Im a total geek when it comes to lists. I have lists for everything everywhere, on my desk ( in the form of post-it notes), on my “post-its” on my computer, on the refrigerator, and an infinite list of stuff on my phone. And most of my scribble scrabble means absolutely nothing to anyone but me. But that’s ok. I’ll deal.
I’ve actually been eyeing this planner from Erin Condren for a while. I think it would be perfect to organize my blog, work stuff, meal plans, and dates with the gym.
In my book making your grocery list and your meal plan is step 1 to a new healthier you. So for the first time I will post what Jake and I eat every week to maybe help out some of you who struggle with putting it together.
I usually make my meal plan first then the grocery list. And I usually base my meal plan on what I already have on hand so we save money at the store.
I like to make the vegetables in my meals the star of the show, and then add lean protein, complex carbs, and some fruit to the mix. I also like to balance out my proteins so it doesn’t get boring. Like having tilapia 3 nights in a row… bleh.
The real everyday challenge is to drink at least 70 oz of water! HYDRATE PEOPLE! You will honestly feel better! I didn’t realize how sluggish I was or how dehydrated I was until I started tracking my water intake. I was MAYBE getting 48oz of water per day. To make it easy to track, I bring a water bottle to work and times the number on the bottle by how much I want to drink for the day. So, for this 16oz bottle I need to fill it up at least 5 times throughout the day to meet my quota. It also helps that it’s colorful and cute.
Here is a look at this week’s meal plan:
Monday:
Breakfast: 1 serving of Sausage and Veggie Egg Bake
Snack: 1 piece of fruit (apple or banana)
Lunch: Grilled chicken salad (here is a pic of the one I usually eat on my Instagram)
Snack: Larabar or 2 tbs hummus and celery and bell pepper sticks
Dinner: Crockpot Very Veggie Minestrone Soup (coming to the blog this week!)
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Chocolate “Proats” ( ½ cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of water microwave for 2 minutes then add 1 scoop of chocolate or vanilla protein powder) topped with berries
Snack: 5 oz plain nonfat Greek yogurt with 1 teaspoon honey and some cinnamon
Lunch: Very Veggie Minestrone Soup
Snack: ¼ cup of unsalted mixed nuts
Dinner: Spaghetti Squash Carbonara ( coming soon!) with 4 ozgrilled chicken
Wednesday:
Breakfast:1 serving of Sausage and Veggie Egg Bake
Snack: 1 piece of fruit ( apple or banana)
Lunch: 1 veggie burger ( I like Gardein) and 1 cup steamed broccoli
Snack: Larabar
Dinner: Spicy Guac Turkey Burger with sweet potato fries
Thursday:
Breakfast: Chocolate “Proats”
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Very Veggie Minestrone Soup
Snack: 1 unsalted rice cake with 2 oz of low sodium deli ham ( Applegate) and yellow mustard
Dinner: Asian Flank Steak with Cauliflower rice from the The Performance Paleo Cookbook: Recipes for Training Harder, Getting Stronger and Gaining the Competitive Edge
Friday:
Breakfast: 1 serving of the Sausage and Veggie Egg Bake
Snack: banana
Lunch: Leftover steak on top of spring greens, with shredded carrots, tomatoes, goat cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette
Snack: ¼ cup unsalted mixed nuts
Dinner: La Flaka Salad
After I make this weekly meal plan, I like to make it fun.
I use this app called “Mealboard” it allows you to download your favorite recipes from lots of websites, stores them, extracts the ingredients, and transfers the ingredients to your grocery list!
The only tedious part about it is, you can plug in the prices for all the groceries you buy. That took like an hour or so. But it’s SO worth it! You only need to do it once and when you make your grocery list you can pretty much know how much you are going to spend once you get to the register! How cool is that! I LOVE this app! I pretty much love any app that makes life easier!
So I plug my ingredients I will be using into the MealBoard app and I’m ready to go shopping!
I even make this an arts and crafts project:
I put this magnetic board with the meal plan too, that way we know exactly what’s coming for the rest of the week!
Make your weekly meal plan your own, make it fun! Stay tuned for next week’s meal plan!
What is your meal plan for this week?
Lori (Adventures of a Sick Chick) says
I love lists too! But this takes organization to a new level...great idea! 🙂
[email protected] says
Thanks Lori!
Anita Chu says
Love your meal plans! I have so many nights I'm just staring in the fridge wondering what to make, I need to get on this!
[email protected] says
I'm glad you like it Anita!! Thank you! 🙂
Rose | The Clean Dish says
Oh my god! That planner is like a journal. I love it!! Thanks for introducing me to it! I'm a notorious list maker, too. I also wasn't familiar with Mealboard. Thanks for sharing your resources 🙂
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
I'm terrible at meal planning. I'm always afraid I won't want what I planned for dinner that day so I'm more an "on the fly" meal planner.
[email protected] says
I get that way too somedays. Where i dont want what i plan. Thats why i keep back up items in the house for those days!
ecavalla says
So organized- love it! I need to get it together and plan for the week -- because I end up eating junk when I don't plan!
[email protected] says
Thats my problem too! If i dont plan, or keep up with my food diary i feel like i definitely eat more than my allotted macronutrients per day!
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez | girlichef.com says
I am such a list-maker and organizer - and yet, I can't make/follow a meal plan to save my life. It's something I've always wished I could do (to make my life easier), though. Love this!
Nutmeg Nanny says
I say this every time I read a meal plan post but I really need to start planning!
beate weiss-krull (@Beatepdx) says
Way to go - super organized. Now, I have to admit that making lists is not so much in my lucky stars but I always admire those that are so super organized.
Lora @cakeduchess says
I keep lists (and I lose most of them!), but I do love to keep lists. Love this organization inspiration!! I think it helps to plan for the week what you will cook.
kudoskitchen says
I'm a list maker too. Problem is I have so many lists that I need lists to organize my lists!
[email protected] says
I understand this issue 100%! Lol
Paula - bell'alimento says
Wow you are so organized! I'm coming to your house this week ; )
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I definitely think I need to up my water intake. I have a HUGE mug that I feel two or three times a day but I really like having something that will measure how much water I'm drinking. As for meal planning, well, love it! And love everything you've got on here!
Back for Seconds says
I need you to come help me! This is amazing!
Camille in the Kitchen says
Love the magnetic board idea! I like lists too. I'm just terrible at following them. 😉
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I wish I was as organized as you are!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I've totally been working on drinking more water and sometimes I feel like I drink way too much haha. Love the meal plan!
A Family Feast (@AFamilyFeast) says
You are so organized! I'm a list maker too but still sort of 'wing-it' at the supermarket and buy what is fresh and in-season...
Ginny McMeans says
I am a list geek too! That app does look pretty cool and I love your little rectangle board for weekly meal plans. Think I'll start at the top of your weekly plan and work my way down.
[email protected] Mom says
Super organized! Love the app, never heard of it before!
The Food Hunter says
Thanks for sharing this...very helpful!
Cookin Canuck says
Look at you go with your hydration! And I love that you are posting your weekly meal plan. By the way, I have used Erin Condren planners for the last two years and LOVE THEM. In fact, my life would be in complete disarray without that planner. 🙂
[email protected] says
I am SO getting one!! Im trying to win one right now fron a fellow blogger! Im glad you like my plan! Im so inspired by you and Liz's 6 week plan!
[email protected] says
Yes! I LOVE lists! I feel so organized even if I'm not. 😀 I want some of that Rapunzel's Soup...
angiemcgowan says
You are so organized! I wish I was like that. I'm awful at meal planning.