So a friend suggested that I should post my menu plans for others to get inspiration from. I make out my plans two weeks at a time, and let me tell you, as I enter into my 3rd week I wonder why I didn't do this sooner. Does it take a bit of effort at first, you bet! However, the pay off in time thinking about "what's for dinner" tonight has been wonderful!
The first two weeks we stuck pretty close to the plan. One Saturday my husband and kids went to Omaha, so that turned into an eat out night. I switched that meal for the one on Monday I still had to buy most the stuff for. Another I had to adjust when I didn't read the new recipe well enough and discovered it had to sit 8 hours before cooking. So instead of Peach Stuffed French Toast, we just had French Toast. There was also a change of plans on the 2nd Friday, and we ate out that night too. All in all we ate at home, and decent, delicious homemade food more often the last two weeks than we have been.
So here you go...the first two weeks:
Monday: Grilled Cheese and Homemade Tomato Soup (Recipe in Food on the Table AP)
Tuesday: Rosemary Pork Tenderloin (Recipe in Food on the Table AP), Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
Wednesday: Boys on their own, Girls eat at church
Thursday: Eat out, Dive Meet
Friday (Valentine's Day): T-Bone Steak, Twice Baked Potatoes, Salad with Lemon Dressing, Rice Pudding
Saturday: Husband and kids ate out, mom at left overs
Sunday: French Toast, Hash Browns, Bacon
Monday: Crescent Burgers, Roasted Garlic Cabbage
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Whiskey Steak, Rice, Roasted Asparagus
Wednesday: Boys on their own, Girls eat at church
Thursday: Jamaican Jerk Turkey (Recipe in Food on the Table AP), Fried Honey Banana's
Friday: Eat Out
Saturday: Porcupine Meatballs, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli
Sunday: Birthday dinner at my brother's house
Here is the next two weeks line up:
Monday: Eggplant Parmesan (Recipe in Food on the Table AP), spaghetti noodles, Salad with Italian Herb Dressing, Garlic Toast
Tuesday: Tacos/Nachos, Grilled Zucchini
Wednesday: Boys on their own, Girls eat at church
Thursday: Grilled Chicken, Hungarian Noodles, Easy Pea Salad
Friday: Sausage Ravioli with Alfredo, Grilled Fish (for my son who is not a fan of the Ravioli...the rest of us do not care for fish)
Saturday: Eat Out
Sunday: Hamburger Stroganoff (previously made and frozen), Egg Noodles, Salad with Balsamic dressing
Monday: Dive Potluck, taking Steak with Gravy (Crock Pot Recipe), Rice, Corn State Bake (Corn and Broccoli side dish, check out tasteofhome.com for the recipe)
Tuesday: Creamy Chicken Dijon (Recipe in Food on the Table AP), Oriental Cabbage Slaw
Wednesday (Ash Wednesday): Cajun Pot Roast, Rice, Roasted Cauliflower
Thursday: Spicy Onion Burgers (Recipe in Food on the Table AP), Roasted Potatoes
Friday: Broccoli Cheese Soup, Crackers with Meat & Cheese
Saturday: Friends coming for dinner. Grilled Pork Chops, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Creole Green Beans, Classic Lemon Bars
Maybe some day I will have time to post my recipes. I have a lot of them in a great little site, onetsp.com. Love it! My kids can easily find my recipes if they want something, even my daughter away in a different state for college.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
My Name Is Darci, and I Am Addicted To...
PINTREST!!!!
I am sure that does not come as a big surprise to many, however, my addiction while defiantly touching on a personal level, it actually has been extremely helpful in my job. I have twice as many pins that are work related than any other kind.
I gather all kinds of inspiration, have found lots of supplemental classroom activities and glean knowledge in new areas. Recently I spent quite some time online attempting to find that 'just right' activity. Frustrated I went to Pintrest, typed in a keyword which then brought up exactly what I was looking for. It is fast becoming one of the first places I look to.
Now to spend sometime organizing better, because one board is over 500 pins....need more sub-categories!!!! Happy repinning to me!
I am sure that does not come as a big surprise to many, however, my addiction while defiantly touching on a personal level, it actually has been extremely helpful in my job. I have twice as many pins that are work related than any other kind.
I gather all kinds of inspiration, have found lots of supplemental classroom activities and glean knowledge in new areas. Recently I spent quite some time online attempting to find that 'just right' activity. Frustrated I went to Pintrest, typed in a keyword which then brought up exactly what I was looking for. It is fast becoming one of the first places I look to.
Now to spend sometime organizing better, because one board is over 500 pins....need more sub-categories!!!! Happy repinning to me!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
My Attempt at Meal Organization
Two years ago I made the decision to go back to school and finish my degree. When I woke up the Monday after Easter school was far from my mind, yet by 4 pm that afternoon I had started the process, two days later I got my acceptance letter...and the rest is history, I am nearly there...Spring of 2015 will see me at the conclusion.
In December, when I was nearing burnout from being a full time mom, full time wife, full time employee and a full time student I knew something had to change. I enjoyed a 6 week break, got some of my house in order, and relaxed. Just a few days before the start of class I decided I needed to be much more intentional about my meal planning and preparation to help keep us out of a rut and restaurants.
Working towards being tech savvy, I looked for Meal Planner Aps. I downloaded "Food on the Table", "A.M.P." and "Pepper Plate". All have value of some sort, but I like "Food on the Table" best. Tonight the 2nd 'new' recipe we are trying is cooking as I type (and avoid school work, shame). The feature it offered that won me over was the sales ads. It shows me the sales of 3 local grocery stores, and lets me know what meats are on sale so I can plan my recipes easier. The grocery list is awesome too as it sorts items by place in store (diary, meat, etc), but you can 'arrange' it by your own stores set up. (SCORE...I confess to being neurotic about my list being set up that way)
The down side, and they all had this down side...there is no way to add my own recipes. Now I would be in a perfect world if I could some how mesh my all time favorite "onetsp.com" with "Food on the Table". Alas, I am not so lucky, so here is how I have 2 weeks worth of meals scheduled.
It's so nice to know what is for supper! I am also helping myself with a running list of items needed at the store. Both lists are right on the fridge for easy access for the whole family.
In December, when I was nearing burnout from being a full time mom, full time wife, full time employee and a full time student I knew something had to change. I enjoyed a 6 week break, got some of my house in order, and relaxed. Just a few days before the start of class I decided I needed to be much more intentional about my meal planning and preparation to help keep us out of a rut and restaurants.
Working towards being tech savvy, I looked for Meal Planner Aps. I downloaded "Food on the Table", "A.M.P." and "Pepper Plate". All have value of some sort, but I like "Food on the Table" best. Tonight the 2nd 'new' recipe we are trying is cooking as I type (and avoid school work, shame). The feature it offered that won me over was the sales ads. It shows me the sales of 3 local grocery stores, and lets me know what meats are on sale so I can plan my recipes easier. The grocery list is awesome too as it sorts items by place in store (diary, meat, etc), but you can 'arrange' it by your own stores set up. (SCORE...I confess to being neurotic about my list being set up that way)
The down side, and they all had this down side...there is no way to add my own recipes. Now I would be in a perfect world if I could some how mesh my all time favorite "onetsp.com" with "Food on the Table". Alas, I am not so lucky, so here is how I have 2 weeks worth of meals scheduled.
It's so nice to know what is for supper! I am also helping myself with a running list of items needed at the store. Both lists are right on the fridge for easy access for the whole family.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Diving Treat Bags 2014
Each year as High School diving comes to an end, I like to
put together fun treat bags for the team. This year I really had fun by
tying all the treats into some form of a diving theme. I really wanted
Frito Twists in individual bags, and the Flipz crackers too, but no such
luck.
~The red bag and red Gatorade are a nod to team colors (red and black).
~The Goldfish because they all have to be able to swim to the side. In the case of our school some of the divers swim in relays with the swim team too.
~The Little Debbie Spinwheel, well, because divers tend to SPIN in the air.
~Splash gum, obvious...but in reality they want to RIP, not SPLASH!
~Fun Dip, because divers have fun going for a dip.
~Simply Balanced Twisted Fruit Ropes, because divers TWIST as well as spin.
I still want to make stickers to put on the outside of the bags that have various diving sayings on them. (If I have time)
I love my "diving monkey" and am so proud of all her hard work. She does things I never had the nerve or flexibility for.
THEY ARE FINISHED!!! I got the stickers made. I used swimgraphics.com for the dive graphic, they have some good ones. Found all the 'sayings' online. If I could upload a PDF I would gladly share with you, but alas, I have not figured that out yet.
~The red bag and red Gatorade are a nod to team colors (red and black).
~The Goldfish because they all have to be able to swim to the side. In the case of our school some of the divers swim in relays with the swim team too.
~The Little Debbie Spinwheel, well, because divers tend to SPIN in the air.
~Splash gum, obvious...but in reality they want to RIP, not SPLASH!
~Fun Dip, because divers have fun going for a dip.
~Simply Balanced Twisted Fruit Ropes, because divers TWIST as well as spin.
I still want to make stickers to put on the outside of the bags that have various diving sayings on them. (If I have time)
I love my "diving monkey" and am so proud of all her hard work. She does things I never had the nerve or flexibility for.
______________________________________________________
THEY ARE FINISHED!!! I got the stickers made. I used swimgraphics.com for the dive graphic, they have some good ones. Found all the 'sayings' online. If I could upload a PDF I would gladly share with you, but alas, I have not figured that out yet.
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