Sunday, January 3, 2010

Menu Plan Monday

One "resolution" I seem to have every year is to get organized. I must have missed that gift when they were passing it out. :) I like things organized but I usually just don't know where to start. So - this year I am starting with menu planning. I've "heard" in my research that menu planning saves time in the kitchen, encourages healthier eating, saves money on groceries, limits waste of food, eliminates my 4 PM "Oh shoot - what am I going to make for dinner I have nothing thawed!" stress out and just helps me organize one more aspect of my life.  Baby steps!

I found Laura over at I'm an Organizing Junkie who must have received my organization gift. One of the great things she does is post her family menu every Monday - usually with links to get the recipes! Not only does she post her menus but she puts up a Mr. Linky where other organized people put up their menus!  Last week there were over 250 I believe. 250 times 7 recipes equals 1750 ideas - each week!!! How great is that! So feel free to head on over and take a look. I may not post each week but so far have the next three weeks planned out. Boy - did it make shopping a lot easier. I bought the food we needed, nothing extra, and was able to plan the menu around the deals and sales!

So here is my menu for the week - with recipes for some of the items. Go check out Laura!




Monday - Chicken Parmesan Bundles
Tuesday - Easy Pleasing Meatloaf
Wednesday - Awana (As the secretary I go early with the girls so we eat dinner there - usually something light or sandwiches.
Thursday -  Tortilla Pie
Friday - Citrus Salmon with Orange Relish
Saturday - Lunch - leftovers  Supper - Grilled Cheese/Salad
Sunday - Lunch - pot roast w/ veggies and potatos Supper - pizza

I have to be honest ... Three of these recipes are new. The chicken parmesan, the tortilla pie, and the citrus salmon we have not had before but I get in such ruts of cooking that I need some new recipes. I hope they turn out well...I'll let you know! :) My goal for the new year is to try 4 new recipes a month - at least. With planning ahead menus it is easier to do because you have everything you need and it's ready to go.

Have a great week!

6 comments:

Amanda said...

This is a great idea and I SHOULD be running over there to check it out... but I am tired! And I cant think that far in advance! And some other excuses I cant think of right now. :)

Be blessed!
Amanda

Colleen said...

I'm trying the menu-planning blog hop for the first time too--here's wishing us luck!!

Unknown said...

I have been menu planning for a few months and it works for me. I can truly say it has helped me in the kitchen and my grocery shopping. I just need to start looking at my menu the night before because sometimes I forget to take out what needs to be thawed...lol Blessings!

Ren said...

Hi Janis :) Your Citrus Salmon w/ orange relish has my mouth watering already! My family loves fish but I don't really know many ways to prepare it, so I will definitely be trying out this recipe.

Missie said...

I have tried this with meals for years and I do good the first week and then I blow it! LOL I wish you luck!

Lori said...

Baby steps is the way to go. I love FlyLady and got back into her last year and am so much more organized now. Menu planning really does help out a lot, even in my family where everyone's schedules are sometimes so out of whack.