Meal Plan 55 - A Looneyspoons Week

Meal Plan 55 - A Looneyspoons Week

Click here to get a printable version of this week's meal plan and recipes

Grocery List:

The grocery list is color coordinated by meal so you can easily pick and choose which meals you would like to make. Either print and use the grocery list as is and make all the meals I have planned, or easily cross off the meals and corresponding ingredients you would rather not make.

Click here to get a printable version of this week's grocery list

This week I decided to plan a week of Looneyspoons recipes from the cookbook I'm reviewing.  The great thing about these recipes is that they are flavorful, easy, and healthy.  I also purposely chose recipes where you could use some of the same ingredients for more than one recipe; that's a great way to plan your week smartly.

Day 1: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Rice 'n' Easy Casserole

This creamy, cheesy, broccoli, cauliflower and rice casserole is easy to throw together.  Toss some chicken in your favorite spice mixture and roast them alongside the casserole for a no-brainer meal.

Day 2: Asian Beef Noodle Soup
This flavorful recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes and hits all the right notes when you are craving a good Asian soup.

Day 3: Lemon Basil Grilled Shrimp over Roasted Chicken Wild Rice and Grilled Asparagus

I freakin' love these shrimp!  The marinade is fantastic and they take only a few minutes to grill up.  Throw some asparagus on the grill alongside it, and serve with the leftover package of roasted chicken and wild rice mix from earlier in the week and you've got a super tasty and easy meal.  

Day 4: Beijing Beauty Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Crunchy Peanut Slaw

This pork recipe along with the slaw allows you to use a lot of the same ingredients you used earlier in the week in the soup, yet in a completely different format with different tastes.  

Day 5: Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken over Rice with Peas

This one's a no-effort meal for the end of the week when you're tired.  

For more great meal ideas, check out my complete list of meal plans.

Meal Plan 54 - Spring Rejuvenation

Meal Plan 54 - Spring Rejuvenation

Click here to get a printable version of this week's meal plan and recipes

Grocery List:

The grocery list is color coordinated by meal so you can easily pick and choose which meals you would like to make. Either print and use the grocery list as is and make all the meals I have planned, or easily cross off the meals and corresponding ingredients you would rather not make.

Click here to get a printable version of this week's grocery list

I took a much needed break over my Easter holidays....no preschool work, no blog, no housework, just family and rest.  Aaaaah.  I feel so rejuvenated!  The spring weather totally helps as well.  I was able to sit outside in the warm sun this afternoon while I typed up this post.  Enjoy this new meal plan, and look forward to some brand new recipes this week that I've been reviewing for a new cookbook review.  Bring on the spring veggies, salads and fresh flavors!


Day 1: Red and White Beef Manicotti with Garlic Bread and Ceasar Salad
You could totally serve this manicotti with some mixed greens and drizzle it with a simple vinaigrette, but I decided to go all out and be totally decadent with this meal for my family. This is a good one!

Day 2: Blackened Chicken Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing
It's finally SPRING so lighter meals are a must.  Just because this is a salad for dinner, does NOT mean it is lacking in flavor.  This is a bold, flavorful, fantastic main dish salad.

Day 3: Thai Larp
One of my favorite Thai dishes, this larp (pronounced "lap") has wonderfully seasoned ground meat (beef, chicken or pork, your choice) with jasmine rice rolled in lettuce leaves or napa cabbage.  If you love lettuce wraps, try this authentic Thai recipe!

Day 4: Chicken al Diavlo Penne with Mixed Greens drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil
This is one of my family's favorite pasta dishes ever.  We either eat it on it's own, or with a simple salad.  I'm going to use up whatever lettuce is left in my fridge to make a lovely mixed green salad dressing simply with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Day 5: Lemon Chicken and Fried Rice
When you are craving Chinese take-out, both these recipes are fantastic at home substitutes.  They aren't loaded with sugar, salt and msg and cost a fraction of what they would at a restaurant.  AND they actually TASTE like they came from a Chinese restaurant.  Score!

For more great meal plans, check out my complete list of meal plans.

Meal Plan 53 - The Last of Winter Comforts

Meal Plan 53 - The Last of Winter Comforts

Click here to get a printable version of this week's meal plan and recipes

Grocery List:

The grocery list is color coordinated by meal so you can easily pick and choose which meals you would like to make. Either print and use the grocery list as is and make all the meals I have planned, or easily cross off the meals and corresponding ingredients you would rather not make.

Click here to get a printable version of this week's grocery list

I'm totally curious:  Do you plan your meals around the weather?  Your cravings?  What's in season?  What you need to use up in your freezer/pantry? Your kids pickiness?

I tend to plan my meals using all of those tactics (except for my kids; I don't let them dictate what we're eating.  They just have to deal with it :)  This time I kind of was leaning towards the seasons, as we've had such a mild winter and can you believe it's almost spring?  Today it started snowing these picturesque big snowflakes, gentle and steady, littering the trees and roof tops.  It's supposed to continue all week, so I'm jumping on the winter food wagon before Spring creeps in and I'm craving salads and fresh, light flavors.  I'm hunkering down with a cozy blanket and some cozy meals.

Day 1: Ginger Maple Glazed Chicken and Rice with Peas

This chicken is sweet and sticky and goes great with rice.

Day 2: Slow Cooker 3-Packet Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Carrots/Green Beans

Throw this roast into the crock pot in the morning and come home to a delicious meal.  Save the au jus from the roast, to make a delicious soup the next day.

Day 3: Beef Barley Soup and Buns

I loved the juices from the slow cooker pot roast so much I had to turn them into a soup.  I love me a good beef and barley soup.

Day 4: Creamy Lemon Basil Chicken & Pasta
This pasta is creamy and comforting, yet bright with the hit of lemon and pesto.

Day 5: Roasted Garlic and Acorn Squash Soup and Mixed Greens with Balsamic Dressing
Most of the time spent on this soup is hands-off time while the garlic and acorn squash roast in the oven. Then you puree everything in a blender with cream and chicken stock and your soup is done.  Super easy!

For more great meal plans, check out my complete list of meal plans.

Meal Plan 52 - Few Ingredients, Fantastic Results

Meal Plan 52 - Few Ingredients, Fantastic Results

Click here to get a printable version of this week's meal plan and recipes

Grocery List:

The grocery list is color coordinated by meal so you can easily pick and choose which meals you would like to make. Either print and use the grocery list as is and make all the meals I have planned, or easily cross off the meals and corresponding ingredients you would rather not make.

Click here to get a printable version of this week's grocery list

Hey Meal Planners!  Another exciting week of meals, another chance for fabulous food on the table.  Are you enjoying your meal planning?  Are you liking the meals you are making each week?  What's the biggest deterrent from following your meal plan?  I found in the last year or so, that a meal would repeatedly not get made and bumped to the next week, and the next week's meal plan because the recipe had too many ingredients and too many steps.  I didn't feel like going through all the fuss....I just wanted simplicity.  It took me a while to realize my recipe shift!  I always thought food had to be full of ingredients and spices to be flavorful.  This week I wanted to plan a whole week of meals that don't have a ton of ingredients that proves that simple can still be flavorful.


Day 1: Sausage, Lentil and Barley Soup with Cheddar Biscuits
This is our family's new favorite soup.  It may not be pretty, but it's easy and with a handful of ingredients SOOO tasty!  These cheddar biscuits are also totally fail proof and a fantastic accompaniment (I would leave out the herbs).  If you think homemade biscuits from scratch are too time consuming or difficult just wait till you try these...you will be proved wrong!

Day 2: Spicy Sesame Noodles with Coconut-Crusted Chicken Fingers

Mmmmm, freakin' love these sesame noodles!  With crunchy chicken fingers, this should be a totally family pleasing meal.

Day 3: Chicken Oreganato with Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli

This chicken is one of my favorites!  All it takes is some lemon juice, olive oil and oregano to make crispy, juicy, flavorful chicken.  I toss a pan of potatoes in next to the chicken with my favorite seasonings and supper is done in no time.

Day 4: Hoisin Glazed Salmon with Rice and Sauteed Bok Choy

This salmon is super fast and so yummy.  

Day 5: Chorizo and Tomato Frittata with Arugula Salad Drizzled with Lemon and Olive Oil

Chorizo has big flavor, so you don't need much else to make this awesome frittata.

For more great meal plans, check out my complete list of meal plans.

Meal Plan 51 - Familiar with a Fresh Twist

Meal Plan 51 - Familiar with a Fresh Twist

Click here to get a printable version of this week's meal plan and recipes

Grocery List:

The grocery list is color coordinated by meal so you can easily pick and choose which meals you would like to make. Either print and use the grocery list as is and make all the meals I have planned, or easily cross off the meals and corresponding ingredients you would rather not make.

Click here to get a printable version of this week's grocery list



Hey Meal Planners! Look at me staying on the ball with posting!  It helped having a week off work to catch up and schedule a bunch of posts, but what's further helping is our longer days and more sunlight (!) so I can stay caught up.

This week I decided to pick meals that are familiar favorites but with a fresh twist, and I'm pretty stoked for it.  What's on your menu this week?

Day 1: Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Salad and Fries
A pub favorite prepared as a delicious sandwich.

Day 2: Red Thai Curry Noodles

These noodles are fantastic and very authentic. You can sub the chicken for shrimp or eliminate the chicken completely to have a vegetarian meal.

Day 3: Sweet BBQ Tater Tot Casserole with Sauteed Green Beans

This reminds me of my childhood when I eat it!  While the tater tot casserole is baking, toss your sweet potato and carrots in the oven to get a head start on tomorrow nights dinner.

Day 4: Curried Sweet Potato, Carrot and Red Lentil Soup with Naan or Crusty Bread

A warm, comforting meal for those chilly nights.  A great vegetarian option.

Day 5: Nacho Ordinary Taco Salad with Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing

One hefty, filling main course salad.  Pretty much my favorite taco salad ever.

Bonus: Raspberry Banana Bread
A quick and delicious bread to throw together for snacks or breakfast in the morning.

For more great meal plans, check out my complete list of meal plans.

Meal Plan 50 - Family Favorites

Meal Plan 50 - Family Favorites

Click here to get a printable version of this week's meal plan with recipes

Grocery List:

The grocery list is color coordinated by meal so you can easily pick and choose which meals you would like to make. Either print and use the grocery list as is and make all the meals I have planned, or easily cross off the meals and corresponding ingredients you would rather not make.

Click here to get a printable version of this week's grocery list



Here's some of our very favorite recipes, compiled into one week.  I made sure to prep ahead when possible to cut down on time spent later, and put the easiest meal at the end of the week for when I'm tired and don't much feel like cooking.  I only plan 5 meals for the week to account for leftovers, eating out, or macgyvering dinner out of the leftover bits in my fridge/pantry at the end of the week.

Happy eating!

Day 1: Won Ton Soup with Asian Salad

Our family loves this soup so much.  You'll need to allot yourself 30 minutes or so to assemble all the won tons, but the soup is a cinch after that.  You'll also be making double what you need, so you can save the rest in the fridge for tomorrow nights salad.

Day 2: Won Ton Chicken Salad

Mmmm....crispy won tons in a salad?  Sign me up!  This salad is crispy, crunchy, sweet and sour, and sure to please.  Toss some chicken breasts covered in BBQ sauce in the oven to cook, while the chicken for the salad is cooking and set aside for dinner on Day 4.

Day 3: Vindaloo-Korma Curry over Rice

My Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala and Slow Cooker Butter Chicken recipes have been getting all the Pinterest lovin', but this curry is one of my absolute FAVORITES. It's spicy and sweet with fantastic flavor.  While I've never tried it before, I'm sure it would adapt well to being tossed in the slow cooker once the chicken, onions, garlic and ginger have been cooked.

Day 4: BBQ Ranch Chicken Tostadas with Avocado Corn Salsa

The chicken has already been cooked for you another night, so you need only bake the tortillas, prepare the salsa and assemble.  Easy easy!

Day 5: Hoisin Cashew Beef in Lettuce Wraps with Rice

The hoisin cashew beef is quick and easy to pull together.  If you made double the rice on Day 3 then that part is done for you too!  Just pile rice and meat into lettuce cups and enjoy an easy and delicious meal.

Bonus: Frozen Lime Pie

I never add dessert to my meal plan, but this one is so fast it's nice to treat the family.

For more great meal plans, check out my complete list of meal plans.

Meal Plan 49 - Quick Fix Meals

Meal Plan 49 - Quick Fix Meals

Click here to get a printable version of this week's meal plan with recipes

Grocery List:

The grocery list is color coordinated by meal so you can easily pick and choose which meals you would like to make. Either print and use the grocery list as is and make all the meals I have planned, or easily cross off the meals and corresponding ingredients you would rather not make.

Click here to get a printable version of this week's grocery list


This afternoon is supposed to be prep time for preschool, but I'm ahead in my planning so I decided it was a good time to finally post a new meal plan.  This week's meals are coming to you from Robin Miller's Quick Fix Meals, so that means they are fast, easy and convenient for a busy schedule. I've cooked out of this cookbook a lot in my busy preschool/full-time working mom life, and this particular meal plan had me high-fiving myself by the end of the week.  It's definitely more "normal" meals than what I typically plan, but even so, it was a life saver and everyone ate well (with very little complaining...all week!)   

Day 1: Smoked Cheddar Stuffed Burgers with Veggies and Dip
These burgers are nice and quick the first day and you make twice as many as you need.  You'll use the 4 burger patties on Day 2 and 3 of the meal plan.

Day 2: Vegetable Beef Soup with Buns
Two leftover burger patties are cut up into pieces and simmered in broth with veggies for a satisfying soup.  I was amazed at how quick and easy this was to throw together.  With little effort we ate a delicious comforting meal!

Day 3: Spaghetti and "Meatballs" with Ceasar Salad
The last two burger patties get cut up into "meatballs" and stirred into a simmering spaghetti sauce.  Fresh basil and parmesan really spruce this meal up.  My whole family devoured this...no complaints from the kids or husband!

Day 4: Roasted Salmon with Sweet 'n' Hot Mustard Glaze with Baked Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus

Once you've prepared the salmon and tossed the asparagus with oil, salt and pepper, this meal is completely hands free.  The whole thing gets roasted in the oven, while you put up your feet and relax!

 

Day 5: Coconut Lime Chicken with Chiles over Rice

A quick and easy saucy chicken over rice.  A great way to end your week.

For more great meal plans, check out my complete list of meal plans.