Menu Planning Monday - Fueling the Tank

The reality is I HAVE TO menu plan.  In addition to writing this blog, running a photography business (here), being a full time Mom and Wife, I also operate a daycare out of my home.  It is imperative that I know what we are eating daily and that there is food in the house.  I cannot run out in the middle of the day to get something for lunch, it's just not possible.

As a busy Mom I also know a lot of other busy Moms and the one thing I always find coming up in conversations is what to have for dinner.  Sometimes I wish I could just worry about dinner, I NEED to also know what we are having for snacks (two a day, plus extras) and lunch (no eating out in this house).

Having to super duper menu plan I figured I probably have a lot of offer other mothers (and fathers) when it come to figuring out what to eat.

I have been menu planning for years, even when Jon and I were just on our own we still menu planned.  I find knowing what's for dinner has many benefits including saving you money at the grocery store (no "just in case" buys), less fast food stops on the way home and overall less food waste because everything in your fridge has a purpose.

Menu planning is not easy and I find I still struggle with it despite my years of practice.  I am not one to devise a months worth of menus and then hit repeat, that's just not my style.  I also try to minimize the amount of money I am spending by making smart purchases and ensuring I will use all the food I buy.  Nothing sucks more then buying a bag of spinach to top a sandwich and then the rest goes wilty in the fridge.  Recently with opening the home daycare, menu planning has become much more complex.  I am now taking into consideration snacks and lunches for five little mouths plus having enough left over for me (something I fail at on a weekly basis).  When shopping we also need to take into consideration Jon's lunches for work (because we just don't have the money for him to eat out everyday).  It seems like a never ending battle and I know I am not the only one struggling with this every weekend.

I've decided to share my menu plans, not every week, just when I happen to hit the jack pot or have something important to share.  I will try to link up or provide (should it be my own creation) recipes to meals.  Shopping lists I will leave to you as everyone's family is different and you will need different portions (that is if you chose to follow my menu).

A few notes about my menu plans;  they run Saturday to Friday, that's just what works for our family, do what works for yours.  We plan at least one "eat out" meal a week because everyone needs a treat.  Weekend meals, breakfasts and dinners are for my family of two adults and one toddler.  Snacks and lunches are for myself and 3-5 toddlers.

This specific week I have been struggling with eating enough during the day.  This issue has been highlighted as I start running again and find that I just don't have enough "fuel in the tank" at the end of the day.  The issue is not only am I eating toddler friendly meals, I am also eating toddler sized portions.  This week you will notice meals in red, these are add ons I am making for myself to the meal the daycare will be eating and I will be making a conscious effort to actually eat because as anyone who is a parent out there knows it is quite easy to forget about yourself.  I have also not planned breakfast as I will be eating Oatmeal and Egg Whites every morning in an effort to "clean up" my diet and Jon and Anna will be eating a more varied breakfast of their choice.  This menu was inspired by Tosca Reno's The Eat Clean Diet Recharged (available here).  I have been following the eat clean diet for years and use her books when I need to get back on track.

Enjoy this menu plan, I hope it provides you with inspiration to get in the kitchen and cook for your family, even if it is just one meal this week.

 

Family Menu

June 14th - 20th, 2014

DAY	BREAKFAST	SNACK	LUNCH	SNACK	DINNER
SATURDAY	Turkey & Spinach Egg White Scramble				Hamburgers Corn on the Cob Spinach Salad
SUNDAY	Pancakes And Sausages				Eat Out (Father's Day Treat)
MONDAY		Pears (Protein Shake)	Chicken Hummus Wraps And Carrot Sticks	Apple Sauce With Cheerios (w/flax, tuna and green beans)	Tilapia Bok Choy Rice
TUESDAY		Apples (tuna)	Panko Crusted Fish Sticks And Grapes	Tomatoes Cucumbers And Hummus (applesauce w/ flax)	Steak Sweet Potato Asparagus
WEDNESDAY		Bananas (apple & protein Shake)	Waffles And Berries	Yogurt Covered Cranberries (applesauce w/ flax, chicken w/ cucumbers and radishes)	Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Couscous "Stuffing" Broccoli (Recipe coming soon)
THURSDAY		Oranges (pear & turkey breast)	Steak Wraps With Veggie Sticks	Ants on a Log (applesauce & flax)	Pork Chops Rice Zucchini
FRIDAY		Fruit Cups	Egg Muffins And Toast	Granola Bars (applesauce w/ flax, pear & protein shake)	BBQ Pizza (Recipe coming soon)