Sunday, September 21, 2008

Menu Planning ... Don't laugh!



Okay, I know some of you who know me well are laughing--- I mean really laughing. Yes, I am doing menu planning for my hubby and I. This is my second week. After having meals brought to us for 6 weeks during my recovery surgery - thank you lovely people at my awesome church- I really liked eating at home. If you know us personally you know we eat out ALOT. The Lord has convicted me at different times that we waste TOO much money on eating out. So this is my second week trying to do better - reading all the blogs on being frugal, meal planning, etc. also inspired me. My good friend- triathamom - who teaches Cooking Live classes at my church also is a huge inspiration to me. Being a working woman it was nice to come home last week and the past two Sunday's and have most everything already ready. The Sunday meal is nice because I have been using my crock pot. Ask any children's minister and by the time they get home on a Sunday after morning services and ministries they will tell you - you are worn out most mornings. Whoever, invented the crock pot- what a blessing!

So here is my menu plan for this next week and two of my favorite recipes.................
Sunday- BBQ wings, green beans, mac & cheese, corn casserole
Monday- Lasagna, Salad, Fruit, Bread
Tuesday- Grilled Cheese, Nachos & Chips
Wednesday- Dinner at Church
Thursday- Breakfast Casserole, Fruit
Friday- Crunchy Chicken Bake, peas, hash brown casserole, grape salad
Saturday- Dinner with Family for a Birthday
Sunday - Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Applesauce



I am going to post the recipe to two of our family favorites:

Crunchy Chicken Bake
6 boneless chicken breasts
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup herb stuffing
2 Tablespoons melted margarine
Place chicken in a 9x13 Pyrex baking dish. Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese. Spread soup over chicken and cheese. Combine margarine and stuffing. Sprinkle on top. Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes. (Taken from my church's cookbook)


Chicken Enchiladas
1 large can chunked chicken
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 8 oz. tub of sour cream
1 small onion
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
8 to 10 flour tortillas

Combine chicken, soups, sour cream and onion in a large skillet and heat. Spoon in a portion of the mixture into a flour tortilla and cheese and roll up. Place in a 9x9 baking dish. Pour the remaining mixture over enchiladas; sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until hot thoroughly. (from a church cookbook where I served on staff)


So how many of you out there need to do a better job of planning meals? Okay if not that what about could you find some ways to spend the money you are going to save by not eating out? Okay, I thought that would get you............ visit http://www.orgjunkie.com/ to be inspired with over 200 meal plans for this week! Maybe you will find some inspiration! Better take a nap before AWANA- cya!

12 comments:

Tami said...

I think that your meals for the week sound wonderful. I'm new to trying to stick to the menus that I write up each week. Good luck to you!! I need all of the help and ideas that I can get. lol!

Amiyrah said...

Welcome to MPM! Meal planning is so great and will make a big difference in your week. Can't wait to see your future meals! if you need any recipes, I have quite a few on my blog. Hope to see you there sometime :o)

Nancy said...

Thanks for stopping by and welcome to MPM. It doesn't take long to see the benefits of menu planning, does it? Sounds like you've already seen them. Have a good week.

Laura said...

Ok, I did want to snicker at first ,BUT really I'm so proud of you!!!! Way to go, now you can use all your Pampered Chef goodies you own!

Aisling said...

Welcome to menu planning. You'll do fine! Just remember that very few of us ever stick exactly to our plans, so don't get stressed if you swap things or skip things or whatever. Looking forward to seeing you around here for a long time to come.

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

Great looking menu!! Thank you for sharing the chicken bake and enchilada recipes! They look absolutely delish!

Thank you for coming by my blog and commenting!
Have a great day!
Sherry

Christiana said...

That Crunchy Chicken Bake sounds delicious! Your whole menu looks great.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! :)

Jenn M said...

Menu planning is the only way to go! People make fun of me too, because my meals are up on my refrigerator. I will have to try the chicken and cheese recipe... it sounds so good!
Another quick Sunday crock pot is BBQ. Put a pork loin roast covered in BBQ sauce before you leave for church. When you get home, slap it on a bun and it's as good as Sticky Fingers!

Frugal Finds said...

It is my first time too!! Welocme aboard!!

Caribbean Cindy said...

LOVE this. Yours is the 2nd blog today I have seen with the week's menu so I am getting the message! Though I cook almost all our meals, I need to be much better at planning them! Rick is going to be traveling soon so I am making a goal right now to work diligently on it during that time. Thanks for sharing the recipes. Love you!!

Triathamom said...

hahaha...I know that Mr. Mike is the only one eating green beans, salad & peas...but I'm glad to see that you are fixing them for him. Maybe one day you'll eat them, too
!!

Crystal said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your menu plan sounds yummy. :-) I'm going to have to try your Chicken Enchiladas, they sound really good, I think my hubby would love them. I hope your menu plan went well this week. Hope to see you on Menu Plan Monday!