Tag Archives: sunday food prep

Weekend Meal Planning

Posted on November 23 by Jillian416 • 2 Comments

Howdy! It’s Sunday again and that means we’re meal planning here in the O’Keefe household. However, after shopping today, I’m really beginning to wonder why we torture ourselves on Sundays. It was SO busy!!

Before I get into my meal plan, I wanted to tell you about my weekend – It was GREAT! I’m really not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family. Thanksgiving day is always spent with Seamus’ parents and usually my mom will have her dinner the Saturday or Sunday afterward, but since I have some busy siblings, we had to adjust. This actually worked out, because now when we get back from CNY next week, we won’t need to travel to my parent’s the next day. Thanks busy siblings! 😛

Anyhoo – I got up early and headed to Panera to do some of my virtual assistant work, I always seem to think better there. After working for about 3 hrs, I came home to the cuddliest of boys. Emmett just wanted to be held, cuddled or nuzzled by me and who am I to say no. So, while daddy got ready to go we hung out on the couch wrapped in each others arms. I just love that little boy!!

Eventually we hit the road, and made it to grandma’s in plenty of time! We were a little worried because of all of the snow that had fallen between where we live and my parents (in case you haven’t heard or seen the images, here’s a good synopsis), but there was no need for worry. We got there quickly and easily!!

Emmett was so excited to see my mom, sister and brother. He’s not positive who everyone is yet (because he doesn’t see everyone all the time), but he sure does love being around people who shower him with attention. That’s pretty much all you need to do in order for him to like you. LOL There were 3 dogs there, which is weird for Emmett because he’s not used to any, but by the end of the night he was lightly petting and playing with the dogs. Yay!! Once we eventually move, I’m sure Seamus and I will want to get a dog, so I’m glad E adjusted easily.

Dinner was delicious, my brother made some amazing mashed potatoes (yes, seriously!) and then for the rest of the evening we just visited, joking and chatting with one another. It’s times like those that I treasure most! I really wish we all got together more frequently, when we do we have such a good time.

Today has been a bit of a whirlwind. I was up early, worked and then made us all a yummy breakfast, I’ve done some laundry, cleaned out the fridge (YUCK!!) and we’ve gone grocery shopping. Emmett is quietly napping now, Seamus is playing his video game and I am blogging away. THIS is what Sundays were meant for.

Our Meal Plan

It will be a pretty easy week because we have Thanksgiving on Thursday and then will be traveling home on Friday, so we’ll just grab something on the way. LOVE easy weeks!

Sunday: Homemade Pizza (carry over)

Monday: Rotisserie Chicken & Potatoes

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday (with Seamus famous guacamole)

Wednesday: Fettuccine Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

Thursday: Thanksgiving!!

Friday: On the road

Saturday: Scrounge

Quick and easy!! We don’t host Thanksgiving, maybe one day when we get a house, but for now I am lucky enough to enjoy the cooking of my mom and Seamus’ mom. Yummy in my tummy!!

I’m joining and linking up with Laura from Mommy, Run Fast! and Jill from jillconyers.com.

Your turn!

Do you host Thanksgiving, or do you just bring a dish to pass?

Anything fun on your emal plan this week? Share in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!

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Filed Under: All About Me, Link-Ups

Sunday Meal Plan – Week #22

Posted on July 6 by Jillian416 • 6 Comments

Hello and Happy Sunday!

How was everyone’s weekends? Our was mostly great, until this morning. When I went in to get Emmett this morning he and his bed were covered in vomit. 🙁 As soon as I opened the door to his bedroom I could smell it, but it wasn’t until I turned on the light that I saw the mess.

He must have puked much earlier in the night, and either just ignored it, or slept through it. He had it in his hair, on his face, PJs and body. It was all over his mattress, blankets and stuffed animals. I felt like a terrible mother!! My poor child had slept all night in his own vomit, but he didn’t cry or make a peep all night (we still use a monitor).

I know there was nothing I could have done, but I really felt bad for him. We quickly got to work cleaning him and his room up, but still can’t seem to get rid of the stench. Everything that got covered, has been lysol’d (a few different times), we’ve scrubbed the rug and his mattress and it still stinks. We got some fabreeze and some of the powder you put in the carpet and then vacuum up, I’m hoping one or both work. Any mom’s out there have any advice?

Needless to say we’ve had a very low-key day. Just cuddling and keeping Emmett happy, poor little guy. I love that little booga-loo!!

The rest of the weekend was awesome, though! We spent a lot of time outdoors, visited with my parents, watched some Thomas the Tank Engine and just relaxed. We all head back to work and school tomorrow, but there is only 5 more wake-ups until we’re on vacation (OH YES, I am counting!). 🙂

Recycled Image – I lost most of my pics when my iPhone dropped dead.

And now, this Week’s Meal Plan

Sunday – Pork Loin & Corn on the Cobb (carry-over)

Monday – Mexican Pizzas (carry over)

Tuesday – Marinated Chicken & Zucchini

Wednesday – Corned Beef (in the crock-pot), cabbage and red potatoes

Thursday – Homemade Steak Subs & Fries

Friday – Tilapia & Cauliflower

Saturday – Chicken and Leeks

We had a couple of carry-overs from last week because one day we just scrounged around the house, Seamus didn’t feel like cooking and then we ordered delicious pizza. 😉

Here’s hoping the week goes by quickly, so that I can begin relaxing. I really and truly need it! It’s been since February since I’ve had a day off, other than a company holiday. Call me tuckered out!

Your turn!

Any advice to get the puke smell out of a room?

What’s on your meal plan this week?

As usual, I’m linking up with Laura from Mommy, Run Fast! and Jill from jillconyers.com – join the party and link-up your delicious food plan for the week and other fun foodie finds.

Filed Under: All About Me, Link-Ups

Sunday Meal Plan – Week 16

Posted on May 18 by Jillian416 • 8 Comments

Happy Meal Plan Day!!

It has been an amazing weekend for us here in WNY, and we definitely got outside and enjoyed it!

Saturday we made our first visit to the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmer’s Market. There wasn’t much in the way of produce, but we did get some delicious looking asparagus and some locally made chicken sausage (both of which are on the menu for this week). I also was able to grab some of my absolute favorite goat cheese from First Light Farm & Creamery, I’ve been waiting all Winter for it! They do sell it at the local co-op, but I don’t get there enough, whereas the Farmer’s Market we go almost weekly.

Later in the afternoon, we headed out for ice cream and to play. We went to a playground that is right next to the hospital where Emmett was born. I love going there, and seeing the hospital, plus it’s fun to point it out to Emmett every time (we’ve been there before). Emmett had a good time running around and trying to jump in the puddles and it got some his super high amounts of energy out.

Today I went out on my first long bike ride of the season. I was aiming for 15 miles, I did 16.5, mainly because I got lost. Whoops! I was using Google Maps and it kept telling me to turn right, but I couldn’t. There were only dead ends. So I kept going straight, thinking I would eventually be able to go right. Eventually, I could but then I was thrown off so I had to call Seamus and he headed me in the right direction and I easily found my way home. I won’t knock Google maps for bikes, though, it does say they’re still in BETA. Now I know they’re saying that for a reason.

After that, I came home ate a yummy breakfast (GF bagel, goat cheese and eggs), and we headed out to grocery shop. Came home, unloaded the groceries, Emmett ate a small lunch and then went down for a nap. While he napped, I did some laundry, cleaned my berries, and prepped some food for the week. I also dozed for about an hour, and it felt so good! My body was tired. Once Emmett was up, we headed out for a walk. Emmett wasn’t really enjoying the stroller so we let him walk on his own, so long as he held Daddy’s hand. He really liked that!

Alright, enough jibbah jabbah, on with the food (AmIRight!?)

Monday: Cheeseburgers & French Fries

Tuesday: Homemade Steak Hoagies with veggies

Wednesday: Teriyaki Salmon & Asparagus

Thursday: Locally Made Sausage & Zucchini

Friday: Homemade Pizza (carry-over)

Saturday: Leftover Pork Loin & Veggies

Breakfasta for the Week: 1 scrambled egg with bacon on a piece of romaine lettuce. I eat it like a breakfast burrito and I don’t even miss the bagel.

Lunch for the Week: GF bagel with avocado mashed onto it, with cucumbers and Smoked Salmon (this is so Yummy!) I got the idea from Peas and Crayons.

That about does it! You know the drill, I’m linking up with Laura from Mommy, Run Fast! and Jill from JillConyers.com Be sure to stop on over and check-out their menus and link-up!

Your turn!

What fun things did you do this weekend?

Any fun new eats for the week?

If you are feeling generous and want to support cancer research, donate to my ride. I’m riding 62.5 miles for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and their Ride for Roswell. Anything will help me reach my goal, and further advance cancer research. Just click HERE to donate.

Filed Under: All About Me, Family, Food & Recipes

Sunday Meal Plan Link Up – Week 6

Posted on March 9 by Jillian416 • 4 Comments

Happy Sunday and Meal Plan Day

I love weekends! They allow us to be super impromptu and make plans on the fly. This weekend was supposed to be full of packing but we’ve been working hard and decided we needed a break so we headed down to visit my parents and spent Saturday there with them. It was a really nice visit! Since it was so “on the fly” no plans were made, we just took the hour journey down there and hung out. My sister Bridget was in town so it was fun to see her as well!

Emmett is starting to slowly remember and recognize people, so as soon as we got there he was off and playing with Grandma’s toys because he was so comfortable. He even got a new one, a tracker and farm jeep that came with farm animals (similar). He’s a lucky lucky boy!

The only problem, since we decided to take Saturday off from packing and other weekly chores, that means we’ll need to work extra hard today. That’s alright, we can handle it!

This Week’s Meal Plan

Sunday: Homemade Pizza (a carry over from last week)

Monday: Honey Chicken Teriyaki (another carry over)

Tuesday: Mexican Pizzas

Wednesday: Tilapia and Cauliflower

Thursday: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Friday: Fend for selves (scrounge around house, this is an effort to save more money grocery shopping)

Saturday: Meatloaf and Bake Potatoes

You’re probably wondering why we have so many carry overs from last week, right? Well, maybe you’re not, but I’ll explain anyway. 🙂 Seamus and I decided to institute a weekly scrounge around the house day to save money, so that saved us one meal. The second, carry over happened, because we were supposed to make pizza last night but realized we had used most of the cheese for that on something else, so we ended up ordering pizza. You might think that takes away from us trying to save money, but we used money my dad had gifted us, so we were A-OK!

So that’s our meal plan for the week. It’s another one I’m pretty excited about, and I’m hopeful we’ll continue to be able to avoid eating out at our expense.

As usual, I’m linking up with Laura from Mommy Run Fast and Jill from Fitness, Health & Happiness. Check out their blogs and be sure to link-up!

Filed Under: All About Me, Family, Food & Recipes

Sunday Meal Plan – Link Up – Week 5

Posted on March 2 by Jillian416 • 5 Comments

It’s Sunday and that means Meal Planning!

Happy Sunday everyone! Who’s ready to go back to work?? Yeah, me neither, but it’s going to happen anyway so let’s get those meals planned and ready for the week ahead, that way we don’t have any unplanned meals out. 🙂

Seamus and I took a look at our budget, with the move and all the other expenses that come with a new house (new washer/dryer, and other odds and ends), we need to reel-in some of our spending. One of the easiest places for us to do this is by cutting out our meals out. We usually only do this once a week, on Saturday evenings, but for the next several months we’re going to aim to go out once a month only. This should save us some extra money, money that can then be moved back into our slowly seeping savings account.

This is a pretty steep goal for us, but I believe if we get inventive with our meal planning and plan some fun and delicious meals for our Saturdays, we should be fine. Plus, who doesn’t love a challenge? Am I right!?

Alright onto the Sunday Meal Planning

Sunday: Pecan-Crusted Tilapia,Couscous, Cauliflower

Monday: Chicken and Leeks

Tuesday: Homemade Steak Sandwiches, garlic fries

Wednesday: Crock-Pot Teriyaki Chicken (This is a new recipe, one I’m really excited to try!)

Thursday: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Friday: Mexican Pizzas

Saturday: Homemade Pizza

I’m really looking forward to the menu this week, but I have to be honest, even though we were only planning for one extra meal (because we usually go out on Saturdays), it took us almost twice as long to make the menu. HAHA I find that hilarious! I’ll let you know how the Teriyaki Chicken turns out, it really sounds delicious.

Oh and I have to share this awesome Weekly Meal Plan Printable. I’m in love!! I will be using them weekly, because I am a complete sucker for organization, and the best part other than them being adorable is that they are free. Check them out!

Alright, that about does it for this week – be sure to stop on over and visit Laura from Mommy Run Fast and Jill from Fitness, Health & Happiness.

Filed Under: All About Me, Family, Food & Recipes