Menu Plan 10/11/10: What happens when you don't plan

Besides taking a break from blogging due to a busy schedule, I also took a break from meal planning.

Big mistake.

Here's what happened:

• I rushed to get things made at the last second, depending too much on my emergency meals like my 3 Can Veggie Chili (which, while good, isn't something I want to eat twice a week!).
• I didn't make things that required defrosting, so food items languished in my freezer.
• I didn't use up leftovers and perishable foods in a timely manner, so I ended up throwing them out, wasting money and effort.
• Our meals didn't have as much variety as usual.
• I felt stressed trying to plan and execute a meal with hungry, complaining kids.

So, now we're back to meal planning again!  Some of the dishes I'll be making are from my Frugal Recipe List, which I recently compiled, of recipes that I've featured here on the blog.

So here's the plan for this week:

Monday - chicken chili over whole-wheat pasta

Tuesday - beef stir-fry over brown rice

Wednesday - mushroom pizza on whole wheat pizza dough,  fruit

Thursday - hot dogs, potato salad, pickles

Friday - turkey with peppers and tomatoes, brown rice, salad, challah

Saturday - Clean Out the Crisper pasta and vegetables, fruit

Sunday - take out!

Check out Menu Plan Monday for more menu plans!