Do you need a menu planning buddy? I'd be happy for some help to keep me on task. It's a big challenge for me to get it done. So far I'm making it about every other week. Better than nothing, but not exactly what I was hoping for.

I try to plan my menus on Saturday or Sunday mornings. The grocery store circulars come on Wednesdays so I already know what's on sale. I consider what I have in my fridge to use up, and then I sit down with a couple favorite healthy cookbooks, and magazines. I usually try a new recipe or two. But I also get good ideas for making stuff up or jazzing up the usual standards.

I would be happy to cheer you or anyone else on in their menu plans. And you never know, you might get a good idea from someone else's plan.

Hang in there.
-Francie

Hey Steph,
The more the merrier. Feel free to jump in any time. I'm going to start a new menu planning thread, and that's where we will be. Have fun on your trip.
--francie

Would you all mind if I join you all in a couple of weeks? We are going out of town for a week, but then once we get back I would love to do this. Hope I am not "butting in".

Sounds great. I will check back with you on Sunday. I will start a new menu planning thread.

I know that we are going out tonight. Tomorrow we are having friends over for dinner. And Sunday we are going out with friends who are rarely free in the evening. That's a lot of meals out, considering this week we have already had one night out.

I find that even if I don't get my menu planned for the whole week, if I can figure out what to make for dinner in the morning I have a much better shot of it actually happening. Last night we ended up with pork chops, mashed sweet potatos and apple and red cabbage slaw at Brie's recommendation.

I still need to figure out tomorrow night's menu. Hmmm...

Francie,
I'd love that! I too have been making it about every other week. Not terrible, but every week would be better. I've realized how much money we spend on take-out, going to the store last minute, eating on the run. For a few nights out we could have bought a full weeks worth of groceries. It's also so unhealthy and I feel so crummy eating this way. I also like to try a new recipe, or two, or three. I'd love to have someone to help me out (and help out you or others) with menu planning and follow-through.

Jill

Ooh, those sound good. I love falafel. I'm making some sort of cabbage and apple dish tonight. I was going to make it hot, but maybe I will make it a slaw instead. Hmmmm... thanks for the ideas.

If anyone wants some recipe ideas Real Simple had some really good ones this month. I made the bean patties (kind of like a healthy falafel) with a salad and then other night we had their pork tenderloing with cabbage and apple slaw. Got the thumbs up from everyone.