Menu Plan Monday Sept. 21st

As I'm being more diligent about this meal planning thing, I'm realizing I don't need to cook nearly as often as I thought I did. We had leftovers three times this week. And, there are still some in the fridge. This especially happens if David has several lunch meetings in a week or I don't go to the office. I take leftovers to the office. At home, I'll eat cereal for lunch.

So, I'm rethinking even now what I've planned for this week and think I'll do leftovers on Sunday night as well. Hmmmmmm....

Monday: Small Group - We're splitting up - guys and girls - for a few weeks. The guys are going to be at our house so I said I'd cook and leave something for them each week. Easier than someone sending food with their husband with explicit instructions on what to do to set it up once they get here. They guys will be having:

Taco Soup and Brownies

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes - from the freezer - I made them during my Big Cook a couple weeks ago.

Wednesday: Chicken Macaroni Bake - I'll be using chicken I cooked in the crockpot, chopped, and then froze in 2 cup increments - huge time saver. New to me recipe.

Thursday: Crispy Baked Chicken - New to me recipe.

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: HUGE GARAGE SALE DAY - Pizza for dinner

Sunday: Leftovers

I'm excited to try the two new recipes. Both of them were found through org.junkie's Menu Plan Monday. Head over to her site to find lots more menu ideas!

What are you cooking this week?

Menu Plan Monday Sept. 14th

So, last week's meal plan was a TOTAL bust. My BFF is still in the hospital, so lots of time was spent in the actual building at the beginning of the week and later in the week on the computer communicating things about her health.

My father-in-law's quadruple bypass got postponed to until Friday (from Tuesday) so my sweet hubby was gone ALL WEEK. With just me and the girl to cook for, it became a let's eat what's there and easy kind of week.

Then, a friend emailed that they had read the blog and would like to make my BBQ for me for Sunday (it was on my menu). How sweet was that!? It was super yummy and we have leftovers. I've had lots of good friends dropping notes, little gifts. It's awesome to be surrounded by the Body of Christ. Thank you so much for loving me this week.

So, with things hopefully returning to somewhat normal, here's the menu.

Monday: Small Group Night - not my night to cook. Wahoo....

Tuesday: Leftovers - the yummy BBQ mentioned above plus a few other things hanging out.

Wednesday: Chicken Quesadillas (from last week)

Thursday: Meatloaf (see below), Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Friday: Beef Stew

Saturday: Leftovers (did I mention there is only 3 of us - we never finish anything)

Sunday: Stufffed Shells (already in freezer from a "Big Cook" I did last week)

Meatloaf

This if from a Kraft mini-cookbook I bought YEARS ago.

2 pounds ground beef/turkey

1 pkg (6 ounces) Stove Top Stuffing Mix (any variety)

1 cup water

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup ketchup/Barbecue Sauce (divided)

Preheat oven to 375

Mix all ingredients except 1/4 cup of ketchup.

Shape meat mixture into oval loaf in 13x9 inch baking dish; top with remaining ketchup.

Bake at 375 for 1 hour or until center is no longer pink.

For TONS more recipes and meal plans, go to orgjunkie.com.

Menu Plan Monday Sept. 7th

So, I'm going to try this linking to other blogs thing. I've been very intrigued by the whole process for awhile so here goes...

This week's menu took a drastic change as hubby had to go to Charleston to be with his dad who is having quadruple bypass surgery tomorrow (prayers appreciated). So, Mags is at my mom's and I'm all alone. However, I'm sitting in the ER waiting room as my BFF KB is having some issues recovering from her chemo last week. I'm hanging out just in case I am needed. So, it's not a normal week as we're not sure what's going to happen. So, I planned, but it may be scrapped totally. Only God knows.

I've menu planned for years and encourage everyone to do it - saves sanity, time, and money. I'm sure I'll share more about that on future blogs. :)

This week:

Monday: Hmmmmm, hopefully not hospital fare - maybe Chinese on my way home.

Tuesday: Chicken quesadillas, fruit

Wednesday: Hubby's b-day!! If he's back in town, it will be Mellow Mushroom!

Thursday: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Friday: Birthday party at the rolling rink... dinner included

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: BBQ pork

Chicken Quesadillas:

1 lb pre-cooked chicken breast - shredded

1 to 2 tsp. Pampered Chef Southwestern Seasoning (to your taste)

(You can substitute taco seasoning here)

Shredded Mexican Blend cheese

Flour tortillas

Shred up chicken breast in microwave safe bowl and add seasoning and enough water to moisten. Microwave until warm - stirring every 30 seconds.

Place tortilla in pan and top with chicken and cheese. Cover with another tortilla.

Cook until brown on both sides.

Continue with remaining ingredients.

Let sit at least one minute before cutting.

**I usually make these pretty mild so Mags will eat them too.**

You can find more recipes at orgjunkie.com. Go check them out!