Are you ready to start another week? One way I prepare my mind for the week is to plan out our meals. It doesn't always go as planned, but it does help me focus.

Do you struggle to menu plan? It helps to have a list of "go-to" meals, meals that are easy, yet everyone in the house loves. It helps if those meals are healthy, too. Of course, if you have picky folks in the house, or children whose tastes seem to shift from week to week (my eldest daughter, for example), then the task becomes harder...but not impossible. My strategy: always have at least one healthy item on the plate that you know your picky one will eat. Fruit is a good bet in my house. Then, have a "thank you bite" policy. Everyone has to take a bite (or 2, or 3). No one can reject a dish without trying it. After that, anyone can  reject the dish. However, no dessert will be offered for those who do not eat an acceptable amount of food on their plates.My philosophy is that I have spent time to make the dish (or someone else has). It is only polite to try the dish. This will help your child handle meals in social situations, too--maybe you will avoid embarrassing temper tantrums at someone else's house.

Anyway, here's the plan for this week:

Monday:  Tacos with hidden veggies, fruit

Tuesday: It's a fundraiser night for Lil Bit's school at Chick-Fil-A and open house night, so we'll be doing a rare weeknight dinner out.
Wednesday: Spaghetti with   Dressed Up Sauce
Thursday: Hidden Veggie Nachos (using leftovers), Honey Spiced Applesauce


Friday: Breakfast for Dinner, Fruit


Saturday: Dinner with friends. We're contributing Baked Beans

Sunday: Italian Chicken Rollup, Salad


What are you eating this week?