Happy Monday and Happy New Year soon everyone! Towards the end of this year we saw less and less people participating in Menu Plan Monday. That is totally normal as people get busy with the holidays. Experience also tells me that at the start of every year we see the participation rate pick up as people endeavor to get organized. Menu planning is the PERFECT place to start, I truly believe that. Knowing what’s on your menu before you start your day will set you up for all sorts of organized success. It really does make a huge difference. Many are intimidated by it but honestly you don’t need to be. Start small if you need to, maybe only planning two days a week and work up from there. And remember menu planning is flexible not rigid as so many think. If you don’t feel like eating what you’ve got planned for a particular day, no problem, change it up with one of the other days you’ve got planned. Make it work for you and experience the many rewards planning a menu can bring to you and your family. Whether this is your first time or you are a seasoned menu planner, everyone is welcome here. Simply link up your menu plan below in the linky list provided. Don’t have a blog? Feel free to add your menu to the comments or to our Menu Plan Monday Facebook page.
Menu Planning Resource:
And to make life even easier for you, I’ve got a terrific resource to tell you about. Canadian Living Magazine has put together online 31 Quick & Easy Budget Meals for you. Just visit their site (click on the picture below) to find the links to all their yummy recommended recipes plus an applicable grocery list for each week. All of January taken care of for you, how awesome is that!!
My kids have one more week off school so we are going to take it pretty easy. I love having them home and just want to enjoy every minute of it. Well until they start fighting with each other that is 🙂
If you are looking for some organizing reading material, I just posted 12 of my popular organizing posts of 2013. Come on over and check them out!
Have a wonderful week y’all!
My Weekly Menu Plan:
Monday: Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
Tuesday: New Year’s Eve Fondue Party!
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Beef Stew (using up fondue leftovers)
Thursday: Parmesan Spaghetti Squash with Italian Sausage
Friday: Leftover buffet
Saturday: Apple BBQ Pork Chops served with rice and broccoli
Sunday: YOYO (you’re on your own)
WHAT’S ON YOUR MENU PLAN 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:
SusieQTpies says
We’ll definitely have to check out that beef stew. What a great idea to use fondue leftovers! Happy New Year!
Melissa says
The apple BBQ pork chops sound yummy!
The Groundskeeper says
I am also planning several crock pot meals this week. It sure does make things easier.
Anne says
Even though our kids are grown and out of the house, I still plan meals for my husband and myself for the week…saves so much time with both of us working. I make extra as well to take to my 91 year old mother who by the grace of God is still living in her home but no longer driving. This gives her some variety rather than trying to cook for one.
Miz Helen says
Hi Laura,
Wishing you and your family every happiness with abundant blessings in 2014!
Miz Helen
Heather says
Love the idea of using up fondue leftovers to make Beef Stew. Both sounds good to me!
Kristina says
Hi Laura and everyone. I’m new here but hope to be a better steward with our finances and plan to link up weekly. All the recipes look so good! Thanks Laura for hosting all these years. I found you on A Slob Comes Clean 2009 posts!
Cynthia L says
This is my first time here. I have planned my menus for a long time, but am just getting around to sharing them! Thanks for the great party!
Rona B says
I really loved what you had to say about menu planning being simple. I started in 2007 but it wasn’t till 2010 that I really got a handle on it.
Bloggers helped me with money saving tips. ex: clearance, grocery weekly special fliers
When I stopped working in 2011, I embraced cooking from scratch, baking.
Along the way, your blog has been a part of household for 6 yrs. I’ve met bloggers courtesy of your Organized Junkie. Many that I still follow and visit.
Thank you for all that you do. Looking forward to 2013. Happy New Year.
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Hi, Laura! Loving your site – so much great info here! I especially love your encouragement in helping people plan their meals to make life easier for busy families! At Two Healthy Kitchens, we’re all about helping busy, busy people find strategies and recipes that make eating healthfully a do-able reality! Thanks a million for featuring our Parmesan Spaghetti Squash recipe! Even people who’ve never tried spaghetti squash before are amazed how delicious this is – really! Plus, microwaving the squash makes this recipe super fast, and you can even prep much of it ahead! Thanks again – and so excited to keep checking out your site! Happy New Year! 😀