This weekend I think I finally hit my stride in making a plan to menu plan.  It does take some time to sit down and review what you have on hand to make a menu, review recipes to see what needs to be added to the grocery list, and then finish up the grocery list.  I did my planning session during Saturday’s naptime so I could get a couple of little things on Sunday and be ready to start the week with the majority of the ingredients needed for the week.  I’m using my binder of favorite recipes or Pinterest most often.

So far the menu planning is helping me feel less stressed about dinner time, especially since I am adding in at least one or two crock-pot meals for the week.  It’s also started to trim my grocery bill for the week by about $25.  Next up is to start clearing through some back-up in the pantry and freezer so hopefully I can increase our savings even more.

Up on this week’s plan…
Monday~ new Mexican Chicken in the Crock-Pot…I’m winging it so if it’s good, a recipe will follow 😉
Tuesday~ Lentil Soup and Salad.  Daddy is away so I get to test out some meatless meals to see if they are hearty enough for his return.
Wednesday~ Chicken Sausage and Pasta
Thursday~ Easy Chicken Curry.  I’ve made this two times before and some very picky eaters LOVED it.
Friday~ Fried Haddock Sandwiches.  My little man turns ONE on Friday, so he may get something special.

For more recipe inspiration, you can follow my Favorite Recipe or Slow Cooker Board.

What are you cooking this week?

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This post will be shared at OrgJunkie Menu Plan Monday.

Happy long holiday weekend!

Missing from the list is Sunday’s great Beef Stew made in the Pressure Cooker tonight for my Mom’s birthday.  Have I mentioned how much I’m loving my new pressure cooker? 😉  Thanks Mom!

While my wonderful husband is traveling, I’m going to try a meatless Monday recipe I saw in Whole Living, the Mushroom and White Bean soup.  It just looks so cozy.

The chicken broth came out so good in the pressure cooker last time so I’m planning to do the same again this week.  I may throw in some sweet potatoes and cinnamon this time for some variety.

Mushroom and White Bean Soup

What are you making this week?  Winter has finally arrived and I would love to hear what you are making to keep yourselves warm and cozy!

For more menu planning ideas, stop by OrgJunkie for Menu Plan Mondays.

I love to hear your feedback and comments. Stop by and visit the Facebook page or Twitter for updates!  Or get posts delivered via Email or RSS Feed. Thanks!   

Happy New Year!
Here is this week’s dinner menu.  One of my resolutions for 2012 is to spend more time menu planning.  I find such relief when I open my chalkboard closet and find tonight’s dinner decision ready and waiting for me.  I also want to be better prepared for lunches, so I may start planning those out too.  My goal is to make sure we use up all of our leftovers as it bothers me when we have to throw out food that has been sitting too long in our fridge.  I love to cook, but there is always a way to make it more efficient and enjoyable.

Monday Meatloaf is a beef version of this recipe from Cooking Light.  (I find turkey meatloaf just doesn’t cut it.) We left out the sriracha sauce so everyone could eat it.  Our little guy ate it all up! If it’s just me and my husband eating it, the spicy version is amazing. Roasted Green Beans in the oven and Sweet Potatoes in the Pressure cooker (10 mins total time!) rounded out the meal.

Tuesday will be my first attempt at cooking a Whole Chicken in the pressure cooker.  I have found recipes including beer cans, lots of liquid, minimal liquid, etc.  I haven’t quite decided what I’ll do, but most recipes say it should be done in about 25 minutes.   I’ll also be saving the bones to make a fresh batch of chicken broth. (Still trying to get it to gel…maybe in the pressure cooker it will work!)  The leftover chicken will be used for Waldorf chicken salad sandwiches, which will help me meet my healthy lunch goal and to use up leftovers.

Wednesday~ Sweet & Sour Pork Tenderloin in the Crock pot.  New recipe…will update later with results.

Thursday~ Homemade Chicken Nuggets and Sweet Potato fries.

Friday~ Homemade Pepperoni Pizza night. I should do a salad…but probably won’t.

Saturday~ Salmon and Broccoli. Last time we did salmon the little guy wasn’t for it.  I’m going to try it poached and see if he will eat it this time.

What menu planning resources do you use?  To get more ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday.

I love to hear your feedback and comments. Stop by and visit the Facebook page or Twitter for updates!  Or get posts delivered via Email or RSS Feed. Thanks!