Friday, November 18, 2011

Foodie Friday: Crazy Variety

Confession time. When I plan my meals for the week, I put a lot of thought into them. Probably more so than the average person. Probably enough to make some think I'm a little crazy. But I know exactly who I get this from....my mom! Growing up I remember she had a schedule (and probably still does) of proteins for our dinners, to ensure we got plenty of variety in out diets. It was something like: beef, vegetarian, fish, chicken, pork...she would rotate through the various proteins each night and then start back at the beginning.



When I plan my meals, I not only aim for a variety of proteins, but also carbohydrates. For example, if we have chicken and rice one night, I wouldn't make chicken or rice the next couple of nights. The next night would be beef and potatoes. Then Fish and pasta, or pork and tortillas or bread. Am I crazy? This past week's dinners are a perfect example of my neurotic menu planning:

Saturday: Chicken Sausage Jambalaya (Chicken, Rice)

Sunday: Pot Roast (Beef, Potatoes)

Monday: Salmon, Whole Wheat Couscous, Broccoli (Fish, Pasta?)

Tuesday: Mexican Chicken Casserole (Chicken, Tortillas (Corn))

Wednesday: Egg Foo Yung, Asian Noodle Salad (Vegetarian, Pasta)

Thursday: Italian Turkey Sausage & Pepper Calzones (Turkey, Bread)


I even go as far as to include a variety of cuisines. For example, if we have burritos one night, I wouldn't make tacos the next night because that's 2 nights in a row of Mexican. I told you, I'm a little crazy. Anyone else out there plan their meals like this? No? It's just me?

3 comments:

  1. I do not plan quite that much variety, to save money I will usually repeat a protein. But I try not to repeat cuisines (except Italian, I can always go for more Italian.) But this week we had French toast and sausage on Monday, Shrimp fettucine alfredo on Tuesday, Shrimp enchiladas on Wednesday, Hawaiian bbq chicken and rice on Thursday, and a frozen pizza with turkey sausage tonight... I get Fridays off :)

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  2. I would probably do better if I planned things out ahead of time, but I never do. However, I do "need" to have the sorts of variety you do! If we have tacos one night, we can't have tacos again until I feel like it's time for tacos again! (DH will sometimes get away with quesadillas from leftover taco meat if I am too lazy to cook though!) I also won't repeat an item for at least 2 nights... lol

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  3. I should add... my mom wasn't very big on variety.. we'd have meat and potatoes most nights, and often the same meal 2 nights in a row! So I don't know where I get it from... rebellion, maybe?

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