: Menu Plans | 10 CommentsHow last week’s menu went:
I actually followed last week’s menu plan exactly. Woah.
Favorite meal from last week:
I really wanted to pick 3 favorites this week, but Mr. RSS convinced me that 2 is plenty when it comes to favorites, so I’m starting with the Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili, which I simply adore. I first made it when I saw it in Family Fun Magazine, but when I went to look for it this time, I could not find the magazine nor could I find the recipe on Family Fun’s site, so Danielle saved the day by posting the recipe! And even though I am usually a toppings-kind-of-girl, I really like this chili as-is, or with just a little cilantro. I did double the beans. I might cut the orange zest in half next time. 4 of the 5 of us like it.
The Portobello Mushroom Burgers were the other favorite. I stuck a big slice of grilled red pepper on mine. Yummy! Mr. RSS decided to double the marinade on these. They had lots of flavor! 4 of the 5 of us liked this one as well.
This Week’s Menu Plan
Sunday:
- Scrambled eggs with bell peppers and cheese
- toast (yummy whole wheat bread)
Monday
- Green salad with beets and goat cheese (I’m making it like this recipe, except I’m using romaine lettuce that needs using up and canned beets from the pantry)
Tuesday
- BBQ Country Style Ribs (Mr. RSS will likely finish them on the grill)
- Cooked apples [Edit: I removed this recipe link because when I looked at the recipe tonight, I realized it was way off from how I make these (I should have read the recipe more closely!) I usually use peeled, sliced apples and cook them down in a saucepan with about 1/2 cup water, add a little sugar and cinnamon to taste, if desired.]
- green beans
Wednesday
- Grilled marinated chicken breasts/thighs
- Rosemary potatoes – microwave (This is my new favorite side dish! Simple and so good!)
- broccoli
Thursday
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Salad
Friday
- Homemade Pizza night! I’ve been using this crust recipe, with part whole wheat flour. I also knead the dough after mixing.
- Raw veggies
Saturday
- Brown Rice with Black Beans (I’m going to add some cumin and chili powder this time.) Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, cilantro)
- Chips and salsa
Other Updates:
- I’m having a MOPS playdate at my house this week. I am appropriately frightened. I am planning to clean and declutter every day, focusing on the living room and kitchen. I will not wait until the day before – no, no, no. There’s nothing like guests coming over to give you that extra motivation! Yikes!
I’m linking up with OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday, where you can find many more meal plans to check out!
Menu Plan for the Week 9/18 – 9/24
Posted: September 18, 2011 | Author: Ready.Set.Simplify. | Filed under: Menu Plans, Recipes | Tags: Menu Plans | 8 Comments
How last week’s menu went:
I made a few changes last week. The chicken noodle soup and the Swedish meatballs both didn’t happen. Instead, one night turned into an awesome cheap date night with my sweetie, and the other night we grilled hamburgers.
Favorite meal from last week:
I’m going to go with the Pizza Penne Bake, It was easy, cheap, fairly healthy (I used whole grain pasta and served it with a green salad). All 5 of us liked it! I will add more sauce next time, because we are sauce-y people. Especially Mr. RSS.
This Week’s Menu Plan
Sunday:
- Seven-Layer Bean Dip (except that mine only had 5 layers this time – but it was fast and yummy!)
- fruit – grapes and pears
Monday
- Swedish Meatballs served over egg noodles
- Green beans or salad
Tuesday
Wednesday
- Chicken leg quarters (baked with olive oil and McCormick’s Montreal Chicken Seasoning)
- potatoes
- broccoli or peas
Thursday
- BBQ Chicken Pizza (I use less chicken, and a mix of Gouda and Mozzarella cheeses) with a quick and easy crust (I use part whole wheat flour)
- raw veggies
Friday
- Leftovers
Saturday
- Portobello Mushroom Burgers
- Grilled veggies
Other Updates:
- Seriously. There’s a laundry post coming. Soon.
- We did some good cleaning up in the living room and kitchen this weekend, and Mr. RSS attacked some paper clutter in the basement!
- We started taking Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University class. Love it!
I’m linking up with OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday, where you can find many more meal plans to check out!
Menu Plan for the Week 9/11 – 9/17
Posted: September 12, 2011 | Author: Ready.Set.Simplify. | Filed under: Menu Plans, Recipes | Tags: Menu Plans | 3 CommentsHow last week’s menu went:
Last week went pretty well. The store was out of chicken leg quarters, so I roasted a whole chicken instead. The Chick-fil-A dinner got bumped to this week, so I made pizza that night instead.
Favorite meal from last week:
That would have to be the dinner my wonderful husband made for me on my birthday: Steak Au Poivre, sautéed asparagus & mushrooms, roasted red pepper & crab bisque, brown sugar encrusted baked Brie with berry lemon bread. Yes. The man knows how to cook. He also made me a chocolate cake! The cake was especially meaningful because he does not enjoy baking. This was the first time I have ever seen him bake a cake!
This Week’s Menu Plan
Sunday:
- Leftovers/snacky dinner
Monday
Tuesday
- Friends are treating us to Chick-fil-A! (Bumped from last week)
Wednesday
- Sausage Smothered White Beans
- Cornbread
- Salad
Thursday
- Chicken Noodle Soup (I usually modify a recipe from my Cook’s Illustrated cookbook, but I might try this one from Simply Recipes this time.)
- Bread or muffins
Friday
- Pizza Penne Bake
- broccoli or salad
Saturday
- Swedish Meatballs
- Green beans or salad
Other Updates:
- I’m hoping to post about some exciting progress with the laundry and the refrigerator – maybe even more – by Friday.
I’m linking up with OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday.
Menu Plan for the Week 9/4 – 9/10
Posted: September 5, 2011 | Author: Ready.Set.Simplify. | Filed under: Menu Plans, Recipes | Tags: Menu Plans | 5 CommentsNote: For some reason linking text is not working correctly for me today, so I just added the URLs and I’ll figure it out later and edit.
How last week’s menu went:
Last week was hurricane/no power/no running water week, so things were not very normal.
Favorite meal from last week:
It would have to be a tie between friends treating us to a picnic (BBQ), and my dad cooking dinner for us (Pork loin, salad, corn on the cob). But that is really more about the people than the food! Of the meals we had at home, it would have to be the hot dogs and beans that Mr. RSS and I worked together on.
This Week’s Menu Plan
Sunday:
- Ramen noodles with peas and carrots (This is not normally something we would eat for dinner, but we were in a big hurry to get to a free outdoor concert – and my kids beg me for this!) I use about half of the chicken seasoning packet.
Monday
- Baked/grilled Chicken leg quarters (I put olive oil and McCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning on them)
- sweet potatoes
- spinach
Tuesday
- The marvelous and talented Mr. ReadySetSimplify is cooking dinner. It’s my birthday:-)
Wednesday
- Friends are treating us to Chick-fil-A! Yum and fun!
Thursday
- Lentil Rice Casserole (http://www.clayinhishands.com/2010/02/lentil-rice-casserole.html)
- Salad
Friday
- Skillet Tacos (http://orgjunkie.com/2010/08/skillet-tacos-recipe.html)
- Served with lettuce, tomato, sour cream
Saturday
- Crunchy Onion Chicken (http://www.frenchs.com/recipe/frenchs-crunchy-onion-chicken-RE1309) The kids saw this on a commercial and asked me to try it.
- Green beans
- potatoes
Other Updates:
- I am almost finished with the big fridge/freezer clean out.
- I still need to finish going through the kids’ clothes!
I’m linking up with OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday (http://orgjunkie.com/2011/09/menu-plan-monday-sept-511.html).
Hey, hey, hey! There are menu plans today!
Posted: July 25, 2011 | Author: Ready.Set.Simplify. | Filed under: Menu Plans, Recipes | 15 CommentsI started menu planning in 2006. I had just had our second baby, I was doing the stay at home mom thing, and someone who was helping us with our budget (much-needed at the time) told me I needed to menu plan because our food/grocery spending was out of control. I think it was around $200-$250/week at that time.
I was pretty overwhelmed at the idea of planning an entire menu ahead of time every week, so I did some searching and started with Menus4Moms. At the time, she was doing a free menu plan each week with recipes and a grocery shopping list (she now charges a fee and has several different plans). It was just what I needed at that time to get started and I learned a lot about cooking and menu planning there.
I’ve been doing it on my own for a while now, but I am not always consistent. Lately, I’ve been kind of loosey-goosey with it and that causes me to go grocery shopping more often and spend more money than I would like. It also can be stressful when I’m not sure what I’ll be making for dinner each night. The disorganization doesn’t help with my problems with wasting food, either!
Soooo I’ve decided that I will try to do real week-long menu plans and only go grocery shopping once a week. I’m also trying to pay attention to what I already have on hand, and use things up that need to be used before they go bad/expire. Oh yes, and I’m also trying to eat healthier and cut down on processed foods. And I’m trying to simplify the whole process, too! Menu planning helps with that for sure.
Last week was my first week, and it went very well! (And by the way I spent about $125, including non-food grocery items, which I’m very happy with!)
Here’s my menu plan from last week, with notes of any changes:
Sunday: Homemade Pizza (I double it and use part whole wheat flour)- one pizza with cheese, and one with pepperoni and banana peppers, raw veggies & dip
Monday: Shepherd’s Pie, cantaloupe (I was going to do a green salad, but didn’t)
Tuesday: Curried Chicken Divan (with broccoli) served over brown rice (my daughter requested this meal)
Wednesday: Hearty Lentil Soup (a Cook’s Illustrated recipe that I modify a little), cherries
Thursday: Tuna Salad Sandwiches, raw veggies
Friday: Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad (see picture above) This was the first time I made this as the entrée instead of a side dish.
Saturday: Quiche and fruit salad Leftover night! (This was Mr. RSS’s idea. He loves leftovers. He’s a good boy. I wanted to bail out and go to Chick-fil-A! )
And now my menu plan for this week:
Sunday: Fresh Tomato Basil Pasta with Feta (See the picture above: I used free organic cherry and grape tomatoes that we got from an event with Mr. RSS’s work and basil from our garden! ), corn on the cob
Monday: Grilled Rockfish with grilled veggies, brown rice
Tuesday: London Broil Steak Salad (I won’t follow the recipe exactly)
Wednesday: Roast Chicken, green beans, potatoes
Thursday: West Indian Rice and Beans (new recipe I’m trying), salad
Friday: Chicken salad or BBQ chicken pizza – can’t decide!
Saturday: Leftover night 🙂
Do you menu plan? Making anything fun this week?
I’m linking up with Menu Plan Monday at orgjunkie.com. Check out the gobs of menu plans you can find there each week!