Meal Planning

I think I’m officially “nesting” because our fridge, freezer, and pantry are all stuffed full of delicious foods and I still have a mile-long list of recipes I want to try!

Plus, I’ve been getting a bunch of great recipe submissions from readers, and all of them sound simply divine… so stay tuned for many more simple, delicious recipes coming in the next few months!

I also finished ALL my canning for the season this past weekend… and this was one thing I REALLY wanted to finish before the baby arrived.

{simple chicken fajitas from the freezer}

We have a jam-packed schedule this week and our quick, simple dinner menu definitely reflects that… but I figure I’m allowed an easy week since I am 8 1/2 months pregnant

If you don’t currently have a method for meal planning, feel free to follow our weekly menu {below}, and make sure to check out some of my free meal planning resources at the bottom of this post!

Menu Plan Monday {10/31/11}

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DINNERS:

Monday – Chicken lasagna, salad, cheesy garlic toast

Tuesday — Chicken fajitas from the freezer {I’ll be gone ALL day and need something quick}

Wednesday – We’re going to my sister’s volleyball game and having a potluck afterward

Thursday — Smoked sausage and fried potatoes {not the healthiest meal, but we LOVE it!}

Friday — Omelettes, pancakes, and fruit

Saturday – Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Sunday — Roasted chicken, rice, and steamed vegetables

DESSERTS:

Ice cream

Any of the sweet snack options below

SNACKS: 

Granola Bars 

Candy Corn/Peanut Mix — my favorite fall treat!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mufins

Rice Chex Bars

Chips and pretzels

Jell-O and Pudding

Crackers and cheese

Popcorn

Organic Fruit Leather

Fresh and dried fruit

Popsicles

More Meal Planning Resources:

• Brows some of my weekly menu plans from past weeks

• Check out my entire Recipe Box for lots of simple, delicious meal ideas

• Print any of my FREE meal-planning printables to make it that much easier!

• See how I  plan our meals each week

• See how I plan our weekly shopping trips

• Check out all my posts about meal planning

What are you eating this week? Any new recipes?

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Here are a bunch of my meal plans from past weeks.

And make sure to visit the Simple Organized Living Recipe Box for lots more simple, delicious, family friendly, budget conscious recipe ideas!

6 comments →

I talk a lot about  meal planning here at Simple Organized Living, mainly because I know first-hand how much it helps ME to simplify and organize our weekly dinner time routine and plan my weekly shopping trips.

I also know how much money {and calories} it saves us since we rarely ever give-in to fast food, takeout, junk food, or expensive restaurants.

If you don’t currently have a method for meal planning, feel free to follow our weekly menu {below}, and make sure to check out some of my free meal planning resources at the bottom of this post!

{candy corn, chicken soup, and cheesy garlic bread — some of my favorite fall foods!}

Menu Plan Monday {10/17/11}

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DINNERS:

Monday – Wet Burritos {w/ salad, rice, chips, and salsa}

Tuesday – Chicken and Rice Soup – perfect for the cold weather that’s forecasted this week

Wednesday – Egg, Ham, and Cheese Sandwiches {w/ fresh fruit, yogurt, and granola}

Thursday – Sweet and Sour Pork {w/ mashed potatoes, green beans, and fresh rolls }

We had this on our menu plan last week, but switched things up a bit due to a change in schedule… so since I already have all the ingredients in the house, it’s back on our list this week.

Friday – Lasagna Roll Ups {w/ garlic bread and salad}

Saturday – Family Baby Shower and even Dave is going… which means I don’t have to cook!

Sunday – Dinner at Dave’s parent’s house

DESSERTS:

Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

Chocolate Brownies

Ice cream

Any of the sweet snack options below

SNACKS: 

Granola Bars { I made a double batch with dried cherries, chocolate chips, and almonds}

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Twix Bars {I’m trying a new recipe}

Candy Corn/Peanut Mix — my favorite fall treat!

Chips and pretzels

Crackers and cheese

Popcorn

Organic Fruit Leather

Fresh and dried fruit

Popsicles

More Meal Planning Resources:

• Brows some of my weekly menu plans from past weeks

• Check out my entire Recipe Box for lots of simple, delicious meal ideas

• Print any of my FREE meal-planning printables to make it that much easier!

• See how I  plan our meals each week

• See how I plan our weekly shopping trips

• Check out all my posts about meal planning

What are you eating this week? Any new recipes?

.

Here are a bunch of my meal plans from past weeks.

And make sure to visit the Simple Organized Living Recipe Box for lots more simple, delicious, family friendly, budget conscious recipe ideas!

1 comment →

I talk a lot about  meal planning here at Simple Organized Living, mainly because I know first-hand how much it helps ME to simplify and organize our weekly dinner time routine and plan my weekly shopping trips.

I also know how much money {and calories} it saves us since we rarely ever give-in to fast food, takeout, junk food, or expensive restaurants.

If you don’t currently have a method for meal planning, feel free to follow our weekly menu {below}, and make sure to check out some of my free meal planning resources at the bottom of this post!

{stuffed French toast – Wednesday’s dinner}

Menu Plan Monday {10/10/11}

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DINNERS:

Monday – Crunchy Taco Casserole {w/ chips, salsa, and salad}

Tuesday – Chili {w/ baked potatoes and beer bread}

I’m making a double batch so we’ll have plenty for the freezer. And it is the BEST chili recipe I’ve ever come up with… so I’ll most definitely be sharing it with you in the coming weeks! 

Wednesday – Stuffed French Toast {w/ fresh fruit and eggs}

Thursday – Chicken Parmesan {w/ pasta, green beans, and garlic bread}

I use this recipe and then put each piece of chicken on top of a bed of pasta, then top with my simple pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Friday – Leftovers

Saturday – Enchiladas – from the freezer

Sunday – Sweet and Sour Pork {w/ scalloped potatoes, steamed veggies, fruit, and rolls}

DESSERTS:

Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream Puffs

Ice cream

Any of the sweet snack options below

SNACKS: 

Rice Chex Bars

Granola Bars { I made a double batch with dried cherries, chocolate chips, and almonds}

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chips and pretzels

Crackers and cheese

Popcorn

Organic Fruit Leather

Fruit

Popsicle – my new craving lately!

More Meal Planning Resources:

• Brows some of my weekly menu plans from past weeks

• Check out my entire Recipe Box for lots of simple, delicious meal ideas

• Print any of my FREE meal-planning printables to make it that much easier!

• See how I  plan our meals each week

• See how I plan our weekly shopping trips

• Check out all my posts about meal planning

What are you eating this week? Any new recipes?

.

Here are a bunch of my meal plans from past weeks.

And make sure to visit the Simple Organized Living Recipe Box for lots more simple, delicious, family friendly, budget conscious recipe ideas!

6 comments →

I talk a lot about  meal planning here at Simple Organized Living, mainly because I know first-hand how much it helps ME to simplify and organize our weekly dinner time routine and plan my weekly shopping trips.

I also know how much money {and calories} it saves us since we rarely ever give-in to fast food, takeout, junk food, or expensive restaurants.

So the hour or two I spend on Sunday afternoons planning our meals, clipping coupons, and making my shopping list is well worth the effort!

And ever since I shared our new method of meal planning, I’ve gotten quite a few emails asking if I would share our actual meal plan for the week with links to any recipes I have here on my site.

So while I can’t guarantee I’ll post our menus every single week, here is what we’re eating this week.

{taco pie —  Monday night’s meal}

Menu Plan Monday {10/3/11}

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DINNERS:

This week is a little crazy because we have 2 dinners at our church, so I’ve deviated a bit from our “normal” week-night themes. 

Monday – Taco Pie {w/ salad, tortilla chips, and salsa}

Tuesday – Grilled Chicken {w/ potato wedges and steamed veggies}

Wednesday – Blueberry Pancakes {w/ eggs and fruit salad}

Thursday – Fundraising pasta dinner at church

Friday – Stromboli {w/ salad, fresh fruit, and raw veggies}

Saturday – Chicken and Rice Soup {w/ salad and fresh bread}

Sunday – pastor appreciation potluck dinner at church — I’m making a jello salad and pizza casserole

It’s also worth noting that at almost every single meal we have a jar of homemade applesauce and either a jar of canned peaches or pears sitting out on the table. Many of you might thinks that’s weird, but I just wanted to point that out in case you think we don’t eat any fruit!

DESSERTS:

Raspberry Shortcake

Pear Crisp {using this recipe for peach crisp}

Ice cream

Any of the sweet snack options below

I canned pears over the weekend and am picking raspberries and making raspberry jam today so that’s where our dessert choices come from.

SNACKS: {our snack shelf is SO full right now!}

Rice Chex Bars

Monster Cookies

Granola Bars

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Cinnamon Bread

Chips and pretzels

Crackers and cheese

Popcorn

Fruit

So that’s what we’re eating this week — nothing fancy, but it’s a good variety of foods that are all relatively simple to prepare!

More Meal Planning Resources:

• Check out my entire Recipe Box for lots of simple, delicious meal ideas

• Print off some of my FREE meal-planning printables to make it that much easier!

• See how I plan our plan our meals each week

• Check out all my posts about meal planning

What are you eating this week?

.

Here are a bunch of my meal plans from past weeks.

And make sure to visit the Simple Organized Living Recipe Box for lots more simple, delicious, family friendly, budget conscious recipe ideas!

3 comments →

The fall months are some of the busiest months for our family — and I suspect for many other families as well. With the start-up of another school year, more evening commitments, shorter days, and the upcoming holiday season; it’s easy to put meal planning on the back burner {pun intended!}

However, these busy months are some of the most important months to create and utilize a meal plan… because it will save you so much time and stress!

I recently blogged about our new method of meal planning, and it is still going great. It’s saving me lots of time each week, and our week-night dinners have been a breeze!

So if you are struggling to get back into your meal-planning routine, head on over to the Plan to Eat blog to read my tips to simplify your meal planning routine!

Then, get a jump start on meal planning for the week ahead!

How do you simplify your meal planning routine?

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Comment →

UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed.

Congrats to Melissa macpaquette@… I will email you today to get your information!

I’ve been talking about meal planning a lot lately — and for good reason. The back-to-school and fall months are some of the busiest months in our house. Plus, with my crazy schedule, the addition of two new international students and a baby on the way, it is absolutely essential that I have our meals planned out ahead of time to resist impulse fast food and frozen pizza meals every night of the week!

Our new meal planning method is working wonderfully and has really helped me to simplify the entire process. Another important tool I’ve been using is a new meal planning service – Oh!Dinner. 

Oh!Dinner was started by two young moms who were also looking to simplify and organize their homes, their lives, their kitchens, and their meal planning. They somehow managed to “do it all” and get food on the table every night — and now they have a great meal-planning website and blog and can help you to “do it all” too!  

How it Works:

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Oh!Dinner is one of the simplest meal planning systems I’ve ever seen {which is why I’m so happy to share it with you today!} Just follow this quick, 3-step process…

1. Log into your account and browse through their list of weekly recipes.

2. Choose the meals you want to eat by checking the box on the right.

3. Once you’ve chosen your meals, simply print/email the grocery list and recipes.

This is what it looks like once I log into my account — I just click on “Meal Plan” to create that weeks menu.

There are always 10 different recipe options to choose from so you can pick the ones your family will like best. And once you choose your recipes, you can print them off with just a click of your mouse. You can also print off a shopping list or email it to yourself {or your phone!}

 Sounds simple enough… doesn’t it!

The Giveaway:

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One lucky Simple Organized Living reader will win a FULL year Oh!Dinner meal planning membership!

Enter to Win:

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Simply leave a comment with your best meal planning advice… OR with the thing that frustrates you the most about meal planning.

You may have ONE extra entry by posting the following message on YOUR Facebook wall: {and let me know that you did}

Enter to win a full year Oh!Dinner meal-planning membership over at Simple Organized Living: http://ht.ly/6wWJ9

Sign Up:

:

Learn more about how Oh!Dinner works or sign up today and get two weeks FREE!

This contest is open until Wenesday, September 21, 2011, at 10:00 pm EST. ONE winner will be selected at random and announced later that week. Please read my full disclosure policy and contact me with any questions you might have. I received a complimentary membership for review, however all opinions are my own!

75 comments →

Ever since we started eating dinner together with our two International students, I’ve been much more aware, not only about WHAT I serve for dinner, but also HOW I serve dinner.

I’ve been using a great meal planning method for the last several weeks, but I was still going back and forth about the best way to serve the meals.

When it was just Dave and me, I would usually  just scoop the food right out of the pans and onto our plates, and then bring the plates directly to the table. So we really never had any dishes, pots, or pans on the table — and I liked that.

However, now that we have more mouths to feed, I’ve been trying out a few different options to see which method works the best.

Buffet Style:

We have a kitchen island that is a really convenient place to put all the food; so the first few nights I set everything up on the island and we all walked around with our plates and took what we wanted. This worked well, except that the girls wouldn’t take food if they didn’t know what it was {and they didn’t know what most of it was!}

Family Style:

Next I tried family style where we just put everything on the table and let people pick and choose. That didn’t seem to work as well since our table is long and skinny so it was hard for those on the end to reach the food. Also, since the table is so skinny, there isn’t a ton of extra room for all the pots and pans.

Plated Style:

Ultimately, after two weeks of trying different methods, I went back to the plated style. Partially because it’s what Dave and I have been doing for the last 5 years, and partially because it forces the girls to try a  little bit of everything I made — and so far they’ve like everything except tomato soup.

A few other reason I prefer the plated style of serving dinner:

• The table stays much cleaner and it feels a lot more open

• Everyone is forced to try SOME of everything I made

• I don’t have to get any serving dishes dirty {the food goes right from the pans to the plates}

• The leftovers stay night a hot for those who want seconds.

However, I know there are a bunch of different ways to serve dinner… so I’d love to know:

How do YOU serve dinner?

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14 comments →