Eat at Home 3!

[BOST99]

So excited to find this thread because it is exactly what I need. I started a pinterest board to try at least 1 new recipe a week to avoid takeout but lately not going so well.

Following along for inspiration and ideas for quick weekday meals.

 

[Sydney2977]

Please tell me some of your favorite make-ahead healthy meals. I accepted a job offer (after being laid off in June) and will be having long days. My kids are teens and old enough to put something in the oven but even they won't always be home before 5pm. DH will cook on his days teleworking. I'm thinking crockpot meatballs and meatloaf (already favorites), assembled homemade pizzas that they can just bake, hot dogs (not healthy but fine once in a while) maybe cook up some taco meat and freeze it to then take out and heat up when needed, Monte cristos to heat up last minute, and maybe have chicken marinating that then they can broil (I'll have to show them what cooked chicken should look like).

Any other ideas? One is a pasta eater and one is not, so maybe pasta is a good idea for days when we have leftovers from a meat night. Also, they are not big veggie eaters. One likes mushrooms and asparagus and raw veggies but not salad. The other loves fruit so I serve a lot of that at dinner too. Neither will eat beans.

Year before last I had to go into my office every day and we ended up eating more convenience food than I wanted (and than my touchy stomach can deal with). Last year when I telecommuting more often, it was easier to plan better-for-us meals.

I'm probably starting in a couple weeks so may stock the freezer with homemade chili and maybe some lasagna before then.

Check this website for some easy simple meals. You can actually put the ingredients you want to search in and it will pull up recipes based on that.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cooking-style/quick-recipes

 

[Sydney2977]

So we did go out an extra night last week, but it was just to Raisin' Cane's because they were donating proceeds to the marching band as a fundraiser. This week I'm working days except Friday night. Some things I picked to make this week were to use up stuff already on hand. Here's the plan:

Sun: steakhouse burgers and fries
Mon: teriyaki pork chops with noodles and pineapple/carrots
Tue: hash brown ham skillet
Wed: hot dogs with chips and cantaloupe
Thu: steak with red potatoes and rolls
Fri: green chicken enchiladas

 

[VolvoManiac850]

I'm back to the grind, meaning I will be working relatively late Sunday through Thursday nights, then likely out at least one weekend night.

My advice here: try to get more mileage out of a meal and make sure nothing gets wasted. Eat your leftovers and plan to have them on nights you'll be getting back later or will be busier.

If you're good at multitasking, you can make a good meal in under a half hour. Experience is the best teacher here; I cannot give you any good ideas on how to do it without practice.

My menu for the week: (all meals also include a dark, leafy green salad)

Sunday: Orecchiette marinara
Monday: Grilled salmon with a baked potato
Tuesday: Leftover orecchiette marinara (I don't get back until 10:15 on Tuesdays)
Wednesday: Black bean burritos
Thursday: Shrimp cocktail with a baked potato

 

[charming23]

It has been awhile again but we have been doing pretty good around here with eating at home.

This week
Sunday we had beef stew with biscuits
Yesterday was sliced steaks with mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and orange slices
Tonight will be BLT sandwiches with melon and cucumber slices
Tomorrow I work an open to close but dinner will be leftovers
Thursday I am planning on Asian pulled pork tacos with fruit
Friday will be spaghetti squash chicken lo mein
Saturday will be spaghetti squash and meatballs

 

[Becc1]

With school and sports starting, I need to get back to my meal planning. I admit I have been awful this summer, it's so easy to just grab something while out and about.

Plans for this week
Sunday - ribs, roasted red potatoes, broccoli

Monday - orange beef, rice, stir fry veggies

Tuesday - pork chops with pineapple fried rice, green beans

Wednesday - tacos, refried beans, Mexian corn

Thursday - fettuccine chicken Alfredo, salad

Friday - pizza

Saturday - Six Flags, using the dining plan we have for there

 

[BOST99]

Quick question - I usually take leftovers for my lunch so it's not an option for a leftover night.

Do you normally just double up the recipe to make more or do you make other meals (like sandwiches) for lunch?

 

[wishesuponastar]

Quick question -
Do you normally just double up the recipe to make more or do you make other meals (like sandwiches) for lunch?

I make extra of our dinners so we can have it for lunch or another dinner.

Last night I made Pinterest Bruschetta Chicken Pasta. It was a hit with all of us. It tasted to me like Applebee's penne with chicken.

 

[LilyWDW]

Anyone have weeks where you just struggle to make your plan? Just not feeling it this time around. Nothing sounds good and having trouble making it all fit into my schedule. I have a few ideas but... yea. *sigh*

 

[stayhomemom77]

Back from Paris! We had a marvelous time and it was well worth the eating at home and other penny pinching methods.

Just going to do the rest of this week and all of next week as that is what I have planned out!

Tonight-chicken fajitas, nachos and cheese (was also supposed to be a salad but DH said the peppers, onions and mushrooms in the fajita mix were enough veggie )
Fri-frozen pizzas and salad
Sat-turkey tetrazzini, salad, possibly garlic toast
Sun-hot dogs, baked beans, veggies and dip
Mon-waffles, eggs, fruit
Tues-beef tacos, salad
Wed-burgers, homemade fries, not sure of veg
Thurs-buffalo chicken wraps, not sure of veg
Fri-homemade pizzas, not sure of veg
Sat-rotisserie chicken, not sure of sides
Sun-leftovers

I have a package of chicken legs that I'm going to cook up next week. I'll peel the meat from the bones and freeze it for later meals (chicken burritos, soups, stews, casseroles, etc) and then make chicken stock with the bones.

I'm also going to be doing some baking soon. Muffins and banana bread in the near future (kids go back to school on Tuesday) and then we'll see after that.

 

[Kellars]

Back from summer at the cottage and it is time to plan my menus again. One night @ the fair so only 6 nights to plan.

Mac n Cheese w/salad and sliced ham
Crockpot Bourban chicken w/rice
Meatloaf & mashed potatoes, veg tbd
Pork chops & grilled potatoes
Thai fish w/noodles.
Hamburgers / leftovers

 

[Sydney2977]

We followed the plan last week and I only need minimal items from the store this week so that kept the budget on track. Plus some of the meals are using the same ingredients so no waste. Here's what's on the menu this week including my work times:

Sun (10-7)- steak and black bean stir fry- I already made this morning so the guys just have to heat up
Mon (7-5)- pierogie veggie soup- I can make quick when I get home
Tue (off)- tortilla crusted chicken and guacamole
Wed (off)- breakfast for dinner- strawberry shortcake waffles, bacon, sausage
Thu (12:30-9:30)- spinach and chicken casserole- I will make before I go in
Fri (8-5)- loaded chili- I will make in the morning so DS can eat when he gets home and then he leaves for a weekend of camping

Have a great Labor Day and week everyone!

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

I have another business trip this week so today is meal prep and fill the freezer/fridge day so H has easy meals ready.

I am prepping:

-Baked ziti
-Slow cooker salsa chicken
-Turkey meatloaf
-Homemade pasta sauce

We also have frozen pizza, mac and cheese, frozen vegetables, canned soup and pastas readily available.

 

[neatokimmo]

Back from Paris! We had a marvelous time and it was well worth the eating at home and other penny pinching methods.

That is awesome!

 

[neatokimmo]

For the first time, like ever, I completed the meal plan exactly how I wrote it out

This is my plan for the week:

Chicken vindaloo, naan, peas, and melon
Beef chili with black eyed peas, kidney beans, navy beans (three cans out of the pantry woot), and watermelon
Beef and barley soup
Carolina pulled pork sandwiches with salad and fruit
Wild rice beef casserole
Chicken biryani rice, with raisins and chili peanuts
Split pea veggie soup, and tomato sandwiches

 

[hmack]

I need to do this for so many reasons.

It's all about saving or diverting resources, right? I see this as a way to save money, time and energy.

This week:
ribs/mac n' cheese/ honey peach muffins (new recipe) and carrot sticks
shake n'bake chicken nuggets/rice mix/broccoli/rolls
pancakes/bacon/smoothies
ham steak/red potato/corn/rosemary cheddar scones
and then I go into the woods for 3 days...I'll leave cash and DH and DD will fend for themselves.

CHALLENGE:
I'm going backpacking with friends next weekend and I'm in charge of a breakfast.There will be four women, including me. This is full on backpacking, so I'm looking for something light (I'm going to have a hard enough time carrying my pack as it is), nutritious, and easy to make. We won't have a campfire but we will have a propane burner. Any and all ideas are appreciated.

 

[queenofthehive]

Menu Plan Week of 9/3

Saturday- grilled brats, baked beans, chips
Sunday - Swedish meatballs over rice, cabbage
Monday - burgers, baked potato fries, cucumber salad
Tuesday - southwest chicken salad
Wednesday - fish, sweet potatoes, zucchini
Thursday - spaghetti, peas
Friday - pizza

 

[queenofthehive]

Anyone have weeks where you just struggle to make your plan? Just not feeling it this time around. Nothing sounds good and having trouble making it all fit into my schedule. I have a few ideas but... yea. *sigh*

Yes, some weeks I just don't feel like cooking or coming up with ideas. I do understand - Think of simple quick items and just write it out. A simple plan is better than none. Hang in there!

 

[TwoMisfits]

Anyone have weeks where you just struggle to make your plan? Just not feeling it this time around. Nothing sounds good and having trouble making it all fit into my schedule. I have a few ideas but... yea. *sigh*

I've been there...those are the week's I rely more on either foods I'm craving, calories be darned, or foods I don't have to do much to, convenience all the way. It still comes out cheaper and healthier than if I relied on picking up all the stuff out. So, if you don't wanna cook, and it's a week of bagged ravioli, jarred pesto, frozen pizza, rotisserie chicken, and baby carrots, bagged salad, apples, and grapes out of the fridge, take a few nights off and just do it.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I need to do this for so many reasons.

It's all about saving or diverting resources, right? I see this as a way to save money, time and energy.

This week:
ribs/mac n' cheese/ honey peach muffins (new recipe) and carrot sticks
shake n'bake chicken nuggets/rice mix/broccoli/rolls
pancakes/bacon/smoothies
ham steak/red potato/corn/rosemary cheddar scones
and then I go into the woods for 3 days...I'll leave cash and DH and DD will fend for themselves.

CHALLENGE:
I'm going backpacking with friends next weekend and I'm in charge of a breakfast.There will be four women, including me. This is full on backpacking, so I'm looking for something light (I'm going to have a hard enough time carrying my pack as it is), nutritious, and easy to make. We won't have a campfire but we will have a propane burner. Any and all ideas are appreciated.

My best idea (if you have to carry it) is to make a oatmeal mix with some dried fruit, sweeteners, etc (there are a bunch of recipes) and then heat it up over the burner.