Meal Plans

I've been monthly meal planning for awhile but fell down this month which has left me scrambling for meals and spending more than I should on food. I've decided to leap back in by menu planning this week and then starting our June menu later this week. I'd love if you shared your favorite meals with me as we have gotten into a serious food rut in this house and I need some new inspiration. I need to do a clear the pantry week so I plan to focus on that the last week of May. 

Here is this week's plan though to keep me honest. 

Sunday: Turkey Pesto Meatballs with rice

Monday: Salmon with Broccoli

Tuesday: Chicken Enchilada Pasta 

Wednesday: Meatloaf Muffins with Sweet Potato Medallions

Thursday: Chicken Apple Sausages with Sautéed Kale (tossed with salt and white balsamic vinegar) and Sweet Potato Fries

Friday: Many Bean Crockpot Soup (Slow Cooker p. 39 )

Meal Planning

I'm in the homestretch of this pregnancy and I'm planning ahead. I planned out our meals for November in October and we've already started on that plan. I decided to tackle December and January now to reduce the amount of work I need to get done before Chicken Nugget arrives. My to-do list might be longer than the time I have left but so it goes! 

This is where I admit that December and January were pretty easy to meal plan for. My friends have set up a meal train for me so that takes care of some meals. I've been stocking the freezer with a ton of food and I know we'll be eating take-out and convenience foods a fair amount in January. 

All the canning I did this summer will also be called into play. We have some delicious canned foods that we'll be enjoying all winter long from peaches to jams and applesauce. 

I've also made our meals a lot simplier. I'm tired these days and while I enjoy a nice, gourmet meal; I am just not in the mood to make one at 5 p.m. while pregnant. I'm relying on things I can make ahead when I have the energy but still fit into my gestational diabetes diet. Of course, come January, I've planned a very carb heavy month. Let's admit it, pasta is easy to make and I need easy in January. What do you do to make meals easier for you? What are your tricks? 

August Meals

My experiment with meal planning for an entire month was a huge success so I've planned out the month of August!



We did have a few hiccups in our plan. Our oven died halfway through the month but thanks to my obsession with the slow cooker, I was able to adapt some recipes to it. We ended up ordering dinner out two more times that I had anticipated because of the oven but hey, things happen!



I saved almost $350 on food this month which ummm is good since we need that money to go toward the purchase of a new oven. Fun? Just an FYI, oven shopping is terribly boring and the salespeople get excited about things like steam cleaning features. So this shopping adventure has been terribly un-riveting. 



Without further adieu, here is my August meal plan! Along with these meals, I'll also be doing some canning and jam making. I love all the August fruits and vegetables.