menu planning monday: i'm baaaack

i've been away, i know. my Christmas was crazy. the computer was out of commission. i overslept and worried about overeating. i've been housetraining a puppy and potty training a toddler. i baked cookies and sent thank you notes. i watched The Bachelor and studied the book of Deuteronomy. i spent time with friends and had alone time to myself. i put away the Christmas decorations and started buying birthday party favors.

it felt good to take a blog break.  but.... i'm baaaaack!

a new year always comes with changes, and i pray that your changes are all for the better. Misty, a friend of mine and annointed speaker was the special guest at MOPS last week and she had some great advice for taking on the new year:

"Make small changes to break big habits."

"Don't let the enemy steal the joy of our family!"

"Analyze my plan ~ plan to glorify God with your body which is a temple of the Holy Spirit. (accdg to 1 Cor 6:19-20)"

"Make plans that support your goals."

"If you're failing to plan, you're planning to fail."

i made some changes and some plans and some goals for Twenty-Ten. but there is one thing that stays the same because of it's success in making my life easier: Menu Planning Monday!

here is this week's menu with links and recipes:

monday: Max's Famous Meatloaf & baked potatoes

tuesday: crockpot pot roast & steamed veggies
wednesday: foil-pack BBQ chicken with rice
thursday: family nigiht, no cooking
friday: BLT sandwiches & black-eyed peas

Max's Famous Meatloaf

1 egg
1 lg onion
1 lg bell pepper chopped (i don't use)
1/2 c. milk
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic chopped fine
2 slices brown bread cut in small pieces
cayenne pepper to taste (i don't use)
1 lb ground beef or turkey *don't forget the meat!*

mix all ingredients and then prepare sauce. pour half the sauce into the meat loaf and mix well. put meat mixture into loaf pan and pour remaining sauce on top. bake 1 hour at 350degsF.

sauce:
1 4oz can tomato sauce
2 T brown sugar
1 T vinegar
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
stir well and simmer 5 minutes.

have a great week, everyone!