Why did I wait so long…

Since I hate grocery shopping, I plan 2 weeks ahead of time for my meals. I love doing that!

We don’t do weekly meal plans, but we do pretty much eat the same meals every week, so grocery shopping is really easy. Tonight we’re having corn chowder. It’s going to be amazing, especially since it’s snowing right now.

I would be lost without meal planning. I love it. And maybe too obsessed ;)
This week on our menu – grilled tuna wraps and sweet potato fries, coconut chickpea curry and quinoa, quinoa greek salad and chicken and fish tacos with mango salsa.
I usually taper a week out with only a coupe 5 km runs that week.
I am loving New Girl.

I don’t usually make a weekly meal plan but we eat a lot of the same foods, so I keep that in mind when I grocery shop. The kids are picky…and so am I!
Tonight, we’re having chicken and cheese quesadillas.
I love The Biggest Loser, Once Upon a Time, CSI, and Supernatural. Thank goodness for DVR!

Parenthood is definitely on my list of shows to watch.

I am a diehard meal planner- I sit down every Sunday morning with Pinterest and recipes and make a list and go shopping. I pretty much love it.

For the past 6 years I did a 2 week menu plan without fail. Now that I am not working fulltime, only part time and trying to stretch our budget I actually have revamped my plan! I go to the grocery store with some recipes in mind but I pick up some sale items. It saves me about $20 a grocery trip so far. That has helped me feel better (even though we are very much ok with my working part time, it just helps me feel better!!). I also have a 5 and 2 year old. If it looks different, the immediate responses is “I do not like that”. If we say just try it, the icky face is already there before the first bite is tried and that poor first bite never has a chance. So I am struggling with meals.
Oh and I absolutely love Parenthood!! I DVR it and it is my nap/quiet time escape on Wed. I also just got into The Practice but sadly the series is ending. Army wives is cool too however it went down hill last season. Those and Modern Family are my only shows. Biggest loser is good too when I catch it.
I have a running question. I am in fairly good shape, I racewalk (true rules following former competitive racewalker). But due to time I wanted to start running and I have a 1/2 marathon in May. I am 3 weeks in, was doing great, actually did 3 miles at a good pace without problem running (added in a few extra miles racewalking after it). In anycase I now can not run due to knee pain at the front, no swelling. I also have very slight tingling in my foot but I had bunion surgery 6 years ago and they said that could be a side effect, just never experienced it. I am getting new shoes and I was thinking about a knee stabilizer/support. I am taking at least 3 days off from running and then going to build again slowly. It annoys me because I could easily go out and do 8 or more miles racewalking but running 3 miles has done this to me!! Any suggestions!!

I LOVE Parenthood. I’ve been a fan since it started. I do meal plan. I make the plan every Saturday then head to the store. It really helps us stay on budget and we try new things when I actually search for recipes.

I’m guilty. I’ve forgotten to eat lunch before. Not often, but a few times. I do have an excuse though. I teach preschool, and somedays there are just SO MANY crazy things going on that i have to deal with (i.e. 3-year-olds peeing all over the place, throwing up their food, or tired kiddo meltdowns). When crazy days happen, I literally don’t have 2 seconds to eat one bite of anything. By the time I can sit and eat, my metabolism has already given up on me, I no longer feel hungry, and I just “forget” to eat. I’m usually pretty grumpy when I get home on those days :)

I don’t plan meals but I know I should. It’s such a good habit to get into. I don’t understand the “forgetting to each lunch” thing either. My grumbling stomach makes it very clear when it’s ready for the foods! And I probably shouldn’t admit this, but one of my favorite shows right now is Vampire Diaries. So addicting!

I am following the same taper plan for my half marathon this weeked to. I love meal planning – I think it takes lot of the stress out of the week when I know what is for dinner already and don’t have to spend extra time thinking about it!

I have been told to watch parenthood more than a dozen times as well. Maybe I will actually watch it one of these days.

I hate those phases where kids think sleep is an optional thing. Sorry friend. I hope this is short lived, for your sake especially!

Fave TV show- Revenge, New Girl or Parks and Rec

I do weekly meal plans. I am already at the store enough as it is and there is no way I want to drag myself and the kids there any more than is necessary. I usually plan it around what sounds good and what is on sale. The only problem is for this week, I planned and shopped last Friday. And now everything I planned doesn’t sound as good anymore and I wish I had planned Tikki masala w/naan instead.

Your run was awesome. You are amazing, as always. Please send some motivation my way. I have never had a streak this long were I have no desire to exercise. What is wrong with me?!

We always have a meal plan! Or at least I think of 6 meals that I want during the week and shop for that. How do other people know what to shop for if they don’t plan? That is very confusing to me. Plus then you get to think about eating even more! Win win. Glad you like Parenthood!

My aunt makes a weekly meal plan & I know it makes her life a whole lot easier. I should really start doing it, but Eric & I have such different tastes we usually end up eating two completely different meals.

My current favorite TV show is Nashville. I also love Up All Night & was really excited to enjoy the ridiculousness of the Kardashians last night.

Love love Parenthood! Be prepared to cry (or almost cry) during every episode.

I always have some sort of plan, but I find I don’t need a to plan a different meal for each night of the week. I usually find a grocery store package of meat to be about 4 servings (2 each for me and my husband) so I plan to cook one 4 serving meal 2-3 times per week. I don’t know why I find that so much more manageable than cooking every night, but I really do. It does mean I usually don’t have leftovers for lunches, but I either grab something easy or buy a salad at work. Do you read Ali on the run? She had a post recently where she asked about how people plan their life/food and she got so many good responses (including mine ;) jk). I think it is fascinating how different people make it work!

I do love reading your blog! And it has inspired me to add long runs during the week in addition to the weekend, although my “long run” is a much shorter version of yours!

I do meal plan, I sit down with the circulars on Thursday nights and a glass of wine and plan out every meal through the following week. But before I do that I grocery shop in our freezer to see what leftovers can be used, and what is in the pantry to avoid buying unnecessary food. I just went to Trader Joe’s today since I was off and bought their seasoned brussel sprouts, so I will add to the menu if something looks good. If I don’t meal plan I find myself running to the store almost every day and spending WAY more.

Good luck!

We meal plan 2/4 weeks of a month on average. Sometimes we don’t because of night time plans, out of town, etc. so sometimes it’s easier not to buy and plan everything or things go bad in the fridge. We bought 1/4 of a cow so that’s one way we plan our meals– hamburger, steak or roasts (which are perfect for the crock pot in the winter). Another way I plan for meals is Pinterest. I have a lot saved up in my food section and I just skim over and see what would work for the week. I have tried A LOT of recipes off there and lots are gold stars in my book. This week we have chicken tacos, pork loin with potatoes, chicken and dumplings (Pinterest recipe!) and ham casserole planned with leftovers the other nights because we plan to double each recipe (excluding pork loin). Good luck! :)

I just started watching Parenthood too and I agree, why did I wait so long to start?! Love it.

“Parenthood” is SUCH a great show! It got me through a summer of being pregnant, haha! I cry EVERY episode and now that I’m all caught up, it’s TORTURE to wait for the next new episode!

I really think I need to make a weekly dinner meal plan, I think it will save me a lot of money! And apparently I need to watch Parenthood, you’re the thousandth and one person to tell me it’s good.

I used to love Parenthood, but I kind of forgot about it until recently. Then I saw in a magazine the other day that the mom (I think her real name is Monica Potter??) has breast cancer on the show, and now I’m curious to watch it again. It’s definitely a good one!

Parenthood is GREAT! I’ve watched it since it first started (though DVR is my best friend since there is no way I can make it up til 11 anymore). Are you starting at seasons 1? If so – it just gets better… and more dramatic. I promise!

Love love love Parenthood! Glad you finally checked it out. You won’t regret it!

I would love to be more organized and meal plan for the week. We both work so it’s pretty much….what do we have and how easy is it to make. I have only done one half so far but it is my new addiction! I tapered the week before keeping it to under 6 miles only a few days and complete rest the day before. We are obsessed with The Walking Dead, Big Bang, Mike and Molly. ;)

I have been trying to meal plan and then shop to the plan. But it doesn’t always work. The yummy thing for this week is a chicken enchilada casserole. I am trying to make one new recipe each week.

The Kidless Kronicles

I always say I’m going to meal plan and then I epic fail. I am trying to be better now, though, because last semester I spent so much money on food from the cafeteria.

I did making something semi-exciting tonight, though, which will hopefully serve for some good leftover-lunches this week! Soba noodles with peanut butter and shrimp — I know it sounds sort of health food-ey, but I swear it’s good!

yes we always meal plan. i made a menu planning board out of a dollar store picture frame and a dry erase marker. i drew up a little template in ms paint and printed it out to put in the frame. works well for us!!

if we’ve planned a meal and then end up getting invited out for dinner we usually just bump everything down one day.

Parenthood = awesome!!! I’ve been a fan since the beginning as I love Lauren Graham (she has a novel coming out!).

What program did you use to make your mealplan picture? It looks really nice

I somehow waited until this newest season to watch it as well.
I’m hooked and cry at least once in every episode. It’s SO good.

I just noticed Parenthood was added to Netflix. After seeing all the new stuff they added, I have a date with Netflix soon. :)

We keep trying to put together a weekly meal plan but we can’t seem to plan more than 3 meals ahead of time. Glad you finally hopped on the Parenthood wagon! I am a big fan of Parenthood and am super invested in that family.

I love the weekly meal plan… with soccer and work and theater… it makes things so much easier.
SO GLAD you’re watching Parenthood. We LOVE the show. You will continue to be addicted, I’m sure!
Lotsa leftovers this week. We are renting and the fridge is small. I am trying to make room in there. :)

I don’t meal plan, but that would help me a ton I think. I need to stop being lazy and do it… I think you might have motivated me enough to actually do it and stop winging dinner every night.

Omg I’ve watched Parenthood… it’s hilarious right. I stopped though since I don’t have cable and I usually forget to watch it on my iPad (I think there’s an app for whatever channel it’s on.) Right now the Boyf and I watch Dexter, just started Season 4 on Netflix… omg have you seen it? I’m addicted Aggh!! (aghh = excited!)

As for meal planning. I usually go in “spurts” of doing so. Some weeks I’ve got’er all planned out. Others, like this week – not a clue. It makes for difficult decisions.

I loooovvveee the idea of making a weekly dessert menu!!! ;)

Great work on the meal plan. I’ve been saying I was going to do that for the past two years. I’m thinking I’d need to plan for 2 weeks as our nearest “big” town and grocery store is 60 miles one way. Happy tapering!

I try to have a weekly meal plan, if not on paper then at least in my head. I base it off of what we have in the freezer already and what is on sale at the store. For instance, I have two pounds of ground beef that I can use this week for hamburgers, stroganoff or tacos depending on what the family wants or time permits. We definitely save money with planning.

I want to come over for dinner. :) Every week I say I’m going to plan out dinners, but we too end up eating Costco frozen dinners. Ha ha. I’m excited for your race!!!!

Your dinner plan looks great!

http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/

I am so happy that you have started Parenthood. I love, love, love that show. My husband and I caught up on it before the 4th season started, so we’re a little sad right now because next week is the season finale. I’m 100% emotionally invested with the Bravermans. And Peter Krause can do no wrong in my book. ;-)
I always do a meal plan. I think that’s the Type A personality from my childhood still trying to hang on a little. I usually plan 2 weeks in advance and then I only have to do one big shopping trip and a few small ones in that time to get fresh fruit, veggies, milk. It saves us a ton of money and it’s less stressful for me.

My husband teases me how much effort I put into our weekly meal plans but I love finding fun new recipes and making my grocery list :)

I need to give Parenthood a shot too, I’ve heard it makes most moms/wives feel like they’re normal! Did you know there’s a Hulu Plus app for ipad? We use that to watch all of our shows and my kids use it for their shows too. That way you don’t have to use your computer outside ;)

Have a great day!!

Haha I can honestly say I’ve never forgotten to eat, I can’t understand when people do that!!

I don’t have specific meal plans but I have a general idea for what to make – usually any leftovers are brought to work for lunch the next day which works out well.

I need to get on a weekly meal plan! It’s make life a bit simpler!

I am such a parenthood fan. Am sad tonight is the last episode for this season :(

We use to not have a weekly meal plan and we ended up eating out all the time and spending too much money and needed bigger pants. Finally we committed to a meal plan and I just decide what we’re going to eat all week, all meals and snacks- based on what we want, as well as trying to switch it up and not eat the same things all the time. I also always cook meals for 4 (it’s only myself and my husband-to-be) so that way we have dinner for 2 nights- saves $$.

This week we’re having veggie plates, a pasta dish with roasted cauliflower and a tahini sauce, and blt’s with tempeh bacon.

We love Parenthood!!! I also really like Nashville, Scandal, Revenge, Parks and Rec, New Girl, and The Mindy Show.

i love Parenthood, I’ve watched all previous seasons (I’ve been a Lauren Graham fan since Gilmore girls, I’m so glad to see her in that show!)
we have a weekly plan too, it really makes shopping easier, but it’s fun to see that we eat very differently, given that we live in France (no PB&J here…!)