Hello from wonderful Copenhagen where we have had sun and heat for the past few days, woo hoo!
I’ve recently fallen off the meal planning wagon, and let’s just say—I’m feeling the effects, ha ha! So today, I’m setting a 10–15 minute timer and getting back on track with a little desk work. If you’re following the FlyLady system, you’ll know about the Daily Focus routine—and if not, I explain how I use it throughout the week in THIS VIDEO. It’s a simple and effective way to stay organized, and it makes tasks like menu planning much more manageable.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to plan a little play time for yourself too! If it’s not scheduled, it usually doesn’t happen. Make time to meet a friend for a walk, organise a cozy family lunch, start dreaming about a summer vacation.
But now, let’s get back to what’s on the table… This Week’s Meal Plan at Casa Copenhagen! Our kids are grown, so my menu is just for hubby and me. But I hope it gives you some easy meal planning inspiration for your own family dinners.
- leftover homemade crustless quiche from the freezer with a mixed salad and pickled beetroot on a night when hubby is out (MY STIR AND BAKE QUICHE RECIPE IS HERE )
- barbecue grilled pork chops served on a bed of chopped fresh spinach, quick carrot salad (2 grated carrots/one tablespoon sugar/one tablespoon lemon juice or white wine vinegar/salt and pepper/handful chopped pistachios or cashews), readymade potato salad
- salade nicoise (tuna, olives, anchovies, boiled eggs, croutons, etc) we usually add new potatoes to ours to bulk it out (BBC Good Food has a GREAT BASIC RECIPE)
- tried out a new recipe…Crispy Sesame Chicken. It worked well, very tasty, but next time I would serve the sauce on the side so the chicken stays crispy. I dry-pan fried some summer cabbage to add in some veggies. RECIPE IS HERE
- Beef chili con carne (no particular recipe, just whatever I have on hand and with with a ton of beans and veggies added to make it heart healthy: carrots, onions, celery, black beans, kidney beans, sweetcorn) served with guacamole, rice and crushed tortilla chips
- as was the case before both of our kids moved out into their own flats, one day of the week for us is usually leftovers, a frittata/quiche made with any veggies which need using up, risotto (SEE MY INSTANT POT RISOTTO RECIPE HERE) or Danish smørrebrød (rye bread open sandwiches with various toppings) or the very occasional takeaway
- and finally…Cornonation Chicken! Takes 5 minutes to put together and is always a hit in the summer!
Why meal planning matters: Whether you’re following the FlyLady system or just trying to simplify your week, having a weekly dinner plan saves time, reduces stress, and helps you make healthier choices. Remember when planning menus to K.I.S.S. – Keep it simple, Sweetie! Check what you have in your fridge, freezer and pantry before you shop.
Need more menu planning inspiration? See my full recipes and crafts YouTube video playlist!
Hugs! Diane