A month ago, I mentioned in a post that when we were expecting our third child, my husband was working full time while in school full time and I had a two year old and a five year old. I fondly call this time “The Worst School Year of Our Lives,” but one good thing that came out of it (besides his new degree and new job and our new baby) was our Seven Weeks of Meals list.
When I was prepping for those first few crazy weeks of new babyhood, I sat and listed all of the things our family eats pretty regularly and likes. It got me through seven weeks, not counting eating out or at someone’s house, eating leftovers, or eating breakfast for dinner, anything like that.
I recently saw another blog where she listed her family’s four weeks of meals, so I’ve decided to share my list with you as well, in case it can help anyone out with their own meal planning. It’s not a list we stick to like clockwork anymore, and a lot depends on our schedule each week, but we have it if we need it and it certainly helps me when I’m planning our meals and it gives my brain a jog when I’m trying to think of what to make for dinner. We’re also always adding to our list of foods as we try new things or are introduced to new foods.
Here goes:
We are lucky, all our kids like fish.
WEEK ONE:
Monday: Spaghetti and Tuna Sauce
Tuesday: Pork chops with homemade applesauce and rice pilaf
Wednesday: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Thursday: Chicken Marsala with white rice (or pasta)
Friday: Flounder with lemon and dill and baked potatoes or rice
Shepherd's Pie
WEEK TWO:
Monday: Stuffed Shells
Tuesday: BBQ Ribs, cornbread
Wednesday: Shepherd’s Pie
Thursday: Easy Chicken and Wine, baked potatoes
Friday: Baked stuffed fish, white rice
Sweet and Sour Beef Teriyaki
WEEK THREE:
Monday: Lasagna
Tuesday: Hanukkah Beef Brisket
Wednesday: Steak Sandwiches
Thursday: Sweet and Sour Beef over Rice
Friday: Nicoise
Cranberry Chicken is good all year long.
WEEK FOUR:
Monday: American Chopped Suey
Tuesday: Honey Dijon Pork Chops and baked potatoes
Wednesday: Marinated steaks, rice pilaf
Thursday: Cranberry Chicken, white rice
Friday: Crumb topped baked Tilapia, red potatoes
Beef Burgundy, a great one-pan meal
WEEK FIVE:
Monday: Manicotti
Tuesday: BBQ Chicken wings
Wednesday: Beef Burgundy
Thursday: Baked chicken breasts
Friday: Salmon with hollandaise sauce
Homemade "gravy" provides us with enough sauce and meat for eight weeks of meals. We can integrate it into any week's menu as needed.
WEEK SIX:
Monday: Pasta with meatballs and pork
Tuesday: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Wednesday: Quesadillas
Thursday: Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Friday: Pan fried flounder
Great recipe from a friend
WEEK SEVEN:
Monday: Ravioli
Tuesday: Tacos
Wednesday: Arizona Chicken Casserole
Thursday: “Chinese” Beef and Broccoli
Friday: Shrimp Scampi
And so there you have it: seven weeks of meal ideas for you! I hope this can help you in planning your weeks’ of meals. As I said, we have updated our list, and continue to update it as we add or subtract things to or from the list. It’s always fun to try new things and it’s always good to give “old” things a rest for a bit if you find yourself in a rut.
What’s for dinner in your house this week?
The Whole bag of Chips 
Wow! I see a lot of my favorite dinners listed there. All of the old favorites we enjoyed on a regular basis for many years. If you prepare that 7 week meal plan, I could come over for dinner every night.
VJC
You can come over any time you want, you have to bring Mom, and I’ll make whatever your hearts desire. 🙂