How did everyone’s week go? Did you enjoy the weird mid-week holiday? We definitely did, but it also threw us off the rest of the week. Total “what day is it?” syndrome!
We laid low for the 4th because our little woofers are afraid of fireworks, so I wanted to be home with them. We ended up taking them for 2 long walks AND over to my mom’s to play for a couple hours, so they actually pretty much slept through all of the loud noises. So now we know that’s the “secret”! šĀ 
Anyway, now that we are back to a “normal” week, I wanted to get back to our regularly scheduled Monday Meal Plan! If there’s ONE thing I know that helps keep us eating a variety of healthy and delicious meals, it all comes down to meal planning. I love sharing my plan here because 1.) It motivates me to actually make one and 2.) I get to share both new and tried and true recipes with ya’ll!
I made my weekly Trader Joe’s run early Sunday morningĀ to beat the heat and the crowds. (In fact, I was the nerd sitting, waiting for them to open at 7:56) Ā But really, I should do that more often because the parking lot and store itself are so much more enjoyable that way! Plus, I got the grocery shopping done and everything put away by 9amĀ so we could hit the beach!Ā 
I stocked up a little more than usual because we have guests coming into town this weekend (Travis’s Sister and her boyfriend!) Ā I am excited to do some cooking at home for them, but also to take them out to a couple of our favoriteĀ restaurantsĀ around town.
I am beginning to sound a bit like a broken record lately, but I mean it this time…every meal I plan on cooking this week uses either the crockpot, BBQ, or smoker so that we don’t have to heat up our house with the oven. We have been enduring a gnarley heat wave all weekend and without AC, low energy cooking is the way to go!
As long as the temperatures subside a little, it should be a great week! Full of yummy eats and a fun weekend to look forward to!
Sunday
Trader Joe’s Famous Cauliflower Gnocchi
(Disclaimer: Ok, so I did say that all of our dinners will be cooked outdoors OR in a crockpot, but this is the exception. It sounded like an easy meal to whip up on a Sunday evening, and it was worth the little bit of time I had to stand over the stove š )
Ever since first trying this deliciousĀ delicacy, I try to keep at least one bag in the freezer at all times. It’s perfect for a weekend meal because it feels fancy/special, but it is super easy to cook and very versatile! This week, we had ours with Italian sausage, zucchini, and a little sprinkle of sage on top. So yummy!
Monday
Crock Pot Whole ChickenĀ + Baby Potatoes & Simple Side Salad
It’s been a while since I’ve made a whole chicken, and there’s no easier way than doing it in the Crock Pot! I know making a whole chicken can be a little intimidating, but with this technique you don’t have to worry about internal temperatures and you still end up with the most delicious, tender chicken you can imagine! Just season, and then set it anf forget it!
I recently declared that every Monday should be a crock pot dinner kind of night, and I am keeping the streak alive this week! There’s no better way to ease back into the week than with dinner waiting for you when you get home!
I plan to dice and bake the baby potatoes in our toaster oven to cut down on the heat factor, and then just throw together a little side salad with garden fresh tomatoes, avocado, and homemade balsamic dressing. We still have lettuce in our garden, but I went ahead and took the romaine that my mom offered me because I wasn’t sure how the garden lettuce would fair in this heat!
Tuesday
Mexican Style Sloppy Joes
I kinda just made this idea up, but there was a thought process here. I really wanted to make Sloppy Joes this week, but I also needed a Taco Tuesday meal. So I decided to put a taco spin on my regular recipe…which I realize is basically just the same thing as making chili…but I’m just gonna roll with it!
I’ll top the Sweet Potato Sloppy Jose’s (??) with avocado, salsa, cilantro, and maybe a little sprinkle of cheese if I’m feelin’ crazy! š
The meat mixture will be made in the crockpot, and then I am thinking I will cook the sweet potatoes either in the toaster oven, or the Instant Pot. That means having to take down another large appliance from the cupboard, but also less heat! Decisions, decisions.
Wednesday
Ribs! + Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato
This was Travis’s pick when I asked him for a suggestion to add to this week’s menu. Kind of a random weeknight dinner if you ask me, but he offered to cook them on the smoker and I happily obliged!
We will use my Paleo BBQ SauceĀ to smother the ribs before smoking them. It shouldn’t take long on the Traeger and we will probably throw the Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes on the smoker using grill baskets as well.
I get off easy this night and I am sure it will be delicious!
Thursday
Crock Pot Sausages & Peppers
This is the night that our guests will arrive and I always love having a nice homecooked meal that can be ready at any time (you never know how long that road trip might take!) Ā This is also one of Travis’s favorites and he has been requesting it, so I finally made it’s way to this week’s menu.
You do have to go the extra mile to brown the sausages before adding everything else to the crockpot/ Instant Pot (a usual deal breaker for me…) but gosh, it’s worth it! The sausages get SO tender and delicious after simmering away all day.
We’ll either have another side salad or steamed artichokes on the side this night.
Friday/Saturday
For Friday, we plan to head to the beach during the day and then hit up one of our favorite Mexican Food places for dinner.
Saturday, we plan to go for a little hike with the dogs (weather permitting!) and then head down to San Diego to walk around a little, eat an early dinner somewhere fun (TBD) and then catch a Padres game!
Like I said, I think it’s gonna be a great week!
I’ve gotten out of the habit of using these awesome Weekly Menu printables (mainly because we are living without a printer even though they are like $40 these days…) but here is a printable copy if you’de like to use it to make your meal planning and grocery shopping nice and simple!
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