Menu Plan: Getting Back on Track with a Freezer Cooking Marathon

June 5, 2011 By 9 Comments

Last week you may have noticed that I didn’t post our menu plan for the week. That was because I didn’t make one. Oh, how I missed having a plan. There were many days my brain was fried, and trying to remember to lay something out for dinner, not to mention, figure out what to do with it just didn’t happen. Mark ended up bringing home carry-out a couple of times last week. Boo!

The value of making a menu plan for the week is truly priceless. By being intentional to plan my meals, it saves me so much energy in the long run, and it assures that my family is eating healthy, wholesome meals.

Lesson learned. Here is our plan for this week!

Typical Breakfasts –

Typical Lunches

  • Cold cut sandwiches on Sourdough Bread
  • Salads usually topped with some sort of nut/seed (walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds) & fruit (apples, raisins, cranberries, strawberries)
  • Almond Butter & Jelly sandwich
  • Pasta or Rice Salad

Typical Snacks:

  • Nuts
  • Fruit
  • Raw veggies
  • Hard boiled egg
  • Avocado
  • Granola

Dinner this week:

  • Monday: Italian Chicken & Tomato Pasta Toss, Fresh Green Salad
  • Tuesday: Black Bean Burgers, Chips & Salsa
  • Wednesday: Tacos, guacamole & chips, rice
  • Thursday: Meeting, carry-out
  • Friday: Veal w/ Spanish Rice, steamed greens
  • Saturday: Chicken Rotel w/ Fresh Green Salad
  • Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner

In addition to our regular menu plan, I have plans for a Freezer Cooking Marathon this week. I have not done this yet with a baby, but I am convinced that Freezer Cooking is a must for us. There are days when I’m just too exhausted to cook, and I have wished for my stash of freezer meals that I had when Samuel was first born.

Here is what I plan to make:

Whew I’m exhausted just looking at this list! I’m going to spend Sunday afternoon making all the seasoning and sauces since that should be fairly easy. I will work in spurts and eventually get it all done. I’ll keep you posted throughout the week with my progress!

 

This post is linked to Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday. Check out her sight for hundreds more menu plans!

Filed Under: Freezer Cooking, In The Kitchen, Weekly Menu Plan
About Leigh Ann

Leigh Ann’s life goal is to create a home where it is impossible to not think about God. She is the editor of Intentional By Grace since it's beginnings in 2011. She is the wife to the man of her prayers, Mark, and mama to a loveable little boy, Samuel. She takes joy in spending her days creating memorable moments with her husband, conducting kitchen experiments, researching every natural alternative known to man, and making her little boy laugh. She does it all by the grace of God.

You can follow her on twitter @n10tionalgrace or by liking Intentional By Grace on Facebook.

  • Jerilyn White

    So, are these recipe’s you have used before or just trying. I tried the freezer thing twice and the recipe’s were nasty. So I would love to give it a try again, but I want to make sure the food is going to be good. Otherwise it’s such a waste of time and money. BTW, downloaded the time management book. Thanks for your inspiration.

    • Leigh Ann

      @Jerilyn I have been doing lots of freezer cooking days so I definitely know nasty! ;) I’ve learned that it is trial and error, no doubt. I will compile a list of tried and true recipes for freezer cooking that I have used and love! How does that sound? This month is another trial month, so I’ve not tried many of these. I’m branching outside my comfort zone. These were all recommended from friends as great freezer meals. From this list, I know the black bean burgers, pizza dough, quiche, waffles, and mushrooms freeze beautifully!

      Glad you got the book. I definitely enjoyed it! I have referred back to it several times since purchasing it myself. It’s funny how you can get all pumped up for something when you first get it, but I’m glad that I keep going back to it and implementing what I learned! I hope it spurs you on as well. :)

  • http://distanceindays.blogspot.com/ Nell

    I agree that not having a plan is really hard to come up with meals on the fly! Having a plan truly helps me feel like we are eating better that is for sure!

    I love the idea of freezer meals, I may have to try some of the ones on your list when I get a job and go back to work!

    • Leigh Ann

      @Nell freezer cooking is such a blessing for our family. There are many days that I am exhausted come 5 o’clock. My husband is so kind to pick up carry-out, but it’s just not conducive. to staying in our budget! So freezer cooking makes the last part of our day a lot more peaceful. When I was working in an office, I loved freezer cooking for the same reason! I would love to hear if you try any recipes and like (or hate them)! :) Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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  • Heidi

    Do you have recipe for your taco seasoning?

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