What's For Dinner?

This week:

Navy Bean Soup
Farina Muffins
Broccoli/Carrots

Chili (w/small red beans and local ground lamb)
Oyster crackers

Fried Cabbage w/broccoli/carrots
Rice
Bean Soup

Baked fish
Rice
Chopped spinach

Fish hoagies
Broccoli slaw w/raisins/pineapple

Chili
Grilled cheese on wheat

PRODUCTIVE 101

I think that most, if not all, of my problems during any given day can be boiled down to my lack of organization. At this moment, I'm trying to find more time for exercise and sewing or crafting. I know I have 1 1/2 hours a night, I just can't find it right now!!

Here's how I tackled it:
1. The old-fashioned "to-do" list on my desk at work. Every time I sit at my desk, I know what I'm supposed to do by looking at that list and it cuts down on the time spent trying to think of what I was supposed to do. Also, I do NOT FACEBOOK, TWEET OR BLOG on my work computer. It's strictly business when I'm at my desk.

(google image)

2. A weekly menu. I shop using the menu and then I try to double up on the cooking or chopping. 

My menu this week:

• Baked Chicken, Rice, Broccoli and Carrots
• Baked Fish, spanish rice, broccoli
• Oven Fried Fish, Cole slaw, roasted potatoes
• Black beans and rice, spinach with garlic
• Navy Bean Soup, farina muffins, broccoli and carrots
• Lentil chili, farina muffins

Monday, chili was on the menu so I chopped all the green pepper, onions, carrots and garlic I'd need for the week and put it in bags in the freezer. Some things are shredded, some chopped by hand and some in a food processor. I bag them for each dish. (I'll take pics next time) This way I'm sure nothing will rot in the fridge if we eat out or get invited over for a dinner AND everything is handy I just throw it in a pot. 

Also, I made a double batch of farina muffins so I had to only bake one night. The second batch is in the fridge (or freezer)

(Before anyone tells me that they sell pre-chopped veggies in the grocery store, I know :o) I don't like that stuff though, it never gets soft and I don't know how long its been frozen. I only buy broccoli and spinach frozen if we didn't grow enough to last through the winter)

3. I straighten my living, dining and bathrooms each day. I don't let clutter, toys and mail build up.

I've been going strong on this routine since the beginning of the year, I think I can start sewing by this weekend. It took me a minute because I had some organizing projects to knock out. Like toy shelves for my daughter behind a door in the living room, re-organizing my kitchen cabinets and mapping my 2012 garden plots.