Menu Plan Monday: Week of July 6

Well, I've never posted my menu plan before, but many of my favorite bloggers participate, so I thought I'd give it a try. My friend and I often find ourselves in the "What's for dinner?" discussion and she's great about sharing her menus and recipes. On weeks when I sit down and menu plan, I make better use of items on sale that week along with what we already have stocked up in our pantry and freezer (so that nothing goes to waste).

I should preface this first-ever menu by explaining that we have become a freezer cooking family. We don't eat freezer meals exclusively, but it's so nice to have the meals prepared and ready to go in the freezer. Most of the time, this involves buying meat on sale and preparing it (trimming, breading/coating, marinating, etc), then freezing it in meal-size portions. Since I'm not a huge fan of handling raw meats, I'm glad to avoid that part of the cooking each night. My husband is also a master at the grill and is willing to stand outside (even if it's raining) while I prepare the side dishes inside!

BREAKFASTS

• Cinnamon Toast
• Sweet Cinnamon Zucchini Bread
• Cereal
• Restaurant-Style Buttermilk Pancakes (from frozen)
• Waffles
• Fresh Fruit and yogurt

LUNCHES

• Turkey, Ham, or Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
• "Snack Lunch" (like a homemade Lunchable)
• Quesadillas
• Macaroni & Cheese with Ham
• Leftovers

DINNERS

• MONDAY
  Ziploc Chicken (bone-in chicken on the grill)
  Buttered noodles, carrots
  Excellent Sandwich Bread* and fresh salad


• TUESDAY
  Taco Rice on flour tortillas
  Fresh Salad


• WEDNESDAY (picnic at the zoo!)
  Sandwiches
  Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies and fresh fruit


• THURSDAY
  Crispy Picnic Chicken
  Potatoes, Excellent Sandwich Bread and fresh salad


• FRIDAY (hosting family from out-of-town!)
  Tammy's Spicy Grilled Turkey Burgers (some with ground beef)
  McCain French Fries (Meijer clearance!)
  Ice Cream Sundae Bar (with all of the free Smuckers toppings we have!)


• SATURDAY
  Take-out Pizza


• SUNDAY
  Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
  Fast Homemade Herb Bread* with salad

*These are our favorite simple & easy bread machine recipes. I'll post recipes soon!

If you feel like commenting, please let us know what's on your menu tonight or later in the week! We can always use a new recipe to spice things up.

Visit MENU PLAN MONDAY at I'm an Organzing Junkie! for hundreds of great menu ideas from other bloggers. You'll also find menu planning templates and printable grocery store lists to download.