Weekly Menu Plan #75 ~ Proving That Planning Saves Time, Energy, & Money

Not having a menu plan last week revealed a few things to me:

1. I stressed out a little every time meal preparation came along because there was no plan.
2. I really don't need extra stress in my life.
3. Instead of our family of seven filling half a trash can once a week, all the packaging (of "organic products") filled our trash bin; something that never happens.  It was startling and appalling.
4. We spent way more money for all those easy-to-grab items.
5. The house was crumbier because everyone was running around while they ate instead of sitting down to a meal.
6. We lost our usual connection times of sitting together as a family to enjoy a meal as we ran around, eating and working.
7. With everything said and done, I really didn't save any time buying more pre-made food.
8. At the end of last week, we all noticed a severe decrease in energy and productivity and our stomachs hurt.

All that to say, I am so happy to be back on the menu-planning bandwagon!  That was a lesson well-learned.  No matter how crazy life seasons may get, it is crucial for our family to have a basic plan of action when it comes to nourishing our bodies. It is a place of connection, togetherness, and not just to re-fuel, but to nourish, heal, rest, and renew body, mind, and spirit.  These next few weeks will probably still include some compromises (more pre-made things than normal).  We are still in the process of finishing our garden on top of maintaining what's already been established, packing up our house to be expanded, and, well, I won't bore you with the rest of the to-do list.  I will not, however, slack off making smoothies (a massive part of our health-promoting nourishment) and providing a high-protein diet.

Monday:
Breakfast: Porridge
Lunch:  Nuts, Raw Cheese, Summer Sausage (organic, grass-fed), Sourdough Bread
Snack: Apricot Creme Smoothies
Dinner:  Cauliflower Pizza (using rutabaga instead of cauliflower; we'll see if it works!) with Cheese, Olives, & Pesto


Tuesday:
Breakfast:  Grain-Free Chocolate Chunk Zucchini Muffins
Lunch:  Nut Butter & Berry Wraps
Snack:  Strawberry Cacao Smoothies
Dinner:  Simple Taco Salad


Wednesday:
To do: thaw steaks for Friday night
Breakfast:  Yogurt with Maple Syrup & Fresh Berries
Lunch:  Sourdough Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches, Hummus, Carrot Sticks, Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds
Snack:  Carrot Cake Smoothies
Dinner:  Nourishing Potato Cheddar Soup


Thursday:
Breakfast:  Chocolate Breakfast Shake
Lunch:  Sourdough Ham & Turkey Sandwiches, Sprouted Sunflower Seeds, Apriums
Snack:  Orange Julius
Dinner:  Simple Summer Succotash


Friday:
Breakfast:  GF Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal
Lunch: Sourdough Raw Almond Butter & Homemade Jam Sandwiches, Coconut Secret Bars, Leftover Muffins From Tuesday Morning
Snack:  Nut Butter & Honey Popcorn
Dinner: BBQ Steaks & English Pea Salad


Saturday:
Breakfast:  GF Pancakes
Lunch:  Quesorritos
Snack:  Leftover Muffins From Tuesday Morning
Dinner:  GF Turkey Pesto Pasta


Sunday:
Breakfast:  Fried Eggs & Avocados
Lunch:  Leftovers
Dinner:  Leftovers
(Sunday is my day off)