Meals From Scratch Summer Challenge Meal Plan Week 1 Preview

Week 1

Below is the first week’s meal plan.  Since this is the kids’ last week of school for us, I am letting them buy their lunch this week. So, if your kids are already out for the summer or you prefer to prep their lunches, you will have to make their lunches this week too.  

On a side note, as I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I made the switch to vegetarian, so I will post my vegetarian alternatives (which usually just includes a larger portion of vegetables and elimination of the meats).  Also, we believe there are some gluten sensitivities in our family as well.  So, I will note the gluten free options as we progress as well.  For example, cookies can easily be replaced with baby carrots, raisins and water for the Snack for the whole week (I do this for myself anyway), or you can follow a gluten free recipe.  Apple pie can be replaced with baked cinnamon apples, ice cream or sorbet, etc.  Last but not least, Marcus is lactose intolerant, so I replace his cheese with Veggies Shreds, if appropriate, or leave it out or replace it (for example, I give him a whole apple instead of the cheese).  So, as you can tell, everything here is flexible…and since my snacks change from week to week, you shouldn’t get too bored with things either, even if you are making substitutions.

Monday - June 4, 2012

Breakfast:           Cereal with milk (Marcus and I use Rice or Soy Milk)

Snack 1:              Chocolate Chip Cookies and water

Lunch:                 Kids = School Lunch         Adults = Salad

Snack 2:              1/2 apple, cheese, water

Dinner:                 Pot Roast with Stew Vegetables

Dessert:               Brownies

Tuesday - June 5, 2012

Breakfast:           Yogurt

Snack 1:              baby carrots, raisins, water

Lunch:                 Kids = School Lunch         Adults = Salad

Snack 2:              Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Skewer

Dinner:                Tamales, pinto beans, spanish rice

Dessert:               Flan

Wednesday – June 6, 2012

Breakfast:           Cereal with milk (Marcus and I use Rice or Soy Milk)

Snack 1:              Chocolate Chip Cookies and water

Lunch:                 Kids = School Lunch         Adults = Salad

Snack 2:              1/2 apple, cheese, water

Dinner:                 Lasagna

Dessert:               Flan

Thursday – June 7, 2012

Breakfast:             Yogurt

Snack 1:                baby carrots, raisins, water

Lunch:                   Kids = Sandwich, Fruit, Milk        Adults = Salad

Snack 2:                Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Skewer

Dinner:                 Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas, Refried Beans

Dessert:               Sopapilla with Honey

Friday – June 8, 2012

Breakfast:           Cereal with milk (Marcus and I use Rice or Soy Milk)

Snack 1:              Chocolate Chip Cookies and water

Lunch:                 Kids = Sandwich, Fruit, Milk        Adults = Salad

Snack 2:              1/2 apple, cheese, water

Dinner:                Pizza

Dessert:               Ice Cream (Marcus and I eat Sorbet)

Saturday  - June 9, 2012

Breakfast:           Yogurt

Snack 1:             baby carrots, raisins, water

Lunch:                 Grilled tomato and cheese sandwiches, fruit, kids mik and adults water

Snack 2:              Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Skewer

Dinner:                Steak, baked potatoes, broccolli

Dessert:               Apple Pie

Sunday June 10, 2012

Breakfast:           Cereal with milk (Marcus and I use Rice or Soy Milk)

Snack 1:              Chocolate Chip Cookies and water

Lunch:                 Chicken Nuggets, sweet potato fries, kids milk, adults water

Snack 2:              1/2 apple, cheese, water

Dinner:                Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn

Dessert:               Apple Pie

Meals From Scratch Meal Planning - June 2012

One of the most gruelling tasks for me following a from scratch lifestyle has actually been the meal planning.  I mean, it takes considerable effort sometimes to plan the meals out in which we are going to eat. After that, I have to create my shopping list, and then I have to buy the groceries and find time to cook everything.  In my house, we eat 6 times a day which while good for you makes planning and shopping time consuming at times! 

Pinterest has become my friend as of late, because it has given me fresh new ideas for summer and reminded me of some old recipes that I know. 

I am clearing out my stock of some things that I have in my pantry and I have planned out my meals for June.  I challenge everyone to do the same and to start a from scratch lifestyle this summer.  I will post my meal plan, weekly shopping list, recipes, etc., and the bulk of the work will be done for you.  All you have to do is go to the grocery store to buy the groceries (something you have to do anyway) and make the meals (making everything from scratch might be a little more time consuming, but I am planning meals which mostly you can prepare and cook in one day and then freeze/refrigerate and reheat for the week).  If this seems like a lot of work, grab a neighbor or friend.  It makes the time go by faster and the extra hand in the kitchen is always a plus. 

I will be grabbing my neighbor and good friend Angie this summer.  We are going to try and bake our bread, make and prepare our snacks and meals for the week on Mondays - which I have also conveniently dubbed crockpot day! 

So, clean out your kitchen this week, and get ready for a from scratch summer with me!  I promise you will feel better if you do it!  I will post in the next couple of days the 1st weeks' meal plan, shopping list and recipes. 

Big Breakfast Sunday: The Importance of Eating Together as a Family

Many families don't have time to sit all together around a dinner table during the week. My family is no exception to this rule. When sports are in full swing, we find ourselves serving meals from the crockpot or preparing something later that's rather quick. Even then, it's rare that we can all sit down together at the same time.

To compensate for our lack of ability to eat together during the week, we have implemented a family tradition, "Big Breakfast Sunday." We go to the later worship service on Sunday so we can all sit down together on Sunday morning and eat breakfast together.

There are many research studies and overall opinions that suggest that sitting down and eating meals with your family (the more the better) has great benefits, and I personally agree! Why do I agree? My biggest proof is in my dining room floor. For a while my husband and I would sit down in the family room and eat dinner rather than at the dinner table with the kids. What we noticed was that whenever we weren't at the table with the kids, there was a HUGE mess. I believe children learn by example, so when we are at the table to demonstrate and enforce proper meal-time etiquette, they learn. Additionally, we are there and able to encourage them to eat all their food and try all the things we put on their plate.

Not only do I think that by sitting at the table with the kids we are teaching them things, I think we are also bonding with them. My husband and I try to talk with the kids and show that we are interested in their lives. Even though our children are all still very young (8, 6 and 3), I'm hoping that this habit/tradition will positively continue with them and demonstrate to them that we are truly interested in what is going on in their lives.

So, despite the fact that we are on-the-go during the week, we have started the tradition of at least having "Big Breakfast Sunday" (Saturday instead sometimes). I encourage everyone to sit-down and have as many meals as possible with their children!