Weekly Meal Plan V — And a Bit of Gloating

I have a secret that I’m just bursting to share. I have my house to myself for the next week!!! At the risk of sounding like a bad mom, I could do cartwheels about this! Shout it from the roof! Alert the press! You get it, moms, right? We love our kids and husbands TO DEATH, but sometimes we think they will BE our death. Okay, maybe a bit dramatic. Live vicariously through me, as I indulge in the greatest of mom fantasies… a whole week alone. HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT, you ask???? I can blame thank work for that. Since I’m contracted to work weekends, I get very few off in a year and have to ration them for big events. My husband wanted to make a trip to visit his family and bring our boys to spend time with them, too. I offered to keep the baby with me while he traveled with the toddler, but he didn’t want to have to rush back before my work weekend, and it’s hard/expensive to find a babysitter for two 12-hour night shifts. So….. he’s taking them both there for the week.

What am I going to do with all of that free time??? Anything, everything, nothing! Sleep, write, read, shop, get my hair done, binge-watch TV… In typical mom fashion, one of my friends said, “You could clean your house the first day, and it will stay clean ALL WEEK LONG!” That’s an awesome idea. Who else fantasizes about having a clean house for an entire week? Just me?

So, my caveat for this week’s meal plan is this: I’m not going to make any of it! I’m going to eat junk food and easy meals ALL WEEK LONG. I may even go out to eat a time or two. I’ve crossed the line into gloating, haven’t I? So sorry. For you parents still in the trenches, here’s a nice, summery meal plan that’s heavy on the “quick and easy” side of things. I’ll save this meal plan for later when reality returns. Have a great week! (And, yes, there will be some ugly crying, too, when I’m missing my babies!)

Cold Soup, Grilled Chicken, Thai Curry and Ramen Salad

Sunday: Chilled Cucumber Soup from The Food Channel

I went on a cruise once and ordered a different chilled soup almost every night. I’m such a fan! Easy and perfect for a summer night– just throw in the blender and keep in the fridge to dip into for an easy meal. (This recipe calls for straining the yogurt, but I think you could just sub Greek yogurt for the plain to skip that step.)

Monday: Grilled California Chicken from Life Tastes Good

One of my friends sent me a recipe like this one to share. I searched Pinterest to find one that was the most similar. Thanks, Tiffany! It looks amazing, and an easy meal, too.

Tuesday: 20 Minute Red Thai Curry with Extra Vegetables from DIYS.com

I had a curry request this week’s meal plan, too! This recipe looks easy (one skillet!) and delicious. I love adding the extra vegetables. It calls for chicken, but I’m sure you could sub the protein of your choice, like you do when ordering Thai food! I might try fried tofu in it. I do love a good fried tofu in my curry.

Wednesday: Ridiculously Amazing Asian Ramen Salad from A Table For Two

It wouldn’t be one of my meal plans without a salad! One of my co-workers often makes a similar salad for potlucks, and it’s SO GOOD! Super addictive. I think I’m going to try adding a can of mandarin oranges to it this time.

Butter Chicken, Breakfast for Dinner and a Day Off

Thursday: Pressure Cooker Indian Butter Chicken from Jay’s Sweet N Sour Life

My husband made this once before in the Instant Pot. So easy and good! A word of warning, though– you’ll wonder what happened to ALL THAT chicken you put into the pot because it shrinks like wool in the dryer. Add extra chicken for leftovers! This recipe could easily be tailored for a crockpot or skillet, too.

Friday: Eggs Benedict Casserole from Chew Out Loud (but, please, for the love of all that is good, don’t chew out loud!)

Let’s have breakfast for dinner! Always a favorite thing in my home. I love this because it turns a “complex” dish into an easy-prep casserole. Double win! Hollandaise sauce, mmmmm!

Saturday: take a break! Go to the park with a picnic! Or, check out this round-up of Lazy Meals from Mom Envy.

I’m always taking recipe suggestions and submissions! Comment below or follow me on Facebook to chat about what we’re cooking this week. I’ll respond as I’m stuffing my face with pizza rolls, cookie dough, popcorn, ice cream… in plain view during daylight hours (evil laugh)!!! Talk soon!

Next on the menu: a whole week of summer grilling recipes.