I got back into creating monthly meal plans for our family back in September, at the start of our busy soccer season, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s like falling in love all over again. I can’t tell you how nice it is to know that when it comes time to make that grocery list for the week, I don’t have to hem and haw over what we’re having for meals because I already know.
When I was creating December’s meal plan, there were a few things I needed to keep in mind as I was creating it. First was when my kids have off from school. I do pack their snacks and lunches every day, but there’s something about when they’re home… we tend to go through a LOT more food than when they’re at school all day.
Second, this month is the winter concerts for Bookworm. He’s in band, jazz band, and chorus for his school. While the concerts don’t start until later on at night, after I’ve factored in what time they get off the bus, and what time we need to leave to be on time, I need fast easy meals. That’s why there are some meals on here more than once. {For instance, I’m planning on making a lasagna as a Sunday dinner, and then serving leftovers three days later on the night of one of the concerts}.
Third, any doctor’s appointments or school activities during the day. If I have fast meals on hand for days like these, I can minimize my chances of picking up food while out. Pizza, pancakes, nachos and tacos fit nicely into these spots.
And lastly, any holiday dinners, holiday travel, and how to plan our meals around them. We usually have a meal with Hubs’ family while we exchange gifts, so that means there’s at least one night that I won’t have to cook. I also plan in advance for my family coming down to visit us. By keeping some fast, yet filling meals in this month’s meal plan, I can cut back on any unexpected expenses simply because there’s company coming.
Beyond that, here are some other things to consider when reviewing our monthly meal plan:
I plan only our dinners. Unless it’s noted, sides consist of a fruit or veggie, possibly a grain, and is based on what I have in my fridge and pantry.
We try to have one big meal each week, and it’s usually a roast. Throughout the rest of the week I use the leftovers as ingredients for the week’s remaining meals. For instance, a roast beef then becomes ingredients for beef stroganoff, beef quesadillas, and so on.
Breakfasts are usually oatmeal, cereal, toast or bagel with peanut butter and fruit, cottage cheese and fruit, or yogurt with granola. It may seem limited and boring, but keeping breakfast choices as simple as possible makes it much easier on our hectic morning routine. Hubs is out the door at 6:30 and the boys are on the bus at 7.
Lunches are packed each day for Hubs and the kids, while I currently eat at home. Lunches are either sandwiches, salads, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, or leftovers as the main course. It’s served with a fruit/veg, yogurt or cheese, a drink and a “treat” {gummies, chips, etc}. Snacks, such as crackers, pretzels and Nilla cookies, are also divided out at home and sent to school in smaller snack containers.
I don’t stock pile shop, but I do shop for weekly sales, mostly for prepackaged snacks. While this may not be the best of healthiest option, I have found it to be by far the easiest when divvying out snacks, and also the least messy/sticky in the classrooms.
During the summer and fall, I preserve what I am able to grow and get cheap from local you-pick farms and farmer’s markets. It helps me keep what we eat fresh and local, but also limits our preservative and additive intake {I have a preservative allergy and my middle gets migraines with certain food additives}.
Pizza x3
Roast Chicken x2
Ravioli Bake with Garlic Bread
Chicken & Waffles
Taco Ring
Chicken Alfredo
Carrot & Squash Soup
French Toast
Salmon Cakes & French Fries
Lasagna, Salad & Garlic Bread x2
Chicken Enchiladas
Potato Soup
Pancakes
Broccoli Soup x2
Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes & Green Beans
Tuna Melts & Rice
Chicken Fajitas
Chicken Chili
Meatloaf & Roasted Veggies
Christmas Dinner
Nachos
Ham & Green Bean Soup
Blueberry French Toast Bake
Dutch Oven Chicken Bake
Ham, Noodles & Peas
Chicken & Broccoli Stuffed Shells
Need more dinner inspiration? You can check out our past meal plans. Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, where I have a whole board dedicated to meal planning.
What’s on your meal plan for the month? Do you have hectic schedules you’re planning meals around, or is it a relaxed month for you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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