Menu Planning

At the request of my little sister, she wanted me to write up a post about how I do my menu planning. I'm not an expert and sometimes I procrastinate making one.  Sometimes my procrastination so bad I quickly throw a plan together right as we're getting ready to go to the store. I usually do a week at a time and sometimes I do 2 weeks.

The process I take to create my menu:

1. I ask Tracy if he has any requests. (Usually my fried chicken and homemade fries) Also I make note of days we won't be eating at home or have guests, like the missionaries.
2. I go through the weekly ad of the grocery store.
3. I plan meals around what is on sale, what I have on hand and what Tracy has requested.
4. I write my meals on the menu board and make my shopping list.

I try not to make it too complicated. Having a plan saves me from the "What's for Dinner?" syndrome. You know that time when you go to cook dinner and you stare at the fridge, then the pantry, then the fridge, then the pantry and so on and so forth and then still not know what to make.

Now I don't usually make plans for lunches or breakfasts. I just have stuff on hand to eat for lunch and have what James requests. For breakfasts it is usually cereal and occasionally on weekends I make something special, like eggs, bacon/sausage and waffles or some other yummy breakfast food.

My Menu Board.
If I plan a breakfast/lunch then they get written down.

So that is how I do plan my menu. What about you?

Oh, and I can't make a post about menu planning with out adding an awesome recipe at the end. Comes from the Betty Crocker Sunday Dinner Cookbook.

Pest Ravioli with Chicken
4 servings

• 2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil
• 1 package (15 ounces) chicken tenders
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 3 small zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup refrigerated pesto
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired

Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil about 4 minutes, turning occasionally until brown. Remove chicken from skillet.

Add broth and ravioli to same skillet. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 4 minutes or until ravioli is tender. Stir in zucchini, bell pepper and chicken. Cook over medium-high heat about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender and chicken is no longer pink in center. Toss with pesto. Sprinkle with cheese.

Being 3 is fun!

On February 8th James turned 3 years old.

Last Saturday the 16th we celebrated his birthday. We started the day off with putting a bunch of balloons in his room. He thought it was great to wake up to balloons.

Balloons in his room with him sleeping in his bed.

Our plan was to take the commuter train to the beach, but we couldn't get our car to start. After a push start down the hill we decided to just do some quick errands. Came home and the car was still having issues. We decided to go to lunch at the nearby shopping center. Had some yummy pizza from Canyon Crust and James played in the splash pad. 

Splash pad fun with cars.

Enjoying the fish too.

After lunch James took a nap. He of course played with his balloons before falling asleep. Then we went swimming in the pool. 

After swimming we enjoyed one of his favorite meals of Mac n' Cheese, then had cake and opened presents.  We also Skyped with Grandma and Grandpa, so they sang to him and got to see him open his presents as well. (I tried to upload the video but it isn't working.)

James's cake with his favorite candy.

He wanted a second try and blowing candles out,
so here he is trying again.

Happy to have succeeded in getting some out.

Opening presents.

His loot. He got a digger, a truck, a mickey mouse with car (in his  hand),
monkey stuffed animal, alphabet foam stickers, Cars dishes, puzzle and The Lorax by Dr. Seusss

I think he had a good day. He sure is loving all his new things. I wish he would stop growing up so fast. 

Valentine's Day is a Special Day...

... it's the day we went on our first date.

I figured I'd do a Valentine's day post since today marks the 10 year anniversary of our first date. We had known each other for about 2 months and became good friends in that short time. Part of that 2 months had been our Christmas break and we didn't talked or anything during that time. In fact we had only met about a day or 2 before the break. Little did I know this guy I just met would become my best friend forever.

I was thinking of listing all our Valentine's days together and what we did, but I have a horrible memory and can only remember a few.

2003: First date, attended the college Valentine's day dance. My friend Kendra made us and our friend Sara and her boyfriend dinner.

Look how young we look.

2004: This one was a 2 day event. I had no idea what I was in for. Evening of the 13th he took me to a movie "50 First Dates" (we still watch this regularly), then to dinner at the Chef's Table. The next morning after being woken bright and early around 5 he drove us to the Provo train station. There he surprised me with a train ride on the Amtrak. He knew I loved trains and had yet to be on one. We took a day trip to Colorado Springs and back. It was a great Valentine's day. One I will never forget.

2006: Had dinner at his parent's house. They were hosting a Valentine's day dinner giving by the Young Men and Young Women in their ward as a fund raiser. It was a nice dinner.

2009: I made dinner and we watch the movie "How to Murder your Wife".

2010: James was just a week old and Tracy's mom was staying with us. She made a nice dinner and Tracy bought me a box of Chocolates. He took his mom to the Symphony as a thanks for helping us out with our new born. I was perfectly content to sleep my evening away while James slept too.

2011: We bought a new bed and had dinner. Just can't remember exactly where we went for dinner.

2012: Had a night in with heart shaped pizza and maybe a movie once the little guy went to bed.

2013: This year the plan is I'm making a pizza this year (probably heart shaped if I can get it right) once Tracy gets home this evening from his long Thursday school. He doesn't get home till 7 on Thursdays. Not that romantic of a day, but it will be a great night.

I wish I had a better memory and could remember what we did each year. Maybe someday more will come to me.

Happy 10th year anniversary and Happy Valentine's Day to Tracy.

As well as, Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone!