Maybe a post like this isn’t helpful; talking about weekend cooking on a Monday…oh well it’s what I do. On the weekends (and sometimes on Fridays) I like to cook things that take extra time like beans and grains so I don’t have to take the time during the week. My husband has been doing an amazing job of cutting veggies on the weekends to save time other days.
This week I have black beans and black-eyed peas to work with. My husband will probably eat most of the black-eyed peas for lunch because he and the 1 year old are the only ones who really like them. I had chickpeas too but I used most of the to make “Not So Tuna Salad” but it got a little thin so now it’s more of a dip. I have about 4 cups of it so I may freeze some of it if I don’t come up with another clever use but I’m thinking of eating it on a baked potato.
This little bit of preparation on the weekends greatly reduces the chance of a dinner time emergency run to the nearest drive thru. When I have beans or grains already prepared it also gives me a direction to go with my meal planning.
On the produce front we have the usual suspects along with a few special items: baby spinach, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, celery, a red bell pepper, potatoes, peaches, nectarines, green apples, yellow apples, mangos, grapes, cherries, a pineapple, a watermelon, half a golden melon, some kale, a few tomatoes, a few jalapenos and bunches and bunches of bananas.
I’m thinking of making a fruit salsa since I have a good variety of fruit.
Meal Plan
Breakfast isn’t really planned out everyday but will be made up of toast, oatmeal, cereal, farina, fruit, and maybe pancakes. Today I had whole grain toast with peanut butter topped with thin slices of green apples. It was so good! One of my favorite things!
Lunches will be equally easy and mostly made up of sandwiches, wraps, baked potatoes, beans and grain bowls, and other leftovers.
Snacks are usually fruit, veggies with hummus, smoothies, or other quick and easy things. Lately my boys have been stealing apples off the counter to share. The little one will rope the big one into his exploits. When we leave carrots sticks out the 3 year old steals them too.
Dinner is planned out a little better, the trick is sticking to it. 🙂
Monday: BBQ Chickpea Salad with Fruit Salsa and Black Beans
Tuesday: The Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole I posted last week, my family’s favorite.
Wednesday: Busy Day/Busy Night Baked Potatoes with steamed veggies and fruit
Thursday: Help me decide! What would you make?
Friday: Crock Pot Veggie Soup
So what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for me; I have a pretty well stocked pantry maybe I’ll make my normal Mexican fare. If you Meal Plan share it here! The more the merrier!
nuttyalternatives says
Yummy week! How about Thursday be Spaghetti night! I just made this for my kids and they loved it….and it’s a sneaky way to get some veggies in them ;): Add sauteed broccoli slaw (after it’s done cooking) in with the drained, cooked noodles. Mix in the marinara sauce…yum!
thecleverspender says
You are so organized!
My Plant Based Family says
HA! It is only an illusion I assure you. I am working toward being more organized and a better house keeper but it is a struggle. 🙂
motherhoodisntfortheweak says
I love the idea of getting things cut up and ready during the weekend. I feel like we get lazy with some dinners because there’s not enough time at night.