Menu Plan Monday

I'm sure most of you have heard of Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious Cookbook. She claims a foolproof system: delicious and easy-to-make stealth recipes that sneak in puréed veggies so kids will never suspect the foods they love are actually good for them! This week I am going to try out some of her recipes and see how my family responds to them!

Monday: Beef Stew (with hidden broccoli purée)

Tuesday: Quesadillas w/ Avocado Spread (with hidden butternut squash purée)

Wednesday: Chicken Nuggets (with hidden broccoli & sweet potato purée)

Thursday: Italian Meatloaf (with hidden carrot purée)

Friday: Day Off

Saturday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (with hidden sweet potato purée)

Sunday: Spaghetti & Meatballs (with hidden carrot and butternut squash purée)

Yo Mom, What's For Dinner?

Monday: Tamales
(Easy dinner for my husband to handle because I am leaving him and the kids behind at 5pm to go to my POTTERY CLASS!)

Tuesday: Lasagna & Salad

Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pie

Thursday: Pork Chops with Long Grain White Rice w/Vegetables

Friday: Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Saturday: Chicken Spaghetti & Salad

Sunday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Menu Planning

Why Do I Make A Weekly Menu Plan?

1. I never have to come up with a last minute meal idea off the top of my head.

2. I always have the ingredients in the house for whatever I’m making because I make up my menu plan before going grocery shopping.

3. I always know what meat to take out of the freezer the night before.

4. I save money by not buying groceries I don’t end up using.

5. My husband enjoys knowing in advance what's for dinner.

6. It helps me to avoid last minute unhealthy desperation meals.

7. I don’t have to spend any more time in the kitchen than is absolutely necessary.

8. Dinner is organized and on the table at the same time every night.

9. It gives me something to blog about every Sunday :)

10. It helps me to take the time to prepare healthy meals.

This Week's Dinner Menu

Every Sunday I sit down with my Sunday paper and clip coupons. Then, I make my dinner menu for the week and my grocery shopping list. I grocery shop every Monday for the entire week.

Monday- Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes & Peas and Carrots

Tuesday- Grilled Chicken, Corn on the Cob & Croissant Rolls

Wednesday- Flank Steak & Corn/Black Bean/Tomato Salad

Thursday- Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread & Green Salad

Friday- Out To Dinner Night

Saturday- Chili & Fruit Salad

Sunday- Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad