Weekly Menu Overhaul

I have got to start doubling and tripling recipes and freezing them cause this weekly cooking is too much of a lifestyle change for me and I am losing steam. Why is eating healthy so much work?!

In an effort to make things easier I have to come up with a schedule. Something like certain nights for soup and salad, specific ethnic cuisines and leftovers and just keep to the schedule. I remember my sister used to do menu planning back in the day when I lived with her in St. Thomas. She did seafood pasta one night, homemade pizza one night, beans and rice one night and some other set dishes which she then repeated the next week with occasional variations. No one complained or thought twice because they were recipes we all enjoyed.

I need to do something similar so I am devising a plan. First of all, I am only planning five dinners a week. Next I need to figure out inexpensive, nutrient dense meals that freeze well. And third, they need to be prepped ahead of time or easy to prepare after a long day at work. Sundays will be relegated to shopping, chopping, prepping and baking bread and dessert.

Here are some thoughts:
One night of Asian food
One night of Italian food
One Mexican food
Two American

Or this:
Two nights of Crock Pot Soup recipes
One night of breakfast for dinner (like pancakes and bacon or omelettes and toast)
Chicken
Fish

Or this:
Prepare one or two soups or stews for the week and supplement each night with veggie, meat or homemade bread or rolls.

Here are my Crock Pot ideas for next week's menu. (page numbers are for me to find--will post recipe when I make the decision)


Beef Brisket Stew p.260
Hamburger Soup p.258
Navy Bean Bacon Chowder p.244
Vegetable Medley Soup p. 204
Wild Mushroom Beef Stew p.262
Beef Stew with Molasses and Raisins p.266
Chicken Fiesta Soup p.274


Last week started out right but then it all fell apart. There were many factors that led to my derailed healthy eating but just these two would bring anyone down: Thin Mints and the arrival of Aunt Flo. Who can compete with that double whammy?! And I guess I don't have to even mention that I did not even open 30 Day Shred... I'm not even going to post my stats and instead give myself a pass.

But no worries! Next week is going to be better. Here's to less food prep, healthy choices and working out! And an added incentive? I have my first date with M. next week.