Meal Plan....Friday?

In my attempts to follow the letter of the law in regards to the Plan It, Don't Panic meal plan challenge, I've completely lost the benefits that it is supposed to reap.  And after almost a month of doing this, I'm finally deciding to rethink things to make it work for me.

First of all, Monday is no good for me.  It's not the first day of the week, in my opinion.  I've already hit the ground running by this point.

Next, payday is on Friday, which means that's when I like to do my grocery shopping.  Or if not Friday, then that weekend for sure.

Lastly, and I've mentioned this in a previous post, I like to do two week menus since that's how paydays and grocery runs work!

So, new rules established for myself.  I'll post a meal plan on Thursday or Friday every other week.  =)

Friday:
Homemade Pizza

Saturday:
Chili
Cornbread

Sunday:
VERY busy day--so we'll probably eat out

Monday:
Chicken and Black Bean Tacos
Organic Corn Chips and Salsa

Tuesday:
Pan-Fried Salmon
Sauteed Green Beans
Mashed Potatoes (made with chicken stock)
Bacon-Cheddar Biscuits

Wednesday:

Ravioli Bolognese (never made it last week)

Wilted Spinach

Thursday:

Taco Soup

Organic Corn Chips

Friday:

Potato Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Saturday:

Leftovers or sandwiches

Sunday:

Beef, Tomato, and Zucchini over Pasta

Monday:

Pumpkin Chicken Enchiladas

Tuesday:

Beefy Lasagna

Garlic Bread

Wednesday:

Busy night, eating out

Thursday:

Piled High Veggie Pot Pie

Meal Plan Monday

This post is for the Plan-It, Don't Panic Meal Plan Challenge over at Keeper of the Home.  I've got my plans and my grocery shopping done, so hopefully we can stick to the plan this week.  One problem is that I'm looking for beef bones to make beef stock from, but I can't seem to find them inexpensively.  Any ideas where I could find some close to home?

I tend to create two-week meal plans because of the way Nathan is paid.  I like to get a majority of my grocery shopping done on payday and just get fresh produce or other extras the next weekend.  This means that something usually happens that keeps me from sticking exactly to the menu (dinner over at our parents' or with friends), but when that happens, I just shift my meals to accommodate the change.

Okay...meal plan (as usual, breakfast is granola/cereal/eggs and lunch is leftovers or sandwiches):

Monday:
Sirloin Steak
Homemade Mac and Cheese (using brown rice pasta and adding mozzarella to the cheddar)
Cabbage/Carrot/Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing

Tuesday:
Pot Roast with Root Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, and parsnips)

Wednesday:
Dinner with friends

Thursday:
Baked Salmon
Mashed Potatoes (made with Chicken Stock)
Betteraves Melange

Friday:
Simple Roast Chicken (freeze the leftovers for later meals)
Green Beans sauteed in butter
Cinnamon Baked Pears

Saturday:
Leftovers

Sunday:
Cheese Ravioli Bolognese (wilted spinach in the sauce)

Monday:
Nathan's Birthday!  We're going out wherever he wants.

Tuesday:

Harvest Soup

Bread (Homemade Sourdough, if I can swing it!)

Wednesday:

Chicken and Black Bean Tacos with Homemade Tortillas

(using leftover roast chicken)

Organic Corn Chips with Fermented Salsa

Thursday:

Sun-dried Tomato, Bacon, and Spinach Cream Sauce* over Fettucini and Salmon

Garlic Bread

*I do NOT remember where I found this recipe.  I thought it was Modern Alternative Mama, but I can't find it on her site now.  But I promise to blog this recipe because it. is. amazing.

Friday:

Chicken and Gnocci Soup (based on Olive Garden's recipe)

(using leftover roast chicken)

Meal Plan Monday

This is my first week to participate in the Plan It--Don't Panic Meal Planning Challenge over at Keeper of the Home.  I'm only half-way participating...this menu is going to be dinner only.  For breakfast this week, all we have is eggs or cold cereal.  Lunch will be sandwiches or leftovers.

Tuesday:
Honey Balsamic Chicken (without mushrooms!)
Brown Rice
Salad

Wednesday:
Sloppy Joes
Chipotle Sweet Potato Chips

Thursday:
Fajitas

Friday:
Stovetop Chicken and Rice (made with an organic frozen veggie medley)

Saturday:
Eat out (we're gone all day, so no chance to cook)


I'm also hoping to work on some fresh baked bread this week.  We'll see!