What's For Dinner?!

Do you sometimes feel that your little munchkins could eat all day long if you'd let them? Or that the minute they're done with lunch they start asking, "What's for dinner?!" Boy sometimes I really dread that question, especially when it's 3:00 and I haven't even thought about dinner! I've started doing things a little bit different to help erase that fear and keep the week moving along as smoothly as it can.

I've begun every Sunday morning by sneaking out before the kiddos wake up, stopping to get my latte, and grab my Sunday papers (yes, I get multiple Sunday papers...more on that another day). I clip all my coupons, organize then in my binder, and then make my dinner plans for the week.  Mind you, I do all (or most) of my grocery shopping on Saturdays...so why do I make my dinner plans on Sunday? Well, what I've found is that if I make my dinner plans and then go grocery shopping I am then at the mercy at whatever the prices are for whatever ingredients my recipes will require. So since I do my grocery shopping based on what's on sale and what I have coupons for, I will base my meals off of what I already have stocked up. This has ended up saving me lots of money!

Ok, now on to the other tricky part! I often sit down to plan our dinners for the week and flip through my cookbook and never know what to make! I remember my mom always seemed to throw stuff together and always knew what would be for dinner...maybe I missed that part of Mommy 101! So my new plan is to cook at least 5 meals a week for a month and every time we find a family winner I'm going to write that one down on an index card complete with recipe and ingredient list so I can rotate our favs throughout the month. So where am I going to find these amazing 20-25 family friendly recipes you may ask?...enter Real Simple! If you have not checked out this website yet, take a break now and check it out here!

Did you check it out?! Did you love it?! I was in love from the tag line..."life made easier, every day"...Umm that's just about perfect don't you think?! That site and magazine has some amazing tips, ideas, and inspirations. I am most in love with their recipe section...love, love, love it!

Here's what we're eating this week...

Monday: Chicken with Parmesan, Garlic, and Herb Crust

Tuesday: Slow-Cooker Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

Wednesday: Slow-Cooker Chipotle Beef Tacos

Thursday: Reubens and Wedge Salad

Friday: Mama's Got The Night Off

           BIRTHDAY PARTY!

The slow cooker recipes really save us in the middle of the week when we're all getting home around 5:00 and you mix in soccer, hockey, coaching, working out, etc. and who has time to cook?! Thank you crock pot! And remember, every mama needs a night off...even if that means frozen pizza or take-out!

Share with us some of your favorite, family approved recipes!

Cheers,