mpm december

Meal planning is good for my marriage.

Yes, for my marriage.

You see, at some point on Sunday afternoon, I ask my husband what he would like to have for dinner in the coming week... and we create a flexible menu plan with his ever-changing-gotta-love-the-Army- training schedule in mind...

By doing this, we have agreed on our meal plans and therefore prevent the "Oh yuck- you made Meatloaf again?" moments... which can result in flying handfulls of mashed potatoes, ketchup bottles, etc...

just kidding...

But seriously - this also gives me a lot of freedom as well because I can always swap meals if I'm having a bad day.... ie "I guess we're makin pizza tonight instead of Friday since we got home from the Commissary at 4:30 this afternoon!"

And it SAVES MONEY, because I am only buying WHAT I WILL COOK!

... rather than what I THINK I MIGHT LIKE to have on hand....

ya know what I mean?

So this month instead of using a simple list of meals for my monthly plan, I actually sat down with a calendar and created a monthly meal plan.  I am also planning a few "baking days" where for example I will cook large amounts of potatoes and freeze them -- POOF -- homemade sides ready in a few microwave minutes!

So here is my Menu Plan for December!

1. Pizza, fresh salad
2. Grilled PB and J
3. ~~Tuna Chowder~~
4. Baked Chicken with veggies, stuffing
5. Leftovers
6. French Toast, Scrambled Eggs
7. Soft Tacos, fresh veggies
8. Mac N cheese and Lil Smokies
9. ~~Continental Chicken Casserole~~
10. Meatloaf, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Veggies
11. **Hubby's Work Holiday Party**
12. Biscuits N Gravy
13. **Jacob and Daddy Birthday Party**
14. Toasted BLTs and french fries
15. ~~Meatball Stew~~
16. Fish fillets over green bean casserole
17. Leftovers
18. Italian Herb Chicken and fresh veggies
19. Mac N cheese and Lil Smokies
20. Meatloaf, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Veggies
21. Grilled Ham N cheese, Tomato Soup
22. Grilled Chicken Salad
23. Swedish Meatballs with noodles
24. Biscuits and Gravy
25. Pineapple Ham and Green Bean Casserole
26. Leftovers
27. Grits and Eggs
28. Pizza, fresh salad
29. Philly Cheese Steaks
30. Soft Tacos, fresh veggies
31.**Dinner with friends**

**means we are not eating at home (prolly making something anyways)
~~means this is a new recipe (encouragement appreciated... ahem...)

Do you menu plan?  What have you "Tackled" this week?

This post has been linked to "Tackle it Tuesday" hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom.
"Menu Plan Monthly for December" hosted by Mommy's Kitchen