Make the most of your weekends

Scott says, "We need to plan ahead for our weekends, so we can get the most out of our time together." On Saturday morning he asked everyone over breakfast what they wanted to do that day. Each of us got to write down what we wished to do, and then we made a plan so that everyone was able to do them..and some of the things, like a bike ride...we did together.
Scott just sent me this article, and it backs up what he said about making the most of our weekend, so we don't end up in front of the TV.

What successful people know about weekends
July 12, 2012
by CBNews.com

(MoneyWatch) We all look forward to weekends. But are you really making the most of them?

Few people are, because we tend not to think about weekends holistically. Here's one way to look at it: There are 60 hours between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday. Even if you sleep for 24 of those hours, that leaves 36 hours for other things. That's the equivalent of a full-time job. Yet many of us hit Monday morning with a vague sense of having squandered our precious downtime on activities that didn't help us recreate.

That's a problem because, in our competitive world, weekends are actually the secret weapon of workplace success. The most successful people know that to be truly productive, you need to hit Monday refreshed, relaxed and ready to go. (See related post: What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast). The only way to do that is to create weekends that rejuvenate you rather than exhaust or disappoint you.

So how do you do that? It's a three-step process....read the rest at: WEEKEND

Night for ME

Starting this year, Scott suggested that each of us should take a "Night for ME".

He read about it in a magazine called The Ensign. The question was posed: How do I achieve balance in my life given all the demands on my time? 

People wrote in with their answers, and he was struck by what a woman from Conneticut said: 

" 

Finally, I have a

night for me

. On Tuesday nights, my husband enjoys time with our children while I focus on tasks I wouldn’t be able to otherwise. I have used that time to work on homework for a course I’m taking, to write Christmas letters, or to catch up on journal writing. (We also make sure that my husband gets time for his personal projects, too.)"

At first I was sceptical, thinking.."Oh yah, like that is going to work...how am I supposed to do the things I want here at home, without the kids interrupting?" But, as always, I decided to put his idea to the test. So, we sat down to pick our nights, and began to place all the things we needed to do, or wanted to do, on that particular night. Instead of fighting over nights, and double booking, it became easier to plan. I know that Thursday is his night, so I never book anything on that night. 

It has really worked, and it has saved us. With kids, and all their activities taking up the calendar, it is important to have a night reserved just for myself. It makes me a happier person, and in turn, creates more happiness in my family. I am able to do my church responsibilities, work on projects that are usually left until Saturday, do some personal shopping (not just for groceries), have fun blogging, and sit upstairs and read quietly. And if I feel like visiting a friend, I am free to just go!

My Night for Me starts after dinner, and stops when I choose to go to bed. How sweet, eh?

Meal Planning

Meal Planning will save you time and money.

Decide what your family goals are around meals/food. 

Make a plan and try it out.

Keep track of all the meals that you all love. (Repeat them for less planning)

Create a place to store your recipies. (binder, cookbook, computer)

Our goals for family dinners: 

Eat more veggies, Conserve on food costs, Try new things, and Involve the kids.

Just as the seasons change, our goals and weeknight names change.

The important thing is to have a plan, and use it.

I am not listing all our meals, just giving you a few examples...

Here is our meal plan:

Moms Meaty Monday - You get the idea, the meals have meat.
Salmon, Tilapia, Korean Kalbi, Crabcakes, Steak, Pork chops...

Trim Slim Tuesday - This is our vegetarian night, and time for us to try new things.
Veggie Stirfry, Salads, Quinoa, Eggs (Quiche), Potatoes...

Wacky Pasta Wednesday - The kids love pasta.
Lasange, Alfredo, Spaghetti, Jazzy Ramen...

Tiny Budget Thursday - Use what we have to create a new meal, or keep it simple.
Leftovers, Soup, Casseroles, Perogies...

Family Favorite Friday - The kids night to decide and help cook.
Pizza, Sushi, Hamburgers, Tacos, Breakfast for Dinner...

Scott's Spicy Saturday - Scott loves spicy food. He also loves to cook. This is his night to enjoy both.
Indian, Thai, Fajitas, Enchiladas...

Crockpot Sunday - we go to church on Sunday, and it is a day I feel like doing less cooking. The crockpot makes it easy, throw it all in the crock in the morning and eat later in the day.
Chilli, Soup, Roast, Stroganoff...