Following a weekly meal plan is the best way to cook healthier for your family, and save time and money! Each week I share six easy, healthy, and family-friendly recipes to help you simplify feeding your family!
Do those of you with older children feel as if life is even more hectic now that your kids are older? For example, our most recent Thursday looked like this – school, work, home, Ava to soccer at 6:00, Regan to soccer at 6:45, pick up Ava at 7:30, pick up Regan at 8, dinner, and homework. Somewhere in there, I did shove something delicious in my mouth – the miso fish and the strawberry salad from last week’s plan were two of my favs!!
I remember a few years back a good friend of mine was considering pausing her career during her children’s middle school years because she felt like her kids needed her more than ever before. I remember thinking to myself there is no way the middle school stage can be that demanding. Well, folks, I was wrong. Life with tween and teenagers is insane! I’d love to hear from those of you who have older kids – do you feel the same way?
Meal Plan 4/3 – 4/8
Sunday, April 3rd | Italian Sausage Orzo | Total Time: 30 minutes | I have one last container of deer sausage in my freezer and I’ve been saving it for something really yummy. Ener this Italian Sausage Orzo recipe. It has a similar feel to risotto but without all of the stirring. So creamy and delicious.
Monday, April 4th | Tumeric Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes | Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | I have a confession to make – I kind of hate sweet potatoes. Actually, I hate when food is sweet outside of dessert. Like I really don’t like teriyaki anything – way too sweet. But, I love the sweet potatoes in this recipe because the sweetness is balanced out by the Tumeric. Man, I love Tumeric! Chicken drumsticks and thighs roasted together with shallots and sweet potatoes on one pan – perfect for your entire fam jam!
Tuesday, April 5th | Grilled Cumin Spiced Pork Tenderloin | Total Time: 30 minutes | Super straightforward recipe here folks. Serve with a simple side salad and call it. You can bake the tenderloin in the oven if you aren’t up for grilling!
Wednesday, April 6th | Quick Italian Sausage and Shaved Brussel Sprouts Skillet | Total Time: 15 minutes | 15 minutes and one skillet – I might start making this recipe every week! Kid Tip – the sausage cooks on its own so you can easily deconstruct this one for your picky eater!
Thursday, April 7th | Creamy Farro with Pesto, Asparagus and Peas | Total Time: 35 minutes | Farro is by far my favorite grain. It’s hearty and wholesome with an amazing nutty flavor. Makes for the best base in this creamy, lemony veggie dish. I will add chicken or shrimp!
Friday, April 8th | Caesar-Marinated Chicken Kabobs with Zucchini and Grilled Romaine | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes | I love ending the week with a grilling recipe because that means Patrick will do most of the heavy lifting. If you haven’t grilled lettuce you haven’t lived – a bit of an exaggeration but grilled romaine is really, really good. Lightened-up Caesar dressing makes the best marinade/dressing. Definitely try this one!
Lunch This Week – Avocado Smoked Salmon Salad
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