tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post6982825821389006972..comments2023-07-16T03:51:02.402-04:00Comments on A Soft Place to Land HAS MOVED!: Meal Planning: A Guest PostKimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16013989296760980717noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-4550934508356359002009-03-17T22:23:00.000-04:002009-03-17T22:23:00.000-04:00You are so impressive!! What a great idea. Not s...You are so impressive!! What a great idea. Not sure if I could handle all of that, but I certainly could do more ahead and want to have more "emergency" meals on hand.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the fabulous info!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06958936771590770427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-71754817702394201112009-03-16T09:28:00.000-04:002009-03-16T09:28:00.000-04:00Sorry I'm a little late getting to this post, but ...Sorry I'm a little late getting to this post, but just wanted to say I think Jen is brilliant! I'm trying to come up with better meal planning routines and this was a big help. Recently I've started using Monday mornings to prepare 3 casseroles for the week that I stack in the fridge, then I have at least 3 nights taken care of. I thought that was good, but Jen had enough for 15 meals whipped up in an hour! Wow. Thanks for the inspiration! :-)Julia @ Hooked on Houseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04937060849774403002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-48985318829343061282009-03-13T07:54:00.000-04:002009-03-13T07:54:00.000-04:00I love it!!! I hate meal planning every week as my...I love it!!! I hate meal planning every week as my family is never satisfied and I hate cooking even more. Why have I never thought of preparing it in advance for thsoe days when I just need a night off? Great ideas! I am going to do it.Southern Charmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12931887877967039546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-32032901148761228682009-03-13T07:06:00.000-04:002009-03-13T07:06:00.000-04:00I'm a day late on commenting! :(This post makes me...I'm a day late on commenting! :(<BR/><BR/>This post makes me wish we had a gas grill - hubby only uses charcoal and for the life of me, I can't learn his system of how to intricately stack each individual coal!!Ruthannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16120288683182046322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-17610720470945026952009-03-13T00:13:00.000-04:002009-03-13T00:13:00.000-04:00Thanks for the pep-talk! I believe "we" can do it ...Thanks for the pep-talk! I believe "we" can do it too!<BR/><BR/>I love freezer cooking!!!!!Jess @ Just a Blinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00118610435607911608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-39182432063487257112009-03-12T23:16:00.000-04:002009-03-12T23:16:00.000-04:00I could use this post... looks so yummy and a bit ...I could use this post... looks so yummy and a bit easy too...Thanks a lot.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545976355145526983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-80307810465347220422009-03-12T22:37:00.000-04:002009-03-12T22:37:00.000-04:00Wonderful tips! We do a mini-version of this: Sund...Wonderful tips! We do a mini-version of this: Sunday afternoon my husband usually grills steak or salmon for dinner that day. He also throws on a large package of chicken breasts, which we pop in the fridge for about 3-4 of the following weeknight dinners (which I do). Our meals options are similar: burritos, quesadillas, pasta, red leaf/spinach salad with sliced chicken on top, fajitas or if I'm really pressed for time one of those boxed Thai noodle meals. Our staples are similar as well, so "just add veggies" and away you go!jeanne @ Inspiring Ideashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05019030802662324836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-29494575813423038272009-03-12T18:52:00.000-04:002009-03-12T18:52:00.000-04:00Great ideas Jen! Thanks for sharing. I cook from s...Great ideas Jen! Thanks for sharing. I cook from scratch every day, but it would be nice to have some prep work done for the days when I'm short on time. <BR/><BR/>Now if only I could come up with a solution for my skinny freezer to store all the prepped stuff!!Amber Filkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03579981602355451593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-16669577065612673062009-03-12T18:19:00.000-04:002009-03-12T18:19:00.000-04:00This is perfect timing with a busy summer of ball ...This is perfect timing with a busy summer of ball games coming up! Thanks for the great tips!Sara F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03283983145711246403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-39774789388353971552009-03-12T17:16:00.000-04:002009-03-12T17:16:00.000-04:00I have always said this is something I needed to d...I have always said this is something I needed to do, now seeing exactly how makes me want to get my grilling groove on! I love to grill because it's easy cleanup and I am the ultimate rice maker, thanks to my grandmother (oh and the fact that we grew up eating rice for dinner every night). I grew up with a family of 7, including 4 big brothers that could put away some food, my mother needed these tips!<BR/>~MistiMisti of Studio M Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00989487170698114089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-26308390297382384722009-03-12T16:40:00.000-04:002009-03-12T16:40:00.000-04:00WOW...I'm so inspired! It really didn't seem too ...WOW...I'm so inspired! It really didn't seem too hard at all. Great tips! <BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for taking the time to share!jennykate77https://www.blogger.com/profile/06148466048132599366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-80002085076293482262009-03-12T14:53:00.000-04:002009-03-12T14:53:00.000-04:00What a wonderful idea! I tho...What a wonderful idea! <BR/> <BR/>I thought I was doing good by precooking meat for the next meal while making dinner for the night. I am already in the kitchen. I am already standing over the stove or cutting veggies on the cutting board. I can watch 2 on a stove almost as easy as just one and it makes my next night so much easier. <BR/><BR/>That's an even better way to be prepared for days, instead of one day ahead. Thanks for sharing!<BR/><BR/>~AmandaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-54846480217952930132009-03-12T14:24:00.000-04:002009-03-12T14:24:00.000-04:00Jen is so right--meal prep is the *hardest* part o...Jen is so right--meal prep is the *hardest* part of making a soft place to land.<BR/><BR/>I do a haphazard version of this method, but never as intentional as this, or by challenging myself to see how much I can get done in an hour.<BR/><BR/>Great inspiration!Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-70036395294913270682009-03-12T13:49:00.000-04:002009-03-12T13:49:00.000-04:00Great tips, Jen & Kimba! I don't have a hu...Great tips, Jen & Kimba! I don't have a huge family to cook for, so don't do a lot of pre-cooking, but I can see how this would save time for you with your kids. If I had that many to feed every day, I'd definitely come up with the short-cuts too. You're good!Rhoda @ Southern Hospitalityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16741881774379561710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-18836879301356282312009-03-12T13:37:00.000-04:002009-03-12T13:37:00.000-04:00That makes me want to come to your place for dinne...That makes me want to come to your place for dinner. Very intentional and delicious plan - thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-62006712090760352282009-03-12T11:54:00.000-04:002009-03-12T11:54:00.000-04:00Meal Planning is definitely a MOUNTAIN to climb - ...Meal Planning is definitely a MOUNTAIN to climb - and most of us have to take that hike everyday! I was excited to see that this post was about cooking AHEAD to make meal time easier. Whether you stay at home or not, having the majority of your meal ALREADY cooked is such a time saver. Thanks Jen for making this mom's life a little less crazy around that 5 o'clock hour!A. M. Newsomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15226695634793343937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-62314972726397597952009-03-12T11:38:00.000-04:002009-03-12T11:38:00.000-04:00hi ladies - As far as the grilling, I didn't take ...hi ladies - As far as the grilling, I didn't take the time to marinate the meat - which would have made it perfect, but I did sprinkle various seasonings and included that on the label when I baggied them up. For instance - garlic basil, taco, garlic lemon etc. It just took me a few seconds to rub them all on....yum.<BR/><BR/>And why, oh why, did I have to follow Kimba's amazing pink ponk wreath. Meal planning feels like work after that, but come on....let's make it a game. See how much you can do. :)Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09152743288585898776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-57527127479223851862009-03-12T11:33:00.000-04:002009-03-12T11:33:00.000-04:00This post could not have come at a better time. Ju...This post could not have come at a better time. Just last night I started hearing the chime of whats for dinner. We did the "what do you feel like" routine and didnt get any matching results. We ended up at subway and spent a small fortune that I didnt have ..ugh! What was I thinking. Thirty dollars almost for a few footlongs and a pizza. I almost didnt enjoy it{other than the fact of a clean kitchen} Thank you girls for this post. I will have to try it. My wallet needs to try it.. I will be over to see your details Jen!Susie from Bienvenuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14428674663127912455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-28522944909377648352009-03-12T11:23:00.000-04:002009-03-12T11:23:00.000-04:00Great tips and suggestions. I love to have meals ...Great tips and suggestions. I love to have meals ready to go on the spur of the moment. Thanks, Hugs, MartyMarty@A Stroll Thru Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12405504522777964549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-18731328579832845252009-03-12T11:13:00.000-04:002009-03-12T11:13:00.000-04:00Grilling. I need tips....do you season the meat fi...Grilling. I need tips....do you season the meat first with something that works for all your recipe options? Halp. Cooking is not my thing. Love grilling and never thought of doing it in advance! OY! You are brilliant.Melissa @ The Inspired Roomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09711494549892860307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-17338463486142162482009-03-12T09:13:00.000-04:002009-03-12T09:13:00.000-04:00Great job jen! Love the idea of grilling ahead of...Great job jen! Love the idea of grilling ahead of time. why haven't I thought of that?The Nesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03795599998657633444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-68689198796579118942009-03-12T09:04:00.000-04:002009-03-12T09:04:00.000-04:00Hi girls! In Jen's original article, she gave a li...Hi girls! In Jen's original article, she gave a little more detail about assembling the meals once you've done the prep work. We edited it down to make the article a little shorter.<BR/><BR/>Here's what she said about putting together meals from her freezer combined with her pantry items.<BR/><BR/>With the pantry items and the food I just prepared, I can make:<BR/><BR/>•Chicken stir fry – chicken, frozen veggies, rice <BR/><BR/>•Enchiladas or burritos with rice, beans, taco seasoned beef, cheese, salsa, and sour cream<BR/><BR/>•Simple chicken casserole with diced chicken, cream of mushroom/chx soup, rice, seasoning, and cheese sprinkled on top. <BR/><BR/>•Simple Chicken pot pie with chicken, cream of mush/chx soup, bag of frozen veggies, cheese, and an all purpose seasoning…I love Homemade Gourmet.<BR/><BR/>•Chili – hamburger, beans, water, can of diced tomatoes, seasoning, and water.<BR/><BR/>•Taco salad - romaine lettuce drizzled with either French or ranch dressings, dolloped with black beans, taco flavored hamburger meat, salsa, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips<BR/><BR/>•Taco dip<BR/><BR/>•Taco pizza<BR/><BR/>•Grilled Chicken salad<BR/><BR/>•Shredded pork with BBQ sauce makes a great sandwich<BR/><BR/>•Stuffed biscuits with either salsa or spaghetti sauce, hamburger, and cheese <BR/><BR/>•SpaghettiKimbahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16013989296760980717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-89769714077337900742009-03-12T08:48:00.000-04:002009-03-12T08:48:00.000-04:00Excellent! Do things while you are doing them! Jus...Excellent! <BR/><BR/>Do things while you are doing them! Just do a little more! It works!Leilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03432158981260636910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-69770835188088284612009-03-12T08:29:00.000-04:002009-03-12T08:29:00.000-04:00I've heard that you should cook ahead, but that al...I've heard that you should cook ahead, but that always seems like such a daunting task. This seems do-able. I can't wait to read more!Laurel @ Ducks in a Rowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860986450641700046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4212416519726161477.post-46838407108876981092009-03-12T07:57:00.000-04:002009-03-12T07:57:00.000-04:00Jen, is the house next door to you for sale? I'm ...Jen, is the house next door to you for sale? I'm just saying that when the five o'clock bedlam hits at my house, I could just come over and beg......nice post, and yes, it is amazing what we can prepare when we are just intentional about it. thanks for sharing....now please untie Kimba so she can share a crafty genius idea with us! :)<BR/><BR/>suzannesoutherninspirationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963496784797926400noreply@blogger.com