Meal Plan July 28

Pat on the back to me. I have this week's meal plan organised on a Saturday and will be ready to post the blog on Sunday morning instead of making a mad dash on Sunday afternoon. It is all too possible (in my case very likely) that I sometimes over think these plans but it does take me at least half an hour to decide what to make and then to do up the shopping list. I don't want to eat pasta every night or have chicken two nights in a row so I have to do some juggling sometimes. Also, I tend to make the meals that I think will have leftovers the night before the meals which I think will be a little light so that I am prepared when I hear "I'm still hungry" five minutes after the last of the dinner has been served up.

I also like to try new things. My children love to watch Master Chef at the moment and they have taken to scoring the new meals out of 10 and make my husband rate them too. My lowest score was a 2 out of 10 from son number 1 because it had capsicum, tomato and onion in it - his 3 most hated vegetables. I've scored a few 10 out of 10's from the youngest son. He loves me and he loves his food. If he meets a girl who can cook I think he'll marry her!

This week all of the recipes I have chosen are new recipes to me so there will be plenty of Master Chef type judging that will occur. (When I say 'new' I refer to the particular recipe rather than the concept; ie. I've had fish and chips before but not used the recipe that I'll be using on Monday)


So here is what we'll be eating this week...


Monday

Baked Fish and Chips
Last week I got some dill and limes from a friend (who has an amazing vege garden) so fish and chips with a dill mayo on the side seemed a perfect way to use them. (I'll make the dill mayo instead of the tartare sauce that the recipe on the link has. It will simply be whole egg mayo, dill, lime rind and lime juice. The amounts will be decided on taste)
I also have an abundance of potatoes after I accidentally bought a big bag not realising (remembering) that I already had some. So, home made chips are perfect.
I try to avoid frying in my meals so that is another reason I have chosen this recipe - It is baked fish and baked chips


Tuesday


Chicken and Chorizo rice pot
I have made a very similar recipe to this one in the slow cooker but I couldn't find that exact recipe when I went Internet searching and stumbled across this one instead. I will be adding extra vegetables to the recipe - at this stage I am thinking zucchini or baby spinach or (probably) both. I am not anticipating a rave review from son number 1 due to the capsicum and onion but will persist anyway!


Wednesday

Moroccan carrot and pumpkin soup
I have a fairly busy day this Wednesday. I have volunteered to help in both sons classrooms and so will find myself at school until just before 2pm. Just enough time to dash home, make dinner, and go back to school to do pickup.
That night I also have the school parent forum meeting (don't know what that's called in other states or other countries - maybe P&C committee?) plus I am trying to squeeze in another meeting for another school function which I am organising. Putting it in writing is not filling me with any great excitement. However, there will come a time when I am just too embarrassing to be seen with, let alone allowed to help out at school so I will take it now while I can.
Soup is a perfect dinner for a day like that - I can make it in advance and will eat mine on the run in between my meetings. The boys and my husband will still sit down at the regular meal time and eat together.


Thursday

Thai beef and noodle stir fry
The only change that I'll make to this one is add more vege's - probably baby corn and capsicum or baby spinach and carrot or maybe all 4.


Friday

Chicken wraps
These are probably more of a lunch meal than a dinner meal but I am sure they will be well received. I am also hopeful that there'll be some leftovers for a road trip on Saturday.


For the disclaimer on my meals plans click here
For the current Pinterest board of this meal plan click here

Meal Plan and Recipes - Disclaimer/explanation...whatever you want to call it

As I know that a few people actually read my meal plan each week I thought I should put a little explanation to the logic behind the plan

I am not a dietitian nor calorie counter.
I make meals that I think are healthy and something that the whole family of 2 adults and 2 boys will eat.
Years ago, bc (before children) my husband and I followed a Weight Watchers point system on our food and we learnt so much about portion sizes and lower fat versions. So much so that we still remember some of the points.
I don't do separate meals for the kids. They have 2 choices for dinner - Eat what's on their plate or don't eat at all.
I will adapt a recipe to a healthier version (eg. evaporated milk instead of cream) where possible and will generally add extra vegetables.

Here's some other things you should know:

* I will only post meal plans for Monday to Friday. On the weekend we either have leftovers, are out and about, or make lazy meals

* I don't do lamb, at all. This is because it makes me feel sick (nauseous) when I smell it cooking. I don't even know how easily it substitutes into a beef recipe so you can decide that on your own.

* Our youngest son is allergic to prawns so, obviously, we don't have them (unless he is on a sleepover at a friends house, in which case we jump at the chance and do a little happy dance). We are not certain on other shellfish so err on the side of caution. In any case there won't be a lot of that type of seafood on the menu

* I will grate carrot and zucchini into EVERY mince meal. This is simply to get extra veg into my boys. Omit if you like

* I have a little rule that my boys must each 3 vegetables per night. So, in general, I will make 4 vegetables. My logic is that I am then allowing them to choose the 3 that they want out of the 4, hence they feel like they make some of the decision. The eldest is beyond great with veg and will help himself to seconds on nearly all of them. The youngest varies on a day to day basis.

* I try to include one meat free meal per week. That being said I will generally add ham or bacon or chorizo (or something like that) to the kids portions as I believe that they need the protein