back in the saddle: a week’s meal plan

What a comforting routine now lost in modern times: getting back in the saddle.  I imagine that when horses were more than pretty play toys with plastic manes and sparkly eyes, the old creak of the saddle leather, burnished smooth and supple from use, was the very definition of comfort resulting from routine.  Somehow, settling into the seat of my trusty stead, ye olde Honda Accord, doesn’t carry quite the same connotations.

All the same, I like the comfort of my other old saddles, my daily routines.

As lovely as the holidays are with the undercurrent of happy stress humming along with the 24/7 holiday jingles on the radio, isn’t there something nice about getting back to normal come January?

Normal returns this week with one of my favorite time- and stress-saving routines: planning the week’s meals well in advance of the “What should we have for dinner tonight?” last-minute crisis.

Monday

Lasagna Soup

(A family favorite that makes frequent appearances in our meal rotation.  A company-pleaser every time!)

Tuesday

Wild-Caught Salmon with Caramelized Leeks and Roasted Brussel Sprouts

(I just dare you to turn your nose up at these brussel sprouts.  These ain’t your momma’s soggy green orbs!)

Wednesday

Breakfast for dinner: Eggs in a Nest

Thursday

Butternut Squash and Cannelini Bean Soup

(A lovely savory variation on the more typical sweet and smooth butternut squash soup recipes)

Friday

Chicken Mole with Nourishing Tradition’s Butternut Squash Puree

Saturday

Dinner with friends at Tamari

Sunday

Salmon Cakes with Sweet Potato Fries

For a PDF of the meal-planning worksheet that I’ve adapted for my purposes, click here.  I plan on a two-week cycle, which helps minimize the number of trips I make to the grocery store.  By which I mean I minimize the number of times I cinch the cart’s tattered seat belt around a two-year-old who is attempting to liberate a box of yogurt-covered raisins from the very top shelf while inadvertently dumping a can of diced tomatoes into the back of the cart on top of my eggs.  Who wouldn’t want to avoid that scenario if possible?

Organizing Junkie

11 Comments

  1. Sherry said:

    Great looking menu! That lasagna soup sounds divine!

    January 10, 2011
    Reply
  2. Mollie B. said:

    We had Eggs in a Nest last night for dinner. Got a stamp of approval from everyone, including the 4- and 1-year old daughters! Yum.

    January 10, 2011
    Reply
  3. Miz Helen said:

    Your menu looks really good. We would love your Eggs In A Nest. Thank you for sharing, I would love to have you visit Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week!

    January 10, 2011
    Reply
  4. Kara said:

    I love your menu plans! All of the recipes in your last menu post have been added to our regular rotation. I can’t wait to try each of these as well!

    January 10, 2011
    Reply
  5. allysgrandma said:

    Okay I could just copy and paste your menu. Eggs in a nest could be heuvos rancheros though. We do a carmelized leak, brussel sprouts with pancetta…. divine!! Actually roasted any way brussel sprouts are good, much better than steamed that we were raised on.

    January 10, 2011
    Reply
  6. midnitechef said:

    Try keeping tabs on a frisky five-year-old and a newbie walker who is too much of a wiggle worm to stay in the cart! This weekend I only had Little Sister to contend with at the store and she fell asleep in the car on the way home.

    Making a meal plan is still on my imaginary to-do list!

    January 10, 2011
    Reply
  7. Jo said:

    They might not be your momma’s soggy green orbs, BUT they
    ARE your momma’s brussel sprouts! : ).
    p.s.–thanks for the great recipes.

    January 10, 2011
    Reply
  8. Donna Guerard said:

    Sounds as though you are a wonderful cook, just your Mom! Her rolls were always the best! Do you make them, too?

    January 11, 2011
    Reply
    • The rolls’ legacy lives on in my kitchen! I still can’t coax perfection out of them quite like my mom can, but in some batches I come close. They continue to be a favorite of every guest around our table!

      January 12, 2011
      Reply
  9. Liz said:

    My boys love lasagna soup! Have a great weekend! ~Liz

    January 15, 2011
    Reply

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