Meal planning and making a shopping list for 5 different dinners simplifies my life and lets us focus on eating healthfully. I make sure to have all of the ingredients on hand for my menus and can swap days out based on what sounds good each day. I also get input from the hubs on what he would like for dinner.
This helps me to keep on track and to eat healthy, whole foods. Also, if you have a plan, it makes it easier to prep and prepare each menu.
So many of my friends are overwhelmed with deciding what to prepare for dinner and complain that they do not have all of the ingredients available, so they end up going out. It’s all in the planning!
We love our home and love that when we cook our own meals, we know exactly what we are getting. Many times when you go out, there is excessive salt, butter and other items that are not so healthy.
My favorite place to shop is The Fresh Market. There are several locations in South Florida that I can go to and it really is a pleasant experience. Who doesn’t love a little classical music while selecting the perfect produce, butcher items or condiments?
Oh, condiments! It seems that I have a bit of an issue when it comes to condiments. I just cannot get enough. Chutneys, spreads, flavored mustards, just to mention a few. I actually have stainless steel turntables in my refrigerator to help organize all of my selections
I don’t normally plan meals for lunch since I always have a few favorites available. I make a big batch of tarragon chicken salad with the chicken leftover from the roast on Sunday. We always have hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese for a caprese salad and other salad fixings.
Breakfast is usually scrambled eggs, yogurt parfait or oatmeal with fruit. I pretty much know what I need for lunch or breakfast foods.
Ok, back to the meal planning.
Here is an example of a recent plan.
Sunday (we always have roast chicken. It is my English roots again. It is a tradition to have a roast dinner on Sundays, and my British family has been doing this for years).
Sunday
- Herb Roasted Chicken with herbs de Provence and creamy gravy
- Smashed Mock Potatoes (made with cauliflower) OR I sometimes make Smashed Sweet Potatoes
- Peas
Monday
- Grilled Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Fresh Asparagus
Tuesday
- Mexican Stuffed Peppers
- Southwest Salad
Wednesday
- Grilled Cod with Black Bean and Corn Salsa
- Yellow Rice
- Fresh Green Beans
Thursday
“Must go”. This is when we enjoy leftovers from the week
Friday
- Shrimp Cakes with Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce
- Crunchy Cole Slaw
- Corn on the Cobb
Saturday
Date night out (this can vary and be a different day).
My name is Kim and my passion is surrounding myself, family, and friends in a life of luxury. Each week, I’ll share with you new tips and recipes to create a luxurious life .