The past two weeks without menu plans have been… well… uhm… interesting? We’ve done the five o’clock what’s-for-dinner scramble more than once. And there may have been takeout involved more than once.
I’m definitely done with takeout.
I’m done stressing over what’s for dinner.
I’ve decided to chalk it up to the holidays, let it go, and start fresh this week.
:: Breakfasts ::
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Baked Oatmeal & Fruit
Eggs, Toast & Fruit
Cereal & Fruit
Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits with Lazy Granola
Apple Pie Oatmeal
:: Lunches ::
I’m in search of some new ideas for lunches. This seems to be where we get stuck even when I have a menu plan. I always plan the same things. Anyone have some ideas for lunches for me?
Leftovers
Grilled Cheese & Carrot Sticks
Munchy Lunch (popcorn, cheese, fruit, veggies)
Pizza
PB&J & Veggies
:: Dinners ::
Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas
Chicken Fried Rice
Homemade Pizza
Oven-Baked Fish, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans
Easy Taco Soup
If you’re looking for some general menu planning inspiration, stop by Menu Plan Monday hosted by I’m an Organizing Junkie.
Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents says
I really hope you enjoy the fajitas! They’re a family favorite. 🙂
Jennifer says
They’re on the menu for tomorrow. They look so easy and delicious! Thanks!
SnoWhite @ Finding Joy in My Kitchen says
I often think that too — I’ll just take a break from planning a menu….. each time I regret it! the 15 minutes it takes me to plan saves so much stress later on. You have a great menu here! Going to check out some of those links.
SnoWhite @ Finding Joy in My Kitchen says
Oh – just saw the lunch rut — one dish we’ve been enjoying for lunch is: http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2012/09/brown-rice-broccoli-roasted-tomatoes.html
You can enjoy it warm or cold!
Jennifer says
What a great idea. Having brown rice cooked in bulk would be a smart way to save lunch regularly. 🙂 Thanks!
Jennifer says
That’s just it… 15 minutes. That’s really all it takes! And it saves me SOOO much stress during the week. Not sure why I thought the holidays were a good time to not plan. Oops!
LouAnne says
I always miss menu planning when I don’t do it. We also didn’t plan much during the holiday season and.. well.. ugh! This is our first week of planning. Hate takeout.
Our favorite lunches are soups, sandwich wraps (or anything you can put in a whole wheat tortilla), green/fruit smoothies, salads and “munchie lunch” ( I really like that description). All of those menu items can be very versatile. Another thing we do is have “leftover dinner remix” for lunch. Let’s say we have chicken, rice and broccoli for dinner. For lunch the next day it will become a casserole by adding a little sour cream, broth, mixed together, topped with cheese or bread crumbs and baked. Tacos become a taco salad, leftover veggies become a soup, etc.
Jennifer says
Love the leftover remix idea! That way it’s the same but different. Smart!
Rona says
MPM definitely keeps me on track. I actually look forward to Mondays!
This New Year’s Eve, I’m staying home, cleaning our house and doing some blog visiting. Hubby had to work so it will be quiet.
Your menu plan looks delicious.
Have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year!
Jennifer says
Oh that sounds like a nice quiet New Year’s Eve to me. 🙂
Lisa @ CheapThrillsInOmaha says
I blame a lot of things on the holiday season, so it sounds so right to me to chalk it up and move on. 😀 Time for new. For lunches, #1 and I also use leftovers. DH likes boring sandwiches, and #2 likes snack-style grazing, or PB sandwiches. I try to keep yogurt on-hand for lunches, and block cheese cut into 1.5-oz pieces. Your menus look good. Wish I could find a good deal on fish, b/c I’ve had a hankering for that for a week or so.
Jennifer says
I need to get back into the habit of stocking the fridge with more yogurts and cheeses too. I found a good deal on frozen fish at Kroger. I think the 12 oz bags of pollock (wild caught) were $2.99? Hope that helps!