https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:14:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1352901 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:00:49 +0000 fussygal 1352901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maybebaby: I actually forgot that I made the salad, too. I had it for lunch for a few days (DH won't touch brussels sprouts!) and it was sooo good. I added in some dried cranberries, too. Yum! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1352895 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:59:57 +0000 fussygal 1352895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsH: Oh so glad you liked it! I haven't made it in a while and should probably do it soon :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1352701 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:27:04 +0000 MrsH 1352701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fussygal: made that one pot past last night and it was soo yummy! Thanks for the recipe! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1327395 Wed, 08 Jan 2014 08:01:46 +0000 looch 1327395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How's everyone doing with their plans vs actual so far?</p> <p>I am SHOCKED that we're actually sticking to our plan and I have the ingredients for the next dinners in the house, which is usually one of my biggest challenges.</p> <p>The only thing I forgot to do was to get the ingredients together for the no knead bread, which is a bummer, because tonight we are supposed to have grilled panini! Oh well, I have some bread in the freezer we can use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1312900 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 09:47:16 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1312900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: It was the same reasons for us. I like to cook and DH is enjoying learning how to cook more. It's also fun to just be in the kitchen together. I'm not much of a crock pot person either (unless it is meatballs or queso for football sunday).<br /> We also wanted to broaden our palates and learn how to cook different food because we would fall in the rut of making the same foods over and over again.<br /> The savings in wasted food more than covers the fee for the meal plan and I like how it is a small start-up business run by a woman, her husband, and 5 or 6 other employees.<br /> If you want to wall me, I can send you a example week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1312878 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 09:41:12 +0000 looch 1312878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TemperanceBrennan: Thanks for the reply! I have to admit, it appeals to me on the knowing what to eat and no waste fronts.</p> <p>Cooking isn't a huge deal for me, it's knowing what to buy at the store, then organizing the prep work. I hate to admit this, but I am not a big fan of the crockpot for things other than pulled pork or soup (saucy meat doesn't appeal to me, I have to force it down) and I feel like the weeknight meals have potential to fall into canned soup territory (which is fine once in a while, YKWIM).</p> <p>I am going to look more into the service, so thanks again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1312836 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 09:34:04 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1312836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch:<br /> It's called The Fresh 20. <a href="http://www.thefresh20.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.thefresh20.com/</a><br /> It's $5/month, less if you buy a year at a time, and they offer half off on Black Friday (when I joined in 2012). You get a log-in to their page and print PDFs of the meal plans each week. </p> <p>The idea is that you only have to buy 20 fresh ingredients each week and you use up almost everything you purchase. There is also a list of "pantry staples" like spices, whole wheat flour, olive oil, that aren't counted in the 20 ingredients for the week. </p> <p>It focuses on mostly clean eating and no pre-packaged foods. The meals are really balanced and she lists the nutrition information for everything. </p> <p>There two different meal plans to choose from: classic (what I have), and vegetarian (with vegan modification suggestions) The classic usually has four meat-centered meals and one veggie meal per week. They also have 16-week one time purchase plans for dairy-free, gluten-free, and kosher.</p> <p>She adds a "prep guide" so if you have time before the week to prep food (chop veggies, make marinades, etc) it makes cooking dinner faster. On average, meals take us about 30-40 minutes to make. She purposefully plans faster meals on certain days of the week, so you can change around the schedule based on your needs. </p> <p>I would say 90% of the meals we make are fantastic and we've never had a bad meal. </p> <p>Sorry to go on and on, I just really love that we don't have to think about what to make for dinner anymore. I don't work for them or anything, just a happy customer. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1312774 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 09:15:01 +0000 autumnlove 1312774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: We ate noodle bowls for lunch! I forgot the bok choy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1312757 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 09:10:10 +0000 looch 1312757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TemperanceBrennan: can you tell me more about this meal planning service that you're using? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1311477 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 11:13:35 +0000 Bao 1311477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love this thread! Making it a goal to get better at meal planning healthy meals. Easy usually wins though, need to work on that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1311348 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 08:44:36 +0000 maybebaby 1311348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fussygal: YES! Seriously, I am obsessed with it and every time I bring it to a party people ask for the recipe. Let me know if you make it! <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Kale-Brussels-Sprout-Salad-368295" rel="nofollow">http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Kale-Brussels-Sprout-Salad-368295</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1311324 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 07:20:15 +0000 looch 1311324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: I actually can do up to 6 weeks in advance, I have a "system" I devised when I was still on maternity leave. The only reason why I don't use that system now is because it involves a 6 week rolling plan that changes the main category every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1311116 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 21:48:19 +0000 Ra 1311116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also do a weekly plan:</p> <p>Monday: Crispy onion chicken with zucchini and squash<br /> Tuesday (NYE): Shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, seared scallops, mashed potatoes, and asparagus<br /> Wednesday: Chicken &amp; brown rice with broccoli<br /> Thursday: Turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and broccoli<br /> Friday: Going out to eat<br /> Saturday: Spaghetti<br /> Sunday: Pot roast </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1311106 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 21:38:16 +0000 MrsADS 1311106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually do 1 week at a time!</p> <p>Tonight (NYE): beef stew with sweet potatoes in the crock pot<br /> 1/1: crock pot balsamic chicken, sweet potatoes (gotta use 'em up)<br /> 1/2: cheese tortellini soup with spinach and Italian sausage (using frozen tortellini and precooked light sausage)<br /> 1/3 Fri: probably take out (this is usually our take out night)<br /> 1/4: red beans and rice with sausage (crock pot!)<br /> 1/5: Italian oven baked chicken<br /> Mon 1/6: leftovers from the weekend (back to work!)</p> <p>... gotta plan for next week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1310712 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 16:16:22 +0000 MrsH 1310712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fussygal: that looks awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1310634 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 15:51:10 +0000 fussygal 1310634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: The flavors meld together so well - YUM! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1310581 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 15:35:10 +0000 autumnlove 1310581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fussygal: my LO loves one pot pasta! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1310575 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 15:33:14 +0000 Grace 1310575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Wow! That's amazing! I've only been able to plan a week in advance....which I haven't done since last December. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1310535 Tue, 31 Dec 2013 15:17:16 +0000 doodlepoodle 1310535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My goal tomorrow is to meal plan for the month! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308812 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 20:11:11 +0000 knittylady 1308812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is seriously inspiring! I may have to try this out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308804 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 20:06:31 +0000 fussygal 1308804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: It's so yummy and easy. Anything that only dirties one pot is A-OK in my book! :) <a href="http://camillestyles.com/food-2/in-the-kitchen-with-lisa-thiele/" rel="nofollow">http://camillestyles.com/food-2/in-the-kitchen-with-lisa-thiele/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308564 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 17:57:47 +0000 FaithFertility 1308564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fussygal: one pot pasta?? I am curious :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308560 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 17:55:12 +0000 FaithFertility 1308560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only plan for a week at time as well: </p> <p>M-Flank steak with garlic potatoes and Brussels sprouts<br /> T-Chicken Pot Pie<br /> W- Out to dinner we do this every year on New Yeats<br /> day!<br /> TH-Spaghetti with vodka sauce and turkey meatballs<br /> F-Chicken Caesar Salad<br /> S-Eggplant roast with rice<br /> S-TBD MIL's birthday :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308536 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 17:39:46 +0000 fussygal 1308536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maybebaby: Ohhh! Do you have the kale and brussels sprouts recipe? That sound amazing!</p> <p>We only plan a week out at a time, so here's this week's plan:</p> <p>M - Homemade pizza<br /> T - Going to SILs for NYE<br /> W - Chicken lentil soup<br /> T - Black bean and butternut squash enchiladas<br /> F - Eat out<br /> S - Pork chops, tater tots, broccoli<br /> S - One pot pasta with ground turkey </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308123 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 13:44:09 +0000 autumnlove 1308123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: It sounds really good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308100 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 13:35:31 +0000 looch 1308100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: I have to be, with this ridic schedule. If I don't meal plan, we eat crap!</p> <p>For the noodle bowls, I typically do brothy. I use home made chicken stock, cook udon or soba noodles in them, with a few baby bok choy, sliced scallions and some kind of protein (I like pork a lot). Sometimes I season with just Hoisin sauce, which I know is the equivalent of ketchup but I don't have a good Asian supermarket very close to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308021 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 13:11:49 +0000 autumnlove 1308021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: you are on it! Tell me more about your noodle bowls? Brothy? Meat? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1308019 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 13:11:43 +0000 maybebaby 1308019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>M - Chicken and wild rice stew, salad (slow cooker)<br /> T - Going to friend's house for NYE, bringing a kale Brussels sprouts salad (it is REALLY good!) and a dessert<br /> W - Salmon, Israeli cous cous with carrots and roasted kale chips<br /> Th - BBQ pulled pork, sandwiches and baked beans (both slow cooker) and roasted broccoli<br /> F - Quinoa cakes, roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots<br /> S - DH and I are leaving LO (7 months) for the first time overnight while we stay in a B&amp;B-romantic dinner out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1307988 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 13:03:56 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1307988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use a meal plan service and the meal plan comes out weekly (the Friday before the week). I also have access to two years' archives, so if the particular week doesn't appeal to me, I can flip back and see what was planned a year or two ago. We usually eat leftovers for lunch the next day. </p> <p>This weeks:<br /> M - Foil wrapped chicken and veggies with rice<br /> T - Mexican Shrimp with bean salsa<br /> W - Sausage Radish Bake with sweet potatoes<br /> Th - Chicken Broccoli with soft noodles<br /> F - Mushroom Chili </p> <p>The estimated cost for this week's dinners is $76.50 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-january-2014#post-1307912 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 12:41:52 +0000 septca 1307912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tend to shop and meal plan in two-week batches, and rely a lot on leftovers. I don't decide ahead of time which night I make which - it all depends on what happens during the day and how much I feel like cooking when I get home. Here goes:</p> <p>Vegetarian chili + cornbread (made 6 servings last night and will eat for lunch a few times this week)</p> <p>Lemon pasta with sausage and arugula</p> <p>Chicken picatta with wild rice and salad</p> <p>Whole roast chicken with salad/vegetable and rice pilaf</p> <p>Arugula salads with leftover chicken, shaved parmesan, and cranberries</p> <p>Homemade pizza or calzones with sausage, red bell pepper, and spinach</p> <p>Chicken fajitas (uses leftover ingredients from the chili) </p>