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 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

Kids Helping in the Kitchen

Ashlyn and Jakob have sure enjoyed helping in the kitchen more since we started receiving dinners from Hello Fresh.  They both are excited and are interested in helping me in the kitchen more.  An easy way Ashlyn helps is by shaking the vegetables and potatoes with a bit of olive oil and seasoning.

February 15, 2017

February 26, 2017

Jakob helped me last Monday, March 6th, in the kitchen by preparing a taco seasoning recipe from All Recipes.  I have been working on getting both kids in the kitchen more and love they are wanting to help!

Our next Hello Fresh kit will arrive this upcoming Saturday!  My goal for Jakob is to begin getting him to cook one of the three dinners.  The instructions are step by step with pictures which would help him learn the basics of cooking.  Jeff and the kids like fish, so I ventured with adding the salmon recipe.

My Hello Fresh Menu for March 25th - March 31st:

• Wasabi Lime Salmon over Soy-Simmered Rice with Baby Bok Choy
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Lemony Potatoes and Zucchini
• New York Strip Steak with Truffled Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans Amandine

To attempt to the keep the cost down on Hello Fresh, I normally add additional vegetables to my weekly grocery trip based on the recipes and cook those portions as four people per the recipe (give or take).  Hello Fresh has simplified my dinner plans and the stress of planning every week.  On average, we receive Hello Fresh twice a month now.  I have enjoyed the variety of the dinners and how the dinners are Weight Watcher's friendly and follow the plate method concept.

When Jeff was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, we quickly learned about the plate method.  Roni, my Weight Watcher's leader, recently also discussed dinner plates used to be nine inches.  Our current plates are approximately twelve inches, but have a rim.  The inside of the plate is about nine inches which is where we tend to place the food.  Through learning how to eat better, Jeff within the first year of being diagnosed pre-diabetes, was no longer pre-diabetic.  Over the last year, the two of us are continuing to exercise and eating healthier.  I love how we are teaching our kids how to cook and eat well balanced meals.

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

Menu Plan Monday: Week of February 13, 2017

Menu planning sure helps me feel relaxed throughout the week.  Knowing we have the ingredients for the meals helps the chaos in the evening and in turn helps our overall budget.

My last Hello Fresh box arrived on Saturday, February 4th.  The menu included the following:

• Mustard-Breaded Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
• Sugar-Sweet Pork Chops with Mixed Root Veggies
• When Steak Met Potatoes with Peppercorn Sauce

We cooked the Mustard-Breaded Chicken Thighs last Monday and it all turned out well.  The meal was quite simple to prepare.  The chicken breaded in a traditional way.  I was unaware with the brussels sprouts to place them cut side down on my baking stone which helped dramatically on roasting them.  After the fact I realized I probably kept the brussels sprouts in longer than I needed with ensuring the chicken was cooked all the way through.  The sweet potatoes cooked in a way I have never done before.  The last recipe which required sweet potatoes, Jeff started early in the toaster oven.  This method mentioned to wet a paper towel, wrap around the sweet potatoes, and microwave for ten minutes.  After the ten minutes, the sweet potatoes appeared done.  Since the chicken was still cooking, the recipe steps mentioned to place the sweet potatoes in the oven to keep warm.  

This upcoming week we will cook the other two recipes from my kit.  We had an odd week on last week's menu.  Jakob celebrated his 12th birthday last Saturday, February 4th.  Grandparents came to visit and we went to Babe's Chicken for lunch before a few of Jakob's friends came over to the house.  Friends arrived around 2PM and for dinner I ordered pizza.  I had a buy one get one codes and used points and purchased four pizzas and cheese bread for Ashlyn for about $33.  Since I had four preteen boys at the house I was expecting them to be hungry.  Right when the pizza arrived, one of the boys was picked up.  Long story short, we had right at three full pizzas remaining and chicken leftover from Saturday.  Talk about rearranging the refrigerator to make all the food fit!  We are also finishing up the cake from last week!

On Saturday, February 18th, my next Hello Fresh kit will arrive!  The menu includes the following recipes:

• Balsamic Chicken Rustico with Provencal Roasted Roots Veggies
• Ginger Beef Stir-Fry with Snappy Asparagus
• Melty Monterey Jack Burger with Red Onion Jam and Zucchini Fries

Hello Fresh has sure simplified creating our menu and added variety to our dinner plates.  I also take advantage of Wal-Mart's online grocery shopping by adding additional produce to select menus without the hassle!  It is also such a time-saver for me.

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of February 13, 2017

Monday, 2/13: Overnight Lasagna
Tuesday, 2/14: Sausage with Rice and Green Beans
Wednesday, 2/15: Sugar-Sweet Pork Chops with Mixed Root Veggies
Thursday, 2/16: Leftover Buffet
Friday, 2/17: Dining Out
Saturday, 2/18: Sandwiches
Sunday, 2/19: Hello Fresh Menu

Menu Plan Monday: Week of January 23, 2017

Last week, I had my second Hello Fresh box delivered.  We have cooked two of the three recipes.  Last week's favorite recipe was the Thai Pork Stir-Fry with Rice.  The recipes from Hello Fresh take approximately thirty minutes to cook and always look so pretty on the plates.  I could not be happier with all of it!  It saves me some time on my menu planning and the recipes are Weight Watcher's friendly.

Thai Pork Stir-Fry with Rice

Try out Hello Fresh and get $40 off your first box!!  They have different plans including a classic, vegetarian, and a family plan.  I am enjoying the flexibility and variety of food it is providing my family to eat.  Recipes are simple to create and are high in flavor.  I am thankful for getting back on schedule with our menu planning since it is helping our budget and diet.  We are not eating out as often and when we do eat out, it was planned ahead of time.

My next Hello Fresh dinner will arrive on Saturday, February 4th!

Upcoming Recipes:

• When Steak met Potatoes with Creamed Kale and Peppercorn Sauce
• Sugar-Sweet Pork Chops with Mixed Root Veggies
• Mustard-Breaded Chicken Thighs with Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

Menu Plan Monday: 

Week of January 23, 2017

I created this upcoming week's menu plan primarily on what we currently had on hand in the house to help save on our grocery budget this week.  We have a variety of leftovers in the refrigerator also which needs to be eaten!

Monday, 1/23: Rapid Maple Balsamic Chicken with Sweet Potatoes from Hello Fresh

Tuesday, 1/24: Hot Dogs with chips and Fruit
Wednesday, 1/25: Leftover Buffet
Thursday, 1/26: Leftover Buffet
Friday, 1/27: Dining Out
Saturday, 1/28: Dining Out
Sunday, 1/29: Overnight Lasagna

Menu Plan Monday: Week of January 16, 2017

I received my second HelloFresh box yesterday!  For dinner tonight, we cooked their recipe, hearty steak with balsamic-cranberry pan sauce along with a side of cabbage.  The flavors of the cabbage and the steak went very well together and complimented each other nicely.

Try out Hello Fresh and get $40 off your first box!!  They have different plans including a classic, vegetarian, and a family plan.  I am enjoying the flexibility and variety of food it is providing my family to eat.  Recipes are simple to create and are high in flavor.  I am thankful for getting back on schedule with our menu planning since it is helping our budget.

Menu Plan Monday: Week of January 16, 2017

Monday, 1/16: Thai Pork Stir-Fry with Mint and Ginger

Tuesday, 1/17: Dining Out

Wednesday, 1/18: Baked Ham
Thursday, 1/19: Rapid Maple Balsamic Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Friday, 1/20: Leftover Buffet
Saturday, 1/21: Dining Out
Sunday, 1/22: Chicken Spaghetti