I am entering the school year with at least one child in school for the ninth time this year. This is the fifth time that I have had both kids starting a new school year. You’d think I’d have this down, wouldn’t you?This year was actually better than some. I planned ahead a bit this year. I figured out that part of the problem is that there really are a lot of back to school events at the beginning of the year, which take up much of my normal cooking time.So, I haven’t done a lot of menu planning, but I have had a lot of ingredients for easy meals on hand, so we have actually cooked more evenings than not since school started. I don’t do well without any planning, but with some thought to easy meals at the grocery store combined with at least a quick glance through the freezer and pantry each morning, I have been okay.

It’s wearing on me, though. I do better with a plan. When I know just what I am making for dinner, and I know I have all the ingredients, because I made a menu, made a grocery list from the menu, and shopped from the list, cooking doesn’t seem like such a chore.So, this weekend I am getting back to the planning. Sure, it takes up some of my weekend, but then I don’t have to think about it all week, which is so worth it to me.

On Hand:

• chicken thighs
• ground beef
• Italian sausage
• 2 pieces of cod
• canned tuna
• red, purple, gold baby potatoes
• pasta
• black beans
• baked beans
• spiced garbanzo beans
• shredded cabbage
• frozen watermelon
• frozen fruit
• frozen broccoli

Available in the garden

• carrots
• green tomatoes
• yellow bell peppers
• kale
• various herbs
• japanese eggplants
• butternut squash

Tonight: Pizza, watermelon frosties, carrots, ice cream

Sunday: roasted butternut squash risotto, steamed broccoli

Monday: Beef Bourgignon, mashed potatoes

Tuesday: cod panang curry

Wendesday: Pasta, Sausage and Bean Ragout

Thursday: Salmon noodle casserole

Next weekend my kids are going to be with their dad, and I am not making plans for Friday. I suspect I will have leftovers to use up, anyway.

Lunches:

• Tuna Salad sandwiches
• leftovers
• salami sandwiches

Grocery list:

• bread
• beef broth
• canned salmon
• Daiya mozzarella
• shredded cheese blend (soy)
• eggs
• bacon
• salami
• 2 lbs. beef stew meat
• chocolate ice cream
• vanilla ice cream
• frozen peas
• bananas
• mushrooms
• Yukon gold potatoes
• pearl onions
• egg noodles
• arborio rice
• bay leaves
• nutritional yeast

I feel better already–now to just get to the store and back!