It’s that wonderful time of year that we can start everything new. One thing that I have done in the past, but for some reason haven’t done lately, was to have 4 weekly prepared menus for the family. I sat down the other night and wrote new menus that I thought we could stick with. When I put together these menus, I don’t say we’ll this one Monday and this on Tuesday. Instead, I say that we’ll have these 7 meals this week. That way I have a little freedom and flexibility, which is very necessary around here.
Now I know that there are some of you that are going to think we should be eating better food than this. Sorry, this is what we eat. We love our red meat, chicken and ham. I try to fix the meals in a healthy manner, but I don’t alter them so much that they aren’t recognizable anymore. When I say we’re having hamburgers and fries, we’re having beef patty hamburgers and frozen (usually) fried french fries from Ore-Ida.
I don’t list vegetables and side dishes in this menu. We usually have a 1 or 2 vegetables and if bread is not included in the main dish (pasta in spaghetti) I’ll add some sort of bread. One goal I have this year is to try and eat more whole wheat products. I love whole wheat anything, but I’ve got a family that thinks if the bread is brown it must have gone bad.
When I have something on the menu like meatloaf, I’ll usually quadruple the batch and freeze 3. That way, I don’t have to make meat loaf for another 3 months. There are several dishes I do this with. It is really a time saver. Hopefully there will be some left overs which will be eaten at our noon meal. If not, we’ll have sandwiches or something similar for lunch.
Here’s what you’ve been waiting for….the Dow’s 4 Week Menu Plan:
Week 1
Hamburgers
Chicken/Beef Enchiladas
Chicken/Beef Fajitas
Ham
Chili
Hamburger Patties
Spaghetti
Week 2
Sub Sandwiches
Lasagna
Chicken Stir Fry
Roast Beef
Beef Stew
Grilled Chicken
Pizza
Week 3
BBQ Sandwich
King Ranch or Chicken Spaghetti
Sauteed Chicken w/Veges
Brisket
Chicken Cheese Soup
Steak
Tacos
Week 4
Fried Chicken
Mexican Cornbread
Beef Stir Fry
Pork Roast or Turkey
Bean Soup
Meat Loaf
Breakfast
I used to plan a month of menus all the time, then fell out of the habit. But life was much easier when I did so, and my grocery bill was smaller, too. (Fewer last minute frantic trips to the store.) You have inspired me to sit down and plan my menus!
Life is so much easier when you know whats for dinner. I like to do a lot of freezer meals. Usually once a week I will pick a meat: beef, ham, chicken, venison, and will make several meals to freeze to use thoughout the month.
Have a great day.
Donna