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If you’re new around here let me give you the run down on why I build this meal plan out this way and perhaps it’ll give you some ideas as how how you can move the recipes around to fit your busy schedule.
On Mondays, I’m generally running around for kids’ sports for most of the afternoon so I like to prep a crock pot recipe during the day that I can easily and quickly serve when we get home around 6. And no one likes to cook on a Monday night.
I have someone (okay, a saint) come to our house on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help with the kids, cleaning, and cooking so Tuesday is a big meal prep day at our house. Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to do it without her! I generally have her prep a big salad for lunch for the week, hard-boiled eggs, protein balls, and dinner for Tuesday, and possibly prep one additional meal that I can reheat (perhaps a soup or sauce that I just need to add pasta).
On Wednesdays, I’m home for most of the day and try to prep something in advance or use whatever we prepped on Tuesday (ie if its a lasagna I will have help prepping on Tues and take it out of the fridge/pop in the oven on Wednesday).
On Thursdays I have help again and try to plan out a few snacks for the weekend, chop fruit and veggies, prep Thursday night dinner, and sometimes prep pizza dough for Friday night. We always have fish on Thursdays. It makes planning a bit easier and makes it easier to stick to a schedule.
We started our Friday night Pizza tradition in the fall and have stuck with it for months. The kids look forward to it and picking out a movie and occasionally we’ll invite friends over for a low-key get-together.
Saturdays we try and call a sitter and go out to eat. I generally feed the kids leftovers or we pull a frozen pizza.
We typically have plenty of time on Sundays to prep a fun meal so I like to save a more elaborate meal for Sundays. And I try to find one that the kids can participate in.
Monday: Repeating Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos from 2 weeks ago. All three kids LOVED it and it was so easy. I had extra seasoning left over so just need to throw it in the crockpot and turn it on.
Tuesday: A tried and true that all my kids have loved Blackened Chicken and Sweet Potato Bowls
Wednesday: Broccoli Feta Soup Recipe
Thursday: Easy Crispy Salmon Fish Sticks with roasted broccoli and rice
Meatless Friday: Baked potato bowls
Sunday: Baked Fried Chicken
After-school smoothie recipe: Immune Boosting Very Berry Smoothie
Weekday salad: Greek salad add grilled chicken
After-school snack: Apple Donuts
Yummy weekend brunch idea: Breakfast Casserole
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