I’ve decided I’m definitely a woman ahead of my time. When I started this blog over 3 years ago, I was doing weekly meal plans with grocery lists because it occurred to me that everyone was trying to save time and money. Problem was that my blog was new and I only had a couple readers. Mindy and Bobbi will remember those lists but I don’t think anyone else was reading at the time, ha!
I’m calling on my fellow blogger friends for inspiration each week and putting together a meal plan that will keep your time constraints in mind and watch your budget. Each plan will contain healthy, whole food recipes so you’re in for a treat. I’ll include some tips along the way about food storage, cutting costs and time while still getting your important nutrients. Don’t worry if you don’t have time for a meal plan, you can just get all your needed ingredients delivered to your door by a meal kit company! Check out this MyFoodSubscriptions review on Sun Basket to see if it’s something that will suit you and your family. For those of you who want to do this by yourselves, let’s get started!
MONDAY
Asian Beer Marinated Roast Beef | Food Done Light
If you have time on Sunday and want to be super organized, cook your main protein for the week and the rest of the meals will come together so easily. Plan 2-3 dishes around the protein and you can cut big dollars from your budget. Slice enough pieces of this beautiful roast and freeze in a ziploc bag for Friday’s meal.
Roast beef isn’t just for special occasions and by purchasing a bigger cut you can turn the leftovers from this versatile meat into some very interesting meals.
TUESDAY
Spicy Beef Stir-Fry | Omnivore’s Cookbook
Like this beauty! Use your leftover roast beef to make this scrumptious stir-fry. You’ll be able to throw this meal together in no time with these fresh veggies.
WEDNESDAY
Pan-Asian Shrimp Tacos | Mid-Life Croissant
Let’s carry on with the Asian theme with these delicious shrimp tacos that are on your table in 20 minutes. This delicious, lighter fare is perfect for a busy weeknight before running out the door to chauffeur the kids to their various activities.
THURSDAY
Mushroom and Herbed Ricotta Cannelloni | Whole Food Bellies
Sounds and looks complicated, right? Not so! Used jarred, organic marinara sauce and it will only take you 20 minutes to put this dinner together and then 30 minutes in the oven and you’re good to go. A great dish for any occasion!
FRIDAY
Grilled Steak Sandwich with Chimichurri Sauce | Simply Fresh Dinners
Take your sliced roast beef out of the freezer in the morning and let it thaw in the fridge during the day to make these delicious sandwiches. Friday is the day that we all tend to order pizza but if you’ve got all the ingredients for a healthy alternative handy, you won’t be so tempted. By using leftover roast beef you don’t even have to turn on your oven.
Easy plan, right? Let’s save money and make life easier by planning ahead. I know how many of us spend the day at work asking each other, ‘What are you cooking for dinner tonight?’. Now you’ll know the answer a week in advance. Let’s get started!
Cheers!
18 Comments
Bam's Kitchen
January 9, 2016 at 2:52 amGreat idea to bring your healthy weeknight plans back. Yes, I remember them well. I am all about cook once and eat twice kind of meals. Yesterday I cooked 2 birds in the oven for roasted chicken one night, chicken and sliders the next and maybe if we are lucky we can get a couple of chicken salad wraps out of the birds for school lunches on Monday. I love your grilled steam and chimichurri sauce sammies! These will be a huge hit at our house. Sharing all over!
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Spicy Tomato Mung Bean Noodle Soup
Anita Rivera
January 9, 2016 at 6:28 amDearest Robyn! First of all, it looks as if there is no longer any delay in my typing, the blog is not jumping all about, and I can actually SEE your great photos here! Oh what a great array of ideas and yes, planning is such a powerful tool no matter what the intended outcome (a lesson plan or a weekly menu!)
I hear ya about having started out with a great idea, but only having a few readers. It’s always a great idea to recycle those wonderful posts so that more people can get to them. I must say that you photos here are jut scrumptuous and though we don’t eat read meat, this can be done with TURKEY! That’s our favorite meat….
Well my friend, I hope that the new year is starting off right for you. Enjoy your planning and before we know it, the warmer weather will be here and we can get OUTSIDE to enjoy more photography moments! Much love! Anita
Robyn
January 9, 2016 at 7:15 amHi Anita,
So glad the issue with your computer is resolved for now. Teaming up with my healthy blogger friends is great because between us all we can bring so many wonderful dishes to you. I can’t claim credit for the photography – that belongs to Food Done Light, Omnivore’s Cookbook, Mid-Life Croissant and Whole Food Bellies.
The idea is not new but these plans definitely are and I’m so excited to bring great dishes to ‘the table’ each week!
Thanks so much for hanging in there during the tech issues, sweet friend. Talk this coming week? xoxo
Robyn recently posted…Healthy Weeknight Meal Plan #1
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant
January 9, 2016 at 11:50 amSo much goodness here! Thanks for including my tacos (and now I really want to re-photograph them.) And remake them because they’re really good.
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant recently posted…Saucy Saturdays Blog Hop No26
Robyn
January 16, 2016 at 9:59 amThose tacos are amazing, Christine and shrimp is my most fav food. Can’t wait to explore your blog for more fun dishes to share!
Donna
January 9, 2016 at 11:56 amThis looks like such a lovely week of food, and reminds me I need to sit down and do my meal planning for the week š Those tacos will definitely be making an appearance!
Robyn
January 16, 2016 at 9:57 amLove your pasta dish, Donna! I’m so looking forward to putting more meal plans together. I can’t get over how easy it makes each day and no worries about what to make!
cheri
January 10, 2016 at 8:15 pmHi Robyn, Healthy weeknight meal planning is something I truly need, love this line-up!
cheri recently posted…Brodo a Bone Broth and Seaweed Broth Cookbook
Robyn
January 16, 2016 at 9:55 amThanks, Cheri. I had forgotten how easy it makes my week! Love your suggestion of seaweed broth and I’m going to check it out today!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
January 11, 2016 at 7:10 pmLooks likes a super delicious week!
I need to get back into meal planning– I never make the time anymore, and we end up eating the same super easy things over and over!
Robyn
January 16, 2016 at 9:54 amThat’s why I had to get back to it, Michelle. I had forgotten how much stress it takes away when you spend those few minutes planning š How’s that handsome little pirate of yours?
Maggie
January 12, 2016 at 3:32 pmWhat a delicious week! The Mushroom and Herbed Ricotta Cannelloni looks definitely daunting, and it’s great idea to use pre-made sauce! I’m still very bad at meal planning and we often go fetch the olives and cold cuts whenever we’re feeling lazy. lol
Thanks so much for including my recipe Robyn! I want to try out every single recipe in this post š
Maggie recently posted…Stir Fried Green Beans with Ground Pork (č±č§ēčę«)
Rae
January 12, 2016 at 4:10 pmI’d not thought about eking out roast beef; I usually do that sort of thing with a chicken! Roast beef is normally something I save for treats (or have at my sister’s!)
Guess what I’ll be adding to the shopping list for next week now?!
Robyn
January 12, 2016 at 6:52 pmHi Rae,
Funny how we get into the habit of cooking just chicken, isn’t it? That’s what I love about meal planning. It gets you thinking outside of the box. So glad this was helpful for you!
Robyn recently posted…Tuesday Tidbits No. 45
Mindy
January 13, 2016 at 6:27 pmI have said it before Ms. Robyn, but I am just so proud (as an early cheerleader of yours) to see where this food blogger journey has taken you. From beginner to pro – seriously!
Mindy recently posted…Giving Thanks Friday (Why the chicken crossed the road edition)
Robyn
January 16, 2016 at 9:04 amOh my gosh, Mindy, thank you so much! I really am so appreciative of your encouragement over the years – it’s truly made a difference, friend. I’m loving blogging and looking forward to what the new year will bring š Can’t wait to see where your writing will take you!
GourmetGetaways
January 14, 2016 at 11:24 pmWOW!
You picked some awesome meals to share! I would love to be eating the Beef Stir Fry & Prawns.
Oh and the pasta looks fabulous.
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
GourmetGetaways recently posted…Yummly or Pinterest which is Best?
Robyn
January 16, 2016 at 7:59 amIsn’t it fabulous that there are so many amazing food bloggers out there, Julie? It’s like a big buffet of healthy treats! Thanks for visiting š