Life is insanely busy with two two and under and I know it will get even more busy come February. Most of you who know me well know that I am not exactly the best menu planner… ok, to be honest, I really stink at it. Jim will tell you that for the first 3 years of marriage of meals repeated the following: steak, chicken, pasta, steak, chicken, pasta… it got really old fast and Jim put up with it well, but asked me to add something new. This was easier said than done. That is hard considering Jim hates casseroles, I hate fish and neither of us will touch mushrooms. Our choices were limited in what we desired. One day I was talking with my mom and we came up with an idea. So, one day, I set aside about 3 hours and sat down on the computer, opened up 6 blank documents and started planning. I made 6 different menus. Each week has one Italian, crock-pot (so lunch is ready when we get home from church), grilled, 2 ethnic groups that you have a hard time finding a restaurant for and one day let for something new/we haven’t tried in a long time meals. So, I spent 3 hours finding these recipes and adding them to our menus and then I just rotate those menus every 6 weeks. By the time we get back to the beginning that menu doesn’t sound bad at all. Then it is nice because half of the grocery list is done! Then I just plan side dishes according to what is on sale with the fruits, pasta salads/bread and veggies. Like for example, one night we are suppose to have homemade chicken tenders. Well, I just cut a few potatoes and spray cooking spray on them and put them in the oven with the chicken and we homemade french fries. Or we have a stir fry and we enjoy manderin oranges for dessert or I get those frozen egg rolls (ok, Jim bought the egg rolls! they were ok.). Planning different side dishes isn’t as difficult for me since the main course guides the rest. Here are two examples:
Week 6
Friday
Ravioli
Saturday
Sandwiches
leftovers/pizza/out
Sunday
pork roast
chicken tenders
Monday
Chicken enchiladas
Tuesday
something new
Wednesday
chicken curry w/rice
Thursday
Caribbean lime chicken
Week 1
Friday
Penne Alla Fresco
Saturday
Sandwiches
leftovers/pizza/out
Sunday
Bev’s Italian Chicken
bratwurts
Monday
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Tuesday
something new
Wednesday
Steak
Thursday
Stir Fry
I start them on Fridays based upon which days I go grocery shopping.