Monday Meal Planning...on Tuesday

The sweetness of summer....this mouth-watering bowl of fruit is about to be turned into a smoothie...

Here is my version of Gina's Baby Past Shells with Asparagus and Marinara: 

I used rotini shells because I wanted something fun and whole grain...the baby shells at Kroger were all white pasta.  I also added 1/3 lb. lean hamburger meat for the predator in my husband.  And...I'll admit, I didn't remember my grocery list, so I forgot the crushed tomatoes to make my own sauce, so I had to turn to Ragu...sorry :*-(

It still turned out very good and S had two huge helpings.  Additionally, I made garlic bread for a side.  I'll be putting this recipe in my "keeper" folder!

This week's meal plan (thanks, Allison, for the idea!):

Monday:  Chicken Parmigiana, without the crunchy coating but with Angel Hair Pasta, green beans  

Tuesday:  Pasta Marinara with Asparagus, garlic bread, fruit smoothie for dessert

Wednesday:  Venison Tacos, refried beans, Spanish Rice

Thursday:  Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp, rice, steamed veggies

Friday:  Most likely leftoevers.

Sat. & Sun:  We are usually bad and eat what's left in the fridge, grill, or eat out.  We'll see what this week holds! 

I'm currently working on a Meal Plan Planner.  I'm TERRIBLE at planning ahead (at least for food, that is), so I'm really looking for something that works.  I've adapted a worksheet from a couple different sources, adding my own spin on it, and so far, it's worked this week.  Except the part about forgetting it at home when I went to the grocery store--it also serves as my grocery list.  I'll put a downloadable copy on here as soon as I get it finished, or almost-finished-still-tweaking. 

So, what's your game plan this week?

And I Have Returned

Hello, hello!  I know--it's been a while!  I am ecstatic to report that I have finished all of the classes for my Master's of English, and I only have my culminating project to complete this summer.  (Is it wrong to admit I had this sudden urge to say, "Forget the project!" and just give up?--Weird, I know!) 

Anyway, I spent yesterday cleaning.  And cleaning.  Lesson learned for this week:  don't let an entire semester go by without cleaning your daughters' room.  I never actually got around to dusting; I just spent three hours digging out toys, trash, and dirty laundry.  I now know my children are the actual Sock Monsters. 

To start the first blog of freedom, I'm going to post my meal plans for the week (well, probably next week, but I'm going to the grocery store today):

Chicken Rollatini w/ Spinach all Parmigiana

Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp

(look how daring I am--never had Thai food before!)

Turkey Chili Taco Soup 

Of course, this is only if the store has the right ingredients.  I don't have time to make it over to Whole Foods today, but I plan on going next week.  I think it's been 4-5 months since I was able to walk leasurely through the store and sample delectible bites...mmmm

Other plans for this Derby week/end: 

• Clean my house while Lovely has a friend over to play today
• Finish a "fact-checking" side job (on a manuscript for publication)
• Attend a Mother's Day tea at Lovely's school, where we are to dress "fancy" and be introduced to the rest of the class.
• Hit up the Knit Nook for their inventory blowout sale
• Possibly go to an end-of-the semester party at a co-worker's (although I usually leave really early, so we're only talking 1-2 hours)
• Visit the mothers for Mother's Day.  Hope my girls remember I'm a mother, too.

What are your plans?

If I don't write again soon, Happy Mother's Day!

Start of the Week

I've been up since 6:50 this morning, but I'm actually lasting pretty well! I got up, tutored for an hour, got ready for my temp job answering phones, dropped off the girls, dropped off our tax stuff at the accountant's, and when I go home, I plan on working out. I brought my lunch so I wouldn't spend money or be tempted by calories, so at least I can't snack today! My eyelids are a little heavy, but I've completed almost all the reading I needed to get finished today, I wrote an article for The Examiner --make sure to visit-- and I'm about to see if I can find some WW meals to make this week, so I can plan a grocery list.

Speaking of planning, although I've been a major planner most of my life, it wasn't until the past few years that I read about planning meals for the week. I don't mean to speak ill of anyone, but I wasn't taught to meal plan growing up--I don't remember my mother doing it. Maybe it's just my memory? Anyway, I've been trying to keep up with it, but I keep failing at the task. Any secrets out there for easy meal plans? It doesn't help that I'm such a picky eater, of course.