Breakfasts
Cinnamon Roll Biscuits, fruit
Cereal
Amish Baked Oatmeal, bananas
Whole Wheat Waffles (using Homemade Baking Mix), fruit smoothies
Oatmeal Raisin Muffins, Scrambled Eggs, Cantaloupe
Double Chocolate Oatmeal Muffins, hard-boiled eggs, fruit
Banana Brownie Waffles, fruit saladLunches
Cereal — I wasn’t feeling well on Sunday afternoon so Jesse sent me to bed after church and fed the kids cereal for lunch! Everyone was happy and I got a nice nap in. 🙂
Eggs, apple slices, carrots
PB&J, carrot sticks, watermelon
Tuna sandwiches, peas, apple slices
Refried beans, chips, salsa, fruit
Leftovers x 2Snacks
Watermelon Frosties
Healthy Chunky Monkey “Ice Cream”
Homemade Smoothie Popsicles
Fruit/VeggiesDinners
Dinner at friends’ house — we brought chips and watermelon
Chicken Stuffing Casserole, watermelon
Steak, fruit, tossed salad, Oven Baked Parmesan Fries
Dinner at church activity night
Italian Pasta Bake, Homemade French Bread, edemame, watermelon
Build-Your-Own Haystacks, fruit
Homemade Pizza, fruit, Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter FudgeFreezer-Cooking-In-An-Hour Plan (I’ll share pictures/details on how this goes on Thursday!)
Double Chocolate Oatmeal Muffins
Banana Brownie Waffles
What’s on your menu this week? Feel free to leave a link to your plan in the comments!
Erin says
I love your meal plans! I always feel like a scramble so much more during the summer because I don’t want to turn the oven on. Does your whole house heat up when you make dinner?
Paula says
Not feeling well Crystal? Are we going to hear more pitter patter soon? (wink wink) Hope you and your family are doing well. Thanks for all you do!
Mrs Rogers says
Here’s my menu plan for the week…
http://tinyurl.com/3quhaet
Ashley says
I tried the Oven Baked Parmesan Fries recipe, only I substituted sweet potatoes to increase the nutritional value. They are FANTASTIC!!! However, I didn’t need to bake them the whole 45 minutes. 🙂
Jessie Brown says
Here is our wheat-free, dairy-free menu for the week!
http://tjandjessie.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/menu-plan-17/
Carrie says
You people who plan your breakfasts and lunches for a week are so awesome! I can’t seem to do that, but I do plan dinner religiously.
J says
I plan my dinners and breakfasts are cold cereal, oatmeal or pancakes from the freezer (I cook a big batch once a week). Lunches are pretty simple so I don’t really plan them either.
Meredith Ball says
I’m envious at the amount of carbs you get to squeeze into your breakfasts. If I eat anymore than a piece of toast, the scales go up for some reason!
Crystal says
Since I’ve been running every morning, I’m almost always hungry for carbs. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not! 🙂
J says
It’s good! I run about 50 miles a week and you better believe I have to eat carbs too. You need fuel to live and run. We eat pancakes often in our house.
Crystal says
Woohoo, way to go — I’m hoping to work up to a half-marathon. I’m still working on a 10K right now. 🙂
J says
You will have so much fun! I’m training for my 13th marathon right now but my first race was a 10K in 2006.
Crystal says
Thanks for your kind encouragement; it means a lot!
Meredith says
This past week was a weird one for us 😉 my mom came into town last Monday night and stayed the week for my son’s 5th birthday (party was Saturday) b/c I’m on practically full bed rest with this pregnancy and needed some help to pull the party off! We were so busy getting things done that some nights we deviated from the menu I had planned, which left us with stew I had made in the crock pot – so we ate that Sunday night (Mom had already headed back out of town by then) instead of the Baked Bar-be-que Chicken I had planned. I just decided to jump back on track last night with Mexican-Style Goulash, tonight is Carrot/Potato Soup with sub sandwiches (those are leftover from the party). The rest of the week’s suppers: Chicken Spaghetti, Crockpot Broccoli Beef with rice, Supper dropped off by a friend (what a blessing!!), Sauteed Chicken & Onions with rice (hubby’s night to cook). Just want to thank all you ladies who have encouraged me to get a meal plan in place – it has gotten us back on track/through this bed rest and I feel more prepared as we move from being a family of three to a family of four before the end of the summer. You all are blessings!!
Tina says
Hello everyone!
I was wondering if someone could tell me exactly what is in stove top stuffing mix. I have always made my dressing homemade and I have never bought the boxed stovetop stuffing. I have all of the other ingredients on hand for the recipe on Crystal’s menu except the stove top. I do have cornmeal and can make my own cornbread to crumble if that is all it consists of. Help!
Anita says
Can someone explain to me how freezer cooking works? I understand you are cooking larger batches of food for the freezer but then what? Do you just pop it out & microwave it? I’m sure this should be self explanatory but I have major mommy brain and well… it isn’t. : )
Meredith says
Anita – there a LOTS of ways to do freezer cooking. 🙂 Some people just prepare (season/marinate) their raw meats and freeze them (still raw) in the portions they know they’ll use them in, (one example being raw chicken in a marinade in a zip-top bag). Some actually go a step further and cook those meats in the portions they’ll serve them in and freeze them so they just defrost, reheat and are ready to go (one example being seasoned cooked ground beef to use in tacos). Others make things more like soups and casseroles, etc. and freeze those so that they just defrost, reheat and are ready to serve. Because we are only a family of three – two adults and a 5 year old, I often halve the recipes I’m making (I do a lot of pasta dishes, casseroles, soups, etc.) – and even then, we regularly eat only half of that. I freeze that other half, and put it in our deep freezer for another week. This doesn’t happen with EVERY meal, sometimes I make just enough to serve that meal, sometimes only one serving gets left behind in the dish, so it just goes to the fridge and gets eaten as a lunch at some point in the week. Also, we try to use as few disposable/plastic items as possible, so what I do is to freeze the food in a glass Pyrex container in our fridge’s freezer, then once hardened, put just the bottom of the dish in warm-to-hot-water and it loosens the food away from the dish just enough that I can turn it over onto a big piece of foil and pop it out (sometimes you have to use a knife around the edges to loosen). I wrap up the foil and then I can tuck it into a zip top bag that we can reuse a number of times for different dishes (I just cross out the writing each time w/a Sharpie & relabel). When I pull something out to defrost, I place that foil-wrapped chunk into a bowl or dish in the fridge so that as it melts the liquids don’t leak all over the fridge. 😉 HTH!!
Heather Smith says
I’ve just recently tried freezer cooking (small scale) and I’m excited about the results!
http://frugaliscool.blogspot.com/2011/06/time-saving-tuesday-freezer-cooking.html
[email protected] says
Just found some watermelon on sale so hopefully we can try those watermelon frosties!
Here’s our $100 Budget Weekly Menu:
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/06/24/100-budget-weeklymenu-62411/
and here is my daughter’s Simple Gluten Free Menu:
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/06/27/simple-gluten-free-weekly-menu-2/
Making My Own Luck says
That’s a pretty picture.
Here’s my summery menu plan:
http://cookingluck.blogspot.com/2011/06/this-weeks-menu_25.html
I think I’ll have to try those waffles. Yummy!
Robyn says
I bought some yeast at Sams to make your pizza dough recipe except it says Instant instead of Active dry ? I think that means it doesn’t need to be activated..but I’m not sure if that changes how I should use it in the recipe..can anyone help me ?
Kirsten H says
I get the Instant yeast from Sam’s too. I have found that you can use Instant yeast in any recipe that calls for Active Dry (though I am not sure the reverse would be true!). I always follow the recipe’s directions just to be safe, even though I “know” that it doesn’t need to be activated. You can do that step with the Instant yeast and it doesn’t seem to hurt it at all — at least I never noticed any major differences when I switched from getting Active Dry to getting the Instant from Sam’s.
jacinda walker says
I have had a busy week, so I tried to come a up with a simple meal plan, which is here:
http://www.homemakerhandguide.com/menu-plan-for-the-week-of-june-26-2
Thanks 🙂
Ana says
I just made whole wheat bread is delicious, easy and healthy. I found easy steps in this site: http://wholewheatbreadrecipe.blogspot.com/
Emily says
We have a short week at home this week, as we get to enjoy a few days of vacation!
http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2011/06/menu-plan-626.html
Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy says
Busy week, so it’s back to basics at my house:
http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2011/06/my-cooking-learning-curve/
CB says
I have made a version of the chunky monkey ice before, it is surprisingly good! The best part is it is healthy. I don’t put the chocolate chips or walnuts. I just use a little peanut butter or nutella, yum yum.
Trish Conard says
I’m going to have to try the Watermelon Frosties recipe soon since the watermelon is so good right now.
Here is our schedule of meals for the week:
http://paconard.blogspot.com/2011/06/our-weekly-menu_28.html
Lori says
Hi Crystal-
Will you be sharing your recipe for the whole wheat waffles using your baking mix?
Thanks!
Crystal says
Yes — provided they turn out!
MaryEllen@TheDealScoop says
I love the fresh tulips on the table! What a nice touch!
Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says
Your Cinnamon Roll Biscuits were a HUGE hit in our house this week. My husband is loving your site-Breakfast Burritos and Cinnamon Roll Biscuits were added to my Freezer Cooking Lists/his breakfast menu :). Thanks so much!
We’re having Breakfast for Dinner this week, too. I’m with Bethany-Breakfast for dinner should happen more often :0.
Here’s the link to my menu: http://myfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/2011/06/menu-plan-week-of-june-26.html
Crystal says
Woohoo! So glad you enjoyed the recipes!
Sarah says
My husband and I tried to make the Cinnamon Roll Biscuits the other night and almost burned the house down AND broke a hanging plate in the process! It was ridiculous, but pretty funny! I’ll probably try again… eventually… 🙂
Bethany says
I do a Menu Inspiration Post every monday where I post a recipe and then have a link for others to post theirs too – this week my recipe is Buttermilk Pancakes with Apple Compote plus a link to why everyone should have breakfast for dinner once a week 😉
http://thebigredpot.blogspot.com/2011/06/menu-inspiration-monday-627.html
Lisette says
We’ve been making smoothie popsicles for breakfast around here! I love it, and it’s such a money saver compared to buying popsicles!
Here’s a fun recipe I made recently for Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles! They were a huge hit!
http://buyonsaleandsavethedifference.blogspot.com/2011/06/strawberry-shortcake-popsicles.html
Jennifer says
Where do the Oreos get mixed in at? They sound too good, thanks for sharing :).
Lisette says
I should have rewritten the recipe from the original source because it is a little confusing!
It should read like,
1. Puree the strawberries
2. Crush the Oreos
3. Mix the Oreos in vanilla yogurt
I hope that helps!
TeamBonk says
Your weekly menu plans have inspired me to try to be more creative when feeding my own family (we seem to have gotten into a rut lately!)
And your 1 hour freezing session are something I’m hoping to implement this summer once I go back to work part-time.
I will admit to being slightly discouraged – so many wonderful freezer meals seem to have cheese/dairy in them and my youngest daughter has a severe dairy allergy.
No matter though – where there’s a will, there’s a way! And with your inspiration I’m sure I’ll find some wonderful ideas of foods to make and freeze ahead!
Thank you for the encouragement to do more for my family than I am now!
Lana says
I haven’t been able to eat cheese for 16 years so I get your frustration. It is tough but I have found that many dishes are fine without the cheese. I have friend who really hates cheese and she told me years ago to just leave out the cheese in main dishes and they would be fine and she was right. I find that some times they are really just a garnish and especially if it is put on top of the casserole it is simple to substitute something like cracker crumbs tossed with some melted butter. Cream soups are an issue too but I have made my own with soymilk and my family doesn’t complain. Hope this is helpful!
BethB says
I had thrush after my first baby so when I was pregnant with my second I prepared freezer meals without the cheese. Things like enchiladas and this Mexican casserole I make (http://books.google.com/books?id=xY-g93zG698C&pg=PA376&lpg=PA376&dq=chilaquiles+windflower&source=bl&ots=ArUBYzRU2z&sig=b6qWehJ0qJ1IrupN–KzwERBgp0&hl=en&ei=Y_AJTuffCorZgAe98rjwAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=chilaquiles%20windflower&f=false) (Hope that works!) are perfectly fine without the cheese. Most of my freezer cooking is components, beans, taco meat, turkey sausage, tomato sauce, which you could also do without dairy.
Lisa says
I’m a no-cheese person, too. And it is a source of constant irritation that so many recipes include it!
Mickie says
My son also has dairy allergy and through the years I have learned to either leave the cheese out or substitute vegan cheese (dairy free, I buy mine at whole foods). It can be challenging at times but most of the time it works. I use the vegan cheese for home made pizza nights too and it works fine.
Michelle says
Mmm, the watermelon frosty and healthy chunky monkey ice cream (my fav B&J’s flavor) both sound so good!
Blaire Ruch says
I just made that Chicken Stuffing Casserole tonight. Found the recipe on the back of the stuffing box. It’s so easy and even my picky eaters liked it!
Brandi @ Savvy Student Shopper says
Those tulips are beautiful! 🙂
Sheila says
I was just wondering what build your own haystack is? 🙂
Amy says
Me, too!
Kelly says
It’s like a taco salad except with Frito’s. Chips, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato… When built, it looks like a haystack.
Frugal Momma @ Live Joyfully says
Wow, those Banana Brownie Waffles have my mouth watering!
Hope you’re feeling better! Glad your hubby let you rest. What a blessing!
This week we’re using some of the fresh goods from our garden. Green Bell Peppers, Zucchini, and fresh fruit. We had Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches tonight; the rest of the week includes Taco Salad with Cilantro Dressing and Warm Tortillas, and Homemade Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Crash Hot Potatoes and Roasted Zucchini.
The entire menu is here: http://www.savemoneylivejoyfully.com/2011/06/menu-for-week-june-26-july-2-2011.html
Jamie says
I wish my garden was producing as much as yours. We have lettuce and radishes from our garden so far, but our CSA has been providing us with some wonderful veggies that of course made it in to this week’s menu. The pasta dish from last night was a hit – I’ll have to share that one eventually. Oh and homemade pizza is also on our menu this week. http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/06/this-weeks-meal-plan-6272011.html
I’ve come across making “banana ice cream” before, but I like the chunky monkey additions – we’ll have to try it once our bananas get ripe and then frozen!