January Meal List

We spend too much money eating out.

And times are a changin' round here. 

So that can only mean one thing....Momma's meal planning. 

And it's nothing fancy...but if you're a little like me and sometimes just thinking of something different to eat can be the challenge, then take a look and maybe grab a few ideas for January's dinners. 

I am listing these in no particular order. The goal is that we will only eat out once a week. And even though that is still around $150-$200 a month, if you only knew how much we ate out in 2015 you would understand that this is way LESS and you might even give me a fist pump. I'd love to hear what's cooking at your house. Let me know and I might even include it in my February line up. I'll also let you know if anything is a flop...because let's face it...I haven't cook 26 meals in a month ever in my life so I am anticipating that at some point there's a slight chance I will fix something that does not pass the edible test. Don't worry....PB and J is a staple in this house. No one will starve. 

Happy Planning!

1. Spaghetti

2. Lasagna

3. Pizza

4. Tacos

5. Chili

6. Chicken Spaghetti

7. Broccoli Rice Chicken Casserole

8. Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Onions

9. Hot Dogs

10. BBQ

11. Potato Soup

12. Breakfast 

13. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

14. Hamburger Helper - don't judge

15. Turkey Roast

16. Sausage

17. Brisket Tacos

18. Chicken Pot Pie

19. Fettuccine Alfredo

20. Baked Ziti

21. Stew

22. Stuffed Peppers

23. Teriyaki Chicken

24. Grilled hamburgers

25. Crockpot Ribs

26. Nachos Supreme

I will add veggies and salads and the occasional roll or cornbread. If I come across some recipe that is revolutionary I'll be sure to share! 

New Year...New You...More or Less

Are you a goal setter? I like to refer to myself as a list maker...and on any given day, some of the stuff on that list gets done and other things, well...don't. On the large scale of New Year's Resolutions, I have failed so miserably over the years, that I don't even like to think about making lofty goals...and yet, every year I find myself trying to figure out how I am going to achieve the ideas and dreams that are floating around in my head.

So this year I've jumped on the bandwagon and chosen one word to describe what I'd like to achieve this year. I thought long and hard (ok...it was really only 30 minutes) to think of a word that would encompass what my heart and mind truly desired. Over the last months I have had some time to think about what my heart was desiring, even needing at this stage in my life...and easily I knew that word that encapsulated my thoughts was "less".

And I have to say with the word "less" there is a bit of guilt...guilt because the world needs so much more...more Jesus, more love, more understanding, more truth, more kindness..and here I am saying "less in '16"....but honestly....for me...this is a year of cutting back on the things that don't matter so that I can give more. I've felt almost suffocated by stuff and pride and waste and conflict that I don't think I can do another 2015. 

So this is the year of intentionally living a less of me lifestyle...and all that entails...spending, calories, stuff, shopping, waste, worry, striving to please others, conflict...and anything else that robs, destroys or kills the "more" abundant life that Jesus wants me to be living. 

How about you? What's God prompting you to do in 2016? Do you make resolutions? Goals? Share in the comments section...and let's cheer each other on this year...to do more of what really matters!