This past week was a bit of a dinner fail for us. With my son’s basketball tournament, soccer and lots of work this week, dinners didn’t always go as planned and we ended up eating out more than planned. We enjoyed some great meals, but this didn’t help our food budget for the week.

It was also a week of learning lessons as we identified what’s not working with our meal planning. The biggest lesson is that Wednesday has to be a slow cooker night thanks to my daughter’s dance class timing. We need dinner ready to serve when we get home.

And then there was the challenge of navigating Valentine’s Day. Lots of organic candy and better quality chocolates really help us buy treats for the kids but I’m always nervous about what they’ll have at school. We’re pretty fortunate that the room parents for both of my kid’s classes are mindful and bring healthy options for the kids. It means so much for my kids to not feel left out.

Since the coming week is still busy, and we’re applying the lessons learned this past week, guess what’s on the meal plan this week: slow cooker meals!

Monday – Mexi bowls with roasted vegetables

Tuesday - Slow cooker meatballs in peanut curry sauce over brown rice with roasted vegetables

Wednesday – Slow cooker chicken chili

Thursday – Pizza night! Kids choice, of course.

Friday – Slow cooker meatless chili with sweet potatoes