Easy Meal Plan for this week ....

Well, during most of my presentations and seminars I try to communicate the importance of creating a meal plan that works for you and your family. Your family may love casseroles - mine won't touch them!

So I decided to start you out with our Hakes Family Meal plan this coming week. It’s going to be a crazy week with Soccer practice for one child 2 times this week at 6:30! (thank you very much, right in the middle of dinner time!). And my other child’s 3 times a week TaeKwanDo schedule. My husband is traveling one of the days and I’m working all day on Wednesday and the ‘boys’ will be on their own for dinner.

I went to the store on Sunday and purchased everything I needed!

Monday: Low-Fat Fettuccine Alfredo with Salmon and Peas

Tuesday: Cuban Style Beef Stew with White Rice (Carne con papa y arroz)
>> Make a double batch of the white rice and save for Thursday, or freeze for another week's meal.

Wednesday: Healthy Choice Hot Dogs with Mac and Cheese and Steamed Veggies.
>> This is the day the ‘boys’ are on their own.

Thursday: Grilled London Broil with White Rice and Black Beans
>> Now, for me, I have batch of black beans in the freezer already made, which I’ll defrost the night before, and use the left over white rice from Tuesday. I’ll marinate the steak the night before with: soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and roasted garlic olive oil. Another suggestion for you would be to make the London Broil with a nice big salad instead of the rice and beans.

Friday: Crazy evening with mom and dad shuffling kids in all different directions – we’re either going out, eating left overs, or making a quick pizza (with Boboli crust). Important thing here is that we're eating together.

Saturday: I’m going to find a new recipe to try! If it’s good, I’ll post it here.

OK – here’s mine. Would you like to cook the same things but don’t have the recipe? Email me at betty@gourmetbetty.com and I’ll send it over to you. This is not what you want to eat this week? Make your own meal plan right now!

Remember, you don't have to get high-tech to make a dinner meal plan, just keep it simple, write your list and have your recipes available if you need them. Enjoy your family meals!

-Betty