Breakfasts
Hard-boiled eggs, bananas
Scrambled eggs with cheese, apple slices
Bagels with peanut butter and bananas
Cookie Dough Baked Oatmeal
Waffles, scrambled eggs
Oatmeal
Chocolate Banana Bread, scrambled eggs, fruit saladLunches
Macaroni & cheese with baked chopped chicken, green beans
PB&J, carrot sticks, apple slices
Egg salad sandwiches, peas, pears
Black beans and rice, carrot sticks, pear slices
Tossed salad with hard-boiled eggs, feta cheese, and dried cranberries
Leftovers x 2Snacks
Fruit/veggies
Cheese/crackers
Granola Bars
Chocolate No-Bake Energy BitesDinners
Baked fish, twice-baked potatoes, steamed broccoli
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake, fruit salad, steamed veggies
Frito Chili Pie, fruit salad, steamed veggies
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Homemade Pizza in Less Than 30 Minutes, carrot sticks, pear slices
Dinner with friends
Dinner at church Christmas dinnerFreezer Cooking
Chocolate Banana Bread
Chocolate No-Bake Energy Bites
Homemade Pizza dough
Sugar cookie dough
What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.
Jen says
Each week I’m amazed at what you get your kids to eat. I could only dream that my kids would eat a salad with feta and dried cranberries for lunch… I wouldn’t even be able to get my hubby to eat that. 🙂 Great job on black beans too.
Kelley says
Trying three new recipes this week! Yay!
http://www.thegrantlife.com/2011/12/menu-monday_13.html
Emily @ Our Frugal Happy Life says
I’m trying to get back on my feet after being gone for a long weekend…but we are going to try a new Taco Dip this week!
http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2011/12/menu-plan-1211-church-council-dinner.html
Bonnie says
Hi Crystal– Thank you so much for posting your weekly menus! Have you ever written about what your absolute favorite “go-to” meals are for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? I would love to know what your staple meals are. Thanks so much, again 🙂
Teresa @ Happy Dinners Blogspot says
The chocolate banana bread looks amazing! I saw that you are preparing twice baked potatoes for dinner one night, if your family likes twice baked potatoes, you may want to try the recipe I came up with this weekend, Twice Baked Potato Casserole:
http://happydinners.blogspot.com/2011/12/twice-baked-potato-casserole.html
Let me know if you try it. I would love to know what you think.
Oh and here is our dinner menu plan for the week:
http://happydinners.blogspot.com/2011/12/our-dinner-menu-plan_12.html
Amanda says
http://savingmoneyfashionably.com/?p=412
Doubling everything to take to a sick relative this week.
Amy says
Umm, yeah, just made the choc. banana bread into muffins. Super good! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Van Dahm says
Lots and lots of baking this week, for our Christmas indulgence! OREO TRUFFLES, CANDIED PECANS, EASY FUDGE, SNOWMEN COOKIES, GINGERBREAD COOKIES, and more! For these delicious recipes, stop by my Christmas catagory, located on my What’s Cookin’ Recipe website at: http://jennifervandahmwhatscookinrecipes.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas
All recipes are kid tested and family approved first!
Kaylee T says
Doing lots of holiday baking for gifts this week!
http://couponingncooking.blogspot.com/2011/12/monday-meal-plan-1212.html
Jessica says
That Chocolate Banana Bread looks AMAZING!!
Here is my menu for this week:
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/2011/12/menu-monday_12.html
Jessica says
I just added a linky to my Menu Monday post. I’d love for you to come link up your menu there!
Julie H says
We have finally recovered from the flu so we are glad to have somewhat of a “normal” routine around here this week! Thankful for a menu plan!
http://forfreeyatake.blogspot.com/2011/12/out-of-pitand-our-weekly-menu-plan.html
Johnlyn says
Here’s our menu plan for this week (and a picture of our 10 foot Christmas tree!):
http://www.hummingbirdhomemaking.com/2011/12/homemaking-menu-plan-and-intentional_12.html
Michelle @ Simplify, Live, Love says
My menu involves cleaning out the fridge/freezer this week as we’re heading out for Christmas. I hope I don’t have to buy anything else to get it done (but I might have to add a bit of dairy…) I love coming home from vacation to a clean slate!
Anyhow, here’s my menu: http://www.simplifylivelove.com/2011/12/clear-out-the-fridge-its-almost-christmas-menu-1212.html
And here is the post I wrote last week on how to make super delicious, homemade egg rolls! http://www.simplifylivelove.com/2011/12/how-to-make-homemade-egg-rolls.html
After Christmas, I am going to make a huge batch of those egg rolls and freeze them. I think they will be perfect for quick lunches!
Jessica says
I’ve made those no bake energy bites several times, and we love them! And that picture of the chocolate banana bread looks amazing!
Meredith says
Ha ha! Thanks for asking so early in the day Crystal – I wouldn’t’ve remembered to look at my list to see what’s for supper! This baby’s ‘schedule’ (if it can be called that 😉 is a mess, and then so is mine! We’ve been on and off our menu planning ever since he came; we’ve done a whole lot more eating out/take-out than I had ever anticipated, but I’ve decided to chalk it up to having a little one in his first year of elementary school, a new baby, and no family around to help. Something’s gotta give somewhere; I’m not super woman and I’m FAR from as organized as I’d like to be. But I’m giving myself a pat on the back for the days we HAVE stuck to a plan. 🙂 Tonight we’re having Delicious Chicken Casserole (was supposed to be your tetrazini recipe, but I’ve got chicken and rice that need used up – so there ya go! LOL). Tomorrow night is Lasagna Soup, then Pizza Bubble, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken with Onions & Adobo (a seasoning salt), and Cabbage Sloppy Joes. After that just a couple more suppers and we’re down to FL to visit family for Winter Break – so no meal planning for me! YAY! Mommy DOES get a bit of a vacation after all! Have a great week everyone!
Liz @ Wonder Woman I'm Not says
I always forget about twice baked potatoes. Do you make them ahead of time and then freeze them? We usually do mashed (which I make ahead and freeze) so that would be a nice change.
Here’s our menu for the week.
http://www.wonderwomanimnot.com/2011/12/menu-planning-week-of-1211.html
Martha Artyomenko says
When I have made them, I make them, but do not bake them and freeze them on a tray and then bag them up in meal size bags.
They freeze great!
Trish @ Finances With Funk says
That bread looks ridiculously amazing. I might have to make that.
Here is our menu plan squeezed in-between a number of holiday activities.
http://www.financeswithfunk.com/2011/12/12/this-week’s-menu-plan/
Jessica says
Here’s my menu 🙂
http://jandjnewleaf.blogspot.com/2011/12/whats-for-eats-this-week_11.html
Ashlee Guerra says
What a great menu! I am using some of your recipes this week to: http://ashofalltrades.blogspot.com/2011/12/meal-plan-and-busyness.html
Nicole @ saveliveeatlove says
hmmm. Frito Chili Pie. That would be a guilty pleasure for me! Here’s what’s cooking in our kitchen: http://saveliveeatlove.com/2011/12/eat-this-weeks-menu-1211/
toni says
Hi Crystal,
This might not be the best place to post this (I apologize), but your menu prompted me to ask you a question. I have always struggled with time management (procrastinator, all the way back to a small child). I have made major progress in the past 10 years. However, the day-to-day can still be a struggle. So, my question. Could you consider posting about what a typical day looks like for you? I know there are a g’zillion variables and it would only be a “rough sketch”, but I’m curious as to: what time you wake up, what time your children awaken, when you prepare your yummy breakfasts (are the children asleep as you do this?), what your time block for homeschooling is, how you work in lunch time (including cooking/prep), how much time you devote (on average) to blogging and at what time of day you sit down to do that, what time you serve dinner, bed time, workouts, etc. It’s this the day-to-day stuff that I would like to make more progress in. I’ve learned to meal plan, shop with a list (and coupons), get my children to swim team practice on time, and to have a basic cleaning/chores routine. But I would love to have a glimpse of the flow of an average day for you, to see what I and others might glean from it. I realize you have addressed time management in certain areas in other posts, which I’ve read. Just wondering if you would consider posting about a typical full day in your home.
Crystal says
You might enjoy checking out my Time Management 101 series where I discuss some of this. Our schedule has changed quite a bit since that was written (I now have two children I’m homeschooling and have brought on more help with my business, as a result) but at least it gives you an idea of how it looked like last year and what has worked in the past for us: https://moneysavingmom.com/2010/11/time-management-101-stop-trying-to-do-it-all.html
Johnlyn says
I loved that series!
Check out http:
http://flylady.net/ to help make your own schedule that will work for you. The timer is your best friend!
Rachel says
I agree with Johnlyn, getting on FlyLady’s e-mail list is what REALLY helped me to get a handle on the day to day stuff. And I’m totally with you on having struggles in that area.
I think I’ve come to grips with the fact that I really only have two options with basic things like laundry, dishes, straightening up, etc. Those are 1. Keep up. Or, 2. Give up. Trying to do 3. Catch up; just doesn’t work for me. Best wishes as you keep working on improving! The joy is in the journey! We don’t ‘arrive’ until it’s over!! 🙂
Tiffany says
I might just have to try your homemade pizza recipe…I’ve been looking for a good one…me and pizza dough don’t have a good relationship…it usually turns out the opposite of yummy hehe…here’s what we are cookin’ this week:
http://healthynbalanced.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/weekly-menu-plan-1212-1218/
Lucky @ Making My Own Luck says
Your plan sounds great. I just finished my lunch and now I’m hungry again!
Here’s my plan. I just had a huge party yesterday and I’m beat. I’m so greatful for freezer meals!
http://cookingluck.blogspot.com/2011/12/well-cookie-party-is-over-but-people.html
Cassie says
I so need to plan ALL our meals not just dinners. We made a killer chocolate cake this week recipe and link to our menu INCLUDING the chocolate cake is here. We also had a ginger beef stroganaff: http://www.lcvalleymom.com/search/label/Menu%20Planning
Carolynn @ mylittlebitoflife.com says
I still haven’t tried the cookie dough oatmeal, I need to make that! Here is our plan: http://mylittlebitoflife.com/?p=2723
stacey @ www.gettingthroughtheday.com says
Chocolate banana bread?! Looks great!!
Here’s what we’re having.
http://www.gettingthroughtheday.com/2011/12/michelles-menu-planning-monday-1212.html
Danielle @ Cozycakes Cottage says
I need to try that chocolate banana bread soon! I can almost taste it:) Here is our menu for the week: http://cozycakescottage.com/2011/12/12/our-menu-week-of-december-11-2011/
Happy Holidays!
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
Here is our menu this week!
http://www.savemoneylivejoyfully.com/2011/12/weekly-menu-december-12-17-2011.html
Amy S says
I tried the chocolate banana bread recipe. I made it into muffins and added nuts and a dash of cinnamon. It was excellent and has been placed into our regular rotation.
Rachel says
This may sound like a silly question, but I am hoping someone will have an answer.
My husband and I are looking to add more fish to our diet. I recently bought some frozen fish at Meijer and it says to “thaw in refrigerator” for 4-6 hours before baking. So my question is, should I thaw the fish in the bag it comes in, or should I take it out and let it thaw in a plastic bag or container? Since I am new to working with fish, I want to make sure I am working with it safely.
Many thanks.
Rachel
Lucky @ Making My Own Luck says
I would thaw it in the pan I want to cook it in, with plastic wrap over it. If there’s any liquid you may have to drain it a bit. I’m not sure there’s a wrong way or a right way with this one as long as you do it in the fridge. It depends on how much of the bag you plan on cooking.
Tiffany says
Definitely take out of the bag. I usually put mine in the pan I am going to cook it in and then squirt 1/2 a lemon all over it, cover it and let it thaw in the fridge…I’ve found doing it any other way doesn’t taste right.
amy says
Be careful of using lemon juice on it before you cook it. The acid in lemon juice “cooks” it and turns it into Ceviche. (I imagine the texture would be off…tougher?) To learn the basics of Ceviche you go look here: http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/appetizersfirstcourses/a/ceviche.htm
Tiffany says
True, you can’t let it sit for too long. But I do mine for just a couple hours and then steam it and it is not tough at all…pretty yummy actually
Riann says
Maybe I’m living on the wild side (or lazy) I thaw in the bag in the sink or on a plate in the fridge (in case of a leak)
Rachel says
Thanks all!
Jennifer Van Dahm says
The day I want to cook the fish, I place my frozen fillets in a Ziplock bag, then place the bag in a bowl of COLD water, for about an hour. You’ll have to weigh it down with a pot, as the air in the bag will try to float the bag to the top. I then move the thawed fish to the fridge until I am ready to cook them. For some reason my fillets take forever to thaw in the refrigerator! For various fish recipes, feel free to visit the Fish catagory, on my What’s Cookin’ website at: http://jennifervandahmwhatscookinrecipes.blogspot.com/search/label/Fish I am actually making a Gingersnap Cookie-Crusted Salmon tonight!
Stephanie N says
I cook for our local Whole Foods website. Here is a link to a Salmon dish we did recently that was easy and yummy 🙂 http://citycharmer.com/2011/12/05/maple-syrup-garlic-glazed-salmon/
Willa@ArmstrongFamilyFare says
Ok, everytime I see that picture of the chocolate banana bread I want some!! I’m going to have to add that to my menu sometime VERY soon! 🙂
Here’s our weekly menu. We’re recovering from colds and in the midst of a busy season, so I tried to keep it fairly simple this week!
http://armstrongfamilyfare.com/weekly-menu-12112011/
Super Saving Coupon Son says
Yes,
I have made it before and it was extremely delicous. I got the recipe right from here too! However, I still think I like normal banana bread just a little better. It is great for the kids though. They here the word chocolate and their ears fly up high. LOL
Super Saving Coupon Son