meal planning for two.

i cried the second time i shopped for groceries here in nashville.

half the things on my list couldn't be found on the store shelves,

store clerks were dumbfounded when i asked the location of "vegetarian options,"

and since it was only the second time i'd purused the supermarket,

i didn't know the floor layout and it took me forever to find anything

and i still didn't have 3 things on my list when i finally checked out.

i felt like a terrible wife who couldn't do something as easy as

food shopping for her husband and so i cried.

mr. wonderful, of course, reassured me that i wasn't a terrible wife {phew}

and that perhaps shopping at a store near the whole foods was better

in case i had to make two stops to find,

let's say, prepared whole wheat pizza dough?

and that he'll come next time to help.

we have been attempting to meal plan each week

and so far, despite the mini-meltdown, it has worked out quiet well for us.

~~~

sample supper shopping list-

1 onion

1 garlic bulb

1 orange pepper

1 green bell pepper

1 large cucumber

2 hot house tomatoes

2 russet potatoes

1 package baby carrots

1 package baby spinach

1 package baby mushrooms

1 package shredded mozzarella

2 loaves italian bread {i try to buy ours the day of the meal, if i can}

1 box whole grain spaghetti

1 jar marinara sauce

1 can cannellini beans

1 can vegetable broth

1 box rice pilaf

::menu::

sunday: baked pizza potatoes- two thumbs up from mr. wonderful.

monday: whole grain spaghetti with marinara sauce

sauteed with vegetables and garlic bread.

tuesday: left over spaghetti noodles sauteed with marinade,

wilted spinach and shredded mozzarella.

wednesday: brinner {pancake night}.

thursday: oven-baked chicken with my special marinade {for mr. wonderful},

rice pilaf and fresh green salad.

friday: veggie stew {with leftover chicken, for my man}

with thick slices of left over italian bread and whole foods green apple italian soda.

saturday: this is usually our eat-out night,

unless johnny is working and then i just make something at home by myself.

we also tend to eat left-overs this day too.

i love creating something warm and comforting

for my guy to eat at the end of the day,

but it's also fun to chop, stir and bake alongside each other in the kitchen.

i was really concerned before we married that balancing this

veggie/meat-eater thing was going to be too difficult,

but it's turning out to be a fun challenge . . .

well, sans the emotional shopping trauma, that is.