Apr. 14, 2008 - ~Thrice a Week Cooking~
Several months ago (methinks) I had written about our way of grocery shopping, planning, budgeting. I have used that system forever and a day, but now am trying something new, due to a new season I find myself in. So, I came up with an idea that I'm hoping will solve our momentary difficulties.
It all started yesterday as I locked myself in my room to organize 'Old Trusty' (my former meal planner). Well.... after an hour I was totally stressed out thoughtfully re-configured, and decided to take a shower to clear my head. Why a shower seems to always help - I just don't know!
It was when I got out from that shower that I realized 'Old Trusty' was history, but I just didn't know what I should do next. A half an hour later I poured my heart out to hubby (been doing that a lot lately), and he said the magic words....... "I think you're making this too complicated".
He was right! Floating around in my head were SO MANY thoughts. Keep it healthy. Keep it cheap. Keep it interesting. Keep it simple. That last one is laughable........
But when hubby said that, "you're making this too complicated", it hit me like a seagull at the beach! I WAS making this too complicated! And then the next thought I had seemed marvelous........ I will just cook three times a week!
So that's what we're doing. Tonight we're having baked chicken w/roasted veggies over brown rice. Care to guess what we're having tomorrow? Very good...... baked chicken w/roasted veggies over brown rice!
The following two days we're having lentils and rice w/ a salad. I am playing with an idea I read about over at lentilsandrice.blogspot.com though. She makes a lentil loaf (much like a meatloaf) and I'm a thinkin' of trying that for the second night leftovers. We'll see how I feel that day.
The next night will be pizza. The good kind.... from box to oven- served over paper plates!
Saturday and Sunday we'll be having baked ziti w/ salad. Maybe one of the children can conjure up a box of them homemade brownie wanna be's. We'll see about that too......
Breakfasts are pretty easy...... We usually rotate a three day schedule of Cereal, Oatmeal, Smoothies. We do that twice and throw in a big breakfast for one of the days Dad's home. That system is pretty easy on my brain and pretty healthy too.
Lunch has always been a sore spot with me, but I'm trying to keep that simple too. I splurged on frozen dino nuggets and applesauce to break up the usual PB&J. Today I surprised everyone and replaced PB&J with homemade whole wheat banana bread. That was a spontaneous surprise for everyone (myself included).
I found a neat little refrigerator gizmo at Sams that has brought new hope to an old dilemma as well. Air-tight, see thru, refrigerator boxes for your produce. They come in various sizes and I have one for my Romaine and one for my Spinach. We'll be having salads nearly every day so these should simplify our salad making and salad shopping as well. I can fill these containers once a week and toss a quick salad together when dinner is served. The picture of the gizmo (w/Romaine) is at the top of this entry. The second gizmo (Spinach) is hiding behind that one.
Anywho...... I'm off. Tonight I'm on dinner duty, but tomorrow Sally Reheat is giving me the night off 
Comments
Apr. 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anita
I think your menu sounds delicious! Simple (dino chicken) and sweet (those brownies)! Have you ever tried grilling PB&J sandwiches? Kinda like grill cheese...
We don't want any stress'n Ivies! Mom always says, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't no body happy!"
His Grace is sufficient...Anita
Apr. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SweetSavages
Oh what a GREAT idea! I frequently THINK of making enough for 2 days but then 75% gets eaten and I'm back to square one. Need to limit to 50% I guess! Thanks for sharing.
Apr. 16, 2008 - You are simply the best!
Posted by your guy
Eunice,
You have the most wonderful ideas, you are creative, witty and a have a love for God and family. I am the most blessed man to be married to such a wonderful woman.
Apr. 16, 2008 - I'm melting.....
Posted by Eunice
Okay myguy. You've now got me wrapped around your yummy little finger! Want a date?
Apr. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by your guy
I'm counting the seconds my dear, to have a date with you would be divine.
"Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure."
Proverbs 20:28
"A wife of noble character who can find? ( I have )
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life...
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy...
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'"
Proverbs 31:10-12, 20, 25-29
Apr. 20, 2008 - Gizmos from Sams
Posted by terri
Hi Eunice
Started walking again and am trying to reorganize my menus like you. Something cheap, simple, healthy, yet will get eaten :o) I like the idea of the gizmos to keep lettuce and spinch in, are they special produce keepers or will any plastic box with a lid work? Trying to start a tasty tuesday on my blog with recipes maybe we can swap our favorites!
