Menu Plan Monday: September 12, 2016

The kids finally go back to school (!), it’s Family Meals Month and Fruit & Veggie Month, plus this week’s Menu Plan Monday and Link Love.

Guess what? My girls finally started school! I know, I know…this isn’t such exciting news for you, but after four weeks of them being home since camp ended, I am thrilled that they are back to a routine!

It didn’t hit me until today though how bittersweet this year is for me. The girls are starting their last year of preschool, which in itself is emotional, but on top of it, for the first time they will be in separate classes. Here are some pictures of them from this morning before they left for school.

Now that school is back in session, it’s time to get those lunchboxes packed! I’m going to try to include what I pack for their lunch in my Menu Plan Monday posts going forward. We’ll see if I can stick with it, but it certainly will help me and I hope it helps and inspires you too if you’re packing lunchboxes all week long! And don’t forget: if you need other lunch inspiration, be sure to check out my Quick, Easy, and Healthy School Lunch Ideas!

This week’s Link Love is on the shorter side, but boy are the articles and recipes good ones, especially for those of you with families. Be sure to check them out. And by the way, this month is Family Meals Month and Fruits and Veggies – More Matters Month, so a perfect time to focus on meal prep, work on improving fruit and vegetable intake in your kids (and yourself!), and get some quick and easy meals on the table for the whole family to enjoy!

Have a great week!

Articles:

Raising Healthy Eaters: Tips From Experts @ Family Food On the Table

⇒ Feeding kids is hard work – even for a registered dietitian nutritionist! Kathryn shares 11 tips, strategies, and ideas from dietitians, including yours truly, to help make it a little easier for you and your family.

Meal Prep Ideas for Busy Families @ Healthy Ideas Place

⇒ You know I’m all about meal prep and menu planning! And what family isn’t busy?! None I know of! To help your family out, Marie has compiled a bunch of great meal prep and planning tips (including some of my own)!

Recipes:

Inside-Out Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cups @ The Blissful Balance

⇒ OMG, how good do these look?! And you’ll never guess what’s in them that’s actually good for you!

20 Easy Healthy Back-to-School Dinner Recipes @ Jeanette’s Healthy Living

⇒ I can’t ever have too many quick dinner recipes for those busy weeknights and I’m sure you can’t either!

Week of September 12, 2016

Monday: Leftover Soy-Marinated Steak, Farro Salad, and Corn, Tomato, Avocado Salad

Tuesday: Zucchini and Lentil Tacos & Roasted Garlic Curried Cauliflower

Wednesday:

Lunch: Leftover Zucchini & Lentil Tacos and Cauliflower

Dinner: Roasted Tomato Caprese Pasta Salad & Garlicky Green Beans

Thursday: 

Lunch: Veggie Burger, Sliced peppers and cucumbers with hummus, and fruit

Dinner: Leftover pasta or eggs

Friday: 

Lunch: Tuna edamame salad, veggies with hummus, and fruit

Dinner: Maple & Mustard Chicken with Balsamic Roasted Figs & Grapes and Noodle Kugel

How is back to school season going for you?

What’s on your menu this week?

Tweet me @JLevinsonRD with #DinnerTonight