We are in the throes of trying to sell our house here and all I can say is if you want a clean and organized home just put your house on the market. My goodness, my house has never been this clean, ever and for a very good reason. It’s next to impossible to maintain these standards, I’m exhausted! All I want to do is crawl into bed and watch Reba (and yes I own the entire series, I can’t help myself. That show is funny! 🙂 )
So I really don’t have food on the brain at this moment. We’ll all hit this wall occasionally where menu planning is the last thing on our minds. It would be so easy to put it off, to not do it and hope we can just wing it for the week. For those who may be feeling this way, as I am today….DON’T PUT IT OFF, believe me you’ll regret it. I know from experience that as much as I think I could wing it this week, come tomorrow at 4:00 pm when I’m crabby with the kids while I search the cupboards frantically for something I can throw together, you’d better believe I’ll be wishing I’d taken the extra time to menu plan. So I’m just going to bite the bullet and get er done today and I hope you will too.
So here we go. Remember what’s in brackets is what my son with food allergies (gluten, dairy, eggs, fish and nuts) will be eating. As you can see he usually just eats a very simple version of whatever we are eating.
Monday: Broccoli Cheese Soup served with homemade bread (gf/df pancakes for my son from freezer)
Tuesday: Italian Sausage and Peppers served over rice (no substitutions required)
Wednesday: Chicken Nugget Casserole served over spaghetti (son will have grilled chicken and rice pasta)
Thursday: Leftover buffet
Friday: Zucchini, Carrot and Black Bean Quesadillas (son will eat rice tortillas and no cheese)
Saturday: Ranch Pork Chops served with Rosemary Red Potatoes (I will cook my son his pork chop plain)
Simple Supper Sunday: Church Lunch Potluck ~ Macaroni Taco Bake
WHAT’S ON YOUR MENU THIS WEEK?
JOIN US!
Menu Plan Monday guidelines and banner selections are here.
PlanningQueen says
Hi Laura, I did try that brownie recipe you highlighted the other week just last night and it is indeed delicious. Thanks for sharing your recipe finds.
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
That soup sounds yummy! Thanks so much hosting!
Liz
Annie @ SisterWisdom says
Ah, selling house. Not a good time at all, bravo for sticking to your menu planning. You’re so right, too. It’s when you don’t care/don’t want to/don’t have time that you MOST need the menu plan. I was a little tempted to skip; we’re heading out of town on fri, so it’s a short week, we need to clean out leftovers, etc etc. But that would have only worked through tuesday! Ah! Then it would be the pantry-scramble. Menu planning is my friend. Yes indeedy.
Judi @ Frugal Frolic says
Hi Laura,
I totally agree about NOT putting off meal planning. Sure, I could wing it, but it would be much more stressful, and certainly more costly. With kids’ activities and a new business, the last thing I need to worry about is what’s for dinner. A few minutes of planning keeps our household much more sane and happy 🙂
Char says
I don’t envy you with having to keep the house up while selling. Menu planning does really make a difference in the sanity of the family no matter what!
Tamara says
I really understand the thing about keeping the house clean and clutter free while trying to see your house. I am in that position, I have even taken to doing all my cooking outside on our bbq (it is summer here in the sounther hemisphere) so my oven stays clean and the kitchen is not so difficult to look after.
My computer has been out of action so I have not been able to blog much lately but I have my menu up with a focus on low cal food.
I love to see people visit me.
Jill Scott says
Whoo Hoo! First time in the MPM!
Amber(the lonely baker) says
First time here! What a great way to see other meal plans! Thank you!
Avivah @ Oceans of Joy says
It’s so true that the times we benefit most from menu planning we least feel we can! Good for you for being willing to do it even with all that you have going on.
(Anytime I think of buying a larger home, I picture having to put this one on the market and keep it looking pristine all times of the day – and that thought is so intimidating that it helps me feel even more content to stay right where we are. :))
Tammy says
I read something recently on another website about using quinoa instead of breadcrumbs when making things like chicken nuggets. I have no idea how well that would work, but it might be worth a try.
Leah says
(for Tammy) you would still want to cook(boil) the quinoa before toasting it, just to get that shell/skin off because it is really bitter, but I think that is a great idea and I am going to try it 🙂
The Macaroni Taco Bake looks like a winner! Atleast with the peeps I feed. Bonus, I got all the ingredients in the Pantry, so thank you for sharing that. I am thinking that I need to renew my suscription to Taste of Home 🙂
Martianne says
I am not sure if you have ever heard of Angel Foods – it’s an inexpensive food co-op that operates through many local churches. Among their offerings is an allergen-free box. With your move at hand and options for your son to think about, it might be worth looking into for you. This month’s menus for it are at http://www.angelfoodministries.com/menus/menu_2010-02_en.asp I don’t use the service myself yet, but my brother and his family both use it and serve through it and love it, and another family I know with a gaggle of boys loves it, too. Good luck!
Laura says
I live in Canada and we don’t have that option available to us here.
Lisa says
Laura~
I can totally relate to keeping the house clean and organized while selling…we’re putting our house on the market this week and it has been sheer insanity keeping it together. I’m sure that it will be worse once the sign is in the yard. Best wishes for a quick sale for you!
Blessings, Lisa
Kristi says
I had to struggle with myself to get the menu together this week. So glad that I did – I’m sure that I would have regretted it at 6:00 when I got home from work!
Have a great week – good luck with the house selling!
Marianne @TheNewFrugalMom.com says
Laura, I feel your pain on keeping your house “perfect” to sell it. I’ve done that a few times myself, the last time w/two littles and a new baby. Not easy!!
Thanks for the chance to link and good luck selling!
In the Bag says
I remember prepping and maintaining the house when we moved. The day our realtor said “Can you make it look less stuffed to the gills” I really wanted to say “That’s WHY we’re moving”. Looking back I’m glad we did the cleaning and purging because it meant this house wasn’t totally overflowing as soon as we moved in. But back then, it was just a pain. I think what I hated most was keeping the house in showing condition for 4 months – no one lives like that. My family was going crazy by the time we sold.
It’s funny, every time I think I don’t need a plan I regret not making it and the next week planning is a high priority. Sometimes I need to remember the hard way 🙂
Colleen says
Sounds like you have a busy/stressful week. Hang in there! And do watch plenty of Reba; she’s great!
SnoWhite says
I hear you with planning those menus, even when I think I can just wing it! It does not save me any time or sanity to “wing it”!
Hope you enjoy the tortillas — I’m off to check out the macaroni taco bake!
Laura says
Thanks so much for hosting this! It is such an awesome way to stay accountable for menu planning each week! It is really keeping me on track!
Katrina says
Sorry if I added it twice again, I don’t need to try blogging before I’ve had coffee lol.
Rachel says
Best of luck in selling your home! I know all to well how impossible it is to maintain those “open house” standards, but it’s oh so worth it when you get an offer! 🙂
Taximom says
I love your blog, and especially look forward to MenuPlan Mondays!
My mother (who is NOT gluten-free or anything-free) told me yesterday that she can’t understand why anyone who has a family member with a food allergy would ever bother to cook 2 sets of meals. I have to say (as the mother/cook of a family of 5, 3 of whom have confirmed celiac and 1 who might), I agree with her!
And, reading how much stress you are under, I wonder if you are aware how much simpler it might be for you to have a nearly gf kitchen.
I really don’t think it’s more expensive–you can maintain separate bread supplies. What would really change would be the use of pre-fab ingredients like chicken nuggets, which are available gf, but are ridiculously expensive. But you can just use raw or quickly thawed frozen chicken tenders. If you MUST have them breaded, give them a
quick roll in corn meal.
You can order rice pasta in bulk on amazon, often at sales prices, or you can find it in Asian grocery stores for the same price as wheat pasta.
You can also bulk-order gf flour (I like betterbatter, and yonshouldntry the recipes on their website!!!) and make all cookies, cakes, brownies, etc
for the whole family, and only buy prefab gluteny ones as needed. When you make them yourself, somehow it gives you a clearer picture of just how MUCH sugar is consume, since you can see the sugar container disappear!
I have a full-time job outside the home, and I am convinced that this is by far the simplest way to go, and the fastest way to get healthy, yummy meals on the table for ALL. I have tried preparing simplified gf versions for just my oldest son (back when it looked like he was the only one who needed it), and found it much more time-consuming and tiring.
This way, I can focus all my culinary creativity and energy on ONE meal at a time, and the whole family is happy.
I know you have ironed out the kinks so that what you are doing works well for you, and I don’t mean to sound crItical of your decision–I thinknwhat you are doing is AWESOME!
I just think it would be so much easier for you–and possibly healthier for your family–to make one delicious meal from scratch that everyone could eat.
Laura says
Hi there, thanks for your note. Unfortunately the problem is my son isn’t just gf. He is also allergic to dairy, eggs, fish and nuts. I live in Canada in a very small isolated community and it would definitely be more expensive to cook this way for the entire family. Canadians are not able to order from Amazon.com. I use to order from other places in the US and it cost me nearly an arm and leg and we simply can’t afford that any more. Now I do simple meals for my son and make most things from scratch for him, including cupcakes, pancakes and ice cream. My son also has some serious food aversions that have resulted from not very nice reactions to food that has literally left him afraid to try anything new. We have found that this is what works best for our family. It really isn’t a big deal to cook a plain pork chop or chicken alongside what I am cooking for the rest of the family. It takes no extra time at all. Yes it takes me more time to prepare some of the other things from scratch but I make those up in big batches and keep them in the freezer for him to pull out as needed.
Hope that explains things. Laura
Amy says
Hang in there with the house stuff – keeping it clean with kids around is so tough. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you guys to have a quick sale!
Eris says
Always enjoy seeing everyone’s menus. Thanks for hosting.
Shellley says
I enjoy looking at everyone’s different menus, too. It’s a lot of fun and gives me some new ideas! Thanks for hosting this, Laura, and good luck with the sale of your house.
Angela says
I hope the house selling goes quickly and smoothly so you can rest! As far as menu planning goes, just recycle one you made a couple years ago around the same month. I bet you can find something you have already planned ready to to for you on your blog and no one would know it was a repeat. ;o)
Hope you have peaceful week even amid the house selling craziness.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Ummm. . . I’m not seeing the Mr. Linky?
Jana says
I am so glad to hear someone else is exhausted. I too am trying to sell a house and you would think that I should keep this standard up. But having to mop the kitchen floor almost everyday (did I mention we have both mud and dogs), makes me want to scream. Hang in there!
Jodi says
Where is Mr. Linky?
Jennifer in MamaLand says
I also don’t see the Mr. Linky! Still, here’s mine:
http://ronypony.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday-24-shevat-5760.html
As usual, all meals are kosher; some containing meat, others dairy, and one a week vegan (Vegan Vursdays!).
Have a great week, all…!!!
Melissa says
Your plan sounds delicious, especially Monday’s dinner!
I stopped back to visit some other MPMers and I’m not seeing the linky. Am I missing something?
Lee says
I can’t find the linky or the other menu plans either…I know I’ve participated before, is the layout new? I’m probably just missing something very basic 🙂 Thanks for hosting though.
Laura says
Sorry ladies, it appears Mr. Linky is down. Hopefully it will be back up and running real soon!
Jodi says
Thanks! I just figured I needed to go back to bed and start over! Have a great week!
B.Keefer says
That Chicken Nugget Casserole looks interesting. I might have to try that. I think even my Blue Girl will eat it! Thanks!
Lynnette H says
I certainly appreciate knowing how people adjust for food allergies. I’m going dairy free while nursing my baby. This is week one. Thankfully, I’ve been through this before and it lasts less than a year. It’s still not fun, and I’m going to be looking around for more alternatives this time around for some of my favorite meals that I won’t be able to eat. And especially for chocolate and ice cream alternatives!
Susie's Homemade says
Those pork chops look GREAT!!
DarcyLee says
Here’s my link for this week’s menu plan:
http://darcyskitchenkapers.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plans-for-this-week.html
Have a great week!
Tiffanee says
Thanks for the menu planning pep talk!! It is so hard when you are trying to keep everything in order to sell your house. I remember all too well. You are so right about taking the time to plan meals will save you so much time later. I hate the “what am I going to cook for dinner” panic moments! Thanks for keeping me in line and good luck on selling the house!!
Tiffanee says
Here’s my link for this week’s menu:
http://onecrazycookie.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-mondayis-it-really-that-time.html
Melinda M says
http://mindymcintx.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-menu-plan-monday-at-im-organizing.html
Denise says
Ahh, i miss Mr Linky this go ’round but Laura, thanks for hosting. You’re just great about it. It sounds like you have a hectic time going on and I wish you well in selling your home and moving. Also with the son’s dietary issues. It sure does present special challenges, doesn’t it?
Well, here’s the link to my menu for this week:
http://plainolfood.blogspot.com/2010/02/february-7th-13th-menu.html
As always, it’s thrifty, tasty, minimally processed food. 😉
Janet in Toronto says
I did my plan for the fist time in weeks!
Here it is: http://janetsdomesticbliss.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday.html
Sharon says
Laura,
Best of luck to you w/ selling the house & the move.
I am impressed w/ your menu despite all you have going on. Kudos to you!
Btw, the sausage & peppers sound especially yummy. I’ll be borrowing the recipe, so thanks! 🙂
More Than A Mom says
Click on my name or below is the link for my menu plan (weight watchers friendly!).
http://morethana-mom.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday-february-8-14.html
Trina says
Good luck with selling and moving! I know having a picture perfect house is exhausting!
Aiming4Simple says
We’ll survive without the McLinky. Technical glitches are to be expected in this day and age.
My menu plan is here:
http://roots-of-simplicity.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-for-week-of-28.html
I love to see the variety in your menu plans, Laura. Thanks for sharing with and inspiring us.
StephF says
Trying to get back in the routine of meal planning. Here is my menu plan for the week with lots of links.
http://lifewiththesekids.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday-feb-8th.html
Aiming4Simple says
I thought I’d add a favorite free resource for filling in my menu plan. It’s a full month of easy menus.
http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Food/Month-of-Menus!.html
Alyssa says
Miss Mr. Linky – – But I can’t complain b/c this is my first time to participate in FOREVER . Here’s my link: http://lifefrommylaptop.com/2010/02/08/menu-plan-monday-february-8/
Laura says
Too bad about poor Mr. Linky, just the day I was almost on top of getting mine posted! Thanks as always for hosting!
http://laurasleanerlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday_08.html
Vicky says
It seems Mr.Linky is down again. If you are having such problems all teh time try using http://www.inlinkz.com. It is totally free, stable and even supports thumbnail linked lists.
Amy Dunn says
Here’s hoping that Mr. Linky makes a speedy recovery.
In the meantime, here’s the link to my menu for the week:
http://bit.ly/cSwFlF
I’m in my second week of my second anuual Month of No Spending so we’re eating our way through the pantry, freezer and fridge.
My only fall back for groceries is a $20 gift card to Target for milk and produce for the entire month. Wish me luck!
angie says
no mr linky here is mine
https://orgjunkie.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday-feb-8th.html#comments
your meal plan looks great and love all the great links
angie says
sorry after all that I placed the wrong link in comment
http://shopannies.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday.html
Elizabeth says
Here is my menu plan http://zizziehappenings.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday.html
Mrs. Fuzz says
2nd menu! I’m loving this. Thanks for doing it for us!
alissa @ birkel family life says
my menu is a little…scattered this week, but at least i have something written down!
*~jo~* says
ooohhh broccoli cheese soup!! yummy!! great menu, as always!! 🙂
sara - The Estrogen Files says
I am SO stealing your broc chz soup for this week. Sounds so good!
Melanie says
I don’t menu plan via blog but I wanted to tell you, we’re having the same broccoli cheese soup for dinner tonight too! I’ve never tried it before but My Kitchen Cafe never disappoints so I’m really looking forward to it.
Gudrun says
love having my menu ready and my shopping list all complete! Have a great week….
Judy @ daily yarns says
I have a few more packs of pork chops still in my freezer from the pig we bought. I’m definitely going to try the ranch pork chops you posted. I was running out of pork chop ideas.
Jana (sidetrack'd) says
A few of those recipes might find their way onto my meal plans in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for hosting, Laura!
Nikki says
New to menu planning and so glad I came across your blog!! I’m stealing the broccoli cheese soup recipe to try this week. Yum!
Cara says
Love broccoli cheese soup, but I don’t cook it often (ever?) b/c my husband doesn’t like broccoli (or most soup, for that matter).
I know exactly what you mean about hitting a wall with the menu planning. I’ve definitely been there before, and I absolutely agree that just taking a little time to plan your meals is worth it.
Best of luck selling your house!!
Amber Shah says
A newbie to Menu Plan Mondays but here I am:
http://projectsupermom.com/2010/02/menu-plan-partystart-edition/
Thanks!
Amber
Carissa says
Just came across this site through another friends blog I read. Thanks!
Tara says
Hi! I’m new to the Menu Plan Mondays on here, but I’ve been planning my menus for awhile. Thanks to everyone for the great recipes!
http://clutterfreewannabe.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-planning-monday-02082010.html
Monica Lavoie says
This is my first link I started posting my meal plans on my blog a few weeks ago and then came upon your site. Good stuff!
Emily says
This is my first time posting! Very excited to be joining up on Menu Plan Monday. It really is a lifesaver planning ahead!
dj says
Hey, are you looking in my window? I SO needed this today. We have some remodeling in progress today and I figured I’d just wing it this week. Thank you so much!
Hannah says
So glad you got the Linky working again!
I am really enjoying the menu plans and great blogs!
I also wanted to share that I am having a giveaway on my blog! Hope ya’ll can stop by and enter!
http://preparingforourchildrensfuture.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway-superstructs-big-builder.html
God bless!
Angela says
Laura, God bless your soul for keeping a clean, ready-to-sell house and running Menu Plan Monday AND managing your own menu/home!!! I do understand. Thankfully, I’ve only had to do that once (boys were 7 & 9 – throes of baseball season) and if I can help it, we’ll never do it again!! 🙂
Money Funk says
Posting a bit late – Frugal Vegetarian Meal Plan . I think I will need to add your broccoli-cheese soup to my plan! Sounds yummy! 🙂
Janell says
New here – what a great idea!
purple moose says
Wow, actually I’ve had that kinda weekend. Didn’t want to plan the menu, there’s no point because I’m lacking in the idea department. So I sat down and did it today and voila! Inspiration happened. 🙂 Good luck on the sale and move!
shirley rempel says
Great menu Plan! I posted one day late, but its posted and I feel good about menu planning, it makes life so much easier! Thanks for all the inspiration:)
Kristin says
I had no idea Menu Planning Monday was so widespread! I may never have to write an original weekly menu again!
Clever And Crafty says
This my 2nd week doing MPM and last week was so smooth! This week was a bit tougher deciding so I will be making my menu for next week this week so that it’s easier to do. This is great! Thank you!
Crystal says
I can’t wait to try the Broccoli Cheese Soup. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.