Hope everyone’s 2013 is off to a great start! I still can’t believe it is the new year. I’m not much of a resolution maker, though in the past I have set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely) goals. Last year, I tried a one-word theme (“intentional”) for the year, which really resonated with me. I did fairly well keeping up with it though it is something I still need to work on when it comes to being in the moment with my children and better separating my work and personal life.
Continuing in that same line of thought, for 2013 my one-word theme is “balance.” I want to strike a better balance between my work and personal life, finding time for myself, spending quality time with each of my children, focusing on my marriage, taking up personal hobbies again, etc. As a mother and business owner, this is one of my biggest challenges.
Of course part of finding balance for me is planning out my menu for the week. I cannot tell you how much stress and time it really does save me that I don’t have to worry about what is for dinner each day. In addition, it saves me money about doing a better job of using up food that I already have on hand. And I find we eat better if I look at it all at once and ensure that we have enough variety. If you don’t currently menu plan, I challenge you to try it for 2 or 3 weeks. And you don’t have to plan out every meal, maybe just start with 2 or 3 for the week. You will come to love it as much as I do. I also recommend finding some sort of accountability to keep you on track for those stressful times when you just don’t feel that you have enough time to even plan what to eat. Posting my menu plan here each week keeps me accountable.
Here is what is on tap for this week (in the mood for soup and using my slow cooker to the max!):
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili (will figure out a recipe) with a Fruit Salad
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Maple Country Style Ribs with Brown Rice and Sugar Snap Peas
Thursday: Evening Out with Family
Friday: Homemade Fish Sticks (using this Crispy Oven Fried Chicken breading) with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
Saturday: Evening Out
Sunday: Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pho with a Cucumber Salad and Fresh Pineapple
Have a wonderful week! For more Menu Plan Monday inspiration, go to I’m an Organizing Junkie.
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