Menu Monday

Life has been a struggle to balance.  I am working to try and keep everyone fed (in a healthy way), dishes cleaned up, and not kill myself all at the same time.I have broken down and bought an Instant Pot.  It finally came Saturday.  I made Joe some beef roast chili in it.  He LOVED it.  So I guess so far so good.  We will keep going with it.

Sunday
B- Biscuits, hash browns, and gravy
L - Baked fish, clam strips, and fries
D - Shredded pork tacos, rice and beans
Snack - apple slices or popcorn

Monday
B - Waffles
L-  Chicken and dumplings
D - Hot beef sandwiches and onion rings
Snack - hummus and crackers

Tuesday
B- Cereal
L - Hamburger soup
D - Lasagna
Snack - Apple slices / celery  / carrots

Wednesday
B- Breakfast Tacos
L- Leftovers
D - Chicken ravioli soup
Snack - Popcorn

Thursday
B - Oatmeal/Cream of Wheat/Grits
L - Macaroni and cheese casserole
D -  BBQ Chicken, scalloped potatoes, 
Snack - Apples and frozen grapes

Friday
B - Apple Coffee Cake
L - Pad Thai and Mango sticky rice
D - Salisbury Steak and mashed potatoes
Snack - Peanut butter crackers

Saturday
B - pumpkin muffins
L - Baked turkey sandwiches
D - Bacon burger casserole
Snack - Apple/Pumpkin cookies


***This is important.....some days I change things around.****  I print a menu and keep it on the cabinet.  If something happens, I change the menu in pencil.  I make sure to keep track at the bottom of the menu of the meals that get moved, and we still have the ingredients for.  

This biggest thing to remember.... BE FLEXIBLE!!  I cannot express this enough.  Do not down yourself if you need to move your menu around.  You might be exhausted, need to work over, or a sports practice gets moved....all these things have happened to me in the last few weeks.  Flexibility is the key.  I also have given up some control in the kitchen and make sure that the kids are involved as much as possible in making meals.  Some day they will be able to cook the entire meal themselves!!  Whoohooo!!

I know I didn't share any recipes, but if you are interested, please email me.  renitakuehner@gmail.com.  I'd be happy to share a close variation of what we make.  I seriously do not really follow recipes well...lol

Hope that these ideas help and everyone has a great week!!!

Menu Monday

All things are still cancelled.  We found out that 4H and Special Olympics is done through July 6th.  Upsetting, but also understandable.  Fortunately we are in a county that has on 1 case of Covid.  It would be wonderful if it stays that way.

I'm working hard at zero food waste. I keep a pencil by the menu that is hanging up.  I keep making changes and adjustments depending on leftovers.  Last week's menu had lots of adjustments.  I am also being inventive with all the food that we have in our pantry and also what food my sister-in-law brought to the house.  They are staying with us until the social distancing order is over.  And currently we will be doing this through May 1st, and we are just not sure about longer.  The states around us have closed their school buildings until the end of the school year. 

Here's what is on the menu this week....

Sunday
B- Tater tot waffles
L- Leftovers - Fridge clean out
D- Smoked ham, scalloped corn, green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes, Smoked Jalopenos, pear cake, and cheesecake....hopefully lots of leftovers

Monday
B - breakfast biscuit sandwiches
L - Leftovers
D- Pigs N the Blanket w/ onion rings

Tuesday
B - Quesadillas and yogurt
L - Big Mac Salads
D- Macaroni and cheese chili bake

Wednesday
B - Cereal w/ fruit
L - Open (so whatever they would like)
D - stir fry chicken w/ orange sauce & rice

Thursday
B - Oatmeal cookies
L - Baked potatoes
D- Carbonara w/ salad

Friday
B- Sprinkle pancakes
L- Macaroni and cheese w/ chili
D- Smoked bbq chicken w/ corn and stuffing

Saturday
B- sprinkle pancakes
L- Mexican rice
D- Spaghetti pie

Why I plan.....
Who isn't busy?!?!  Kids schedules, schoolwork, work, WOW!!  Life just does not stop!

When I create a menu, I include our schedule on it also.  In fact, I type the schedule into the table that I created first.  Then I know what is going on that day, and I can plan crockpot meals or even know if I need to have a make-ahead meal ready.  I do not use a fancy downloadable calendar, I simply use Microsoft Word.  I have a table I created on there.  At the bottom, I keep a running list of menu items that either I want them to try or food that is loved by all.

Hope everyone has a great week!!  See everyone next Monday!

Menu Monday

All things are still cancelled.  We are still practicing our social distancing as much as we possibly can.  I have had to run out a few times for meds and staples.  Last week we still had dr appts that were not cancelled.  This week almost all appts are cancelled.  I signed the girls up for some online classes on Outschool to keep them going.  Both girls are now doing their language classes over Skype or Facebook Messenger.  We have family staying with us, so this is great too.  Definitely busy.

Here's what is on the menu this week....

Sunday
B- French toast (and I'll make extra for the week)
L- KFC Bowls
D- Stuffed shells w/ salad

Monday
B - Cream of wheat or oatmeal w/ fruit
L - Grilled cheese and soup
D- Turkey gravy and mashed potatoes

Tuesday
B - Quesadillas and yogurt
L - Cincinnati chili
D- Baked spaghetti w/ breadsticks

Wednesday
B - Cereal w/ fruit
L - Leftovers
D - Cheeseburger soup

Thursday
B - Oatmeal cookies
L - Chicken stuffing shepherd's pie
D- Garlic chicken w/ rice and veggies

Friday
B- Cereal w/ fruit
L- Fried rice
D- Salisbury steak w/ mashed potatoes

Saturday
B- Pancakes
L- Macaroni and cheese
D- Chicken pot pie w/ biscuit topping

Why I plan.....
Who isn't busy?!?!  Kids schedules, schoolwork, work, WOW!!  Life just does not stop!

When I create a menu, I include our schedule on it also.  In fact, I type the schedule into the table that I created first.  Then I know what is going on that day, and I can plan crockpot meals or even know if I need to have a make-ahead meal ready.  I do not use a fancy downloadable calendar, I simply use Microsoft Word.  I have a table I created on there.  At the bottom, I keep a running list of menu items that either I want them to try or food that is loved by all.

Hope everyone has a great week!!  See everyone next Monday!

Menu Monday

Spring Sports start back up this week.  We have a dinner fundraiser to go to also.  On top of the ton of doctor appointments too.  I plan on using as much out of our cabinets and freezers as possible this week.  I got my plan in place to try and use up some items that need to be used up. Unfortunately I still need to go to the store for a few items.  Mainly veggies, fruits, and milk.


Sunday
B- Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies w/ yogurt
L- Leftovers or fried sausage w/ peppers
D- Leftovers (lasagna, salad, or grilled cheese)

Monday
B - Cream of wheat w/ fruit
L - Geography lunch - New Jersey pork roll and disco fries
D- Still working on cleaning out the fridge

Tuesday
B - Poptart and yogurt
L - Chicken and dumplings (Brayden)
D- Salisbury steak w/ potatoes (Crockpot meal)

Wednesday
B - Waffle sandwiches
L - Packed lunches/leftovers at home - bagel sandwiches and Lunchables
D - McDonald's fundraiser (leftovers if you don't come to the fundraiser)

Thursday
B - Breakfast quesadillas
L - Pork tacos w/ rice
D- Creamy tortellini soup

Friday
B- Cereal w/ fruit
L- Hashbrowns w/ white gravy
D- Nacho bake w/ chili and cheese

Saturday
B- Breakfast cookies
L- Leftovers
D- Chicken sweet potato bake

Why I plan.....
Who isn't busy?!?!  Kids schedules, schoolwork, work, WOW!!  Life just does not stop!

When I create a menu, I include our schedule on it also.  In fact, I type the schedule into the table that I created first.  Then I know what is going on that day, and I can plan crockpot meals or even know if I need to have a make-ahead meal ready.  I do not use a fancy downloadable calendar, I simply use Microsoft Word.  I have a table I created on there.  At the bottom, I keep a running list of menu items that either I want them to try or food that is loved by all.

Hope everyone has a great week!!  See everyone next Monday!

Menu Monday

This week is our lull week.  We have a ton of doctor appointments to go to.  But some of the spring sports haven't started yet.  I got my plan in place to try and use up some items that need to be used up. Unfortunately I still need to go to the store for a few items.  Mainly veggies, fruits, and milk.

Last week the kids started in an eSports Game club.  They meet weekly and its an integrative program with the game club at the high school.  So it will make our Wednesdays very busy.

Sunday
B- Smoothies/pancakes
L- Leftovers/snacks
D- Pierogis w/ sausage

Monday
B - Whole wheat chocolate chip muffins
L - Biscuits and hash browns w/ gravy
D- Lasagna w/ salad and garlic bread

Tuesday
B - Cereal and fruit
L - Soup/Sandwiches
D- Pizza rolls and salad

Wednesday
B - Pizza Bagels
L - Packed lunches/leftovers at home - bagel sandwiches and Lunchables
D -Country fried steak w/ potatoes

Thursday
B - Cream of wheat w/ berries
L - Split pea soup
D- Turkey pot pie w/ biscuit topper  

Friday
B- Muffin sandwiches w/ fruit
L- Leftovers
D- Dinner at the Homecoming Dance

Saturday
B- Cereal and fruit
L- Cooler lunch
D- Leftovers/salad

Why I plan.....
Who isn't busy?!?!  Kids schedules, schoolwork, work, WOW!!  Life just does not stop!

When I create a menu, I include our schedule on it also.  In fact, I type the schedule into the table that I created first.  Then I know what is going on that day, and I can plan crockpot meals or even know if I need to have a make-ahead meal ready.  I do not use a fancy downloadable calendar, I simply use Microsoft Word.  I have a table I created on there.  At the bottom, I keep a running list of menu items that either I want them to try or food that is loved by all.

Hope everyone has a great week!!  See everyone next Monday!