Am I the only one who feels relieved the holidays are over and done with? It was very nice and restful but I'm so ready to get on with the new year. I didn't plan meals during my time off and found I didn't eat as well as I normally do. I also spent more than usual on the food budget and we ate out far more often than I feel we should have. It's time to get back on track!

Last week I put together a meal plan to help myself, and our budget, get back on track and utilized some ingredients I prepared in advance or already had on hand. The meals are pretty simple, which is the way I like to keep things for weeknights. Even though it's a 5-day dinner plan, my husband and I had some leftovers to make it more than seven days worth of dinners. I also made the lentil soup, bean burgers and cauliflower salad twice. So here it is, my personal "Getting Back on Track" meal plan with all of the recipes linked below.

"Getting Back on Track" Meal Plan:

• Simple Red Lentil and Tomato Soup
• Barley and Black Soybean Salad
• Red Bean and Lager Chili with Jalapeno Butternut Cornbread
• Broccoli and Tofu Stir-Fry with Brown Rice
• Pinto Bean Burgers and Cauliflower-Radish Salad

Comments (13)

Lucy said:

I am sooooo ready to get back on track! Indulgence can only last so long before it becomes too much of a good thing. Happy new year Cassie - hope it's grand for you and your family!

January 16, 2008 | website

Amanda Nicole said:

I completely agree. Around December 30th my guy and I looked at one another and said, "I want vegetables for dinner." I actually just Stumbled onto your site, and I'm so glad that I did. One of my new year's resolutions was to plan meals ahead. Thanks!

January 17, 2008 | website

Michelle said:

Happy New Year, Cassie! Yum, these look good. Barley has been on my shopping list for weeks, so now you have inspired me to put a star next to it so I don't keep skipping over it :-) I'll be making some honey roasted root veggies in the next night or two. If they turn out, I'll let you know what I did. Yum!

January 17, 2008 | website

Jen said:

my kitchen was beginning to feel dull and uninspired, glad you'll be posting again!

January 18, 2008 | website

VeggieGirl said:

as much as I LOVE the holidays, it's always nice to return to my normal daily routine - your "getting back on track" meal plan looks like the perfect way to return to one's regular schedule! :0)

January 19, 2008 | website

CassieYoung said:

Lucy, you're so right about indulgence. It can definitely become too much of a good thing. Happy new year to you, too! Amanda, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I think your resolution is a very good one. I wish you all the best! Michelle, I hope you enjoy the barley recipe. Jen, you're very kind. I hope the new meal plan and recipes will bring you some inspiration! VeggieGirl, always nice to see you! And yes, the plan really helped to get back to the regular schedule. Thanks for the comments!

January 22, 2008 | website

Kristine said:

YAY! I am so glad you're back! I've been hungry

January 23, 2008 | website

CassieYoung said:

Thanks for the smile, Kristine! Hope those who follow regularly noticed that this time around, all of the meal plan recipes were published in advance and linked up.

January 27, 2008 | website

Donny Chandler said:

My worry with adopting a vegitarian lifestyle has been ensuring that I get the proper Nutrition. Having a Meal Plan and Grocery list to follow makes it so much easier. Thank you for the time and effort you have put into this website; it is making my transition much easier.

February 07, 2008

CassieYoung said:

Thank you for your note and a big congrats to you on choosing a vegetarian lifestyle! It's really nice to hear that my site has made the transition a little easier for you! Have you checked out the Toronto Vegetarian Association? They have a Veggie Challenge which I participated in myself back in March last year when I went from ovo-lacto to vegan. The program isn't just for vegans though (and also not just for those from Toronto). The emails I received from them contained nutritional information and resources that I found very useful. I wish you all the best and hope to see you around again!

February 08, 2008 | website

Mel T said:

Hi Cassie - Great tips and ideas. I've been writing about menu planning a little on my own site recently (although it's not vegetarian), and plan to continue the series soon. I'll add your site as a link. Keep up the good work!

February 14, 2008 | website

C Mitch said:

Hi it's almost 2 years since I got married and I would like to try out the delicious recipes on your site, since my husband especially is a vegetarian and I would like to join him in that disciplined lifestyle. The recipes seem so easy and the ingredients sound familiar. I am from the Caribbean so it is not always easy to get some of the ingredients that I see in so many cookbooks. Thanks

April 05, 2008

CassieYoung said:

Thanks for taking the time to comment! I hope you find some ideas that will work for both you and your husband! Mel! A very belated thanks for the link! You have some wonderful health and nutrition related info on your site and I appreciate you including me in your article about meal planning websites!

April 07, 2008 | website

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