Meal Planning + Weekly Meal Ideas + Grocery Shopping

Happy Friday!  Today I am answering a request from a reader wanting to know how I meal plan and grocery shop. 

I have to say I love to cook and I actually love to grocery shop too (especially when I am kid free).   My happy place is truly in the kitchen with a glass of wine cooking.  That being said I do not cook everyday, who has time for that with small kids?  I do cook 2-3 times a week.  The other days we eat leftovers and on Fridays we always order food usually pizza or Thai food.   

GROCERY SHOPPING + MEAL PLANNING

I am not the best about planning out meals in advance and grocery shopping for the week.  I would say I go to the store several times a week however I do make my big run for the week on withe Sunday or Monday morning.  If I go Sunday Matt usually watches the kids or if I don't make it Sunday I will go Monday after I take Frances to school.  Grocery shopping with two whiney kids is never easy so I try to do it alone.  If I make a quick run during the week I usually do this when both kids are in school or occasionally we all go after we pick Sterling up from school.

As far as meal planning I usually flip through my cookbooks on Sunday and try and get a vague idea of what I want to cook that week.  I love to cook a big Sunday dinner.  It is a nice way to wind down from the weekend and all sit down as a family and eat.

This week's menu was:

SUNDAY- Black bean cakes + Squash Casserole

MONDAY- Gnocchi and Vodka Sauce (I bought this from the Farmers Market, I always pick up their pasta and keep it in the freezer for quick weeknight meals) + leftover squash casserole

TUESDAY- Garden Veggie Pie + green peas

WEDNESDAY- Leftover Garden Veggie Pie 

THURSDAY- Fish Tacos + black beans + street corn

FRIDAY- Pizza

WHAT DO THE KIDS EAT?

I can't tell you how often I get the question what do your kids eat?  Do they eat the same thing as Matt and I?  90% of the time yes they eat what Matt and I are having for dinner.  I try hard not to cook a separate meal for them.  Now sometimes I will serve the meal in a different way like if I make a chopped salad I leave the lettuce off their plates and just do the toppings they will eat. 

  Do they complain?  Always.  Most nights Sterling sits down and exclaims this all looks gross I am not eating.  To which we reply fine then you may go straight to bed and then usually he changes his mind.

  Sterling as much as he complains has turned into a pretty good eater and now Frances is my picky one.  If they do not eat their dinner they do not get anything else to eat and trust me they go to bed hungry often.  Sterling is old enough that I will offer him dessert if he eats a certain portion of his dinner and that usually inspires him to eat.  Frances is harder these days and very stubborn.  She is going thru a phase where she likes no veggies and just wants to eat fruit.  

If I have an event or I am going out and not cooking that night I will usually cook something frozen for them like chicken nuggets or fish sticks, or pick up sushi.  As far as frozen foods go I usually only buy the Morning Star, kidfresh and Amy's products for them.  I know they are are processed too but they are not quite as bad as other brands.

ARE WE ALL MEAT FREE?

Matt is the only true meat free person in our house and he is a pescatarian.   He will eat fish and shellfish just no meat of any kind.  The kids and I do still eat meat although I don't really eat red meat anymore.  I do still eat my beloved bacon and chicken occasionally .  The kids eat everything although I don't cook with much meat anymore. Sterling will sometimes ask for beef tacos so when he does I make Matt and I fish tacos and cook a small batch of red meat for him.   I also pick up a rotisserie chicken sometimes and shred that for them.  Now that I don't meat that often I don't ever crave it so really the only time I eat it when I am out to eat.

GROCERY STAPLES EACH WEEK

I have a few items I always buy each week at the grocery store to have on hand for easy lunches and dinners.

Rao's Marinera (great with the Trader Joe's ravioli)

cherry tomatoes

baby cucumbers

lemons

kale

spinach

chick peas

dried beans

bread 

pimento cheese

cheese

salami and or pepperoni

onions

bananas

Ravioli and or fresh pasta (I buy this at the Farmer's Market but Trader Joe's has some great ravioli)

canned salmon 

WHEN DO I COOK?

Depending on what I am making I usually start cooking while Frances naps in the afternoon and Sterling is still at school between 1-2:30.   That is when I do most of my prep work or if it is something like enchiladas or a casserole I assemble the entire dish.  If it requires more work and cooking time after that I start up again at 5-5:30.  I usually bathe the kids by 5, I like an early bath time and dinner.   Then after bath I let them watch a tv show while I finish up dinner.

DO WE ALWAYS EAT AS A FAMILY?

I would say maybe 3 nights a week Matt is home in time to eat with us.  The other nights when he works a little later I sit down and eat with the kids usually by 6.   They are like vultures starting around 5 wanting snacks, telling me how hungry they are and starving so I try and serve them dinner early.  I am usually hungry by then anyways so even if Matt is not home I sit down and eat with them.  I think it is nice to sit down, say a blessing together and chat about their days.

EASY WEEK NIGHT MEALS 

I wanted to round up a few easy week night meals.

A few go-to's that are not pictured are Ravioli, veggie plate- I usually do something like roasted broccoli, slow cooked dried beans and mac and cheese, sushi, and salmon cakes.

T O M A T O  P I E

I make this dish at least once a month.  I love it and the kids will usually eat it. 

S H R I M P  T A C O S

We do tacos at least one night a week.  Our new favorite are these Shrimp Tacos although sometimes we sub flounder or mahi for the Shrimp.  I usually prep all the ingredients like the salsa and cabbage before hand so then at dinner time all we have to do is cook the shrimp or fish.

T U S C A N   C H I C K E N  C A K E S

These are great because you can assemble them ahead of time and just keep in the fridge til you are ready to cook them.  I also make these Salmon cakes frequently too.

E N C H I L A D A S

I alway love enchiladas because you can assemble the whole dish ahead of time.   I also like this black bean version and these beef ones.

C H I C K E N   L E T T U C E  W R A P S

These are fairly quick to assemble and so tasty!

K O R E A N  B E E F  B O W L S

We used to make these all the time back when Matt still ate meat.  Super simple and full of flavor.

V E G G I E  S T U F F E D  P O R T O B E L L O  M U S H R O O M S

You can stuff and assemble these ahead of time and then just bake.  They one of my favorite vegetarian meals.   I also like this version with broccoli and gouda.

S O U T H E R N   C O B B   S A L A D 

I always love a chopped salad for dinner.  You can chop everything and have it ready to at dinner all you have to do is toss everything together.  

Happy Cooking!

Scenes From Our Weekend

Grateful- exactly how I feel after my post Friday.  You guys blew me away with your comments, emails, texts and messages after my post Friday.  I was ready to share but at the same time I was apprehensive.  You ladies lifted me up, encouraged me, gave me hope, love and inspired me.  I honestly can't thank you enough.  This is a difficult and dark journey I have been on and I know it will continue to be trying but your kind words and encouragement meant so much to me. 

Thank You from the bottom of my heart, ya'll are amazing. 

xoxo

................................................................

Thursday night I headed out to an event at Zero George for The Hilliard Studio Method a fitness studio based out of Charlotte.  Next time I am home I am definitely gonna try and fit a class in.  The ladies that do this workout have incredible figures!  We are trying to convince them to open a studio here in Charleston! 

What I wore:

Dress also HERE and HERE | Booties | Earrings | Watch | Purse

I am wearing a small in the dress, it runs TTS.

After the event we stayed for a drink and a nibble at the bar.  

They make the best drinks at Zero George.  I went with my old trusty,  the Dirty martini,  but they have so many fun and innovative ones to choose from.

I always love their cheese platter, although I have really never met a cheese plate I didn't like.

They only make a certain amount of burgers each night and we got lucky they had one left so we all split it.  Let me tell you, it was hands down the best burger I have ever had.  I am not even a huge burger person but I was drooling after this one.

Friday I finally tested out my new Vitamix and loved her.  I can tell I am going to be using her often. 

I bought this copper version

I made this smoothie: coconut water, 1 banana, 2 handfuls spinach, frozen mango, frozen pineapple, and a scoop of Greek Yogurt.  I am working on a post I will run soon with all my favorite smoothie recipes. 

Loving this floral tee.  I am all about some florals.

Floral Tee

Friday was lunch at Butcher and Bee, easily one of my favorite lunch spots. 

I finally tried their Veggie burger that was just written up in Bon Appetit.  It was sooooo good!

Friday night was super low key the kids and I watched Norm of The North.  Saturday was a quick workout and then we worked on cleaning out and boxing up clothes.  Follow me @shopsnoopnattynatcloset I will be doing a blog sale this week with some of my clothes.  

I am a huge fan of this workout top that can be worn tied or not tied.  It is perfect for barre and yoga.

I am wearing a size 6 in both the tank and leggings.

Tank | Leggings

After that we hit up the mall to escape the rain.  

That afternoon I met a friend for a glass of wine at The Dewbury.  Thank goodness for my girlfriends who take care of me on the weekends!

What I wore:

Blouse (buy one get one 50% off) | Necklace | Jeans | Pumps

Fries + Aioli:) Clearly I didn't watch what I ate this weekend.  Back on the train today.

Sunday it poured rain all day so we headed to the Aquarium.

That display is all legos- I mean how amazing.

Sterling is shark obsessed so he was in heaven.

Currently crushing on statement Earrings.

ONE | TWO | THREE

FOUR | FIVE | SIX

Have a wonderful start to your week.

Daily Diet + Exercise Plan + Workout Gear

Today I wanted to share a little bit about my current diet and work out plan.  I am always on a mission to tone up and get fit and I feel like I finally have a good routine down.  I am 36 and since I am most likely done having babies I really want to try and be in the best shape I can.  

My goal is to feel good in a bikini next Summer.  I always wear one pieces because I feel too uncomfortable about my body in a two piece and I want to change that.  I am not getting any younger so I want to proudly rock a two piece while I can. 

I recently started doing some one on one training twice a week and I swear 3 weeks in and I can already see small results.  I reached out to my barre teacher Ashley Morris (at Pivotal Fitness) about training me one on one.   She has an amazing body and I love her classes.  They are not typical barre and really challenge you in a good way.   I knew she would hold me accountable and help me see the results I wanted.  If you live locally and are interested in training with her you can email her at chucktownfitchick@gmail.com.  She is amazing and trust me her body is insane- major goals. 

Ashley wanted me to have 5 set workout days.  Some weeks I only make 4 days but 5 is always my goal.  I prefer to knock them out during the week so I can relax on the weekend.  I always workout from 8:30-9:30.  I take Sterling to school around 7 come home and change and get Frances ready for school then head to the gym.  Her school doesn't start til 9:45 so she comes to the gym nursery with me.  That was a huge reason why I joined this gym because of child care.  I am the type of person where if I don't work out first thing in the morning I will make excuses, so I like to get my workouts done early.  Now that I have been going more often I feel like my body actually craves gym time.  I feel so much better on my gym days.  

This is my current schedule:

MONDAY- 1 hour barre class

TUESDAY- 1 hour training session

WEDNESDAY- Red Zone class - this is a boot camp similar to orange theory lots of cardio and circuits

THURSDAY- 1 hour barre or yoga

FRIDAY - 1 hour training session

For our training sessions we do mainly weights and ab work.  I really didn't lift any weights prior to this so I feel like I am starting to get more definition.  We focus all over the body and do leg work, arms, butt and abs.  Either before or after we train she has me to the stair mill for 15 minutes at between a 5-7 pace.  That machine is the devil.  I hate it and I am always so sweaty afterwards but it burns a lot of calories in a short amount of time. 

After 6 weeks I will give you guys an update.  We did some initial measurements and I will be curious to see the results.  So far I have lost 3 pounds and I am feeling more toned, my stomach also feels flatter.  

D I E T 

As far as my diet goes for the most part I eat fairly healthy.   I have really tried to cut out processed foods.  This is really hard for me because I love crackers, gold fish, cereal, if its a snack food and processed you name it and I used to snack on it.   I am getting used to it though and don't crave that stuff like I used to.  On the weekends I give myself a little more leeway.  I am not super strict, I love food so if I have a dinner out I am going to indulge and eat what I want.  

Here is a sample daily diet of what I eat.  Keep in mind I am not a nutritionist this is just me trying to eat healthy and feel good.  Everyone has different bodies and body types so you gotta do what works for you! 

B R E A K F A S T 

I always start the day with hot lemon water.  Followed by one cup black decaf coffee.  My breakfast is usually PB on whole grain toast and a little yogurt. I have been too burned out on eggs to eat them. Ashley said the complex carbs of the multigrain bread and the protein from the yogurt were a good morning combo to eat before I work out.  Since I work out from 8:30-9:30 I usually eat breakfast around 7:30.

After I work out I usually hit up Starbucks.  Probably a bad treat but I love it,  They just opened a drive through Starbucks beside my gym and it is bad news.  I usually get a tall decaf almond milk latte.  I also like a non fat green tea latte.   I have mentioned this before but after I had Frances I gave up most caffeine.  It was making me feel jittery and anxious and I feel so much better without it but I do still love my coffee.  

L U N C H 

I usually try and prep a few salads to have on hand for my lunch during the week although I typically eat lunch out at least one day a week with friends.

This week was No Mayo Broccoli Salad + White Bean Salad

The week before was Greek Salad + Couscous.

Tuna + White Bean Salad and Hummus is another go to lunch.

If I do eat lunch out I try and do a salad.  This week I ate at Taco Boy and had the Chicken Salad.

D I N N E R 

Dinner is a little more of a wild card.  I have been trying to cook healthier on a whole.  A few recent dinners I have had the past few weeks.  

Arugula + Crispy Prosciutto + Blue Cheese + Figs + Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Chopped Kale Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

S N A C K S 

I honestly don't snack much.  If I do it is string cheese, olives or nuts.  

A L C O H O L + B E V E R A G E S 

Yes,  I still have alcohol.  I would rather cut back on calories during the day to allow for a glass or two of wine at night.  As far as other beverages go I only drink water, sparkling water or unsweet tea during the day.  

F A V O R I T E  W O R K O U T  G E A R

Nikes

I bought these Nikes over the Summer and love them.  They are the TR 6 OC Training ones.  They are light weight and work perfectly for the exercises I have been doing. 

I have this black color, they are 20% off right now.

30% here in several colors

My two favorite workout pants are both high waisted.  After two kids I need all the help I can get sucking it in.  I highly recommend both of these.  Sizing wise I wear a small in the Zella ones and a 6 in the Lululemon ones.  

Zella High Waisted  | in a full length version

Lululemon High Rise Pants

These are a bit more expensive but I promise you worth every penny.  These make me feel like a million bucks when I have them on,  The material is fantastic and they really suck you in and are so flattering.

Sculpt Tank

I love this top because it is not too fitted and it has the cutest back.  I own this in a few colors.  

I am wearing it here in navy., paired with the black lulu pants and nikes above. 

Side Slit Tank

I have mentioned before but I prefer tops that are not super fitted when I workout.  I love this style.  The cotton is so soft, I usually wear this for barre classes.

Also in pink, black and white

Twist Front Tee

This is great to toss on over any workout tank.  It is so soft too!  I have the black but I am thinking of getting another color. 

Define Jacket

This is my favorite jacket to toss on when it is cold.  I find it is super flattering.  I am wearing a size 6. 

Yoga Mat

This was a Christmas gift last year and I love it!  I like to bring my own mat for barre and yoga.

Also available in several other patterns HERE