Basically the general guidelines

  1. we will allow ourselves to dine out once per quarter to allow for the occasional business meeting or special celebrations
  2. if we are out on business or having a meeting in a coffee house we can order the bare minimum needed to mix in, no need to be bigger freaks than we already are, right? **snort**
  3. coffee does not count, we gave up fancy coffee long ago so the occasional coffee we feel is not a problem
  4. if on a business trip there is no way we will be cooking from a hotel room

1.11.2010

Tuesday Menu Planning

I think menu planning is one of the best and worst tasks I have to do on a weekly basis, I raise my own chickens folks, that has to tell you something right there. On one hand I love to find, create or dig up recipes to make but firmly planted on the other hand are the likes, dislikes, repeats, failures and refusals that make cooking for other people the hardest damn job in the world. I have eventually come to the conclusion that I can't please all the people all the time and with that idea in mind I go forth in to the realm of possible meals.

These are a few of the dos and don'ts of menu planning:We eat mostly a vegetarian diet which just about kills my oldest son(but I keep lots of mom approved foods for him to munch on because lets face it he eats about every hour on the hour) so there's that. We grew our own meat this summer so I should use that. We raise our eggs so I need add them in when I can. I have a freezer full of salmon from dipnetting to eat up. And of course all the vegetables I put away need to vacate the freezer. That's not even the likes and dislikes of our crew, which just really don't count for much because our house rules are everybody has to eat 3 bites of everything that's for dinner. Funny thing about that rule is that after those 3 bites they usually forget their dislikes and just tuck in.

Without further adieu this weeks menu:
Baked Salmon-roasted potatoes-corn and peas
Veg. Bulgur Chili w/cheese and yogurt, fresh bread
Spaghetti, green salad and bread sticks
Almond/edamame/vegetable chowmein
Pancakes, eggs, bacon, fresh fruit
Baked potato bar w/broccoli, cheese, onions, yogurt
Fake n Bake Porkchops, roasted cabbage with cheese sauce

Baked Goods/sweet treats
4 loaves of bread
Bread Rolls
Blueberry Upsidedown Cake
Peanut Butter and Jelly thumbprints...working on a recipe

So there it is and we'll see how it pans out. Notice how I didn't post a day for each meal? I do that because if I slip up and don't get it together in time I don't feel guilty or worry, I just make what I can, and roll on. So why make a meal plan anyway? Well, I go to the store once a week and need to make sure I get what I need. If dinner parts are in the house it makes staying in and eating in so much easier.

Wish us luck as we head in to our 2nd week of 365 In: a year of eating in. This week was actually pretty easy in after thought, with a little planning we can avoid a whole lot eating out.

7 comments:

  1. Wow! YOu have a noble goal! You must be some terrific cook! Visiting from 5minformom.

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  2. There is also a Menu Plan Monday you could link too.

    http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday

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  3. Just came over from 5 minutes for mom. What a great idea you have going here! I think I'll be following along and watching your journey! You got me curious with your mac-and-cheese muffins. Do you plan to be posting recipes? I'd love to see that one! Kudos on the sushi. I would love to try that. My son and I love it (hubby and daughter - not so much) but I'm too cheap to go out for it. We take advantage when we go to chinese buffets - it's always so yummy! I need to get over the intimidation of it and give it a try!

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  4. been thinking of adding baked potato bar back to the menu again thanks for sharing your menu

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  5. I do the same thing when I make a meal plan and don't put days. I let our tastes for that day decide what I'm going to make. And that also leaves room for leftovers, if needed.

    Ok, sooo until I saw shop annies comment above I thought a baked potato bar was some kind of loaf. DUH you meant like a salad bar. Yay roasted cabbage!

    WHOA already up to $90!? Way to go! Do you have any plans for the saved money - like maybe a family vacation at the end of the year or something to reward yourselves for all the hard work!?

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  6. I want to come over for dinner on the night of the baked potato bar. Yum! What a great idea, and fun too!

    Also, I hope there will be a recipe for the "fake 'n bake" pork chops ... the husband is a big fan of shake 'n bake and I'd love to offer him something less processed.

    Nice job on the menu, Laura!

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