Menu Plan Monday and why I plan

Can you believe it? It is almost time to start a new year. I know that I am one to make resolutions each year, many of which I do an okay job of maintaining. Take last year for example, I decided that I wanted to make exercise more of a focus again. I have always been active at various levels, but last year I wanted to refocus. I think the reason that I was able to stick with it is that I found a great group of women to work out with. We are fortunate enough to have been able to talk our instructor into additional classes and now have class together 4 days a week (was 5, but she took a break last session and someone else took over her class this coming session). It is a great motivator. I look forward to seeing everyone, the classes are different each day. I may not have lost the weight that I wanted (evidently, as my instructor says, my jaw is still my strongest muscle), but I am certain that I am in better shape than I have been for a long time.

This year, I plan to continue with that resolution. I also want to continue to focus on menu planning. It does a few things for me:

- it alleviates stress, there is just something comforting about knowing what we will eat. Even though we do step away from the plan from time to time, it is there and I always have an answer to 'what's for dinner?'. It also means that we are more likely to have the ingredients on hand that we need - I say more likely, because some of the recipes are amongst our favorites, I don't always go through the effort of reviewing the recipe to make sure that I do have everything.
- it helps me shop wisely, waste less and save money. I don't necessarily plan my weekly menu based on what's on sale, but it does influence me. But, also, because I do plan, I don't have to worry that the tilapia or the pork chops that I bought multiple of on a deal will get forgotten.
- it helps me eat better. When I am planning, I will balance the menu with lighter choices to make sure that we are getting a good mix of meals. Plus, if I plan a specific meal and buy a vegetable(s) to go with it, I am more inclined to make the vegetable(s) than if I am trying to put something together at the last minute. I don't normally call out side dishes, but frequently we have a salad with dinner, some vegetables on the side, sometimes we have bread, etc.
- it allows us to eat dinner together most days. Even during our busy seasons, by planning the menu I can make sure that we have quick to table meals and/or can prep stuff the day before to allow the meal to be quick to table.
- it works for my kids. They like to look ahead at their school lunch menu and their dinner menu. It also helps if I am making a less than favorite meal earlier in the week, but they know that one of their favorites is coming up in a few days.

Do you menu plan?

Sunday
cereal
Chipotle for burrito bowls
sandwiches

Monday
Cajun Jambalaya Pasta

Tuesday
Crab Cakes, pizza bites, chicken nuggets (New Year's Eve tradition)

Wednesday
Pork Tenderloins and sauerkraut (we grew up enjoying pork roast, but my family doesn't like it - so I get my pork and sauerkraut in my own way)

Thursday
Turkey Roast and potatoes

Friday
Chipotle Chicken (#54)

Saturday
cereal
sandwiches
Pizza (for the kids and dad...I have a GNO with some friends)

This week we are still on holiday (I have to go back Thursday), so breakfast is cereals and lunch is either leftovers, sandwiches or whatever mood strikes us.

This post shared at Menu Plan Monday.

Post Holiday Leftovers

No compensation was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. As a Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger, I received information from Hormel for this post, as well as product samples.
I'm not sure how it works at your house, but at my house, we can usually get one or two leftover meals in enjoying the food as originally prepared before it gets to be ho hum or plain old undesirable. As such, over the years, I have come up with several ways to enjoy our leftovers as new meals and the family is less likely to get tired of them. Plus, if I have a good amount, I will sometimes freeze them for those other meals.

Here are some of our family favorites:
For turkey, we use it like we would chicken:
Buffalo Turkey Cheesesteak
Pulled Barbecue Turkey Sandwiches - make your own sauce or use a bottle of barbecue sauce. Let it all sit in the crock pot for a few hours and it will be tender and yummy.
Turkey Enchiladas
Loaded Turkey Nachos - Layer tortilla chips with shredded turkey, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes and all of your favorite toppings. Put in the oven for about 15 minutes, so that everything warms through and the cheese melts. Serve with sour cream, salsa and/or guacamole.
Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey Shepard's Pie - substitute cubed or shredded turkey for the ground meat and use up your turkey gravy, vegetables and mashed potato leftovers too.
Turkey Noodle Soup - if we have gravy, we thin that for the base, or just use chicken or vegetable broth

For ham, we use it to make some family favorites:
Grilled Ham and Cheese sandwiches
Quiche - I add it to my broccoli cheese quiche
Omelets
Scrambled Eggs and Ham
Green Eggs and Ham - the kids find the color to be fun

For Mashed Potatoes, we have a new favorite recipe (if we don't use them up in a Shepard's Pie:
Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Hormel has also shared with me some Holiday Leftover Ideas:

Leave it to leftovers to keep you in the holiday spirit even after your big meals are over and done with. To help expand your post-feast repertoire, Hormel Foods has compiled a list of new ways to enjoy leftovers this holiday season. Impress your family and friends with these creative and tasty options:
* Looking for a new approach for all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Create Greek Turkey Kabobs by cutting Jennie-O® Turkey Store® oven roasted turkey breast into cubes and alternately threading them onto skewers with cucumbers, tomatoes and Peloponnese® kalamata pitted olives. This Mediterranean twist might just convert reluctant turkey eaters!

* Use extra holiday ham and pie crusts to bake a delicious quiche! Mix in your favorite vegetables and seasonings with Hormel® Cure 81® sliced ham to create a wonderful meal that can feed the whole family.

* If you’re craving the standard leftover turkey sandwich, take it up a notch with corn tortillas! They make a great stand-in for bread and give your sandwich an extra special crunch.

* Make a lunchtime salad by tossing pasta with leftover turkey or ham, vegetables, and your favorite dressing.

How do you use up your leftovers?

No compensation was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. As a Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger, I received information from Hormel for this post, as well as product samples.

Merry Christmas!

May you and your family have a wonderful, Merry Christmas.