Thursday, January 3, 2013

January Meal Plan



Now that it's a new year, I've decided to start planning meals again. Not that I wasn't before, I just lacked the "follow through."

It's all about the follow through.

Even though I had the best of intentions, my lack of motivation kept me from doing the important things like, thawing the meat, soaking the beans, buying the groceries, etc...More often than not, I found myself pulling out the omelet pan and scrambling up some eggs.

Omelette's were even too ambitious because they require thought, and my only thought was "git er done." Hence, the scrambling. Not exactly the meals that dreams are made of.

When planning for a month of meals, I start by shopping in the pantry/freezer first. Then I list the meals that my family likes, that are time-convenient, or are meals that use whatever I have an abundance of. After that list is finished, I divide them into weekly plans and write them on a weekly planner. (This planner is much classier than my old stand-by...the spiral notebook.) On the back of each weekly planner, I write my grocery list. I've found that it's important to take both my meal plan and my grocery list together, because I almost always forget to add something.

I say almost always because it makes me feel more competent than I really am. ☺

Our monthly budget for groceries varies, but we try to keep it around $150.00/week. Every 3 months, we make a Costco and Bob's Redmill run to restock basics such as; sugar, dried beans, rice, spices, and gluten-free staples.

And it ensures that the Mister and I have at least 1 day every 3 months without kids.

It's the little things, really.

Here's what's cookin' this month~

~Week 1~
baked chicken, Mac & Cheese, roasted broccoli/cauliflower
White Chicken Chili (new), gf Cornbread
Parmesan-crusted Tilapia, brown rice/butter, green salad
Homemade gf Pizza
Leftovers
~Week 2~
Lentil Burritos, Guacamole, tortilla chips
Crockpot Mongolian Beef, brown rice, salad
Thai Butternut Curry Soup, Bob's Redmill GF Hearty Whole Grain Bread
Leftovers
~Week 3~
Pot roast, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, veggie (to be determined)
Venison Stroganoff, jasmine rice
GF Beef Empanadas (new)
Salmon Patties, brown rice w/butter, green beans
~Week 4~
baked potatoes, cube steak, salad
Spicy Thai Noodles (with brown rice noodles)
Mexi-Mac, sweet corn
Salsa Chicken, brown rice, salad
Breakfasts: Soaked Oatmeal, brown rice farina, eggs, raw milk kefir smoothies, muffins, Cinnamon Spiced Granola
Lunches: Leftovers, nachos, egg salad or tuna sandwiches (on home-baked bread)
Since I've only planned 28 of the 31 days of January, that leaves room for date nights out, or date nights in...
Hey, it could happen. ☺


4 comments:

Susan said...

Oh, thank goodness your monthly meal plan is back! How I missed it (and you!) First thing on my list is the GF Mac and Cheese. I am in need of some comfort food. Question - from whence cometh the GF Naan? Is that one of your recipes? If so, would you post it? Naan is my favorite kind of bread - ever.

Kim said...

Susan~It's not mine, but I'm tweaking the recipe I've been using~the flour blend is ridiculous! I'll post it as soon as I simplify it. It's my favorite bread too!

Candy C. said...

I find myself turning to scrambled eggs when I'm out of inspiration for meals too. I really need to start making some meal plans...

Melissa K. Norris said...

Thanks for including my slow cooker cabbage rolls. It's always a favorite at our house!