Now that I’m in Charlotte and trying to find a new routine, I want to get back to doing a better job at planning meals for the week. That being said…there are two challenges that come with this.
First, adjusting to shopping and cooking for one. I really want to be mindful of that amount of food I buy and preventing food waste.
Second, knowing my limitations when it comes to what I can pull off while also taking care of Finn.
I decided to start with a visit to the farmers market this morning. I have only been a few times this summer and I want to take advantage of all the homegrown tomatoes and local peaches that I can before they are out of season.
Here’s what came home with me:
- two dozen eggs (I don’t need this many for one week but I had to jump on my favorite farmer having eggs today! Usually he’s sold out when I get there.)
- a pint of blackberries
- a pint of blueberries
- tomatoes
- peaches
- zucchini
- okra
- ricotta gnocchi
- pizza dough
Later I swung into Whole Foods to pick up some essentials for the week. I want to focus on eating things I already have in the freezer/fridge so you don’t see a lot in this grocery haul when it comes to protein and veggies.
Here’s what I purchased:
- kombucha
- arugula
- peanut butter pretzels
- full-fat greek yogurt
- bananas
- muenster cheese
- spaghetti noodles
- marinara sauce
- tortilla chips
- almond milk
- bread
I also received an awesome package a few days ago from Hope foods that included a selection of their delicious hummus flavors as well as some other fun summer goodies like a blow-up avocado float (yes!), grilling accessories, sunglasses and more! 🙂
I have loved Hope hummus and have been purchasing it for about a year now. I’m super pumped to try the new Jalepeno Red, Buffalo Bleu and Spicy Mango flavors.
Since I have so much hummus on hand, I’d love to hear any creative uses you have for incorporating it into meals!
Now, here’s the meal game plan for the week.
BREAKFAST
- Greek yogurt + granola + fruit bowls. I might try a new granola recipe tomorrow!
- Smoothies/smoothie bowls
- Scrambled eggs + fresh fruit + toast
LUNCH
- TOMATO SANDWICHES!!! I’ll probably add avocado and basil from my herb plants.
- Arugula salads
- Quinoa + hummus + veggie burger + avocado bowls
DINNER
Saturday: tonight I had leftover turkey tetrazzini from a baby meal that I pulled out of the freezer alongside an arugula salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil with parmesan and pine nuts
Sunday: a one-pan roasted salmon, cauliflower and sweet potato dinner. I’ll probably do a sriracha-lime salmon.
Monday: cheesy grits with eggs and greens (a very loose adaptation of this recipe).
Tuesday: roasted chicken sausage with roasted okra and then I’ll probably do some quinoa or rice with it.
Wednesday: I may go to an event this night. TBD.
Thursday: spaghetti with meatball sauce defrosted from the freezer. I might do zucchini noodles or use regular pasta.
Friday: some sort of leftovers concoction or Postmates! 🙂
We will see if this dinner plan actually happens. Stay tuned!
YOUR TURN!
What’s on your dinner menu for next week?
Favorite non-dipping hummus uses?
I don’t know if I have any good recipe suggestions but I just wanted to say I freaking LOVE the Hope hummus. So far I’ve tried the Spicy Avocado, Coconut Curry, and Buffalo Bleu ones and they were all fantastic. I did use the Buffalo Bleu hummus to add to some buffalo chicken wraps I made last week – it was just tortillas, chicken, buffalo hot sauce, shredded lettuce, Greek yogurt ranch dressing, and the hummus. Pretty good and easy!
I’d love to try some of those hummus flavors. I’ve never seen that brand before here in Seattle. Lately I’ve been making a quick and tasty lunch using Greek pita bread from the grocery store and topping it with hummus, fresh cucumber slices from the garden, some mederterainian olives, feta cheese and sometimes a drizzle of vinegarette dressing. It’s quick (I have a five-month-old and toddler) and delicious! It’s like a Greek pizza. ? can’t wait to see how you use your hummus in new ways!
**whoops on the typo there! mediterranean olives
I like to whisk some balsamic, other vinegar, or lemon juice into a tablespoon or two of hummus to make a really good salad dressing. Those flavors look great!
#1: you are doing an amazing job already
#2: My baby is 8 months, but he went through a WICKED colic phase from 2-4 months. From about 4-9 PM someone had to hold him. I was nervous to baby wear while cooking things on the stove (possible burning hazard).
Enter, the crockpot!! It will be your new best friend. While Finn is napping or happily playing on his activity gym in the morning, put together your crockpot meal, set it to warm when it’s cooked and eat it whenever you have time later that night.
Bonus, it will give you 2-3 dinners for the week & you will probably have enough left over to freeze.
Another bonus, I like to use my crockpot in the summer because it doesn’t heat up the whole kitchen like the oven of stove does.
Anyway, you’ll figure out what works for you, but that’s my suggestion!
I have to second the crockpot love here. Especially if you can swing a couple hours once a month making freezer dump meals.
Slather your hummus on chicken before you bake it! Keeps it juicy and makes for an almost crispy crust. Gimme Some Oven has an easy recipe for it
Hi!! My husband travels a ton for work, and something I’ve found that absolutely saves my sanity/waistline is inviting a friend over for one afternoon a week (make it a standing date) or having a regularly scheduled mother’s-helper once/twice a week for a couple of hours. I use this time to take a breather, have company, and do as much focused meal prep as possible, and I enjoy having someone else around to help entertain my kiddo. It’s so helpful for me to know I will have that time for both company and to focus on meal prep/dealing with any household things that need attention, but also know my kiddo is an arms reach away. ❤️
Cooking for one tip: plan dinners that use similar fresh ingredients (meat, produce) multiple times a week and leave one night a week for a throw-together meal that can use up any leftover veggies (soup, sheet pan dinner, stir fry, etc). Of course, leftovers for lunch and freezing leftovers can work too, depending on what you have left.
Or if you feel up to it, invite a friend over for dinner. I would do that sometimes when I had too much food and was lonely. I’m sure people you know would be thrilled to entertain Finn and get a home cooked dinner with a friend!
Hope hummus is the best. As far as non-dipping uses, I often make grain and veggie bowls with a dollop of hummus on top. And sometimes I use it as spread for sandwiches/wraps.
I just batch cook all of my proteins and veg in the crockpot and oven. I but about 2.5 ozs of chicken and usually one other protein for the week and that’s enough for me as one person. I also usually keep in mind that I’ll be eating out two times per week. If I do have leftover protein, it’s usually something that’s easily freezable.
What’s on your dinner menu for next week?
Breakfast:
– Hard boiled eggs + sriracha
– Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts
Lunch:
– Lemon and caper roasted chicken breasts + horiatiki
Dinner:
– Salmon + roasted eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, etc.
Favorite non-dipping hummus uses? I like to use hummus on sandwiches with tomatoes and feta.
I love your blog. I just had my second child two weeks ago and I love following you and Finn!
I like putting hummus on a whole wheat tortilla wth hot sauce, roasted red pepper, roasted zucchini and rotisserie chicken. Then I fold it in a hot pan and it’s kind of like a quesadilla without cheese.
I was wondering- when did you introduce a pacifier to Finn?
Thanks!
Tomato sandwiches are the best. I once road tripped with a friend and we made them in the car every day for lunch. I also love hummus dolloped on rice or scooped with cucumber slices. To keep berries fresh, I get them as quickly as possible into glass jars (unwashed or they spoil) into the fridge. They store amazingly well this way. Meal planning is work, but it’s empowering to take care of yourself. Good work, mama!
I’m working a lot of overtime this week so I’ve baked banana muffins to pair with a yogurt for breakfast. I’ve made chicken, hard boiled eggs and prepped veggies and fruit for lunch and supper.
I like hummus in a pita with lettuce, tomato, onion and feta. Yum!!!!
I love making a hummus and black bean mix for tacos, wraps, and salads. Take one can black beans and mix with 1/2 container of hummus (obviously more if a small container) in a pan on medium. Then add 1/2 packet of taco seasoning. Add a little water for desired consistency. I mash the beans a little too. It is fun to try different flavor hummus. This is quick and easy to make. I have a a 8 week old son and evenings I am often alone to make dinner during his fussiest time. This meal is doable.
I love Hope Hummus!
I sometimes thin a few tablespoons of hummus with water or balsamic vinegar and use it as salad dressing!
I’m making Jessica Alba’s Turkey Meatballs from Martha Stewarts website! It’s a great go to. Highly recommend.
I love hummus with hardboiled eggs, its not really a recipe but its easy!
Cook 2 or 4 servings. Freeze servings or eat for breakfast next morning. Less cooking.
I love using hummus as a spread in place of mayo on a tomato/veggie sandwich or wrap.
I did that yesterday on my sandwich!
You are awesome for getting back on the meal planning train. I have a 4 month old and it’s hard! Actually, it’s not the planning so much that is hard, but the follow-through ?
One of my favorite ways to use hummus is on a wrap! I spread on hummus, too with half a sliced avocado, feta, and a kale massaged with lime juice and olive oil. So good!!
Cindy – oh my gosh…I totally hear you on the executing of the meal plan. It’s been interesting this week to make that happen!
Your wrap sounds so good!
I love your blog and have been a reader for years, but never commented before. I think all the food you eat looks awesome and I would love it, but I would never think of those meals because of their Southern touch. My diet is pretty typical SoCal and when I meal plan, it’s usually Asian fusion kinds of foods. Anyways, I love your blog and your honesty about your life <3
Thank you so much for reading and for taking a moment to say hi! It’s so great to hear from you! 🙂 Love hearing about how our food is different living on opposite coasts! Thanks for your kind words about my blog.