A Meal Planning Tool That Actually Works

Photo Credit

Over the years I have tried numerous meal planning tools and strategies.  I tend to cook more when I can plan ahead for my meals and shopping lists but it never fails SOMEONE would complain about what we were having for dinner.  Well, that would leave me irritated and at the point of saying I'm never going to cook again. :)  I know I'm not alone here.....right?  We've all threatened it, I know.

I decided there HAD to be a better way so after some brainstorming, I implemented our new meal planning tool:  it is so simple, I didn't even need to draw you a picture.

Each week, one person decides what we will be having for dinner for that particular week.  This means one week out of every month, each person will get to have their favorite foods.  Plus, they have to do the leg work of coming up with the dinner ideas once a month; sometimes I feel like that is the hardest part.

So far, this method has been wonderful for our family!  It gets everyone involved with dinnertime (at least once a week) and takes a load off of my hands.

What about you?  Do you meal plan?  Do you wing it?  What works for you?? 

Lunchbox Freezer Cooking

One of the easiest ways to prepare lunch for the kiddies is by doing all the work BEFORE the wee hours of the morning.  I've been preparing large batches of their favorite meal (recipe here), then divvying it up into smaller portions and freezing it.

When morning comes and the sun is rising, I just pop the container of yummy goodness in the microwave to heat, throw it in their Thermos (which I have found there IS no substitute for the real Thermos brand thermos) and off they go to school with a hot, yummy lunch they will actually eat.  

I have also used this method with Crock Pot Mac & Cheese and hope to try it with several other recipes as well.

What do you do to make your mornings and lunch preparation run smoothly?? 

This post was shared with: 

Child Like Faith

On my way to work this morning, I noticed the sun shining through the clouds and it brought a smile to my face as I thought back to when "The Boy" was just a toddler.  Any time we were driving down the road and he'd see the rays of sun shining through the clouds, he'd say, "Look, mommy, it's God's power.".

Even typing this causes me to smile because I can hear his sweet little voice so full of faith that God's power was shining down on us that day.

Then, there was the time, again we were riding down the road and he said, "MOM, look!  It's Jesus!"  He kept insisting that he saw Jesus' face in our window that day.  He believed it without a shadow of a doubt - it didn't make sense that Jesus' face would be on our window but he still believed (and so did I).

Those are sweet memories of my son and his faith as a toddler but more than just memories that warm my heart, they are an inspiration to me today as I think back to those moments.  

It inspires me to remember that even though I don't always understand, I can still choose to believe that I can see the face of Jesus ~ even on my car window.  And that no matter what is going on around me, even when the clouds are surrounding - that God's power DOES shine down on my every day!  

If only we could all have child like faith!

"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  Luke 18:17

Open Letter to Saturday's Waitress

Dear Saturday Night Waitress,

It isn't often that my husband and I get to enjoy time out alone together.  Saturday was a breath of fresh air as we got to enjoy each others company without interruptions, well, that was until we sat down to dinner.

We immediately felt the judgment from you as we ordered water and one entree to split, so much that we joked about it as you left the table; that is the kind of family we are, we try to make light of every situation.  Unfortunately, after being rushed to finish our meal, offered dessert before we ever took the 1st bite of our entree and then brought our check shortly thereafter, the situation was a little harder to ignore.  Then, you trying to charge us for something "extra" on our bill was the icing on the cake.  Although, we smiled and tried to make small talk with you, we felt as though we were a thorn in your side and that you wanted us OUT as soon as possible. 

But, there's something that I want you to know about us, we order water because it is GOOD for us ~ much better than teas and sodas.  Yes, it is free in most restaurants but if you were a guest in our home, you'd be served water or milk, because that is what we drink.  And we split an entree because portions are HUGE these days, and well, you even mentioned it yourself - I have a hard time even eating my half of a split entree.  So, see, we don't split a meal to be "cheap" or not to give you the tip you deserve - it is because that is what works best for our family.

I realize that waitressing is hard and many times you don't receive the tip you deserve.  We could tell that you were concerned about your tip from the very beginning .... and we realize that 20% of 1 entree is much different than 20% of 2 entrees ~ which is why we ALWAYS go over and beyond on our tips because we don't want our waitresses to be short changed.

I'll be honest, we did have the discussion on whether or not to even leave you a tip ~ that was definitely the flesh talking in us, but it is true.  The enjoyment of a meal out together was lessened because of the badgering we experienced to "finish" and get out of there.

But, here is something else you don't know about us ~ we forgive you and we are praying for you.  We realize that we all at times in our lives judge a book by its cover ~ no one is throwing stones at you.  We are praying that you experience such an increase in your tips that you are blown away by the goodness of God.  We pray that God showers you with His love so much that it overflows into the people you serve.  We pray that you are used as a LIGHT into this world and that you are used to increase the joy people experience as they have a meal together. 

With love in Christ,
~Our Family~

PS ~ You work in our favorite restaurant - so it is certain we will see you again ~ and you never know - we might just request your section!  :)