I have been so tired lately. Well, story of my life. Or at least since I became a mom. Even though I’m a stay-at-home mom, not working, and sort of creating my own schedule during the day, I’m just tired. I sort of create my own schedule but it’s a collaboration between myself and my child.
Lately Maggie sleeps great during the day and I actually can get things done during her naps. I can cook dinner, wash dishes, fold laundry, take a nap. But at night, I can’t sleep. Even if she sleeps better than normal, I find myself waking up at 1 am and again at 3 am out of sheer habit. Perhaps she’s waking up out of habit at this point too.
As I’m typing this, it’s 4:20 in the afternoon and I am debating whether I should suck it up and wake her up, so that she doesn’t stay up late tonight, or if she needs the sleep any way so I should just let her rest. Oh, baby sleep is such a mystery to me even though I have read countless blog posts on it and browsed through a few books on the subject half-heartedly.
Enough complaining. I came to share something that I have found useful in this time of sleep deprivation that you may find useful as well. I know I’m not the only one who could use some meal planning inspiration and I’m not the only one who is tired. I see you grad students, fellow parents, care-takers, etc., etc.
Meal planning: I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Sometimes I have found the phrase exciting and others times it sounds daunting and on the verge of overwhelming. I went through with planning this week’s dinner’s after some encouragement in the form of this Instagram post.
My plan for this week (as written on Monday):
Sunday: Simple Chili with Cornbread
I used my cousin’s recipe (found in the Carpenter Cookbook, family) for the chili. It made enough for leftovers that the three of us ate for lunch the next day and just Maggie and I shared the day after that. I used a box mix for the cornbread.
Monday: Chile Verde Cheese Enchiladas with Chicken on the Side
Why have the chicken on the side? I baked about 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts from a family value pack on a sheet pan. Making the enchiladas was easy using Frontera chili verde sauce and pre-shredded cheese.
Tuesday: Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
I used the leftover chicken from the night before. All I had to do was cut up a fresh pineapple and warm it all up.
Wednesday: Chicken Meatball Subs
I got a loaf of French bread from Sprouts this week and already have chicken meatballs in my freezer. Add some leftover jarred pizza sauce from when Paul made pizza last week and a few slices of cheese for any easy meal.
Thursday: Kale Salad and Butternut Squash Ravioli
I bought a bag of sweet kale salad to make sure we get some greens in. I did not plan enough vegetables this week, but at least this is something. I get the butternut squash ravioli from Trader Joe’s and love it this time of year.
Friday: Pancakes and Bacon
Breakfast for dinner is always fun. Pancakes take a little time to fry up. Would you say fry about pancakes? Well, you know what I mean. Maggie went to bed early on Friday so I made this after she went to sleep.
Saturday: Dinner out
All these ideas area really easy, but sometimes I run out of steam or I plan on starting dinner after Maggie goes to bed and it takes forever to get her to sleep. Plans change. I thought it would be interesting to compare the plan to reality and maybe continue this as a series. If it’s only interesting to me, I’m okay with keeping an online record any way.
How is turned out (written on Saturday):
Sunday: Simple Chili with Cornbread
Monday: Chile Verde Cheese Enchiladas with Chicken on the Side
Tuesday: Cereal for dinner. We ate the leftover chicken from Monday night in quesadillas for Wednesday’s lunch.
Wednesday: Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Thursday: Kale Salad and Pizza Delivery
Friday: Pancakes and Bacon
Saturday: Dinner out
I was tired Tuesday night and Paul got home from work late, so we just had cereal. Other things moved around. Paul wanted pizza on Thursday because it’s his Friday. We didn’t have the Butternut Squash Ravioli or Chicken Meatball Subs for dinners this week, so we will either have those on Sunday or I will put them on next week’s meal plan.
Modern Notebook 