Recently, I tried out a new way of menu planning – two week planning. It was wonderful! I loved it. The only problem? I didn’t do it based on our two week budget.
What I mean is, I planned the menu and one week of the plan was on one two week budget, and the second week of the plan was on a different budget. Since we get a new budget every two weeks, I wanted to just plan this week’s menu; then, start back to two week planning on Sunday so that my plan and my budget coincide.
If that doesn’t make sense (and I’m certain it doesn’t), then suffice it to say, I love planning my menus every two weeks instead of weekly. You should try it. Bear with me this week as I re-organize my plan and budget. I will be back to planning my menus bi-weekly menus next week.
Typical Breakfasts – we mix and match the following:
Typical Lunches
- Salads usually topped with some sort of nut (walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds), fruit, veggies
- Almond/Peanut Butter & Homemade Jam sandwich
- Leftovers
Typical Snacks:
- Hummus
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Fruit
- Raw veggies
Dinner this week:
- Monday: Dinner Out for Date Night
- Tuesday: Baked Chicken* {inspiration from Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution}
- Wednesday: Crockpot BBQ Ribs (BBQ Sauce) – {Didn’t get to last time}
- Thursday: Shredded Chicken, Broccoli, and Pesto over Spaghetti Noodles* {inspiration from Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution}
- Friday: Spicy Cod Fillets {Recipe from Better Homes & Garden Cookbook}
- Saturday: Beef Stew with Dumplings {inspiration from Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution}
- Sunday: Leftovers
* – experiment, which means there is no set recipe.
I have found that I am not great at following a recipe and sticking to a budget. It’s one or the other for me. However, I have learned a few basic cooking skills, and learned Swagbucks Search engine is my friend. I am constantly searching for substitutions for ingredients I do not have on hand, are too expensive to buy, etc. I rarely follow a recipe to the T. And sometimes, I just make things up. The asterisk indicates when things are going to get a little hairy in my kitchen. 
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Your turn: What’s on your menu this week?
This post is linked to Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday and Keeper of the Home’s Plan-It Don’t Panic Challenge.
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About Leigh Ann
Thanks for the link up! Looks like a great plan for the week!
Your meal plan sounds delicious! Following you over from MPM!
Hope you stop and visit me as well!
http://makingourlifematter.blogspot.com/2011/10/menu-plan-mondayoctober-17th-october.html
I like the two week idea! I may try that next week. Found you on MPM
I’ve been planning our menus bi-monthly for quite awhile since my husband gets paid every other week. It’s been a great help… I’m trying planning a whole month’s worth of menus for November. Every other time I’ve tried it, I didn’t stick with it. I hope it works this time!
I love having my menu planned out a month in advance. However, for me, it was just too stressful to implement. Bi-weekly just seems more feasible right now. I would love to hear how it goes for you! Maybe you can tell me your secrets.