Let's Talk Menu Planning

I consider myself a pretty organized person............mostly................sometimes.  I never go grocery shopping without a list, doing this makes for a higher grocery bill.  You can't compile a grocery list without planning your meals.

Since I do my major shopping every two weeks I plan meals for 14 days at a time.  It's not as daunting as it sounds.  I used to print off a monthly calendar using Microsoft Publisher.  I recently signed up for Groupon and what do you know a couple of days ago they had an offer for a menu planning service for half price.  The company is ez-mealz.  The cost is normally $58 for a year's worth of menu plans and grocery lists.  Groupon offered this for $29.  I ended up paying $19 'cause I had $10 worth of credit.  I visited the site and looked at their sample plans first.  I liked what I saw and hey, if spending just $19 is going to save me time, then I'm all for it.  

Here's the first week's menu:

Chicken Tetrazzini, peas, dinner rolls

Beef Burgundy (Crock-pot), egg noodles, fresh steamed broccoli

Sausage and Zucchini Soup, cornbread

Russian Chicken (Crock-pot), egg noodles, green beans, dinner rolls

Seared Tilapia, salad, corn

Sloppy Joe's, fries, grapes

Slow Baked BBQ Chicken, mashed potatoes, chilled peaches

Since we tend to eat healthy I will use whole grain pastas, light soups and cheeses and make our own fries, which will be baked in the oven.

Now you're asking what about breakfast and lunch.  I love eating breakfast.  Some of my favorites are:

Steel Cut Oatmeal

Egg Beaters (I'm not a big egg fan, but will eat egg whites)

Yogurt and fresh fruit

Pancakes/Waffles on the weekend

Stuffed French Toast

 

Lunches:

Soup

Sandwiches

Leftovers

Salad

My version of Panera Bread Strawberry, Chicken, Poppyseed salad

Snacks:

Popcorn

Fresh fruit

Dark chocolate

Yogurt

I'm sharing this over at House of Grace's What We Eat In a Week linky party.