We did a bit better this last week at keeping with the menu plan. It’s been hard without a car and my time not being my own. When I get home it is usually a bit later than I expect, and then it’s DH bringing me home and the kids want to see him before he leaves to go to his place. And sometimes he takes a nap. And he doesn’t ever stay to eat with us, so it doesn’t feel right to start cooking when he’s here. But I might just have to get over that because last week was so chaotic that I didn’t even get one meal planned. Thankfully we ate somehow. Planning at the last minute for this week, starting tonight with whatever is left over in the fridge.

Monday: Leftovers - Spaghetti from the neighbor for kids; Pizza for mom
Tuesday: Damn Darn Good Chili (I was taken aback by the name when I first bought it, but now wish they wouldn’t have sold out and changed the name.)
Wednesday: Salmon Steaks, rice & veggies
Thursday: Breakfast - Pancakes, eggs, not-bacon, fruit
Friday: Lasagna
Saturday: Chicken Quesadillas, Corn, Green Beans
Sunday: Beef Au Gratin, Peas

Okay, still not terribly original but it works for my purposes, which is basically having any plan at all so that we don’t just end up eating crap because it’s the last minute every night and I’m stressed and clueless and looking for the easiest thing considered edible.

I should also have something a little more solid for the kids’ lunches too. Had planned to start that next week, but I guess there’s no point in waiting, eh?

Monday: Rotisserie Chicken, Cherries, Green Grapes 
Tuesday: Pizza
Wednesday: Cheese Quesadillas
Thursday: Leftover Chili
Friday: Mac & Chz w/ imitation crab, Green Beans
Saturday: Church Potluck
Sunday: Leftovers

Need more or better ideas for your own menu? Check out the official site. Every Monday (or Sunday night) Laura posts her most recent menu, and has a list of links to many others on the front page who are also participating.

Monday: Chili
Tuesday: Beef Stew
Wednesday: Lasagna, Green Beans
Thursday: BBQ Chicken, Cob Corn
Friday: Philly Steak Sandwiches, Mixed Veggies
Saturday: Chicken Quesadillas
Sunday: Leftovers

Yeah, yeah. I’m already slacking, I know. You’ll have to forgive me for being a day late. After my van broke, leaving me house-bound, my internet decided to go out at the very beginning of the long holiday weekend. It just got fixed last night and I’m still in a mad-rush of playing catch-up. Hence last night’s leftovers for dinner tonight

Monday: Not So Spaghetti w/ Boca Burger, veggies
Tuesday: Not So Spaghetti leftovers, apples
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken, Mac-n-Chz, Cob Corn
Thursday: Turkey Sausage Stir-Fry
Friday: Salmon, Rice, Cob Corn
Saturday: Creamy Chicken, Noodles
Sunday: Breakfast - Eggs, Pancakes, Stripples

So I’ve been trying to come up with ways to be a better blogger. I figure if people that know me are nice enough to come and check me out, I should probably have a little something worthwhile every once in a while. Actually, I’m trying to be more consistent in all things, period. So here is the first of the cool ideas I will be sharing: Menu Plan Monday.

My poor children… Since I’ve been working full-time as a single mom, they just haven’t been fed well at all. They’re not hungry (no need to alert the authorities ), but it is not at all the quality of food that I want them to have. Plus, it really bothers me that I’m setting them up to be just as clueless about cooking as I am. I’m too tired to think about it when I get home. So I don’t. And we end up eating (what I call) crap. If I knew what to do, I’d get it started. And A would help gladly (as she did tonight). So from now on I’ll think about it once a week, and I will know what to do, and we’ll eat much better.

So without further ado, this week’s very simple, first-time, from a non-cooker plan.

Monday: Beef tacos, Green beans
Tuesday: BBQ Chicken, Mac-n-chz, Carrots
Wednesday: Not-So-Spaghetti w/ veggie meat, Green beans
Thursday: Thanksgiving at friend’s house
Friday: Creamy Chicken w/ rice, Cob Corn
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Crockpot Chicken & Noodles

Might be time to subscribe to Taste of Home magazine again. Maybe once my accounts stop hemorrhaging and my rent is not 2 months behind on top of that. And did I mention our heat went out? In Michigan. *sigh* I’m just glad the range is not gas, so I can heat the place with the oven and not worry about carbon monoxide on top of worrying about anyone getting burned. Thankfully the 2 year-old is very bright and stays very far away from any sort of danger, including heat sources. So we’re safe, and warm, and now we’re fed too.