To Meal Plan or NOT!

The spontaneously creative side of me has once again taken over....I have discovered that the meal planning is not working for me.

To be honest with you I may have stuck to the meal plan twice this past week with the exception of even changing a few sides....So I couldn't even say I stayed on the menu for those two meals. I hate to say that I'm quitting this part of my organizational plan......But, I'M QUITTING THIS PART OF MY ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN!

If there is one thing that I do enjoy most of the time it is being in the kitchen creating, making and baking. Oh I still have my days when the last thing I want to do is cook but, for the most part cooking is relaxing and fun for me!

Three things I've discovered while trying to meal plan:

1.)  It takes up too much time: I've found that I spent more time scouring through recipes and wondering which day would be best for that meal. Trying to schedule around certain activities turned out to be too much of a chore! I'm good at pulling something out of the fridge or freezer at the last minute and turning it into a masterpiece. My Mama was like that! She would come home from work not having anything planned for supper....Walk to the fridge and just start pulling things out with out thinking about it! And with in an hour she had this gorgeous meal sitting on the table! That's me! I can do that! I got that "gift" from her!!

2.) Sometimes.... I/we didn't feel like having a heavy meal: We were just happy having a salad. I found that it really stifled my spontaneous, free spirit......Which in turn was making me miserable. I believe we should follow rules....But making rules regarding what I should cook in my own kitchen on each night has been a complete failure!

3.) Somethings you just have to let go:  As much as I wanted this to work, I was miserable in trying to make it work....I actually hated it! My free spirit was being stifled and suffocated.......Well at least on the nights that I actually tried to stick to the menu.  *Smile*  (Little bit of rebellion creeping in I guess.)


So I sent the meal planning packing! And I am instead going back to pulling things out of the fridge/freezer and I am going to continue to be spontaneous and bake and create the way I use to! So sorry to have let you down.....But this girl has to follow her heart and her instinct when it comes to her kitchen!!!

What's on the menu tonight? I don't know...something to do with chicken.....I can let you know tomorrow what we have tonight.  Heeheee that feels good to say that!

I know you "OCD, Organizing, stick to the plan folks" will not understand......And to that I say... Take a deep breath, it will all be okay! My life will not fall apart because my meal planning did!

But to all of you "Free Spirit" friends of mine, I know you got my back and you completely understand my plight! Carry on and be Free!

Menu Planning Monday: Week 2

So here I am slowly getting back on track. It feels good......To tackle those things that stare you down and make you feel uncomfortable until you deal with them. Procrastination and I, well we used to be the best of friends. And now I feel something coming between us. We no longer have that much in common any more. I find she weighs me down and drags me under til I can't barely breathe.

It's funny how I'm really starting to like Lil' Miss Organization. I never thought we could be friends but she seems to help me out of the messes I get myself into once in a while. And I like that. We all need a friend like that. Don't we? I see the beginning of a Beautiful friendship on the horizon. Oh it's not a perfect one....I'm sure I'll let procrastination come over to play sometimes. It's just not going to be like it was. *Smile*

With that said, here is my weekly menu. Hope you like it! It was Lil' Miss Organizations idea........


Monday: 
Supper: Crock Pot BBQ Chicken- Macaroni Salad & Corn on the Cob with Watermelon

Tuesday:
Supper: Spaghetti with a toss Salad

Wednesday:
Supper: Sloppy Joes with asparagus

Thursday:
Supper: Meatloaf, roasted potatoes & Corn on the cob

Friday:
Supper: Chicken Wing Pizza, Toss Salad and a Pina Colada Smoothie

Saturday:
Supper: Chicken Wraps and Fruit Salad

Sunday:
Dinner: Roast with potatoes and carrots & Homemade Coconut Ice cream

As always, if you would like the recipe to any one of these just drop me a note and I'll be sure and get it to you!

Weekly Menu Plan (week 1)

One of the things I want to accomplish while trying to be more organized is to make a meal plan every week. It seems the days of just coming up with a last minute meal are over. I use to be able to do it, but some how with the more blessings we have received and the heavier work load that keeps piling up...(Like Mt. NeveRest) it's becoming a lot more difficult and I find myself scrambling at the last minute and sometimes I don't even get anything on the table!

And I can not continue to run my home this way....Causes too much stress! And my man is getting the raw end of the deal! So here it is, my very first Meal Plan!

Monday:

Supper: Chuck roast with roasted potatoes and carrots,Corn on the Cob and Pineapple cake with Cream cheese frosting

Tuesday:

Chicken Pot pie, Steamed Broccoli and Oatmeal raisin Cookies

Wednesday:

Crock Pot Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches and Seven Layer Salad

Thursday:

This is my Sunshine Girl's night to make supper! and this is what she wanted to make!

Chicken Teriyaki with rice and Stir Fry Veggies and Fruit Salad for dessert

Friday:

Sausage and Rice with Oven baked Cauliflower and cheese sauce, Chunked pears over frozen Yogurt

Saturday:

Taco wraps and Watermelon

Sunday:

Mother's Day ...Making a dish to pass to take over to My Mama in-Love's

I only made a supper meal plan because we usually count on the left overs for lunch. Next week I will add a Breakfast menu!  If you would like to know how to make any of these dishes I would be glad to share the recipe, just leave me a note and I will get it to you!