Menu Plan Ideas

I recently saw a menu planning idea on Pinterest where you write a list of all the meals you make and number them. (I can't find the pin. Anyone know where I saw this awesome idea?)  You then plug those numbers into your calendar.  It's easy to move things around, and you have a great list to choose from depending on what you have on hand and what is on sale that week.  This is the start of my list.

1. Broccoli Beef
2. Burgers
3. Crockpot Lasagna
4. French Dip
5. Grandma's Chili
6. Pot Roast
7. Shepards Pie
8. Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
9. Taco Pasta
10. Taco Rice
11. Tri Tip
12. Baked Italian Lemon Chicken
13. Chicken and Avocado Salad
14. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
15. Chicken Cordon Bleu
16. Chicken and Dumplings
17. Chicken Pot Pie
18. Chicken Satay
19. Chicken Taco Meat
20. Coconut Chicken Curry
21. Creamy Chicken Noodle Skillet
22. Enchiladas
23. Fajitas
24. Fettuccine Alfredo
25. Honey Sesame Crockpot Chicken
26. Japanese Curry
27. Orange Chicken
28. Rotisserie Chicken
29. Stir Fry
30. Yellow Curry
31. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
32. Fried Rice
33. Ginga Rosu
34. Gyoza
35. Italian Pulled Pork Sandwiches
36. Mabo Tofu
37. Parmesan and Panko Pork chops
38. Pork chops, apple sauce, and cheese
39. Snitzel and Spetzla
40. Tonkatsu
41. Cheese Loaded Meatloaf
42. Lettuce Wraps
43. Polska Kielbasa and Mac N Cheese
44. Calzones
45. Pizza Sauce
46. Vegan Mexican Bowl
47. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
48. Lionhouse Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
49. Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
50. Mom's Potato Corn Chowder
51. Tomato Soup So Good, You Will Never Go Back
52. White Bean Chicken Chili
53. Crockpot Zupa Toscana
54. Aebleskivers
55. Crepes
56. Eggs in a Basket
57. German Pancakes
58. Liege Waffles
59. Pancakes
60. Waffles
61. Quiche

Sides:

1. Parmesan Baked Tomatoes
2. Spinach Pesto
3. Spaghetti Squash
4. Parmesan Baked Tomatoes
5. Roasted Red Salsa
6. Italian Herb and Cheese Bread

Dessert:

1. Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
2. Cheater Cake Mix Cookies
3. Pineapple Orange Cake
4. Pretty Pistachio Pie
5. Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
6. Strawberries and Cream Poke Cake
7. Sugar Cookies
8. Taiyaki

Taiyaki

Since living in Japan for a couple of years I have been craving taiyaki.  It's also been on my 99 goal list.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about I'm going to let you in on a simple secret.  Taiyaki are fish shaped waffles with delicious fillings.  My favorite is an (a sweet bean paste.)  But my husband's new favorite is Nutella and banana.

We got a great recipe online here. You can get your own pan online here. 

Look at how delicious they turned out:

We will definitely be making these again. Some of our favorite fillings are chocolate pudding, Nutella and banana, an, and cookie butter. Mmm. We need to make them again soon.

Weekly Menu Plan - 9/24

Last week's favorite meal was Eggies in a Basket. My husband made the Eggies and I finally made the breakfast potatoes I have been meaning to make for the last couple of weeks. 

I used tabasco sauce for the first time, and realized it is not like catsup. When they say 10 dashes they mean exactly that. Do not go crazy like me and double the amount. It still tastes ok but it makes your nose and eyes water. Which is probably not what the Best Bites Ladies were intending. Next time we might halve the ingredients too. We had way to much food for 2 people. :)

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Curry Rice
I love curry. Last week we bought a new 20 lb. bag of rice. The checker at the grocery store thought it was massive. Ha! In Japan we ate rice ever day. Here I am lucky if I can squeeze it in twice a week. I am so excited!

Tuesday: Chicken Casserole - Brocoli, Chicken, Stuffing, and Cheese
Sounds familiar? That's because we didn't get to it last week. We had some crazy schedule changes. But we did get to see Here Comes the Boom for free, so I can't complain very much. I'm not a Kevin James fan, but I liked it a lot and recommend it.

Wednesday: Leftover Buffet
I'm really excited. Mr. WB and I are going to go see Owl City in concert. I am in love with their new album, The Midsummer Station.


Thursday: White Bean Chicken Chili with Corn Bread
We hope to have some new friends over for dinner. This soup is super easy to make and tastes delicious!

Friday: Stew
This may change depending on what Mr. WB plans for date night.

Saturday: OYO
I have plans to attend a women's conference. So Mr. WB will be on his own. He might have leftovers, pizza bites, or Mac N Cheese. 

Sunday: Two Timin' Pasta
Another recipe I have been meaning to make that hasn't quite made it to the table. Maybe this weekend?

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan? Look at some of my past posts by clicking on Menu to the left or visit the orgjunkie.

Weekly Menu Post - 9/17

Last week's favorite meal was Taco Rice. It was perfect after a day of running around. We also scrapped one of our dinner's and made pizza instead. Life get's busy. That's why I buy the frozen pizza's when they are on sale. We like Digiorno best but aren't too picky.

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Penne with Spinach and Feta
I am always looking for new recipes to try out and add to our rotation. This one has high ratings on allrecipes.com so I am giving it a shot.

Tuesday: Rotisserie Chicken with stuffing and mashed potatoes
I love getting a good chicken from the market. Whip up some stuffing and some mashed potatoes and you have one happy husband.

Wednesday: Chicken, brocoli, cheese, and stuffing casserole
Tastiest way to cook leftover chicken and stuffing. Lay down a layer of chicken, broccoli, cheese and top with stuffing. Bake in the oven until the cheese melts and everything tastes divine.

Thursday: Eggies in a basket, muffins, juice
The Office Season Premiere is tonight. What better way to celebrate then freshly baked Dunder Muffins and bacon cooked on my George Foreman? 

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Mom's Birthday Dinner
I love it when we all go out to eat to celebrate a birthday. 

Sunday: Family Dinner

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan? Look at some of my past posts by clicking on Menu to the left or visit the orgjunkie.

Weekly Menu Plan - 9/10

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Leftover Funeral Potatoes
This last weekend we went and visited my family. My mom knows how much I love her potatoes so she sent me home with two full containers. We are slowly making our way through one container and placed the other in the freezer for a lazy day. I tried to find the recipe online, but everyone has a different interpretation and I like ours best. Look for a recipe soon. 

Tuesday: Spaghetti with sausage
One day I will learn how to make my own spaghetti sauce. Until then I will stick with the stuff they sell at the store. It was on sale, and we haven't had spaghetti in ages.

Wednesday: Taco Rice
One of my husband's favorite meals. He could probably eat it once a week. We brown hamburger meat and add taco seasoning. Then we place that meat on a bed of rice. Finally we pile on the toppings. Lettuce, cheese, salsa, and the secret ingredient, crushed Taco flavored Doritos Chips. The real reason we are having Taco Rice? Avocados are on sale and I want some of my husband's delicious guacamole. Mmmmm.

Thursday: Breakfast Potatoes and Eggs
A couple of weeks ago I posted I was going to make this recipe. I haven't yet. So in an effort to try to replicate a recipe by the Best Bites crew I am placing it on the menu again. :)

Friday: Eat Out
Mr. WB is signed up to run a race this weekend. Which means meal times will be rough. So we are eating out. 

Saturday: Stew
I love easy dinners. And this stew is perfect because you throw all the ingredients in and walk away. Best idea ever. 

Sunday: Two Timing Pasta
I really love this recipe. I also love the fact that it makes a lot of food. Perfect for inviting over one of the couples from church so we can get to know them better. (I'm waiting on one of my girlfriends to send me the recipe so you get detailed measurements. Another recipe worth adding to your rotation.)

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan? Look at some of my past posts by clicking on Menu to the left or visit the orgjunkie.

Weekly Menu Plan - 9/3

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Family Dinner
Mr. WB was in high heaven with all you can eat crab. He loves holidays! :) I need to get him his own crab cracker so I can cook some at home for special occasions.

Tuesday: Chicken, veggies, orzo, and salad
I recently learned about orzo and I have fallen in love. It adds a different element to our normal dinner rotation. I like to cook the chicken in a little bit of butter with italian seasoning. I switch up the vegetables I cook with it. Usually it contains carrots and onions.

Wednesday: French Toast, OJ
Using up extra bread, milk, and eggs in a delicious dinner. I can't wait. Recently pregnant cravings seem to be more sugar based. Last week, my husband asked me what I wanted for dinner and I said syrup. No joke. We had leige waffles. I need to learn how to make these myself. Step one: buying Belgium Pearl Sugar. Mmmm. Sugar.

Thursday: Chicken Tacos
Defrosting leftover chicken taco meat from the freezer. Adding cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and fresh tortillas for an easy and healthy dinner. I need to share this recipe with you. Hopefully it gets done this week. :)

Friday: Chili and rice
Keeping it simple.

Saturday: Eat Out

Sunday: OYO Leftovers

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan? Look at some of my past posts by clicking on Menu to the left or visit the orgjunkie.

Weekly Menu Plan - 8/27

Last week our favorite dish by far was Lion House's Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Mr. WB and I both went back for seconds!

Source: whowantsdinner.blogspot.com via Madison on Pinterest

I cannot wait to break the leftovers out on a day when I don't feel like making dinner. I totally took a page from all the tips I read on Pinterest and tried freezing my leftovers. The most delicious looking hockey pucks I have ever seen. :) Just make sure you spray the pans down before you ladle the soup in so everything pops out in one piece.

Source: themommyincharge.com via Valerie on Pinterest

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Mr. WB has it covered 
Can I tell you I have the best husband in the world? Because I totally do. Today he made me breakfast in bed, took me out to Indian food for lunch, and volunteered to make dinner. You know you are jealous. I love my man! 

Tuesday: Mom's Potato Corn Chowder 
Look for a recipe later in the week. It is one of my favorite meals to make. I plan to freeze the leftovers just like I did for the extra soup. Got to get ready for the baby! One frozen dinner at a time.

Wednesday: Mac N Cheese, green beans, and polska kielbasa
This time I am totally caving and making it right out of the box. Last week's recipe was not my favorite and needs some tweaking. I've discovered I don't like nutmeg in my Mac N Cheese. Must be the revolutionary in me. :)

Thursday: Chicken melts with salad
Keeping it simple and using up some of the delicious garlic bread we bought.

Friday: Italian chicken, rice, and steamed corn
Easy and healthy. Count me in. (Yes, I am aware corn is a starch.)

Saturday: Tri-Tip at The Dog House Grill
My husband begins drooling just hearing the name.

Sunday: Visiting family

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan?

Visit the orgjunkie or just click on the picture below.

Weekly Menu Plan 8/20

In an effort to spend less money at the grocery store I am trying to plan my weekly menu so that I only make one trip instead of four. It is something I read about in America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, and Cashing in on Your Dreams. Ridiculously long title but I actually learned a lot from reading the book. I am trying to implement that learning in small steps. (Saving on groceries, budgeting, car insurance, etc.) Look for more updates about that in the future.

No, I did not buy the book. I checked it out from the library. But I am considering purchasing it to add to my shelf of books I think every mom should read at least once. This week I plan to read the next book Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half with America's Cheapest Family: Includes So Many Innovative Strategies You Won't Have to Cut Coupons. Which my husband is thrilled about because coupons have been a bump in the past. I will have to let you know what I think of it when I am done reading.

The whole idea of shopping once is every time you go in for the one thing you always end up coming out with more. So if you only go in once the amount of impulse buying decreases significantly. Kind of like Target. (I try not to go without Mr. WB because the dollar spot is very dangerous.)

Source: imglols.com via Madison on Pinterest

For more funny pictures and stories check out the original source here. I digress, back to menu planning.

Setting a weekly menu can be tough. I like to look at my cupboards, think of what I like to eat, consult my husband (rarely helpful), look at my schedule, and end up spending a good hour on Pinterest perusing my boards of recipes to try. No joke. Sometimes I only make one meal that I planned. Life happens.

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Revolutionary Mac N Cheese with salad and green beans
Tuesday: Crockpot Mexican Tortilla Lasagna
Wednesday: Curry
Thursday: Pizza
Friday: On Your Own / Leftovers Buffet / Dinner Out (It all depends on how lazy I feel)
Saturday: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Bread Sticks
Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner - Breakfast potatoes, eggs, toast, and fruit

I didn't include breakfast or lunch because we generally eat cold cereal and leftovers. :)

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan?

Visit the orgjunkie or just click on the picture below.

Menu Planning - Tips and Ideas

One of the things I learned as a newly married woman is that people show love in different ways.  Making a good meal is one of the ways I show love. My husband shows his love by doing the dishes. (I have the best husband ever!) I also learned that making an amazing meal takes planning, creativity and patience.

Each weekend I try to plan out my next weeks menu so that I make one grocery trip instead of 4. (Which is what I did this last week.) Sometimes I am successful and sometimes it doesn't happen. I have tried a couple of different systems to plan my meals. I tried a monthly plan. Holy Hannah! It was just a little too stressful. (But some people like them.) I tried a couple of different excel worksheets found on the web. Still too tricky. I found what worked best for me was a simple weekly notepad that I picked up at Michaels. I like it because it has space to write down what I need to pick up at the store. When I am done shopping, I just tack it to the front of the fridge to give hubby an idea of what to expect each week.

One day I will make/buy something like this:

         

Tips:

1. Have a list of go to meals or ideas - I have a list of family favorites on my computer and a pinterest board of recipes to try.

2. Have a couple of easy back-up meals planned. 

3. Don't worry if your plan doesn't work out.

4. Planning ahead saves money and time. I hate when you are starving and you look into your pantry and nothing looks good.

5. Plan your menu around what you already have and what is currently on sale.

6. Double check you have the ingredients you need. Or be flexible enough to make a creative meal.