Wow!  Things are speeding up around my house.  Do you feel that way too with the Christmas holiday fast approaching?  My oldest son’s birthday is this week, and next weekend we have company coming for a few days.  Towards the end of next week, my precious parents are coming to stay for a few days over Christmas, AND my extended family is coming here for Christmas dinner.  Soooooooo… things are going to start hopping around my house tomorrow in preparation.  Not to mention all the last minute shopping, wrapping and decorating I still need to do!
One of the things that helps me keep my sanity through it all, is writing everything down that I need to get accomplished each day, and jotting things down in my planner for the days ahead, so I can spread things out, and not forget anything important. Today, I also did most of my grocery shopping for the next two weeks’ meals (which I’ve already planned and written out), so that I’ll only have to grab a couple of things here and there as needed.
This leaves me some breathing room to savor the season, which is important to me.

If you’d like some assistance with menu planning and grocery shopping, be sure to check out my free printables:
Dinner Planner and Grocery List Printable
Weekly Meal Planner
Printable Grocery List

If you’d like some ideas for earlier in the day:
Breakfast Ideas:
(Any combination of the following)
French toast
Cereal
Fruit
Waffles
Toast
Eggs
Oatmeal
Poptarts
Egg whites and spinach (hubby’s choice)
Pancakes
English muffins
Muffins
Baked oatmeal
Breakfast cookies
Quiche
Cinnamon rolls
Pumpkin pancakes
Baked eggs and cheese casserole
Toasted peanut butter & banana sandwich
Coconut Quinoa Granola

Lunch Ideas:
(We like to add fruit and/or carrots to any of these “entrees”)
Pasta  (my kids love it)
Ravioli
Macaroni and cheese
Vegetarian corn dogs
Vegetarian hamburgers
Hot dogs (We like Hebrew National)
Chicken, turkey or ham sandwiches
Graham crackers and milk
English muffins
Peanut butter and fluff sandwiches
Whole wheat toast
Soup
Yogurt or cheese sticks, crackers
Leftovers

Here are some delicious dinner recipes for your week:

Tuna, broccoli & pasta casserole and cheddar biscuits
Grocery list: Tuna, broccoli, pasta, cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs

Taco Pasta
Grocery list:  Ground beef, spaghetti noodles, onion, taco seasoning, corn, Cheddar cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, Doritos and sour cream
***This recipe is a long time family favorite!

Crockpot Chicken and Artichoke with Pasta
Grocery list:  Chicken breast tenders, canned artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, Worcestershire sauce, cream of chicken soup and pasta

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas by Lou Lou Girls

Cobb Salad
Grocery list: Romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, cooked chicken or turkey, avocado, bacon, blue cheese and dressing

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup from Life With The Crust Cut Off

My dessert choice for the week is this luscious Banana Cake.

It’s a rich, dense sweet cake, that goes perfectly with a cup of coffee!

I hope you find a new favorite recipe, and have a great week!

Linking to: I’m An Organizing Junkie and Between Naps on the Porch