September's Meal Plan

Do you meal plan?  I've tried all sorts of different ways over the years.  In the beginning, when I was newly married, I had no idea what I was doing and I would set out to the grocery store with nary a list or idea of what to eat.  I assumed the grocery store would inspire me.  In other words, I'd buy 80% of my groceries in the frozen aisles.  You know, frozen pizza one night, a Bertoli frozen meal another, some take-it-out-of-the-freezer-and-throw-it-in-the-crockpot meal we were quite fond of, etc.  I've evolved a bit in my meal planning techniques but I'm constantly trying new things on for size.  Over the years I've tried OAMC (once-a-month-cooking), planning one week at a time, planning one month at a time (but not cooking all at once), and making double batches of anything that can freeze so I can always stick the second in the freezer for another time.  The latter is my absolute favorite.  Although OAMC rocks, for me it's just too time consuming.  I can't wrap my mind around an entire day doing nothing but cooking.  And don't get me started on the clean-up required.  I know that it's great in the long run because it frees up so much time the rest of the month, but it's just not for me.

This month, since we're trying to kick processed foods and still keep our budget under control and because I have three kids three and under and need every second I can get, I decided to plan for the whole month and implement my double or even triple batch cooking.  So, for example, I have garden chowder penciled in three times this month.  When I make it for the first time, I actually triple the recipe and put two batches in freezer safe containers and into the freezer.  Makes for a quick dinner the next two times I have garden chowder scheduled.  I love cooking this way.  I save money by being able to buy in bulk (through my co-op that is nationwide and might deliver to your area, Azure Standard, and Costco).  And I save time by having so many meals prepped and in the freezer ahead of time.

My mom also had a smart idea to make up a bunch of frozen pizzas to have a healthy option when I don't have time for dinner but don't realize it until 4:00 in the afternoon.  In those instances, we usually turn to fast food.  I'm giving myself a goal of making 6 frozen pizzas to put in our deep freezer this month so when the "Ahhh!  I have nothing planned for dinner" panic sets in, we don't end up at Chipotle (or McDonalds or Papa John's).

I thought I'd share my menu plan since I love seeing other people's menu plans for inspiration!  I'm linking to everything that has an online recipe below.  There are so many cute, free printables to take advantage of, as well.  I've included two that I love in this blog post: the one above and the one below just to show you a few examples, but you can find even more if neither of these strike your fancy by hitting up Google images and typing in printable menu planner or something along those lines.

Meals that I'm doubling or tripling that will feed my freezer:

• Garden Chowder 


• Chicken Enchilada Soup - Note: I cook dried beans instead of canned because it's more economical and no worries about BPA in the can lining, I use this recipe for enchilada sauce because it has no vegetable oil and I make my own healthy version of cream of chicken soup using this recipe.


• Chili - Note: Like I mentioned above, I cook dried beans instead of canned


• Cafe Rio Chicken Tacos - Note: I make my own ranch seasoning mix using this recipe (since we're avoiding processed foods and these mixes are notoriously  high in sodium and other unnecessary ingredients) and I use this recipe for italian dressing for the same reason (and it's more economical!)


• Healthy Frozen Pizza

Other meals that aren't freezer-friendly but are fairly quick and easy:

• Summer Squash Enchilada Casserole - Note: This comes from the book Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook (which I can't recommend enough) but this adaptation is just as yummy!  This is one of my all-time favorite meals.  I can't say enough amazing things about it!  It's a slow-cooker meal, but it does require a little beforehand prep work, so keep that in mind.  I make it for company constantly because we think it's that delicious.


• Breakfast for dinner - Note: We do this once a week because we love our breakfast and it's fast and easy!  I'm trying to go mostly wheat-free (another post for another day), so we usually do bacon (local), eggs (local) and hashbrowns 


• Mexican chicken breasts - Note: Couldn't be easier.  This takes next to no time to prepare.  Just make up a large batch of taco seasoning mix to always have on hand because the packaged stuff is absolutely loaded with sodium and make salsa every few weeks.  This is the salsa recipe I usually use but sometimes I just throw a whole bunch of things in the food processor and call it good.  I don't use reduced fat sour cream but I do use plain yogurt (full fat) so I don't have to buy and waste a whole tub of sour cream.


• Farmer's Market Skillet - Note: HOLY COW.  This is insanely good.  I just made this for the first time last week and it's a new favorite.  I actually added some balsamic vinegar to mine because you simply cannot go wrong with balsamic vinegar, but do as you wish.  :)

I left five days blank because I figured out awhile ago that if I plan for a meal every day, food always goes to waste.  We have at least one day a week where we eat leftovers for dinner and we're shooting for going out for dinner two times a month.  So, there you have it!  Our month of dinners in a nutshell.  Do you monthly meal plan?