First ever meal plan!
Some of you might know by now that I’m normally preparing lunch and dinner (for 2). This might sound a bit terrifying, taking into consideration that I’m also working full-time from an office, working out regularly, cleaning, doing everyday mess control at home and visiting family every couple of days (does that really fit in 24 hours?). My routine for the lunch is either preparing something before work that can be simply reheated at lunchtime,ย grabbing some leftovers or cooking the previous night (that is normally dinner as well, then). I was looking into options for making my life easier, and making a meal plan actually seemed like a good idea to at least relieve myself from trying to think of ideas for next day’s lunch or dinner. I gave it a shot for a week, and I’m quite happy with the results ๐ (boyfriend probably agrees). I share the plan with you with the changes made along the way due to leftovers, ingredient issues or lucky neighbor’s food gifts.
Monday
Lunch: Leftovers from the freezer (there were some Algerian spiced lentils for me and some ‘potaje’ for the Mr)
Dinner: Fried squid rings sandwich (OMG when can I have another one???)
Tuesday
Lunch: Potato fลzelรฉk with sausages
Dinner: Spanish pasta salad
Wednesday
Lunch: Tuna, bell pepper and mushroom casserole
Dinner: Planned – ratatouille, actual – Tarragon chicken soup (thank you neighbor :))
Thursday
Lunch: Leftover tuna casserole for my Mr, leftover tarragon chicken soup for me
Dinner: chickpeas and spinach ‘soup’ (something like this)
Friday:
Lunch: Leftover chickpeas and spinach ‘soup’
Dinner: Home-made wraps with ham, omelette, onion rings, veggies and mayo
WEEKEND was spent snowboarding in the mountains, so I prepared “survival food” only ๐
Saturday: (Pre-made) Meatball sandwiches with mustard
Dinner: not sure what we had for dinner, but I remember the boyfriend was really hungry – there, where is the plan for Saturday?!
Sunday: (Pre-made) Spanish potato omelette (like the one here) sandwiches with ketchup.
Dinner: Ratatouille.
If you are also having problems ‘catering’ for your loved ones, I hope you found this a teeny bit useful ๐ OR if you are a bada*s meal planner and make ahead meal maker, teach us!!!
Next weekly meal plan coming soon ๐
While He Was Out 
I’m a huge fan of weekly meal plans! They make the grocery shop a lot more efficient, and when you’re exhausted on Wednesday night it is nice to know exactly what you’re cooking and that all the ingredients are on hand. Meals plans have also help me be more economically and less wasteful.
Yup all true! I was happy to put together a shopping list as well (although, we generally buy the same things), without having to go to the market ever second day for a missing ingredient! Thanks for stopping by ๐
I give you credit for not just creating a meal plan — anyone can do that — but sticking to it. Being that you work, I bet a meal plan is a time saver and less stressful way to get food on the table. Good for you!
Thank you ๐
I think meal plans are great…if only I could get myself to make one up. I’m going to try to do better – you’re so inspirational. It’s funny because even though I know my husband’s going to do the grocery shopping every Sat., I’m never prepared other than a few things that I know I’ve run out of. Good job with this (and no, you can’t fit all that into 24 hrs).
Thank you ๐ We do the grocery shopping together (an ultimate worst program for my boyfriend…) and it is faster/more effective having a list at hand! Give it a try ๐
I have always done meal planning, and it makes my life so much easier. On the weeks I don’t get it done for some reason, I find myself at the grocery store a lot and more stressed out. One thing I have learned that helps – make sure 1 or 2 of the meals you plan are easy to prepare in case of a day that is extra busy or something unplanned comes up and you don’t have time to cook. This has helped keep me from running to fast food restaurants many times. I admire you for trying something new and sticking with it all week. Best wishes to you in your future planning!
Thank you!! Yes that is a great idea, we try to keep a frozen pizza for emergencies, and also quite often there is empanada dough or gnocchi in the freezer – those are life savers! ๐