We’re back from our whirlwind adventure! We left Georgia around 10:30 yesterday and lucked out that David caught an earlier flight from Chattanooga, which had him land in Charlotte at 2:30, so we could pick him up on our way home. We managed to even make it the girls’ afternoon swim lessons but oh my goodness, were were all ever exhausted last night.
I’ve feeling rejuvenated after a good night’s sleep and can’t wait to hit up the grocery store today, as meal planning is what gives me a sense of control over my life. Since I love it so much, I’m hoping to share a meal plan at least once a month to help me archive dinners I’ve enjoyed and share some ideas with you! You can find all my meal plans HERE.
I always follow the same steps I outlined here for meal planning. I’ve tried to shift everything so I can shop on Fridays for the week ahead, but sometimes I have to just roll with whatever the week brings.
For this particular meal plan, I only needed 5 dinners.
It generally takes me about 30-45 minutes to plan meals and write out my grocery list, but it saves so much time in the store and during the week. I pour a cup of tea and settle in with pen and paper to brainstorm, then I hit up the store.
Part of me would really like to get back to hitting up multiple stores, but right now, I mostly just go to Whole Foods because I can count on them having what I need. This particular week’s total was $168.18.
Exciting news for Lake Norman locals though- COSTCO IS COMING! To exit 35. It’s official. Holy smokes, I’m excited.
Ok, so last week’s meals looked a little something like this:
Homemade Pizza (I use my bread machine to make dough) and a Mixed Greens, Craisin, Red Onion and Goat Cheese Salad.
Gyro Burgers – A household favorite. David had his on a pita, I put mine on a bed of sauteed zoodles with tomatoes, kalamata olives, purple onion, feta and Tzatziki.
Pad Thai with Chicken and Shrimp – recipe from Jen
Lentil Vegetable Soup and Grilled Cheese – I’ve been making large batches of soup and chili, then vacuum sealing them to put in the freezer. On busy nights I use my sous vide stick to heat it to the perfect temperature. Makes for a mindless dinner!
Simple Salsa Chicken Wraps – it’s all about the toppings! My favorites are jalapenos, avocado and cilantro.
Breakfasts were these breakfast burritos (I made these for David, yet the girls and I kept eating them for breakfast too- oops!).
Lunches were different variations of this kale salad. My current favorite combo is the salad topped with craisins, goat cheese and chicken from a rotisserie chicken!
Now I’m starving and need to go make this weeks’ list.
I’d really like to start incorporating fruit and veggie smoothies into our mornings.
What is your favorite smoothie combo?
Or do you have any favorite lunches to share?
I always need more ideas for lunch!
Farah says
If I’m not eating leftovers for lunch, I like a panini! I use really good quality deli meat, cheese, rye bread, tomato, hummus, and pickled jalapeΓ±os. I also love a good pickle on the side!
Liz says
What pizza dough recipe do you use? We do homemade pizza night Friday’s too and I have a go to recipe but would love to compare the two. Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
It is the recipe that came in bread machine cookbook – https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=2238875 I use bread flour usually if I’m not making a whole wheat version!
Glenda says
My favorite smoothie combo at the moment is: almond milk, frozen banana, frozen pineapple and spinach.
Your homemade pizza looks so good!
Kate says
After we’ve been hit hard by a cold last month we reintroduced smoothies to our breakfasts. It’s been so delicious – and my son loves them too.
I currently love to add carrots and a little bit of sesame oil to my smoothies.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow, sesame oil? What do you put that with? I would think it would taste pretty strong, but I’m intrigued!
Kate says
Actually, it doesn’t taste strong at all – native organic sesame oil tastes pretty mild.
I love to add it to carrots, apples, pears, and ginger – our go-to seasonal, non-green smoothie. I use about 1 Tbsp for 3-4 glasses of smoothie.
Other great oils I like to add to our smoothies are walnut and flaxseed oil.
Let me know if you give it a try!
jennifer says
I love meal planning but I am in a total rut (especially my lunches I bring to work) – thanks for writing this blog this week. I love to shop at Whole Foods but I always stress about budget, but for what you cooked and the price you spent that’s really good! I think I need to focus on buying exactly what we need. We always do pizza Friday (we use your dough recipe) but I think I will try to add the burgers on top of zoodles and your lunch salad. I have positive vibes for the week ahead. Thanks!
Christina says
Ugh, lunch is my least favorite meal of the day! I need something easy to pack and throw in my work bag (soups/chilis tend to leak everywhere). Lately I’ve been using recipes from the 100 Days of Real Food cookbook (I think the author lives in the Charlotte area!) — my favorite lunch these days is hummus, spinach, and sliced havarti cheese on whole wheat bread. And for smoothies I always stick with a basic banana/berry/spinach/greek yogurt/almond milk combo, although this week I bought some carrot juice and have been experimenting with different carrot juice smoothie combos (carrot/banana and carrot/mango are delicious!).
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, Lisa is local to Charlotte- pretty close to me actually. Small world! And I like the idea of carrot juice. Sounds like a fun switch up!
EmilyS says
This week my husband made 2lbs of these burgers that we are taking for lunch all week. They are delicious with a little sriracha mayo and a side kale salad.
http://www.multiplydelicious.com/thefood/2012/06/sweet-potato-and-kale-chicken-patties/
+ we use ground chicken instead of grinding our own
Brittany Dixon says
Oh those do sound good- I’ll check them out! Thanks π
Cassie says
Looks delicious!
Jane says
Costco at exit 35! Wahoo that is good news!
tanya says
Your pizza looks amazing! I make my crust in the bread maker as well, its so easy! Right now my son is on a PB and J smoothie kick,I just though in a little bit of protein powder too to make it a bit healthier.
Megan says
Thanks for posting about meal planning! I love to cook but historically have been pretty bad about planning things out each week, which means we’re always scrambling to feed the kids when we get home from work. So far this year I have been better about setting a weekly menu and following it up with a grocery store run. I always appreciate new, kid-tested recipes to try! My next step is to – gasp – do prep work in advance! Bit by bit, right?! π
Josephine sharpe says
Brittany I love your decision to post your meal plans regularly, thank you, I hardly ever do it thinking it takes too long, and is too complicated, now I can just follow yours!
My favourite smoothie is coconut water, spinach, Bananna, frozen blueberries
It never makes me last until lunch time though by 10am I’m looking for eggs on toast!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Getting a local Costco is the best news ever, no doubt about it! And those gyro burgers have long been one of my favorite recipes from your blog. So delicious!
Laura @FitMamaLove says
Everything looks so delicious! I feel like I should try meal planning because it might save money. Instead, I just make sure we always have meat, veggies and grains and throw something together night after night. I’m definitely not the most organized person (major understatement!) so it’s hard for me to get on board with this!
Abby says
My favorite smoothie combo by far right now: Frozen banana, frozen blueberries, spinach (fresh or frozen), nut butter (peanut is my favorite) and a little milk of any kind (almond, soy, etc). I am slightly obsessed! I rarely comment but love your blog, so thank you!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh that combo sounds delicious!! Like a pb&j- yum. And thank you so much for reading and commenting! π
Julie says
Your b-fast burritos are a staple in our house now. π SOOOO yummy!!! I keep the freezer stocked. I just made a new batch yest. I brought one to work this morning, & one of my co-workers was like, “Hey, when are you gonna bring me one of those?” π
Brittany Dixon says
Ahhh that is so awesome! Thank you so much for the feedback! We love them too π
jamie says
My favorite smoothie combo is plain yogurt, peanut butter, frozen banana or two, and a little milk. LOVE your blog and seeing your family pics!
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks so much Jamie! π and that’s one of my fav combos too!
Leah says
My fav smoothies are kale, cucumber, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and whatever fruit (fresh/frozen) I have on hand.
Great job with the meal planning. Do you end up with many left overs? I enjoy batch cooking so I don’t have to spend so much time in the kitchen on busy sports nights. We do left overs also for lunch.
Brittany Dixon says
We don’t end up with many leftovers. I love when we do because they make for my favorite lunches, but David eats rather large portions π so often times we eat it all on the first night!
Jen says
What kind of spiralizer do you have for your zoodles? I really want to try them.
Brittany Dixon says
I have the Paderno Spiralizer- http://bit.ly/1KkVyGC Only $22 and works really well for everything I’ve used it for!
Brittany Dixon says
Darn spell check- Palermo π
Haley @ Hobson Homestead says
Oooh congrats on the Costco! I just bought some organic chicken and veggie potstickers that cooked in 7 minutes and would be an easy lunch.