Drinking a Blueberry Ginger Smoothie while I finished planning my menu for this week.
Breakfasts
Energizing Smoothie
Cereal/Milk
Waffles, scrambled eggs, fruit
Steel Cut Oats with raw sugar and milk
Blueberry Ginger Smoothie
Scrambled Eggs and Fruit
Mango LassiLunches
Leftovers x 3
Peanut Butter & Jelly, Carrot sticks
Tuna Salad, broccoli
Mac & Cheese, peas
Cheese Quesadillas, fruitSnacks
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Popcorn
Fruit/Veggies
Frozen Banana/Chocolate Almond Milk SmoothiesDinners
Barbecued Meatballs, mashed potatoes, frozen veggies, fruit salad
Wild Rice and Chicken, frozen veggies, fruit
Steak on the grill, Sliced Baked Potatoes (recipe coming soon!), frozen veggies
Fettuccine Alfredo, Marinated Chicken, steam broccoli, fruit salad
Orange Chicken with rice, frozen veggies, fruit
Dinner out
Dinner with extended familyFreezer-Cooking-In-An-Hour Plan (I’ll share pictures/details on how this goes on Thursday!)
Whole-Wheat Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Dough
Marinated Chicken Breasts
Waffles
What’s cooking at your house this week? Share your menu plan link or a great recipe you’re making in the comments!
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{ 67 comments }
Yummy. Can you share the recipe for the whole wheat choc. chip cookie dough?
Yes, it’s coming on Thursday.
I’ve substituted whole wheat flour before in the Nestle chocolate chip cookie recipe found on the back on the chip package. Usually, I do half white, half wheat. They were still awesome, and my kids couldn’t tell a difference either way! But still, it calls for 1 cup of butter so…maybe that’s why they’re good no matter what kind of flour you use!
Here is my favorite whole grain chocolate chip cookie dough recipe. I’ve been working on it for a few years and my husband absolutely loves it! Which was the standard for making the recipe – he was kind of a chocolate chip cookie dough snob, so I had to make sure that it met his taste standards. http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/03/whats-in-your-skillet.html You can make one big cookie or lots of little ones or just eat the dough – it is so good! We actually have some in our fridge right now.
I love your hour freezer cooking plans. I tried an all day one only once and it wore me out so badly by the time I did dishes. I felt exhausted and horrible the whole rest of the day and even the next day didn’t feel well. Now I’ve been just making 6-8 dozen meatballs at a time or 6x batch of muffins or other very big batches of just a few things. I have read many things about once a month cooking but I really don’t think I can handle it. Plus, I do enjoy cooking so I don’t mind doing it more than once a month.
Ditto. I did it once and I’ll probably try it again. I made a lasagna, some mashed potatoes, and some muffins. I about passed out I was so tired. The dish washing is what made it tough for me. However, it was so nice to have those things on hand when I was having a bad day. Maybe I’ll try it again soon!
I’m experimenting with the one hour a week plan as it seems a much better fit for our family right now.
i love the idea of the one hour a week plan…. i think I’m going to try that next week!
I told my husband that next time we do our once a month meat stockup that he can grill up all the chicken breasts while I brown the hamburger meat….then we can cut up the chicken and get all the meat into meal sized portions and into the freezer. That way the only time we’d have to cook up meat for the whole month is if we were doing burgers!!
I MAY tackle a once-weekly-hour or once-monthly-day of feeding the freezer, but truthfully…just having pre-cooked meat in the freezer makes it SOO much easier to get a meal ready fast!!
I didn’t see your bbq meatball recipe in your recipes. Will you share it also?
Thank you!
Here is our menu for the week. A few highlights? Southwestern Egg Rolls, Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce, and yummy homemade Caesar Salad!
http://savemoneylivejoyfully.blogspot.com/2011/05/menu-for-week-may-9-14.html
When Do find time to Menu Plan… ?? I am single and always on the run…
I usually do it on Saturdays or Sundays.
Penny, I’m not a single mom, but I do have 3 young children and a husband who works as a pastor and another job…so sometimes I feel like a single mom! Anyway, I menu plan in my head during the week, and then simply write it down on Saturday or Sunday night. Menu planning can be easier than a lot of people think.
Menu planning for me actually takes LESS time, on top of being cheaper and healthier. I use high value coupons and/or good deals I remember seeing when I plan, but I don’t go nuts about matching these things to my menus.
Fewer runs to the store throughout the week, fewer fast food runs, more cooking once-eating twice (like we cook all the chicken for Monday and Wednesday’s meals on Monday. Same amount of time on Monday, huge time saver on Wednesday.). Plus we tend to try new things, eat more veggies and spend a lot less when I meal plan.
And I always plan a leftover day, and one other day is a repurposing of something else (grilled chicken leftovers become BBQ chicken pizza, for example). So it’s really only planning for 4 or 5 days a week.
You can’t post a picture of that smoothie without the recipe!!
I’ve got it on the schedule to post later in the month. It was yummy!
Is that a Neat straw or what??
Gotta love straws from the Dollar Store.
They brighten our smoothies!
What kind of steak do you get? My husband would love to eat more steak, but it’s always so expensive! Any thoughts?
I can find top sirloin for less than chicken breasts when it’s on sale! In the right marinade, it grills up great!
I got a big bundle of beef a few months back through an online deal. Otherwise, I just get it when it’s reduced.
We get our beef by the 1/4 cow from a local farmer – it’s about 200 lbs (from hamburger to roasts to steaks) for ~ $450 and is a great way to stock up on healthier meat for less money. Steak is also on our menu this week and that reminds me that I need to pull it out of the freezer! We’re also eating more from the crockpot this month because T-ball is a crazy, busy season. You can see my menu plan here:
http://simplifylivelove.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-menu-part-2.html
Would also love to see your smoothie recipe, Crystal. We love smoothies…
I love calzones, they are a quick and easy dinner, they can be customized for each person and with the right ingredients they can be a balanced meal with all food groups covered. Keeping frozen bread dough on hand in the freezer makes it even easier!
http://everydaynutrition-thelast5pounds.blogspot.com/2011/04/fun-with-food-calzones.html
Here is our menu for the week:
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/05/06/fun-friday-menu-5611/
Please do share the smoothie recipe. After a few months in transition we will be moving to our new permanent home on Saturday and I will finally be able to use my blender to make smoothies again. We’ve really missed it.
banana chocolate almond smoothie recipe, pleeeeeeease!!!
This is basically what I’m planning to do:
http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/09/chocolate-peanut-butter-banana-smoothie.html
But I’ll just substitute almond milk for the chocolate milk since that’s what I have on hand.
What about the blueberry ginger smoothie recipe? Can you share that? Great meal plans! Thank you!!
Yes, I promise I’ll post it sometime in the next few weeks. It was delicious!
Thanks so much! I’ll be patient!
I’m abbreviating my name because I don’t want the news to slip out yet, but this pregnant and VERY morning sick momma is very excited to see the ginger and blueberry smoothie recipe, sounds like it might be the perfect thing to settle my tummy!
Ginger? Was it spicy?
Is the freezer cooking in an hour thing something new your doing?
Yes.
I’m experimenting with it and bringing you all along for the ride. 
I made a great Ham and Hashbrown Casserole for my maternity leave! It was just like Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole, but with Ham! It was so yummy! Just an idea for your freezer!
I would LOVE that recipe. I am addicted to the Cracker Barrel version but cannot afford to eat there that often
I posted on my blog…click on my name and it will take you to my blog.
My farmers’ market opens this weekend, and I planned my menu around that:
http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2011/05/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-hit-the-spring-farmers-market/
Here’s our menu plan for this week:
http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2011/05/menu-plan-58.html
I did a freezer cooking “hour” (or so) on Saturday – I think I like the short batches!
http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2011/05/freezer-cooking-day.html
I love menu planning and freezer cooking! It does take work but as a busy working mom I have found it to be WELL WORTH my time. It is has also been the two key strategies to my 35+ weight loss..woohoo! I just started this week listing out the daily calories to my menu plan (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) It took a lot of time but I think it will be helpful for myself and anyone else. Here is the link. http://www.skinnymomskitchen.com/2011/05/09/weekly-family-friendly-weight-loss-menu-plan/
Does a smoothie fill up all your family members for breakfast?
It depends. Sometimes they’ll have cereal, too. I usually just have a smoothie.
I wondered that too, but with small children I assumed it probably did. I asked my teen boys if they would drink smoothies for breakfast and they just looked at me funny. Oh, well, maybe I’ll try one for me sometime.
Wendy, that’s so funny. My teen boys think 2 huge sandwiches with all the fixings is a “snack.”
I experimented today and came up with a fabulous Strawberry Mango Pineapple Sorbet. Your smoothie photo is tempting too!
http://spotmyeye.blogspot.com/2011/05/strawberry-mango-pineapple-sorbet.html
I love steel cut oats for breakfast! It’s awesome with blueberries and walnuts! A great time saver, though, is that you can soak them overnight and then you only have to cook them the next morning for 5 minutes.
The night before I take 1 cup steel cut oats, 1 cup water, and 1 T. buttermilk (or whey, yoghurt, or kefir) and combine in a bowl, and let set on the counter 12-24 hours. The next morning, I boil 2 cups milk and a 1/2 t. salt…when the milk is boiling, I add the oats and cook for 5 minutes. Then I add maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla to taste. And of course top it with blueberries and walnuts…it is divine!
Plus, soaking the oats helps to break down phytates in grains which prevents proper digestion of the nutrients. More here on that can be found here http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/09/soaked-oatmeal-breakfast.html. So it makes for a very healthy, and very delicious breakfast!
The recipe she links to here is mine – and it does call for soaking the oats overnight. It’s very similar to what you mentioned, only we use water rather than milk.
We use whole oats (oat groats), soak them overnight, then cook them until they are very soft and almost creamy. We add a drizzle of maple syrup, raisins, nuts… whatever is on hand. My oldest loves blueberries as well
Sometimes we add homemade almond paste; have you tried that? http://likeabubblingbrook.com/2010/03/making-almond-paste-for-your-morning/
Not only is it healthy and delicious, but inexpensive, too!
Hi Jamie,
I’ve never thought of almond paste…that’s a good idea! I’ll have to print out your receipe and try it it…sounds like it would be a wonderful addition to the oatmeal. Thanks for sharing!
Just ate a lovely meal of Venison Fajitas and posted our meal plan for the week (and beginning of next week). http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/05/this-weeks-meal-plan-59-517.html
Crystal, you are killin’ us with that picture! And it doesn’t help that we actually have a blueberry farm here in FL and I could make that smoothie right now if I had the recipe! (no pressure)
Can’t wait to see it!!
thanks for sharing your life with us!
Here is what’s on the menu at our house this week. I tried a new recipe today, Taco soup. It was easy & awesome. Definitely a keeper.
http://www.thecouponengineer.com/2011/05/menu-plan-monday.html
Thanks for posting your menu:)
I love the meal ideas but I especially loved the picture of the crazy straw in your smoothie!!! Made me smile! I read somewhere recently people answering what they do when they feel down. One person mentioned she blows bubbles. Well, I recently bought myself and our teenage daughter some and you know what, they make me smile every time!! I am 50 years old and you can find me blowing bubbles off our back deck at odd times! As I am getting older I am trying to grab the random and fun in life more. I think I will start using crazy straws also!! Would make a great gift idea for a girl friend…bubbles and crazy straws!
I am learning more and more how important it is to include happy, fun and enjoyable things in my life. Laughing and smiling is such a healthy thing!
Your photo reminds me that I should put berries on my shopping list. We love smoothies!
My menu and activity plan is here:
http://roots-of-simplicity.blogspot.com/2011/05/menu-and-activity-plan-59-514-reality.html
Looks like I’m not the one crazy about your Blueberry Ginger Smoothie:-) I tried your orange smoothie receipe, that is sooo good!!
I really like your menu plan, looks so healthy and variety!
I don’t plan out our menu a week ahead, but I always use Stockpile Items and my Crockpot to keep the costs of meals down.
Last nights meal was Apricot Pork that even my daughter who doesn’t like pork asked for seconds off. It’s easy, delicious and frugal.
http://www.thecouponhigh.net/2011/05/crockpot-tuesdayapricot-pork-revisited/
Here’s our menu plan this week. I’m trying to cook with shrimp on the grill more-I love it, but I make it harder than it needs to be! I had a batch cooking day on Saturday morning-took me about 2 hours, but I tried about 3 new recipes, and once I get started, it’s hard for me to stop
. I’m excited to hear about the hour freezer cooking.
http://myfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/2011/05/menu-plan-week-of-may-8.html
I can’t wait to see how the “1 hre freezer cooking challenge” goes.
I haven’t really tried the freezer cooking except with meatballs and muffins. I am always worried that it won’t taste as good once it’s been frozen and thawed. Do you find that they still taste good? if so, what are some the recipes that you found still tasted really good even after being frozen and thawed? I would like to try the freezer cooking next week and need some recipe ideas.
Meanwhile, here is my menu plan for the week
http://isavvymom.blogspot.com/2011/05/menu-plan-week-of-may-9th.html
Check out the Freezer Cooking section of my site for lots of great ideas and recipes:
http://moneysavingmom.com/from-my-kitchen/baking-day
How does Silas’s allergy to milk fit into your meal plan? Does he get his own special dinner different from everyone else? I just found out my two month old has a cow’s milk allergy, but right now I’m exclusively nursing, so I’m the one who is dairy free
I’ve just been substituting or eliminating milk in his food, keeping the cheese off, etc. (like I just give him plain noodles instead of mac & cheese). So far, it’s been fairly easy to do, though it’s hard for him to not get to have regular milk on his cereal.
For BBQ meatballs do you just cook regular beef meatballs in BBQ sauce?
Here’s my meal plan:
http://cookingluck.blogspot.com/2011/05/menu-plan.html
I’m experimenting with having one night for salads, one night for soup, one night for beans, one night for pasta, one night for sandwiches, one night for take out, and a nice Sunday dinner. If I stick to that plan I can get my menu done in about 10 minutes.
I’ll have to share my BBQ meatball recipe. I’ve yet to get a great picture of it to share with the recipe, but it’s yummy!
I am expecting baby # 4 …. looking forward to that blueberry Ginger smoothie recipe! Yum!!
Is it just me or does this weeks menu look like almost the same thing as last week? Now that’s simplifying!
Yes, I kept many of the same breakfasts and all of the same lunches. We don’t rotate wildly there because everyone’s happy with what we normally eat and, like you said, it definitely keeps things simple!
That smoothie looks amazing!