Today I thought I’d share a little fun family news, show you a picture of my groceries (you know you love looking at my butter), and share how I’m going to try and keep myself from being overwhelmed as I get meals on the table during a busy week.
First, some family news.
Soccer season ends next week!! I love soccer like crazy, but it also does make me crazy, so I’m always relieved when the season comes to an end. I mostly feel this way because Matt is assistant coach for the York College women’s team and he’s been on the road a lot. I look forward to him being home more.
Just as soccer season ends, basketball season begins. This doesn’t add much busyness to my life yet as Justus is driving now and can get Elias and himself to and from practices. My biggest job right now is to make sure they’ve had dinner in time to digest before they leave for practice (and provide a big snack when they get home, obviously).
Here’s a fun picture from YC Homecoming last weekend:
Malachi tried out for our downtown Christmas theater production and got a part!! He is beyond excited and we’re all pretty excited for him. If you’re familiar with The Christmas Story movie, then you can picture Malachi as Flick. And if you’re familiar with Malachi, you know that role fits him perfectly! His practices are every weeknight from now until the shows are live in December.
Matt and I are leading a marriage retreat next weekend out of town, something we are looking forward to very much.
Justus and Elias are heading to a youth rally this weekend, and then to a big concert on Monday. Therefore, they are working double time on school work to get ahead so they can take a couple days off.
Malachi has decided to dress up like his biggest brother Asa for trick-or-treating. (Is that sweet, or is that sweet?) This plan only works if the two of them dress exactly alike for the evening and Asa is the one taking him from door to door. We’re working on coordinating their “costumes” which will likely be some form of athletic wear. I’ll take pictures to share after the big night! We’re blessed that York College opens up the women’s dorm and apartments for all the kids in the community to trick-or-treat. So, since almost everyone on campus knows Asa, and Malachi looks a lot like Asa (and gets called “Little Asa” by several on Asa’s college soccer team) – this should be a lot of fun!
That catches you up on our lives just a little bit. I’d love for you to leave a comment to share about yours!
Let’s talk food
I had plans to take a picture of my most recent trip to Fresh Thyme Market (the store I always visit when I have appointments in Lincoln because it’s my favorite!). When I got home this time, we threw all the groceries in the fridge and headed out to college soccer games. So the next day I cheated. I grabbed out a few items that I’d bought and took a quick picture. This is obviously not everything I bought (because this amount will only last us about a day and a half). But it gives you an idea of some of the fruits and veggies we’ll be eating with our meals next week. And sure enough, there’s a pound of butter.
How I’m Feeding My Family Next Week
This leads me to sharing about how I plan to get everyone fed and out the door to all of our events next week. The Simple Meals program we just rolled out this week? It’s definitely for all of you. But this mama is also relying heavily on all it provides. So I guess I should say, “thank you.” Preparing this each week for you is going to be a huge help to my family and me!
Today I thought I’d show you how I’m using Simple Meals to keep my kitchen life running smoothly.
Every menu plan comes with a page that looks like this:
With this in mind, I’ll look at the calendar to see everything going on so I can plug in the best meals for the best nights.
Here’s a sketch of our calendar for next week:
Sunday – Malachi soccer game in the afternoon, then Bible study at the Mission in the evening; Justus, Elias, and Malachi to youth group
Monday – Justus and Elias at concert; Asa takes Malachi trick-or-treating at the college dorms – eat dinner after
Tuesday – Matt out of town for YC soccer; Bball practice begins for Justus and Elias – leave at 6:30; Malachi play practice 6:30 – eat by 5:30
Wednesday – (Busiest day this week) Laura appointment in Lincoln; Justus full morning with piano and college class; Bible class 6:30, then rush Malachi to play practice right after – eat by 5:30…crock pot night?
Thursday – Bball practice for Justus and Elias – leave at 6:30; Malachi play practice 6:30 – eat by 5:30
Friday – Matt and I leave for marriage retreat, boys make dinner on their own
Saturday – Matt and I arrive home from marriage retreat, boys make dinner to be eaten when we get home
After getting a good feel for all that fills next week…
I printed off the Simple Meals plan for next week and jotted down notes for the nights I plan to use each meal idea:
Well, that was fun!
Want to print off this same menu plan to work with? You’ll find it here. I love how it makes prepping for healthy meals so much easier!
Check out Simple Meals program here. (And really go nuts spreading the word about it so you can earn $10 per referral!)
Chelsea says
I signed up for this and I’m very excited about it. It takes me about 4 hours each time I menu plan and make my list but for .81 per week, you do it for me. It’s a small price to pay for my busy family to eat well thought out, whole foods. I compared prices and recipes to other services before signing up and this was the best fit by far. Thank you!!
Laura says
This makes me so happy! What you described is exactly what I am going for. Hope it is a blessing to you!
Pamela says
I just wondered if you or others include a “starch” with meals more than listed; I’m used to thinking of that as a food category, such as potatoes, rice, couscous, pasta, bulgur, etc. I keep thinking that fruit and veggie alone as sides wouldn’t be filling enough! Probably dating myself, I guess, thinking that way, and certainly fruit is filling. I’m trying to have my husband and I eat more fresh fruit. I’m pretty good on the veggies and I mill my own grains. Thanks for any thoughts!
Laura says
The “Suggested Sides” I’ve listed are to encourage families to be sure and eat plenty of fruits and veggies. You can most definitely add rice or potatoes, etc. to your meals as your family prefers. I do add them to my meals as my teenage boys are active and need healthy carbs! :)
Pamela says
Thanks so much for the reply:)!!
Tera B says
Fall sports end for our three boys this week, too. Last football game on Saturday, which also happens to be my youngest’s birthday. He wanted vanilla cake with vanilla frosting, and vanilla ice cream. I’m not sure how this can be my child with no chocolate, and nothing crunchy in the mix, but I was there, so I know he’s definitely mine! ;) Last bike race of the season on Sunday. And no winter sports this year, yay, so we’re down to Scouts and Wednesday night church stuff after the weekend.
Laura says
No chocolate? Well, I guess vanilla works too. ;) Sounds like a super fun weekend with a little relief in the schedule after. Have a fun one!
April says
It’s my sweet guy’s first Halloween, so we have a big weekend planned. His daycare has a Fall Festival this afternoon (so excited). Tomorrow while hubby is participating in a car show, the kids and I are off to a pumpkin patch and another Fall Festival, followed by lunch out at McAlister’s (kids in costumes eat free :), then home to watch the Irish play Miami. Monday I am going to sit outside with my Little and hand out candy so he can see the kids in their costumes :)
Laura says
Please, please when you go to McAlister’s drink a big glass of tea for me. Their tea is THE BEST. Sounds like you have a super weekend planned!
Julie says
I live close to Fresh Thyme and have yet to go! Their ad looks good but Aldi has kept me pretty stocked with produce.