Menu Plan Monday 9-17-12

Monday - Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
Tuesday - Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps
Wednesday - Class/Out
Thursday - Taco
Friday - Pizza

Menu Plan Monday 9-10-12

Monday - Chinese Chop Salad
Tuesday - Creole Comfort
Wednesday - Class/Out
Thursday - Sloppy Joes, green beans
Friday - Chili Cheese Nachos

Menu Plan Monday - 9-3-12

Tuesday - Smoky Sausage Penne
Wednesday - Class/out
Thursday - Cheeseburgers, frozen veggies
Friday - Pizza

Menu Plan Monday 8-27-12

Monday - Melt in your mouth chicken breast, veggies, roasted potatoes
Tuesday - Creamy baked chicken taquitos
Wednesday - leftovers
Thursday - pizza
Friday - Hamburgers, french fries

Menu Plan Monday 8-20-12

Monday - Skillet lasagna
Tuesday - Crescent dogs, fruit
Wednesday - Chicken spaghetti
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Pizza (?)

Play-dough
Homemade finger paints

Menu Plan Monday 8-13-12

Monday - Saucy Pasta Bake
Tuesday - Bacon chicken ranch taquitos
Wednesday - Teriyaki Meatball bowls
Thursday - ??
Friday - Out?

Treats - Apple pie egg rolls

Menu Plan Monday 7-30-12

Morning all!  Hoping to make this week a great one. We have Friday planned off to visit friends so it should be a good, quick week.

Here's our menu for the week:

Monday - Melt in your mouth chicken breast, sweet potatoes, salad
Tuesday - Taco salad
Wednesday - Chicken bruschetta, angel hair pasta
Thursday - BLT's, broccoli cauliflower salad
Friday - VACATION

Lunches:  Tuna Basil Pasta (without olives)

Menu Plan Monday 7-16-12

How is July half over already?  I feel like it just began. I am busy working on thank you notes for Calvin's birthday party a month ago.  Whoops.  Better late than never I suppose, I just hope I remember everyone!

Here is this week's menu plan:

Sunday - Taco Salad with Fritos
Monday - Easy garlic chicken, roasted potatoes, veggies
Tuesday - Meatballs, marinara and spaghetti
Wednesday - Grilled balsamic bruschetta on chicken
Thursday - Glazed pork chops with peach salsa
Friday - Out?

Menu Plan Monday 7-2-12

Fantastic weekend after a great week.  I actually gained a pound, and after this weekend don't expect to see much difference there but I'll have a whole week to get to that point.  This week's recipes are below - lots of new!

Monday - Chicken pineapple kabobs
Tuesday - Crispy shrimp pasta
Wednesday - Chicken pesto pizza
Thursday - Teriyaki burgers
Friday - Hearty chili

Menu Plan Monday - 6-25-12

I am down another 1.8 pounds for a total of 7.2!  Things are going well!  Here are some more recipes to keep me motivated:

Monday - Grilled cheeseburger wraps, potatoes, veggies
Tuesday - Baked sweet & sour chicken, brown rice, broccoli
Wednesday - Herb crusted pork chops, potatoes, veggies
Thursday - Lowfat baked pasta with spinach
Friday - BBQ Salmon, salad

Weekend - Blueberry Yogurt Waffles

Check out I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu planning ideas!

Menu Plan Monday 6-18-12

Weight Watchers is going great for me! I've lost 5.4 pounds so far. Yeah!  I've been a little off track the last couple of days but I expect that is more birthday party-related than anything else and I'll be back on track in no time.  Especially since I'm over my weekly points already and my weeks start on Friday!

Anyway, here is the meal plan that will keep me on track this week:

Monday - Chicken quesadillas with creamy salsa
Tuesday - Baked fish sandwich with spiced mayo
Wednesday - Caprese chicken, salad
Thursday - Burgers, potato, veggies
Friday - ??

Lunches:  Fruity chicken salad sandwiches

Menu Planning 6-11-12

Good morning all!  We are rocking the Weight Watchers life these last few days.  Counting points, figuring out what is high and low points. Yesterday I went into my weekly points for the first time, due to a baby shower and swimming snacks.  I'm glad I am accountable for those though, because otherwise that would be my normal daily tactic - just go over calories and don't worry about it!

Here are some ideas for dinners this week:

Monday - Penne with peppers and sausage
Tuesday - Sloppy joe, potatoes
Wednesday - chicken nuggets, veggies
Thursday - Taco salads
Friday - TBD

Weight Watchers 2012.

Hi all.

Well, we did it. We joined weight watchers - both my husband and I.  I get 31 points a day. My husband gets 69.  I ask you, is that fair? ;-)

Anyway, I'll start posting more health-conscious recipes because if I'm paying for weight watchers, by God we are going to make the weight loss work!

Tonight we ate Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets (4 pts), baked potato, broccoli cauliflower salad

I figured out quickly that sugary cereal is a bad choice for breakfast and that fresh fruit is free.  So I will be stocking up on pears and grapes and cantaloupe and strawberries, and anything else I can get my hands on!

I earned 5 points through Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (evil woman!) and ate a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich. Surprisingly, pretty good!

For the rest of the week/weekend, I would like to try (new breakfasts for sure):

Ricotta cheese chocolate chip muffins
Ham & cheese omelet
Quinoa and Apple Breakfast Cereal
Sausage Breakfast Wrap with Apple Chutney

Menu Plan Monday 6-4-12

Monday - homemade pizza
Tuesday -  penne with tomato sauce and sausage
Wednesday - chicken fajitas
Thursday - pizza stuffed mushrooms, hamburgers
Friday - melt in your mouth chicken breast, broccoli salad

Menu Plan Monday 5-21-12

Great weekend! We went to my cousin's wedding Saturday and got to visit and watch the kids play.  This week will be very short, as we are getting ready to head out of town again on Friday to come and camp out at Grandpa's farm. 

Monday - Balsamic brown sugar pork chops- on the grill, three-cheese potatoes, green salad
Tuesday - Leftovers? Or quesadillas
Wednesday - Creamy caprese pasta
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - camping!

Lunches: turkey & swiss sandwiches, salads
Camping: s'mores, cracker/deli meat trays, snacks!  Hamburgers/hot dogs on Friday, milk can stew on Saturday, and a campfire breakfast Sunday.  No idea what milk can stew is but I guess we will find out! 

Menu Plan Monday 5-14-12

I'm interested this week in trying something new. Health food! I've been reading about people who eat "clean" or "whole" foods, and people that go vegetarian for a few meals a week.  The thing I get from all of these people is that they feel so much better when they do this!  No more crap.

So I'm trying to eat healthier, not so much processed food. 

On top of that, I'm trying to eat less.  So here goes nothing!

Monday - Meatballs (breadless) in tomato sauce, pasta on side?
Tuesday - Taco salad, no shells
Wednesday - BLT's, chips
Thursday - meatless pizza?
Friday - trip home

Lunches:  spinach salad with cheese & ham or chicken, sun chips, diet dr. pepper

Sunday potluck - Chicken Pasta Salad with grapes & almonds
Snack - Apple pie popcorn

Menu Plan Monday 5-7-12

I've been making some fun food lately. Last week, we tried the balsamic spinach tortellini with chicken, and it was delicious! I didn't get great reviews from the hubby or kid (picky, picky), but I loved it and it's a great lunch leftover as well.

I did nachos on Thursday, and we ate out at Old Chicago on Friday.  We have been eating good around here (and sooner or later we need to get back on the healthy wagon, but for now we are enjoying ourselves!)

I have been paging my way through Ree Drummond's Food From My Frontier and this book is amazing. I may have to buy it (I just have a library copy today).

So this week's menu is going to be some of Ree's recipes:

Saturday - Peach-whiskey chicken on mashed potatoes
Sunday - Pasta with pesto cream sauce
Monday - Taco salads
Tuesday - (haircut for me)
Wednesday - Cheeseburgers (on the grill?), chips, veggie
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Out?

Menu Plan Monday 4-30-12

Monday - Balsamic chicken, spinach, and tomato pasta salad
Tuesday - Class
Wednesday - Ham & pineapple kabobs, rice, peas
Thursday - Pizza
Friday - Out?

Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad

I got this recipe a couple years ago from a work potluck. This is seriously healthy, with all of the sugar-free and light ingredients.  Another great summer recipe.

16 oz plain lowfat yogurt
8 oz lite cool whip (thawed)
1 large box sugar/fat free instant vanilla pudding
1 large can mandarin oranges in juice (drained)
1 regular can pineapple tidbits in juice (drained)
1 cup to 1 1/2 cups grapes

Mix yogurt, cool wihp, and pudding together. Mix in fruit and chill.

Ejoy!

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

I got this recipe from Jeremy's aunt Kim a couple years ago. It's a delicious summer recipe.

1 head broccoli
1 head cauliflower
Real bacon pieces (as much as you want)
1/2 cup shredded chedar cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion (optional)
1 cup Miracle whip
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar

Mix sour cream, mayo, and sugar in a bowl

Cut broccoli and cauliflower into bite sized pieces.  Add bacon pieces, onion, and cheese in large bowl.  Add mayo, sour cream, and sugar mixture and stir together.

Enjoy!

Cinnamon Honey Butter

This is a great recipe for a food gift, or just to have on hand.  I halved the recipe because I wanted to check it out, but you can make more if you're going to share!

I found this recipe at Fly Through Our Window.  If you have a chance, check out her blog. She has lovely photographs.  It makes me want to live at the Gulf Coast!

Here is the recipe:

2 sticks of butter at room temp
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 cup of honey
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

Using the whisk attachment for your mixer, whip the butter {make sure it’s soft and room temp}. Add to it the powdered sugar, then the honey, then the cinnamon. Whip it good. Scrape the sides. Whip it again.

Serve! Darby's recipe recommended you spoon into 4 on jars you can find at
Wal-Mart.  This recipe makes 6 of those jars.  Seriously, check our her blog, the recipe is towards the bottom of the post I linked.  The pictures she had for this recipe are great!
 

Menu Plan Monday 4/23/12

Monday - Hawaiian Pork Sliders
Tuesday -  leftovers
Wednesday - Chicken Gyros
Thursday - Cheeseburgers, french fries
Friday - Anniverary Dinner

Other - Texas Roadhouse Butter

Menu Plan Monday 4-2-12

Week 1
Mon: Ham, scalloped potatoes, asparagus
Tues: leftovers
Wed: Lawnmower taco (C & me) taco meat & salad (J)
Thurs: Burgers & mushrooms
Fri: Cheese pizza

Week 2
Mon: Athenian Orzo
Tues: leftovers
Wed: chicken quesadillas w/peach salsa
Thurs: Steak & mushrooms
Fri: Pizza

Breakfasts:
Freezer-Friendly breakfast burritos

Lunches:
Turkey sandwiches, fruit, chips, leftovers

Menu Plan Monday 2-13-12

Sunday - Cobb Salad
Monday - Creamy grilled chicken picatta
Tuesday - Class/On your own
Wednesday - Cheeseburgers, veggies
Thursday - Pizza

Menu Plan Monday 2-6-12

Saturday - Crockpot teriyaki chicken
Superbowl Sunday - Queso blanco & chips
Monday - Cobb salad
Tuesday - On your own (class)
Wednesday - Pork chops, asparagus, red potatoes
Thursday - cheeseburgers, grilled mushrooms, butter noodles
Friday - Pizza

Basic Oven Omelet

via Pinterest from thekitchn.com

This oven omelet was delicious. It reminded me of a breakfast casserole without the hash browns or toast.  The original version called for diced ham and did not have veggies. You could also add green peppers and some salsa for a Mexican version.  Lots of room to play here!

10 large eggs 
2 cups milk
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
6 slices bacon
4 oz fresh mushrooms
dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.

2. Beat the eggs in a large bowl and whisk in the milk. Stir in the cheese, diced ham, and parsley. Season with the salt and pepper and pour into the prepared pan. (At this point the casserole can be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.)

3. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is slightly golden and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve hot.

Menu Plan 1-30-12

Saturday - Polla Rosa Maria, garlic mashed potatoes, fresh sauteed green beans
Sunday - Cobb Salad
Monday - Cheeseburgers, canned corn
Tuesday - (out) Class Night
Wednesday - Broiled parmesan tilapia with roasted asparagus and lemon
Thursday - Tacos
Friday - Pizza

Menu Plan Monday 1-23-12

For this week, we will try a few new things, while my husband is still sticking to his low carb diet.

Sunday - Pork Chops, Roasted garlic mac & cheese, sauteed asparagus
Monday - Cheeseburgers, leftover mac & cheese, veggies
Tuesday - Class - on our own
Wednesday - Baked deli sammies, salad
Thursday - Fajitas, no tortilla
Friday - Pizza night!

Lasagna Soup

I made this lasagna soup courtesy of Baked Bree a few weeks ago.  Didn't get a single picture, apologies for that.  It was delicious! I took a few shortcuts based on what I had in the pantry, so please go to Baked Bree's site and get the original version as well.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausage
3 cups chopped onion
garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes
6 cups chicken stock (I made mine with chicken boullion cubes)
1/2 pound cooked fusilli noodles
dried basil
salt and pepper


Cheese topping:
Parmesan & mozzarella cheese to taste
Instructions
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the sausage and brown for 5 minutes.

Add the onions and cook until soft.
Add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
Add the tomato paste.
Let the tomato paste cook for a few minutes.
Add the tomatoes, chicken stock (or water and boullion cubes).
Bring the soup to a boil, and then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes. At the end, season with salt and pepper and add the basil.
When you are ready to serve your soup, add a good handful of pasta to the bottom of the bowl.
Add the soup to the bowl. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.

Meal Plan Monday 1-2-12

It has been a long time since I did one of these!  I had a very busy fall. On top of being a mom to a 2-year old and wife to a great guy, I work full time (45 minute commute) and was taking 2 classes towards my master's.  Wow. Makes me tired just typing all of that out. 

I have been enjoying my break from classes this holiday season, and we have had plenty of holiday parties to attend to make up for it!  We also got to watch my son's eyes light up as he met Santa, played with friends and family, and opened presents.

My New Year's resolutions this year are pretty typical. Get finances under control. Lose 20 pounds.  Make time to appreciate friends and family.  It's nothing different than the rest of the year but New Year's gives me a chance to bring these goals to the forefront again.

On that front, finances and weight loss go hand-in-hand with meal planning, so I am back at it again!  My plan is to eat around 1500 calories a day. My husband is again on his diet where he lost 80 pounds last year. He fell off the wagon a bit lately and gained some of it back again, so he started fresh two weeks ago. This time around, he is down 16 pounds in the past two weeks.

My menu plan is going to accomodate me making my husband his meat and veggies, and then I will make a large pot or skillet of something that I can take as leftovers the next few days.  I like to try new recipes to make it fun. So here we go!

Sunday - Lasagna Soup, pork chops & asparagus
Monday - Cheeseburgers, sauteed mushrooms, green beans
Tuesday - leftovers
Wednesday - ??
Thursday - ??
Friday - ??

To be continued...