Meal Plan for January 12-18, 2015

After taking a four week Winter break following my husband's Fall semester of seminary, we are back. Between my husband's week-long winter class, a new homeschool schedule, recuperating from the journey and organizing our space in my in-laws' home, I had little energy for blogging.
So, I am sharing this "plan" a little late. However, by waiting I also had an epiphany.

I find that planning is very beneficial, but often my plans are changed. Though I had meals planned for the week, I didn't fix everything on the "correct" days. Since this seems to be normal for us and for others I have spoken to as well, I decided to change my meal plan. Instead of listing meals for specific days and times, I will start planning for 21 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner for 7 days) and then use them when they work for our schedule or desire. I am finding flexibility is key to survival in my life and meals should flex with our needs. Though I have listed them in general categories, they could move around even more.

Breakfasts

1.  Cereal
2.  Oatmeal
3.  Cereal
4.  Muffins
5.  Cereal
6.  Oatmeal
7.  Cereal
(Grandma had stocked lots of cereal for our return and I didn't have money in the budget or energy for variety this week.)

Additional Options:
* Yogurt
* Toast
* Fresh fruit

Lunches

1.  Hot dogs & baked beans
2.  Pizza
3.  Chick-Fil-A (Free grilled chicken sandwich and drink with 2015 calendar cards for each of us for January! Each month is a different item. Great Christmas gift!)
4.  Nutella sandwiches &/or BBQ Chicken Salad with fresh fruit and carrots
5.  Leftover turkey, salad, and carrots
6.  Leftovers
7.  Family Lunch (out with relatives)

Suppers  (Dinners)

1.  Hot dogs & baked beans
2.  BBQ Chicken and rice
3.  Chicken Hot Dish (Used California medley veg. instead of broccoli. Tasted great! I love the curry in this dish.)
4.  Turkey, mashed potatoes and vegetable
5.  Pizza/Date Night (Thanks to Groupons!)
6.  Fish & Chips (Ended up going out. Saving this for next week.)
7.  Taco Soup


Snack Options:

1.  Crackers
2.  Yogurt
3.  Fruit
4.  Leftovers
5.  Fruit Snacks
6.  Snack Cakes (Chosen by my 6 year old grocery helper.)

Drink Options:

1.  WATER!!!!
2.  Milk (mainly use for breakfast & cooking)
3.  Apple Juice
4.  Lemonade water
5.  Root beer (another treat from Grandma)
6.  Hot chocolate
7.  Coffee
8.  Tea

Plenty of choices for the week. Check out how I did with our grocery budget for the week.