After a fun couple of days away, it’s so good to be home!
I’m going to work on my recap today and maybe tomorrow, because there’s a lot to cover. I just didn’t have the energy to do it yesterday!
I got back in to Albany a little before 1pm yesterday afternoon and then decided to hit up Whole Foods to do my grocery shopping for the week. (I knew that if I went home first, there was no way I was heading back out!) And by the time I got home, it was a little before 3pm and I all I wanted to do was spend my entire evening with my babes.
I swear…I’m gone for two days and he turned into even more of a little boy. Just crazy.
Lucky for me, my friend Kanika and I had about a three hour car ride home yesterday, so that gave me plenty of time to do a little meal planning for the week. It doesn’t happen often, as you guys know!
She recently turned me on to a site called Weelicious, and I’m sure some of you have heard of it. But they have some awesome recipes that are good for the whole family, along with some separate recipes for both toddlers and babies. Definitely something I’d recommend checking, for anyone!
So once I got home yesterday, I made a batch of Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf Bites for Lucas to have for the week.
The recipe makes a ton (I got 38 bites) so I put some in the fridge and the rest went into the freezer (Kanika said they freeze awesome and she puts them right into the toaster oven from the freezer and cooks for about 8 minutes on 350 degrees, I believe).
I also cooked up a batch of her Sweet Balsamic Glazed Chicken for Jay and I to have on hand during the week for lunch salads and sandwiches.
As for the rest of the week, here’s a little of what we’re lookin’ at for meals:
Sunday (yesterday): Cheeseburgers with provolone (made with lean ground sirloin and 1/2 a packet of Lipton onion soup/dip mix) and Blackened Green Beans (<—so good!)
Monday: Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole with side salads
Tuesday: Still undecided…having my parents and brother over for dinner!
Wednesday: Crockpot Chicken Chili Verde with brown rice and green beans
Thursday: Apple ‘n’ Bacon Mac & Cheese plus a veggie
Friday: Lightened Up Chicken Pot Pie Soup or grilled chicken pizzas (we’ll see what we feel like by then or how many leftovers we have)
Saturday: Friendsgiving! There’s going to be so. much. good. food.
How about you guys? Any good meals on the agenda for this week? Feel free to share your favorites! I always love new ideas.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I don’t know why, but your hair looks so good in the first two pictures. Not that it doesn’t always look good, but it just looks different for some reason.
I’ll be traveling this week and have a wedding this weekend, so I’m sure lots of good food is in store for me : )
Courtney says
Aww, thanks Stacie! I’m definitely loving the new cut – makes it looks so much “fuller” :)
Torry @ A World Without Wheat says
I love meal planning – it makes my week so much easier once I get home from work. If I don’t have everything ready and gotten from the store we end up eating out – its just not good!
The only thing better then meal planning is the crock pot – best invention ever and I have two meals planned for it this week – salsa chicken and jambalaya!
Courtney says
I totally agree – crockpots are amazing! I need to utilize mine more often :)
Brynn says
Wow, Lucas looks so big! Kids grow up way too fast! This week I’m making a big pot of soup and healthy sloppy joes (per my husband’s request).
Courtney says
That sounds great!!
Erica House says
That second picture of Lucas is the best!
Courtney says
Haha it’s definitely one of my favorites right now :)
Linz @ Itz Linz says
all those recipes look so good – checking them out now! i made a batch of that crockpot lasagna yesterday to have for my lunches this week along with salad!
Courtney says
Crockpot lasagna?! Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That sweet balsamic chicken….looks awesome!
Jasmine @ A cupcake for my thoughts says
My mum and I make a meal plan every week, it really does make things SO much easier and we don’t have any excuse to order takeaway if we have all the ingredients ready!
Oh my gosh that second picture of Lucas is hilarious, my little sister slouches like that on the sofa when she’s watching cartoons and it always cracks me up!!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
He does look so grown up in that picture! Very pensive! Your hair is stunning btw!
Katie @ Live Half Full says
Meal planning keeps me sane! This week I’m sticking to a few easy favorites- here’s my plan for the week! http://www.livehalffullblog.com/2014/11/09/meal-plan-119-1115/
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
I’m in college with no meal plan (and also no kitchen, unfortunately), so the extent of my meal prepping is just washing and chopping veggies like broccoli and cutting fruits like pineapple to have on hand in the fridge.
Your meal plan looks awesome though!
Courtney says
Oh gosh, I remember those days!! Enjoy them! ;)
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
I’m trying to cook as much as possible before the baby gets here and I need to rely more on freezer meals and takeout so I’m going to make a few awesome things like spaghetti squash with shrimp and mexican lasagna. Hopefully he doesn’t decide to come early! I’m checking out Weelicious! Thanks!
Courtney says
Those sound like great freezer meals! Definitely check out the other site though…lots of good stuff on there!
Candice Bement says
Lucas is such a stud! They grow sooo fast! My little guy is a month and I can’t believe how different he looks already!
Your hair looks amazing BTW.
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Yum! I love reading weekly meal plans. This week I made a new recipe for an Eggplant Parmesan Veggie bake. SO easy and quick but still healthy. Recipe coming tomorrow :)
Courtney says
That sounds amazing!! I’ll be on the lookout ;)
cait @pieceofcait says
omg lucas IS turning into such a little boy. I remember seeing my nephew sitting like that.. it blew my mind!!
Debbie says
Aww, he is getting so big! Sounds like you have a yummy week ahead of you :) Happy Monday!
Courtney says
Happy Monday to you too, Debbie!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Lucas is getting so big! You’re going to have to get him into sports before you know it!
I’m excited to hear more about the tour. I would love to attend a blogger event like that; it sounds like so much fun!
Courtney says
Oh my gosh, that is CRAZY to think about!!! It’ll be here before I know it, I’m sure… ;)
Monica says
I always plan to meal plan, and sometimes even buy ingredients, but can never find the time to actually cook anything! I survive on grilled cheese and soup or frozen meals these days. I’m in awe of your efficiency!
Courtney says
Hahaha, oh my gosh Monica, 90% of the time I’m just like you ;)
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
We were on the same wavelength with our meal plan posts today. ;) I’m definitely heading over to check out that Weelicious site!
Courtney says
The site is awesome! Lots of good stuff (and your menu looked pretty delish, too!) ;)
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
oooo ooo can I come over for the mac and cheese ;) That sounds amazing!
Courtney says
C’mon overrrr! ;) (P.S. – It is pretty freakin’ delicious!)
Ashley says
What a great blog Courtney! I came across your blog a few days ago and just saw you blogging about being from Albany! I have been blogging on and off and try to get back into it. I also have a little munchkin and find it a bit tricky with him :) Keep up the great work, and looking forward to checking back in with you soon!
Courtney says
Thanks so much for reading, Ashley! Hope to continue to see you around :)
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Wow! I cannot believe you are having Friendsgiving this Saturday. I have to start getting my act together for Thanksgiving. :-) Can’t wait to hear more about your weekend!
Courtney says
I know, RIGHT?! I feel like November is FLYING by!
Kammie | Sensual Appeal Blog says
Yay meal prep! I love this. Also, you look gorgeous in the pics!
Courtney says
You’re too sweet! Thank you, Kammie :)
Alex @ get big, go to work says
My favorite meal I’ve plannes for this week is homemade chicken and vegetable soup! Homemade chicken broth is so easy and so much more flavor than the packaged brands. I can’t wait to make this in the crockpot this week.
Courtney says
I really need to try making my own broth sometime…I have no doubt that it tastes way better!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I think I need that mac n cheese recipe!
I have to admit, cooking for myself means that I definitely don’t meal plan anymore. If there’s a certain recipe i want to make I’ll get the ingredients for it and plan to cook it one night, but otherwise I just make sure I have a lot of healthy options on hand and try to eat what I can out of the fridge before it goes bad! It means a lot of repeat meals, but I’m ok with that.
Danica @ It's Progression says
After a long break I just got back into meal planning this week. I find that we save money on our grocery bill each month when I do it! Tonight I’m making bean burgers and green beans, one night we’re having chicken spinach enchiladas, and I have a Autumn Apple & Rice Dish (from a cookbook I have) on the plan for Thursday night.
Vasu Manimaran says
We are slowly but surely getting into the habit of meal prepping. Egg muffins and sweet potatoes cooked with coconut oil always make it into the mix. Will definitely check out the Weelicious website!
carrie says
Just wanted to say that I have always loved your blog but here lately I have been loving it even more. Love the mix. Love how today we see your meal plans for the week. Then maybe a fashion post. Then maybe a day in the life. Really seems like after that survey, you made some tweaks. You are rocking it! Thanks Courtney!
Courtney says
Thank you so, so much Carrie! I really did try to take the survey results to heart…and I’m having a fun time with it, too! :)
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Yum! Food this week sounds deeeelish!
And I just love Lucas. We need another Facetime session soon!
Courtney says
Yes! Yes we do :)
Jennifer says
This menu for the next two weeks includes:
Crockpot ham & white beans w/ cornbread
Grilled steak w/ sour cream garlic mashed potatoes & green beans
Loaded Potatoes (chili, cheese, sour cream)
Peanut noodles http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2014/10/peanut-noodles.html
BBQ Pork (crockpot again) w/ baked beans & broccoli
Lasagna (frozen – for the “lazy” night)
Shrimp something….possibly shrimp alfredo. We’ll see how that goes
Brinner!!! – Biscuits, Gravy, & eggs
hmmm…not as many veggies as there “should be”……i just noticed. I blame this cold weather, making me want “cozy” meals.
Courtney @ FitCakes says
Meal prep ahead of time is something I always struggle with – possibly because I am easily distractable… possibly because I tend to eat things I’m making! I’m certain a few of those turkey meatloaf bites would have gone missing. Still, making healthy food ahead for the week is a great idea – every family who wants more, hmm, sanity? in their lives should try to make it a habit!