I have to say, I am so impressed with anyone who lives alone and can stick to a menu plan. My husband had a last minute trip at the end of the week, and our menu planning flew off with him. L and I were happy to survive on leftovers, simple picnics in the park, eggs, salads, lots of peanut butter, yogurt, smoothies, sweet potatoes and hummus. It was a welcome break!
We have ingredients for the meals we did not make at the end of the week, so I’m rolling them over to the beginning of this week. Here’s our plan:
This week’s prize is from FlavorDoctor, a salt-free flavor enhancer. Their heart-healthy blend of ingredients allows families to cook with great flavor while reducing sodium intake. FlavorDoctor was created by a medical doctor and Specialist with the American College of Nutrition. You can learn more about FlavorDoctor here. They offer the original flavor, Spicy Jalepeno and Zesty Lime.

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter the giveaway:
Last week’s winner of Daily Dose of Green was Lisa- send me your contact info!
Can I also ask for a favor? I was nominated for one of the Circle of Moms Health and Wellness blogs… if you have a minute to vote for me, I would really appreciate it!
Can’t wait to see what your plan looks like for the week! Link up below:























I think this challenge has been great for getting back on track with planning. I’d love to keep the link up going each week!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Meal Planning: Week of October 21
Yay! Glad you’re up for it. I’d love to keep it going, too. I’ve really benefited from the accountability!
Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
Hi Laura, is it me that won or was there another Lisa that entered?
I’m going to try to link up today, I’ve had an emotional week trying to figure out where to keep my boys for school.
If I don’t link up today, I’ll have something posted on my site for tomorrow on my menu planning. Such a great way for me to stay on track! I like how you keep your meals simple and healthy, the carrot soup sounds wonderful. I’ve made other kinds of pureed veggie soup: butternut squash, celery, tomato, pumpkin soup so I must try carrot soup.
Lisa recently posted..Fish Sticks to the Rescue {#WIAW}
It is you! I’m jealous.
So sorry about the emotional week- those are big decisions. You can still link it up here if it goes up tomorrow. Yes, pureed veggie soups are so good!
Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
Just voted for you again
My “meal plan” is just get back on track this week with my normal eating habits. More protein, more veggies, less wine LOL! Whenever I have a huge event, I get a bit side tracked and things get jumbled. Always feel better to be on a regular schedule.
Alicia at Poise in Parma recently posted..Link It Up: Must Read Posts on 10.19.2012
Thanks for the like, Alicia.
Yes- eating with a hectic schedule gets old quickly. Enjoy getting back to normal!
Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
Just voted again, you’re doing great
I like being able to look back at what I wrote down for the week and have a plan.
Jen recently posted..Menu Planning 10/21
Thanks for the vote- I’ve been voting for you, too! Yes, I love having a plan, too. Prevents me from getting grumpy at 4:00 when I start stressing about what to make!
Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
I have to menu plan in this house our we would spend a fortune on eating out. You have some wonderful ideas Laura! The Flavor Dr. in Zesty Lime sounds awesome, I love adding “acid” ie: lime, lemon, vinegar to my food.. let’s just say I’m an acid addict.. um, that sounds bad.
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Classroom Halloween Treats for under $1.00 each
I’m a big fan of adding acidic flavors to dishes, too. I haven’t tried the Zesty Lime yet but hope to soon! We can easily overdo the salt, so I love that these are a salt free alternative.
Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
This challenge has been perfect for me!!! I would love to continue it! It is what I need to get me headed in the right direction in the morning!
Awesome- so glad you’re up for continuing! I’m impressed you got one up this week with the new baby!
Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
[...] more menu plans and dinner ideas be sure to check out Mommy Run Fast and/or Fitness, Health & Happiness, and if you are so inclined, link up your own menu plan [...]
I love Flavor Doctor! I hosted a giveaway a while back and have been using it since! And yes, I would love to see this challenge continue–it keeps me accountable and on track. Thank you for hosting it!
Candy @ Healthy In Candy Land recently posted..What’s For Dinner 4.0
Yes- I remember that giveaway… I am really excited about Flavor Doctor, too. It’s way too easy for me to add salt to my food. As a runner, I can probably get away with more than some people, but it’s nice to have flavor alternatives. So glad you’re up for continuing the challenge!
Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
With all of these planning posts view been better about making meals or at least meal parts (ie chicken) beforehand! Baby steps

Kat recently posted..Sunday’s Weekly Workout Roundup
Baby steps are good! Glad it’s inspiring you.

Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
I am way more flexible with my meal planning when my husband isn’t around and talked about that today too. Thanks for hosting this, as I think I would have flaked out big time this week without this encouraging me. I’ve been voting for you every day

Carrie@familyfitnessfood.com recently posted..Menu Planning
Glad you’re participating, Carrie! And thanks for the votes- I’m been voting for you, too. Off to vote again!

Laura recently posted..Menu Planning Link up #4
I love your meal plans! My massive prep on Sundays helps me stick to a plan – if it’s easy to grab I will most likely eat it.
I love that Flavor Doctor too. I carry little packets of it when I travel for a quick sodium-free flavor enhancer.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Friday Peeves and Positives
Yes, let”s! I don’t know about everyone else, but it helps keep me in line.
Plus sharing new recipes!
Maria @ Lil Mys Ninja recently posted..Meal Planning {10/21 – 10/27}
Awesome! Glad you’re up for continuing- it definitely keeps me in line, too!
Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
I often include a leftover night to use up foods. I will also incorporate leftover sides into meals at the last minute. If I have the meat in place, I’m happy with my plan.
Quick question about the linky. I’m using inlinkz for my Motivation Monday link with the thumbnails. How did you get yours to look so nice? I love the spacing and the two different background colors for the rows. Thanks!
Barb @ Frugal Local Kitchen recently posted..menu plan monday 10.22.12
I have no idea about the background colors, but when you’re creating it, the “display” section asks you to choose # of columns, size of each, etc so you can experiment with that to find something that fits your blog. Hope that helps!
Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
I definitely want to continue. I’ve gotten some fantastic dinner ideas from you ladies
And I like that it forces me to stop and really think about what our week looks like and plan accordingly.
BTW – cheese quesadillas are an old standby at our house – the kids always eat them. And I’m intrigued about eggs and tomato sauce; is there a link?
Jessica @ Keeping Mommy Sane recently posted..Meal Plan: Week of October 22
So glad you want to continue it! I’m benefiting from it, too.
Oops- I tried to link the eggs on to the menu plan but just realized it didn’t work. Here’s the recipe: http://www.mommyrunfast.com/tomato-poached-eggs-and-wiaw/
Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
I am the exact same way when my husband’s away. Cooking and meal planning go down the drain. Last time he was away, I survived on grilled cheese sandwiches and Trader Joe’s soups the whole week
.
It’s a nice break sometimes! But then I’m always ready for cooking and “real” meals again when he’s back.
Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
Eggs in tomato sauce – sounds interesting but so yummy!
Jen recently posted..What’s For Dinner This Week?
It is really good- simple but a nice change from plain eggs, and we usually eat it with rice so it feels more like “dinner” than breakfast.
Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
We’re very excited about this giveaway.
Our website is currently being redesigned, so for anyone curious for more information – please take a look at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/FlavorDoctor/125229687549773?fref=ts
Good luck, everyone!
Thanks for the info, and for the opportunity to share FlavorDoctor!
Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
I goofed, and linked to a post about running and not menu planning! I’m sorry, I’ll re-link up when my menu planning post is up.

Mud Racing Mom recently posted..Another OCR Completed: Rogue Runner VA
No problem! Yes, just add the other link when it’s ready. Thanks!

Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
[...] Menu Planning Link up #4 (mommyrunfast.com) [...]
This challenge has been great for me and holding myself a little more accountable! It’s going really well too!
I keep seeing this eggs in tomato sauce thing – and then I probably pin the recipe and forget about – till the next time I see it. Must try harder!! Next week is already planned out for me (I do Wed-Wed) so maybe the week after!
Yes, it’s really good! Pretty quick and easy, but fancier than plain old eggs for dinner.

Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
Right now by the time I get home from night class it is 8 and not much cooking is happening. However, next semester I am jumping full force on the menu planning bandwagon.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted..Injury Progression and Progress
Yes, there’s no way I’d be cooking at 8pm either! If you feel like posting your menu plans, you’re welcome to link up anytime (Sundays/Mondays). This was a challenge for October, but we decided we’re going to keep it going.
Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway