How to Make a Menu Plan

Menu planning can be overwhelming to some, but if you start out simple it won't be.  Here are some tips I have learned along the way.

1.  Look through your pantry and freezer and see what you already have on hand.  I freezer cook with a group of friends, so I usually have a stash of ready made meals in my freezer.  I also double recipes and stick one in the freezer for later a lot.

2.  Ask your family what "sounds good" and what they would like for dinner.  Sometimes I get the same responses all the time, but other times I get "we haven't had .... for a long time".  Since it is fall, we eat a lot more stews, soups and crock pot meals.  In the summer we grill out more, so marinated meats are better.

3.  Try something new.  I try to attempt a new recipe once or twice a month.  If I have planned for it then I know I will have the ingredients on hand.

4.  Checkout the grocery ads.  See what is in season or on sale.  I stock up on things and put them in the freezer too. 

5.  I also try to balance meats.  A couple beef, a couple chicken, a pork, a meatless etc. 

I have found that having a menu helps me so much in a few different ways. 
      I go to the grocery less, because I have the meals planned out. 
      I am less stressed about dinner in the evening.
      The kids complain less, because they are helping in the planning, and they know they will get their "favorite" soon, if it isn't today.
      It reminds me of how grateful I am that I can feed my family and buy food for a week or more at a time.  A lot of moms around the world can't say that. 

Don't be a slave to your menu. Mine is just a guideline. We don't always eat what it says on a certain day. A lot depends on our schedule. I was at the grocery last night and found a cut of meat on clearance for the crock pot, so it needed to be used up soon. So that is what we are having tonight instead of spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs are in the freezer, so it can wait.

I also like to have a list of available meals on the side of my fridge, so I don't forget and let something go to waste.  Luckily I have a big freezer and can store a lot of extras.

Monday Menus

Monday
Pulled Pork Sandwiches(freezer meal)
Leftover potato soup
apples

Tuesday
Chicken Parmesan
salad
applesauce

Wednesday
Spaghetti and meatballs
breadsticks

Thursday
Chili in crockpot
fritos
cheese

Friday- Homecoming game
Pizza

Haiti Elliotts: Medical Team Video

Haiti Elliotts: Medical Team Video: This is a video from a medical team from Genesis Church in Noblesville, IN that recently served here at NVM for a week. Watch it! But beware...

Here is a glimpse at what we will be doing in 2 weeks. Can't wait, but scared to death!

Gifts

"God’s will for my life will often be found at the intersection of someone’s need and my ability"-Shaun Groves


This is just a simple reminder to me that I can't, and God doesn't want me to try, to do everything!  We all have different gifts and talents and God uses each one in a special way, for His purpose!

Owlhaven has a great article about this today!

15 days and counting......... boy do I have a lot to do yet!

Menu Monday

Monday
Keilbasa with black beans
apples

Tuesday
Orange Chicken
Rice
broccoli

Wednesday
Chili in the crockpot
fritos
cheese

Thursday
Ham and cheese quiche
apples, raspberries

Friday
Andrews Birthday!
Papa Johns Pizza
Oreo cookie dessert

Saturday
Potato Soup
fruit

Sunday
Stromboli- new recipe I tried over the weekend.  Everyone liked it.

Yummy Morning

Our small group met today, always one of my favorites.  We had brunch, so yummmy!
This is what I brought for breakfast- super yummy! Super fattening, lets not talk about that though.
Pumpkin Pancakes with Caramel syrup

1 cup  Flour


2 teaspoons Baking Powder

½ teaspoons Salt

1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

½ teaspoons Ground Nutmeg

¼ teaspoons Ground Allspice

⅛ teaspoons Ground Cloves, Scant

2 whole Eggs

1 cup Buttermilk( I add vinegar to milk)

3 Tablespoons Applesauce Or Vegetable Oil

1 Tablespoon Honey

½ cups Pumpkin Puree

1 cup mini chocolate chips

 1. Preheat skillet until water drops sizzle and disappear, or 350ºF on an electric skillet. In a batter bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Whisk together.


2. Add eggs, buttermilk, applesauce, honey and pumpkin puree. Whisk together until combined. Do not overbeat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk if the batter is very, very thick.

3. Pour batter onto the skillet and flip when small bubbles form on top. Cook another 3 minutes or so until the other side is golden brown. Do not take off the griddle too early—these  pancakes tend to take longer to cook than regular pancakes, but watch them they burn easy.
I doubled this recipe for our family.


Caramel Syrup
1 cup Butter
1 cup brown sugar
4 T corn syrup
2T rum(optional) I didn't use.

Boil 1 minute.


 
Not the greatest picture, but oh so yummy!

22 days and counting....

photo courtesy of Ecosalon
Joe and I will be leaving for a week long trip to Haiti in just a short 22 days!  I am both scared and excited.


Worried about how the kids will do with Grandparents and our hectic schedule! 


Worried about doing, seeing, feeling the unknown.  I have never done medical care in a 4th world country, how will I know what to do?  Will I be able to do it?  Will I be able to tell women "NO" when they offer me their babies, since they can't take care of them?  I want to take them all home in my suitcases.


Worried about the oppressive heat.  I like me some A/C.  Hopefully there will be some working somewhere while we are there.


Worried about forgetting something, getting sick or injured, getting lost.  These are the things that run through my mind at 4am. 
Why 4 am?  I have no idea, but that is when God wakes me and reminds to pray and give it all to Him- the one who can handle it all.
1 Peter 5:7
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."


Ahhh... that feels so much better :)


*If you would be so gracious to join us in prayer for our trip, we would be forever grateful.*

**If you would like to donate to our mission fund, please let us know.**
photo courtesy of nzpost