Menu Plan, week of 2/16/15

This weekend I officially hit 21 pounds lost... whoo hoo!  Of course tonight's dinner of fried pork chops and mashed potatoes won't really help my cause, but that's OK.  All good things in moderation!

There are three new recipes on this week's plan, mostly because today (Monday) is a holiday and I've had time to read some blogs and play on Pinterest today.  We had planned to be out all day running errands and such, but, it's negative temperatures and ice covered roads all around us.  Staying in our warm home seemed like a much better plan!

Family Suppers this week:

• MONDAY:  fried pork chops, homemade smashed potatoes, green beans
• TUESDAY:  new recipe: Crockpot Taco Chicken Bowls  (Our local favorite restaurant is Hot Head Burritos, where I always order a chicken burrito bowl.  This is my attempt to create something similar at home!)
• WEDNESDAY:   new recipe: Crockpot Corn and Potato Chowder (no bacon since it's Ash Wednesday), grilled cheese sandwiches
• THURSDAY:  I'll be working, so DH will feed himself and the kids. 
• FRIDAY: new recipe: Egg Beaters Southwestern Fajita Quiche   (I'll be leaving out the chicken to make this a meatless Lenten meal.)

Linking up with Menu Plan Monday... head over there for some great meal ideas!

 

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Menu Plan, week of 1/4/15

I'm excited today... today is the first Sunday in a LONG time that I haven't had to work.  My schedule is changing at work, which means that I'll have Sundays off now for the foreseeable future.  That makes it SO much easier to get my meal prep and menu plan done for the week ahead!

89 days ago... yes, exactly, LOL... I decided to change my eating habits.  I did the first cycle of the 17 Day Diet to start, and then I switched over to simply being mindful of my eating and logging every bite on MyFitnessPal.   I've lost 18lbs so far this way.   I wish I had thought to measure inches in the beginning, because I know I've lost more there that isn't really reflected on the scale.  Oh well.  I'm happy, feeling better, and plan to keep going until I've lost at least 35lbs.

PREPPING ON SUNDAY:  sausage/cheese/English muffin breakfast sandwiches to freeze for the kids' breakfasts; a pan of baked spaghetti; some smoothie packets for my favorite breakfast smoothies.

Family Suppers this week:

• SUNDAY:  homemade protein waffles, fresh fruit
• MONDAY: modified Bobby Dean's baked spaghetti (I'm going to use 1lb turkey sausage instead of ground beef and freeze half the casserole for another meal), salad, garlic bread
• TUESDAY: Budget Savy Diva's Crockpot Chicken Chili, corn bread
• WEDNESDAY: broiled tilapia with parmesan (new recipe), steamed broccoli, rice
• THURSDAY: crockpot roast chicken & vegetables
• FRIDAY: leftovers or TBD

Linking up with Menu Plan Monday... head over there for some great meal ideas!

 

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I always provide my honest opinion regardless of the source of the product.

Menu Plan Monday 11/3

I've been working hard this past month at changing my eating habits... which means that the rest of the family is benefiting, too, since I do all the cooking.  It's all good.  ;)

On Sunday morning, we tried these Cottage Cheese Mini Pancakes by Weelicious.  They got rave reviews in my house-- the kids couldn't figure out the mystery ingredient.  My daughter (a Type I Diabetic) had a whole plate of pancakes and low sugar syrup for only 42 carbs-- you can't beat that!

Here's the plan for this week:

• MONDAY: Dashing Dish's Crockpot White Chicken Chili  
• TUESDAY:  Greek Marinated Chicken, Broccoli, George Stella's Mock Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• WEDNESDAY:  Crockpot Turkey Smoked Sausage, Green Beans, Potatoes
• THURSDAY:  Crockpot Spaghetti Squash and Turkey Meatballs (based on this recipe)
• FRIDAY: Turkey Sausage, Egg, and Broccoli Breakfast Casserole (based on this recipe but using turkey sausage crumbles)

For more ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday!

 

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I always provide my honest opinion regardless of the source of the product.

Menu Plan 2/18

I didn't have a plan last week, and I could tell-- suppers were thrown together.  Most weeks I do a menu plan on the board in our kitchen, and sometimes it even makes it here to the blog.  ;)

The plan for the rest of the week:

• TUESDAY: beef stroganoff over noodles, steamed broccoli
• WEDNESDAY: crockpot roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans   I normally just season my chicken with olive oil and seasoned salt, but this week I'm going to try Budget Savy Diva's recipe that I found on Pinterest. 
• THURSDAY:  BBQ Ribettes on buns, corn, salad (easy microwave meal for DH and the kids since I will be at work) 
• FRIDAY: new recipe: crockpot white chicken chili using leftover chicken 
• SATURDAY: hamburgers, sweet potato fries, salad

For more ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday!

 

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I always provide my honest opinion regardless of the source of the product.

Menu Plan, week of 11/3

This week is definitely on the "quick and easy" side as we have a full schedule and two sick people in the house.  Everything except for the Hawaiian Chicken is tried and true, not to mention simple to prepare. 

• MONDAY:  Taco Bell per DH's request  :)
• TUESDAY: Ham, Green Beans, & Potatoes in the crockpot
• WEDNESDAY: family favorite:  Chicken Spaghetti, salad, broccoli
• THURSDAY: son's request: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas  (I have a homemade meatloaf in the freezer, so I'll just have to defrost it and bake it.)
• FRIDAY: new recipe: Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken, steamed mixed veggies
• SATURDAY:  homemade pizza

For more ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday!

 

This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links- see my policy here. 
I always provide my honest opinion regardless of the source of the product.

Menu Plan Monday 10/7

I'm writing this on Sunday afternoon as we sit here listening to the thunderstorm.  We were supposed to have outdoor family photos taken today, but no such luck.  Hopefully tomorrow it will be sunny enough to get our pictures done!

There's one repeat here, because last week we got off the plan a bit... unplanned things led to eating out one night, and eating quick sandwiches at home another night.   Oh well!

• SUNDAY:  daughter's request: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup   I love to make soup on Sundays, because then I can take leftover in my lunch during the week.  For this soup I'll be using homemade chicken broth and store-bought Amish noodles... yum!
  

• MONDAY: kids' favorite: Tostadas with all the fixings (lettuce, cheese, fat-free refried beans, taco meat, etc.)    I read on someone's menu plan a few weeks ago how they cook hamburger in their crockpot with salsa and taco seasoning to make taco meat, so I'm going to try that.  I'm sorry that I don't remember where I read that idea, or I'd give the person credit!
  

• TUESDAY:  Broccoli-Stuffed Chicken Breasts (purchased from school Market Day fundraiser), steamed mixed veggies (zucchini/ squash/peppers blend)

• WEDNESDAY:  FFY  (Fend for yourself... the kids think this is fun... I call it "using up leftovers"!)
  

• THURSDAY: son's request: meatloaf (I froze two the last time I made our favorite meatloaf), mashed potatoes, green beans

• FRIDAY:  eating out  :)

 
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I always provide my honest opinion regardless of the source of the product.

Menu, week of 9/29

This week's supper plan:  

• SUNDAY:  chili & baked potatoes

• MONDAY:  kielbasa, corn on the cob, salad
  

• TUESDAY: new Pinterest recipe:  Crockpot Chicken & Noodles, green beans
  

• WEDNESDAY:   pork chops baked with apples (I add seasoned salt & parsley when browning the chops), my recipe for parslied potatoes
  

• THURSDAY:  broccoli-stuffed chicken breasts (purchased from the kids' school's Market Day program), steamed mixed veggies, angel hair pasta
  

• FRIDAY:  kids' request: family favorite Unbelievable Baked Buffalo Wings, carrots & celery, potato wedges

• SATURDAY:  leftovers or homemade pizza

Check out Menu Plan Monday for more menu ideas and to share your own!

 

This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links- see my policy here. 
I always provide my honest opinion regardless of the source of the product.

Menu Plan week of 9/15

SOUP OF THE WEEK:  I often make a big pot of soup and pack it in my lunch all week when I'm working.  Today (Sunday) I'm making my favorite soup-- my own recipe for Amy's Potato Soup.  

LAST WEEK'S MENU NOTES:  We loved the Melty Chicken.  I'll be putting that recipe into my regular rotation, especially since the ingredients are some I always have on hand.  

Also-- my new DIY menu board is working really well!  One morning I was in a rush to leave for work and forgot to put the pork roast in the crockpot.  Normally, nobody but me would remember what was planned that day.  That night, though, DH, who was apparently looking forward to the pulled pork, pointed out the menu board-- oops! We made do with fish sticks and macaroni, and we had pulled pork the next day.   I guess if I'm going to post the menu, I'll have to get used to being held accountable, too!  ;) 

The menu board is also becoming a source of entertainment, as the kids add their editorial comments and drawings to it during the week.   I'm so glad I finally put together that simple project!

This week's supper plan:  

• MONDAY:  ham & cheese omelets, sliced tomatoes

• TUESDAY:  new Pinterest recipe: "No Peek" Chicken & Rice, steamed broccoli   * I've been wanting to try this forever but it has to bake for 2.5 hours, so I had to save it for a day that I'll be home all afternoon!

• WEDNESDAY: family favorite: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans
  

• THURSDAY:  my own "World Famous Chicken Enchiladas", corn, chips and salsa

• FRIDAY: homemade pizza

• SATURDAY:  leftovers 

Check out Menu Plan Monday for more menu ideas and to share your own!

 

This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links- see my policy here. 
I always provide my honest opinion regardless of the source of the product.

Menu Plan Tuesday 9/10/13

I haven't been blogging my menu plans lately, but I still work out a general idea for the week on Sundays.  I recently printed this free printable menu planner that I found on Pinterest (source: Olli Bird ) and framed it in a dollar store frame. (I added the "What's for supper?" text before printing.)   I hung it on our pantry door with Command Strips.  I can use a dry erase marker on it and just erase it to use again the next week.  I thought it came out pretty cute! 

 And now, the plan...

• MONDAY:  fend for yourself night-- The kids and DH were gone before I got home from work, so everyone just grabbed something quick.
  

• TUESDAY:  a new recipe I found on Pinterest:  Melty Chicken with steamed veggies and rice

• WEDNESDAY:  another new Pinterest recipe: Crockpot Corn, Ham, and Potato Scallop
  

• THURSDAY:  pulled pork sandwiches and homemade baked fries  (pork roast in crockpot all day with gingerale, shredded, drained, and cooked for another hour with BBQ sauce)

• FRIDAY:  leftovers or homemade pizza
  

Check out Menu Plan Monday for more menu ideas and to share your own!

 

This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links- see my policy here. 
I always provide my honest opinion regardless of the source of the product.

Pantry Challenge: Menu Plan- week 1

I'm doing the Pantry Challenge with Good Cheap Eats in January.  My goal is to make one big trip to the grocery store this week, and other than that, to only shop for milk and fresh fruit/veggies.

The rest of this week/ meals that I have ingredients on hand to make:

• TUESDAY- New Year's Day:
• pork spare ribs/ sauerkraut in crockpot for my husband
• my potato soup for me
• The kids will probably eat a little of each!
• WEDNESDAY:  
• Meatball Subs (frozen meatballs cooked in crockpot with a jar of spaghetti sauce, eaten on this new-to-me recipe for sub buns)
• Broccoli-Bacon Slaw (modifying this recipe a bit to use up the leftover bag of broccoli slaw I had from New Year's Eve... will leave out nuts/ cranberries)
• THURSDAY:  roast turkey breast, stuffing, green beans
• FRIDAY:  my own "World Famous Chicken Enchiladas" (using leftover turkey instead of chicken) corn, chips and salsa

You can see the entire list of meals that I'm working from for the Pantry Challenge HERE.   If you're doing a Pantry Challege or have a menu plan, leave me a link so I can come and visit!  :)

 

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Pantry Challenge: my Meal List

I'm doing the Pantry Challenge with Good Cheap Eats in January.

My goal: make one big trip to the grocery store, and other than that, only shop for milk and fresh fruit/veggies.

Today I spent a couple of hours going through what I have on hand and browsing recipes to see what all I could put together.   From this list, I made out my grocery list for tomorrow, planning to buy as few ingredients as possible for the month.

Meals for the rest of the month (ingredients on hand):

• Taco Pie (using precooked ground beef I've frozen)
• Macaroni and Cheese with Cocktail Weiners   (kid favorite, using up a leftover bag of cocktail weiners from New Year's Eve)
• Crockpot Chicken & Broccoli over Rice 
• pork spare ribs/ sauerkraut in crockpot
• my potato soup 
• meatball subs (frozen meatballs/ spaghetti sauce/ need to make or buy buns)
• eggs/ bacon/ biscuits
  
• side dish: Broccoli-Bacon Slaw (modifying this recipe a bit to use up the leftover bag of broccoli slaw I had from New Year's Eve... will leave out nuts/ cranberries)
• roast turkey breast (crockpot), stuffing, green beans
•  my own "World Famous Chicken Enchiladas" (using leftover turkey instead of chicken) corn, chips and salsa
• my own Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce over ziti pasta *actually I will need one can of tomato sauce to complete this recipe, but I'll get it on my one allowed shopping trip
• Sweet and Sour Chicken (already frozen- made from this recipe) over steamed rice
• Cottage Pie  (hamburger/ mashed potatoes/ green beans casserole)
• my homemade vegetable soup in the crockpot 
• roast chicken in the crockpot, mashed potatoes, veggie
• chicken and noodles (using leftover chicken)
• homemade pepperoni pizza 
• family favorite: Chicken Spaghetti  (uses canned chicken, Rotel, and sour cream)

Of course each one needs some sides, but that's the basic list I'll be working from.  I'm updating this list through the month, crossing off meals after we have eaten them.

My grocery list includes whatever kinds of meats are on sale/clearance, and from there I'll add more meals.  

 

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Mid-Week Menu Plan

Better late than never, right? ;) 

This is more of a brain dump than anything.... it's mid-week, our schedules have been all messed up this week, and I need to have somewhat of a plan to get through these next few days. 

In no particular order, here are the meals that I have ingredients on-hand to make:

• leftover pizza  (We ordered pizza Tuesday night and they made a mistake on our order, so they remade it and also gave us the "mistakes".  There's enough for lunches and possibly even one supper-??)
• new recipe from Pinterest: The Ultimate Beef Stroganoff in the crockpot over noodles, with broccoli
• broiled pork chops, my parslied potatoes, green beans
• new recipe from Pinterest: Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Penne 

There.  I feel better having at least a bit of a plan... just knowing what recipes I have all the ingredients for helps!

 

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Menu Plan Monday 10/14

We went off my plan a couple of nights last week, but we still managed to eat at home and avoid fast food, so I count that as a win!  :)

SOUP OF THE WEEK:  Lately I've gotten into the habit of making a big pot of soup on the weekend and then packing it in my lunch during the week.  Tonight, I made a quick version of My Tortilla Soup Recipe.  That's one that I throw together based on what's on hand, but this week's version included: a can of fire-roasted tomatoes, a can of creamed corn, a can of chicken and rice soup, a can of cream of mushroom soup, and various herbs and spices (garlic, chives, red pepper, etc.).   I usually add chicken (canned or leftovers) but I decided to leave that out tonight, since I'm probably the only one eating this, and I like it just as well without the meat. 

• MONDAY: new recipe: "Stupid Easy Slow Cooker Sausage & Potatoes", green beans
  

• TUESDAY:  new recipe from Pinterest: Chicken Spaghetti
  

• WEDNESDAY:  Mommy McRibs  (that's what my kids call it when we take frozen BBQ ribettes and serve them on buns), homemade baked fries, salad

• THURSDAY: We didn't get to this one last week, so it's still new for us:  Life as Mom's Lawnmower Taco Casserole

• FRIDAY:  homemade pizza

A few of those days might get switched around, but at least I have a general plan for the week.  I'm amazed how much easier the evenings go when I don't even have to think about what to have for supper.

Check out Menu Plan Monday for more menu ideas and to share your own!

 

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Menu Plan Monday 10/8

I'm opting for tried and true favorites all but one day this week:

• MONDAY: hamburgers, homemade baked fries, salad   (I partially microwave my potato wedges, covered in water, to speed up the baking time.)
  

• TUESDAY: chicken cream cheese enchiladas, corn, rice

• WEDNESDAY:  homemade pepperoni pizza & tossed salad  (I usually make a homemade crust, but this week I picked up two store-bought crusts... perfect for the night when we have to rush to eat and make it to the evening sports on time!)
  

•  THURSDAY: family favorite: Chicken Hurry, steamed broccoli, rice

• FRIDAY: new recipe: Life as Mom's Lawnmower Taco Casserole

Check out Menu Plan Monday for more menu ideas and to share your own!

 

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Menu Plan Monday 9/17

• MONDAY: CheezIt Chicken Tenders, Steamed Broccoli 
• CheezIt Chicken: Crush approximately two cups of CheezIts in a large zip-top bag. Beat two eggs and about a tablespoon of water in a medium sized bowl or shallow pan.  Use 1-2 lbs. chicken tenders.  Dip each tender in the egg mix, then drop it into the bag of crumbs and shake to coat.  Bake on a sprayed cookie sheet for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. 

• TUESDAY:  Crockpot Beef Fajitas with all the fixings, chips, salsa

• WEDNESDAY:  Crockpot Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Peas & Carrots
• Roast Chicken in the Crockpot: Take a 4-5lbs chicken, rinse and pat dry.  Lightly coat the outside with olive oil and liberally sprinkle with seasoned salt.  Make four golf ball sized balls of foil and place in crockpot.  Put chicken on top of foil balls.  (This keeps the bottom of chicken from getting soggy.)  Cook on low all day.   I can usually get 3-4 meals out of one of these chickens, using leftover meat for a couple of meals and then also cooking the "carcass" to make homemade chicken stock.  

•  THURSDAY: something with leftover chicken- most likely chicken tacos or chicken and noodles

• FRIDAY:  Crockpot Pizza Joes, French Fries, Salad
  • Crockpot Pizza Joes:  Combine one pound browned ground beef, one small chopped onion, one small drained can of diced tomatoes, and one jar of pizza sauce (or 1/2 jar of spaghetti sauce).  Cook on low 4-5 hours and serve on buns. 

Check out Menu Plan Monday for more menu ideas and to share your own!

 

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