Menu Plan Monday ~ Feb. 8

Another Monday*, another menu plan! Last week went really well. I only had to make one mid-week stop at the grocery store for milk and yogurt. Not bad! And the leftovers fed us for even longer than I anticipated. As a result, we didn't make the curry or picatta last week.

Our only food-related frustration was Kiddo's picky eating. Remember the night he ate popcorn for dinner? So before I get into this week's menu plan, here is an excerpt of our new picky eater plan (courtesy of Ellyn Satter). I guess it's not a plan as much as a reminder of what I am and — perhaps more importantly — am not responsible for when it comes to my child's eating.

****

Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility For Toddlers Through Adolescents:

• The parent is responsible for what, when, where
• The child is responsible for how much and whether

Parents' Feeding Jobs:

• Choose and prepare the food
• Provide regular meals and snacks
• Make eating times pleasant
• Show children what they have to learn about food and mealtime behavior
• Not let children graze for food or beverages between meal and snack times
• Let children grow up to get bodies that are right for them

Fundamental to parents’ jobs is trusting children to decide how much and whether to eat.

****

The bottom line: it's time to lay off! I will provide a variety of healthy foods at every meal. Dessert, which is usually fruit anyway, will not be a secret temptation reserved for those who clean their plates. All of our mealtime options will be presented at once. And kiddo can choose whether to eat and how much.

Will it work? Stay tuned...

Sunday

• Breakfast: Toddy latte; egg(s); Ezekiel 4:9 toast; fruit
• Lunch: Leftovers from dinner on Saturday
• Dinner: Turkey tacos with beans, cheese and lettuce; guacamole; salsa; chips

Monday

• Breakfast: Toddy latte; egg(s); Ezekiel 4:9 toast; fruit
• Lunch: Leftovers from Sunday dinner; fruit
• Dinner: Natural frozen pizza and fruit for the boys; dinner out with friends for me

Tuesday

• Breakfast: Toddy latte; egg(s); Ezekiel 4:9 toast; fruit
• Lunch: Yogurt with apples and dried mango; whole grain crackers with smoked salmon and cheese
• Dinner: Pasta with homemade chicken meatballs and simple tomato sauce**; vegetable

Wednesday

• Breakfast: Toddy latte; egg(s); Ezekiel 4:9 toast; fruit
• Lunch: Leftovers from Tuesday dinner; fruit
• Dinner: Chipotle day!
  

Thursday

• Breakfast: Toddy latte; egg(s); Ezekiel 4:9 toast; fruit
• Lunch: Yogurt with apples and dried mango; whole grain crackers with smoked salmon and cheese
• Dinner: Chicken picatta (from Joy of Cooking: All About Chicken); pasta; vegetable

Friday

• Breakfast: Toddy latte; yogurt with apples and dried mango; Ezekiel 4:9 toast
• Lunch: Leftovers from Thursday dinner
• Dinner: Kyle's homemade waffles with fruit and family movie night
  

Saturday

• TBD: Not sure whether we'll be away from home, or having company over, or what.

*Notice that my menu plan doesn't actually begin on Monday? That's because I work all day on Mondays! A Sunday grocery shopping/planning session works much better for my schedule.

**My family LOVED this tomato sauce last week!