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Have you ever noticed how awesome menu plans look on paper (or in this case on the screen)? Well let me assure you that things do NOT always go as planned. It seemed like every single day last week ended up with OOPS the chicken needed to be precooked or OOPS we were out of rice or OOPS the beef is still in the freezer. To be 100% honest, I made all of ONE of the meals from last week’s dinner menu plan! O.N.E.
As crazy as it sounds, I’m hoping you’ll be encouraged by that. I know that I’m not alone in my dinnertime dilemmas. And neither are you! 🙂
This week, instead of creating the most amazing menu plan that I can think of, I have a different focus. QUICK. FAST. 15 minutes or less for prep. I want to actually cook what’s on the plan. They’ll be healthy meals. They’ll be quick prep meals. And they’ll actually get cooked! Check out the menu, and you’ll see what I mean.
:: Breakfasts ::
Raspberry Scones (based on Amy’s scone recipe here)
Cereal
Pancakes
Yogurt & Fruit
Smoothies & Peanut Butter Toast
:: Lunches ::
Mac ‘n Cheese & Hot Dogs with veggies on the side
Peanut Butter sandwiches, apples, and carrots
Scrambled Omelets (eggs, peppers, mushrooms, cheese) with toast
Cheese Quesadillas
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Munchy Lunch (Emma’s new favorite… crackers & peanut butter, fruit, veggies)
:: Dinners ::
Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas with broccoli on the side
Baked Pasta with Meat Sauce
Country Bean Soup (Crock Pot!) with planned leftovers for the next night
Beef Fried Rice (I bought rice this week!)
Homemade Pizza
If you’re looking for some general menu planning inspiration, stop by Menu Plan Monday hosted by I’m an Organizing Junkie.
Char says
I can completely relate! BBQ has been on my menu three weeks in a row, not because we love it enough to eat every week, but because for some reason it just hasn’t worked as planned those nights.
I love having my plan, but like yours, it rarely goes exactly as planned.
I am going to put your bean soup on my list of things to try soon!
Jennifer says
Whew! Glad it’s not just me. Sometimes I think people read these posts and wonder why we eat the same things from week to week. 🙂 I hope you enjoy your BBQ this week!
Melinda says
My menu plan works the same way. Frequently, meals get cooked on days different from when they were planned . . . or they don’t get cooked at all. I have one meal that has appeared on three or four menu plans, yet it still hasn’t been made!
Jennifer says
Oh yes… The mixing up of the days! 🙂 Here’s to making that one elusive meal this week!!
Rachel says
I hear you!! I have a few weeks with some of the same recipes carrying over because something comes up and the dinner doesn’t actually get made! Glad I’m not the only one!
Have a great week,
Rachel
Jennifer says
I love that I’m not alone in this! 🙂
Jean says
Our meal plan for tonight actually changed within minutes of my pushing the “publish” button on my blog post! I also like quick and fast meals that require little prep time.
Jennifer says
I know that feeling, Jean! I’m also enjoying the quick prep meals already this week. Have a great week!
Dianna says
I TOTALLY know where you are coming from. I too plan great sounding meals, then I get the comments. “Didn’t we just have chicken” or “you know I don’t eat pasta” or “Had that for lunch” or the other things came up. I had to take daughter to doctor, twice in one day, didn’t have time to get anything out, another day the grandbaby was a real hand full, couldn’t get anything done.
Thanks for being honest.
Jennifer says
Oh those are crazy days! Here’s to a successful menu week this week!