Time for my second two-week meal plan. I am posting one week at a time, but I decided in the New Year that I would try planning and shopping for two weeks at a time. Hopefully, I will save both time and money this way.
So far, I think it is working. Definitely saving time by not having to drive 25 minutes each week to do my shopping. And, I think I am saving money – but that will take a few months to really determine. I am buying so much stuff for the two weeks that I think I am more hesitant to buy anything not on the list!
The other new thing for me with this week’s plan is that I am going to make a serious effort to cut wheat and dairy out of my diet for a time to see if it clears up the really dry, red patches on my nursing baby’s cheeks. My theory at this time (after trying every lotion under the sun!) is that it could be an allergy/sensitivity or teething. Let the experiment begin . . . What do you think?
So, here is my plan for the first of the two weeks:
BREAKFAST:
I am SO TIRED of all of my kids being SO TIRED of the things we normally have for breakfast. This week I am just going to have a list of things they can choose from and let them choose from the list each morning. We’ll see if this is even more irritating than their burnout on the usual :). Oh, and one morning I do plan to make Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes (yum!).
- eggs
- apples and peanut butter
- smoothie (strawberry oatmeal, date night, fruit and veggie)
- yogurt
- granola
- oatmeal
LUNCH:
Black bean and corn salsa w/fresh tomatoes, corn chips
Lettuce Wraps, egg salad, veggies
Baked Potatoes, cheese (none for me, of course :(), broccoli, fruit
Crock Pot Spaghetti, veggies
Lentil Stew, veggies
Leftovers x 2
DINNER:
Vietnamese Fried Rice, fruit
Beef and Cabbage Soup, fruit
Taco Soup, corn chips, cheese (again – not for me), fruit
Honey Pecan Salmon, sweet potatoes, green beans
White Bean Chili, peas, fruit
Roasted Potatoes, Sausage and Green Beans, fruit
Leftovers
SNACKS:
- Gluten Free Banana Nut Muffins
- Dried fruit
- Fresh fruit
- Cheese
- Nuts
I have previously cooked black beans in my freezer already, so I will just need to make a big crock pot full of pinto beans this week. I also plan to make homemade chicken stock and beef stock – to use and to freeze.
What do you have planned for the week?
Related articles
- Tasty and Easy, Wheat-free (and meat-free if you prefer) Lunches (blessedrootsblog.wordpress.com)
- Menu Planning – The Theme System (blessedrootsblog.wordpress.com)
- This Week’s Meal Plan (blessedrootsblog.wordpress.com)
- This Week’s Meal Plan and a New Shopping Strategy (blessedrootsblog.wordpress.com)
My kids got really tired of the same old lunch rotation this past week, too! So, Leah made waffles one day, Anna made molasses muffins another day, and then I tried a new apple baked oatmeal that I pinned that was great! It was fun to try some new things, so hopefully the enthusiasm will continue!
Boy, do I look forward to those days!! Ah, pinterest. Really like pinterest.
Do you ever have Sophia or Jack make meals? Leah started a few years ago when she was about 6, although she needed guidance/supervision. Now I can almost leave her alone in the kitchen and she makes muffins all by herself. She does make a mess, but I have her clean up most of it. When she makes dinner, I usually just have her do one dish and the salad and I do the other dish. We have to make sure to start earlier in the day because she can get lost in Jonathan Park CD’s and take a really looooong time to make dinner! Maybe Anna the Assistant could supervise! 🙂
This is one of those areas that I just can’t figure out how to get a handle on!!!! I have been very inconsistent about teaching any of the kids in the kitchen. The little ones love to put on their aprons and help, but the bigs are usually not as interested. Which means I need to require it, which makes it not as pleasant. But, I am reading Large Family Logistics, and I think I am going to try and go with her “kitchen helper for the day” plan. I have tried that in the past, but I think I will try again . . .
Do you think that book would be helpful for a family of 6, or is it just for large families?
Well, we are only a family of 7, so by comparison to Kim’s (the author’s) family – we are probably small :). I think it would be of value to moms with any size family who are feeling like they don’t have a good handle on managing their home for a variety of reasons. The reason it is nice specifically for large families, is that she doesn’t ignore the unique challenges of managing laundry, schooling, errand running, etc. when you have many bodies and lots of little ones in your family. I am definitely finding it useful!