2010 Menu Planning Challenge!

[qsaver704]

I have written down the month of January but will only share one week at a time because I can tell already that it will change. I started with today's meal and changed it.

Sun 12/27 had spaghetti down but realized too many left overs) pork loin made to pulled BBQ sandwiches with chips and holiday left overs
Mon 12/28:spaghetti and salad
Tues 12/29: hamburger helper, green beans, any left over sliced veggies, corn on cob
Wed 12/30: leftovers or veggie soup and sandwices
Thurs 12/31: chili and toast
Fri 1/1: country ham, black eyed peas, mac n cheese, corn bread
Sat. 1/2: chicken quesadilla, Spanish rice, black beans

I need to check on the black beans and buy country ham. All other ingredients are from the pantry or freezer.

[Suzanne Sky]

Freezer/Pantry/Fridge only, for me, too. But I'm just posting my plans until the end of the month, and will start fresh with January. I can't believe I am actually enthusiastic about cooking again!

Monday: Baked Chicken Breasts and Sage Dressing
Cranberry Sauce
Spaghetti Squash

Tuesday: Pancakes and Sausage

Wednesday: Linguini and Hamburger Meat Sauce (with
tomatoes, onion, bell pepper and celery)

Thursday: Loaded Potatoes (with bacon, cheese, bell pepper,
onion, celery, broccoli)

Wanda in South Texas

[beks37]

Decided to do my menu one week at a time, also I may only shop one week at a time. I am not going shopping for food this week, so I'll just use out of the pantry.

12/27: Slow-Cooked Southwest Chicken, Rice
12/28: Tuna Helper, veggie
12/29: Hockey Game-Eat Out
12/30: Goulash, veggie
12/31: Hockey Game-Eat Out
1/1: Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes w/gravy, veggie
1/2: Hamburger Helper, veggie

[joyofsix]

Week #1. This is planned from what I have in the house except the grapes. I'll have to go to the store on Thursday for milk though so if they are on sale I'll get some. IF they are too high we'll have apple slices. I always try for a veg and a fruit. I figure the kids' health is worth a few $$.

Sun 12/27 ~calzones, fruit basket
Mon 12/28~ pasta w/veggies, garlic toast, canned oranges
Tue 12/29~chicken&noodles (broth & chicken in freezer from a
previous meal)/mashed potatoes/corn
Wed 12/30~taco salads,pico de gallo, fruit basket
Thu 12/31~chili(uses any leftover taco meat & fixins'),
cornbread, cookies
Fri 01/01~chili dogs (uses any small amount of leftover chili),
homemade fries, grapes
Sat 01/02~ chicken tetrazzini, peas, fruit salad

Lunches are usually soup, sandwiches, quesadillas, quiche or
frittata, bean burritos or small pizzas.

[peanut]

I'm off for the day. Will sit down and menu plan tonight. Supper is out of the freezer today...pork chops, rice and green beans.

[ruderring]

Well, I have my first week planned and I am trying to use up things from the pantry, freezer and fridge.
12/27 spaghetti and multi-grain cibatta rolls
12/28 chili, cornbread with green onions, bacon, cheese etc.
12/29 steak, crash potatoes, greenbeans
12/30 dinner at the in-laws
12/31 dinner at brothers-will take cherry dessert and anything else I can use up
1/1 bbq chicken pizza
1/2 dinner at in-laws
for lunches and breakfasts this week we will be eating leftovers
I plan to post weekly menus even though after today I will have my monthly menus done.

[mama2James]

I'm in for this challenge! It stresses me out so much to try to figure out what to have for dinner, espeically on my work days since I don't get home until 7:30 and DH has to cook. I try to plan something simple or leftovers for those days. I will start with this week later today. I'll sit down and figure it out and then I'll come here and post, I promise!

[baxjul]

I'm definitely joining this challenge!!!!!

Need to work out this week's menu, then I'll post it.

[baxjul]

12/28 soup, chicken noodle
12/29 Ham and bean soup, crackers
12/30 leftover soup with homemade bread
12/31 Spaghetti and meatballs, bread, green beans
01/01 leftover soup and spaghetti
01/02 Chicken, rice, and corn

[dschipman]

I definitely want in on this challenge. I hate fretting while I am work trying to figure out what to have. I will work on the rest of the week tonight, but for tonight

12/28 Leftover Chilli

[Luckybustert]

Posting my menu plan beginning 1 January through the end of the first full week:

Fri 1-Jan Corned beef and cabbage
Sat 2-Jan Hamburgers, salad
Sun 3-Jan Smoked ribs, vegetables
Mon 4-Jan Leftovers
Tues 5-Jan Crockpot chicken, vegetables
Wed 6-Jan Chicken fajita salad
Thurs 7-Jan Chicken soup, salad
Fri 8-Jan Hamburger/Rotel/Cream Cheese casserole
Sat 9-Jan Hamburgers, salad

[redmaples]

I'm in for the challenge of getting better at dinner menu planning!

It is tougher to not have a plan than it is to actually make one.

Being prepared is so good when everyone is tired & hungry at the end of the day. It is so good to have a nice hot, nourishing meal at the end of the day in the winter months especially.

We usually do things like have a soup night a few times a week, fajita night, pasta night, pizza night, fish night a few times a month. the meat eaters have vegetarian night at least once a week.

We cook roasts & meatloafs on sundays for sandwiches on monday.

I have 3 nights of meals currently planned. Going to work on the challenge to get three more planned. I don't want to go grocery shopping this week, but to cook from the pantry/freezer.

[nessarowdy]

Count me in. I started back to work for the first time in almost 4 years, and I have been struggling with cooking and meal planning. I'm going to try and sit down tonight after supper and plan it out. For tonight, it's senate navy bean soup with leftover ham. Hope it's yummy!

-Vanessa

[mama2James]

Got started today, baby steps!

Monday- Pork chops from freezer with left over side dishes in fridge... beans, potatoes and broccoli
Tuesday- out to eat for DH's b day and homemade carrot cake
Wednesday- crockpot chili with corn muffins made ahead on Tuesday

On Thursday I will be off work again and will plan a menu and shop to get me through until the next day off on Monday

[peanut]

Okay. Did my pantry/freezer inventory this morning and had no problems coming up with food for the next week or so without hitting the stores! Yippee!

Tues. (tonight) - Chicken Ceasar Salad
Wed. - Vegetarian Fajitas
Thurs. - Pea soup...and snackies later on in the evening (Welsh cakes, cheese, and Raspberry Ribbon cookies).
Friday - Roast Chicken, potatoes, kale
Saturday - Vegetarian Chili
Sun. - Mexican Skillet
Mon. - Chircken breast, brown rice, green beans
Tues. - Tuna Waldorf Salad and hm tomato soup
Wed. - Rice salad with fruit and nuts.

That'll be a good start to the new year. I'll have to buy meat next week though. We'll be out of everything but chicken and beans.