Meal Plan Monday #1

Meal Plan Monday...Although I'm not sure I'm in the same league as Organizing Junkie, I do try to do a meal plan each week. I feel like it keeps me on track with my personal goals for my family if I plan ahead. It's much easier to avoid spending money going out to eat, when you know you have meals planned and the groceries bought right in your refrigerator/freezer/pantry. I sit down on Thursdays and take a look at our family activities for the week ahead, what's in the pantry and freezer, and make a meal plan and grocery list for the following week. Often, I try to do two weeks at a time. The fewer trips to the grocery store, the less impulse money I spend. Here's my meal plan for the coming week:

Monday: St. Patrick's Day

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Boiled New Potatoes w/parsley

Cooked carrots

Irish Soda Bread/Rye Bread

Tuesday: Leftover Mexican

Beef and Chicken Tacos

Cilantro-Lime Rice

Refried Beans/Black Beans

Wednesday:

Salmon Patties/Chicken Nuggets

Whole Wheat Buttered noodles

Creamed Peas

Buttermilk Wheat Rolls

Thursday:

Leftover Chili w/ Spaghetti, cheese

Friday:

Homemade Pizzas

Saturday: French Toast Casserole for Easter Bunny brunch at church, then off to my parents for the weekend.

Often, these meals will get tweaked during the week, depending on the state of leftovers, what we feel like having, real life curve balls, etc. But, it gives me a starting point, a plan. I can take it from there, it gives me the tools I need to be more successful in avoiding impulse eating out. Also, I can't stand to go to the grocery store without a list. I'm there forever, and I buy way too much! Whatever you do today, Happy Monday.

Wish my DH healthy vibes. He called me to come pick him up at 8:00 this morning with a horrible headache that's made him spend the morning vomiting and moaning. He's never been this bad before. Hopefully he'll feel better soon.