Meal Plan Monday - Feb. 4

I didn't write a meal plan last week for the first time in a REALLY long time.  We just kind of winged it, which usually doesn't work that well for us, BUT as we were in the last week of our Pantry Challenge, it turned out OK.  I have been in the mindset of use what we have now since Jan. 1st, so I just went to the refrigerator, freezer and pantry and used what we had on hand.  While it wasn't the most exciting week of dinners we have ever had (lots of sandwiches), everyone was fed and no one complained.  As our Pantry Challenge has now come to a close, we are looking forward to some great, new meals.

Saturday - Cajun Roasted Pork Loin, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Roasted Green Beans
Sunday - Shrimp with Remoulade, Crab Cakes, Sweet Potato Fries, l/o Roasted Green Beans, Rice Krispy Treats, Soft Brown Sugar Cookies
Monday - Too many things going on tonight -- picking up Zaxby's
Tuesday - Lasagna Soup
Wednesday - Leftovers - Lasagna Soup or Pork Tenderloin and Mashed Potatoes or Zaxbys Chicken Fingers
Thursday - All-American Fritatta (with l/o italian sausage from Tuesday), Fruit Salad
Friday - Subway Sandwiches - Nanny's treat

As you can see, I'm sticking true to the lessons of the pantry challenge -- using what we have.  In the past I would have let 2 pieces of Italian Sausage languish away in the back of the refrigerator until it was too scary to eat.  Instead, it will become a second meal by throwing it into a fritatta.  Same for the pork.  My family is not into leftovers so much, but if I can turn them into something different it a whole 'nother story.

For more menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie. 

Meal Plan Monday - January 21st

Week 4 of the Pantry Challenge.  I'm working through the depths of my freezer this week.  Each year in July I do a HUGE freezer cooking session before we all head back to school.  By January, there are bits and pieces of that session that need to be eaten.  This week my menu focuses on those items.  I have several different marinated chicken breasts, a Mediterranean Whole Chicken, a Pizza Pasta Casserole, beer chili, mac and cheese and broccoli casserole.   I also have buffalo chicken, plain shredded chicken and a bag of hashbrowns. 


Sunday - Wings and Dip while watching the FALCONS!
Monday - Mediterranean Chicken, Mashed Potatoes,  Green Beans
Tuesday - Beer Chili, Mac and Cheese, Veggies and Ranch
Wednesday - Sandwich and Salad Bar
Thursday - Buffalo Chicken Casserole, Salad, Fruit
Friday - Mom, Dad, Patrick and Tommy for dinner ?????? Chocolate Chocolate Kiss Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting
Saturday - Supper Club - I'm taking a side dish--- still not sure what.

For more menu ideas visit I'm An Organized Junkie. 

Meal Planning and A Pantry Challenge

Conducting a successful Pantry Challenge is impossible without meal planning.  If you don't plan to use what you have, you will end up at the grocery store or the drive thru or at a restaurant, blowing your small January grocery budget.  I try to meal plan all the time, but during a Pantry Challenge it is a necessity.

I start out by checking the refrigerator for things that need to be eaten quickly.  Today I found bacon, proscuitto, lettuce, celery, green onion, pesto, smoked sausage, and bagels.  I also checked the freezer and we have an abundance of brats, italian sausage and mac and cheese.  In the pantry I had black eyed peas, plenty of canned tomatoes, hot dog buns and a 1/2 bag of potatoes.  These items will make up the bones of my meal plan. 

Sunday -Black Eyed Pea Jambalaya, Salad
     used - celery, green onion, smoked sausage, proscuitto, black eyed peas and lettuce
Monday - Grilled Brats, Peas and Mashed Potatoes
     used - brats and potatoes
Tuesday - Tomato Basil Pasta with Italian Sausage, Salad (recipe coming this week)
     used pesto, italian sausage, lettuce, canned tomatoes
Wednesday - Salad and Sandwich Bar
     used lettuce, bagels
Thursday - Teriyaki Chicken, Rice, Salad, Fruit
     used the last of the lettuce
Friday - Subway - Nanny's treat
Saturday - meeting a college friend for dinner

I didn't use the mac and cheese or bacon, so those will start off the list for next week's menu.

Next week I will be featuring a different pantry recipe each day.  Stop by for recipes for

Monday - Mexican Rice
Tuesday - Veggie Quesadillas
Wednesday - Tomato Basil Pasta with Italian Sausage
Thursday - Fried Rice
Friday - Links to many pantry recipes

Linking up to Good Cheap Eats' Pantry Challenge. 

Meal Plan Monday - January 13

Still going strong with our Pantry Challenge.  There are many benefits of doing a pantry challenge,  but this week, the biggest was not spending money at the grocery store.  I had some extra cash to do a little clothes shopping from the sales racks.  I have some great new spring outfits (like a $278 Ellen Tracy dress for $12.00!) to begin building my spring wardrobe. 

Next will I will be featuring a different pantry recipe each day.  Stop by and check them out. 

Sunday - Black-Eyed Pea Jambalaya 
Monday - Brats, Mashed Potatoes, Peas
Tuesday - Tomato Basil Pasta with Italian Sausage, Salad
Wednesday - Sandwich and Salad Bar
Thursday - Teriyaki Chicken, Rice, Salad, Fruit
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat
Saturday - Out with Friends

For more menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie. 

Meal Plan Monday - January 7th

This is the second week of the Pantry Challenge.  Last week was all about using up leftovers from the holidays, this week I'm focusing on things getting close to their expiration date, like that 1/2 gallon of milk that expires on Tuesday, potatoes left from New Years, chopped ham and a Spinach Rice Bake that's been in the freezer awhile. 

Sunday - Ham and Potato Soup, Cupcakes
Monday -National Championship Game - Football Food!
Football Dip, Queso and Chips, Fruit and Cheese Tray, Pimento Cheese and Crackers
Tuesday - Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs, Spinach Parmesan Rice Bake, Salad
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Taquitos, Layered Salad
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat
Saturday - Black Eyed Pea Jambalaya, Salad, Sugar Cookie Bars

For more menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie. 

Meal Plan Monday - Jan 1st

I have cooked and cooked and cooked this holiday season.  In addition to my Christmas baking I hosted Christmas Eve dinner for 15, Christmas Day dinner for 8, a New Year's Eve Party for 35 and New Year's Day Dinner for 11.  Whew... I'm tired.  The rest of the week we are cleaning out the refrigerator and eating up all the leftovers.  Next week we will be eating from the pantry. 

Saturday - Chili, Hot Dogs, Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
Sunday - Beef and Chicken Enchiladas, Yellow Rice, Chips and Salsa
Monday - New Year's Party - lots and lots of appetizers
Tuesday - New Year's Day Dinner - Rosemary Pork Loin, Scalloped Potatoes, Collard Greens, Hoppin' John, Cornbread and Cake with Raspberry Filling
Wednesday - Leftover Chili, Hot Dogs, Nachos, Enchiladas
Thursday - Pork Loin, Scalloped Potatoes, Asparagus
Friday -  Finish off leftovers or Breakfast for Dinner
Saturday - Dinner with friends

Linking up to I'm An Organized Junkie

Meal Plan Monday - December 17th

This is a crazier than normal week.  It is the last week of school before the holidays, everyone has midterm exams, we are scheduling extra tutoring sessions, and we have 3 doctors appointments (WHAT was I thinking).  Add all that to our regular Girl Scout meetings, agility training and gymnastics PLUS 3 holiday parties (I'm hosting one) and my parents coming to town and you have really CRAZY!  I don't have any real hopes of sticking to this meal plan, but we are going to give it a whirl!  I've stuck to my TNT quick meals, so maybe....

Sunday - Hosting Holiday Wine Tasting -- DH and kids going to see the Hobbit
Monday - Meatball Subs
Tuesday - Chef Salads
Wednesday - Crockpot Baked Potatoes
Thursday -  Leftovers or pick up on the way home from
Friday - Neighborhood Christmas Party
Saturday - DH's High School Buddies Christmas Party

Linking up to Meal Plan Monday at I'm An Organized Junkie

Meal Plan Monday - Dec 10

It's time to meal plan for the week again.  Our schedule is so full of holiday activities it is so nice to have a freezer full of items to pull out for quick meals.

Monday - Chicken Cordon Bleu, Broccoli Casserole, Fruit
Tuesday - Baked Chicken Parmesan, Salad
Wednesday - Tomato Soup (using canned tomatoes) and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Thursday - Going to see A Christmas Carol at the high school where I teach
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat
Saturday - Leftovers for the kids - Cookie Exchange for me
Sunday -  I'm hosting a Holiday Wine Tasting - menu to follow with recipes

I'm also doing some holiday baking this week -- be on the lookout soon for posts including
Shortbread Bites
Spritz Cookies
Bourbon Balls
Chocolate Coverd Cherry Cookies
Coconut Cranberry Citrus Cookies
Pistachio Wedding Cookies
Lemon Pomegranate Cookies

I love to give cookie trays to friends, neighbors and co-workers each year.  Here's a look at last year's Christmas Cookie Trays with recipes. 

For more menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie

Meal Plan Monday - December 3

Last week's menu kind of went off the rails, here's hoping for a better week.  We did finally try the Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs.  It was OK, the texture of the spaghetti was off just a bit for us.  I think I'll try it again and make a couple of adjustments. 

Sunday - Italian Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Lima Beans, Brownies
Monday - Grilled Chicken Salads
Tuesday - Cheesy Mexican Rice
Wednesday - Leftovers, wraps or salads
Thursday - Something new and exciting!
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat
Saturday -  Neighborhood Supper Club -- YUM!  I'm taking roasted Red, White and Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary

For more menu ideas visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - November 26

Last week's favorite was Baked Garlic Shrimp.  It was so good, we didn't even notice it was a Weight Watchers recipe.  It is certainly going in the tried and true recipe binder.

I always like to make my post Thanksgiving week menu easy and a bit lighter to combat all the work and calories of the week before.

Sunday - Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Monday - Crockpot Spagahetti and Meatballs, Salad (we didn't make this last week)
Tuesday  - Catalina Chicken, Couscous, Fruit
Wednesday - Catalina Chicken Wraps, Fruit
Thursday -  Cheesy Mexican Rice, Salad
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat
Saturday - Some type of soup and crusty bread

For more menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie. 

Meal Plan Monday - November 18

Gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday is always anticipated at our house.  We are out of school the entire week, which means we get to have some fun and get ready for the holiday too.  We also get to spend a bit more time in the kitchen, whipping up some wonderful special dinners.

Our hands down favorite meal from last week was Grillled Greek Chicken.  I served it with Parmesan couscous and a greek inspired salad - mixed greens, feta cheese, kalamata olives, diced cumcumbers and an oil and vinegar dressing.  Wish I'd have time to take a picture of someone's plate before it was all gone.  It was beautiful. 

We didn't care as much for the Cheesy Spinach Pasta.  It has potential, but needs some tweeking.  However it was much better the next day for lunch.

Sunday - Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad
Monday-  Baked Garlic Shrimp, Rice, Asparagus
Tuesday - Teriyaki Chicken, Fried Rice and Salad
Wednesday- take out - -kids choice
Thursday - Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings
Friday - Leftovers after shopping
Saturday - winging it, based on leftovers and what we feel like eating
Sunday  -  homemade pizza maybe?

Since we are home all week for the Thanksgiving holiday, I have included some breakfast items --

Breakfast Casserole (WW) - if we like this, I'll make one for the freezer too.
Waffles

For more menu ideas visit I'm an Organized Junkie. 

Meal Plan Monday - November 12

Our healthier eating journey is getting easier.  We tried some new recipes last week and they were great. One of our favorites was Baked Chicken Parmesan.  It was just as good, if not better than my ful-fat version.  I highly recommend trying it out. 

Saturday - Grilled Steaks, Roasted Garlic Risotto, Salad
Sunday - Tilapia Parmesan, Risotto Cakes, Roasted Asparagus, Apple Pear Crisp
Monday - Grilled Greek Chicken, Couscous, Salad
Tuesday - Spinach Cheesy Pasta Casserole, Salad
Wednesday - Tacos, Mexican Layered Salad
Thursday - Lacrosse Banquet
Friday - Subway -- Nanny's Treat!
Saturday - Madonna Concert!!!!!

For more great menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - October 29

This week has been a real eye opener for us healthwise.  Both my husband and I have had some not so great news this week about our health, one of which included a pre-diabetes diagnosis.  In light of that, I have been taking a real hard look at what we have been eating.  As of this week, more fruits and vegetables will be included in our meal plans.  I have been scouring the internet for more healthy recipes.  Check out my growing Healthy Eating Pinterest board.

Sunday - Cajun Chicken Pasta on the Lighter Side, Fruit, Key Lime Pie
Monday - Crockpot Enchilada Soup, Light Cornbread, Fruit
Tuesday - Grilled Bourbon Chicken, Lighter Hashbrown Casserole, Salad
Wednesday - Grilled Chicken Salads
Thursday - Leftovers and Salad
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat

For more great menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - October 22nd

I didn't have a meal plan last week and it was a disaster.  We ate out more than usual and when we did eat at home, it wasn't a true meal, just something thrown together.  This week we are back on the meal plan wagon.

Monday - Texas Style Enchilada Casserole, Salad, Apple Crisp
Tuesday - Crockpot Beer Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Pear Muffins
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Pasta with Tomato Pesto and Italian Sausage Sauce, Toasted Garlic Bread, Salad
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat
Saturday - Grilled Bourbon Chicken, Spinach Parmesan Rice, Soft Sugar Cookies

For more great menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - October 8th

 Another week, another menu.  Well, it's really not much of a menu this week.  I'll be gone Monday night presenting at a conference and then the kids and I will be spending the weekend with family.  That makes it easy for me.  So, here's our very amended menu.

 

Sunday- Crab Cakes with Red Pepper Aioli, Parmesan Risotto, Asparagus, Apple Cake with Vanilla Caramel Sauce

Monday - Daddy's in charge!

Tuesday - Ham and Potato Soup and Rolls

Wednesday - Leftovers or Sandwiches

Thursday - with family

Friday - with family

Saturday - with family

 

 

Hope you'll visit my 31 Day of Fall posts . 

  

For more great menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - October 1

I'm participing in 31 Day of Blogging in October.  I'm writing about 31 Days of Fall.  Hope you will stop by.

Sunday - Buffalo Wings and Shrimp after a trip to the apple orchard
Monday - Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs with Tomato Pesto Sauce, Asparagus and Paremsan Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday - Sesame Chicken, Fried Rice, Fruit
Wednesday -
Thursday - Fish Sandwiches, Chips and Fruit
Friday - Subway - Nanny's treat
Saturday - Chicken Enchiladas, Corn Pepper and Jack Risotto

For more great recipe ideas, stop by I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - September 24

Happy Birthday to my sweet BooBoo today. Can't believe she is 9 years old!

Last week's menu was a mixture of old favorites and a couple of new ones.  Our favorite new recipe was Mexican Rice.  I subbed a can of Rotel for the tomato sauce and green chilis and I added a small can of corn and some taco seasoned beef.  Everyone cleaned their bowl.  I added the recipe to my menu rotation.  It is a great pantry meal that can be whipped up in about 40 minutes with very little attention.

Sunday - Chicken Fingers, Mac and Cheese, Salad, Rice Krispy Treats
Monday - Manicotti, Salad, Garlic Bread, Birthday Cookie Cake for Boo Boo
Tuesday - Chicken Finger Salads
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Caprese Chicken, green beans, fruit
Friday - Subway - Nanny's treat
Saturday - some thing new!!!

For more great menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - September 17th

I tried two new recipes last week and both were a big hit.  I made Chicken Taquitos for the first time as part of my summer freezer cooking session in July.  We cooked the first ones Tuesday night.  I served them with Avocado Ranch Dressing for dipping and they were wonderful.  I am adding these to my freezer cookbook and we will be having them often.

The second success was the Thanksgiving Casserole.  I used leftover Roasted Lemon Rosemary Garlic Chicken from Sunday, so I used rosemary instead of sage in the stuffing layer.  It was good and I had enough leftovers for 2 lunches. 

On the menus this week -

Sunday -  Grilled Hamburgers, Baked Potato Casserole, Peas
Monday -  Chicken Pot Pie, Creamed Corn
Tuesday - My Favorite Mexican Rice adding corn and black beans, Layered Salad
Wednesday - Hot Ham and Cheese Croissants, Fruit
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat

For more menu ideas visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - September 10

Sunday - Roasted Lemon Rosemary Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Cookies
Monday -  Pizza Pasta Casserole, Salad
Tuesday - Chicken Taquitos with Avocado Ranch Sauce, Salad
Wednesday - Thanksgiving Casserole (using left over chicken), Peas
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday -  Out for Mexican for my dad's birthday, Apple Cake with Vanilla Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Saturday - Supper Club - I'm taking appetizers

For more great meun ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Meal Plan Monday - Sept. 3rd

It was a busy, long, wonderful weekend.  We spend lots of time with family and friends, hosted lots of parties and enjoyed some great food.  I'm exhausted!  Our menu plan this week will be simple.

Sunday - Fish Fry - Fried Grouper and Shrimp, Hush Puppies, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Pound Cake
Monday - Fish Sandwiches (with left over fried grouper), Roasted Red Potatoes, Pound Cake
Tuesday - Zaxby's Chicken Fingers and Fries after High School Honors Night
Wednesday - Meatball Subs, chips, veggies and ranch, cantalope
Thursday - Ham Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Biscuits
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat

For more great menu ideas visit I'm An Organized Junkie