November Meal Plan

I like that in the cooler months my options for foods opens up.  I don't like to use the stove or oven much at all if I can help it in the summertime, so now that it is a lot cooler I have been making a lot more soups and breads and casseroles.  We did surprisingly well with actually sticking to the items on the menu this past month.  There were some things that got skipped over, or had their ingredients reinvented into a completely different dish, but that is something I expect to happen.  I think it is a successful month when I don't have to ask Hey, Babe to stop for takeout or at the store to get something quick for dinner.  Since that didn't happen at all in October we'll call it good and move along.

In the 13 months that we've been planning and shopping for our meals a month at a time, we have only had two months that we didn't buy last minute alternative meals.  The other 11 months weren't so successful, things happened and we got a lot more takeout than I'd like or a lot more runs to the store to get something easier/faster for dinner.  2 out of 13 isn't a great track record, but since even the worst of those months are better than before I started meal planning I am happy overall.  Besides, I started this monthly meal planning idea and then got pregnant.  Trying to stick with a meal plan while dealing with pregnancy craving and aversions is tough.  And then figuring out things to cook with a baby on your hip? Also tricky. 

Here is what we plan on eating for dinner this month:

November
Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thur.	Fri.	Sat.	Sun.
Leftover Minestrone Soup	Pancakes w/Apple Butter	Taco Salad	Pan Fried Tilapia, Green Beans, Rice	Spaghetti & Meatballs	Southwestern Egg Rolls	Company
Oven Fried Chicken, Creamed Spinach, Baked Potatoes	Brazilian Rice and Beans	Chicken Caesar Salad	Chicken Chow Mein over Rice	Pepperoni Pan Pizza	Party	Salmon Salad Sand- wiches
Make Ahead French Toast Casserole, Sausage	White Bean & Ham Soup	Chicken Curry Over Rice	Spanikopita	Sarah's Cabbage Soup	Lassagna w/ Meat Sauce	Salmon Salad Sand- wiches
Chicken Enchiladas	Meatloaf, Broccoli & Carrots, Salad	Chef Salad	THANKS-GIVING!!	Company	General Tso's Chicken	Salmon Salad Sand- wiches
Turkey Soup	Crepes

Again, breakfasts are cold cereal, oatmeal, or eggs.  Lunches are some variation of sandwich or leftovers from dinner.  It occurred to me that as the kids get older, leftovers are going to be harder to come by.  That means that I may actually need to start planning lunches as well.  Hopefully by the time that happens I will be so used to planning dinners that it will be easy to do.