Weekly Meal Plan

I have spring fever. Or something. Spring craving? I find it easier to get through the winter because it’s winter and I know what to expect from it, than I do from these days of will it feel like spring? Will winter have an encore? Sigh.

All I know is, I’m yearning for some days sitting in the backyard, sipping an iced tea (or my new favorite, a Peach Chipotle Lemonade from Willams), and listening to the birds sing. Sigh again.

Ack! Anyone else feeling this way? Well, rather than sitting around whining about the wait for spring, I’m going to get proactive about it. These ideas for hygge in spring are a great place to start. What are your ideas for bridging that gap from winter until spring actually hits?

YOUR GUIDE TO THE MEALS IN MY MENU PLANS:

FF = FREEZER FRIENDLY

SC = SLOW COOKER

MF = MEAT FREE

PLO = PLANNED LEFTOVERS

MA – MAKE AHEAD

BBQ – GRILLED FOOD

Fridays are now ALWAYS going to be meat-free until Easter. I’m also planning extra simple meals on Saturdays and Sundays so that we truly can take a Sabbath and spend some time focusing on family and fun!

This Week’s Meals

You will find that most of these meals are under $10 based on prices (sale prices where possible) in London, Ontario, Canada. We are feeding a family of 4 – 3 adults and 1 toddler, all with healthy appetites. We generally have some leftovers from our meals and if these aren’t being used as part of another meal, they are used for lunches throughout the week.

Prices are based mostly on those at No Frills and FreshCo, the two grocery stores we frequent most often. Ground chicken, and ground pork are on sale at FreshCo as are whole ducks so we’re stocking up there. Asparagus is on for a really good price but I’m holding out for the local stuff. Cucumbers, zucchini, and red sweet peppers are available at a great deal as well, so those will be featured as side dishes and snacks this week.

This Week’s Deals:

FreshCo has chicken thighs and drumsticks on sale for $1.99 lb so we are stocking up on those! Other good deals at FreshCo include: eggs for $2.99, 1.2 kg of chicken wings for $5.99, Oktoberfest Sausages for $3.99 for a 5 pack. Bacon is $2.97 lb, salad mix is $1.47, chicken pies and Tourtieres are $4.97, 500g cheese bars are $3.77, boneless pork chops are $3.97 lb, ground beef is $3.97 lb, and boneless skinless chicken thighs are $4.97 lb at No Frills.

Lately, Food Basics, Giant Tiger, and Shoppers Drug Mart have had a few good deals and they are very close to our home too. So I am always sure to check them as well. Note: at this time of year, we are mostly using frozen vegetables as they tend to be better quality and have more nutrients than fresh.

Monday –

Roast chicken (save leftovers for Wednesday) with potatoes, carrots, and onions.

Tuesday –

Meatloaf (we make mini ones in muffin tins), egg noodles, broccoli, corn

Wednesday –

Pulled chicken sandwiches (PLO), coleslaw, fruit salad

Thursday –

Zesty pork chops with rice, green beans, cauliflower

Friday –

Neapolitan layered pasta casserole (MF), tossed green salad, garlic bread

Saturday –

Korean beef (SC) in lettuce wraps, quick pickled radishes, edamame

Sunday –

Beer can chicken, potato salad, carrots, spinach

Breakfasts and Lunches

Leftovers

Canned soups. Frozen soups and chili.

Eggs

Pancakes or waffles (we always have mix on hand)

Oatmeal

Cold cereal

Yogurt and bran cereal parfaits

Toast with jam and goat cheese or peanut butter

Sandwiches – lunch meat or chicken or cheese or cucumber and onions, selection depending on what’s on hand and on sale that week. This week we are having some egg salad wraps since both eggs and tortillas were on sale.

Salads – chef’s salad with hard boiled eggs, ham, and cheese added, Waldorf salad, Cobb salad