Ahhh, still on strike . . .

Kind of.

This week my goal is to use as much in my freezer and pantry as possible!

No menu plans for now.

So I've been on a meal planing strike.

I am tired of eating my meals by myself, resulting from picky kids or Chris working late and not being hungry when he comes home. Why waste all that time in the kitchen and money for ingredients?

Maybe in another month. We'll see.

Menu Plan 8/11- 8/17

Our birthday girl

Ok, so last week was a complete bust. Family dinners switched up my plans, but no worries- it just makes this week easier to plan!

Monday:
Grilled Sandwiches
fresh fruit

Tuesday:
Cheeseburger pasta

Wednesday:
Lasagna
bread sticks
broccoli

Thursday:
Pork Chops Normandy
green salad
rolls

Friday:
Hot chicken subs
chips n dip
raw veggies

Saturday:
Beef broccoli stir fry

Sunday:
Monterey Pie
fresh fruit
smoothies

Menu Plan 8/3 - 8/10

Our Girls.

Interesting week going on here! Lots of excitement and activities headed our way!

Monday:
BBQ chicken ( hot dogs for the kids)
baked fries
fruit salad

Tuesday:
Walsh Family dinner @ Chris' parents
( We are bringing dessert- brownie sundaes!)

Wednesday:
keilbasa w/ peppers & onion

Thursday:
Pork Ribs
onion rings
corn on the cob

Friday:
Lasagne (from last week)
breadsticks
green beans

Saturday: Paige' birthday!
Whatever Paige wants for dinner . . .

Sunday:
Breakfast for dinner!
Waffles
Bacon
OJ

Menu Plan 7/28- 8/2

Once again, my planning continues. I actually did pretty well following my menu last week- the only day that I didn't follow it was on Sunday when Chris surprised me by preparing chicken in his new smoker. (But hey, chicken was on the menu anyway!) This week I'm not using any real recipes- just what I have on hand. Hope it works.

Monday:
Smoked chicken wraps
herbed corn

Tuesday:
Hot & Spicy chicken club sandwiches
chips & salsa
fresh veggies

Wednesday:
Stroganoff
green salad
broccoli

Thursday:
Lasagne
breadsticks
green beans

Friday:
pork ribs
home made onion rings
corn on the cob

Saturday:
Chicken fajitas
spanish rice

Sunday:
shrimp stir fry

baked items: pumpkin muffins

Menu Plan 7/21 - 7/17

This is Paige and her cousin Megan. How cute is that? It has nothing to do with menus. but I thought it was fun.

Last week I only made three of the 7 meals. We just got busy, spent some time visiting with family, and just enjoying the summer sunshine. We'll see how this week goes! I have noticed the same handful of meals that seem to get pushed back from week to week . . . I think my goal next week is to try some new recipes, since I am obviously bored with some of the ones we have now.

Monday
Creamy Chicken Pasta
steamed broccoli

Tuesday
Herb tilapia
seasoned corn
dinner rolls

Wednesday
ham and cheese hoagies
chips n dip
fresh veggies

Thursday
grilled pork chops
corn on the cob
fresh fruit

Friday
cheeseburgers
french fries
fruit salad
nutty milk shakes

Saturday
Taco salad/ quesadillas (for the kids)

Sunday
BBQ rubbed chicken
home made mac & cheese
fresh veggies

baked goods: more banana bread!

Menu Plan 7/14 - 7/20

This weekend I didn't actually follow my menu plan. We have had way too much fun playing outside and enjoying the late day sunshine with new neighbor friends. That means less time in the kitchen. Let's try this again :)

Monday 7/14
left overs

Tuesday 7/15
Chicken in Lime butter
garlic zuchini
fresh fruit

Wednesday 7/16
shrimp stir fry

Thursday 7/17
creamy chicken pasta
broccoli

Friday 7/18
Pork Chops Normandy
seasoned potatoes

Saturday 7/19
Herb Fish Fillets
garden salad
bread sticks

Sunday 7/10
burgers and/or brats
fruit salad
chips & dip
nutty milkshakes

Baked items: banana bread, lamingtons

grocery items I need: chebe mix, lime & lemon juice, chives. tamari sauce, apple cider, salad, brats, vanilla ice cream, bananas, chips, grapes, mushrooms, hot dog buns

Menu Plan 7/11- 7/14

We are settling into our new home, and now that the kitchen is unpacked and functional, it is time to get back to meal planning. I am tired of staring into the pantry at 5 pm and wondering what I can make with what I have on hand. So here's the plan for this weekend . . .

Friday 7/11
Cook out for Chris' work

Saturday 7/12
Homemade pizza
sliced apples

Sunday 7/13
Shrimp Stir Fry
white rice

Monday 7/14
Creamy Chicken pasta
garlic bread sticks
broccoli

Baked Goods: Pumpkin muffins, peanut butter cookies

Menu Plan 6/16 - 6/22

Goodbye Pennsylvania!
Menu plans will be back in another two weeks or so :)

Monday:
chicken stir fry

Tuesday:
Anything we can find in our pantry

Wednesday:
Family dinner downtown

Thursday:
Pizza dinner compliments of our realtor

Friday:
Dinner in Baltimore

Saturday:
Dinner in SLC

Sunday:
Dinner with my sister Kelly and her family in UT

Menu Plan 6/9 - 6/15

We are moving next week, which means it's time to eat what we can from our pantry. That may make for some interesting meals next week. This week- no recipes or grocery list.

Monday:
turkey & cheese sandwiches
chips
carrots & dill dip
watermelon slices
nutty banana milkshakes

Tuesday:
chicken chili spirols
breadsticks
steamed broccoli

Wednesday:
Marinated steak
sour cream mashed potatoes
garlic brussel sprouts

Thursday:
chicken quesadillas
seasoned corn
salsa rice

Friday:
spaghetti w/ homemade meat sauce
mixed vegggies

Saturday:
chicken stir fry

Sunday:
breakfast for dinner!
waffles with fruit and cream
spicy sausage
fruit smoothies

Menu Plan 6/2 - 6/8

Summer friendly fare ahead!

Monday:
Leftovers

Tuesday:
hot dogs/brats w/ onions and peppers
mac n cheese
apple slices

Wednesday:
Monterey Sausage Pie (08/76)
fresh fruit

Thursday:
Prosciutto Provolone Panini
fruit smoothies (08/56)

Friday:
Pepper Steak
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
green beans

Saturday:
Chicken Sandwiches (08/121)
Baked fries
grapes

Sunday:
Homemade Pizza
breadsticks
baby carrots & dill dip

Snack: Nutty banana shakes ( o8/104)

Menu Plan 5/26 - 6/1

It finally feels like summer! Too bad the humidity has made a return as well. :(

Once again- the recipes are in my head . . .

Monday:
Holiday cookout with friends

Tuesday:
Shrimp Stir-Fry

Wednesday:
Fettuccine Alfredo
green beans

Thursday:
Beef Tostadas
Spanish Rice
fresh fruit

Friday:
Herbed Chicken
corn
breadsticks

Saturday:
Chicken Burritos
fruit salad

Sunday:
Deli Sandwiches
Chips n Dip
watermelon

Baked goods: applesauce bread

Shopping List:
produce: watermelon, strawberries, blueberries
boxed/bottled: salsa, alfredo sauce, chebe breadsticks
dairy: mexican cheese blend, cheddar cheese
frozen: shrimp,

Menu Plan 5/19- 5/25

Ahhh, a little behind this week, but here is what is on tap, most recipes are "in my head":

Monday: Homemade chicken tenders parmesan noodles broccoli apple slices

Tuesday: Cheese Quesadillas fruit slices

Wednesday: Chicken Chili Fettuccine ( new recipe!) steamed veggies dinner rolls

Thursday: Stir- Fry w/ steamed rice

Friday: Taco Salad chips and salsa

Saturday: Dinner with friends

Sunday: Cheeseburgers baked fries fruit salad

Menu Plan- 5/12 - 5/18

I'm back and ready to get cookin'. One of my goals over the next few weeks is to use as much food storage as I can before we move. Food storage is heavy, and since we want to travel light, shipping food just doesn't make sense.

Here's our Menu for this week:

Monday 5/12:
Mexican enchilada lasagne w/ sour cream and salsa

Tuesday:
Leftovers

Wednesday:
Baked chicken
steamed corn
buttered noodles

Thursday:
Lemon pepper tilapia
herbed green beans
dinner rolls

Friday:
Taco Salad
Chips n salsa
fruit salad

Saturday:
Chicken tenders
steamed broccoli
apple slices

Sunday:
crepes w/ fruit

Shopping is done! :)

Vacation

This past week was a total flop in terms of meal planning. It was so nice we stayed outside as long as possible each day and grabbed what was quick for dinner. Perfect spring weather doesn't last very long and we just had to soak it up.

Ahh, no scheduled meals for the next two weeks thanks to out upcoming trip . . . I'll see what we can come up with in Ut so we don't get sick of eating out!

Menu Plan 4/14-4/20

Oh my I am late on everything this week! It is already Tuesday and I am already behind. I even tried to go grocery shopping yesterday and failed miserably. It is hard to shop when you don't know what to buy!

Here is what is on tap the rest of the week:

Tuesday 4/15:
Creamy chicken pasta
steamed broccoli

Wednesday 4/16:
Paige's choice! TBD


Thursday 4/17:
Chicken in Lime Butter
herbed carrots
dinner rolls

Friday 4/18:
Homemade pizza
green salad

Saturday 4/19:
PICNIC!
Sub sandwiches
fruit salad & fresh veggies
chips and dip
brownies

Sunday 4/10:
Pork Chops Normandy
Baked potatoes
Salad

Menu Plan 4/7 to 4/12

This week is girls choice! With Chris gone, it will just be us ladies dining together. The girls had so much fun cooking last week, we are going to continue it this week as well.








Monday:
Paige's choice TBA

Tuesday:
Stuffed peppers ( from last week)
gluten free garlic breadsticks

Wednesday:
Grilled brats
carrots and celery plate
chips n dip

Thursday:
Ashley's choice TBA

Friday:
Chicken in lime butter
asparagus
dinner rolls

Saturday:
Shrimp Stir-fry
fortune cookies

Baked Goods: cinnamon oatmeal cookies

Grocery Needs:
dairy: onion dip, butter,
produce: asparagus, apples
dry goods: chebe breadstick mix, bisquick, fortune cookies, chips, GF flour
(Thanks to my shopping trip late last week, I don't need much)

Menu Plan 3/31 - 4/5

Kids choice this week!

Now that the girls and I are back on the road to recovery ( Chris is still hanging in there), and with one "normal" week of meals under our belt, we are starting back with our kids choice options. Every Monday night Paige gets to choose the dinner, and on Thursday nights Ashley gets to choose.

Not only do they choose the entrees, but they also prep the meal, set the table and help clean up. So far they love it and look forward to doing to again this week. Sometimes their selections are a bit weird or humorous, but I try to go with the flow. This week Ashley has opted to make and plan dinner on Tuesday, April Fools Day. She says she can't wait to "trick" us. Should I be worried?

Any yummy recipes I come up with, I will post and link to my family blog.

Monday ( Paige's cooking day):
chocolate chip pancakes
turkey bacon
watermelon
white grape peach juice

Tuesday( Ashley's cooking day):
A "mixed up dinner" to be revealed at a later date

Wednesday:
Jambalaya w/ chicken
greens & spinach salad w/ homemade croutons

Thursday:
Shrimp cabobs
garlic noodles
steamed broccoli

Friday:
Stuffed peppers (click for recipe)
cheesy biscuits

Saturday:
No cooking! We are going to a wedding where dinner will be served

Baked goods: chocolate chip cookies, applesauce bread( click for recipe),

Items I need to buy:
produce: watermelon, green peppers, red pepper, lettuce, corn
dry goods: organic rice, gluten free salad dressing, GF flour
Meat/Dairy: shrimp, ground beef, cheddar cheese

Menu Plan 3/24- 3/29

I am excited for this week- it shows the promise of an actual, normal week with spring peeking around the corner. I almost forgot what that feels like! This week will feature some family favorites as well as some new dishes.

Monday 3/24:
Dinner at Wegmans cafe w/ the fam thanks to a 6:30 house showing

Tuesday 3/25:
Crunchy Tacos w/ lettuce, tomatoes & avocado
spanish rice

Wednesday 3/26:
Creamy Chicken Pasta
garlic onion bread sticks
spinach salad
steamed broccoli

Thursday 3/27:
Pepper Steak
sour cream mashed potatoes
green beans

Friday 3/28:
Tender Chicken w/ tomato and mushroom
hot cooked rice
chive & garlic corn

Saturday 3/29:
Grilled Panini
chips & salsa
fruit salad

Baked Goods: banana bread

Groceries I need:
produce: avocado, spinach, mushroom, apple, banana
dry goods: taco shells, tortilla chips, penne, salsa, tuscan bread
refrig/frozen: heavy cream, parmesan, butter

Menu Plan 3/17-3/23

This week is a short week! We are headed to VA on Thursday for Easter, so I won't have an Easter menu planned.. It will be a busy week, but here it is:

Monday: Green fettuccine Alfredo- Happy St. Patty's day!
Steamed broccoli, garden salad, garlic bread sticks

Tuesday: Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken
herbed oven potatoes, corn on the cob

Wednesday: Chicken rice soup, french bread

Thursday: Boxed dinners for the ride to Richmond!
Ham and cheese subs, fruit salad, sun chips, chocolate chip cookies

Friday- Sunday- Virginia!

Baked goods: apple cinnamon muffins, chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients needed:
produce: lettuce, cucumber, tomato, corn on the cob, banana, grapes
breads/chips: chebe breadstick mix, sandwich rolls, sun chips
Misc.: chocolate chips,

Getting Organized

On my family blog, I have a feature called the Dish of the Week- a yummy recipe I want to share with friends and family, and more often than not, it is gluten free. In an effort to get more organized and prepare healthier and tastier meals, I wanted to start a blog featuring my weekly meal menus and favorite weekly recipes. I am excited to have a simple resource for myself- and maybe others- to have an answer when my family asks " Hey, what's for dinner?" I also think it would be great to have a few months of recipes recorded to ensure I don't get into a rut of making the same handful of dishes week after week. My girls are super picky, and if I don't offer a variety of dishes, I noticed their pickiness gets even worse. Not a good thing.

I have also found in the past I waste less food when my menu plan is organized. Our fresh produce and meat is eaten at it's peak, instead of ending up in the trash. There is nothing worse than cleaning out my fridge and realizing I never even opened the overwrap of a head of lettuce, or realizing my peppers are too soft to eat. I hate wasting resources and money.

It will also chronicle my efforts to blend a gluten free and gluten consuming kitchen. At this point I still won't make my family eat everything gluten free. They love Papa Johns pizza too much!

So stay tuned, we'll see what's cooking for the next week.