Themed Menu Planning Works for us!

So after struggling with menu planning and basically just not getting it done.  I decided to do Theme based menu planning.  My kids seem to always want to know what are we eating?  I would get frustrated with them and just say "you'll see"  or "food"  I don't know why but that really irritated me.  Well I decided to combine the fact that they do want to know what's to eat, with the foods that they like and came up with a menu plan that works.

Basically, I decided each day of the week we will eat the same things.  The menu will be familiar and it will be much easier for me to grocery shop.  Now I am someone that likes to try new foods and cook different things.  This menu doesn't mean I could never do that but now I have my basic guideline.  I decided I would let Sunday's meal be the one where I may try something different.  I do still have a set meal for Sunday but it will also be a flex meal if I decide I don't want to cook that.

Here is our meal for the week:  I have breakfast and lunch as well.  They tend to be repetitive so here is dinner.  We follow a Pescaterian diet.

I write it out in such a way that reminds me what I need for each meal:

Monday - Rice, beans, Salmon, salad, veggie
Tuesday- Chipotle night (like the restaurant) White rice, black beans, salsa, guac, chips, tortilla, lettuce cheese
Wed- Taco night, crunchy taco, lentils, salsa, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, raw onions, rice, beans
Thurs- Salmon, potato, salad, veggie
Fri - Shrimp Fajita night, refried beans, rice tortilla, onions pepper, salad
Sat -  Pizza night (homemade)
Sun - Haitian Meal or Flex Meal

When I write veggie it's any vegetable I choose, beans are usually black or pinto.

Hope this helps someone with their menu planning.  Theme based is great.  The kids get excited.  Especially on Shrimp Fajita and Pizza Night!