Menu Plan Monday – Week of 9/24/12

Judging by the comments on last week’s Menu Plan Monday post and over on Facebook, I’m not the only one whose menu plan looks good on paper but doesn’t always get carried out well in real life. Nice to know I’m not alone! 😉

Last week I decided to cut myself some slack. We’ve been busy with our design business and homeschooling, and life has taken priority over menu planning. So last week’s menu was full of quick and easy – yet healthy – meals.

And you know what?

IT WORKED! {happy  dance}

I did discover a key that made it all more doable for me. I made the most of my kitchen time by multi-tasking.

While I was browning the beef for our pasta dish, I started the rice we would need two days later. We like brown rice, and that takes forever to cook. So why not make it ahead of time?

While I was flipping quesadillas, I made hard-boiled eggs for egg salad. I was already standing at the stove, so one more pan didn’t make much difference.

While I was measuring ingredients for pancakes, I measured out the dry ingredients for two more batches. I had everything out to make pancakes, so why not measure the flour into three bowls instead of one? I stored the extra batches in Ziploc bags, and now I’m ready to whip up super-quick pancakes this week!

Simplifying and making the most of my kitchen time made everything feel less overwhelming. I made ALL of the dinners on my menu plan (and most of the breakfasts & lunches too!). I even got a little crazy and made the pancakes cinnamon with a quick homemade apple cinnamon topping. Oh.My.Goodness. Those were delicious. The recipe is here if you want a yummy fall breakfast.

I’m taking a cue from last week and keeping things a little simpler this week.

:: Breakfasts ::

Cereal & Juice
Peanut Butter Toast & Fruit
Yogurt with Fruit
Oven Pancakes (with enough for leftovers)
Eggs, Toast & Fruit

:: Lunches ::

Leftovers from Dinners
Cheese Quesadilla, Veggies with Homemade Creamy Ranch Dip
Peanut Butter Sandwiches with Fruit & Veggies
Chicken Nuggets & Fries (baked) with Veggies
Loaded Baked Potatoes (which keep making it on the list but never seem to get made!)

:: Dinners ::

Sticky Chicken, Apple Cinnamon Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Simple Broiled Fish (olive oil, salt & pepper), Broccoli, Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
Breakfast Fried Rice
Homemade Pizza (requested weekly by a sweet seven year-old)
Chicken ‘n Noodles (with homemade broth from the Sticky Chicken) with Carrots

If you’re looking for some general menu planning inspiration, stop by Menu Plan Monday hosted by I’m an Organizing Junkie.