It is short and sweet and mostly complete ... happy eating this week!
MONDAY: White chicken chili
TUESDAY: Lasagna roll up
WEDNESDAY: Pumpkin pancakes
THURSDAY: Turkey pot pie
FRIDAY: Dinner at church
SATURDAY: Pizza
SUNDAY: Cranberry chicken in the crock pot
(I've got recipes ... if you want 'em, request them!)
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Monday's Meals
Is anyone else wondering how the heck it is already Thanksgiving? Seriously! Where did November go? This one has totally snuck up on me!
Thankfully, I do my meal plans by the month and have a plan ready for this week. Ah, I love it when my work is done for me!
I hope you all (you know ... both of you) have a fabulous weekend and a joyous time remembering all the blessings we have in this world. Some friends of ours lost their adult son this weekend. Others found out their 16 year old has cancer. Others are hanging on by a thread because of job loss. My life may not be perfect to anyone else, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The Lord allows us to be challenged only with those things that we can handle ... I've had my fair share of sad days and low blows. I think about my dad so often and miss him so much at the holidays, but I have faith. Faith that today is exactly what I need to be a better person. Faith that everything is for a reason and someday we'll be privileged to know that reason. Faith that in the end, everything works out for our best. I'm so thankful for my faith ... for my sweet family ... for cherished friends ... for good meals.
Happy Thanksgiving!
MONDAY: Tacos (didn't do them last week)
TUESDAY: White Chili (we didn't have it last week either)
WEDNESDAY: Waffles and Ice Cream
THURSDAY: Turkey dinner with my family
FRIDAY: Pizza
SATURDAY: Parade food (we'll be at a parade at dinner time)
SUNDAY: Dinner with my mom
I hope you all (you know ... both of you) have a fabulous weekend and a joyous time remembering all the blessings we have in this world. Some friends of ours lost their adult son this weekend. Others found out their 16 year old has cancer. Others are hanging on by a thread because of job loss. My life may not be perfect to anyone else, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The Lord allows us to be challenged only with those things that we can handle ... I've had my fair share of sad days and low blows. I think about my dad so often and miss him so much at the holidays, but I have faith. Faith that today is exactly what I need to be a better person. Faith that everything is for a reason and someday we'll be privileged to know that reason. Faith that in the end, everything works out for our best. I'm so thankful for my faith ... for my sweet family ... for cherished friends ... for good meals.
Happy Thanksgiving!
MONDAY: Tacos (didn't do them last week)
TUESDAY: White Chili (we didn't have it last week either)
WEDNESDAY: Waffles and Ice Cream
THURSDAY: Turkey dinner with my family
FRIDAY: Pizza
SATURDAY: Parade food (we'll be at a parade at dinner time)
SUNDAY: Dinner with my mom
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Have you got your race on?
I am signed up for two 5k races in a week. Eight days actually. I'll be running (ha! I use that term loosely!) in a Turkey Trot to support Chloe's Sunshine Playground and I'll also be doing the Santa Run which supports community holiday events.
Yeah. I haven't run since my last 5k the end of September. I'm not expecting my best time or even close to it. I'm expecting to finish and that's about it. Since this Saturday the high is supposed to 31* and it is supposed to snow ... finishing sounds good enough to me!
I had a sister-in-law blog about finishing her first ever race, a half-marathon, this weekend. I felt a twinge of jealousy. Why am I not doing a half-marathon like her? Why is her time so much better than I could ever do? Why doesn't her hair looked messed up at all in those pictures? Doesn't she sweat?
Then I came back to my reality ... I don't really like running! Ha! Why would I want to run for 2 hours straight? I'm ready to be done 20 minutes in to my 5k races because I'm bored, especially if I don't have something interesting on my iPod. I do sweat. I do look ruffled and like I just ran a race when I finish. But I do the races.
I do the races to force myself to stay physical. It gives me a goal. I need that goal.
Someday I'll make a goal to run a 5k in a truly respectable time, but for now, just finishing is good enough for me.
Should I try running in my snow boots on Saturday?
-Cindy
Yeah. I haven't run since my last 5k the end of September. I'm not expecting my best time or even close to it. I'm expecting to finish and that's about it. Since this Saturday the high is supposed to 31* and it is supposed to snow ... finishing sounds good enough to me!
I had a sister-in-law blog about finishing her first ever race, a half-marathon, this weekend. I felt a twinge of jealousy. Why am I not doing a half-marathon like her? Why is her time so much better than I could ever do? Why doesn't her hair looked messed up at all in those pictures? Doesn't she sweat?
Then I came back to my reality ... I don't really like running! Ha! Why would I want to run for 2 hours straight? I'm ready to be done 20 minutes in to my 5k races because I'm bored, especially if I don't have something interesting on my iPod. I do sweat. I do look ruffled and like I just ran a race when I finish. But I do the races.
I do the races to force myself to stay physical. It gives me a goal. I need that goal.
Someday I'll make a goal to run a 5k in a truly respectable time, but for now, just finishing is good enough for me.
Should I try running in my snow boots on Saturday?
-Cindy
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday Means Menu Day
Even though the house isn't full of soup fans, I still force them to moan and groan through a dinner of soup frequently. Someday they might just realize they like it. Maybe. Shoot, it took me 25+ years to realize that chili is actually good!
I plunk stew and chili in the soup category and I'm going to torment my crew with both this week! (insert evil laugh here) When you know there will be complaints coming, you have to grasp the joy where you can find it!
MONDAY: Autumn stew in the crock pot
TUESDAY: Spaghetti
WEDNESDAY: White chicken chili
THURSDAY: German pancakes
FRIDAY: Taco Salad
SATURDAY: Pizza
SUNDAY: Dinner at my mom's
What's on your table?
Monday, November 7, 2011
Menu Plan Monday
Hi, all! I had a fabulous week last week with an old friend (Hi, Shelly!) and listening to very motivational speakers. The madness of a Monday morning wasn't even present today because I'm still on such a high.
I didn't post my menu plan last week, not because I didn't have one, but because I didn't want to admit to all the processed food I was planning for my husband's ease. They all happily survived and so did my kitchen, so all is well.
This week though, it is back to as many whole foods as I can manage. I need to bake some bread for sandwiches and make some muffins for after school snacks. The house is going to smell good!
Here's the other stuff I'm planning to feed my crew:
MONDAY: Homemade Mac and Cheese (I'm trying this recipe this time - but, Jeri Dawn, I would LOVE to have yours)
TUESDAY: Baked Potato Bar (probably with PBJs for the picky young 'uns)
WEDNESDAY: Grilled Chicken Breasts with Spaghetti Squash
THURSDAY: Crock Pot Oatmeal
FRIDAY: Fast Food Friday (probably Chinese)
SATURDAY: Pizza (already have dough in the freezer)
SUNDAY: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Linked for fun: OrgJunkie
This week though, it is back to as many whole foods as I can manage. I need to bake some bread for sandwiches and make some muffins for after school snacks. The house is going to smell good!
Here's the other stuff I'm planning to feed my crew:
MONDAY: Homemade Mac and Cheese (I'm trying this recipe this time - but, Jeri Dawn, I would LOVE to have yours)
TUESDAY: Baked Potato Bar (probably with PBJs for the picky young 'uns)
WEDNESDAY: Grilled Chicken Breasts with Spaghetti Squash
THURSDAY: Crock Pot Oatmeal
FRIDAY: Fast Food Friday (probably Chinese)
SATURDAY: Pizza (already have dough in the freezer)
SUNDAY: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Linked for fun: OrgJunkie
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Gauntlet
I've been on hiatus. Big time.
While the world has continued to turn without my input, including our Menu Mondays (thanks to Cindy!), I have been lying low. And mostly on my couch.
But the gauntlet has been thrown.
Well, actually, I bumped the coffee table on the way to the couch and it kind of tipped over, made a horrible clanging noise, and fell on the floor.
I went to take up my gauntlet and felt the strain in my back, heard the "Ugh" escape from my lungs, and wondered when exactly my gut made its ugly reappearance.
But I take that as a sign. I need to face the realities around me. I've been too complacent for too long.
I did a little light research on the matter. I found that no two sources agree as to how much exercise you should get a week. But the average amount seems to be about 90 minutes to 2 hours a week, which breaks down to 30 minutes 3 or 4 days a week.
Okay. That sounds doable. Before summer hit I was at the gym for an hour 5 days a week. I can cut back and start off a lot slower.
And, as usual, I issue a challenge. Do you take up the gauntlet with me? What will be your strategies?
I think I'll start with bench pressing my gauntlet. Medieval armor is not light.
While the world has continued to turn without my input, including our Menu Mondays (thanks to Cindy!), I have been lying low. And mostly on my couch.
But the gauntlet has been thrown.
Well, actually, I bumped the coffee table on the way to the couch and it kind of tipped over, made a horrible clanging noise, and fell on the floor.
I went to take up my gauntlet and felt the strain in my back, heard the "Ugh" escape from my lungs, and wondered when exactly my gut made its ugly reappearance.
But I take that as a sign. I need to face the realities around me. I've been too complacent for too long.
I did a little light research on the matter. I found that no two sources agree as to how much exercise you should get a week. But the average amount seems to be about 90 minutes to 2 hours a week, which breaks down to 30 minutes 3 or 4 days a week.
Okay. That sounds doable. Before summer hit I was at the gym for an hour 5 days a week. I can cut back and start off a lot slower.
And, as usual, I issue a challenge. Do you take up the gauntlet with me? What will be your strategies?
I think I'll start with bench pressing my gauntlet. Medieval armor is not light.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Menu Monday
Little boys in overalls. So. Dang. Cute.
Sorry. I got sidetracked by my (almost) 18 month old. When I last had an 18 month old, I also had a 3 month old. This time I am able to enjoy the fun-ness of this toddler stage.
Part of that fun is trying to get anything done in the kitchen! He has not only scrambled my neatly stacked measuring cups, but he's scattered them as well! I have 3 or 4 sets of measuring cups (for this very reason) and not a clue where the 1 cup one is for any set!
It also means that trying to get dinner on can be a challenge. He is always hungry and usually wants to be held at the same time I'm trying to get dinner on. Or, at the very least, he likes to hold onto my leg and tell me stories. If only I understood any of them.
These are only a couple of reasons that I love prepare-ahead meals. Whether I do a big cooking day and stick the meals in the freezer or can just throw it all in the crock pot in the morning when he's busy with his brothers ... dinner is easier to get on the table when I don't have to all the work at 5 o'clock. Not every meal can be done this way, but those that can are heaven! I have a few in this week's menu ...
MONDAY: Crock pot taco chicken bowls
TUESDAY: Baked ziti
WEDNESDAY: chicken nuggets and homemade fries
THURSDAY: Halloween shaped pumpkin pancakes
FRIDAY: Potato Soup and bread bowls
SATURDAY: Pizza
SUNDAY: Steak and potatoes
Linked up, just because ... OrgJunkie
Sorry. I got sidetracked by my (almost) 18 month old. When I last had an 18 month old, I also had a 3 month old. This time I am able to enjoy the fun-ness of this toddler stage.
Part of that fun is trying to get anything done in the kitchen! He has not only scrambled my neatly stacked measuring cups, but he's scattered them as well! I have 3 or 4 sets of measuring cups (for this very reason) and not a clue where the 1 cup one is for any set!
It also means that trying to get dinner on can be a challenge. He is always hungry and usually wants to be held at the same time I'm trying to get dinner on. Or, at the very least, he likes to hold onto my leg and tell me stories. If only I understood any of them.
These are only a couple of reasons that I love prepare-ahead meals. Whether I do a big cooking day and stick the meals in the freezer or can just throw it all in the crock pot in the morning when he's busy with his brothers ... dinner is easier to get on the table when I don't have to all the work at 5 o'clock. Not every meal can be done this way, but those that can are heaven! I have a few in this week's menu ...
 |
| pic credits: budgetbytes.blogspot.com |
TUESDAY: Baked ziti
WEDNESDAY: chicken nuggets and homemade fries
THURSDAY: Halloween shaped pumpkin pancakes
FRIDAY: Potato Soup and bread bowls
SATURDAY: Pizza
SUNDAY: Steak and potatoes
Linked up, just because ... OrgJunkie
Friday, October 21, 2011
Reasons for Eating Real
Not so much at my house.
Sorry, I just CAN'T resist those Halloween colored M&Ms. Can't.
But we are still making baby-steps toward a mostly unprocessed kitchen. I am in constant search for a fool-proof, yet good tasting, homemade mac and cheese recipe ... so if you have one, shoot it my way. Please!
I read this article this morning about the reasons to avoid unprocessed foods. It has several gold nuggets in it. My favorite is number 4:
Why would one want to eat a processed food-like substance that is scientifically designed to never rot?
Really.
Thought some of you might be interested. Enjoy!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Another Menu Plan
I picked and juiced my concord grapes this weekend. As much as I love the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon, a house that smells of homemade grape juice SCREAMS fall to me! It is delicious!
Autumn food makes me happy. I'll admit it! It isn't doing much for my weight loss, which has stalled for the 10th week in a row. I've bounced around the same three pounds for what feels like forever. But it isn't my main courses causing this stall ... it is the desserts! I understand it and until I'm willing to pass on the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies - I will just be thankful to be so skilled at maintaining my weight!!!
Here's what we'll be eating this week, probably:
MONDAY: Spaghetti and garlic bread
TUESDAY: Tacos with homemade salsa
WEDNESDAY: Jambalaya
THURSDAY: Baked oatmeal and apples
FRIDAY: Potato Soup and biscuits
SATURDAY: Pizza
SUNDAY: Crock pot chicken and potatoes
Linked up again: OrgJunkie
Here's what we'll be eating this week, probably:
MONDAY: Spaghetti and garlic bread
TUESDAY: Tacos with homemade salsa
WEDNESDAY: Jambalaya
THURSDAY: Baked oatmeal and apples
FRIDAY: Potato Soup and biscuits
SATURDAY: Pizza
SUNDAY: Crock pot chicken and potatoes
Linked up again: OrgJunkie
Monday, October 10, 2011
Menu Monday
MONDAY: Hodge Podge Soup and homemade bread (not very "unprocessed" FYI)
1 1/2 to 2 lbs. hamburger
1 onion, minced
3 cans minestrone soup & 3 cans water
1 32 oz. can pork & beans
1 T. worcestershire sauce
1 t. garlic salt
1/4 t. oregano
It sounds odd (even gross) but it really is good
and makes excellent leftovers. I throw it all
in the crock pot and let it go all day. I also
do maybe half that much beef. I'm not a big meat
eater.
TUESDAY: Homemade Mac and Cheese (still looking for the best recipe)
WEDNESDAY: Chicken stir-fry and rice
THURSDAY: Pumpkin Pancakes
FRIDAY: Take-out night
SATURDAY: Homemade Pizza
SUNDAY: BBQ Pork Sandwiches (we didn't get to them last week)
What's on your plate?
Linked up: OrgJunkie
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