Melbourne cannot seem to decide if it wants to get cooler or stay hot at the moment, so our menu plan reflects that with a mix of meals for both types of weather! This gives me flexibility to change things up depending on what the actual week turns out to be.
Menu planning is one of two key tools that I use to make the task of feeding the family easier. If you are new to menu planning and would like some help then you can either copy mine below or check out any other menu plans I have shared over the years which you can find here. These ones also include shopping lists you can print out too.
If you prefer to create your own you can use my free monthly menu planning template and meal lists to help you with that. Along side menu planning I have another regular process I follow which is a weekly food prep session! Each weekend I spend time in the kitchen to help make my weeknights and school lunch boxes easier.
Below I have shared some ideas for both – sometimes just thinking about what to make is a challenge, so I hope this helps!
Weekly prep ideas for the kids’ lunch boxes
Homemade chicken spring rolls – you can make up a double batch of Sang Choy Bow and use the meat to make these.
Choc sunflower seed balls – easy to make, gluten free and refined sugar free, these tasty choc sunflower seed balls make a perfect addition to the school lunch box.
Gluten free meatballs – easy to make, delicious to eat, gluten free meatballs Chicken and bacon meatballs that are Paleo friendly and you can make up in a big batch to freeze for snacks.
Rice malt syrup chocolate cake – an easy one bowl chocolate cake recipe without refined sugar! Makes a 25cm round cake which is light and delicious.
Oven baked mini burgers – simple lean beef burgers perfect for finger food and lunch boxes.
White chocolate chip and raspberry cookies – with a touch of raspberries, these cookies are delicious and easy to make. I do recommend making a double batch if you have a few kids though – they don’t last long!
BLTs – I make a few ahead and then will prep extra ingredients (cook bacon, shred lettuce etc) and then make them up the night before they are needed.
Easy chocolate slice – a pretty old school recipe that will be a hit with the kids. Again you might like to double the ingredients if you have a few kids 🙂 .
Our weekly menu plans for March
Day | Week Commencing 4th March 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |   | Slow cooker butter chicken Green veggies |
| Tue |  | Slow cooker sweet potato curry (vegetarian) |
| Wed |   | Quick and easy oven baked chicken breast Roast pumpkin salad |
| Thu |  | Beef stir fry and crunchy noodles |
| Fri |  | Pan Fried Fish and Salad |
| Sat |  | Sang choy bow |
| Sun |  | Lamb chops and vegetables |
Day | Week Commencing 11th March 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Slow cooker chicken satay (gluten free) Green veggies |
| Tue |  | Chicken lasagne |
| Wed |  | Pan fried chicken and salad |
| Thu |  | Slow cooker risotto |
| Fri |  | Dukkah crusted salmon with crunchy potatoes and garlic spinach |
| Sat |  | Homemade Tacos |
| Sun |  | Chicken schnitzel and vegetables |
| Week Commencing 13th May 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Moroccan minted beef |
| Tue | | Slow cooker chicken satay (gluten free) |
| Wed |  | Mexibake |
| Thu |  | Pasta with chicken and baby spinach |
| Fri |  | Home made hamburgers and salad |
| Sat |  | Sweet chilli chicken wraps |
| Sun | | Chicken schnitzel and vegetables |
Day | Week Commencing 25th March 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mon |  | Slow cooker beef stroganoff |
| Tue | | Chicken schnitzel and vegetables |
| Wed |
| |