I've been terrible about sharing meal plans. And, well, I've been terrible about doing them. I'm not totally winging it, I usually scribble down plans for a few days at a time. Which is totally better than nothing, because at least I'm not standing in the kitchen at 5:00 with no idea what I'm putting on the table for dinner. But still, it's better when I plan more ahead.

I feel like I'm still not in the swing of things with this school year. I think it's this soccer schedule that's throwing me off. Practices three days a week and games on the weekends is just messing up my ability to plan. But I'm trying to get back on the wagon of doing the plan for at least the whole week, so here goes. I'm not even taking the time to drop it into a template of any kind - I'm just typing it out and I'm going to print this post and we are going to go with it.

One of the keys to meal planning that works is having a sense of your schedule. Have your calendar next to you as you are making plans and choosing meal for the week - so you know which days you are getting home late, or need something made ahead. And look at this - we don't have a single day this week without some kind of afternoon or evening commitment. yay. (not.)

My plan for the coming week includes easy meals that can mostly be made ahead and just reheated at dinner time. Subject to change on a whim.

Monday: (Morning therapy appointments, dance classes and soccer practice after school.)

Kids Breakfast: bagels, apples, cheese
Kids Lunch: pizza rolls, apple bread (still working on that recipe - the kids get all my test loaves), carrots, cheese.
Dinner: Chicken soup. Also known as "leftover soup" - take all of the leftover things out of the fridge and put them in broth, and call it soup. It's got a bit of veggies, a bit of brown rice, some diced chicken, all in homemade chicken broth. If I have time I'll make some biscuits or soda bread to go with it.

Tuesday: (IEP meeting after school)

Kids Breakfast: Apple bread, cheese.
Kids Lunch: Tuna salad and crackers. Veggies and berries on the side.
Dinner: Enchilada casserole. Also knows as: Lazy mom's enchiladas - it's much easier to just layer stuff in a casserole dish than it is to carefully roll each enchilada. Or I might try a version in the slow cooker that I've been meaning to try for a while. I make my own enchilada sauce because store bought ones are too spicy for my kids. It's basically just a tomato gravy (butter, flour - make a roux. Add chicken broth. Then add tomato sauce.) - seasoned with garlic, onion, cumin, and a tiny bit of chili powder. Here is an actual recipe if you like. In a casserole dish, layer: sauce, corn tortillas, diced chicken, shredded cheese, diced green chilis, diced onions. A layer of a cream of mushroom soup is really nice. Or some sour cream. It doesn't have to be pretty. Top with a bit more cheese, bake at 350 until bubbly. Serve with sour cream and shredded lettuce.

Wednesday: (Soccer practice after school)

Kids Breakfast: Dutch Baby
Kids Lunch: Breakfast for lunch: Banana bread, yogurt, cheese, fruit.
Dinner: Chicken curry with coconut rice. I buy a packaged curry sauce and I'm not ashamed to admit it. It's easy, and I really like it. This one is a Japanese style golden curry, it comes in little blocks. You just brown your meat, add your chopped veggies, add the cube of sauce, some water or broth, and I always add coconut milk - and then simmer. I use whatever veggies I've got available. For the rice - just white rice cooked in my rice cooker, but I substitute a can of coconut milk for some of the water, and add a little salt.

Thursday: (3 kids dentist appointments after school)

Kids Breakfast: Yogurt with oats, honey, jam, fruit
Kids Lunch: Wraps: Tortillas rolled up with meat, cheese, lettuce. Fruit on the side, maybe a few cookies.
Dinner: leftovers

Friday: (school run-a-thon, and a birthday)

Kids Breakfast: Cheerios, fruit, milk.
Kids Lunch: Sandwiches, not sure what kind yet.
Dinner: the kids are having a sleepover at Grandma's and we're going out. It's my birthday!

Saturday: (2 soccer games)

Breakfast: Out. Kids at Grandma's
Lunch: Quesadillas
Dinner: Black bean soup - homemade broth, black beans, corn, rice, tomatoes, garlic, cumin. Served with toppings: chips, cheese, sour cream, diced avocado.

Sunday: (Hubby has band practice)

Brunch: Pancakes and sausage, eggs, fruit, OJ
Dinner: Tuna melts

Meal Plan #11