Dinner can be an enjoyable meal or something to dread. I have to admit I don’t always enjoy shopping and cooking dinner. There have been many nights when I stare blankly in the fridge and pantry at a complete loss. Last year I had implemented a system of assigning a theme for each night. So, Monday night was Mexican night, Tuesday was chicken night, etc. It made life so much easier and I never felt stumped about dinner. The kids were better eaters too because they knew what to expect.
Well, like a lot of moms, I drifted away from it as I experimented with new recipes or got thrown off when I missed a shopping trip at the beginning of the week. I’m back on track and want to share with you how much easier meals are again when I plan ahead. I can’t emphasize enough how much this helps my children when I stay consistent and predictable with assigned meals. My 3.5 year old is particularly decisive about food and we have fewer challenges when I stick with the plan.
Mondays – Soup Night
Some of our favorite soups: minestrone, sweet potato, or carrot & leek soup.
Tuesdays – Mexican Night
This might be bean and cheese quesadillas, tacos or enchiladas. I recently tried a black bean and sweet potato quesadilla – delicious!
Wednesdays – Easy Meal Night
I love baked potatoes with bean or turkey chili and plain Greek yogurt on top. Quick, easy, and delicious!
Thursdays – Greek Night
I love falafel with yogurt, pita bread, cucumbers and toms.
Fridays – Pizza Night
I make the dough in the breadmaker, spread the sauce, roast the veggies in the oven for 30-40 minutes (red pepper, mushrooms, squash minced really tiny with olive oil and salt). The kids can add black olive or pineapples and cheese on top.
Saturday and Sundays are little less planned due to different schedules and activities. We might have a sandwich night. The kids love turkey meatloaf or make a yummy black bean soup or roast a chicken.
Hope this inspires you to create your own weekly meal plan! I would love to hear your ideas. One of my goals is to use less dairy, more legumes and veggies in kid-friendly meals.
Bon Appetit!
Getting my kids to the dinner table has been somewhat of a monumental task in the past. They would be engaged in some activity and I found that I would be forced to repeat myself that dinner had been served. Meanwhile, by the time they got there, their spaghetti would be stone cold.
