The thought of meal planning, cooking ahead etc. is terrifying to many. I often hear excuses (from myself included):
"I don't have the time"
"I don't know where to start"
"Is it really worth it?"
YES it is worth it and you would be surprised just how little time it takes! I decided to challenge myself today and see just how long it would take me to do some prep for the week. I spent exactly 1.5 yes one and a half hours including clean up. Here is what I was able to accomplish:
* 2 dozen banana muffins
* 1.5 dozen cinnamon rolls (not from scratch)
* 3 dozen chocolate chip cookies
* 1 batch PF Changs Lettuce Wraps
* 1 batch Maui Chicken
* 1 pan of rice
* 1 meatloaf
* 2 loaves of bread (they are rising just need to bake)
* fixed lunch for 4 STARVING (yes they thought they were starving) children
By multi tasking and clean up as you go, meal prep can be quick and easy. Here is how this broke down:
* Step 1: Mix up the banana muffin batter. Bake the first batch along with the cinnamon rolls. While these are cooking go onto step 2.
* Step 2: Brown half the chicken (doesn't need to be cooked through) and then put it in the crock pot for the maui chicken. Start browning (and cooking through) the rest of the chicken and move to step 3.
* Step 3: Assemble the Maui Chicken in the crock pot. I used frozen peppers & onions I had in my freezer from over the summer. The crock pot will now do the rest of the work.
* Step 4: Take the muffins and cinnamon rolls out of the oven and put in another batch of muffins.
* Step 5: Start a pan of rice.
* Step 6: Dice up veggies for Lettuce Wraps. I don't like mushrooms and didn't have water chestnuts so I diced up carrots and cabbage. I also mixed up the stir fry sauce. Remove the chicken from the pan to cool and toss in the veggies to saute.
* Step 7: Take muffins out of oven to cool.
* Step 8: Mix up cookie dough and start first dozen in the oven.
* Step 9: Chop up the chicken and add it back to the veggies along with the stir fry sauce. Turn off burner to let it cool. Turn off rice to cool.
* Step 10: Mix up and shape meatloaf. Put it in the freezer (uncooked) for later this week.
* Step 11: Finish baking cookies while cleaning up the dishes.
* Step 12: Start yeast water for bread and fix lunch while that proofs.
* Step 13: Finish mixing bread dough and let it rise.
* Step 14: Package up muffins. Half go into the freezer and can be pulled out later in the week. Put the cookies and cinnamon rolls in airtight containers.
* Step 15: Package up Lettuce Wraps/Rice and Maui Chicken/Rice in divided containers to use for lunches this week.
* Step 16: Bake loaves of bread right before starting dinner. I will need the oven to cook part of dinner. This way one loaf can partially cool so we can enjoy it with tonight's dinner.
* Step 17: Take a basket of goodies to the neighbor (Cookies, muffins and some bread) its always good to share with others!!!!
This may seem like alot of steps but trust me it all went very quickly. No special skills are needed just a few simple recipes and a desire to save money and be prepared for the week!
What are you doing to be prepared for your upcoming week? Do you have questions on where to start of what does/doesn't work? Please let me know!
Showing posts with label Organization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organization. Show all posts
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday 2/23
Happy Tuesday! Well the rain has returned to Western Washington. **sigh** the sun was nice while it lasted so I will not complain!
I thought I would share a cute pictures with you. Our kitten Fluffy discovered balloons last night for the first time.
I tried a new to us recipe last night that I also wanted to share.
CHILI MAC
1 c uncooked elbow macaroni
1 lb ground beef
1 small green pepper chopped
1 small onion chopped
2 cans chili with beans
1 can whole kernel corn drained
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in chili and corn. Drain macaroni, add to skillet and heat thru. Sprinkle with cheese.
ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY
I have people ask me all of the time how I remember everything with 4 kids. I struggled for a long time with keep up with all of the appointments, games, practices, forms etc. I have a good system down that works very well for our family.
Each day when the kids get home from school they give me any forms, permission slips, activity calendars etc. I sit down later that evening when they are in bed and add those events to my Google calendar online. My Google calendar is Synched with my Blackberry so I have access to my calendar wherever I am. I also have a large calendar on the kitchen wall that I hand write activities so that they are always visual for the kids and myself.
I know not everyone has a Blackberry but most phones have a calendar feature. This is so helpful for me when at a medical appointment and they need to schedule another in the future, I can look to see when we are available. Also, I often find myself out and about when the kids say can I go do "insert whatever activity here" next Saturday? I am able to look at the calendar and fit that in without having to be physically at home. Saves alot of time, headache, double booking and forgotten appointments!
I thought I would share a cute pictures with you. Our kitten Fluffy discovered balloons last night for the first time.
I tried a new to us recipe last night that I also wanted to share.
CHILI MAC
1 c uncooked elbow macaroni
1 lb ground beef
1 small green pepper chopped
1 small onion chopped
2 cans chili with beans
1 can whole kernel corn drained
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in chili and corn. Drain macaroni, add to skillet and heat thru. Sprinkle with cheese.
ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY
I have people ask me all of the time how I remember everything with 4 kids. I struggled for a long time with keep up with all of the appointments, games, practices, forms etc. I have a good system down that works very well for our family.
Each day when the kids get home from school they give me any forms, permission slips, activity calendars etc. I sit down later that evening when they are in bed and add those events to my Google calendar online. My Google calendar is Synched with my Blackberry so I have access to my calendar wherever I am. I also have a large calendar on the kitchen wall that I hand write activities so that they are always visual for the kids and myself.
I know not everyone has a Blackberry but most phones have a calendar feature. This is so helpful for me when at a medical appointment and they need to schedule another in the future, I can look to see when we are available. Also, I often find myself out and about when the kids say can I go do "insert whatever activity here" next Saturday? I am able to look at the calendar and fit that in without having to be physically at home. Saves alot of time, headache, double booking and forgotten appointments!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
January 5, 2010
What a day. Today was one of those days I had to remind myself I am thankful to have a job because I sure was not liking it today!
I am a firm believer that we learn something new every day. What did I learn today? That when you have a child with braces who needs a filling, its not an easy task. It takes 3 appointments in the same day, 2 with the orthodontist and 1 with the pediatric dentist. You start at the ortho office to have part of the braces removed. Then to the dentist for the filling and then back to the ortho office to get the braces put back on. Add to that the ortho is only here in town 1 day per week. AAAAGHHH. We were finally able to get it scheduled but will be zipping from office to office from 11:30am until 3:30pm!
Organization I did today: Not a thing. I put in an almost 15 hour work day today so unless you count the correcting and reformatting of excel spreadsheets as organization I failed at that task today. BUT thats ok!!
I did put pork ribs in the crockpot today though. However, when I went to put them in I realized I don't have any BBQ sauce. So I improvised. I used a packet of Chipotle marinade from McCormick. Mixed up the marinade, tossed it in with the meat and a sliced up onion. Let it cook on slow all day and it was DELICIOUS!
Tonight was the New Years Ball for the middle school youth group program at our church. My "little girl" looks so grown up **sigh** where does the time go?
I am a firm believer that we learn something new every day. What did I learn today? That when you have a child with braces who needs a filling, its not an easy task. It takes 3 appointments in the same day, 2 with the orthodontist and 1 with the pediatric dentist. You start at the ortho office to have part of the braces removed. Then to the dentist for the filling and then back to the ortho office to get the braces put back on. Add to that the ortho is only here in town 1 day per week. AAAAGHHH. We were finally able to get it scheduled but will be zipping from office to office from 11:30am until 3:30pm!
Organization I did today: Not a thing. I put in an almost 15 hour work day today so unless you count the correcting and reformatting of excel spreadsheets as organization I failed at that task today. BUT thats ok!!
I did put pork ribs in the crockpot today though. However, when I went to put them in I realized I don't have any BBQ sauce. So I improvised. I used a packet of Chipotle marinade from McCormick. Mixed up the marinade, tossed it in with the meat and a sliced up onion. Let it cook on slow all day and it was DELICIOUS!
Tonight was the New Years Ball for the middle school youth group program at our church. My "little girl" looks so grown up **sigh** where does the time go?
Sunday, January 3, 2010
January 3, 2010
Ahhh, the end of Christmas vacation. Tomorrow its back to regular routines and our crazy hectic schedule. But I love it :). DJ came home today and finally got to open his Christmas presents here. I loved having all of my kids back home at dinner time!
Today we tackled the rec room and the garage. I sorted the games, books and coloring/art supplies they are now organized and neatly put away. The garage we gathered up all of the extra cardboard and misc. items and hauled a load to recycling and the dump. Discovered I can drop off recycling items for FREE why am I paying to have ours picked up at the curb every 2 weeks? HMMMMM. Took my oldest daughter to get shoes for the ball she is attending this week at church. Love that my kids want to check consignment shops first! Awesome pair of silver sparkle flip flops at Goodwill for $3.99. Also found around waffle iron for $6.99 one of my main "wants" for this year. My youngest son loves Eggo's and I can now make him his own (he doesn't like the waffles from my Belgian waffle maker they are not the right "shape").
My steak did not thaw in time for dinner so I improvised. My mom had given me a cookbook a while back Taste of Home Busy Family Cookbook. I tried the following recipe:
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
8 oz uncooked pasta
1 pound ground beef
6 bacon strips diced
1 can undiluted tomato soup
1 cup shredded cheese
Cook pasta according to directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to a paper towel and drain. Drain pasta and add to skillet. Stir in the soup beef and bacon and heat thru. Sprinkle with cheese and cover/cook until cheese is melted.
The kids LOVED this!
Today we tackled the rec room and the garage. I sorted the games, books and coloring/art supplies they are now organized and neatly put away. The garage we gathered up all of the extra cardboard and misc. items and hauled a load to recycling and the dump. Discovered I can drop off recycling items for FREE why am I paying to have ours picked up at the curb every 2 weeks? HMMMMM. Took my oldest daughter to get shoes for the ball she is attending this week at church. Love that my kids want to check consignment shops first! Awesome pair of silver sparkle flip flops at Goodwill for $3.99. Also found around waffle iron for $6.99 one of my main "wants" for this year. My youngest son loves Eggo's and I can now make him his own (he doesn't like the waffles from my Belgian waffle maker they are not the right "shape").
My steak did not thaw in time for dinner so I improvised. My mom had given me a cookbook a while back Taste of Home Busy Family Cookbook. I tried the following recipe:
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
8 oz uncooked pasta
1 pound ground beef
6 bacon strips diced
1 can undiluted tomato soup
1 cup shredded cheese
Cook pasta according to directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to a paper towel and drain. Drain pasta and add to skillet. Stir in the soup beef and bacon and heat thru. Sprinkle with cheese and cover/cook until cheese is melted.
The kids LOVED this!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
January 1, 2010
Happy New Year! In keeping with my goal for this year of getting better organized, I used today to tackle the worst room in the house. MY BEDROOM!! I have been fighting a cold for the past week so hadn't slept in my room (been on the couch to be propped up). My room is also my craft room. It had been used over the past couple weeks to wrap gifts, store extra items, finish and house items for a school project. Also, the kids have been going thru clothes and pulling out what they don't wear or doesn't fit and that had all been piled in my room. Oh joy.
I am being brave and posting before pictures LOL!
It took me 1/2 the day but I not only got the room cleaned but I went thru ALL of my craft stuff and it is now organized and functional. I went thru all of the drawers and sorted the scrapbooking, stamping, sewing and quilting items into their own neat areas. I also put all of my projects in process and projects to be done in one area so I know where they are.
The next task was a large mending/hemming pile that had built up. I was able to sit in the clean craft area and get all but 2 things finished. I needed a snap for jeans and a new zipper pull to be able to finish. So I decided I wanted them done. Off to JoAnne fabrics for a quick trip and back home to complete that project!
The final project of the day was sorting thru the pile of stuff to get rid of. It needed to be sorted for Consignment or Goodwill. The car is now loaded with items to be dropped off and or donated today and the clutter is GONE from the house. Well, THAT part of the clutter!
I am being brave and posting before pictures LOL!
It took me 1/2 the day but I not only got the room cleaned but I went thru ALL of my craft stuff and it is now organized and functional. I went thru all of the drawers and sorted the scrapbooking, stamping, sewing and quilting items into their own neat areas. I also put all of my projects in process and projects to be done in one area so I know where they are.
The next task was a large mending/hemming pile that had built up. I was able to sit in the clean craft area and get all but 2 things finished. I needed a snap for jeans and a new zipper pull to be able to finish. So I decided I wanted them done. Off to JoAnne fabrics for a quick trip and back home to complete that project!
The final project of the day was sorting thru the pile of stuff to get rid of. It needed to be sorted for Consignment or Goodwill. The car is now loaded with items to be dropped off and or donated today and the clutter is GONE from the house. Well, THAT part of the clutter!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
December 29th
I am in love. With my super soft snuggie and the amazing 5 minute microwave/coffee cup chocolate cake. So I realized today that with fighting this cold I have not left my house in 4 days. I need to go grocery shopping but there is enough milk to last another day so it can wait. I needed to get creative for dinner though. Looked thru the fridge at all of those "little bits" of things and put together a homemade peperoni pizza for the kids and some chicken alfredo and salad for myself. Quick, easy, delicious and kept all of those "little bits" from ending up in the trash.
I finally got the kitchen put back together today after all of the holiday baking. All of the pans are washed and stacked neatly in the cupboards. I really enjoyed having a large kitchen with alot of counter space this year! I also got my home office area tidied up and cleaned.
Best part of the day however, was challenging my 8 year old to a sing off Karaoke Revolution. The kids cheered me on as I croaked and coughed my way thru a couple of songs. And then I realized 1/2 way thru the song, that I never really knew what the words were or what the song was really about until just then. HMMMMM.
Photo is a view of the sunrise from our front yard in late November.
I finally got the kitchen put back together today after all of the holiday baking. All of the pans are washed and stacked neatly in the cupboards. I really enjoyed having a large kitchen with alot of counter space this year! I also got my home office area tidied up and cleaned.
Best part of the day however, was challenging my 8 year old to a sing off Karaoke Revolution. The kids cheered me on as I croaked and coughed my way thru a couple of songs. And then I realized 1/2 way thru the song, that I never really knew what the words were or what the song was really about until just then. HMMMMM.
Photo is a view of the sunrise from our front yard in late November.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Gearing up for 2010
I am determined that 2010 will be the year that I get myself back on track with organization. I will menu plan and track my grocery shopping. I will work on getting caught up on my scrap booking and start on those handmade Christmas gifts in JANUARY. Yes all of those things I have meant to do for the past 5 years and have not.
I hope to post a daily blog post with organization, recipes etc. not only to keep track for myself but to maybe give ideas to others! So if I don't bore you all I hope you will join me on this journey in 2010!
Today is December 28, 2009.
Today I am taking down the Christmas decorations and getting the house back together. I realized I have 2 very blank walls. One I want to hang prints of family pictures that a friend took for us this month. The other, I want to make a quilt wall hanging to match the decor.
I managed to get thru the stack of magazines on the end table and kept maybe 5 pages of tips/ideas/recipes that I would like to try. The rest of the large stack is now in the recycle bin.
I am also working on a list of things that need to be done. Like getting photos printed and making out thank you cards. Hmm, the list is getting larger, but I will take it one item at a time!
No new recipes today. Just using up some leftovers in the fridge and pantry for shake & bake chicken, mac & cheese for the kids (baked potato for me) and green beans.
OUR CAT FLUFFY IN THE TOP OF OUR 7 1/2 FT TREE
I hope to post a daily blog post with organization, recipes etc. not only to keep track for myself but to maybe give ideas to others! So if I don't bore you all I hope you will join me on this journey in 2010!
Today is December 28, 2009.
Today I am taking down the Christmas decorations and getting the house back together. I realized I have 2 very blank walls. One I want to hang prints of family pictures that a friend took for us this month. The other, I want to make a quilt wall hanging to match the decor.
I managed to get thru the stack of magazines on the end table and kept maybe 5 pages of tips/ideas/recipes that I would like to try. The rest of the large stack is now in the recycle bin.
I am also working on a list of things that need to be done. Like getting photos printed and making out thank you cards. Hmm, the list is getting larger, but I will take it one item at a time!
No new recipes today. Just using up some leftovers in the fridge and pantry for shake & bake chicken, mac & cheese for the kids (baked potato for me) and green beans.
OUR CAT FLUFFY IN THE TOP OF OUR 7 1/2 FT TREE
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