Menu Plan Monday – Apr 4/16

Despite my natural tendency to want to “figure it out later”, I’m back at it with another menu plan for the first week after spring break.  We have an unusual number of after-school happenings this week, so I’m keeping it manageable.

Monday – Tacos… meat is already made in the refrigerator, zucchini

Tuesday – Black bean soup and cheddar rolls.  Go here for my easy recipe.

Wednesday – Chicken Rosemary Ravioli

Thursday – Dinner out/Take out

Friday –Happy Hour Meal!  This is my new take-away idea from our mini-vacation.  Our hotel had a happy hour reception with various snacks set out.  We were missing our vacation lifestyle so my daughter and I planned our own family “Happy Hour” reception last week.  It looks like olives, hummus, something warm like chicken fingers or French bread pizza, fruit, guacamole.  Very flexible and fun and it gets the weekend party started.  We like to watch a “Tiny House Hunters” as a family while we nibble.

For more menu inspirations, visit orgjunkie.com

Reality Comes Calling

I’ve been off work for the past week.  Glorious time!  A mini family vacation, lots of play-time for DD, and cleaning up the house with a drop off at Goodwill to boot!  Satisfying.  I know I am headed into a super busy April but the promise of summer break is on the horizon.

Having just that sliver of free time has given me space to do some goal setting instead of just surviving.  On my mind today:

• Switching out of vacation mode and into “making dinner” mode.  A busy week ahead means a meal plan must be dealt with.  Not my favorite chore, but not planning is 10X worse.
• Continuing to edit our “stuff”… being on vacation always makes me appreciate how little you need to be happy.  Pat on the back for setting a rummage sale date this summer with my  mom.
• Flylady’s habit for April is making the bed.  Talked to DD about adopting this routine along with me.  We are pretty good about making the bed, but hopefully the diligence in this area will spill over into picking up clothes off the chair!
• We reconcile the weekly expenses every Saturday evening.  Now is a good time to make sure we have accounted for summer expenses, especially kid expenses, and fund any categories that still need money.

Vacation living – the food comes to you!

What’s on your mind at the start of April?

Menu Plan Monday

First Menu Plan Monday post in a long time!  I have a new job and less free time to “wing-it” than I used to.  Here goes!

Monday Tacos, which I made this past weekend and froze

Tuesday Shrimp, twice-baked potatoes, and broccoli

Wednesday Pumpkin pancakes and turkey sausage

Thursday Haircut night – we will pick something up on the way home.

Friday Tuna salad, lettuce salad, and hard-boiled eggs

Many of the meals have ingredients that I already have on hand… like tuna, taco shells, pumpkin, and frozen shrimp.

For more menu inspirations, check out orgjunkie.com!

Menu Plan Monday (on Sunday) Apr 19/15

Monday – Garlic Mushroom and Zucchini Shrimp with Pasta

Tuesday – Chili – I will try to make enough for two meals

Wednesday – Ballet!  Make your own sandwich night with a variety of options

Thursday – Jamie Oliver’s Curry (I make mine vegetarian with chickpea and cauliflower)

Friday – Veggie Burgers, Falling Rock Cafe-style (on a pretzel bun with sweet onion and a mustard-mayo sauce).  Must serve with chips and a pickle!

More menu inspirations at orgjunkie.com

 

Menu Plan Monday 4-13/15

Last week was super busy but now we’re back to normal and I am on a little bit of a mental high.  I found out after some tests that I was able to improve my bone density and Vitamin D levels, which had been low.  PLUS, about 43 days left of school till Summer Break.  Happy all around.

Monday – Pizza Lasagna, an improvised recipe with curly pasta, Trader Joes marinara, leftover pepperoni , and mozzarella baked in a casserole.

Tuesday – Turkey and Zucchini Burgers from the wonderful Jerusalem cookbook by Ottolenghi.  I have made these before and they are also yummy the next day.  Serve with rice or naan.

Wednesday – Ballet night so its Chicken Quesadillas and home-made salsa using this amazing and easy recipe originating from Pioneer Woman.  Note: Rotel is spicy.  Tread carefully.

Millet Muffins from “Super Natural Every Day”

Thursday – Eggs, millet muffins, and fruit.   Millet sounds like something that would crack your fillings, doesn’t it?  Not at all!  While you are checking Jerusalem out of the library, request Super Natural Every Day too.

Friday – Mom’s night off.

Weekend – It’s gardening season for my husband, so on weekends we are tending to eat at home.  If anyone has any great weekend-friendly (not too much fussing) recipes, feel free to comment or leave your linked recipe URL below.

More meal ideas at orgjunkie.com

 

Menu Plan Monday – Apr 6/15

This week’s menu is heavy on convenience because we have a lot going on after school.

Monday – Tuna salad, deviled eggs, pea pods (time to use up those colored hard-cooked eggs!)

Tuesday – Homemade chicken fried rice and Trader Joe’s egg rolls

Wednesday – Make your own sandwich night

Thursday – Spaghetti and turkey meatballs (the Trader Joe’s marinara sauce is delectable!)

Friday – Dinner out!

For more menu inspirations, visit orgjunkie.com 💗

Menu Plan Monday Jan 12/15

Last week’s menu plan included quiche, which was a huge hit with all parties.  It was even better the second day!  This week’s meals are a little less inspired because we have a number of things on our calendar this week. In winter we appreciate even a simple meal at home when it is cold and dark out.

Monday – Shrimp and twice-baked potatoes, broccoli

Tuesday – Brats and beans, salad

Wednesday – Sweet and sour chicken, broccoli

Thursday – Pizza and salad

Friday – We have a free take-out meal coupon.  Night off!

For more dinner inspirations, connect with other bloggers at orgjunkie.com

Meager Rations!

Oregon Trail Game

My daughter has been playing an old MS-DOS game called “The Oregon Trail” (play for free at Internet Archive). Her characters, whom she names “Axel” and “Emily Rose”, are constantly dropping dead from cholera, dysentery, and starvation.

The game warns of meager rations and that is how things look around our house. It’s been super cold here with negative temps and -25F wind chills. When it warms to above 0 degrees it snows and then it gets Arctic-cold again. It was a good week to have a solid meal plan and groceries in the house because I haven’t been anywhere except to work.

Our breakfast this morning was salvaged from a meeting at work yesterday. . .Oh yes I did! The muffins that had been out since 8 AM were looking like they were a heartbeat from the trash. This morning they were more appealing than plain Cheerios anyway.

We are headed out today on an all-family grocery shopping expedition and I’m almost giddy at the prospect of leaving the house.  “Axel” is harnessing the oxen and with a little luck we will cross the river without drowning!

Menu Plan Monday Jan 5/15

Back to work and back to school this week.  I used my time off of work to get a meal plan rolling for the next two weeks.  I don’t think I have ever been disciplined enough to do that.  I usually am more prone to “wing-it” but between wintery weather and work, I knew I would be kicking myself if I didn’t buckle down and do this!

Sunday – Guinness Shepherd’s Pie – a new recipe for me.  Usually I don’t have Sunday in my weekly menu plan but I wanted you to see this recipe!

Monday –Pea soup and grilled cheese

Tuesday – Chicken Fried Rice

Wednesday – Chili (made and stored in freezer – woo-hoo!) and crusty rolls with honey

Thursday – Quiche using a new recipe and fruit.  First time making quiche for me!

Friday Taco night!

This is my English pie dish for Cottage Pie/Shepherd’s Pie.

For more dinner inspirations, connect with other bloggers at orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday – Sept 29

Monday – Chili (already made in freezer) and cornbread

Tuesday – Jazzercise night! Frozen pizza & salad for husband and daughter

Wednesday – Veggie masala patties from Trader Joes, naan, tahini and tabbouleh

Thursday – Shrimp fried rice and egg rolls already in freezer

Friday – Going to Jason Gray concert with daughter!  Dad’s on his own 😀

View more menu plans at orgjunkie!