Meal Planning. Again. Still.

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti October 19th, 2010

I really like cooking. I enjoy eating good food, love to feel like a rock star when I make something that my family loves, and I REALLY like being able to go into the kitchen and pull something out that I made the day before and enjoy a really good lunch - one that doesn't require a trip to a restaurant.

In short, it makes me feel like a total rock star.

I just don't like having to figure out what's for the next meal every day. If I meal plan, I reason, I might have a better shot at not freaking out at 5:15. So here's what's up for this week(ish), depending upon leftovers and such.

• Chili
• Chicken and Dumplings
• Pork Chops and Cheesy Rice
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Cornflake Baked Chicken
• Pasta Bake
• Roasted Chicken in Lemon Sauce
• Chili Mac

What is on your meal plan this week?

Comments

[Melanie]

So, your family will eat the same protein more than one day in a row? I personally wouldn't care - but my husband doesn't like eating the same protein 2 days in a row, which makes planning that much harder. (woe is me) I'm not really complaining, as he will cook 5 out of 7 days - but I do the shopping and have to have things available.

[Cheryl]

We've been seat-of-the-pantsing it for too many weeks. Making chili for tonight and probably the rest of the week. In response to Melanie, we often make one thing and eat it happily all week long.

[Melissa]

I feel the same way, Carmen. Nothing sends me into a panic like not knowing what's for dinner by 5 p.m. The skill I'm trying to work on is cooking bigger batches so we can bank some future meals in the freezer. Here's the link to my menu: http://myhomebaked.com/2012/11/05/monday-menu-29/

[lisa]

I"m doing Ideal Protein so I cook for them and then cook for me. Tonight is Hamburger Helper. Yesterday was those hot ham and cheese things on the hawaian bread.

[Kelly H]

I plan the weeks meals on Saturdays or Sundays and then shop for them the same day. My husband and I alternate weeks - he does one week, I do the next. Then we both get to cook things we like. And both of us are better at certain things than the other. Just ask our kids. My husband cannot steam broccoli and season it correctly with lemon pepper and salt like I can. He can rock enchillads in a way I cannot. So there's that. Here was my meal plan this week:

Roast chicken with sweet potatoes and green beans with mushrooms

Thai chicken with peppers over brown jasmine rice

Carne asada tacos with black beans

Gnocchi with meat sauce and garlic bread

Lemon pepper chicken with zuchinni and sticky rice

[addy]

Ummmm, hot, edible to keep us from starving. Oh yeah with a cup off coffee. Does that sound ok?

[Anita]

I just got Barefoot Contessa's new book - wow, so much yummy stuff, so I will be cooking lots of it. Definitely going to need bigger jeans soon!

[Elizabeth]

I eat healthier when I meal plan. Although it is hard to cook for just 2 people!

Monday was Scrounge Night (leftovers/fend for yourself)
Tues - free Mexican food
Wed - chicken & baked potatoes
Thurs - Cici's pizza for Spirit Night
Friday - spaghetti

[Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith]

Beef Stew
Chicken Rice Soup w/ Veggies
Chili & Corn Bread
BBQ Chicken w/ Broccoli & Rice
Pork Stir-Fry w/ Veggies
Homemade Pizza and Antipasto Salad

[kyooty]

I'm also not getting it together lately. I've been heating up chicken nuggets/burgers/frozen pizza more this week than I have in while and it does me no favours, other than more internet time. This weekend I need to get out and get some meat, veg, and fruit to stock up. Lastnight though I made chicken, mashpotatoes, gravy, cherry tomatoes, raw carrots, and curry rice for those that wont eat the potatoes. The week ahead looks like spaghetti and meatballs, porkchops salad and potatoes, Wednesday is busy day, so crock pot chicken and salsa, peppered steak in the crock thursday, and Friday is birthday supper. I'm not cooking, I'm not tracking, I'm just enjoying that day.

[kyooty]

oh also let's talk chicken and dumplings? can you pleaseeeeeeeeeeee post a recipe?

[Jennifer]

I really believe in not depriving yourself of the food you like to eat but of course in healthy portions.

[Mary Beth]

I'm in a total meal rut and am uninspired by my usuals. I'm also torn between not having to cook (and clean) for one every night or eating the same dish for 4 meals in a row.