Menu Planning Monday ...

It's a public holiday here in Brisbane and let me just mention that it has not been the type of day you would like to get out and celebrate the extra day off .. unless you were a duck .. or a polar bear ...

I've decided that it will be the perfect time for me to sit and plan some yummy meals for the week. And seeing as it is school holidays I don't have to think about the easy to prep options.

Here's what we are having this week ...

While I'm in the kitchen, let me share with you what else I got up to while the weather was dodgy outside ...




I made strawberry jam .. the strawbs looked so good yesterday when I went to pick up some fresh fruit and veg that I had a sudden urge to make jam! No it's not in keeping with sugar free September, but it's not September any more! Oooops, lots of sugar! But super yum and I can't wait to mix some with my yoghurt for a snack this week.  I also whipped up a batch of pikelets to have with the jam .. but they didn't last long enough and I had forgotten to take a pic!












I also picked up a fresh coconut. We wanted to try the milk and I wanted to dry some fresh coconut. Verdict on the milk .. not so flash. The fresh coconut, not too bad.





Tonight's dinner, in keeping with World Vegetarian Day of course, is Teresa Cutter's Spinach & Ricotta tart. Check it out, it looks yum! Can't wait to taste it!

What's on your menu plan this week? Something quick and easy for school holidays or are you going gourmet?

Vicki x

Menu Planning Monday ...

It's that time of the week again!  Did you climb back on the diet and exercise wagon again this morning .. you know, after falling off over the weekend? 

Monday is usually the day that everyone plans to start their new healthy eating plan and exercise regime .. or chase that wagon down and get back on!!

I am fortunate enough to now have Mondays off so Monday is my day to catch up on what was missed over the weekend.  It's also now my grocery shopping day.  I love it because we get to start the week with a fridge and pantry stocked with fresh fruit and veg.
Before I head out to do the shopping I sit down, usually with a coffee, and plan what will be on the dinner menu during the week.  

I've been doing this now for years and maybe it all seems a bit anal or obsessive, but it saves me going crazy at 4.30 in the afternoon wondering what to have for dinner.  I just have to get out the ingredients and go! 
If I didn't do this I can assure you that I will not be that motivated to think of a quick, healthy meal for the family .. it will be the fastest, laziest thing I can think of!  The bonus .. I've always got a healthy choice on hand for dinner.  And, it saves money as I'm not racing off to the grocery store every afernoon trying to find a quick option, which many times end up being more expensive than planning and shopping beforehand. 

If you are really strapped for time, do some of the prep for your meals on Sunday afternoon / night.  I know many people who chop their veg or prepare the base of their meals on Sunday.  I think it's a great idea if you have the time or the inclination!  I struggle with the latter ...   

Another great idea if you are so inclined is to have the weekly dinner menu written out / printed out where everyone can see it.  That way everyone knows what's for dinner and there is not the constant questioning "What's for dinner Mum?".  I get this question at least every 15 minutes from afternoon snack time .. even if I have answered it, it clearly goes in one ear and straight back out the other! 

There are heaps of "menu planners" available for download on the internet and if you want to use one, it's up to you which one you think will work best.  I've tried a few over the years ... printing them out and laminating them then putting them on the fridge.
Usually now I just try to remember it!  Not always successful however!

While I'm planning the menu for the week along with the grocery shop I plan what I'll be cooking for the kids snacks during the week. 

This is what's for dinner in our house this week ...

Do you plan your dinners for the week? 

Does this help you to stick with your healthy eating plan?

 

Getting back into the swing ...

Well we've managed to make it half way through the first week after school holidays and I can already see the tiredness in Master 6's eyes. Mine aren't far behind but that's another story!

As much as I miss the kids ( well, I do sometimes ) I do look forward to being able to get back into a routine and feel a bit more organised and in control.  No, I'm not a control freak, really I'm not! 
On holidays we tend to fly a bit by the seat of our pants, but I think this helps me to appreciate more the structure and routine that we have during term, especially when it comes to my eating and exercise.

Dinners, lunches and snacks are a little bit out the window during holidays which leads me to include a few extra things that I wouldn't normally include in my regular diet.

I usually plan the meals for the week then head out to do a grocery shop either on Sunday afternoon or squeeze it in somewhere on Monday .. I have been known to order online and have it delivered too! This way I am sure that I have everything I need to get dinner prepped and done without running around in the evenings. 

Another reason I plan my meals and snacks is so that I don't get lazy and eat too much of the things that I shouldn't. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely not perfect!
I don't always get it right and I don't always stick to the menu but it's there to keep me on track as much as I can.  And I know I've always got a healthy, nutritious snack when I need it.

So, these past few days I've been getting myself into routine again as I know this is key for me to not straying too far off track.  I don't want to have to do too much hard work to get back in shape when the weather starts heating up again!

This is what is on the menu at our house this week ...

Do you plan your weekly menu?  What's on your menu this week?