Menu Planning for the Week

Ok, so last week was a disaster in my meal planning. It was my first week working full time and juggling most of my life (minus Gretel who had to be shipped to grandma's). I think we either ate out or Prince Charming cooked every night. So I determined to make improvements this week, maybe not perfect, but improve!

Monday - Small Group, making brownies and dip/veggies if they are lucky! :) Desiree or John Mark to put on beans for the next day to let them soak overnight.
Tuesday - beans with ham, jiffy corn muffins
Wednesday - Prince Charming has elder's meeting; breakfast for dinner; pancakes, turkey bacon and fruit
Thursday - Turkey Burgers on New Thin Sandwich Bread that I love (100 calories and healthy) and Sweet Potatoes
Friday - Mushroom and Chicken Bake - yummy, I bought boneless skinless chicken thighs and they are really good; salad
Saturday - Ladies' Night Out at Church. . .mi familia you are on your own! :) Mini-Pizza's with the Thin Sandwich Bread perhaps?
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie or Leftovers

I think having a game plan will help my week when I blankly stare into the fridge with not a clue what to make. Plus, I know that I have all of the ingredients to make these things so no excuses not to eat at home this week!

Here's to a better week!

Menu Plan Monday - Calorie Counting Ready!

A little update on my family. We are fighting the flu. So far I am the only survivor. I am stating that this nice menu just might change. :)

The other thing about this menu is that I am trying to lose weight. So far, in two weeks I have lost seven pounds. I have been counting my calories. I have a hard time with "portion distortion" so counting my calories has helped a lot.

Some of my resources have been my "Lose It" App on my iphone, and a Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter book that I bought from Wal Mart. All of these recipes should please everyone. . .hopefully! :) Also, Sparkpeople has been a source of encouragement to me in giving me lots of information on watching what you eat.

Monday - Whole Chicken cooked in the crockpot all day/brown rice
Tuesday - Turkey Burgers, black beans with lime juice and cilantro
Wednesday - Prince Charming's Birthday - hmmm. still pondering
Thursday - Bratwurst and Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage for me
Friday - Apricot Glazed Chicken, fresh broccoli, brown rice

1 cup Smucker's sugar free apricot preserves
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup Smart Start
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp black pepper
Combine preserves, oj and Smart Start. Rub chicken breasts with marinade combination. Sprinkle pepper on top. Place chicken in a roasting pan. Cook for 20 minutes, basting the chicken with excess glaze every 5 minutes.

I have been reading Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser coach), Master the Metabolism and Making the Cut. This was one of the many recipes in Making the Cut.

Saturday - Leftovers
Sunday - taco salad (Turkey taco salad for me)

comparison of calories that I have recently discovered:
80/20 ground beef 290 calories per 4 ounce servings
85% lean ground turkey 170 calories per 4 ounce servings (3 ounce cooked weight)

When you are on a 1174 calorie diet, every calorie counts! :) Sorry for all of the extra information, but I have had to brainwash myself to count my calories.

Have a great and blessed day!

Menu Plan Monday - March 2nd

Sunday - Cheese Potato Soup
This is an awesome recipe. I just tried it last night. I had been craving cheese potato soup, but I hate peeling potatoes. This has four ingredients and you just dump them into the pot and let it get hot and bubbly. It is fairly inexpensive too. I figure about $6.50 for the meal.

Frozen cubed potatoes
8 oz. velveeta (this is what gets expensive!)
4 cups of chicken stock or chicken broth
White Country Gravy Mix

Seriously, just put it into the pot. Make sure the cheese is melted and not sticking to the bottom of the pot. Also, the gravy will thicken it. You can serve with bacon bits, green onion and a salad and voila. Awesome!

Monday - Small Group - taking Subway Sandwiches leftover from church
Tuesday - Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry; I buy the prepared stir fry mix (large bag, makes two meals easily) and add my own chicken and rice
Wednesday - Sweet and Sour Meatballs, (I made these for our New Year Celebration as an appetizer - they were great then, but decided to try them as a main dish) Egg Noodles
Thursday - Chicken Quesadillas-chicken, cheese on a whole wheat tortilla; I may have leftovers with the kids, depends on how much energy I have; usually not much when we don't get out of swimming until 5:30 and the kids are starving
Friday - Mom gone to the Ladies Retreat! Frozen Pizza for dad and the kids
Saturday - Fajitas (really no different then quesadillas other than I make green bell peppers and onions to serve with it)
Sunday - Leftovers or Taco Salad

For the last few months, I have struggled to keep up with my grocery shopping. I realized that because I was using The Grocery Game, I was unable to get my shopping done in the short window of time between Sunday and Tuesday when the coupon database comes out. I have decided to start using The Coupon Mom which comes out earlier and is free. It is hard getting used to because the format is not as clean looking as The Grocery Game. The database was not as accurate either, but my grocery bill has skyrocketed in the last few months and I need to take action! So there it is, my confession for all the world to see. :0

Happy Cooking for your family this week!

Menu Plan Monday - Last Menu of 2008

Monday - Stroganoff Sandwiches; see my daughters reaction to these if you want to know what kids think of them; I think they are awesome though and I use swiss cheese instead of cheddar which is part of the problem with my kids! :)

Tuesday - Chicken Pot Pie - I love my own pot pie-way better than the kind you buy at the store!

1 lb cooked ckn or turkey chopped
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 cup milk
1 can of veg all (brand name. . .located by green beans and corn in a can)-drain liquid, but keep a little
salt and pepper
2 pie crusts

Mix all of these ingredients together and pour in bottom pie crust

I get deep dish from Kroger ( cut edge off of top one and place it on top of the bottom one with ingredients in the bottom one)

Cut an X in the top so that it will not spill over.

Place it on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes until golden brown on top. My kids love this recipe and ask for it a lot. Plus, it has veggies. Yay! Make sure that you let it rest for a minute because it is not only juicy, but very hot!
Wednesday - 16 Bean Cajun Soup and Sausages; I follow the back of the cajun bean soup bag

Thursday - Crockpot Chicken and Dressing, black eyed peas

Friday - Lasagna
(this is one of my favorite recipes and the best/easiest lasagna ever)

1 lb. bulk sausage

8 oz. small curd cottage cheese

1 egg

1 lb. grated mozzarella cheese

1 jar (32 oz.) Ragu chunky garden style spaghetti sauce

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Make meat sauce by combining sausage and spaghetti sauce. Create cheese sauce by pureeing cottage cheese, sour cream, egg and Parmesan cheese in blender. In greased 9 X 13 put enough meat sauce to cover bottom of pan. Layer UNCOOKED noodles, 1/2 meat sauce, 1/2 cheese sauce, 1/2 mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering again ending with mozzarella cheese. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 for 1 hour until cheese is brown and bubbly.
I usually make two batches of this to freeze for later or for a friend in need.

Saturday - leftovers

Sunday - Taco Salad

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - out to eat and to buy a car! Yay! (more details to come)

Tuesday - All American Meatloaf, green peas

Wednesday - AWANA; possibly having friends over for the best ever Overnight Lasagna (can be frozen for a freezer meal), green beans, french bread

Thursday - Chicken Pot Pie

Friday- Ladies Night Out; Slow Cooker Chicken and Dressing

Saturday - Hamburgers, broccoli and cheese

Sunday - Taco Salad and cheese quesadillas

Menu Plan Monday

Last week ended up not turning out like I planned on meals. . .go figure. But we only ate out once! :)

Monday - Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday - Hamburgers and Cauliflower Bake
Wednesday - Turkey Chili
Thursday - Dinner with the gals; kids to eat grilled cheese and tomato soup with babysitter
Friday - Hansel's Camp-Out in the backyard; boys are going to be roasting out hotdogs and smores
Saturday - Breakfast for Dinner; Pancakes and Sausage
Sunday - Broccoli Cheese Soup

1 medium onion sauteed in 2 T margarine
1 can crm of celery
1 can crm of chicken
1 can crm of mushroom

3 soup cans full of milk
Cook 1 large bag of broccoli pieces in boiler, drain broccoli and cut up 1 roll of jalapeno cheese and put on top of hot broccoli. Add to soup mixture. Heat till hot. May be frozen.

On Saturday, we celebrated my son's Ninth Birthday and I made him the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cake that Organizing Junkie Posted. It was very good. I am not a big cake eater but I thought it was good enough to meet my peanut butter and chocolate needs! the icing was the biggest surprise. . .pudding, peanut butter and Kool Whip. Surprisingly a great treat.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Homemade Pizza topped with pepperoni/bell peppers/onions/tomatoes, etc.
Tuesday - Biscuits, sausage and gravy and a game of Rummy with the kids
Wednesday - Chicken Fettucini Alfredo - you will not believe how amazing this stuff is; well you might if you look at the ingredients; my hubs and I made this earlier in the year and it is really good
Thursday- Chicken Caesar Salad - I love this stuff!!
Friday - possibly a date with my Prince Charming; otherwise we will be eating grilled cheese.. . .Prince Charming, you don't want to just eat grilled cheese do you? :)
Saturday - Chicken Pot Pie
Sunday - Taco Salad

This is a lasagna recipe that I made last week for my sister - in laws rehearsal dinner. It was REALLY good and it is really easy to make. . .except when you are making 8 of these! :)

Lasagna

(this is one of my favorite recipes and the best/easiest lasagna ever)

1 lb. bulk sausage

8 oz. small curd cottage cheese

1 egg

1 lb. grated mozzarella cheese

1 jar (32 oz.) Ragu chunky garden style spaghetti sauce

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Make meat sauce by combining sausage and spaghetti sauce. Create cheese sauce by pureeing cottage cheese, sour cream, egg and Parmesan cheese in blender. In greased 9 X 13 put enough meat sauce to cover bottom of pan. Layer UNCOOKED noodles, 1/2 meat sauce, 1/2 cheese sauce, 1/2 mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering again ending with mozzarella cheese. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 for 1 hour until cheese is brown and bubbly.

I usually make two batches of this to freeze for later or for a friend in need.

Ok, worry about me!

The week is underway and I realize that I cannot even put together a menu for the week because it is so crazy. Between visits with friends for my birthday and "the wedding" I will just be winging it. I have great hope of fitting into the dress after this week's "slim menu."

Family, here are the options for the week when you are hungry:

• frozen fish
• chips and salsa
• yogurt
• tuna fish crackers or sandwiches
• cheese tortillas
• frozen vegetables with cheese
• Ramen noodles
• popcorn
• Two cans of Chef boyardee
• hamburger helper in a box

I think that's it. This is pretty sad, isn't it? Family, make sure to take your vitamins, you are going to need them.

Menu Plan Monday

This is a huge birthday week for my family. My birthday is on the 5th so I expect lots of ecards! :) If you want to read something morbidly funny, read my post from last year about my birthday.

That's all I ask . . .just an ecard from my friends. Prince Charming, you are not off the hook with just an ecard though. I will post my list on the fridge or I will email it you if that is more convenient! ;) Ok, back to my menu planning.

Monday - Roast, potatoes and carrots in the crockpot; using Marie's Easy Slow Cooker Recipe
Tuesday - BBQ sandwiches, coleslaw and beans. . .momma going to run tonight!
Happy Birthday, Brian!
Wednesday - Elders Meeting and the kids and I will chill out at home with omelets
Thursday - marinated lemon chicken, brown rice and broccoli in the steamer with shredded cheese
Happy Birthday Moms!
Friday -

at my in-laws for Birthday Bashes!! We are going to have a "Cheetah Themed Party" (like the design, not the girls) at Gretel's (7 years old) request. I need to get myself together. Any ideas are welcome! I am really excited though because I have bought some fun gifts for her that I know she will LOVE.

Saturday - coming home from in-laws and probably eating there
Sunday - Happy Birthday, Gretel!! I think she would like to eat salsa all day. Still not 100% if we are doing anything outside of celebrating with family this year. I am a big birthday basher, but I think this year my limit is one per child. We will see though. I am always pulling stuff at the last minute.
We may just have a taco salad, salsa fest today! :)

Menu Plan Monday

And we're off! The first day of school. The races have begun. . .the gates are open and we're coming out of the chute!

And we have Menu Plan Monday to start off the race.

Monday - Chicken and Dressing in the crockpot, crescent rolls and green beans

Tuesday -
snack 100 calorie pack crackers or cookies
lunch - leftovers and Capri Sun
dinner - Chicken Stir Fry with brown rice

Wednesday -
snack popcorn and water
lunch - turkey and cheese wrapped in tortilla on George Foreman
dinner - Wet Burritos from Happy to be at Home/refried beans

Thursday -
dinner - leftovers or breakfast for dinner (pancakes or eggs and bacon)
To Do: put beans on for tomorrow's dinner

Friday - friends coming from Texas; Yee Ha!
snack - popcorn and water
lunch - turkey sandwiches, Capri Sun and 100 calorie crackers or cookies
dinner - Beans, fried potatoes and corn bread

To Do: cook roast for tomorrow's meal;

Saturday - BBQ, French Fries and Cole Slaw

Sunday - after church - eat lunch out to get my friends back off to Texas :(

Next weeks lunch to remember: pepperoni and mozzarella wrapped in crescent rolls
Back to School Story for your reading pleasure! :)

Menu Plan Monday

We had a great Olympic Party on Saturday! We were originally planning for Friday, but I double booked myself. I made Swedish Meatballs and they were really good. My small group friends all made incredible things. We represented Russia, Sweden, Mexico (of course), France and Thailand.

Monday - Trixie at Farm Home Life reminded me to make Chicken Fajitas
Tuesday - hot dogs and homemade french fries from the gobs of potatoes we have around here
Wednesday - probably fast food; honey if you wonder where I am until Saturday. . .I will be at my moms; you are in charge of eating everything in the fridge and pantry.
Thursday - on your own
Friday - on your own
Saturday - on your own
Sunday - on your own
Monday - Happy Tummies had this awesome recipe for Honey Chicken Shish Kabobs

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 5 small onions, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 2 red bell peppers, cut into 2 inch pieces
• skewers

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, honey, soy sauce, and pepper. Before adding chicken, reserve a small amount of marinade to brush onto kabobs while cooking. Place the chicken, garlic, onions and peppers in the bowl, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours (the longer the better).
2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
3. Drain marinade from the chicken and vegetables, and discard marinade. Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto the skewers.
4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. Turn and brush with reserved marinade frequently.

Menu Plan Monday

Are anyone else's kids on summer break making them a little loony? This is especially not a good sign since I am home schooling both of them this year.

Monday - hot dogs and watermelon :( Not much of a menu, but hey it's food. . .well sort of
Tuesday - Happy Birthday To You! Special birthday dinner for hubs;
No Hints and I will not be able to reveal what I make until after dinner besides hotdogs on Monday always make you appreciate anything you get during the week!
Wednesday - eggs, cheese and Canadian bacon with English Muffins
Thursday - We did not get to try the Sweet and Sour Chicken Packets on the grill; I will serve rice with this and maybe some egg rolls
Friday - Ladies Night at church; eating at yummy restaurant in town; family on your own
Saturday - Small Group Olympics Party; Need to bring something from a different country that is represented at the Olympics. . .does anyone have any ideas?
Sunday - Taco Salad

Recipe Update: Last week I made the most awesome potato soup. I guess I cannot really say that I made it because my Prince Charming helped, but I take credit since I found the recipe. It really was good and you should definitely try it if you like that kind of thing. I made cornbread and salad to go with it.

Menu Plan Monday- July 28th

Day One - I have all of the ingredients for this Crockpot Thai Chicken that organizing junkie made- I made this earlier in the year and I really liked it. . . my kids were not too fond but they ate it! So there you have it.
Day Two - I have a lot of potatoes that need to be eaten so we will have Cheesiest Potato Soup; It is kind of hot for this but it's all for the sake of the budget :)
Day Three - French Toast and bacon
Day Four - Chicken Caesar Salad
Day Five - Carbin' Up with Spaghetti and French Bread for my race
Day Six - My Four Mile Classic Run- pray for me because I have shin splints and I have worked so hard to this point; pray that they will not prohibit me from doing my best; I love this recipe idea that I got off of Three Ladies and a Dad blog; grilled Sweet and Sour Chicken Packets; I will make some rice to go on the side
Day Seven - We usually have leftovers or cheese quesadillas or some kind of taco salad; I have not been buying hamburger meat lately because it is too expensive and kind of on the do not eat list! :(

Looks like it is going to be a great food week! :) I made this awesome banana walnut loaf earlier in the week as well. I made it in my Pampered Chef Four Mini Loaf Pan and we have had a loaf a day. I love it.

Banana Walnut Bread
2 cups sifted flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup margarine
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3-4 mashed bananas

Measure and sift together flour, soda and salt. Set aside. Cream margarine and add sugar. Cream this. Add eggs and vanilla. Add bananas. Fold in dry ingredients. Place in well greased loaf pan. Bake 325 for 55 - 60 minutes (less if you use mini loaf pan). Test with toothpick.

Enjoy and have a great menu planned week!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Guys Ballgame, duty calls. . .gotta wear my cheer leading outfit; Creamy Tacos (recipe below) and home made garden salsa

Creamy Tacos
1 lb hamburger meat
1 can chili w/o beans
2 cans hot chili beans
1/2 can rotel
1 lb velveeta
1/2 pt. whipping cream
Doritoes
salad and Italian dressing

Brown hamburger meat in large pot. Drain. Add chili, beans and rotel. in a separate pan or microwave melt velveeta, mix in whipping cream until smooth and creamy. Add to meat mixture. Put doritoes on each plate. Pour some cheesy meat mixture over it and top with salad that is already mixed with dressing.

This makes a lot, but you can freeze it in smaller sections if you need to.

Tuesday - Crash, hot potatoes, teriyaki chicken legs;
Wednesday - Garden Veggie Night; fried green tomatoes, salad, squash (from a friend's garden), tomatoes with basil and olive oil. . .perhaps a little feta on top = yum :)
Thursday - Sloppy Joes, french fries
Friday - Chicken Quesadillas, rice and Mexican Layer Dip
Saturday - Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts, Ranch Potato Salad,
Sunday - Homemade Pizza - we buy Sam's Club crusts and top with veggies and cheese = yum!

Last week, I was running low on ingredients and I made Zucchini Alfredo from and it was pretty good. My kids do not like zucchini but they ate about half of it. My husband and I enjoyed it though.

Also, for our Church Ladies Night I made "Bowl of Yum" again (recipe below) and I cannot tell you how good it is. I need to take a picture next time for you.

In a trifle,
1st layer - crumble up brownie with walnuts (the walnuts really make it good) (see note on Sam’s Club brownies, but add walnuts)
2nd layer – prepared chocolate pudding (large box of instant)
3rd layer – Cool Whip (1 8 oz. carton)
4th layer – Heath bar (1/2 to 3/4 bag)
5th layer – Cool Whip (another ¼ to ½ the container)
6th and final top layer – Heath bar (1/4 bag)

Have a great week! Remember, always cook with love (recipe for Chicken Parmesan and explanation!

Fruit Salsa

Today's Work for Me Wednesday post was very easy for me to come up with because I heart cooking simple, easy dips!!!

Fruit Salsa
1 tub frozen strawberries
2 kiwi - peeled
1 can crushed pineapple

Throw it in the blender until it is salsaish consistency and voila you have fruit salsa.

What do you eat with this, you ask? That is the really yummy part. Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Strips. You have to make them though, but I promise it is worth it.

Cut a package of flour tortillas in triangles using your pizza cutter. Put them on a baking sheet with some canola oil sprayed on your pan as well as the tops of your tortilla strips. Sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar and place them into the oven at 350 degrees and wait until their crispy. . .not burnt (speaking from experience here). They are easy to burn. Let them cool a tad bit and eat them all up!! I have served this for my friends as well as my kids and we all love it equally!

Check out my Menu Plan Monday Links on the side for more tasty recipes. Also, don't forget to get back to Rocks in My Dryer for more great, easy recipes in 5 ingredients or less. Have a great day!

Menu Plan Monday

I am so thankful for the post that lures me in each week and forces me to concentrate on planning. What would I do without a post on what we are going to have for dinner each week? I would starve or wander around aimlessly asking "what's for dinner?"!!! We would starve!

Monday - chicken legs that are calling me from the fridge; they are not pretty legs, but they are defrosted and have to be cooked

Tuesday - Sorry, mi familia. . .more bratwurst. I got a great deal at Kroger the other day so we are going to have it till the cows come home. Add some French Fries and voila. . . a meal and a deal.

Wednesday - Crunchy Baked Chicken, (the only difference in the chicken I cook and this is that I use Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix instead of Ranch), the only thing I know is I am going to try these crash, hot potatoes because she did such a fabulous job describing them. . .oh my word, crescent rolls, green beans or salad

Thursday - spaghetti = boring but my hubs does not care and my Hansel LOVES spaghetti so there you go . . .now it = winner!

Friday - Tuesday - in Branson family reunioning!!

This week I made blackberry cobbler with fresh blackberries from the Farmer's Market. This recipe closely resembled mine except I patted out little cobbles on the top instead of fancy lattice.

As always, you can click on my link on the sidebar for weeks and weeks worth of menus. I love simple, fast and semi-healthy cooking. :)

Menu Plan Monday

Wow. . .here we go, Monday again!!! I had a great weekend and I have a recipe to show you that I made for my sweet hubby. He has been asking for one of his favorite soups and Father's Day was the perfect time because of all of the fresh produce available.

Sunday - Father's Day Gazpacho! He had three bowls of this before I went to bed so I know he liked it. I used a combination of real and canned diced tomatoes. I did not have beef broth so I substituted chicken bullion. We had fresh basil as well as some green bell peppers from the garden which makes cooking exciting!! Also, I added spicy V-8 instead of tomato juice. My kids even ate this with tortilla chips like it was salsa. It is really good for you too. . .please don't tell them! :)

Monday - Gretel's last t-ball game; frozen bag ravioli (don't worry. . .I am going to cook it! :)), green beans and texas toast

Tuesday - running clinic; preparing for the Four Mile Classic-note to self: do not eat salsa before you run at night; Cabbage (slice it. . butter and salt and pepper it, wrap it in aluminum foil and put it on the grill) and Bratwurst on the grill. . .I may eat when I come back! :)

Wednesday - We have been invited t o a Family Birthday Party so I am off the hook for cooking. . .Hip Hip Hooray for Birthdays

Thursday - BBQ chicken drumsticks and thighs, fried okra, fried green tomatoes and biscuits. . .did I tell you that I was born in Georgia. . . bless your little pea pickin' heart! :)

Friday - chicken caesar salad; We had this salad last week too and it is really really good; I cannot wait to have it again!

Saturday - breakfast for dinner; french toast and bacon = yum

Sunday - taco salad

I have tons of things to share with you this week on our construction progress, my new hobby and what my kids have been up to so make sure to check back. Also, remember for more yummy recipes to check into Laura's fabulous I'm an Organizing Junkie Blog. If you post your menu this week, she make pick you for her give-away!!! Yeah!! Have a great Menu Plan Monday!

Menu Plan Monday

Oh my, I cannot believe how long it has been since I blogged last. Forgive me, my loyal readers! We have had so much going on I have not had a chance to blog, but I assure you I have lots of new material now. I should start out with my menu though so that I can get this week started off on the right foot.

Monday - Thanks to From Mommy's Kitchen we have Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad on the menu for tonight. Honestly gals, the only meat I even have in the freezer is a bag of chicken so anything chicken and easy sounds great!

bake cookies for neighbors. . .especially ones who have helped with all of the crazy construction work around here

Tuesday - Seasoned Hamburgers, roasted potatoes and strawberry/kiwi salsa and cinnamon sugar tortilla strips

Wednesday - dinner with my mom and dad; it's his birthday . . .kids going to my their home; what a great exchange his birthday and my kids!! :)

Thursday - dinner with my hubby. . .should throw some steaks and cabbage on the grill!!!

Friday - dinner with the gals from my church

Saturday - spaghetti and salad

Sunday - taco salad and salsa with fresh cilantro and jalapenos from the garden. . .hurry up tomatoes!!!

Menu Plan Monday - I'm back!!!!

You didn't miss me did you? Did you know I was gone? I was eating out ALL WEEK in Florida. Eating out should be against my religion, not just from the money that I spent and the pounds that I gained, but the sheer fact that I just felt lazy.

Oh well, so much for a week of slovenliness (yes, I looked that up and it is a word). We need this week to be light and simple. Light as in not only easy to make but light in calories.

Monday - whole wheat spaghetti, salad and breadsticks. My incredible husband tried whole wheat spaghetti the other day while I was gone and says it tastes fine - almost normal. I wish I had a penny for every moment that I think about how awesome he is.
Tuesday - ball games at 5:30 and 6:00; BLT sandwiches on whole wheat toast
Wednesday - roast/carrots and potatoes in crockpot, greek salad, dessert: blueberries with lemon yogurt
Thursday - ball games at 6:00 and 7:30; pancakes and bacon (not so light, but easy!)
Friday - crunchy baked chicken and Zucchini with Corn and Cilantro (from Cooking Light Super Fast Suppers cookbook by Southern Living)
1 tsp olice oil
3 1/2 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
1 T fresh cilantro
1 tsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper

Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and corn; cook, stirring occasionally 7-8 minutes until zucchini is crisp and tender. Remove from heat and add rest of ingredients. You can use this as a substitute for salsa or guac or as a side for tex-mex plate.
Saturday - dear, sweet friends coming from Texas! may not be here for dinner

Black Bean and Poblano Tortilla Wraps
(from Cooking Light Super Fast Suppers cookbook by Southern Living)

1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/2 tsp cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup diced ripe avocado
1/2 poblano chile, finely chopped 1/3 cup
1/4 cup finedly chopped red onion
1/4 cup cilantro leaves (we have these growing out of our sidewalk!)
3 T fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
4 8 inch flour tortillas
Combine sour cream and cumin in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Combine beans and next 6 ingredients in a bowl. Spoon equal amounts of black bean mixture down center of tortilla. Roll up, cut in half and secure with wooden picks if necessary. Serve with sour cream mixture.
Sunday - Tacos, black bean salsa and
Black bean/Cream cheese dip
1 package of cream cheese spread out on the bottom of 8 X 8 baking pan
drain black beans and spread on for next layer
drain can of rotel (tomatoes and green chilis) and spread on for the 3rd layer
sprinkle with cheddar cheese
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. Great with tortilla chips or cucumbers if you are low-carbin it!!
Monday - homemade pizza and breadsticks, salad, cookie salad
Tuesday - grill out hotdogs and hamburgers, s'mores by the firepit (boy do we have lots of wood!!. . .more details to come on this)

Want to try in upcoming weeks list:
Chicken n Spinach Pasta Bake
Chicken and Mushrooms with Lemon White Wine Sauce

Happy frugal cooking and planning!

Menu Plan Monday - Busy Week!!

Monday - WonTon Taco Salad; had it tonight and it was really good and fairly fast-the boys did not get to eat before the 5:30 game, but I took Prince Charming some and Hansel ate a PB and J and came home to finish the won ton's off.

• Hansel's first baseball game - did not win, but Hansel did very well and I am proud of him; pics to come. . .
  

Tuesday - deviled eggs; BBQ chicken;

• Gretel's practice; running club

Wednesday - pancakes, bacon, strawberries (on sale at El Kroger)

• Elder's Meeting, Awana

Thursday - 15 bean soup-I use the recipe on the back of the package and it is really good, cheap and healthy

Friday - Carbonara-the only thing I add to this is green onions and pepper; Texas toast
Carbin up for the big race

Saturday - hmmm. . .what to eat on Saturday's . . . I never feel like cooking. Maybe we can do the $5 Subway thing again this week. I pick up 2 footlongs and chips. . .there ya go!

If it is pretty out maybe we can grill something, but I will use Subway as my back-up plan.

• running another 5K! Hoping to improve! :)
  

Sunday - I have some Won Ton's leftover and if they stay fresh until Sunday I will do the Won Ton Taco thing again. I did not have lettuce tonight so maybe by then I can make it a healthier meal; add veggie refried beans and it is really yummy.