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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 9:19am | IP Logged
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My goal today is to put together a weekly meal plan from which I can make a shopping list, and a monthly one if I get ambitious. I've never really done this with any success before, so I could use your help. I'd love to see your meal plans!
I've searched the archives because I know some of you have posted these before, but they are kinda all over the place (for example, Liz's is on the breakfast thread).
Is there any way I could convince you ladies to share your meal plans, or link them, on this one thread?
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 10:08am | IP Logged
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Theresa - I finally got back to my weekly menu plans. Usually I have 3 dinner rotations - but I have kept in simple and just got one for now. It has so simplified and destressed my shopping and cooking. And it is helping with the budget. I may add some rotations at the end of Jan - but I had to start somewhere. I have a word schedule I would be happy to send you - do not know how to link here.
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Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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ladybugs
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| Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 10:09am | IP Logged
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I want it, too! 
Please! 
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 10:20am | IP Logged
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Yes! I'd love to see it!
My email is lapazfarm at yahoo dot com
(with the obvious changes, of course)
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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Matilda
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I posted mine for you here Theresa. Mine is a work in progress and still changing on a regular basis, but this is where it is for right now. I would be happy to share any of the recipes, but didn't have the strength to link to them. This head cold that's going through the family is a real doozy!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11 , 10 , 9 & 5 ) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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Ruth
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| Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 12:46pm | IP Logged
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Here's mine, Theresa. I posted the recipes on my sidebar. I actually have 6 weeks worth of meals, which I will be updating every 2 weeks. It works out very well gor our family. They're simple enough for our 13 and 11 year old grls to make. They're the ones cooking these days since our 18dd got a job after the baby was born.
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Ruth
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My family blog
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 12:51pm | IP Logged
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Thanks a bunch, ladies! I knew I could count on you!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 1:10pm | IP Logged
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Theresa and Maria - I have emailed each of you a Word attachment.
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Marilyn
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Matilda
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| Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 1:18pm | IP Logged
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I updated the post to include the pilaf recipe for you Theresa.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11, 10, 9 & 5) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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lapazfarm
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Thank you, dear!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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Elizabeth
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I've been doing weekly plans for about a year now. I've done monthly plans and freezer cooking and even co-op meals. But weekly meal planning and grocery lists are by far the simplest approach to cooking ever. Here are mine.
I order our meat and eggs and some vegetables from local farms. The rest of the grocery list is so stable that my son can do the week's worth of shopping at Costco in 18 minutes from pulling in to pulling out:-)
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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KellyJ
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Theresa, I used to be so good at having meal plans. I'd have 3-week rotations, 4-week rotations, 6-week rotations. But, then my rotation ends, my interest in it ends, or our plans get too unpredictable....
Sometimes I look back on those rotations and say, "Hey, we haven't had <that dish> in a long time." It's like going down memory lane.
Earlier this week I decided I really needed to get another set of plans together. I put together my first 2-week rotation. Only 2 weeks. I'm hoping it'll stick for the first quarter of 2008 and simplify things, especially as I struggle through first trimester symptoms. Even if I can't eat the food, at least something is planned for everyone else! 
This time I did something I haven't done before, which is to schedule breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. I did not look back at old rotations for ideas, just went with what came to mind.
Here's what's on our newest rotation:
Week 1
Breakfast
Su: Varies (We do a big breakfast after Mass.)
M: Scrambled Eggs
T: Oatmeal
W: Oatmeal
Th: Cereal
F: Scrambled Eggs
Sa: Cereal
Lunch
Su: Leftovers or sandwiches
M: Soup
T: Ham or Turkey Sandwiches
W: Grilled Cheese
Th: Spaghetti & Meatballs
F: PB&J
Sa: Stromboli (Ham, Turkey, or Pepperoni) or Chicken Wings
Dinner
Su: Varies (We do a special dinner on Sundays.)
M: Crockpot Chili, Rice, Salad
T: Tacos, Veggies & Dip
W: Baked Bean Quesadillas, Salad
Th: Loaded Baked Potatoes, Broccoli (cheese sauce optional)
F: Pizza (homemade), Veggies & Dip
Sa: Meatballs over egg noodles or rice, Green Beans or Peas
Optional Snack
Su: Apples & PB
M: Cheese & Crackers
T: Fruit
W: Veggies & Dip
Th: Apples & PB
F: Cheese & Crackers
Sa: Fruit
Week 2
Breakfast
Same as Week 1
Lunch
Su: Leftovers or sandwiches
M: Ziti
T: Ziti
W: Mac & Cheese
Th: Ziti
F: PB&J
Sa: Stromboli (Ham, Turkey, or Pepperoni) or Chicken Wings
Dinner
Su: Varies (We do a special dinner on Sundays.)
M: Chicken Quesadillas, Veggies & Dip
T: Turkey-Spinach Patties, Rice
W: Spaghetti, Salad
Th: Chicken Pot Pie
F: Soup, Salad, Bread
Sa: Tossed Chicken Salad (Chicken, Green Salad, Dressing tossed together), Bread
Optional Snack
More or less the same as Week 1, but a different sequence
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MichelleW
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I am trying to do this now too. I've set up a Word document and have an entire meal on one side of the page, the grocery list for the meal on the other. That way I can move the meal around, but all the components for that meal stay together. Does that make sense?
For example, my first page has the recipe for White Chili and the recipe for Corn Bread Muffins down the left side of the page and the grocery listing down the right side. I always make these two things together. I plan to make this meal every other Monday because we have Girl Scouts on Mondays and this meal fits with a busy night out. If there is a holiday, I can take this page out and move it to later in the week (to another busy night), or move it to another week entirely. I only keep this week's recipes in the front of my binder.
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Michelle
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lapazfarm
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Oh, gosh, this is great!
I worked a simple plan out for this week to see how it goes, but now I see where I could make some real improvements.
Anyway, my plan is to have a set pattern of meals, but vary the recipes a bit each week. For instance, wed will always be pasta night, but it could be spaghetti, pasta salad, fettucini alfredo, etc. Tuesday is our insane running around day, so it will always be something quick and easy.
Anyway,here is my humble plan, with this week's choices in parentheses:
Sun: crock pot(Red beans and rice with ham)
Mon: Salad (chicken Caesar salad)
Tues: quick and easy (tacos)
Weds: pasta (spaghetti with Italian sausage, side salad).
Thurs:Home made pizza (this week ham and pineapple)
Fri:Fish (Halibut hoagie with slaw and french fries)
Sat: beef (Beef tips with broccoli and home made egg noodles)
And I am happy to say I already have the shopping done and am set for the week! No more staring into the fridge at 4:30 wondering what I can toss together!Hooray! You ladies are always such a source of inspiration!
Now, I am off to make some yogurt.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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MommyD
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| Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 4:18pm | IP Logged
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You want meal plans, check this out!! Organizing Junkie hosts Meal Plan Monday every week. A few too many ideas for this easily distracted Mom!!
Organizing Junkie Site
Melissa
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lapazfarm
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Oh, my! 
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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Maryan
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Great job Theresa!! I have to admit that I'm going to move (again) to a one week winter meal rotation... but it won't look as yummy as yours or Elizabeth's!! Funny it seems kind of Lenten... but that's how winter cooking during basketball season works for me (all meals are served with a salad and wheat bread):
Monday: Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Tuesday: Mexican Rice and Beans OR Bean Burritos
Wednesdays: Shepherd's Pie
Thursday: Spaghetti
Friday: Vegetarian chili
Saturday: Beef Stew
Sunday: Leftover beef stew if I make double or a dish of choice
We're equally boring for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is oatmeal, eggs, or pancakes (Bagel for me when I'm not pregnant). Lunch is PB&J or PB& Honey. 
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: menu plans
