Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Menu Plan Monday- Week of January 2, 2012




I'm back at Menu Planning again after taking a small break during the holidays. We ate mostly leftovers from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Meals...
I am also starting off 2012 by participating in the Eat From The Pantry Challenge over at good(CHEAP)eats. 
This means that I will be lowering our grocery spending, hopefully by at least $100 this month, just by shopping in my pantry to see what I've got in there.... I've done this before, and you'd be surprised how many meals you can make out of what you already have.  



On this menu plan, I'm going to compile a list of items I have in my pantry that I would like to use up. It's nice to get an inventory when you are starting this so you can plan accordingly:
Pantry Items:
6 cans Wild Alaskan Salmon
2 Cans Tuna 
2 Cans Tomato Paste
2 Pcks of Piccolini Pasta
2 Cans Tomato Sauce
1 Can Pumpkin Puree
2 Cans Garbanzo Beans
2 Cans Cranberry Sauce
2Pcks of Penne Pasta

Meats:
3 Pcks Organic Ground Beef
4 Pcks of Organic Boneless Chicken Thighs
1Ham Hock w/ Ham
1 pck stew meat

Veggies:
Large Package of Organic Frozen Mixed Veggies
1 Large Spaghetti Squash
4 Peppers
3 Onions
2 lbs Small Golden Potatoes
1 Pckage Carrots
1/2 Pack Celery


Here's the plan!

Monday:  Glazed Chicken Wings w/ Spaghetti Squash and Mixed Veggies



Tuesday:  Moroccan Stewed Chicken - Uses Onions and Peppers, will replace orzo w/ piccolini pasta
Moroccan-Style Stewed Chicken Recipe




Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday:  Beef and Pasta w/ Salad and Leftover Rolls

 Beef and Pasta Recipe


 Saturday:  Salmon Patties over mixed greens w/ Steamed Edamame and Quinoa


Salmon Patties I Recipe

Sunday: Split Pea Soup  w/ Homemade Toast Sticks

 Split Pea Soup Recipe 

Thanks!

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Menu Plan Monday- Week of December 12, 2011

A bit of freedom that I must confess.... 

I have left our produce Co-Op.
I know, some of your jaws may have hit the floor, but let me explain myself.
I have to say that I am a bit relieved,
I'm sad that I won't be a part of a great group of people,
getting great produce, and trying new types of food.
What I am not sad about, is the stress I felt trying to make sure we 
ate everything we bought.
Since having my 3rd child, 7 months ago,
I feel as though my life needs to be 
streamlined. 
This means not doing anything that creates a ton of work for me 
in order to have it in my life.
So as a family, we took the plunge and are heading out into the wide world of 
Whole Foods Produce. 
I feel a freedom in this because I can buy the produce thats on sale if I have time,
then come home and do the menu plan...
OR
I can make up my menu plan and what I want to make,
and buy the produce that fits.
Having these 2 options leaves me feeling free..
and that is what I am searching for right now.
{ I think I will next give up my bathrooms and living room so I can feel free in cleaning...}

SO...here's my menu plan, done on Thursday because Thursday is better than doing it on Saturday:)

Thursday:  Leftovers...wow, that was easy!

Friday:  Garlic Chicken Thighs w/ Quinoa and Salad

Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken RecipeQuinoa Side Dish Recipe


Slow Cooker Beef Stew I Recipe


Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
Thanks!















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Monday, October 24, 2011

Menu Plan Monday- Week of October 24, 2011

The hit of last week was by far the 
Easy Chicken Stew with Apple Recipe

It was like Fall in a Bowl.
I highly recommend it for any of you who are feeling in the
Fall Spirit and want a cozy meal to have together as a family. 
We actually made it twice!
It is wonderful served with a rustic loaf of bread you can tear off and dip.


This week we will be receiving our Produce Share:
GOLDEN BEETS
GREEN CABBAGE
CARROTS
GREEN CHARD
GREEN LEAF LETTUCE
PARSNIPS
ALFALFA SPROUTS
SLICER TOMATOES
GARNET YAMS
CREMINI MUSHROOMS
FUJI APPLES
BARTLETT PEARS
KIWI BERRIES
BANANAS


Here's our menu plan for the week! 
We are still going to try to eliminate  unnecessary sugars, carbs and dairy. 


Breakfasts: We are eliminating things like pancakes, french toast, waffles etc and replacing with whole grains or eggs.


Quinoa Porridge with Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Green Eggs- Eggs w/ Spinach- Just throw a handful of cut up 
fresh spinach leaves in with your eggs and scramble


Lunches: 

IMG_5946

Delicious Egg Salad for Sandwiches Recipe
Snacks: 
Simple Guacamole dipped with carrots
Recipe:
1-2 Ripe Avocadoes
1-2 Cloves Garlic
Dash Salt
1-2 TBL Fresh Lemon Juice
Mash all ingredients together and enjoy!

Homemade Hummus served with Lavash Chips 
Dinners:
Monday:
 Hodie's Sloppy Joes Recipe
Easy Sloppy Joe's- Not the healthiest, but easy
Tuesday: 
Quick and Easy Pancit Recipe
 Wednesday:
Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Chicken Stir Fry (Uses Broccoli, Carrots and Celery)
  
Thursday: 

Friday: 
Leftovers

Saturday:
Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast but I use homemade onion soup mix to be healthier


Thanks!
 




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Monday, October 17, 2011

Menu Plan Monday- Week of October 17, 2011

This past weekend was one of our busiest yet! 
We had 3 birthday parties, meetings at church,
and I also participated in the Buddy Walk. Whew!
We all survived, and now we are ready to start the week.

I am hoping to change our diet up some...
My girls are coming home almost weekly with the
sniffles and coughs from school.
I'm going to eliminate as much dairy, sugar and wheat/gluten as I can.
Alright, we're going on a healthy trip....are you ready?
Here is what we have left for our Produce Share:
CELERY
CARROTS
LACINATO KALE
ROMAINE LETTUCE
GREEN ONIONS
JALAPENO PEPPERS
GARLIC
CRUNCHY SPROUTS



Here's our menu plan for the week! 

Breakfasts: We are eliminating things like pancakes, french toast, waffles etc and replacing with whole grains or eggs.


Quinoa Porridge with Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Green Eggs- Eggs w/ Spinach
 Lunches: 
   Leftovers

Snacks: 

Simple Guacamole dipped with carrots
Recipe:
1-2 Ripe Avocadoes
1-2 Cloves Garlic
Dash Salt
1-2 TBL Fresh Lemon Juice
Mash all ingredients together and enjoy!


Homemade Hummus served with Lavash Chips
Baked Kale Chips Recipe
Baked Kale Chips

Dinners:

Monday

Easy Chicken Stew with Apple Recipe
Tuesday: 
Make-Ahead Vegetarian Moroccan Stew Recipe


Wednesday: 
Ropa Vieja in a Slow Cooker RecipeCuban Beans and Rice Recipe

 Ropa Vieja in Slow Cooker
served over Cuban black beans and rice

Thursday: 

Chicken Wild Rice Soup I Recipe
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: 
Super Filling Cannellini Bean and Escarole Dish Recipe


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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Menu Plan Monday- Week of October 10, 2011

This past menu plan week was crazy. Never had a chance to do any shopping, 
so I  made it an eat from the pantry week.
(Not to mention the fact that I didn't get my meal plan up until Thursday made life a little crazy too!
See reason here.)
 
Hopefully our week will be a little more orderly and organized!
Here is what we will be receiving today from our Produce Share:
BROCCOLI CROWNS
CELERY
CARROTS
LACINATO KALE
ROMAINE LETTUCE
GREEN ONIONS
JALAPENO PEPPERS
CUCUMBERS
RUSSET POTATOES
GARLIC
CRUNCHY SPROUTS
FLAVORFULL PLUOTS
YELLOW PEACHES
BLACK MISSION FIGS
BANANAS

Here's our menu plan for the week! 
Breakfasts:
Dutch Babies II Recipe
Dutch Baby Pancake- serve w syrup and warm fresh fruit
 
Whole Grain Waffles Recipe

Eggs & Toast
Cereal 
Lunches: 


IMG_5946

Easy Snack Wraps Recipe
Leftovers
Snacks:
Fresh Cut Fruits and Veggies
 Coconut Snacks Recipe
Sweet Snack- Coconut Balls
Banana Tortilla Snacks Recipe
 
 
Dinners:
Monday: 
Leftover Chili

Tuesday:

 
Wednesday: 
Chicken Pot Pie IX Recipe

Thursday: 

Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Chicken Stir Fry (Uses Broccoli, Carrots and Celery)

Friday: 




Saturday: 


Sunday: 

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe
Slow Cooker Roasted Turkey Breast w/ Rice and String Beans
 
 
Thanks!
 
 

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