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My Menu

2013 February 10
by WWGD

whatwouldgwynethdo-menuplanning

A kind reader asked me a while ago if I could share my menu planning options once in a while, so here we are. If you are interested, I am happy to share each week…

This is the post I wrote back in October about how I menu plan each week (most weeks…) and I am really proud to say I am still holding on strong. Last week skater boy was away for business all week and I ended up not planning, going to the grocery store with the kids and spending all this money and came home with nothing to eat. The whole week felt off (and involved lots of take out) and I hated it. It truly is amazing how such a small change has had such a big impact on our little life.

The picture above was me ten minutes ago at the dining room table, as I often am on Sunday mornings. I pull out a pad and pencil, a cookbook or two, and my iPad for quick reference to online recipes I’ve bookmarked. I check schedules for the week to see if anyone is out for dinner or lunch. I check the weather to see if a rainy, cold evening will call for some comfort food. And I slot in Taco Tuesday right away. Because that’s a give in.

Here’s how the rest of this week will look:

Sunday dinnerpenne alla vodka from Ina Garten (this recipe requires some time and effort so it’s perfect for a Sunday…and the leftovers are amazing on Monday)

Monday lunch – leftover penne

Monday dinnerchicken milanese from Gwyneth Paltrow (this recipe is embarrassingly easy and delicious and has become a staple at our place)

Tuesday lunch – pulled pork from Trader Joe’s (I serve on brioche buns with crunchy little cornichons on the side)

Tuesday dinner – tacos (we make ours with ground turkey, crunchy shells and the usual favorite toppings)

Wednesday lunch – sandwiches (ours usually involve turkey, pepper jack, avocado, tomato, onion and a little dijon on whole grain bread)

Wednesday dinner – spaghetti squash with italian sausage and broccolini

Thursday lunch – take out sushi

Thursday dinner – steaks, homemade fries and grilled veggies

Friday lunch – something frozen from Trader Joe’s (likely tikka masala or orange chicken)

Friday dinner – homemade pizza (we use Trader Joe’s whole wheat crust and sauce and pile it up with whatever we’re in the mood for)

Now that that’s out of the way, it’s off to the grocery stores (I have to go to both Sprouts and Trader Joe’s to hit everything on my list, with the odd trip to Costco for beer and wine thrown in) with list in-hand…and a little wiggle room for desserts, of course.

Have a great Sunday ~

 

10 Responses
  1. anne permalink
    February 10, 2013

    How do you make your spag squash? I love it but it takes so long to bake!

    • WWGD permalink*
      February 11, 2013

      Ugh, I know. Last time I did it, I called my mom like five times to ask why it was taking so long…not sure there is any way around that, unfortunately. I poke holes in it and let it go at like 450.

  2. Emily permalink
    February 11, 2013

    Thank you for posting….I am doing better but still a struggle to come up with a week’s worth of meals!

    • WWGD permalink*
      February 11, 2013

      I know, it can be a challenge but so worth it! I definitely find that fitting in my regulars right away (i.e. taco tuesday, a pizza night) makes it less intimidating. I think routine is fine, as long as you are putting real food on the table 😉

  3. February 11, 2013

    I’m making GP’s Milanese Chicken for dinner this evening. Thanks for some great inspiration. I’ve been a bit stuck in the ‘lack of meal inspiration’ rut recently.

    • WWGD permalink*
      February 11, 2013

      Oh nice! Let me know how it turns out. We are obsessed with it over here.

      • erin permalink
        February 12, 2013

        Just made it last night!! WOW… we have a new favorite dinner around here=) So delicious! Thanks for sharing and I love your blog. Keep up the great work!

  4. WWGD permalink*
    February 12, 2013

    Love it! We had it tonight, too. It’s foolproof. Thanks for the note, Erin!

  5. February 13, 2013

    so same-same over here.
    i’ve been drafting a similar post in my head for a couple weeks now… i love sharing what works for us meal-planning-wise but i really, really love getting ideas from other mamas. this is great.

  6. Lesleee permalink
    February 14, 2013

    I love this post! Thanks so much. I’m a little obsessed with meal planning at my house. I want everything to be easy and healthy. Thanks for the post. I love hearing how other mom’s make it work!

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