Welcome to Day One of our Funky Fresh Kitchen series! Make plans to join us for fresh kitchen challenges, new healthy recipes and (hopefully) inspiration for you as we get organized in the kitchen and work our way toward a kitchen full of healthy foods! (And don’t forget about the awesome upcoming giveaways!!)

Since I normally post our menu plan on Sunday, I decided we’d work today’s Funky Fresh Kitchen Challenge around menu planning. As you can see from my menu list below, I typically plan all three meals for each day. I don’t always stick to the plan exactly, but having an outline makes life so much easier for me, plus makes our meals well balanced and healthy.

I know that some people function just fine without a menu plan. But if you are someone who tends to panic at 5:30 because you don’t know what you’re fixing for dinner – and then you just grab something quick and unhealthy to fill the tummies of your family members – let me encourage you to take this small step toward a fresh, healthy kitchen.

First, read through my menu plan for this week to get some tasty meal ideas, then stay tuned for the Challenge stated below!

Sunday, August 28
Blueberry muffins, honeydew melon
Spaghetti, tossed salad, fresh corn, green beans
Leftovers

Monday, August 29
Simple soaked pancakes, blueberries
Tuna salad on tomatoes, fresh peaches with cottage cheese
Teriyaki chicken and veggies, fruit salad

Tuesday, August 30
Applesauce bread, bananas
Taco corn fritters, green beans, watermelon
Chicken fried steak strips, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas

Wednesday, August 31
Creamy orange cooler, fried eggs on toast,
Turkey ranch pinwheels, cantaloupe, sweet pepper slices
Italian roast wraps, green beans, applesauce

Thursday, September 1
Orange muffins, freeze dried strawberries
Creamy mac and cheese, peas, watermelon
Salmon patties, ranch potato wedges, tossed salad

Friday, September 2
Honey whole wheat bagels, peaches
Sloppy cornbread muffins, green beans, pears
Homemade pizza, cherries

Saturday, September 3
Homemade whole wheat donuts, applesauce
Leftovers
Grilled chicken, stir fried veggies and rice

As you can see, I am not a gourmet chef. I do not cook fancy foods. I do not cook anything “weird”. I simply make very basic, healthy, kid friendly foods that are full of the nourishment our bodies need. I am very intentional about including fruits and vegetables with each meal. I find that if I’m not purposeful about including fruits and veggies, we simply do not get enough nutrients, then we start wearing down and getting sick. Bring on the veggies!

Your challenge today is to plan just one meal. (Of course, you can plan more if you want to!)  Figure out tomorrow night’s dinner, figure out what you’ll be serving Wednesday evening, figure out whatever will help you the most. Base the meal plan around food you already have, or if you need to go to the store, pick up what you’ll be needing for this meal so that you’ll be prepared and relaxed.

Be sure the meal you plan is well balanced and includes vegetables. If you don’t have vegetables in your house GO HENCEFORTH WITHOUT DELAY AND BUY VEGETABLES. No excuses. If you need to start with fruit because your family struggles with vegetables, fine – get some grapes. But please be intentional about feeding your family good, nutrient filled foods. (Read through this series of Simple Steps to Healthy Eating to give you some easy ideas for where to start!)

Leave a comment here sharing your one meal plan. Your comment will be considered an entry for the five $10 Heavenly Homemakers Shop gift certificates drawing. Plus, it will serve as inspiration for all of us! I love reading what others are planning to eat! In fact, after reading through your comments, I may just change my menu plan for this week!

(P.S. There are 0 Funky Kitchen ebooks still available at only $1.50. Once those are sold out, you’ll find the next 200 books at $2.00 each! Still less than half price!)  :)