Completely agree with Playfelt! I started out with a menu but tossed it out after a few months. It was making my life difficult. I serve lots of nutritious, home cooked food and lots of fresh produce. It's much simpler for me when I can fill up the crock pot the night before and get it heating up first thing in the morning. When we are outside too long it's great to be able to chop up some ham and cheese chunks and pepper strips with other veggie sitcks and get back on schedule. We are a busy group so I've learned to streamline my menu so it is never a worry. I keep things in the fridge for a quick changeup in case we get delayed for a meal.

Cfred, you serve exotic foods! I pretty much stick to chicken, beef, pork or fish along with a couple of veggies, a grain and a fruit for lunch. Breakfast is bacon or sausages or a grain product with fruit and afternoon snack is usually yogurt or cheese, fruit or a grain product. I have always had picky eaters in care but right now my group is pretty easy going, just one picky veggie eater.

I don't blame all of you who are cooking for your family and using the leftovers the next day for lunch. That would save lots of time. My children are grown so it's the opposite for me. The fresh meal of the day is served at lunch and I eat leftovers for dinner.