I am the kind of person that needs a goal.  When I have one, my whole world seems to revolve around it until it’s completed.  After my first child 1^st birthday, my husband and I decided to move from Northern California to Mesa, Arizona.  I was raised in Mesa and had heard about the beautiful view from the top of Camelback Mountain, but had never taken the opportunity to climb it.  Upon my arrival back into the ‘Valley of the Sun’, I made this my goal.

Goal: Climb to the top of Camelback Mountain

One Saturday, very early in the morning (it is Arizona after all) the three of us started our ascent.  We began our adventure full of our needed supplies and enthusiastic energy.  I was a little surprised to find the trail already crowded at this early hour.  We chatted with some of the hikers as we began our journey.  (Sting, the singer had been there the previous day and apparently some of the hikers were hoping to catch a glimpse of him today, thus the larger than normal crowd.)

The climb starts gradually at first, and then the terrain gets steeper and the hiking becomes more intense.  There is no doubt that you’re walking up a mountain.  As I took step after step, I became painfully aware that not only was my pace slowing, but people were passing me up.  Some of these crazies were even running up the mountain.

Then the questions start.  “Who are these ‘crazy’ people around me?”  “Why would anyone leave their bed this early to climb a dumb mountain?”  “Who in their right mind chooses to hike Camelback Mountains?”

An 1 ½ hour later, standing at the summit of Camelback Mountain , the answers come.

Who are these so called ‘crazy’ people?  I AM.

Why would anyone leave their bed early to climb a dumb mountain?  Why wouldn’t they?

Who in their right mind chooses to hike Camelback Mountain?   Those who want to experience a feeling of accomplishment, hard earned success, and or course, the spectacular view!

So, what does hiking a mountain and meal planning have in common?   Well, sometimes making a menu plan feels like you are standing in the shadow of an enormous mountain.  You have that goal, that desire.  You’re here now.  But where to begin?

The Minute Menu Plan can be your ‘trailhead’ to get started.  Go ahead, take that next step.  You are on your way!

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