Yesterday morning we sat down, en masse, to discuss our meal plan for the week. I thought it might be fun to include the boys in the process and I requested that they each plan our week's worth of food, as they would like to be fed. Their versions of our meal plan are below, but I assure you we aren't eating quite as they suggested (pasta with corn and roasted carrots?). But, being a democratic family and all, I did take some of their requests into consideration.
We have this weird week going on, in which all of us are out of the house at one point or another on almost every evening, so we're eating light and easy. The pea soup was overlooked last week in order to use up some forlorn-looking kale, so it's back on the plan this week.
In addition to meal planning, I've also been thinking a lot about produce bags, and more specifically re-usable produce bags. Do you use them? If so, which ones did you buy? Or can they be made? I'm thinking they can be, but I'm not quite sure how. I'm tired of all the plastic ones that come home with the groceries and despite the possibilities for reusing them, I would just prefer not to have them at all. Please share any thoughts you have on this.
What are you cooking up this week?
Monday - Avocado, bacon and goat cheese sandwiches (we're all out and on the road so these are to-go)
Tuesday - Pizza Party (Ben's 10th Birthday!)
Wednesday - Minted pea soup with garlic toasts
Thursday - Balsamic and Dijon Salmon with roast potatoes and green beans
Friday - Pasta with veggies and leftover salmon
Jackson's (Age 8) Meal Plan
Monday - Chicken, rice and green beans
Tuesday - Mac and Cheese with peas
Wednesday - (consults his Star Wars cookbook for this day) Hamburgers
Thursday - Grilled cheese with bacon strips
Friday - Homemade pizza with potatoes (multicoloured), sausage, pepperoni and bacon
Ben's (Age 9) Meal Plan
Monday - Roast chicken with peas and baked potato
Tuesday - Rice with corn on the cob
Wednesday - Fish (no sides - just fish)
Thursday - Pasta with corn and roasted carrots
Friday - Homemade Pizza with bacon and potatoes
Wow! I am quite impressed with your little Dudes! You can tell they eat healthy when they come up with a meal plan like that on their own. Good job Mommy!
I do have some reusable grocery bags (that I purchased from the grocery store). My biggest problem is remembering to bring them along!
Posted by: Cheri | 04/19/2010 at 08:30 AM
Love your boys menu plan. So inspiring. I got tired of all the plastic as well and I use reusable produce bags now too. I purchased mine from Grassroots in Toronto.http://www.grassrootsstore.com/reuseablemeshproducebag10pack.aspx
I put them in my reusable grocery bags in my trunk and when I go shopping it's easier to remember them.
Posted by: mamaloves | 04/19/2010 at 09:02 AM
I don't use the bags at all. My veggies roam free in the grocery cart, then I gather them for checkout.
Posted by: Cheryl Arkison | 04/19/2010 at 09:31 AM
I leave my veg loose in the cart - then the cashier always tried to bag it as I'm paying - tres annoying!
Love the boy's meal suggestions - potato pizza sounds delish!
Charlotte xx
http://housewife-chic.blogspot.com
Posted by: Charlotte | 04/19/2010 at 09:38 AM
Im so glad you thought they were choosing healthy options! I forget my reusable bags a lot too. Im trying to get better!
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Posted by: Jan Scott | 04/19/2010 at 09:56 AM
So smart! Probably the easiest option, isnt it?
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Posted by: Jan Scott | 04/19/2010 at 09:57 AM
Love the kids meal planning :):)
Posted by: Nadine Strople | 04/19/2010 at 11:19 AM
I also use the produce bags from Grassroots (someone else mentioned them already above) and I love them. I keep them with the rest of my reusable bags.
Every single time I am at the grocery store someone asks me about them or comments.
I made a commitment to not use any plastic bags from any store all year and these mesh bags have been extremely helpful. I love them!
Tricia
Posted by: The Orchard | 04/19/2010 at 02:32 PM
Thanks! I really am going to have to try out these bags.
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Posted by: Jan Scott | 04/19/2010 at 03:17 PM
Oh, I've been wanting some bags myself. I've even thought of making some... we'll see if that ever happens.
I love their meal plans. SO balanced. Good job mama... you are teaching those boys well! A very happy birthday to Ben!
We're eating up a lot of leftovers here:
Mon: homemade cheeseburger pizza and salad
Tues: leftover salmon in pasta with lemon, garlic, and parsley
Wed: Santa Fe black bean and corn salad
Thurs: veggie cheese roll-up sandwiches
Fri: lemon-chicken-orzo soup
Posted by: kerry | 04/19/2010 at 03:49 PM