This Week's Meal Plan

Uh oh, I almost went to bed without posting my meal plan for the week.  I have to say, posting my meal plans for the last few weeks has been interesting!  There is nothing like making a commitment and putting it in WRITING to inspire me to do more cooking.  I feel like I am more accountable this way, which is motivating even when I'm tired and don't feel like cooking something interesting.  I have pretty much followed my meal plans so far, though sometimes the days are rearranged based on what is going on and what we feel like eating.

This week, my husband is out of town for work until late Tuesday night, so dinner is just Molly and I for those evenings.  Last night I made a one-dish-meal of spanish rice, and tonight I made a cheesy lasagna (and two small loaf-sized lasagnas for the freezer) for us to have for a few meals.  Since I had the oven on for the lasagna, I decided to also try a new recipe for baked oatmeal to have for breakfasts and snacks this week.  It turned out pretty well - Molly gobbled up a piece before bed tonight.  I think next time I will experiment with some dried fruit or maybe pumpkin puree instead of applesauce (I skipped all but about a tablespoon of the oil) to change things up and add a greater variety of nutrients.  I made a half batch, cut it up in pieces, and we will enjoy it warmed up this week.

Here is our meal plan for this week:
Monday: leftover spanish rice that I made with ground beef from our 1/8 cow, carrots from my father-in-law, green peppers and corn that I froze from the farmer's market, taco sauce that I canned and homemade chili seasoning, organic green salad from Costco
Tuesday: leftover lasagna, the last of the zucchini from our garden
Wednesday:  baked Mediterranean chicken, Brussels sprouts, garlic bread
Thursday: roasted beets, potatoes, broccoli, marinated pork chops
Friday:  Friday night pizza using this recipe for crust, Italian sausage from the 1/4 pig we bought this summer, green peppers that I froze from the farmer's market and any other leftover morsels that would be good on pizza

This week I am working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  Wednesday's meal is more easy-going than it looks.  It is already prepared and waiting for me in the freezer, so all I have to do is thaw it in the refrigerator the night before, pop it in a baking dish when I get home and put it in the oven.  Eat well and enjoy your week!