What a comforting routine now lost in modern times: getting back in the saddle. I imagine that when horses were more than pretty play toys with plastic manes and sparkly eyes, the old creak of the saddle leather, burnished smooth and supple from use, was the very definition of comfort resulting from routine. Somehow, settling into the seat of my trusty stead, ye olde Honda Accord, doesn’t carry quite the same connotations.
All the same, I like the comfort of my other old saddles, my daily routines.
As lovely as the holidays are with the undercurrent of happy stress humming along with the 24/7 holiday jingles on the radio, isn’t there something nice about getting back to normal come January?
Normal returns this week with one of my favorite time- and stress-saving routines: planning the week’s meals well in advance of the “What should we have for dinner tonight?” last-minute crisis.
Monday
(A family favorite that makes frequent appearances in our meal rotation. A company-pleaser every time!)
Tuesday
Wild-Caught Salmon with Caramelized Leeks and Roasted Brussel Sprouts
(I just dare you to turn your nose up at these brussel sprouts. These ain’t your momma’s soggy green orbs!)
Wednesday
Breakfast for dinner: Eggs in a Nest
Thursday
Butternut Squash and Cannelini Bean Soup
(A lovely savory variation on the more typical sweet and smooth butternut squash soup recipes)
Friday
Chicken Mole with Nourishing Tradition’s Butternut Squash Puree
Saturday
Dinner with friends at Tamari
Sunday
Salmon Cakes with Sweet Potato Fries
For a PDF of the meal-planning worksheet that I’ve adapted for my purposes, click here. I plan on a two-week cycle, which helps minimize the number of trips I make to the grocery store. By which I mean I minimize the number of times I cinch the cart’s tattered seat belt around a two-year-old who is attempting to liberate a box of yogurt-covered raisins from the very top shelf while inadvertently dumping a can of diced tomatoes into the back of the cart on top of my eggs. Who wouldn’t want to avoid that scenario if possible?
Great looking menu! That lasagna soup sounds divine!
We had Eggs in a Nest last night for dinner. Got a stamp of approval from everyone, including the 4- and 1-year old daughters! Yum.
Your menu looks really good. We would love your Eggs In A Nest. Thank you for sharing, I would love to have you visit Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week!
I love your menu plans! All of the recipes in your last menu post have been added to our regular rotation. I can’t wait to try each of these as well!
Okay I could just copy and paste your menu. Eggs in a nest could be heuvos rancheros though. We do a carmelized leak, brussel sprouts with pancetta…. divine!! Actually roasted any way brussel sprouts are good, much better than steamed that we were raised on.
Try keeping tabs on a frisky five-year-old and a newbie walker who is too much of a wiggle worm to stay in the cart! This weekend I only had Little Sister to contend with at the store and she fell asleep in the car on the way home.
Making a meal plan is still on my imaginary to-do list!
They might not be your momma’s soggy green orbs, BUT they
ARE your momma’s brussel sprouts! : ).
p.s.–thanks for the great recipes.
Sounds as though you are a wonderful cook, just your Mom! Her rolls were always the best! Do you make them, too?
The rolls’ legacy lives on in my kitchen! I still can’t coax perfection out of them quite like my mom can, but in some batches I come close. They continue to be a favorite of every guest around our table!
My boys love lasagna soup! Have a great weekend! ~Liz
I included this yummy lasagna soup in my meal plan this week (made it a couple weeks ago and froze enough for 3 nights). Thanks!
http://makeithappenmama.blogspot.com/2011/02/meal-planning-february-7.html