Monday Meal Plan

As we prepare for our little sixlet to arrive in about 6 weeks, I'm working on stocking up on a few things and planning some make ahead meals for my in-laws and kiddos while I'm in the hospital.  Like many, we are also renewing our focus on budgeting and saving money.  Groceries are a big expense in our household with 5 (soon to be 6) children, but meal planning makes a big difference in that weekly expense!  

 

        

Recipes:

• Pumpkin Muffins
• Buddha Bowls
• Chicken Shawarma and Israeli Salad
  
• Spatchcocked Turkey
• Turkey Pot Pie

I updated my meal plan this morning after stopping by my favorite discount grocery store!  They sell slightly outdated, nearly outdated, or damaged merchandise.  And you can save up 80% compared to the grocery store price.  Today, I found two packages of Kodiak Pancake Mix for 75 cents each!  They are usually over $5 at Walmart.  What a steal!  I knew I needed to grab both packages and update my meal plan!  I also found two family packages of sliced ham, so I changed one of our lunch meals to ham and cheese roll up.  

Finally, our cow is coming in a few weeks from the butcher, so I'm cooking a whole turkey this week so start making room in the freezer for all of that beef.  The turkey should easily cover the 3 dinners and 1-2 lunches I have planned for it this week.  And minimal meat will need to be purchased.  

Headed to Aldi later to pick up the rest of the items on my list.  I'll let you know how it turns out!



Have a great week!

Find previous meal plans here.

Follow Elise Harvey {Harvey Ever After}'s board Weekly Menus at Harvey Ever After on Pinterest.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and then purchase a product, I may earn a few pennies for referring you to the site.  

This Week's Menu | Jan . 11

It's that time of year again.  Getting back to meal planning!  I've been intermittent fasting for the past week, which is going pretty well, so that reduces the lunches we need, but we are starting back to homeschool, college classes, youth sports, and the entrepreneurship program that I run.  All start this week.  Whew.  So, we'll be planning for some relatively easy meals, lots of crockpot or Instant Pot usage, this week.  

Monday - Burritos

Tuesday - White Chicken Chili with Salad

Wednesday - Buddha Bowls

Thursday - Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Breakfast: "Junk" Cereal

Lunch:  Leftovers

Dinner:  Fish Taco Bowls

Sunday - Lunch:  Sammies or Eggs

Dinner:  Chicken Pot Pie (Instant Pot)


I'm adding everything to my Walmart+ grocery delivery order for Monday.  I wasn't sure how much I would use or like Walmart+, and I have to say, it's been great.  We still end up going to the store for odds and ends during the week, but by and large, using the grocery delivery service saves me time and money because I can more easily stick to my list!  (Plus, the five cents/gallon off gas is a plus with our new van that doesn't get great gas mileage.)  Try it for 2 weeks free if you haven't yet!



Have a great week!

Find previous meal plans here.

Follow Elise Harvey {Harvey Ever After}'s board Weekly Menus at Harvey Ever After on Pinterest.

**Linking up at I'm an Organizing Junkie for Meal Plan Monday**

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and then purchase a product, I may earn a few pennies for referring you to the site.  

Top Gifts for Boys - 6-7 Year Old Version

If you've been following me for long, you might know that three of my five children have summer birthdays, so it's all hands on deck for parties and gifts in the summer months.  My oldest, Little Prez, just celebrated his sixth birthday, so I wanted to share my Top 5 Gift Ideas for 6 Year Old Boys!

1.  LEGOs

LEGOs are always a go-to gift in our house.  Starting around 4 1/2, my son started to love LEGOs.  At the time, I loved them because they helped my son work on his fine motor skills.  At six, he has become a "LEGO Artist" as he says.  LEGO are a fantastic way to encourage creativity and basic engineering skills.  Plus, there are SO many great LEGO sets!  LEGO Ninjago and LEGO superheroes are a good bet at this age!  My favorites for this age are the LEGO Ninjago Master Falls set and LEGO Avengers Quinjet.  I have been surprised at the focus that my son has when putting LEGO sets together, so he's definitely ready for these bigger sets.

Lego Ninjago Master Falls 

LEGO Marvel Avengers Quinjet

There are now some off-brand brick versions as well as Mega Construx, which all fit together.  We particularly like the Pokemon ones.  My six year old son loves Pokemon so much right now, and you can get stationary Pokemon figures, but I like that he has to build these.  He has even added to some of them so that they have an evolved form.  (Don't ask me what that means; I have no idea.)  Here are two of the ones I liked for his birthday -- Pokemon Multipack and Pokemon Charizard.

Pokemon Multipack

Pokemon Charizard

My son also loves these giant brick plates that have allowed his creations to get significantly bigger.  He also uses them to display his smaller creations.

 

Click here to find them on Amazon.  

2.  Robots

My son received this robot kit and LOVED it.  It was a great project for him to put together with dad and he loves the interactive nature of the robot.  He pretty much takes it everywhere to show off.  

Kiko 893 Robot Kit from Amazon.com

3.  Pokemon TCG

We also love the Pokemon Trading Card Game at my house.  My 6 year old is always trying to earn money to buy more Pokemon cards, so they make a great, but inexpensive gift! 

These multipacks make great gifts.  Charizard is a favorite at our house, and my son would be thrilled to get this one as a gift!  

My son is always asking for these collector's tins as well.  There are so many options, but all of my kids really like the Alola Islands Pokemon, so this would be our top pick.  (We've seen these at Aldi before for under $20, but didn't know it was a such a great deal at the time.  I'll definitely be watching for them again.)

Legends of Alola TCG Tin @ Amazon

And of course, if you know a six year old Pokemon fan, you might consider a Pokemon card holder like this small case or a binder style like this one.  

As you can guess, my son loves Pokemon.  I think he's just at the beginning stages of Pokemon.  The game itself is a little too advanced for him, but in another six months to a year, I think he'll have caught on!

This Week's Menu | November 11

Ya'll, my little sister's wedding is coming up super quick.  Good for her.  Bad for my weight loss goals.  LOL.  I've been intermittent fasting for the past few weeks and seen results.  Small results, but results nevertheless.  Wish me luck on getting to some classes at the YMCA at 5:15am for the next few weeks.  I'm NOT a morning person, but I don't see any other time that I could fit working out in.  Trying to fit in some keto meals along with the fasting.  Yikes!


Monday -  Crockpot 7-Spice Roast Sammies with Asparagus & Salad

Tuesday -  Leftovers

Wednesday - Scrambled Eggs with Cheesy Grits (with Cauliflower)

Thursday - Baked Fish w/ Mashed Potatoes and Greens

Friday - Thai Chicken and Butternut Soup

Saturday - Breakfast: Oatmeal

Lunch:  Sammies

Dinner:  Paleo Chicken Pot Pie with Kale Greens (or a Keto version like this or this)

Sunday - Lunch:  Sammies or Eggs

Dinner:  Leftovers


Here's my grocery list for this week; I'm trying to keep it under $50 by using meat that we already have.

Dairy	Produce	Staples	Meat
milk x4	salad stuff	rolls	chicken
eggs	asaparagus	coconut milk	roast
amer. cheese	butternut	grits	fish
parmesan cheese	potatos	bread	deli meat
shred ched	greens	baby snacks
sliced ched	cauliflower	roasted red peppers
	cilantro	oats
		red curry paste thai chili sauce quinoa

Have a great week!

Find previous meal plans here.

Follow Elise Harvey {Harvey Ever After}'s board Weekly Menus at Harvey Ever After on Pinterest.

**Linking up at I'm an Organizing Junkie for Meal Plan Monday**

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and then purchase a product, I may earn a few pennies for referring you to the site.  

Farm Fresh Menu | June 24th

I'm on a mission to cut costs and use up the food in the pantry and freezer during this last week in June.  AND we have tons of zucchini, yellow squash, and potatoes from hubby's farm, Song of the South Farm!


Monday - Summer Corn Zucchini Chowder (uses potatoes and squash!)

Tuesday - Pork Roast Burritos w/ Roasted Squash

Wednesday - Scrambled Eggs with Cheesy Grits and Country Potatoes

Thursday - Baked Fish w/ Mashed Potatoes and Greens

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday (Hubby's Birthday!) - Breakfast: Zucchini Muffins

Lunch: Sandwiches (using leftover pork)

Dinner: Out for Hubby's Birthday!

Sunday - Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: I have no idea yet.  :) :)



Here's my grocery list for this week; I'm trying to keep it under $50 by using meat that we already have.

Dairy	Produce	Staples	Meat
milk x3	carrots	tortillas	bacon
eggs x2	celery	coffee creamer	pork roast
amer. cheese	onions	grits	fish
string cheese	potato	bread
shred ched	greens
cream	zucchini
cream cheese

Have a great week!

Find previous meal plans here.

Follow Elise Harvey {Harvey Ever After}'s board Weekly Menus at Harvey Ever After on Pinterest.

**Linking up at I'm an Organizing Junkie for Meal Plan Monday**

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and then purchase a product, I may earn a few pennies for referring you to the site.  

Farm-to-Table Menu | May 21

It's our last week of soccer, which has meant three days at the YMCA each week.  That also means too many quick meals, fast food, and eating out.  I love seeing our kiddos play soccer, but I'll be glad for the break over the summer! 


Monday - Southwest Chicken Salad

Tuesday - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and PW's Homemade Tomato Soup

Wednesday - Couscous Salad w/ Quesadillas

Thursday - Roast Sammies (if I find a roast on sale)

Friday - Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Veggies

Saturday - Breakfast: High Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes with fruit and bacon (making extra to freeze!)

Lunch: Sandwiches

Dinner: Leftovers

Sunday - Lunch: Leftovers

Dinner: Summer Corn Zucchini Chowder

Monday (Memorial Day!) - Burgers, Brats, etc.


Here's my grocery list for this week; I'm trying to keep it under $75.

Dairy	Produce	Staples	Meat
milk x3	cucumber	burger buns	ground beef
eggs x1	bell pepper	hot dog buns	roast (if sale)
amer. cheese	onions	corn x4
string cheese	basil	black beans x2
shred ched	parsley	tortillas
cream	zucchini	diced tomatoes
	lettuce mix	tomato juice
		cooking sherry

Have a great week!

Find previous meal plans here.

Follow Elise Harvey {Harvey Ever After}'s board Weekly Menus at Harvey Ever After on Pinterest.

**Linking up at I'm an Organizing Junkie for Meal Plan Monday**

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and then purchase a product, I may earn a few pennies for referring you to the site.  

Hello, Friday!

It's finally Friday, and today ends a busy week here at our house. I'm teaching during the May summer semester, and I love the small class sizes, but do not love the 3 hour long classes every day.  But, today, hubby and I are headed to look for bathtubs for our master bath.  I'll get to that in a minute.

1. "We live in the clearance section."

This is how my sister describes our family!  😂😂😂  She is not wrong.  I think it's fair to say that we were literally raised to spot a good deal.  And since I enjoy finding a great deal so much, I thought it would make sense to share those deals with friends, family, etc. so I started a deal group on Facebook called Orange Door Deals.  If you know me, you probably understand the name.

Wanna join in the fun?  Click here.

2. Bathtubs

We have a very large master bath that was built with a giant platform for the drop-in tub.  Which is huge.  The good news is that there are lots of tubs out there.  The bad news is that 1) my husband is 6'4" and 2) we have been spoiled by our huge bathtub.  Now, when we look at bathtubs, we think, "Can we fit all five kiddos in there?"  As you might imagine, that eliminates 99.9% of tubs (that we've seen so far).

We love the freestanding tubs, but they are all really narrow.  The drop-in tubs aren't as trendy, but would allow us to get a larger one.

Decisions, decisions.  Let me know in the comments if you have replaced your master tub...what did you decide?

Check out my Master Bathroom inspiration here.

3. Twins

The twins are crawling!!   I'm not sure how I feel about mobile twins, but they are SO proud of themselves.

Plus, they are both getting their first teeth in!

Why do babies grow so fast???

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elise Johansen Harvey (@harveyeverafter) on May 3, 2019 at 6:30pm PDT

And that's all I have for today, folks.  Check in on Monday for our weekly menu.  And have a fantastic weekend!

Linking up this week with Becky @ By BMG

Farm-to-Table Menu | May 13

I'm so excited that our produce is starting to come in from hubby's farm!  He just brought home kale, beets, radishes, and lettuce!  So, all of our meal plans starting now and through the fall will be based on what produce is in season.  Farm fresh produce is so much more tasty than what I buy at the grocery store; I excited ya'll!


Monday - Out to eat (after soccer)

Tuesday - Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken and Kale Pasta Salad with Lettuce Salad (after soccer)

Wednesday - Burritos with Sauteed Veggies

Thursday - Chicken Bowtie Alfredo with Sauteed Beets

Friday - Homemade Pizza with Carrots and Salad

Saturday - Breakfast: High Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes with fruit and bacon (making extra to freeze!)

Lunch: Sandwiches

Dinner: Leftovers

Sunday - Lunch: Southwest Chicken Salad

Dinner: Roast Sammies


Here's my grocery list for this week; I'm trying to keep it under $75.

Dairy	Produce	Staples	Meat
milk x2	zucchini	ranch	ground beef
eggs x2	carrots x2	good olive oil	chicken thighs
sour cream	cucumber	garlic	chicken (other)
ched cheese	kale	bowtie pasta x2	roast
parmesan	fruit?		bacon
cottage cheese
american cheese
heavy cream

Have a great week!

Find previous meal plans here.

Follow Elise Harvey {Harvey Ever After}'s board Weekly Menus at Harvey Ever After on Pinterest.

**Linking up at I'm an Organizing Junkie for Meal Plan Monday**

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and then purchase a product, I may earn a few pennies for referring you to the site.