Author Topic: Meal planning 2018  (Read 60770 times)

Bee21

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Meal planning 2018
« on: January 02, 2018, 02:53:24 PM »
Share your meal plans for the week/month.

I find it a huge time and money saver, but sometimes I am a bit bored of my meal selection.

Here is my schedule for dinners.

MONDAY leftovers or sth from the freezer
TUESDAY pasta
WEDNESDAY chicken (today w mushrooms and broccoli)
THURSDAY sth w mince (lasagna, enchilladas, tacos, shep pie, burgers) - my bulk cooking, meal prep day
FRIDAY pizza or sth vegetarian
SATURDAY barbeque
SUNDAY roast

I live with a rabid meat eater and two picky kids (who don't eat much meat), so I sort of lost my cooking mojo.

BADASS people can also share their plans for lunches. 😆


netskyblue

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2018, 03:39:52 PM »
YES I love this thread, I always struggle with meal planning.  I just hate thinking of things.

We...aren't the healthiest.  Vegetables and/or fruit like 1-2 times a week :/

Tuesdays and every other Monday are particularly challenging because I get home at 5:45 and need to get food served, eaten, and cleaned up by 6:30.  So we often fall to convenience foods or takeout. 

Tue 1/2 - Fried chicken sandwiches (in the style of Chick Fil-A), tater tots
Wed 1/3 - (Leftover day)
Thurs 1/4 - Cheeseburgers
Fri 1/5 - Beef & veg stir fry over rice
Sat 1/6 - Fried chicken strips & spaghetti (kind of like chicken parm, but less melty cheese, and chicken cut into strips instead of whole breasts, because I don't eat that much)
Sun 1/7 - Ham steaks, broccoli, knorr chicken rice

Mon 1/8 - BBQ Popcorn chicken, macaroni & cheese
Tues 1/9 - Takeout
Wed 1/10 - (Leftover day)
Thur 1/11 - Penne in tomato cream sauce with scallops, Caesar salad
Fri 1/12 - Dijon Chicken over rice pilaf
Sat 1/13 - Carnitas burritos
Sun 1/14 - Pork spareribs, corn, rolls

Mon 1/15 - Steak, leftover rolls, macaroni & cheese
Tue 1/16 - Takeout
Wed 1/17 - (Leftover day)

Cgbg

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2018, 03:47:08 PM »
Tue- turkey tacos (soft tortillas), fruit
Wed- pork tenderloin, roasted delicata squash, cottage cheese, green beans
Thu- Moroccan spice squash soup, sourdough bread
Fri- quiche (using some leftover ham from Christmas), soup from night before, fruit
Sat- baked chicken breasts, wild rice, broccoli
Sun- meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn

Lunches are all leftovers

StarBright

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2018, 04:25:47 PM »
I plan weekly and am OBSESSED with meal planning. I have google calendars going back a couple of years with meal plans :)

12/31 - Hoppin John Stew (out traditional New Years Meal)
1/1- Homemade Pasta with Sauce (Rolling and cutting pasta with kids is one of my go-to activities on vacation days, sauce was frozen from summer garden)
1/2 - Turkey Taco Tuesday
1/3 - Turkey Burgers and Sweet Potato Soup
1/4 - Tortilla Crusted Tillapia and Salad
1/5 - Pizza

We shop and plan on Saturdays.

Every Friday is homemade pizza and movie night for our family. I am also one of those weird people who LOVES reading other people's meal plans so thanks for starting this thread :)

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2018, 04:30:08 PM »
We serve salad with every dinner, and then have fruit as a snack in the evening. No dessert. This is our dinner menu:

1/1 - coming home late from a flight, so freezer pizza
1/2 - spaghetti + meatballs
1/3 - chicken pesto pasta (chicken & pesto, both from the freezer). We bulk grill chicken & then freeze for quick meals.
1/4 - ground beef tacos (meat already cooked/prepped in the freezer) + guacamole
1/5 - homemade pizzas. May cheat & use naan bread, vs breadmachine dough. Pizza toppings tbd, but always includes any  lingering fridge leftovers
1/6 - my husband & I are going out to dinner, so something easy like mac & cheese for the kids
1/7 - Asian chicken salad + homemade rolls

TikiTime

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2018, 10:12:28 PM »
Joined up after reading for oh so many years just to join this thread!  Needed a kick to get back into the meal planning habit.  Hubs and kids are celiacs, so all meals are gluten free.

12/31- smothered pork and turnips w/ rice
1/1- cowgirl caviar w/ tortilla chips, smothered cabbage and boudin
1/2- hawaiian pizza with bell peppers, onions, and that holiday ham that keeps on giving
1/3- pulled pork tostados with onions and peppers, lettuce, and topped w/ greek yogurt mixed w/ green sauce
1/4- fried fish and shrimp, sweet potato fries, hush puppies, sauteed balsamic french beansNope, made roast beef poboys, dressed
1/5- leftover chicken sausage okra gumbo
12th Night- King Cake!!! and Italian sausage in red gravy
« Last Edit: January 05, 2018, 09:45:22 AM by TikiTime »

soccerluvof4

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2018, 03:25:38 AM »
I make a huge dinner Salad or veggie loaded Pasta Salad for every dinner along with a fresh fruit salad and usually a starch . This isnt the exact order but here is pretty much my to go list for 6 of us.

Steak Sandwiches- Buy flat steak and cut meat in 4x4 squares and put between dinner rolls.
Pork Chops baked with Uncle Bens Brown Rice- 1hour in oven (leftovers next day I turn into pork fried rice)
Slow Cooker barbecued Drumsticks broil couple minutes at end.
Million dollar Casserole with Garlic bread
Italian Breaded Chicken tenderloin strips some will make sandwich with others dip in ranch
Tuna Casserole
Multiple different meatloafs depending on what I have
Slow Cooker honey Barbeque Pork roast. Next day I will slice leftovers and kids will make sandwiches
Turkey Meatball Subs. Buy turkey meatballs from Aldis and simmer in jar of pasta sauce then 4 fit on a Bot dog bun with slice of provolone cheese.
Oven baked boneless skinless chicken thighs with paprkika, salt, pepper, dill , garlic powder and broil last couple minutes to make crispy
3-4lb Turkey breast on bone in slow cooker with a rub. Juiciest turkey one can make
Taco Casserole
Multiple different Chicken breasts  with different rubs stove top in Iron skillet
Best damn burgers made in Iron skillet
Lemon Chicken Broccoli pasta

Theres more but cant think right now. I let the sales dictate what I am going to make. I go to the store for staples and budget so much for so many dinners and whats on sale is what I will create.

 


Drole

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2018, 11:44:12 AM »
I'm trying to do more standard meals....like having a regular pizza night, etc as i'm just tired of trying to make new and exciting things for kids that do not appreciate....

So rough plan is:

Mondays: curries (any meat + veg + coconut milk+ spice)
Tuesdays: Rumake (chicken liver + bacon) or Pork Necks (yes, these my kids like!)
Wednesday: normally we at church (very inexpensive way to eat out), on nights we can't eat there, trying to do fish
Thursdays: Bowls/Kebabs/etc: basically bits of meats + veg served in a deconstructed fashion (make your own)
Fridays: pizza
Saturdays: Lunch: Noodles (baked, Italian, Thai, soupy, etc)
Dinner: Fondue?
Sundays: lunch: Salgados (basically tapioca based tacos with whatever filling on hand)
Dinner: roasted chicken

Jenny Wren

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2018, 02:57:44 PM »
I don't plan breakfasts or lunches, since we all always eat the same things or leftovers. We also have a "schedule," but it changes seasonally. We are also vegetarian, but not vegan. Our winter schedule is as follows:
Mon: Soup or stew
Tues: Pasta, rice dish, or casserole
Wed: Pan-Asian (Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Indian....)
Thurs: Mexican or southwest
Fri: Pizza night!
Weekends: Leftovers/fend for yourself.

This week's plan was:
M: Hoppin' johns and chive focaccia bread
T: Creamy lemon pasta and salad
W: Saag paneer and rice
T: Burritos and southwest corn salad
F: Pizza! (from frozen. I'm trying something new to cut down on the urge to dine out after a long week...)

And for good measure, next week's since I just wrote it out:
M: Veggie chowder and popovers
T: Spaghetti and salad
W: Tofu fried rice
T:Quesadillas
W: Pizza!

One thing I've learned over the years is to be flexible. If something comes up on Monday that makes it a pain to cook, I'll swap the soup around for a super quick/easy dinner, like the pizza or quesadillas. This is probably easier if you don't have to worry about thawing meat in advance, though. If you're a meat eater, I'd keep a stock of ingredients for simple veggie meals, frozen dinners, or meat that doesn't need to be thawed like canned tuna or chicken breast on hand. Best laid plans, and all!

Workingmomsaves

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2018, 03:57:41 PM »
I shop on Thursday’s, so our week goes Thursday through Wednesday.

Thursday Baked chicken with large salad with black beans, corn, tomatoes and avocado.
Friday leftovers
Saturday Carnitas tacos
Sunday Turkey Meatballs, Spaghetti, green beans
Monday Chicken shawarma on pita
Tuesday breakfast for dinner waffles, hash browns, eggs, bacon if any makes it past the weekend
Wednesday chicken fried rice or leftovers
 Chicken breast was on sale for 1.79/ lb. so lots of chicken this week.
Thanks everyone for all the great ideas!

Bee21

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2018, 07:49:05 PM »
Great plans, people.

So, for next week my boring little self is cooking

1. Leftover pork and  lentil salad
2.spag bol
3. Crumbed chicken (kids bday request). And cheesecake.
4. Turkey burgers
5. Pizza
6. Steak and salad
7. Mexican feast for a crowd (kids bday bash for 15 kids and x+N adults.). There will be pulled beef, tortillas, corn and black bean salad, sweet potatoes, lettuce,guacamole. More cake.

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2018, 02:33:13 PM »
I shop & meal plan from Friday to Friday, so next week's meal plan is as follows:

Saturday - My husband & I are going out to dinner, so I'll make mac & cheese for the kids.
Sunday - torn between crockpot soup & homemade rolls, or kebabs & rice. Will let the family select
Monday - tacos, chips & guacamole (my avocados weren't ripe this week, so pushing out to next week)
Tuesday - leftovers from Sunday's dinner
Wednesday - Spaghetti & meatballs
Thursday - leftover tacos
Friday - chicken pesto tortellini

Tonight we're having a goat cheese & chicken risotto (freezer) for the adults, & leftover naan pizza for the kids.

StarBright

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2018, 05:58:04 PM »
This was a pretty cheap week; using up lots of stuff I have in the freezer and fridge.

Sat: Vegetarian Swedish "meatballs" and noodles (that used up the last of a batch of faux meatballs I made this summer- thank heavens! They weren't great :))
Sun: Homemade steamed pork buns and broc
Mon: Hooligan pancakes, yogurt and fruit salad
Tuesday: Grilled Cheese and tomato soup
Wed: Butternut squash noodles with pork, cilantro and cotija cheese
Thursday - salmon and salad
Friday: Pizza night!

Hope everyone has a great week.

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2018, 08:36:02 PM »
Here's our menu for the week (all dinners served with salad)

- Saturday - I roasted a chicken & vegetables
- Sunday - made broth, and then made a chicken fajita rice skillet, using some of the roasted chicken & broth. https://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2017/07/one-pan-chicken-fajita-rice.html
- Monday - Chicken & vegetable chowder, using the last of the roasted chicken, roasted vegetables, & the broth. Serve with homemade rolls & a salad with peanut dressing
- Tuesday - Leftover chicken rice skillet, with guacamole
-Wednesday - Leftover soup & rolls
-Thursday -  Tortilla soup & empanadas
-Friday - Baguette stuffed with chicken breast, mozzarella, & topped with marinara

meadow lark

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2018, 07:15:28 AM »
I meal plan a little different.  Today I will make:
Black bean burgers
Soy milk
Oatmeal (5 days worth)
roasted sweet potatoes

netskyblue

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #15 on: January 16, 2018, 09:43:42 AM »
Leftover day at our house has changed from Wed to Thurs because I have a standing event on Thursdays now.  So here's the plan for the rest of the month:

Wednesday 1/17 - Porcupine meatballs, mashed potato casserole
Thursday 1/18  - Leftover day
Friday 1/19 - Enchiladas Suizas
Saturday 1/20 - Roast beef, leftover mashed potato casserole
Sunday 1/21 - Taco Bowls

Monday 1/22 - French Dips with leftover roast beef, pasta salad
Tuesday 1/23 - BLTs, kiwi
Wednesday 1/24  - eggs, hashbrowns, sausages, toast
Thursday 1/25 - Leftover day
Friday 1/26 - Hamburgers, Shells & Cheese
Saturday 1/27 - Baked Chicken, Knorr Rice, broccoli
Sunday 1/28 - Lasagna, Garlic Toast

Monday 1/29 - Avgolemono Soup, sourdough roll
Tuesday 1/30 -  Ham Steak, Stuffing
Wednesday 1/31 - Fried Chicken Sandwiches, bananas
Thursday 2/1 - Leftover day
Friday 2/2 - Taco Bowls
Saturday 2/3 - Brisket, Cheesy mashed potatoes
Sunday 2/4 - Scalloped Potatoes & Ham, fruit

kaypinkHH

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #16 on: January 16, 2018, 10:22:29 AM »
Following along! Past 4 months have been transition months as we move cities/places, but end of this month we finally get our own kitchen again! I'll start posting meal plans here!

Bee21

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #17 on: January 16, 2018, 03:01:40 PM »
This week I am a bit off schedule.

Monday: leftovers
Tuesday: roast chicken, potatoes, cucumber salad
Wednesday: pasta w bolognese+ broccoli
Thursday: baked poatoes w chorizo, broccoli, beans
Friday: lentil pie w sweat potato topping
Saturday: steak and salad
Sunday mongolian lamb stir fry+rice




AmandaPanda

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #18 on: January 17, 2018, 07:14:57 AM »
meadow lark I do it the same way.  When I'm "on" I do all the cooking on the weekend, and I cook enough for 10 adult lunches, 10 adult dinners and 10 kid dinners.  People eat whatever they want on whatever night.  I think i would be exhausted never eating leftovers.  It's so easy to just double a recipe and have it twice in a week.

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #19 on: January 17, 2018, 12:08:21 PM »
meadow lark I do it the same way.  When I'm "on" I do all the cooking on the weekend, and I cook enough for 10 adult lunches, 10 adult dinners and 10 kid dinners.  People eat whatever they want on whatever night.  I think i would be exhausted never eating leftovers.  It's so easy to just double a recipe and have it twice in a week.

I cook on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) & we eat leftovers during the work week. We sometimes have enough for a smorgasbord of leftovers on Thursdays, or default to a backup frozen option that evening. I definitely don't cook during the work week.

For the meals you're prepping on the weekends, are they the same meal option? Do you mix & match that between other freezer options? Always looking for streamlining options!

Bee21

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #20 on: January 21, 2018, 11:36:42 PM »
New week, new menu

Monday-leftovers
Tuesday-enchilladas
Wednesday-pasta alla carbonara (the man will ve overjoyed that it is not bolognese)
Thursday- hot dogs
Friday- chicken+peas+rice
Saturday-souvlaki & cucumber salad+ pita
Sunday- turkey meatloaf

Does somebody have some kid friendly meal suggestions, which can be cooked in bulk and freeze well? They don't particularly like meat, will eat sausages though. Something w rice and pasta. I usually need 3 frozen meals a week for the kids for afterschool, they are kind enough to reheat it for them and they don't mind if a store a few boxes of food for them their freezer. This week they have lentils and rice plus mac n cheese.  I will probably make them a minestrone as well, they eat soups. I make them lasagna quite often, but I won't have the time this week. Am so bored w my own recipes so I would be grateful if you shared your kid feeding ideas 😣.

dragoncar

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #21 on: January 22, 2018, 03:14:23 AM »
You guys really have your stuff together

Hers my meal plan:

Monday: something
Tuesday: something else
Wednesday: leftovers of something
Thursday: forget to defrost meat, probably starve to death
Friday: beer
Saturday: wife wants to go out to eat on the busiest frickin day.  I’m retired why not Tuesday?
Sunday: we are still waiting for our table

kaypinkHH

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #22 on: January 22, 2018, 07:23:21 AM »
Saturday: wife wants to go out to eat on the busiest frickin day.  I’m retired why not Tuesday?
Sunday: we are still waiting for our table

Bahahahahaha. I love it.

Defrosting meat is the downfall to all meal plans!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #23 on: January 22, 2018, 07:50:02 AM »
@Bee21 - don't know how old your kids are, but when ours were younger & pickier (and, I still have one picky one at 10), we ate lots of pasta, with sauces/meat on the side. Plus, make your own tacos, quesadillas, naan pizzas, etc. They've always liked pasta & meatballs, tortellini, etc, so we default to that if they don't want what I'm making. At 10 & 11, if you don't want the meal I'm making, you can make something yourself (heat up leftovers, etc).

I also need to quickly plan ahead, as I'm out of town Sunday-Friday of next week, and need to make sure there are quick & easy freezer options for my husband & the kids.

Menu for the week (note: we cook bigger meals on weekends, and have leftovers during the work week):

All dinners are served with a salad
Monday - leftover chicken curry w/rice
Tuesday - leftover grilled chicken & potatoes
Wednesday - beef tacos (taco meat from freezer) + guacamole
Thursday - any remaining leftovers. Otherwise, spaghetti & meatballs (meatballs from freezer)
Friday - Chicken risotto
Saturday - haven't decided yet.
Sunday - I'm flying to Tokyo, so assume the kids & my husband will have pizza from the freezer

StarBright

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #24 on: January 22, 2018, 08:13:32 AM »
Kroger had discounted organic grass fed ground beef so I bought a pound and will stretch between a couple of meals.

Sat: Semi Vegetarian Sloppy Joes (some of the ground beef, augmented with diced button mushrooms and a little bit of quinoa), carrot sticks and fruit salad
Sun: Homemade chicken and noodles
Mon: Freezer enchiladas, salad
Tuesday: Zoodles with meatballs and sauce
Wed: Burgers, fries for the kids, and sauteed butternut squash noodles and a salad for grownups
Thursday - Seafood, salad, and leftover squash noodles
Friday: Pizza night!


K-12FI

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #25 on: January 22, 2018, 09:31:40 AM »
Don't have info for year thus far, but will start a list of our own! Will update at the end of month.

AmandaPanda

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #26 on: January 22, 2018, 10:44:36 AM »
Maybebaby, I usually make 3 options for the week, and at least one of those I know the kids like. Sometimes the third option is just pasta and sauce, but sometimes it’s fancier. When I make 3 options, that results in a few servings going in the freezer, which takes the pressure off if we go out of town and I can’t cook on the weekend.

I also recently made Mac and cheese in the instant pot, which is for sure in the regular rotation if we are out of food on a weeknight. I also have sitters now who are capable of starting a crockpot during the day, although I don’t exercise that option very frequently at all.

I make a lot of budget bytes recipes, and I usually stick with her serving sizes. This week I made her most recent meal prep, the blackeyed peas and greens with sweet potato cornbread. The other meal was a Mexican crockpot deal. And pasta and sauce as the third. None of us mind eating the same thing three or four times a week, so that makes it a lot easier.

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #27 on: January 22, 2018, 11:02:19 AM »
Maybebaby, I usually make 3 options for the week, and at least one of those I know the kids like. Sometimes the third option is just pasta and sauce, but sometimes it’s fancier. When I make 3 options, that results in a few servings going in the freezer, which takes the pressure off if we go out of town and I can’t cook on the weekend.

I also recently made Mac and cheese in the instant pot, which is for sure in the regular rotation if we are out of food on a weeknight. I also have sitters now who are capable of starting a crockpot during the day, although I don’t exercise that option very frequently at all.

I make a lot of budget bytes recipes, and I usually stick with her serving sizes. This week I made her most recent meal prep, the blackeyed peas and greens with sweet potato cornbread. The other meal was a Mexican crockpot deal. And pasta and sauce as the third. None of us mind eating the same thing three or four times a week, so that makes it a lot easier.

Sounds like we do a lot of the same things, although my family draws the line at the 4th serving/week. ;-) We typically are good to go until Thursday, and then everyone can pick & choose whatever is left in the fridge. I have backup freezer options should the food be gone by then. Sometimes happens with growing boys, as their activity level varies depending on sports practice, etc.

dividend

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #28 on: January 22, 2018, 02:37:21 PM »
My meal planning process goes like this :
Check the pantry/freezer inventory spreadsheets - lots of ham right now because we stocked up for the freezer post Christmas sales
Look over the recipes I've saved or notes I've made this past week.
Check my and DH's calendar for the week - we have plans after work Wednesday and Thursday, so reheating leftovers is ideal.
Figure out a meal plan, with the goal of needing to buy as few ingredients as possible - all that ham suggested ham & beans, and quiche, and there are lots of frozen chicken thighs too, perfect for trying a new one-pot chicken recipe.

SUN : Ham & Beans, homemade cheese bread - DH and I will eat that for work lunches as well
MON : DH's birthday dinner at his parents house
TUE : Ham and swiss quiche, salad with roasted beets and feta
WED : Pollo in Potacchio, noodles - New Recipe #5/52
R/F : leftover quiche or chicken
SAT : shrimp curry

I'm attempting to try 52 new recipes this year, and so far that's been really fun.

horsepoor

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #29 on: January 22, 2018, 09:37:58 PM »
Ive been doing a meal plan in Google docs each week this year so far.

This week

M jerk chicken thighs from freezer, big salad, roasted fingering potatoes
T lamb chops, beets, big salad
W ham and chard frittata w spaghetti squash
R lamb curry and roasted cauliflower
F Leftovers if any, or fried rice or tamales from freezer

Suzanne

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #30 on: January 22, 2018, 09:53:01 PM »
Share your meal plans for the week/month.

I find it a huge time and money saver, but sometimes I am a bit bored of my meal selection.

Here is my schedule for dinners.

MONDAY leftovers or sth from the freezer
TUESDAY pasta
WEDNESDAY chicken (today w mushrooms and broccoli)
THURSDAY sth w mince (lasagna, enchilladas, tacos, shep pie, burgers) - my bulk cooking, meal prep day
FRIDAY pizza or sth vegetarian
SATURDAY barbeque
SUNDAY roast

I live with a rabid meat eater and two picky kids (who don't eat much meat), so I sort of lost my cooking mojo.

BADASS people can also share their plans for lunches. 😆
Nice plan i want to follow your meal plan with minor changes.

Bee21

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #31 on: January 29, 2018, 02:45:31 AM »
So, what are you cooking and eating this week?

i sneaked in a vegetarian Monday and they didn't notice!

Monday- lentil tacos (looked like beef), mexi salad, tinned fruit and custard to compensate
Tuesday- pasta boscaiola plus soup for myself
Wednesday- grilled lamb fillet, hummus, flatbread, roasted carrots and greek salad
thursday- chicken in slow cooker (any suggestions for flavour? Thinking of spanish)
Friday-potstickers (kids requested it)
Saturday- dinner at friends
Sunday- whatever dead animal is on sale. Might end up with pulled pork.

horsepoor

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #32 on: January 29, 2018, 07:03:34 AM »
Here's this week's plan. 

M - Kalpudding, potatoes, carrots
T - Leftover chicken and salad
W - Leftover kalpudding
R - Lamb chops, lentils, chard
F - Sausage & mushroom polenta, broccoli
Weekend - Lamb shoulder


DCKatie09

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #33 on: January 29, 2018, 07:58:08 AM »
I love this thread! I usually post my menu plan in my journal, but it's super fun to see what other people are up to. Mine is usually Sun-Thurs, recognizing that Friday and Saturday I'm usually lazy and dealing with whatever is left in the fridge/freezer.

This week:
Sunday: broccoli rice casserole w/ from-scratch cream of mushroom soup (and leftover rice from ordering Chinese on Friday)
Monday: leftovers from last week's leftover surplus
Tuesday: sauteed cabbage and smoked turkey sausage, and mashed potatoes. probably also green beans.
Wednesday: sweet potato chickpea spinach curry (https://www.veganricha.com/2015/11/chickpea-sweet-potato-spinach-curry.html), probably with brown rice
Thursday: something from the freezer. Pizza, maybe?

AmandaPanda

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #34 on: January 29, 2018, 08:32:43 AM »
@Bee21 - don't know how old your kids are, but when ours were younger & pickier (and, I still have one picky one at 10), we ate lots of pasta, with sauces/meat on the side. Plus, make your own tacos, quesadillas, naan pizzas, etc. They've always liked pasta & meatballs, tortellini, etc, so we default to that if they don't want what I'm making. At 10 & 11, if you don't want the meal I'm making, you can make something yourself (heat up leftovers, etc).


Tell me more about whether your kids got over their pickiness?  Mine are 8 and 9, and they are still super picky about random things.  I don't even both only making things they like, because we would literally eat the same 6 meals.  That's where my 3rd kid-friendly option comes in every week. 

This weekend we were out of town, so I only made one thing: turkey vegetable soup with rice thrown in it.  I told my son he only had to eat the tiny bowls we have because he doesn't really like tomato based soups.  He is pairing his with a pb sandwich.  (No jelly, bc jelly is gross, unless he is eating a jelly sandwich???)  Later this week I have plans to make baked nachos. 

chaskavitch

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #35 on: January 29, 2018, 04:50:17 PM »
Oh, I'm excited for the ideas from this thread!  Also in for tips on picky eaters - we have a 20 month old, and right now he eats mostly berries, yogurt, crackers/goldfish, mac and cheese, and bananas.  Not the best.

Last week:
Sunday - baked cod with sage and pine nuts, and rice pilaf
Monday - Baked pork chops with onions, apples, and bacon
Tuesday - Baked steelback trout with salad (DH was on a fish kick)
Wednesday - nobody had dinner because we were sick and went to bed SUPER early
Thursday - Thai chicken meatball soup
Friday - leftover pulled pork with dilly beans and french fries
Saturday - homemade chicken pot pie

Unfortunately I don't have a plan yet this week.  That's my task for tonight!

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #36 on: February 03, 2018, 08:54:43 AM »
Here's what we're thinking for the week:

Saturday - taco bar with chips & guac
Sunday - beef kebabs with rice & yogurt sauce
Monday - spaghetti & meatballs
Tuesday - leftover tacos. Maybe make into taco salad or nachos
Wednesday - leftover kebabs with rice
Thursday - leftover spaghetti & meatballs
Friday - naan bread pizza (with any fridge leftovers)

I'm going with an easy option for tonight, as I'm still recovering from jet lag. And my husband will cook tomorrow

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #37 on: February 03, 2018, 08:57:31 AM »
@Bee21 - don't know how old your kids are, but when ours were younger & pickier (and, I still have one picky one at 10), we ate lots of pasta, with sauces/meat on the side. Plus, make your own tacos, quesadillas, naan pizzas, etc. They've always liked pasta & meatballs, tortellini, etc, so we default to that if they don't want what I'm making. At 10 & 11, if you don't want the meal I'm making, you can make something yourself (heat up leftovers, etc).


Tell me more about whether your kids got over their pickiness?  Mine are 8 and 9, and they are still super picky about random things.  I don't even both only making things they like, because we would literally eat the same 6 meals.  That's where my 3rd kid-friendly option comes in every week. 

This weekend we were out of town, so I only made one thing: turkey vegetable soup with rice thrown in it.  I told my son he only had to eat the tiny bowls we have because he doesn't really like tomato based soups.  He is pairing his with a pb sandwich.  (No jelly, bc jelly is gross, unless he is eating a jelly sandwich???)  Later this week I have plans to make baked nachos.

Youngest child (about to turn 11) is still really picky. He's expanded somewhat & will at least try most of the meal options. However, looking at the menu for the week, it incorporates his favorites. He definitely eats tacos, is okay with kebabs (loves rice) & really likes pasta with meatballs. However, prefers pasta/meatballs with minimal or no sauce. Also loves homemade naan pizza with just cheese & sauce. For protein, we will serve something on the side for him.

He has gotten over his resistance to even trying bites of new things, and will typically at least have a few bites. (Previously, he would make himself throw up if he had to try something, which . . . kind of ruined a meal. ;-)) He doesn't love a broad spectrum of food, but is much more flexible with trying new things.

horsepoor

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #38 on: February 03, 2018, 10:48:27 AM »
Last week was a good example of the need for flexibility in meal plans.  I made the kalpudding, which was essentially a huge meatloaf, thinking there would be leftovers for another dinner. DH pretty much demolished it the first night, leaving enough for one lunch serving.  Thursday night he went skiing, so I was on my own for dinner, and what I had planned wouldn't be great as leftovers (lamb chops), then mid-week, I scheduled a Friday afternoon appointment that kept me out until 8 pm, so I just ate a late lunch and then grabbed a snack on the road.  Still, we got to the end of the week without wasting any food, and I think the meal planning helped.

Here's this week's dinner plan:

M - Turkey black bean chili
T - Loaded baked potatoes, salad
W - Tamales, salad
R - Cauli-rice, tofu curry
F - Brats, carrots, cabbage

Hula Hoop

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #39 on: February 03, 2018, 11:25:32 AM »
Here is this week:

Tonight - pasta with tomato and pancetta sauce, artichokes

Tomorrow
lunch - cheese omelettes, bread, salad
dinner - chicken soup and bread -roman broccoli

Monday
lunch - chicken soup and bread, left over salad and rice
dinner - fish from the freezer, potatoes, roman broccoli  (mozzarella for kids as a starter)

Tuesday
lunch - either chicken and lentil soup, crackers and cheese, some kind of veg and fruit
pasta with gorgonzola, fennel and orange salad

Wednesday
lunch - lentil soup, crackers, cheese, fruit and veg
dinner - pasta with gorgonzola sauce, salad

Thursday
lunch - lentil soup, crackers etc.
dinner - meatballs from freezer, potatoes, broccoli

Friday
lunch - lentil soup or salad with tuna (depending if there is any soup left_
dinner - pasta with tuna, salad


« Last Edit: February 04, 2018, 01:50:41 PM by Hula Hoop »

Bee21

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #40 on: February 05, 2018, 01:35:35 PM »
This week
M Leftover roast pork etc
T pasta alla carbonara for the fam broccoli w cheese for me
W. Chicken/tofu stir fry
T Sweedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, broccoli
F Pizza (margherita 4 kids, salami 4 the man, mushrooms 4 myself)
S sausages n salad
S roast sth. Whatever is on sale.

I wanted to do a vegetarian february, but failed to plan well for the first week. I have 3 veg days instead. Might tweak that sausage dinner as well if i get good looking portobello mushrooms ☺

Neec to pick up tofu and mushrooms tomorrow

DCKatie09

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #41 on: February 05, 2018, 02:35:18 PM »
Planning was hard/didn't really happen this week, but seeing other people's lists makes me want lentil soup!

Last night made pasta w/ veggies and chicken sausage
Tonight is stirfry with a bunch of vegetables
Tomorrow is my husband feeding himself
Weds is ???? This is as far as I've gotten.

lexde

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #42 on: February 05, 2018, 02:40:41 PM »
I’m not totally back to weekly meal prepping but I’ve got the next few days sorted.

M: Korma Curry leftovers w Salad
T: Sautéed Sausage and Cabbage
W: Low Carb Chicken Salad
R: Leftovers
F: Pizza
Sa: Salad / Leftovers
Su: Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli

horsepoor

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #43 on: February 11, 2018, 08:59:49 AM »
Just sat down and did this week's game plan.  It was a little backwards because I shopped yesterday, and had to retro-fit the plan to what I purchased, but it looks like it's going to work nicely.  I've started color coding my weekdays on whether they are telework days or not, and put in my planned after-work activities and then juggle the meals around to mesh with the time I have available.

Monday - Roasted chicken, sauteed summer squash, salad
Tuesday - Salmon, asparagus, saffron rice
Wednesday - Sauteed Swiss chard, jerk chicken thighs, leftover rice
Thursday - Lamb chops, beets, Broccolini
Friday - Chicken Soup?
Weekend - Lamb shoulder

DCKatie09

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #44 on: February 11, 2018, 12:25:47 PM »
I once again have half a week, only sort of planned:
tonight: chicken enchiladas
tomorrow: cauliflower fried rice
Tuesday: something with leftover rotisserie chicken and asparagus. ???
Wednesday: 7pm commitment that doesn't feed me - something super quick from the freezer
Thursday: evening commitment that does feed me
Friday: will I even have any energy to cook? only time will tell.

kaypinkHH

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #45 on: February 11, 2018, 12:33:45 PM »
Finally actually joining in!

I'm doing things a bit differently. Mr.HH and I cook 3-4 meals and then have servings that we can eat through out the week. , This works for us so we can have flexibility in what we week, gives us lots of options, and all of the food can be eaten for lunch or supper.

This weekend due to free time, a new to me unpacked kitchen, and a lack of cooking the past 4 months, I did a MEGA COOKING! We have a baby on the way, and I'm trying to preemptively fill my freezer.

I made way more than we need, put a bunch of options in the fridge, and after a few days, whatever we don't eat will go into the freezer!

Cooked this weekend:
Vegetarian Chili and Cornbread muffins (12 servings)
Slowcooker Cashew Chicken with veggies and rice (7 servings, couldn't quite get it to 8)
Vegan Squash "Mac and Cheese" (which I de-veganed by adding bacon hehehe) - (7 servings)
Veggie Frittata (6 Servings)
Veggie Burritos (10 Servings)

Bacon egg and spinach Breakfast sandwiches (12 Servings)
Oatmeal and coconut breakfast bake (12 Servings)

Plus MIL brought us over a quiche, and we are going over there for supper tonight, plus on Friday night after mega groceries, we bought some premade cabbage rolls from the grocery store, and had that with leftover salad mix. (Also fed us Saturday for lunch)
This morning we didn't eat any of the above, but Mr.HH made waffles and hardboiled eggs.

1 weekend, 72 servings of food. (+8 bonus servings from others).

Not too bad!


Bee21

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #46 on: February 15, 2018, 01:07:13 AM »
That's impressive.
 
I have to plan some easy 20 min meals for next week as I won't have the time to cook in advance. Am thinking grilled chicken breast, pressure cooker risotto, baked salmon.

In other news, i bought a box of fish fingers as a timesaver (2.5), and it was quite ordinary. Kids said I should have made them myself, next time they will help.

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #47 on: February 19, 2018, 10:55:01 AM »
Here's our menu for the week. Multiple meals out is unusual for us:

Friday - ate out for son's birthday at bowling alley
Saturday -  chicken fiesta skillet + guacamole
Sunday - ate out on the way home from skiing. At least we have lunch leftovers
Monday - I'm making curried butternut squash soup (finally getting this out of the freezer) & goat cheese crostini
Tuesday - leftover chicken fiesta
Wednesday - leftover soup & homemade rolls
Thursday - any remaining leftovers. If there are none, I'll go with my default spaghetti & meatballs
Friday - maybe a chicken rice pilaf

nyxst

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #48 on: February 21, 2018, 09:42:20 AM »
This thread is so wonderful!  I will have to post my weekly meal plans also... so many good ideas in here!

Drole

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Re: Meal planning 2018
« Reply #49 on: February 21, 2018, 06:46:18 PM »
DH has been traveling and i'm trying a vegan thing, so i've had to make some changes. Bought a medium pkg of hamburger meat this week. Kid requested.

Tuesday: noodles + red sauce + meatballs for kids, roasted cauliflower and lentils for me
Wednesday: pepperoni pizza + raw veg, white beans for me
Thursday: burgers + avocado + tomato + lettuce, kale + white beans for me
Friday: stir fried rice with ground beef, sweet potatoes + TBD for me