Hi friends, can you believe it’s December 31st? Tomorrow starts a brand new year and people will be setting goals galore. How many of my readers would like to make menu planning a priority in 2013? It’s totally possible. How do I know? Because I’m living proof! Seven years ago I couldn’t cook at all. Most of my meals consisted of ones that came straight from the freezer and into the oven or microwave. We also ate out a lot which certainly didn’t help the bank account. I would literally stand at the freezer or fridge every day after work tired and hungry, with kids melting down around me, staring and hoping something would magically jump out and prepare itself. Of course it didn’t happen but I can tell you that having a menu plan in place is the next best thing. No longer do I feel frazzled or panicked when it comes to dinner time. I still don’t enjoy being in the kitchen but with a menu plan I can get in and get out and nobody gets hurt 🙂 You have heard me say it before but I’ll say it again. Menu planning changed my life…for the better. I would be LOST without it today. It keeps me sane and my family fed. I want everyone to experience this and that’s why I’m so passionate about getting the word out.
If you are thinking about giving it a try, may I recommend starting small. Maybe start with three days a week and move up from there. Goals that start off too big tend to overwhelm and go unaccomplished. Take it small and experience the difference having a menu plan prepared in advance can make in your life. I’m here to help. Got menu planning questions, drop me a line in the comments. You can do this!!
Menu Planning Helpers:
Find many helpful menu planning resources including many printables on my Menu Planning Pinterest Board.
Recipe Indexes (I need your help!):
Back in 2011 I pulled together an AMAZING collection of recipe indexes from around the internet. However because I used a different linky that is now no longer around, my entire list is gone, vanished. It makes me sad because it was such an excellent resource. BUT with your help we can recreate it to be bigger and better than ever. If you have a recipe index on your blog will you please go to this Recipe Index Round-Up post and add it to the list. It’s going to be awesome and I will be heavily promoting it so don’t miss out on getting yours included in the collection. Thanks everyone!
Giveaway Winner:
Last week’s winner of the four soft-cover Taste of Home cookbooks was Charla at Healthy Home blog. I sent you an email Charla and am just waiting to hear back from you 🙂
Fun New Year’s Printables:
We’ve got a terrific night planned with out kids and here are a couple of free printables that we’ll be using to make it even more fun and special. I thought you might like them as well.
Free New Years Chalkboard Printables ~ The 36th Avenue
Free New Years Party Printables ~ Tatertots & Jello
New Years Resolution Printables ~ One Charming Party
Happy New Year everyone!!
My Weekly Menu:
My kids are off school for another week so it’s going to be a week of easy family favorites!!
Monday: Dinner out 🙂
Tuesday: Happy New Year! Quick Homemade Pizza
Wednesday: Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps
Thursday: Leftover buffet
Friday: Creamy Caesar Chicken Pasta Bake
Saturday: Bacon Tomato Bagel Melts served with spinach salad
Sunday: YOYO (you’re on your own!)
WHAT’S ON YOUR MENU THIS WEEK? JOIN US!
Menu Plan Guidelines, banner selections and recipe helpers are here.
More family favorite recipes here.
Don’t forget to join the growing Menu Plan Monday Facebook Page!!
One of my favorite menu planning resources:
Sorry I guess there is a glitch with the new WP and scheduling inlinkz in advance.
Angela says
No linky?
Here’s our plan:
http://testosteronepalace.blogspot.com/2012/12/getting-ready-for-pantry-challengemenu.html
Angela says
Hi! The linky seems to be missing… Can’t wait to link up. Thanks for hosting this every week!
Angela says
Apparently I have a little addiction to Menu Planning. Glad I am not the only one! 🙂 Here’s mine: http://angelaskitchen.com/2012/12/31/menu-plan-monday-december-31-2012/
Melissa says
Until the linky goes up, here is our menu plan:
http://www.momsplans.com/2012/12/menu-planning-for-december-30-2012/
Diane Balch says
Hi Laura,
I agree Menu Planning has saved me so much time and money. I can’t wait until the linky is up too… happy New Year.
Rae - Disorganized Musings says
http://disorganizedmusings.blogspot.com/2012/12/menu-planning-123012-1513.html
Karen says
Here is my menu plan for Cooking with Pizzazz
Karen says
Oops, here is the link:
http://bustinkitchen.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/december-2012-monthly-menu/
LB says
Here is mine 🙂
http://lbandj.blogspot.com/2012/12/menu-plan-monday-week-of-123112.html
Marsha says
Love seeing what everyone is preparing each week. Here’s my menu for the week. http://www.tasteandseegodsgoodness.blogspot.com/2012/12/last-menu-plan-for-2012.html
Momma and boys living on a budget says
Here is my menu plan for the week http://budgetdial.blogspot.com/2012/12/frugal-meal-planning-week-of-december_31.html
Happy new year everyone!
Susieqtpies says
Here is my menu plan and linky! I’ll check checking back. I get so annoyed with the linky problems on my blog, too.
http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2012/12/top-menu-plans-of-2012-and-weekly-linky.html
Happy New Year!
SusieQTpies
Susieqtpies says
Woot! Just as I posted that your linky is going! Again, thanks and Happy New year!
Laura says
Apparently there is a bug in the system with the new WP and inlinkz…it won’t work with scheduled posts. Arggggg.
Susan says
Here’s mine:
http://girlsinwhitedressesblog.com/2012/12/31/menu-plan-monday-150/
Thanks for doing this each Monday! Happy New Year, everyone!
Chava says
http://oui2.blogspot.com/2012/12/menu-monday_31.html
Here’s mine 🙂 Looking forward to the menus!
Miz Helen says
Hi Laura,
Thanks for inspiring and hosting us every week this past year. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Miz Helen
BeachMonkeysBlog says
Here is my menu plan for the week until the linky is corrected.
http://www.beachmonkeys.net/2012/12/mpm-12312012.html
Hugs and Happy New Year!
Jen
BeachMonkeys
SnoWhite @ Finding Joy in My Kitchen says
What a bummer to have that recipe list gone! I added mine; can’t wait to see the others — it was a great resource.
Thanks for sharing the countdown too. I’ve been amazed at how many amazing recipes from more than 25 bloggers are all in one spot!
Your week looks delicious as well; I’ve been meaning to try the cheeseburger wraps myself!
Happy New Year, Laura!
Laura says
Thanks so much and thanks for all the recipe links 🙂
Kirsten says
I have to tell a funny story about “YOYO” and my 8 year old son. The last time I told him it was a YOYO night, he said “I’ll show you what’s a YOYO!” and stormed out of the room. A few minutes later, he came back with a real yo-yo! Too cute but wow is that going to give me some trouble in a few years!
Laura says
Ahhh that’s too cute!!
Lisa @ CheapThrillsInOmaha says
Good luck with that.
Carli says
I haven’t linked up in years, my blog even went by a different name then, but I’m excited to be part of this community agsin and keep on track in 2013. Thsnks for all the resources!
Alissa says
Meal Planning is going to be top on my 2013 to do list! We are going to be starting a new diet lifestyle mid January and this will help to keep us on track.
Janet @ Frugal & Focused says
My family would exist of sandwiches and cereal if I didn’t menu plan. It’s such a huge help to me. Happy New Year!
LB says
I want to thank you for this linky – my hard drive crashed a few weeks ago, and while I had last saved to my external drive in May, I haven;t saved my bookmarks in well over a year so I lost sooooo many recipes. But i was able to go through some past linkys and get some recipes back. Was great to have so many recipes in one spot!
And it helps me to menu plan each week having some place to link up to!
Lisa @ CheapThrillsInOmaha says
Bacon Tomato Bagel Melts sound won.der.ful! Happy New Year to you, and THANKS for Menu Plan Monday every week. 😀
Kari says
Thanks for hosting such a wonderful resource Laura! With prices for everything going up menu planning is going to become essential for our family of 7. Excited to get back on the bandwagon in 2013!
Sinea says
Happy New Year, Laura! May God bless you and your family abundantly in 2013. It’s going to be a great year.
Jackie/Jake says
Here’s mine for the first week of January.
http://junkboattravels.blogspot.com/2013/01/meal-planning-week-1-recap.html