Menu Planning: Week of July 8, 2024

Sure hard to believe it is already July.  We have HelloFresh coming this upcoming Thursday again.  I am looking forward to the recipes this week from them: Honey Thyme Pork Filet and Cheesy Smashed Burgers.  Get a FREE box from HelloFresh using my referral code.  I suspect a few other meals this week will include spaghetti and potentially a recipe from SkinnyTaste, stuffed peppers.  I sure appreciate both HomeChef and HelloFresh though when it comes to menu planning.

Menu Planning: Week of June 24, 2024

This week, we have a few meals arriving from HelloFresh!  Try a FREE box from me!  

This upcoming Thursday, we have the following meals arriving on our doorstep.  These have been helpful as Jakob recently has decided he should learn how to cook new things.  The step by step instructions have been beneficial for him too.

• Hot Honey Peach Pork Chops with Rice & Lemony Roasted Veggies
• Sheet Pan Dijon Onion Crunch Chicken with Green Beans & Garlic Bread

I'm not entirely sure what other plans we have this week yet.  We are officially hitting 100 this week it appears.  So I know I will attempt to limit the oven if possible.  What are you cooking this hot summer week?

Menu Planning: Week of June 17, 2024

This week, we have a few meals arriving from HelloFresh!  

We have two dinners arriving tomorrow: Honey-Butter BBQ Pork Chops and Sweet Chili-Lime Glazed Pork Chops.

We are also making spaghetti this evening and had BBQ Sausage and rice planned earlier this week.  What's on your menu this week?

Menu Planning: Week of May 27, 2024

This upcoming week, we have meals and recipes arriving from Home Chef and HelloFresh.  My coupons will expire on Home Chef with this upcoming week and then HelloFresh sent me a coupon to return!  I have learned to switch back and forth as needed between the different meal prep companies since they will offer you discounts to return!  One advantage to Home Chef is customizing the recipe servings.  I prefer being able to change some recipes down to two rather than the default four-person setting.  We vary from having the meal-prep service every week to on average every-other week.  What are your favorite menu planning websites or meal prep companies?

Home Chef Steak with Bacon-Blue Cheese Butter with Oven-Roasted Asiago fries.

Home Chef Sheet Pan Mozzarella Chicken Cutlet with Garlic Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

HelloFresh Creamy Garlic Chicken Spaghetti with Nutmeg, Parmesan & Chives

HelloFresh Chicken in a Lemony Sauce with Pistachio Rice & Roasted Carrots

Menu Plan Monday: Week of March 23, 2020

We received our FarmBox Delivery this past Friday, March 20th.  My goal is to determine recipes to ensure we are not wasting the food.

Dinner Plans this Week:

• Kid Friendly Turkey Chili
• Crock Pot - Baked Potato Soup
• Turmeric Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
• Roast served with Carrots, Potatoes, and Green Beans

I am also planning to make some smoothies this week using the kale, oranges, and blackberries with our bananas we have on hand.  I have not made any smoothies in a long time, so I am looking forward to it this upcoming week.

Menu Plan Monday: Week of June 26, 2017

Last Sunday morning, I was on my iPad looking for some sort of produce delivery.  I was wanting to try to find something to help reduce our grocery bill.  Due to the cost of produce, without Bountiful Baskets, it has gone up.  Luckily, I found Harvest to House.  For my first box, I chose the Mixed Fruit / Vegetable Box, Large which gave an assortment of both fruits and vegetables for $33.  They have a variety to choose from including fresh meat and eggs too!  If you are not home for the delivery, you just leave an icebox out for them to place the food inside.  Ahead of the delivery, they email you what you will receive on your delivery day!

6/23/2017 - Mixed Fruit / Vegetable Box, Large

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of June 26, 2017

Breakfast Ideas this Week:

• Breakfast Sandwiches
• Breakfast Burritos
• Blueberry Muffins / Donuts
• Pancakes

Lunch Ideas this Week:

• Lunchables
• Sandwiches
• Leftovers

Dinner Ideas this Week:

• Meatloaf with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Zucchini
• Pork Chops with Corn on the Cob (Instant Pot) and Kale Chips
• Leftovers
• Hello Fresh

Smoothies this Week:

• Oh Kale Yeah (Simple Green Smoothies)
• 1 cup kale, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup pineapple, 1/2 cup strawberries, and 1 banana
• California Sunshine (Simple Green Smoothies)
•  1 cup kale, 1/2 cup water, 1 orange, 1 cup pineapple (next time, I will add a banana)

I blended the California Sunshine this evening.  However, next time I will add a banana to help sweeten it up.  It was tart in my opinion and even Ashlyn was iffy on it and she normally likes all smoothies!

Starting back at the end of December, I started receiving meal kits from Hello Fresh.  I tend to get them monthly now based on the selection provided.  I love how our family can pick and choose the meals along with choosing when we receive them!  Try out Hello Fresh and get $40 off your first box!  They have different plans including a classic, vegetarian, and a family plan.  I love how you can choose the menu on the classic plan and select when you receive it. My next Hello Fresh arrives on Saturday, July 1st.

• Creamy Dill Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans
• Kiwi Salsa and Steak Fajitas with Charred Bell Pepper, Onion, and Blistered Beans
• Barbecue Pork Meatloaves with Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw and Sweet Potato Wedges

This post is linked up to I'm An Organizing Junkie - be sure to check it out for even more meal planning ideas and inspiration.

Menu Plan Monday: Week of June 19, 2017

Last week, I made spaghetti with meat sauce in my Instant Pot.  I was exciting how easy it was to make and is now my weeknight method of cooking spaghetti going forward!

I have cooked macaroni with cheese in the Instant Pot and cooked a recipe from Skinnytaste, called Chicken Enchilada Soup.  Cooking the macaroni and cheese was super simple in the Instant Pot.  I poured a bag of pasta (about 12 ounces, I think) into the Instant Pot.  I added 4 cups of water, 2 TBSP of butter, and a pinch of salt.  I set manual pressure for four minutes and then quick pressure release when it was finished.  It was super hot, so be careful!  I mixed in 1 1/4 cups milk and and 8 ounces of Velveeta cheese.  I continued to stir and sit with the Instant Pot lid until it was melted through.  The kids enjoyed the meal with fruit for lunch.  I should have added a bit more salt and pepper for mine.  Other recipes call for adding dry mustard.  I have never done, but should try to see how it taste.  I suspect it would give it a bit more of a kick.

This upcoming Friday, I have produce being delivered from Harvest to House!  I'm looking forward to using that in helping me plan upcoming weekly menus.  I have been looking for an inexpensive CSA since Bountiful Baskets is currently not an option in our area.  Harvest to House will allow you to decide when deliveries are made and really appreciate the email today letting me know what I will receive this upcoming Friday!  This will sure help with planning next week's menu!

Product	Price	Qty
Mixed Fruit/Vegetable Box, Large	$30.00	1
Eggplant, Black Beauty		1
Onion, Local		1
Bananas		5
Corn, Bi-color		2
Cucumber, slicer		2
Grapes, green		1
Kale		1
Kohlrabi		1
Oranges		1
Squash, Summer mixed		2
Tomatoes		1
Okra		1
Peaches, East Texas		1

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of June 19, 2017

Dinner Ideas this Week:

• Tacos
• Dickey's BBQ
• Baked Potato Soup
• Leftovers

Starting back at the end of December, I started receiving meal kits from Hello Fresh.  I tend to get them monthly now based on the selection provided.  I love how our family can pick and choose the meals along with choosing when we receive them!  Try out Hello Fresh and get $40 off your first box!  They have different plans including a classic, vegetarian, and a family plan.  I love how you can choose the menu on the classic plan and select when you receive it. My next Hello Fresh arrives on Saturday, July 1st.

• Creamy Dill Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans
• Kiwi Salsa and Steak Fajitas with Charred Bell Pepper, Onion, and Blistered Beans
• Barbecue Pork Meatloaves with Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw and Sweet Potato Wedges

This post is linked up to I'm An Organizing Junkie - be sure to check it out for even more meal planning ideas and inspiration.

Menu Plan Monday: Week of June 12, 2017

This week, I am determined to learn how to use my Instant Pot.  I have been looking up recipes to determine which blogs I like the most to give me ideas on cooking with it.  I really do not know why I have felt so intimidated by it, but I think it is just the process of learning what I want to attempt to cook in it.  Summer is a great time to practice!

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of June 12, 2017

Dinner Ideas this Week:

• Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
• Steak, Rice using Instant Pot, and Roasted Squash
• Chicken Sandwiches, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, and Green Beans
• Skinny Taste - Chicken Enchilada Soup

Starting back at the end of December, I started receiving meal kits from Hello Fresh.  I tend to get them monthly now based on the selection provided.  I love how our family can pick and choose the meals along with choosing when we receive them!  Try out Hello Fresh and get $40 off your first box!  They have different plans including a classic, vegetarian, and a family plan.  I love how you can choose the menu on the classic plan and select when you receive it. My next Hello Fresh arrives on Saturday, July 1st.

• Creamy Dill Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans
• Kiwi Salsa and Steak Fajitas with Charred Bell Pepper, Onion, and Blistered Beans
• Barbecue Pork Meatloaves with Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw and Sweet Potato Wedges

This post is linked up to I'm An Organizing Junkie - be sure to check it out for even more meal planning ideas and inspiration.

Menu Plan Monday: Week of May 22, 2017

We have been so off track the last few weeks with planning our dinners and sure can tell.  Both Jeff and I have been busy and it sure makes it more difficult to decide on dinner when it was not planned ahead of time.  However, we are getting back on track with this upcoming week with some easy dinner plans.

Saturday, 5/20: Dining Out
Sunday, 5/21: Hello Fresh New York Strip Steak Panzanella

Monday, 5/22: Hello Fresh Char-Grilled Barbecue Chicken

Tuesday, 5/23: Hot Dogs
Wednesday, 5/24: Leftovers
Thursday, 5/25: Chicken Sandwiches
Friday, 5/26: Dining Out
Saturday, 5/27: Dining Out
Sunday, 5/28: Roast and all the Fixings!

Menu Plan Monday: Week of April 24, 2017

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of April 24, 2017

Monday, 4/24: Hello Fresh - Hunan Cumin Beef Stir-Fry over Jasmine Rice

Tuesday, 4/25: Hot Dogs
Wednesday, 4/26: Ham
Thursday, 4/27: Chicken Sandwiches with Roasted Asparagus
Friday, 4/28: Leftovers
Saturday, 4/29: Leftovers
Sunday, 4/30: Herbed Pan Fried Pork Chops
http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/herbed-pan-fried-pork-chops/

Menu Plan Monday: Week of April 17, 2017

The past few weeks have been quite busy, but productive.  I am really enjoying our dinners from Hello Fresh!  Here are a few of the most recent dinners we have cooked a few weeks ago!

We received our Hello Fresh box this past Saturday which was helpful with our busy weekend.  The recipes include strip steak, chicken orzo dinner, and a beef stir-fry.  Ashlyn was baptized yesterday at our church and we had family over leaving little time for the grocery store for this upcoming week.  Jeff and I decided to purchase a new GE Profile refrigerator which will come in a few weeks.  Our goal is to clean out the food and freezer over the next two weeks to help make it easier when they are switched out.

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of April 17, 2017

Monday, 4/17: Hello Fresh - Strip Steak Florentine with Mashed Potatoes and Squash

Tuesday, 4/18: Pinto Beans in Crock Pot and Corn Bread
Wednesday, 4/19: Hello Fresh - Winner Winner Chicken Orzo Dinner with Cheesy Roasted Zucchini and Tomatoes

Thursday, 4/20: Leftover Buffet
Friday, 4/21: Leftover Buffet
Saturday, 4/22: Dining Out
Sunday, 4/23: Hello Fresh - Hunan Cumin Beef Stir-Fry over Jasmine Rice

Lunch Prep: Week of February 27, 2017

I have been wanting to prep some different lunches for me to take to school.  I stumbled upon Sweet Peas and Saffron and Gimme Delicious Food after looking over my lunch ideas pins from Pinterest.  Therefore, I chose to make a simple recipe inspired by Gimme Delicious Food with roasted chicken, zucchini, tomatoes, and onion served with basmati rice for this week.  Ashlyn loves to help in the kitchen.  She helped me this afternoon by shaking the olive oil and basic seasoning onto the zucchini and tomatoes.  Roasted all of it for about twenty minutes in the oven at 450 degrees.

Menu Plan Monday: Week of February 27, 2017

Last week, the favorite meal was Ginger Stir Fry with Snappy Asparagus served with Jasmine Rice from Hello Fresh.  Over the last two months, I have averaged receiving the Hello Fresh kits twice per month.  This has added variety to our dinners without the hassle of figuring out what to cook.  Both of my kids get so excited when I pull out a box from Hello Fresh to start cooking.  I absolutely love how enthusiastic Ashlyn is in wanting to help cook the dinners.  Jakob is normally working on Boy Scouts and other homework, but absolutely loves the dinners too!  I also take advantage of Wal-Mart's online grocery shopping by adding additional produce to select menus without the hassle!  It is such a time saver for me.

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of February 27, 2017

Monday, 2/27: Chicken Sandwiches with Sweet Potato Fries and Baked Squash

Tuesday, 2/28: Dining Out

Wednesday, 3/1: Hot Dogs, Chips, and Fruit

Thursday, 3/2: Tater-Topped Pot Pie with Chicken, Mushrooms, and Peas

Friday, 3/3: Dining Out

Saturday, 3/4: Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken over Risotto Primavera

Sunday, 3/5: Butter-Basted Sirloin Steak, Baked Potatoes, and Green Beans

Menu Plan Monday: Week of February 20, 2017

This past week, we had a few Hello Fresh recipes to finish up.  My favorite from last week's Hello Fresh dinners was "When Steak Met Potatoes with Peppercorn Sauce."  Jeff and I are stingy with steaks and typically cook chicken nuggets for the kiddos.  This will obviously change as they get older.  I adapted the kale portion of the recipe and cooked kale chips instead because I already knew Jeff and the kids love!  I was impressed with the freshness of the kale because I was concerned since this Hello Fresh kit had been in the refrigerator for a week.  The kale was fresh and crisp as I had just purchased it!

Sugar-sweet pork chops with mixed-root veggies was also a hit last week with the kids.  Ashlyn loves helping in the kitchen and she helped by mixing the veggies with olive oil and a few spices.  The pork chops were the main hit with this recipe.  They were tender and melted in your mouth.  The mixed-root veggies seemed too crunchy, in my opinion, but maybe I should have bumped up the temperature of my oven.  I cooked them per the directions at 400 degrees Farenheit, but it was on convention versus bake.  I have not roasted carrots or parsnip before only potatoes, zucchini, and squash.

Over the last two months, I have averaged receiving the Hello Fresh kits about every other week.  This has added variety to our dinners without the hassle of figuring out what to cook.  Both of my kids get so excited when I pull out a box from Hello Fresh to start cooking.  I absolutely love how enthusiastic Ashlyn is in wanting to help cook the dinners.  Jakob is normally working on Boy Scouts and other homework, but absolutely loves the dinners too!  I also take advantage of Wal-Mart's online grocery shopping by adding additional produce to select menus without the hassle!  It is such a time saver for me.

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of February 20, 2017

Monday, 2/20: Ginger Beef Stir Fry with Snappy Asparagus

Tuesday, 2/21: Hot Dogs and Chips
Wednesday, 2/22: Leftovers
Thursday, 2/23: Leftovers
Friday, 2/24: Melty Monterey Jack Burger with Red Onion Jam and Zucchini Fries

Saturday, 2/25: Dining Out - Fellowship with Church
Sunday, 2/26: Balsamic Chicken Rustico with Provencal Roasted Roots Veggies