October Meal Plans

[Alyantavid]

Anybody else ready for October?

1-pizza
2-baked trout, veggie
3-waffles
5-italian chicken, mashed potatoes, veggie
6-steak, fries, roasted veggies
7-spaghetti, garlic bread
8-pizza
9-out
10-waffles
12-hamburgers, fries
13-sloppy joes, fries, carrots
15-pizza
16-fish, veggie
17-eggs, toast, fruit
19-out
20-lasagna, bread, salad
22-pizza
23-out
24-leftovers
26-chicken casserole, veggie
27-hamburger casserole, bread, veggie
29-pizza
30-fish, veggie
31-pizza

We eat at my mom's once a week and leave one night a week open for leftovers or just something quick so that's why I'm missing a few days. And I don't plan out the veggies usually until that night.

[CookiePie]

1. Penne alla vodka & salad (big food prep day, made pumpkin muffins, made hummus for the week from frozen garbanzos, cooked a huge pot of black beans to freeze for later use)
2. lentil soup
3. pork tenderloin, sweet potatoes, homemade apple sauce
4. Turkey meatballs, & sauce over spaghetti squash also making apple muffins today
5. Quiche salad & bread
6. Loaded baked potatoes
7. Out for pizza
8. Sloppy Joe's
9. Eating at the garlic festival
10. apple roasted pork tenderloin, roasted butternut squash garlic & greens
11. Chicken and cheesy polenta, salad & bread
12. Venison cheese burgers, salad & roasted potatoes
13. eggplant parm, salad, bread
14. been burritos
15. Pasta & salad
16. chicken legs, coconut curry rice, & roasted butternut squash
17. meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas
18. veggie stir fry over noodles
19. Tacos
20. sausage & pepper grinders
21. Falafal
22. Spaghetti
23. Escarole & white bean soup, bread
24. Calzones & buffalo chicken salad
25.

[AFWife]

Working on it as we speak. We need to hit the grocery store tonight for some random items so I figured I'd be planned out.

[Essie]

Ummmm...
Turkey?

[academama]

okay, here's ours, though it's a work in progress (lots of nights don't have sides planned and whatnot). Wednesdays are pizza nights, because my daughter’s school has pizza day on Thursdays—and I prefer to send her a piece of leftover homemade healthy pizza instead of buying her a slice of Dominos! Thursdays are dance class so we’re out and about until at least 7, so those are leftover nights usually, or sandwiches if we don’t have any.

Friday, 10/1: tortilla soup in the crockpot? (I have to do something ahead, as I’ll be out at medical appointment).
http://gotpcos.wordpress.com/2009/12...tortilla-soup/

Saturday 10/2: paella
http://www.howtocookeverything.tv/re...%3Fnid=26.html

Sunday 10/3: chinese dumplings, stir-fried cabbage and onions (a la moo shu)
http://vegnews.com/web/articles/page...d=564&catId=11

Monday 10/4: sandwiches: cucumber, tuna or salmon; vegetables and dip
http://gotpcos.wordpress.com/2010/09...pe-veggie-dip/

Tuesday 10/5: cream of broccoli soup, artisan bread
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2010/03...coli-soup.html

Wednesday 10/6: pizza
http://gotpcos.wordpress.com/2010/07...omemade-pizza/

Thursday 10/7: leftovers

Friday 10/8: pumpkin soup
http://gotpcos.wordpress.com/2009/11...-pumpkin-soup/

Saturday 10/9: salmon patties; roasted sweet potato chips; Brussels sprouts with lemon pepper and Parmesan
http://gotpcos.wordpress.com/2009/10...-salmon-cakes/
http://gotpcos.wordpress.com/2010/03...ts-three-ways/


Sunday 10/10: steak, Crash Hot Potatoes, salad
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2...-hot-potatoes/

Monday 10/11: risotto; salad or sliced raw vegetables

Tuesday 10/12: Fish Chowder
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008...er-recipe.html

Wednesday 10/13: pizza

Thursday 10/14: leftovers

Friday 10/15: tamale pie
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008...ie-recipe.html

Saturday 10/16: green curry broth
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives...th-recipe.html

Sunday 10/17: hamburgers on the grill; homemade buns; spinach with pine nuts; sweet potato fries

Monday 10/18: chicken pot pie; salad; honey mustard dressing

Tuesday 10/19: tuna melts, Indian potato salad
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2010/08...ato-salad.html

Wednesday 10/20: pizza

Thursday 10/21: leftovers

Friday 10/22: broccoli/rice/cheddar casserole; salad; vegan chocolate cupcakes
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Vegan-C...ke/Detail.aspx

Saturday 10/23: aloo gobi, basmati rice
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Aloo-Gobi/Detail.aspx

Sunday 10/24: oven-fried fish sticks with sweet potato fries; green vegetable

Monday 10/25: potato omelet; green vegetable; tomato sauce
http://www.howtocookeverything.tv/re...%3Fnid=82.html

Tuesday 10/26: twice-cooked green beans; basmati rice; broccoli with ginger and garlic
http://www.howtocookeverything.tv/re...%3Fnid=61.html

Wednesday 10/27: pizza

Thursday 10/28: leftovers

Friday 10/29: vegetable and artichoke pot pie

Saturday 10/30: spaghetti with tomato sauce; salad with honey mustard or ranch dressing

Sunday 10/31: Halloween—sandwiches or leftovers?

[Essie]

academama:

This sounds so good! but where's the casserole recipe?

[Essie]

I feel so unorganized. Do you all really stick to these plans? does it help?

[Alyantavid]

Originally Posted by Essie

I feel so unorganized. Do you all really stick to these plans? does it help?

Yes and yes.

If I don't plan out our meals, we end up eating some crap really late because it takes me forever to figure something out. This way, I can sit down with all my recipes and lists once a month and decide. And I don't have to think about it again until next month.

I do sometimes change them. I mean I don't know everything we'll be doing at the end of next month yet, but this gives me an idea, a start.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by Essie

I feel so unorganized. Do you all really stick to these plans? does it help?

Originally Posted by Alyantavid

Yes and yes.

If I don't plan out our meals, we end up eating some crap really late because it takes me forever to figure something out. This way, I can sit down with all my recipes and lists once a month and decide. And I don't have to think about it again until next month.

I do sometimes change them. I mean I don't know everything we'll be doing at the end of next month yet, but this gives me an idea, a start.

Not only that, but DH changed his pay so we get paid once a month (it's really awesome when you get used to it) So, after I get everything planned out we do a HUGE shopping trip. That way we only have to do quick runs to the store for things that don't keep the whole month (like fresh fruit/veggies) or things that run out (bread)...it's really efficient.

[Essie]

Originally Posted by Alyantavid

Yes and yes.

If I don't plan out our meals, we end up eating some crap really late because it takes me forever to figure something out. This way, I can sit down with all my recipes and lists once a month and decide. And I don't have to think about it again until next month.

I do sometimes change them. I mean I don't know everything we'll be doing at the end of next month yet, but this gives me an idea, a start.

You are a great model! I am going to attempt...

[SpuglyRoo]

1 Chili, Bread
2 Moussaka
3 Chicken Salad Sandwich
4 Italian Chicken Wraps
5 Black Bean Pumpkin Soup, Bread
6 Italian Sausage Bread
7 Chicken Caesar Salad
8 Spinach Mushroom Lasagna
9 Chicken, Stuffing, Potatoes, Corn, Gravy
10 Salmon Salad Sandwich
11 Chicken Pot Pie
12 Black Bean Soup, tortilla chips
13 Cobb Salad
14 Amazingly Moist Salmon, Broccoli, Rice
15 Pizza
16 Lighter Chicken Parm, Spaghetti, Green Beans
17 Salmon Salad Sandwich
18 Chicken Piccata, Broccoli, Rice
19 Black Bean Quesadillas with Zucchini and Butternut Squash
20 Breakfast Burritos, Home Fries
21 Un-Fried Buffalo Wings, Celery, Blue Cheese
22 Chicken, Corn and Black Bean Soup
23 My Favorite Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans
24 Salmon Salad Sandwich
25 Chicken & Broccoli with Pasta
26 Minestrone Soup
27 Salad Pizza
28 Fish, Broccoli, Rice
29 Pizza
30 Zuppa Toscana, Salad, Breadsticks
31 Halloween Party at Church so no meal planned

A lot of these are recipes I haven't tried yet, but since I'm at home all the time now instead of going to my SIL's to watch her kids, I figure I'll be able to start dipping into my unused recipes cache and working my way through it. Wish me luck! :-)

[Essie]

Originally Posted by Essie

academama:

This sounds so good! but where's the casserole recipe?

woops! I would love to have the broccoli cheese casserole recipe but couldn't find it...

[Alyantavid]

Originally Posted by Essie

You are a great model! I am going to attempt...

Make sure you let us know how it works out for you!

[academama]

Oh, sorry--I don't use a recipe for the casserole, I just wing it. But this is my basic process/ingredients:

cooked rice--maybe 3-4 cups?
steamed broccoli (not cooked to death, because it'll bake a bit too)

one onion
tablespoon of olive oil or butter
tablespoon or two of whole wheat flour
milk
cheddar cheese
cream cheese
tablespoon or so of dijon mustard
bread crumbs for the top

Saute the onion in the butter/olive oil. When it's tender, add the flour and cook for a few minutes until the flour smells toasty. Add milk--I don't measure but I'd say I add about a cup and a half. Add cheddar cheese (probably a cup, shredded) and cream cheese (8 oz package). Whisk occasionally until cheeses are melted and add dijon mustard. Don't let it boil. When it's smooth and heated through, add the broccoli and rice and stir thoroughly to coat all of the rice and broccoli with the sauce. Pour into casserole dish and top with bread crumbs.

Then I just bake it til it's bubbly. Unfortunately my oven doesn't have any heat indications so I can't really say how hot I usually make it. It's forgiving, though, since everything is already cooked.

[sagewinna]

Got mine done today, my last one went a few days into Oct. (I do 5 weeks at a time, that's how many spaces on my dry erase calendar.)

I plan breakfast and dinner. Any breakfast with eggs is when I eat something else.

3- French Toast. Split pea soup.
4- Muffins. Pesto pasta with cauliflower.
5- Oatmeal. Lentil stew and sweet potato biscuits.
6- Smoothies. Fajita burritos and salad.
7- Eggs and toast. Pakora pancakes.
8- Cereal. Veggie burgers and salad.
9- Tofu and oven potatoes. Fried rice and salad.
10- Biscuits and gravy. Minestrone soup and crackers.
11- Muffins. Homemade pizza and salad.
12- Baked oatmeal. Tofu and rice with veggies.
13- Pancakes. Dahl, pita chips, salad.
14- Omelets. Tacos and roasted cauliflower.
15- Cereal. Pasta and broccoli.
16- Tofu and oven potatoes. Gone for dinner.
17- Dutch baby. Nachos.
18- Muffins. Pesto pasta.
19- Oatmeal. Breakfast for dinner.
20- Smoothies and toast. Black bean soup, corn bread.
21- Eggs. Stir fry with tofu.
22- Cereal. Black bean quesadillas and salad.
23- Tofu and oven potatoes. Fajita burritos.
24- Pancakes. Out of town.
25- Out of town.
26- Baked oatmeal. Pot pie and salad.
27- PB toast. Soup (to be determined later)
28- French toast. Tacos and salad.
29- Cereal. Curry and coconut rice.
30- Tofu and oven potatoes. Veggie burgers, roasted veggies.
31- Breakfast burritos. Minestrone soup.
1- Muffins. Homemade pizza and veggies.
2- Oatmeal. Pakora, salad.
3- Pancakes. Bean and corn chowder.
4- Eggs. Lasagna, salad.
5- Cereal. Leftovers.
6- Tofu and potatoes. Pasta and salad.

[Essie]

I'm not good for recipes, I'm just lurking These sound so good!

[harrietsmama]

Here are my feed the freezer plans:

36 breakfast sandwiches - english muffins, meat, egg, & cheese
40 Hot pockets - homemade bread dough,pizza, spinach & feta, ham & cheese
6 Strata - broccoli, chicken, cheese
3 baked french toast
3 lasagna
very large pulled pork, enough for 3-5 meals

have to see what other good meat goes on sale.

[StephandOwen]

You all can plan a month in advance!?! I just started planning and I'm lucky if I can get a week in advance. LOL! Here's October so far....

1- Breakfast for dinner
2- Chicken Parmesan
3- DS's birthday so he gets to pick (will probably be pizza)
4- Chicken Tortilla Soup in the crockpot
5- BBQ pork or beef sandwiches (have to look in the freezer and see what we have)
6- Sloppy Joes
7- Buffalo Chicken (either strips or wings)
8- Fish and Shrimp
9- Fajitas

[mamabeca]

Not, technically, ready for Oct., but here's a start.

M - veg alphabet soup and baked potatoes w/toppings
T - burritos
W - Mac and beef w/cashew broccoli
Th - Pumpkin soup w/ salmon patties over rice
F - Chili

[Essie]

Originally Posted by academama

Oh, sorry--I don't use a recipe for the casserole, I just wing it. But this is my basic process/ingredients:

cooked rice--maybe 3-4 cups?
steamed broccoli (not cooked to death, because it'll bake a bit too)

one onion
tablespoon of olive oil or butter
tablespoon or two of whole wheat flour
milk
cheddar cheese
cream cheese
tablespoon or so of dijon mustard
bread crumbs for the top

Saute the onion in the butter/olive oil. When it's tender, add the flour and cook for a few minutes until the flour smells toasty. Add milk--I don't measure but I'd say I add about a cup and a half. Add cheddar cheese (probably a cup, shredded) and cream cheese (8 oz package). Whisk occasionally until cheeses are melted and add dijon mustard. Don't let it boil. When it's smooth and heated through, add the broccoli and rice and stir thoroughly to coat all of the rice and broccoli with the sauce. Pour into casserole dish and top with bread crumbs.

Then I just bake it til it's bubbly. Unfortunately my oven doesn't have any heat indications so I can't really say how hot I usually make it. It's forgiving, though, since everything is already cooked.

Thanks so much! I can't wait to make this. That's funny, our oven is 50 degrees too hot so we have to turn it down 50!