Menu Planning Monday

It's been awhile since I've linked up with Elizabeth & Jane for Menu Planning Monday.  I've been a total slacker in regards to both blogging AND meal planning lately.  Summer is almost here, and I'm feeling revived about my blog again, so I'm excited to be linking up this week.


 

Monday: Memorial Day

On this speical day to honor the men and women who have laid down their lives for our freedom, I am also thankful to spend time with my family.  This morning, I sang in a Memorial Day parade.  At 2:00, my family is meeting for a cook out.  I'm sure the menu will include but not be limited to: hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato casserole.  I know the casserole will be there because I'm bringing it.  lol  My family always makes a bunch of great food, so I'm excited!  I will probably not feel the need to eat dinner after this.  :)

 

Tuesday

BBQ Ribs with Corn on the Cob

 

Wednesday

I will be at a state conference with some other teachers on Wednesday.  Scott is on his own.  I'll be eating at a restaurant.

 

Thursday

Salsa chicken with corn and mashed potatoes

 

Friday

Leftovers

 

Saturday

I feel the need to have lasagna.  I'm thinking of making it on Saturday.  I LOVE lasagna, and I haven't made it in awhile.

 

Sunday

I'm not sure exactly what we're having yet, but I bought ingredients to make potato salad.  I plan to have something with potato salad on the side. 

 

What will be cooking in your kitchen this week?

Also sharing at Mostly Homemade Mondays on Homegrown & Healthy

Menu Planning Monday 4/22

I wish I could say that I was doing better with Menu Planning. 

I'm not.

I don't even think I have any excuses or reasons why.  The meals we have been eating are small simple enough, that they can be put together pretty quickly without a lot of thought.  BUT Elizabeth and Jane said that it doesn't always have to be a weekly meal plan!  We can share recipes.  So here's a healthy take on a chicken salad sandwich that I tried last week, courtesy of Dorothy at Crazy For Crust!

Avacado Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Original Recipe from Crazyforcrust.com

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of cooked chicken (We buy canned chicken from Sam's Club that I always use for chicken salad.  I used 1 can.)
• 1 medium avacado
• 1/2 c. plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/4 c. salsa
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• Pita bread

1. Peel the flesh off of the avacado and mash.  (Dorothy said to use a potato masher.  We don't have one.  I'm not sure why....anyway, I used a fork.)

 

2. Add the yogurt, salsa, salt, & pepper, and stir.

3. Then add the chicken and stir to combine.

4. Serve on a whole wheat pita or whatever bread you choose.  :)  I had mine with a little salsa and tortilla chips.

Dinner Plate: Celebrating Home, Simply Summer Collection

Also sharing at Mostly Homemade Mondays.

Menu Planning Monday: Spinach, Mushroom, & Onion Scramble

I'm gonna get right down to it people.  Scott & I are having a hard time with this diet.  And I don't mean in the "we're-not-eating-what-we-should" way.  We're actually not really eating as much as we should be.  We hardly ever have anything prepared....

I AM proud of the fact that we haven't been over eating, and we do try to stick to foods that we're supposed to have.  (I haven't had chocolate since Easter.  Insane.)  With that being said, I am now trying to focus on making healthier choices: leaner meats, more veggies, whole wheat grains, etc.  I have been feeling totally uninspired in the kitchen since we started this diet.  It seems like we can't have anything good fun any more.  We did agree that it's ok for us to take a day now and then to indulge.  So I've been looking for some inspiration, and thankfully, my new bloggy-friend Julie, posted this recipe on Friday, and I decided I HAD to try it.  (I had it for lunch yesterday.)

I did make a few tweaks for what we had on hand and to incorporate some of the ways we cook things for our Insanity diet.  I also made it for two instead of one.  ALL credit goes to her, though!  Thanks, Julie!

Spinach, Mushroom, & Onion Scramble
Original Recipe by Jule from Love, JulieBug.com

Ingredients:

• 1 small can of mushroom pieces
• 1/2 onion diced
• 3 handfuls of spinach
• 2 whole eggs
• 2 egg whites
• salt & pepper
• 1 T olive oil

1. Put olive oil in the pan and add onion to soften it.
2. When onion is softened, add the canned mushrooms to heat them.
3.  Add spinach, and let it cook until wilted.
4.  Add salt & pepper to the vegetables.
5.  Meanwhile, scramble whole eggs and egg whites together.  (Julie suggested with a little water or coconut milk.  I just added a dash of skim milk.)
6.  When the veggies are done, pour in the egg mixture.
7.  Serve with with one slice of wheat toast with a teaspoon of butter.

This is Scott's half.  I've been so hungry lately by the time I eat, that I totally devour my food before I can snap a pic.

Also sharing at: Mostly Homemade Mondays

 

Menu Planning Monday: Week 4

If you stopped by on Saturday, you read that Scott and I started the Insanity program.  This program includes workouts and a meal plan.  We will be eating small portioned meals five times a day.  I thought that it would be a great idea to link up with Elizabeth and Jane for Menu Planning Monday to share what we're eating for our first week.

I will not bore you with portion sizes for each one, but trust me, there's not much to each one.  We're talking a 1/2 cup of fruit, 1/2 a bagel, 1 slice of bread for a sandwich.  All of our grain products are whole wheat.

Monday
Meal 1: Bagel with cream cheese
Meal 2: Mexican Style Eggs (in a whole grain tortilla)
Meal 3: Chicken Ranch Wrap
Meal 4: Protein Pizza Muffin (This is on a whole grain English muffin with grilled chicken breast)
Meal 5: Steak with broccoli (We ended up cutting a piece of steak in half.  The program said 3-4 oz.  We will each have a 3.7 oz piece.)

Tuesday
Meal 1: Cereal bowl w/ banana
Meal 2: Turkey BLT
Meal 3: Grilled Chicken Salad
Meal 4: Peanut Butter Sandwich with banana
Meal 5: Pasta with seafood marinara (seafood = shrimp)

Wednesday
Meal 1: Berry Protein Smoothie
Meal 2: Egg Sandwich
Meal 3: Black Bean Soup & 1/2 sandwich (deli turkey)
Meal 4: Turkey Chili
Meal 5: Chicken Meatballs (Served with whole wheat pasta)

Thursday
Meal 1: Egg white & fruit plate (with a slice of Swiss cheese)
Meal 2: Protein Pancake
Meal 3: Whole wheat pasta with Vegetables & Feta cheese
Meal 4: Cold Cut Platter (The book literally says that this is like grown up Lunchables because you put deli turkey & ham on whole wheat crackers.)
Meal 5: Turkey Burger

Friday
Meal 1: Egg white breakfast wrap
Meal 2: Deli Sandwich (turkey on a 1/2 bagel)
Meal 3: Teriyai Grilled Tuna
Meal 4: Shrimp Cocktail Platter
Meal 5: Chicken Stir Fry

 Saturday
Meal 1: Veggie Omlet
Meal 2: Vanilla-Berry Protein Shake
Meal 3: Roast Beef Sandwich
Meal 4: Rotisserie Chicken & Salad
Meal 5: Dinner Omlet

Sunday
Meal 1: Peanut Butter Toast
Meal 2: Yogurt Bowl (plain Greek yogurt with apple pieces and walnuts)
Meal 3: Lean Burger
Meal 4: Roast Beef Wrap
Meal 5: Citrus Baked Chicken with Glazed Carrots

Sounds like a lot of food, but seriously.  I'll snap some pictures throughout the week to show you what the portions look like.  I don't think we'll starve thanks to all of the protein, but this is going to be a HUGE change.  I'll be sure to post with pictures, but in the meantime, follow me on Twitter and/or Instagram to keep up!  Also, if you're linking up for Dinner Time Tuesday, don't be decieved.  I have some dinners lined up for you before I start sharing these.  :)

And please pray for me because we're starting this diet portion on this very special week in a woman's monthly life.  Yeah, thanks.

Menu Planning Monday

   
So I have this problem.

I have NO idea what to make for dinner any more.  I say we have no food.  Scott opens the freezer and says, "We have...." and proceeds to list all of the things that I can clearly see in there.  He then adds, "And that's JUST the freezer." 

Yes, Scott, we have food.

We don't have things to turn into MEALS.

I am a big believer that a good meal has a main dish and a side.  I also know that I need to eat more vegetables and other healthier choices.  While I can't guaruntee the healthy part, I can at least start trying to plan meals.  Then instead of coming home and eating something unsatisfying, a plan will be in place.

Cue Elizabeth from The Young Retiree and Jane from Adventures to Taingamala. They have come up with Menu Planning Mondays.  While I can't promise to link-up every week.  I thought that this week would get me off to a start.

Monday

Today, I have a Decor Divas team meeting at my sponsoring designer's house for Celebrating Home. So Scott is on his own.  (He has to work night shift anyway).  I'm not sure what the main course for dinner will be because everyone always brings something to share.  I'm taking my Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip. 

(UPDATE: Both school and my meeting were cancelled today because winter will just not go away here in PA. I'm definitely having my dip for dessert. I'm going to try to stick to the plan for the rest of the week and come up with something to eat today...wish me luck!)

Tuesday

Dinner Time Tuesday!  You should come link up.  (Confession.  My post this week will be about something I had for dinner last week.  This is necessary to be able to go live Tuesday evening.) What I'll actually be having? Chili with corn bread. 

Wednesday

Fish sticks with Velveeta shells & cheese and steamed broccoli

Thursday

Beef pot roast with potatoes, onions, celery, and carrots.  There may be a side of French or Italian bread involved here.  (Update: When I went grocery shopping, I couldn't find the bread I wanted.  I actually chose a half-loaf of sour dough bread.  It will be delicious!)

Friday

Cheese Ravioli with cheesy garlic bread and a side salad

Saturday

Leftovers.  (It is likely that there will be chili and roast left over.)

Sunday

Finally, we will finish the week by having Steak Sandwiches with mushrooms, peppers, and onions and a side of chips.

I promise to do my best to stick with this plan!  :)  What are you having this week?