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2025 Meal Planners!

988 replies

Citygirlrurallife · 01/01/2025 18:47

Here it is - all welcome, long termers and newbies, I imagine this week is leftovers leftovers leftovers and kicking off from Thursday onwards.

ive gone back to Oddbox and our deliveries now come on Friday nights so I’m going to try to force my brain to meal plan Thursday-Thursday and have delivery on Thursdays to make it happen. Won’t happen this week but hopefully from next

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holidayfever2024 · 05/01/2025 11:19

Hi everyone can I please join you ?
I really need to change how we are cooking this year as we are a classic time poor family and life is so much better when we all know what we are cooking each night.
DH takes on a lot of the cooking when I am low on motivation but we do then end up with a narrow repertoire that gets very dull and mince heavy.
We could do with saving money , eating less meat and DH wants to lose weight so we really need new ideas.
Am reading all your ideas and will be back to update when I have a plan.
I have already shopped for this week so maybe will do a better job next week.
Need to investigate the freezer contents!

drspouse · 05/01/2025 11:48

We have a four -weekly plan that gets rotated and is mainly the same food but I try to introduce something new each week. I use Cherrypick but it's annoying that most of it isn't free now.
DH is pretty good at doing a freezer audit every so often!
If anyone has found any decent lower fat sausages please shout - I find I can tweak things with sausages in and keep the DCs happy! But I'm trying to lose weight.

drspouse · 05/01/2025 11:51

Here's the current plan. Fridays are always a takeaway and we each get a turn at choosing with a film as well. Thursdays both DCs have activities at different times so it's a leftover day.

2025 Meal Planners!
drspouse · 05/01/2025 11:53

Oh and I try to do veggie prep on a Sunday but that's usually for my lunches. Anything in the fridge that needs eating - I did it on Friday this week and I have roasted beetroot and roasted peppers which I need to freeze as I have something else planned this week!

thrifty24 · 05/01/2025 13:18

Oh yes this is my task for today ahead of return to normality tomorrow!

wehumans · 05/01/2025 14:25

Planned and shopped for this week’s meals. I’ve done lunches too but that’s mainly just sandwiches, yogurt and fruit for DC.

Monday- Sausage stroganoff tagliatelle
Tuesday- Lentil coconut curry
Wednesday- Sausage, kale, and gnocchi one pot
Thursday- Bean and halloumi stew
Friday- Fish pie * *
Saturday- Nutty chicken curry
Sunday- Sunday Roast

TheLadyIsAVamp · 05/01/2025 22:41

@drspouse have you tried heck sausages? My OH loves sausages but I've never been a huge pork sausage fan but I love Heck chicken sausages. They're 66 calories for 2 grilled chipolatas. I think their normal pork sausages are around the 300cal mark for 2 but I haven't tried them.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 05/01/2025 23:04

M - chicken satay curry
T - sausages, mash and peas
W - pan fried gnocchi with pesto and broccoli
Th - pizza and salad, garlic bread
F - chicken fajitas
S - a lemon chicken orzo thing DP found a recipe he liked the look of and decided to cook
Sun - macaroni cheese

Been off work since the 20th so an easy week of meals!

Sgtmajormummy · 06/01/2025 11:36

Here’s ours for this week. Lunches often have to be reheated for DC who finishes at 2.
I’ve doubled up minestrone, roast chicken leftovers in Chinese, then leftover rice becomes egg fried rice.
Every meal has fresh fruit.

2025 Meal Planners!
HalloumiFries · 06/01/2025 16:00

I've broken my plan already 😂Although not necessarily in a bad way.

Decided on Saturday that I needed something lighter than the planned butter halloumi curry. Still needed to use up halloumi though so ended up making a recipe from instagram which was a sort of quinoa pilaff with roast carrots, red onions and chickpeas topped with harissa-marinated halloumi and garlic yoghurt. It was lovely and definitely hit the spot, plus all the ingredients were in the house anyway so no extra shopping.

I also have more cream cheese leftover from yesterday's aubergine bake than anticipated so I'm going to switch out the planned turkey enchiladas on Friday for a gnocchi gratin. Again, no extra ingredients - turkey will stay in freezer, gnocchi will come out - all the veg is the same.

Thirdly, I had forgotten that I'm going to a friends for lunch on Sunday and DH is working so will forgo the ham this weekend and will think of something which I can put together quickly for everyone when I get home and I can have a small portion if hungry. Mind is blank right now so that will factor into next week's plan.

Zippidydoodah · 06/01/2025 19:51

That halloumi and quinoa thing sounds delicious, @HalloumiFries (love the user name too! 😆)

My shopping had a few unavailable items (no mince in the whole shop, hey Tesco? 🤔) so really annoyingly I will have to go out and do a top up shop already.

Cornecopia · 06/01/2025 20:42

changedmynam · 01/01/2025 18:59

I'm sat here with a pile of recipe books and have just planned all of January into February and made a task on my calender to do Februarys in about 3 weeks time.

I find online shopping so much easier when I've already decided what to eat so can just add the relevant ingrediants, and easier to not repeat the same old recipes when I plan 4 / 5 weeks at a time as dont repeat any meals in this time.

Edited

Wow this is serious organisation I’m impressed!

catin8oots · 06/01/2025 20:44

M - Linda McCartney 'duck', mini wraps, rice , cucumber, spring onions

T - chicken cacciatore, boiled potatoes, salad

W - ham, egg, chips, peas

T - chilli (turkey mince) tacos

F- tuna pasta bake

S - pizzas (I'm out kids cook themselves)

S - dunno

Not the most inspiring week but still trying to use up leftovers!

Cornecopia · 06/01/2025 20:48

Love this thread. I’ve made a rattotuille (can’t spell that sorry) so far this week. Chicken curry tomorrow, sausage and mash wed, jackets Thursday.
I would like to eat less meat this year so I’m thinking of swapping one of those meals for a risotto :)

1AnotherOne · 06/01/2025 20:57

Ooh I love a meal plan! Hi all. What marry me chicken recipe is your go to for those that have listed it? Haven’t tried it before! Also what’s best to serve it with? Pasta? Potatoes and veg?

here’s my weekly plan. Food shop tomorrow, usually go to Tesco or M&S and find prices pretty similar!

Tonight was a freezer dinner as nothing in so just goujons, chips and baked beans. Can’t beat it sometimes 😂

Tuesday - Nando’s chicken with tomato rice, garlic tenderstem broccoli and grilled halloumi
Wednesday - chicken fajitas. I chop it all up and chuck it in the air fryer so nice and quick
Thursday - working late so M&S best ever lasagne with garlic bread and mixed green veg
Friday - toad in the hole, green beans, mash, gravy
Saturday - chicken stir fry and prawn crackers

Food shop Sunday. May try the Marry Me chicken.

Ilovemyshed · 06/01/2025 21:10

Chat GPT is good at meal planning when you give it some pointers. And it then does a shopping list if you want.

foodiemama26 · 06/01/2025 21:31

3within3 · 05/01/2025 10:24

Fish parcels and bang bang salad sounds delicious! Do you use a recipe you could please share?

The parcels are just quarted pak choi and tenderstem broccoli mixed with some fresh ginger and garlic topped off with a piece of salmon. I mix soy, fresh lime juice and chilli flakes as the dressing over it all and wrap in tinfoil. There’s loads of different versions of the salad this was cobbled together from what I had so I just cubed some cucumber and sliced some radish and used soy, lime (juice and zest), sesame oil as the dressing with some fresh chillies thrown in. I’ve got a proper recipe lurking somewhere which I’ll share when I can find it!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 06/01/2025 21:37

catin8oots · 06/01/2025 20:44

M - Linda McCartney 'duck', mini wraps, rice , cucumber, spring onions

T - chicken cacciatore, boiled potatoes, salad

W - ham, egg, chips, peas

T - chilli (turkey mince) tacos

F- tuna pasta bake

S - pizzas (I'm out kids cook themselves)

S - dunno

Not the most inspiring week but still trying to use up leftovers!

I hope the kids don’t actually cook themselves. 😃

TheGirlWhoLived · 06/01/2025 21:39

New week new menu!
M- Cajun chicken, wholemeal rice and chargrilled veg
T- Nasi Goreng
W- Chicken and mozzarella Pasta bake
T- Minute steak with jackets and tenderstem
F- Chicken Fajitas
S- Chickpea, spinach and butternut squash curry with poppadoms
S- French Onion soup and crusty bread

TheGhostOfTheYearYetToCome · 06/01/2025 21:42

Ilovemyshed · 06/01/2025 21:10

Chat GPT is good at meal planning when you give it some pointers. And it then does a shopping list if you want.

what do you ask it? Sorry about the italics it won't turn off

foodiemama26 · 06/01/2025 21:43

Here’s this week…

Mon: stir fry with chicken mince and sugarsnaps
Tues: cottage pie (I made 2 last week thankfully!)
Wed: chicken and chickpea curry
Thurs: pesto pasta with peas/leftover veggies
Fri: chicken and leek rice one pot
Sat: tikka salmon parcels
Sun: chicken roast dinner

Next week I want to add in some more veggie meals, but currently still trying to work through the freezer to save going shopping.

Ilovemyshed · 06/01/2025 22:07

@TheGhostOfTheYearYetToCome

Just type in something like "make me a 7 day meal planner". Then you can keep adding things like, I only have £50 to spend, it needs to be gluten free, exclude fish, make all the lunches packed lunches, that sort of thing, and it keeps updating it.

When you have a plan you like, cut and paste it. Then ask Chat GPT to make you a shopping list from it.

Takes literally 5 mins!

Ilovemyshed · 06/01/2025 22:09

Here's an example .. i typed in "Make me a plan for snack lunches for 5 days, gluten free" and it came up with this in about 5 seconds:

Here’s a 5-day gluten-free snack lunch plan that’s balanced, nutritious, and easy to prepare:

Day 1: Mediterranean Inspired
• Hummus with Veggies: Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips for dipping.
• Rice Cakes: Top with a layer of mashed avocado and a sprinkle of sea salt.
• Gluten-Free Cheese: A few slices of gluten-free cheese (cheddar, gouda, or mozzarella).

Day 2: Protein-Packed
• Cottage Cheese or Greek Yogurt: Serve with a handful of gluten-free granola or fresh berries.
• Hard-Boiled Eggs: Simple and filling; add a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
• Mixed Nuts: A small portion of almonds, walnuts, or cashews.

Day 3: Asian Fusion
• Rice Paper Rolls: Make with gluten-free rice paper, filled with shrimp, lettuce, avocado, and shredded carrots. Serve with a gluten-free dipping sauce (like tamari).
• Edamame Beans: Lightly salted and steamed.
• Fresh Fruit: Sliced mango or a few orange wedges for a refreshing treat.

Day 4: Veggie Delight
• Gluten-Free Veggie Wrap: Use a gluten-free tortilla and fill it with hummus, mixed greens, shredded carrots, and cucumber.
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries: Bake in olive oil, salt, and pepper for a simple, healthy side.
• Apple Slices with Peanut Butter: A great mix of sweet and savory.

Day 5: Comforting and Cozy
• Gluten-Free Quesadilla: Use a gluten-free tortilla, melted cheese, and a bit of salsa or guacamole.
• Snackable Veggies: Cherry tomatoes, celery, and olives.
• Chia Pudding: Make a simple chia pudding with coconut milk and a bit of honey or maple syrup. Top with fresh berries or coconut flakes.

Each day provides a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and fiber, with plenty of flavor!

Ilovemyshed · 06/01/2025 22:11

I also asked it for some healthy quick breakfast ideas and it came up with ten options.

Ilovemyshed · 06/01/2025 22:13

And then I asked it how much it would all cost in Tesco and it came up a sensible looking number. I must test it 😂

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