What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

Honestly, one of the best perks about going on a cruise vacation is that Mommy gets a break from cooking and cleaning which allows for some extra time relaxing and playing with the family.  Last week we enjoyed delicious food on Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas as well as a lot of fun adventures with our extended family.  Now that I am back from vacation and full swing into our normal schedule its time to plan our weekly menu again.  This week will consists of easy meals because I have a lot of unpacking, laundry, cleaning, work, and other activities to do.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

Our Weekly Menu Plan

• Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree):  Beef & Bean Chili, Cornbread
• Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Kid’s Choice Pizza, Fresh Vegetables
• Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree):  Chicken Noodle & Vegetable Soup, Fresh Fruit
• Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree):  Poor Man’s Pasta, Steamed Vegetables
  
• Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

Photo by Liz