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Sarah, 35 bumping from NE Ohio
Married my love 4/22/2006
DD born 10/12/2009
DS born sleeping 2/23/2013 full trisomy 18
Baby 3 due 2/13/2015 }
Meal Planning is the only way I can grocery shop without going completing overboard. This week we're doing pizza, spaghetti, Alfredo lasagna rollups, steak fingers with twice baked potatoes, breakfast quesadillas, taco tots, stuffed buffalo chicken bread.
I tend to meal plan most of the time as it saves me a lot in both cost and time in terms of grocery shopping. Plus it eliminates a lot of the "what's for dinner?" "I don't know, what do you want?" back and forth.
Here's my plan for this week:
Saturday: Crock Pot Turkey Picadillo Quesadillas with salad
Sunday: Leftover pizza (from last night) with salad
Monday: Going to the county fair - all the food on a stick we can find!
Tuesday: Crock Pot Sesame Chicken over vegetable Lo Mein
Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner - French Toast, turkey bacon, fruit
Thursday: I'm working late so DH and DS will probably have whatever leftovers they want
Friday: Grilled turkey burgers, zucchini tots and maybe sweet potato fries
I cook a lot, use my Crock Pot a TON and usually make enough for at least two meals so that we have leftovers either for another dinner later in the week or for us to have for lunches. We do still eat out/order in some (especially the last several weeks when I've been feeling so crappy and/or have had the occasional craving for something random) but we committed to cutting way back on that when DS was born and I reduced my work load to part time.
I'm also already collecting freezer recipes for after this baby is born. After the holidays (probably in that week between Christmas and New Years) I plan on making a bunch of casseroles, soups, chili, etc. to freeze so that we won't wind up ordering out a lot when I don't have the energy to cook. I had planned to do that when DS was born, but not quite as extensively as I'm planning this time.
We go together like a wink and a smile. June 27, 2009
We usually get two meals out of these so this week is waikiki meatballs over rice w/ pineapple, taco skillet and refried beans, spaghetti and turkey meatballs. Tomorrow grilled steak and home made mashed potatoes (I'm drooling).
I also do batch cooking and freezer meals occasionally. You dont have to use only the freezer recipes you see. Start freezing a small portion of meals you make frequently and see what freezes well. There are many days i make a double batch and freeze half for a later meal. 2 months before DD was born i completely stocked my freezer with all sorts of things. I didnt have to cook much the first few months which helped immensely since we moved when she was 3 weeks old. I plan on making a freezer cooking group when we are all middle of 2nd trimester so we can share ideas.
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Sarah, 35 bumping from NE Ohio
Married my love 4/22/2006
DD born 10/12/2009
DS born sleeping 2/23/2013 full trisomy 18
Baby 3 due 2/13/2015 }
I always meal planned but I stopped during first tri because I basically could only eat what sounded good that day. I'm starting to feel a little better so I'm starting to plan a few meals but not a whole week like before.
This week:
Homemade Fresh Tomato Soup, corn on the cob
Crockpot pulled pork sandwiches, broccoli with cheese
Sausage veggie cous cous stuffed peppers, not sure on a side dish yet.
@krispy83 I also love my crockpot. Definitely comes in handy on days when there is hardly any time to prepare a meal after work.
I did freezer meals when I went out on maternity leave. It was great. I also suggest making up some breakfast stuff. I did breakfast burritos last time. Great when you are a zombie in the morning.
Thanks ladies for sharing. I need to start doing this again. Now that I'm not so bad on the day by day meal plan I think I can stock up at the grocery store and meal plan again.
So far I've planned salmon, potato soup, broccoli and cheese soup and a cottage cheese/hamburger noodle casserole. I'm obviously still not filling fantastic and soup sounds good.
"I will show you the kind of big sister I will be..."
@DronkeyGal, I've had that Chicken and Mushroom with Garlic sauce bookmarked for a long time! Have you made it before? I just haven't gotten around to it but it looks delish! I love Skinnytaste, I have gotten so many recipes from her.
We go together like a wink and a smile. June 27, 2009
@krispy83 - yes I have made the chicken and mushroom with wine sauce at least 5 times. It is one of my go-to meals! The chicken is so flavorful and it's very easy to cook quickly on a week night. Just be careful to not over cook the chicken! Easy to do when they are cut into small strips.
Can't wait to meet our darling daughter, Abigail Elizabeth
I don't have a set menu, but here are some meals I'm thinking about making this week: Baked cod, mixed vegs, Mac & cheese. Homemade calzones, salad. Korean beef and brown rice.
**All welcome**
Me: 33 Hypothyroid, HBP, Low Vit D Anemic, Stage 2 Adrenal failure. Unexplained Infertility
Disclaimer: I've never made the lo mein before, but this looks pretty straightforward. The chicken is awesome though! I typically skip the last step of thickening the sauce because we like a thinner sauce, but that's just our personal preference.
Re: Weekly Meal Plans
Sarah, 35 bumping from NE Ohio
Married my love 4/22/2006
DD born 10/12/2009
DS born sleeping 2/23/2013 full trisomy 18
Baby 3 due 2/13/2015
"I will show you the kind of big sister I will be..."
BFP #2 11/6/13 - EDD 7/14/14 - blighted ovum discovered @ 7w - natural m/c @ 10w3d
BFP #3 5/25/14 - EDD 2/1/15 - Hoping this is our 2nd little owl
A/S findings: Baby is a girl! EIF found on heart
but maternit21 came back neg for chromosome disorders!!
"I will show you the kind of big sister I will be..."
Sarah, 35 bumping from NE Ohio
Married my love 4/22/2006
DD born 10/12/2009
DS born sleeping 2/23/2013 full trisomy 18
Baby 3 due 2/13/2015
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
I did freezer meals when I went out on maternity leave. It was great. I also suggest making up some breakfast stuff. I did breakfast burritos last time. Great when you are a zombie in the morning.
"I will show you the kind of big sister I will be..."
Cajun Chicken Pasta on the lighter side (skinnytaste.com)
Pepper Steak with white rice (skinnytaste.com)
Chicken and Mushrooms in a Garlic White Wine Sauce (skinnytaste.com)
Shredded Chicken Quesadillas (no recipe- chicken breasts cooked in crockpot with a packet of taco seasoning and a jar of salsa on low for 8 hours)
Sweet Italian Turkey Sausages and Spinach Salad (no recipe- sausages from Aldi, cooked without any seasoning)