Meal Plan Monday - March 5, 2012

Pin It This time of year always leaves me feeling a bit drab.  I guess the cold of winter and the lack of sunshine starts to get to me.  But things are looking up.  The promise of spring is just over the horizon, and warmer days are near at hand.  I've even seen some crocuses peaking their purple heads up around the neighborhood.  In an effort to bring spring along a bit quicker, I took a little time this week to take care of myself.  My husband came home a bit early one afternoon and I went out and got my hair cut, then found a few brightly colored, cheerful shirts for myself on the clearance rack.  So you ask, "Did it work?  Do you feel less drab and more cheerful?"  My answer:  I'm not sure.  I definately look less drab, but I'm not sure if I feel more cheerful.  Sometimes we can dress up the outside and it improves our mood, but the feelings of life ebb and flow and I'm okay with that.  I know the Lord is my strength and my song, even if I don't feel like singing today.  So I'll go ahead and "do the next thing" (which happens to be meal planning) even if I don't feel like it, and the spring in my step will return (probably sooner than later).  Aren't you glad that life isn't dependent on our feelings.

MONDAY - Seasoned Ground Beef and Rice.  This is just my fancy name for the filling for stuffed peppers minus the peppers.

Gina Chicken with Red Bell Peppers
and Mushrooms over Rice

TUESDAY - Salad Dressing Chicken and Rice 

WEDNESDAY - Gina Chicken  Upon the recommendation of a friend, I'm going to switch out the peppers and mushrooms in favor of broccoli and cashews.  This should put a fresh face on an old favorite.

THURSDAY - Pioneer Woman's Ranch Style Chicken  This will be a new one for me, but it promises to be flavorful so I'm gonna try it.  I don't think the recipe will suffer much from omitting the cheese topping.

FRIDAY - Spaghetti and Meatballs  I'll be heading out in the early evening to an outgrown children's clothing sale (hoping to clothe my three kids for the summer for $100 or less) so dinner needs to be quick and simple.

SATURDAY - We'll be dining at my daughter's Girls Group fundraiser dinner.  I'm so fortunate that her Girls Group leaders are thoughtful of food allergies and always try to have good options for my daughter and the other few who deal with restricted diets.

SUNDAY - Hamburgers.  Even though the weather isn't exactly grill-worthy, I've got a hankering for a good burger.  If my hubby is up for grilling, great!  Otherwise, we'll do these on the stove.

For more ideas, check I'm an Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday and the Gluten Free Menu Swap at Celiac Family.