Menu Plan {December 19th – 23rd} plus Weight Loss Goals and Make Ahead Meal Instructions

Is anyone else in shock that Christmas is THIS WEEK! Can I tell you a secret? I am not ready at all! Seriously, I have a few presents bought but other than that I still have a ton to do. In fact, I procrastinated so bad this year I did not even send out holiday cards. Yes I am holding my head in shame.

This has been one of my busiest years and even though I have somewhat mastered the weight loss thing (which I know is a big one) I need to get my butt in gear and somewhat master the rest of my crazy busy life. One of my goals for next year is prioritizing and organizing my home management system. However, that is another post for another time.

Right now let’s talk my weight loss goals and menu plan.

Keeping with my slow and steady pace I lost 1 pound this week. I did pretty good in sticking with all of my goals. Something that helps keep me accountable (besides My Fitness Pal) is printing this post out and sticking it to my refrigerator. That way I am reminded as to what I need to do and eat everyday in working towards my weight loss goals. I have noticed in the past, when I did not have my plan in plain sight that I would easily forget and stray from it. So if you are having problems sticking to your goals print them out and keep visible. This may seem simple but it works.

Here are my healthy living and weight loss goals for the week.

• Keep my daily caloric intake between 1400-1500 calories a day. I usually will eat 350 calories for lunch and breakfast, 500 calories for dinner, and two 100 calorie snacks.
• Power walk Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday on my treadmill for 45 minutes. I am finding that I need to be much more specific than just saying “exercise 3 times week”.
• Do 50 sit-ups, squats, and girly pushups before bed everyday. This should only take about 15 minutes.
• Do not eat after 7:00pm. This really helps in keeping my daily calories under control.

Menu Plan {December 19^th – 23^rd}

Since Christmas is this weekend, and we eat at my family’s house, I am only going to do my menu plan up until Friday. However, with the holidays fast approaching, my menu plan also includes preparing foods for work and classroom parties. That is going to include cheese and crackers and a couple extra Stromboli.

All of the recipes, nutritional information, and freezer instructions are available by clicking the links below. If a meal does not have a link then that means I have not posted it yet but will shortly.

Breakfast

Breakfast Sandwiches

Breakfast Burritos

Pumpkin Bread (new recipe)

Granola

Coffee with Homemade Creamer (new recipe)

Lunch

Cheese and Pepperoni Stromboli

PB& J’s

Greek Chobani Vanilla Yogurt with ¼ cup or less of Homemade Granola

Apples

Leftovers

Snacks

Homemade Powerbars (new recipe)

Cheese sticks

Fruit

Dinner

Grilled Black Beans and Rice Burritos

Grilled Chicken with a Rice, Broccoli, and Cheese Bake (new recipe).

Homemade Pizza with Caramelized Onion

Tacos

Grilled Chicken Quesadillas

Make Ahead Meal Instructions

• I still have breakfast sandwiches in the freezer that I made last week.
• Breakfast burritos I will make tonight to freeze.
• Granola was made last week.
• Pumpkin bread, was made yesterday, sliced and wrapped into individual portions then frozen.
• Coffee creamer was made yesterday and put in the refrigerator in a glass mason jar.
• Stromboli will be made tonight then sliced and wrapped into individual portions for lunches.
• Powerbars, if I have time and energy, will be made tonight. If not I will make tomorrow after work.
• Rice is already prepared for the bean and rice burritos. This is a simple meal to make so I am not going to worry about preparing it fully.
• Chicken is frozen in the marinade. I just need to remember to take it out the night before. The rice is already prepared to use in the rice, broccoli, and cheddar bake. I just need to put it all together andbake when we are ready to eat.
• Pizza dough is prepared and ready in the freezer. I will need to take it out in the morning the day we want to eat pizza. I am going to try to cut up the onions today to save time when I prepare the pizza with caramelized onion recipe.
• Taco meat and shredded chicken are prepared and in the freezer. Both can thaw overnight in the refrigerator or warmed up in the microwave.

As always I hope you find my menu plan informational and useful. Please share your menu plan and make ahead instructions.

Skinny Mom’s Kitchen participates in Menu Plan Monday hosted by The Organizing Junkie.