Meal Plan Reunion Style

I FINALLY finished the meal plan for my husband's family reunion.  Whew.  Meals for nearly 30 people for a week - my brain is tired!  It is all printed and organized in a binder with recipes, daily instructions, and grocery lists and is just waiting for the reunion.  I get a little breather until the shopping and preparation begins.

I took this week off from planning our meals.  Shocker, I know, but I just didn't have it in me.  But I thought I would share what I have been planning.  I have meals planned for six full days.  If you want any of the specific recipes, you'll have to request them.  I'm just too plum tired tonight!

Day #1:
Breakfast:  Cereal and fresh fruit
Lunch:  Chicken salad sandwiches, Salad Supreme Salad, Watermelon, Baked Beans, Picnic Cake
Dinner:  Taco Haystacks

Day #2:
Breakfast:  Pancakes with berries and syrup, Bacon
Lunch:  Lunch meat sandwiches, leftover salad and beans, chips
Dinner:  Hamburgers, potato salad, corn on the cob, green salad, root beer floats

Day #3:
Breakfast:  Cereal, Coffee Cake
Lunch:  Egg Salad Sandwiches, leftover salads, fresh veggies
Dinner:  Salmon with rice, spinach salad, broccoli, carrot cake

Day #4: 
Breakfast:  Breakfast casserole
Lunch:  At a restaurant
Dinner:  Tuna sandwiches, brownies a'la mode

Day #5:
Breakfast:  Cereal and cinnamon rolls
Lunch:  Baked Potato Bar
Dinner:  at the baseball stadium

Day #6:
Breakfast:  Omelets in a bag, muffins
Lunch:  Sandwiches (whatever is leftover)
Dinner:  Baked ziti, garlic bread, green beans, green salad, birthday cake

I hope everyone likes it.  And if they don't, I hope they don't complain about it within my hearing!!!

A Call for Recipes

Our ward realigned last week.  (The stake president made it clear that we did not "split" or any other negative connotation.)  We now are a brand new ward.  I'm actually glad for this.  First of all, all of the presidencies were called this week and I didn't get a phone call (phew).  Second of all, as the Nursery leader in the old ward I was dealing with the possibility of enduring the last three months of the year with 65 18-month to 3-year-olds and only 3 classrooms to hold them in.  This ward realignment should have fixed that problem.

But, we now have a new challenge.  With four wards meeting at the stake center, we now get the 2:00 pm meeting time, meaning we end church at 5:00 pm.  That has it's advantages (Millie will get a nap before church) but it has its definite disadvantages.  If Josh works on Sunday, he leaves the house by 6:00 pm, not leaving me much cooking time for dinner.

I have a large, wonderful crockpot and it gets a workout on most Sundays, but I don't know what to cook other than roast.  As much as I love a day-long-simmered pot roast, four times a month gets a little old.

So, please help me. 

What are your favorite crockpot recipes?  I'm in need of full meal ideas, because I won't have the luxury of spending a bunch of time making side dishes. 

Please post your favorite recipes, post a link, blog it and leave a comment, ANYTHING!  I need your creative minds!!!!

Goal Check

How are your goals a-comin' this summer?  Any luck?  Any setbacks?

Discuss.

Okay, I'll go first. 

I have a problem.  If I think I'm going to be over on my calories for the day (I keep my food journal online with my bodybugg), I won't journal.  Mostly because I don't want to see my failure.  Then I lose track of what I've eaten and I overeat. 

There.  I said it.

Over the last two weeks I've worked out a lot.  And I gained a pound.  Ugh.  I hit a moment of clarity and renewed resolve.  You can bet I'm going to journal everything for the rest of the summer (at least).  My sneak peeks on the scale are leading me into believing that my journaling is working.  So I think I'm back on track.

So tell me..... how are you doing?

Yo, Whatcha eatin'?

I'm in charge of the menu for eight days of family reunion for 27 people.  I've got the menu done and now I'm working on my shopping list.  I'm just about meal planned out.

Glad I had this pretty much planned a month ago!  Here's what's up:

MONDAY:  Baked ziti, green beans, watermelon

TUESDAY:  Tony's Pizza (fundraiser for the neighbor boy), probably more watermelon and a green salad

WEDNESDAY:  Waffles and ice cream (hey.  it's summer.)

THURSDAY:  Mac and cheese (mom won't be home)

FRIDAY:  Subway via gift card

SATURDAY:  Tacos

SUNDAY:  Grilled tostadas

National Foods Days

I noticed on MSN.com that today is

In honor of this day, we had a great big salad for dinner: lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers, corn, avocados, onion, carrots, and salsa for dressing.

I thought it would be fun to share some of the upcoming national food days, in case you want to incorporate them into your menu.

June 18: National Cherry Tart Day / International Picnic Day / International Sushi Day (maybe don't do the sushi and picnic at the same time, just a thought)
June 19: National Dry Martini Day (to each their own)
June 20: National Vanilla Milkshake Day
June 21: National Peaches and Cream Day
June 22: National Chocolate Eclair Day / National Onion Rings Day
June 23: National Pecan Sandy Day
June 24: National Pralines Day
June 25: National Strawberry Parfait Day / National Catfish Day
June 26: National Chocolate Pudding Day

And in case that isn't enough, June is

National Papaya Month

If you'd like the full list, go to American Food and Drink Days.

And in case you were wondering, my birthday is National Guacamole Day.  I love my birthday.

The Biggest Loser Season Finale and Such

I know it's been weeks since I last posted about the Biggest Loser.  In fact, the finale happened last month.  I finally got to sit down and watch the episodes.  Between having a broken laptop that shut down 20 minutes into the show and trying to wait for my husband to be home so we can watch the episodes together, I just didn't get to sit and watch until last night.

If you want to see the show, go to nbc.com.  The episodes will be expiring sometime in the near future.

***SPOILER ALERT***

I have to admit that one reason I didn't find an alternative way to watch the show was because the remaining contestants didn't float my boat.  I wanted to see Austin at Makeover Week, but the season seemed to be overruled by the Purple Team.  And I didn't really care for the Purple Team.

Makeover Week was nice.  Tim Gunn made everyone look great.  They got to see their families and the yellow line was erased.  Jay got his 2nd chance to stay on the ranch.  The sand castle competition for the car looked like fun.  But, yet again, I was annoyed with the whining and complaining of the girls: "We have to run in the sand!"  Yeah, for a CAR!  They bugged.

The next week was Finals Week.  The contestants had to show how much they learned.  Austin won a 1 lb advantage at the challenge but had a horrible weigh in, confirming his one way ticket home.  Poor Austin had no allies and because he's put everything on the line every week, he had his first bad week.  It was just horrible timing.  The Purple Team ensured their spots in the finale.  Granted, it was the first time a team made it to the finale together, but there were so many other teams I would've liked to see in the finale.

The next week was basically a review of where the contestants started and how far they'd gone.  Personally, I wouldn't have minded just skipping this episode.

The finale came and my absolute favorite part was watching the former contestants reveal themselves.  Holy cow!  Some people were absolutely amazing!

The At Home winner ended up being Deni.  Wow, she looked great.  The ones that blew me away the most were the twins, Don and Dan.  After struggling so much at the ranch, I wondered if they'd succeed at home.  And they did.  They looked great.  So many of the younger girls looked good too.  I missed the announcement of Justin coming on stage, so when I looked up at the TV and saw him there, I caught myself before I said, "Who the heck is that?" 

Where in the world was Rulon?
The final weigh in happened.  If you're like me and go grocery shopping, then whether you saw the show or not, you know that Olivia won.  Eh.  She looked great.  She worked hard.  I hope next season's cast is so much more likable. 

But what's the deal with Anna Kournikova as the new trainer?  From what I understand, Cara and Brett are out next season.  So it'll just be Bob and Anna. 

I have a feeling that if next season doesn't pull some great ratings, there may not be a Season 13.

I'm upset that this season ended the way it did.  It just wasn't that fun to watch after a while.  I think this season died when Justin left. 

What did you think?  Who shocked you the most at the finale? 

Keep On Keepin' On

An old phrase that I sing in my head is "keep on keepin' on." 

Some days that is all I can do.  Just keep on going.

Sometimes life is sticky and stinks and hard and we are left with two choices:

Lay down like a rock or keep on keepin' on.

My weight loss journey has taught me a lot about myself and my life.  It has taught me about moderation and avoiding extremes.  It has taught me that hard work does pay off, just maybe not immediately.  It has taught me that no matter how much we want or think we deserve something, if it isn't in the cards for us ... it won't happen.

This morning's weigh-in was a turning point.  I only lost half a pound this week, but that half a pound put me closer to my goal weight than my starting weight.  I'm more than half-way to where I want to be.  It has taken me six and a half months to get here and I would love for the next half to come off faster, but I'm getting closer.  I just need to keep on keepin' on.

I do need to decide on my next race though.  It is hard for me to get out and run and train unless I have something to run and train for.  My last race was fabulous.  My time wasn't the best (although not bad considering the circumstances) but I had fun.  It was the most fun race I've done.

And since I shared my not-as-good-as-I-would-have-liked prom pictures with you, I'll share my favorite race picture.  Taken just after the finish line, it doesn't do justice to how muddy I really was.  Next mud race, I go in all white!

Meal Plan Monday

Another week, another menu.  I love the flexibility.  That sounds like a contradiction, "having a plan creates flexibility" but I think it is true.  I feel much more free when I have a plan for dinner.  Instead of a stupor of thought, I can just decide if I want to eat it or not.  That's a lousy explanation of how it makes me feel, but maybe it works.

We've got a busy week and won't be eating at home as much as usual.  This is what I'm planning but I doubt it is what we'll actually be eating.

MONDAY:  Chicken and rice

TUESDAY:  Dinner at the pool

WEDNESDAY:  Meatloaf and baked potatoes

THURSDAY:  Baked oatmeal with rhubarb

FRIDAY:  Pesto Pasta and veggies

SATURDAY:  Pizza

SUNDAY:  Kebabs, pita bread, and salad (family dinner at our house)

From Food Groups to MyPlate

I distinctly remember making a Four Food Groups train in my third grade class.  Do you remember the four food groups?

The Basic Four Food Groups was created and recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1956.  It was a given.  It was easy.  Eat a variety of meats, dairy, grains, and fruits and vegetables each day.

In 1992, the USDA released the Food Pyramid.  It made sense to me ... build your diet on grains to fill you up, add fruits and veggies next to bulk up your diet and have meat and dairy sparingly with a little bit of fats on top.  This is what I learned about in college and what I taught as a PE/Health specialist in an elementary school.

But I guess it wasn't good enough.  Americans kept getting fatter.  In 2005, a new Food Pyramid was released.  This one put all the food side by side and had a dude climbing stairs to symbolize the importance of exercise in being healthy.  I never "got" this pyramid.  It seemed more complicated and, quite frankly, the little dude bothered me.  Why was he there?  Was I supposed to eat him?

This last week a new food guide was released by the USDA with the support of First Lady Obama.  MyPlate.  They have totally dummied the system down in hopes that all people will finally GET what their eating should look like.

Along with the new image, they have a few additional recommendations:

Balancing Calories
	●	Enjoy your food, but eat less.
	●	Avoid oversized portions.
	Foods to Increase
	●	Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
	●	Make at least half your grains whole grains.
	●	Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
	Foods to Reduce
	●	Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
	●	Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

So what do you think?  Is this going to be the big change that will win the battle against obesity that Americans are fighting?  I read in one article that that was the hope ... MyPlate was the first step in changing the tide within one generation.  Is it going to work?

My opinion?  I'm doubtful.  It is nice and I think my boys will "get" it more than the most recent pyramid.  But will them "getting" it be enough to make them do it?  I do think healthy eating and physical activity are taking a hit in our country, but I don't know that a new picture to follow is what it will take to fix the problem.

Darn.  And I'm not usually the pessimist.

Weekly Goals

Two weeks ago I issued a challenge..... What do you want to accomplish over the summer?

Well, how has it been going?  Have you made any steps toward your end goals?  Have you completed any?  Do you still need to make some of those goals?

So far we've been camping (one of my goals).  And I'm down 1.6 lbs so far this month. 

It feels good to get some of these goals done.  I'm feeling a sense of accomplishment and I like it!

How have you been doing?

Meal Plan Monday - Summer is Here!!!

I don't know if it feels more like summer because the temperature finally creeped close to 80* or because my mom is finished for the school year and is able to play more ... but it feels like summer!

I wish my menu reflected that more, but 4 boys under age 7 just aren't interested in summer salads and some of those light dishes.  So I work with what I've got.

And this is what I've got this week ....

MONDAY:  Pulled beef sandwiches a'la crock-pot

TUESDAY:  Taco Haystacks (also called taco salads)

WEDNESDAY:  Fish sticks and fries

THURSDAY:  French Toast

FRIDAY:  Fast Food Friday

SATURDAY:  Individual Pizzas

SUNDAY:  Grilled cheese sandwiches or hot dogs on the grill

What are you eating this summer?