I MUST, MUST, MUST get back into the habit of menu planning. I made a loose plan for this past week and then decided I didn’t feel like cooking what I’d planned. I made something else and just threw the whole thing into a tizzy! I didn’t plan anything for the weekend either. That made things a little stressful at dinnertime Saturday and Sunday. So I’m going to do a full-blown menu plan – and stick with it – for this week.
Monday
This one’s easy. My parents have invited us to go out to dinner with them. No cooking involved…. Yay!
Tuesday
BBQ Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Fresh Veggie Plate
Wednesday
Broiled Fish, Wild Rice, Broccoli
Thursday
BBQ Chicken Salads
Friday
Flatbread Pizzas
Saturday
Italian Stuffed Shells
Sunday
Southwestern Chicken Wraps
That should do it. Now the key is sticking to the plan! I’ve chosen meals that are quick and easy, so I don’t mind making them. My husband has offered to help with more of the cooking, and I think I’m going to take him up on that offer. So motivation shouldn’t be quite the problem that it has been.
Your Turn: Do you have trouble staying motivated to make dinner for your family? How do you re-motivate yourself?
If you’re looking for some general menu planning inspiration, stop by Menu Plan Monday hosted by I’m an Organizing Junkie.
I hear you on sticking to the plan! Lately we’ve had 1 or 2 days that we’ve fallen off! Hope this week is better for you 🙂
I’m glad it’s not just me, Cristi! Here’s to a better week! 🙂
There are weeks I’m great at planning and preparing food and we eat fabulous dinners. And then there are weeks when I’m tired of the whole thing. When it happens, I take a week off and serve things like fish sticks, hot dogs, pizza and other quick, easy, convenient food. The kids love it because all of their favorites show up and I love it because DJ will make dinner for me.
Time off is wonderful!
Stacy
Flatbread pizzas sound great! I think I’m going to try some of my own soon.
I found some Greek flatbreads on sale at Kroger a couple of weeks ago. They were only $1 for the package, and they make throwing pizza together SO easy!
The flatbread pizza sounds great!
It’s yummy and EASY!
Help, we’ve fallen off the wagon and can’t get back on! We’ve lost ALL motivation to cook at home–and not only is eating out messing up our budget, it’s not as healthy! HELP
Oh Amanda… I feel your pain! I kind of like the idea that Stacy threw out. Why not opt for convenience foods for a week just to give yourself a break. To be totally honest… I’ve got to do the once a month cooking thing for August or I’m toast. It was SO easy to put everything together in one day and then not have to worry about anything but defrosting for the rest of the month. I can’t begin to tell you how much less stressful it was. Want to try it with me? I can share my plan with you! Maybe if we work together we can motivate each other.
Thanks for sharing. Keeping it simple is the way to go. No reason to over do dinner time. Have a great week. Happy Meal Planning.
That’s oh-so-true, Beth. For some reason I keep thinking that dinner should be a “nice meal” (which translates into something time-consuming for me to make). I think I’m getting over that. My husband has also offered to do some cooking, so that should mix it up a little bit!