Last Friday I shared how I was finally starting to feel like myself after a few very difficult and demanding months.
I also was finally able to go the gym Friday after having some vein procedures done in August and September. Yes, I am officially nuts. I should have cancelled them, but I’d waited so long, and I thought “How much worse can it get?” Well, apparently, not being able to exercise doesn’t help with a lack of focus.
A friend met me at the gym, and I was sharing with her how difficult it’s been to focus. And as I was speaking, I had an aha moment. I realized that I’d taken for granted how easily focus has come to me. I’m very left-brain dominate, which means my thinking is very logical and I can easily look at a problem and break it down into steps. Except for these past few months. Now, I understand what other women feel like when they can’t think straight.
I’ve felt that way before, but not to this extent. I think God allowed me to experience this time of extended fogginess so that I can 1) have more empathy with others (I really get it now), and 2) figure out how to get out of it so I can help others. So, Sunday I decided to tackle something I haven’t done in months. And that’s make a weekly menu.
(Insert sounds of the Whitwer family going wild with joy!)
I decided to walk you through my process, and show you my menu for the week. I’m sure many of you do this already. But in case there’s one little piece of my process that is new to you, I invite you to peak into my menu planning. So here we go.
First – I’m very thrifty. So I always start with my grocery ads. This week, I found a few great sales: chicken ($1.70 lb), salmon ($3.99 lb), red peppers (3 for $1.00), lean hamburger ($2.77 lb), chuck roast (BOGO). Also, one store had a special on Ragu and pasta – when you buy 4 they cost 75 cents a piece.
Next, I got some ideas from my favorite magazine “Taste of Home.” And I got an idea from Food Network’s “The Best Thing I ever Made – Cheese show”. Also, I read that women who eat beans or lentils 2 or more times a week have a 34% lower breast cancer risk than those who eat them once a month or less. And so, I’m determined to add more beans to my diet. Hence the white chili recipe.
When I make my menu I also make a note where I got the recipe … because my memory stinks. I actually write it out by day and put it on my refrigerator with notes on where to find the recipe. But here, I’ve given you a link when possible. So, here’s what we are having this week:
Monday: Jerk Chicken Alfredo (Inspired by Blackened Chicken Alfredo by Guy Fieri – but I have Jerk seasoning on hand so that’s what I’m using, plus the 75 cent Garlic Alfredo sauce, & fettuccine) Fresh steamed broccoli
Tuesday: Beef Barley Soup with Roasted Vegetables from Taste of Home, with French bread
Wednesday: Chicken Fajitas (I just season chicken with garlic salt, cumin and chili powder before pan grilling the chicken, then I serve it with sauteed peppers, onions and warm flour tortillas. Sides include cheese, sour cream, salsa & guacamole if you like it.) I’ll also serve a platter of fresh veggies like cucumber, carrots and celery.
Thursday: Oven baked salmon with sweet corn/zucchini fritters. This recipe is only for corn, but I’m going to double it and use half corn and half shredded zucchini.
Friday: Stuffed peppers with green salad. Normally I make these the pepper filling from scratch, but this easy recipe sounded interesting. I’ll probably top it with cheese.
Saturday: White Chili, corn bread (I love Jiffy mix and add sour cream, half a can creamed corn, green chilis and cheese) and fresh fruit.
I hope this has given you some ideas for your own menu. Oh – and I have one more tip. Make your menu when you are hungry. If you sit down after dinner, nothing will sound good. Trust me on this.
I so appreciate all of you reading my blog. You are such a blessing to me.
In His love,
Glynnis
Thank you for sharing! You are a blessing and inspiration!
Thanks, Glynnis for all you share. Thanks for reminding me of how I used to plan out menus for the week when I was working and the kids were still at home. That was part of my Sunday afternoon every week. Maybe I should adopt that practice again.
First of all, thanks for the menu ideas! Secondly, and for me far more importantly, thank you for putting a finger on what has been wrong with me lately. Lack of focus. I have so many things going on in my life right now, my focus is completely shattered and my joy is running low! I’ve been stumbling through the days.
I’m not sure how to get my focus back, but at least now I have a clue as to what is wrong! I’m sure you didn’t write this blog entry with my question in mind, but I certainly am glad God used you like He did.
Who knows…maybe I’ll even take a crack at making a menu sometime today!
Donna
anotherbattlewon.blogspot.com
Thanks for the reminder. Menu planning is something I’ve been meaning to do, but several unexpected events in recent months has side-tracked (more like derailed) things I wanted to do to bring a little more organization versus ‘what’s for dinner?’ at 5 pm. I am determined to start this week.
A merry heart makes a cheerful countacne, but by sorrow of the Herat the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13
Glynnis, thanks for your blog today…I have so enjoyed your post.
Donna, I was reading Proverbs 15 this morning before this post and thought of this verse after reading your comments.
I pray you both have a blessed focused day:)
Thank you for taking the time to break the steps down. I have been lackadaisical about menu planning of late and also planning my calendar on Sundays and boy has it been frustrating. I NEED to do these things first to have a focused, more intentional week! I share your organized gene…but when health problems required several pain medications for treatment I found myself really foggy & disorganized for the first time. That is how I have been living (my new normal) for over five years plus there are many physical things I can no longer do and what I can do takes about four times longer. It has given me such empathy for women that I never had before. I have friendships that would never had formed and my dependence on God alone…well, it is no longer lip service! Your book and last summer’s study was the final piece of the puzzle for this journey I have been on. I can only imagine what God will bring out of you from this season of suffering in your life. I am praying for you today that He will help you heal in body, mind & spirit and restore your focus in order that you may better serve Him and your family. And thanks again for reminding me to get back on track. BTW I plan my menus on Tuesdays now instead of Monday because , “Monday has enough trouble of its own!”.
Suzi
Hey Suzi, I loved your response… I havent been blessed with that organizing Gene but Gods given me other gifts Im so Greatful for.. Which book did you read that helped you the most? Doing it on Tuesdays sound like a Great Idea for me Thanks for the suggestions. Mondays are hectic we have 6 boys so thats something that will help me a Great Deal..
Glynnis Im new here so breaking this down was Awesome and I love the comments people make…
God Bless All
The book is by Glynnis. Titled I Used To Be So Organized but it is for all women whether they were ever organized or not. Don’t be fooled by the title…it is SO SO SO much more…lliterally restored my hope. You can read my review, along with others, on Amazon. Glynnis has series of posts from spring and summer that go along with the on line Bible study we did. Also, Melissa Taylor with Proverbs 31 Ministries was the study facilitator and may have all the material available. This is THE book I am recommending for all seasons of life to every woman I know.
Awww … thank you Suzi!!! You blessed my socks off with this comment.
Love, Glynnis
I loved your last comment about Mondays. I am almost 70 and thought lack of focus was because I was retired and had too much time on my hands. Does anyone know how they plan for meals for shut ins ???
Thank you so much, Glynnis, for being so honest with us about your struggles. You are continually an encouragement to me, so thank you!
Thanks, Glynnis!
I did not know that bean and lentil intake was related to a lower breast cancer risk but that is great and easy to use information! And I love “Taste of Home” magazine too–their recipes are easy and good. Jiffy corn bread mix is SO handy–I use a can of regular corn, a can of cream corn, chopped garlic and sharp cheddar cheese to make corn muffins or bread. The possibilities are endless!
One more suggestion–when you find a recipe your family enjoys, plus the great sales, make several batches of soup, filling for the stuffed peppers, etc. and freeze. It comes in soooo handy for when you’re feeling unfocused or sick.
God’s blessings to you and your family!
Thanks for the post! I have been home on FMLA leave for three weeks now and you can believe there has been a real lack of focus. I love menu planning but haven’t done it in a while. Something that really helped me and ease my stress so i can stay well is a website called emeals. It is a wonderful resource. Thanks again Glynnis and prayers for you and yours.
Thanks for sharing your menu! I got some new ideas for dinners for this week
Thanks for sharing Glynnis. I too have taken my ability to reason for granted. I tend to be very logical and very impatient with those unlike me. Ove rather last seven years I’ve been on a journey where it has failed me. I know I often feel like knowing or understanding can help me deal with my problems and has given me a very false sense of independence and control. I really see God’s hand in this, teaching me and leading me to a greater dependence on Him but boy oh boy do I fight and kick and scream….. (Mostly in my head and very logically of course!). God doesn’t work with my logic. I know His is bigger and better but I hate when I just can’t ‘get it’
Reading your blog gives me many moments of “exactly!” So thanks for your honesty and for helping me to learn through your lessons as well.
Thank you for sharing!! You are a blessing & inspiration plus I got some dinner ideas.
We are having Taco soup one night this week. Could you share your Jiffy corn bread recipe – how much sour cream, green chilis & cheese, do you follow box directions, etc? It sounds if it would go wonderfully with our soup!
Melanie – I follow the directions on the box, then add about 1/4 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup of cheese and 1/2 a small can of green chilis (the mild ones) to the batter. Then I sprinkle cheese on top. You could use jalapenos instead of green chilis, but I like the mild flavor better. Taco soups sounds fabulous!!!
“Make your menu when you are hungry” is a super tip! It helps!
I also find it best to–Do the shopping when I’m full. Smiles! Thanks bunches.
The menu planning has been the one organizational element I have been able to consistently implement. I am slowly trying to make imperfect progress on the extreme clutter in my home.
I never thought I would like menu plamming, but it has been a true blessing to know what I will be cooking for dinner after I get home from work, and to plan ahead for things like thawing meats, etc. I do need to branch out and get more recipes to try, I think–I tend to cook the same things too often.
Thanks so much for the tools you have given me–they are so useful!
Carissa in eastern Iowa
Finally, a menu plan that sounds like it doesn’t take a gourmet cook and/or a full afternoon to prepare. As a mom who who works full-time outside the home, easy and fast dinner ideas are a must-have. I’ll definitely be printing these to be used in the not too distant future.
During the years we both worked outside the home, my wonderful husband would prepare supper — if he didn’t have to decide what to cook. I would plan meals for a month, we would shop, and he usually cooked. I was organized at that time. Since I had breast cancer I can’t seem to focus on the most minute things. We have both retired and he still does most of the cooking, sometimes I think he is afraid I will burn it. Thanks simply for some encouragement . . . maybe this will be an idea to help me get refocused.
I have found that menu planning is a big time saver . I do it after dinner without any problems.
Menu planning is what keeps my weeknights sane! My husband even knows how important it is and helps me find the time to plan and shop on the weekends – we’ve seen what our week looks like when I don’t make the time for this task. It is amazing how much it helps me stay focused and calm when I don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner! I get my meal inspirations from the weekly ads and love to try at least one new recipe from my favorite cookbook each week. Plus, any leftovers make great lunches
One way to be thrifty and to plan is to belong to a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture. Once a week for 24 weeks, we pick up our box at the pick up site already filled with vegetables and fruits. The week before, the CSA send us an e-mail informing us what will most likely be in our box. Then I plan my menus. I always have basics like flours, sugars, pasta, rice, beans, spices, some canned fruits, flavorings, etc. purchased when they are on sale. I buy these staples by following the sales.
I am not in the grocery store as much because I don’t always need something at the store every week other than milk. The milk I just run in and purchase. The fruits and vegetables from the CSA are cheaper in the long run than what I can get at the grocery store. I automatically have a variety of vegetables including greens, as well as some other specialty vegetables I would not normally try because these vegetables would be too expensive in the grocery store.
I also plan to make enough for two meals, an automatic leftover for later in the week, or in the freezer thinking of the extra busy days when I’ll need the meal for us or for a family who needs a meal.
The extra vegetables, I either share or freeze in baggies for the future and save some money. The basics, I am able to share at a food pantry or another family, because I have them on hand.
This may not work for everyone, but it works for me and our family. We have had to get used to eating what is in season, and trying new things, but we found we like more vegetables and have had to find creative ways of using vegetables.
Thanks for writing this post. I’ve been terrible at meal planning for several months and this encouraged me to plan our meals for this week. I’m trying to get back into it to ease some of the weekday stress about food all the time.
Thanks!