Dinner is Served

  This week my meal plans were not complicated. I try to leave the complicated meals to the professionals or a holiday. 

  This week I pulled out the slow cooker, used leftovers and followed the meal plan for the week.

  I find my recipes in a variety of places but this week everything came from the internet.  My biggest goal was to use leftovers items I bought last week.  I succeed. So yeah no waste for me!

Chicken and spinach enchiladas!

Potato soup!

Zucchini Italiano casserole!

Each week I try to make new recipes and not just stick with old tried and true ones.  I have made this soup before but the other two recipes were new.  Two days of leftovers from last week was nice too.  

All of the recipes were easy and everyone liked all the meals.  No complaints means these recipes can go in the rotation to be made again.

  Now the weekend is here and the kitchen is closed.  It's everyone for themselves! Have a great weekend everyone.

Monday Motivation (Dinner Mealplans)

   Since my week was off a little bit and I skipped Fridays meal and made it Saturday I have leftovers and will eat them tonight and plan the rest of the week after that.

  I also have some leftover veggies bought for last week that I will use this week to avoid  wasting anything.  You will see meat this week as I am not a vegetarian but, do enjoy eating meatless meals sometimes.

Monday: leftovers

Tuesday: meatless
http://www.wildernesswife.com/slow-cooker-zucchini-italiano-casserole-recipe/

Wednesday: Soup
https://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/cheddar-potato-soup/

Thursday: chicken
http://www.5dollardinners.com/chicken-and-spinach-enchiladas-5-dinner-challenge/

Friday: leftovers

  There's my week!  Some chicken, a crockpot meal, soup and leftovers!  Have a good week everyone. Take time off from the kitchen at least one day.  What's your favorite quick and easy meal?

Motivation Monday (Meal plan)

  When your a parent a family has to eat.  Gone are the days of a bowl of cereal or pizza every night.  I do plan meals because it makes the busy nights easier.  My recipes are a combination of recipes new and old as well as simple meals.

Last night we picked up a Rotisserie Chicken marked down for $3.  Mashed potatoes were whipped up as well as a side of corn!

2/12 Monday
Spaghetti and meatballs. I gave some leftover frozen meatballs that I will be using and combine tomato sauce, paste and diced tomatoes for the spaghetti sauce with a side of garlic bread.

2/13 Tuesday
Bajio Chicken from the crockpot.  This recipe is my favorite from
sixsistersstuff.

2/14 Wednesday
Sausage and more pasta. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/245920/smoked-sausage-and-tortellini-skillet/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=search%20results&clickId=cardslot%2018


2/15 Thursday
Salmon is always appreciated here!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21176/baked-dijon-salmon/with side of quinoa and some veggie.

2/16 Friday
The kitchen is closed. Every man women and child for themselves. Leftovers are served.

  What are you having for the rest of the week?  Do you meal plan?

Are you Hooked on Tuesday?

  Today on the 30th of January I decided to take advantage of 3 deals.  Now for you I can at least maybe promise 2.  I went out for dinner and dining out is an expense but, if you do it right it doesn't have to break the bank (nor should it).  Welcome to my experience at Bonefish grill.

  I received several birthday treat's via local places and although you don't necessarily get to use all of them; some you definitely take advantage of right out the gate.

  I have enjoyed using a reward here and there throughout the month.  Some treats expire on your birthday, start on your birthday or others are available till the end of the month. Bonefish Grill gives you the month to use your freebie.

  Bonefish Grill offers you their delicious specialty Bang Bang Shrimp or a dessert for your birthday.  If you have ever been to this restaurant you know if your going to eat the birthday reward your going to also enjoy dinner.  There's no way I'm showing up for just that and not a delicious dinner too!

So deal number one!  I hope for your sake today was not the last day because if it is..... I am sorry!

  Hooked on Tuesday was today. I strategically planned to save money and dine out.  The deal gets you a 3 course meal starting at 15.9.  This includes a salad, entree and dessert!

Behold your options:

a house salad
a Caesar salad

Second course for us:


Cod Piccata


Chicken Teriyaki bowl

Final and most important course:
Keylime pie


Jamaican Coconut pie

  Second deal is to sign up for their loyalty program.  On the 4th visit you receive 50% off! Today I did not strike that deal but next trip I will.  Dinners on me! Who wants to come?  Their dining program also includes Carrabba's, Outback and Flamingos. So if you visit any of these places it counts every visit.

 Lastly, your third deal is sign up for that email!  You will get nothing but money saving offers. You will get the special menu notices, as well as a heads up on daily or weekly specials, and a birthday freebie!

  Now what are you waiting for?  Even if you don't have a Bonefish Grill near you, perhaps you have one of the other places instead.  I would start taking advantage of the deals they have to offer.  Even if you only go out a few times a year I'm sure it's at least right around 4 times. That's 50% off!

  I hope I have peeked your appetite.  I had a great dinner and even though it's not quite the last day of the month.  It's close enough to say goodbye birthday month it's been real.

 Disclosure...... I received nothing from Bonefish Grill for this post.  I had a great time and I am just sharing my honest opinion.

Weekly menu 9/4-9/8

  As I made my menu this week I thought to myself what's my favorite food.  Can I eat that all week?  I mean beyond pizza.  Can I eat chicken everyday for a week even if I change the dish?  Meatless meal everyday?  No even with a different vegetable and starch, mushroom instead of pepperoni and meatless spaghetti and meatless chili I still like to taste something different the next day.

Monday
Chicken
http://chefsavvy.com/one-pan-italian-chicken-skillet/

Tuesday
Crockpot
https://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/crock-pot-cheeseburger-soup/

Wednesday
Vegetarian
https://yupitsvegan.com/one-pot-tandoori-quinoa/
(Diy Garam Masala spice)
https://www.google.com/amp/s/allrecipes.com/recipe/142967/easy-garam-masala/amp/

Thursday
Meatless
https://www.google.com/amp/s/allrecipes.com/recipe/82817/balsamic-glazed-salmon-fillets/amp/

Friday
Leftovers

  Two meatless, one crockpot with soup for a busy day and a carry over from last week.  I think I have made the soup recipe before but I don't know which recipe I used this recipe may or may not be new.  Otherwise all the other recipes are new for me! Is anyone eating out? What's your favorite meal?  Could you eat the same meal everyday?

Weekly menu 8/29-9/1

  This was last week's Fiesta Ranch Chicken Pasta meal.  It is well liked in my house but this time I changed a few things and it wasn't as appreciated.

  This week I'm so excited for my meals not because they are all new and offer a variety of different flavors but because I get Monday off and dinner out!

  I did receive some vegetable special pasta that I will be incorporating into my meals if not this week next week for sure! We shall see how the family reacts to that!

Tuesday
Meatless
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/creamy-caprese-quinoa-bake/

Wednesday
Sausage
https://www.macheesmo.com/easy-pesto-pasta-with-sausage/

Thursday
Chicken
http://chefsavvy.com/one-pan-italian-chicken-skillet/

Friday
Sloppy Joes
http://homecookingmemories.com/meatless-sloppy-joes/


  Well there you go! That's what's on my plate this week! Look forward to hearing what's being served in your home. Have a great week but don't go hungry!

Weekly Menu 8/21-8/24

  This shrimp plate was from a couple a weeks ago but, I may have to put it on the menu again soon.  Everyone liked it.

  This week I guess pasta is the word of the week.  Although one day I'm going to try to make the Zucchini pasta!  I did a run through of my pantry items think I have my ingredients organized for this week and next but, for some reason I'm second guessing myself so we shall see.  I'm not sure I'm feeling the days I have specified but that's ok. The menu is planned and I can switch the days around because the hard part is over.

Monday
Sausage and pasta
https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/cheesy-sausage-and-penne-casserole/cd8bd617-a2e6-489b-8794-b4a10292e8cc

Tuesday
Meatless
Zucchini pasta
http://www.inspiredtaste.net/29992/garlic-zucchini-pasta-recipe/

Wednesday
Chicken and pasta
http://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com/2014/04/fiesta-ranch-chicken-pasta-bake.html?m=1

Thursday
http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a53698/shrimp-fried-rice-recipe/

  Happy eating everyone! My dinners are planned now off to plan something else!

  If you could have your favorite meal tonight what would it be? Or where would it be?

Meal plan 8/7-8/11

  It's that time again to organize what's for dinner!  I don't create recipes for me it's just easier to research recipes and raid the pantry.  Each week I try to make a meatless meal sometimes it turns into 2 days and that just a coincidence.  I might not even he 100% of the ingredients but I make the meal anyways.  A crockpot meal once a week is a nice break and of course so are leftovers!   Sliding in a new recipe is always fun to spice up the palette too!

8/7 Soup and leftover salad:
chicken-and-rice-soup.

8/8 Pasta:
tortellini-and-kielbasa.

8/9 Chicken:
Baked chicken with brown-sugar-barbecue-sauce.

8/10 Crockpot:
vegetarian-chili-with-sweet-potatoes.

8/11 Leftovers

There it is everyone! 2 days this week with chicken, 1 meatless and all new recipes! The slow cooker thrown in for convenience and soup also for an easy night! Happy eating! What's your dinner plans?

It's time to eat! Meal plan 7/31- 8/4

  A girls got to eat and a mom has to feed her family.  I know it's easy to fly through the week when you have a plan but, it's not easy to make the plan!  Plus it's soo frustrating when you have picky eaters that veto everything but I just push through.

  Tonight's meal was a winner because you can never eat enough breakfast.

Breakfast is the one meal I hear the least amount of complaints about so if we ate breakfast twice a day everyone would officially eat in my house.

Here's the rest of my line up for the week!

7/31 Pasta

Chicken-broccoli-pasta-skillet-casserole

8/1 Meatless 

Falafel

8/2 Crockpot

Baked-potato-soup

8/3 Salmon

Grilled-salmon-with-honey-soy-marinade

8/4 Leftovers 

  What are your dinner plans for the week? I'm always looking for something new.  This week 3 of these recipes are new!

Meal plan 11/21-11/24

  Thanksgiving is almost here.  All I have to do is just get to that day.  Then I am home free with leftovers for a few days; well depending on how much I make.  When you have a large family sometimes leftovers are hard to come by.

11/21 Breakfast in bed (mommas got a migraine)
Eggs and toast

11/22 chili and cornbread

Chili:http://wholesomemommy.com/meal-solution-6-chili-night/

Cornbread: http://wholesomemommy.com/beyond-beans-cornbread/

11/23 Chicken
https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/easy-chicken-and-pasta/

11/24 Thanksgiving Feast
Turkey dinner with all the fixings!

11/25 leftovers

#nablopomo

Mealplan 10/31-11/3

It's a new week and time to eat!  Last week our favorite meal was

 Fiesta Ranch Chicken Pasta.

I have two days this week that I would like to specifically plan around.  Halloween I want something quick and easy to get our dinner done so we can get out and about and Wednesday as well.

I did miss last week's Thursday meal as Chinese take out replaced that meal so that will be carried over as well. 

10/31  Sausage 

Spaghetti 

11/1 Chicken

http://bowl-me-over.com/chicken-fried-rice/

11/2 Breakfast

http://goldilockskitchen.com/2016/08/corned-beef-hash-huevos-rancheros.html?pp=0

11/3  Crockpot 

http://eatathomecooks.com/2012/03/slow-cooked-brown-sugar-chicken-and-sweet-potatoes-4-ingredients/?m

Two new recipes, and 1 crockpot meal.  You can never go wrong with a crockpot meal!  What at your dinner plans for the week?

Meal plan 10/24-10/28

  As I go into another week I can't help but be excited as to all the food that I have cooked at home, the successful new recipes, and that my month is almost over and it's time to go shopping!

  Last week we did eat out for dinner so I picked which meal I was keeping and moved one meal to this week.  It works out as I had two pasta nights and that move made one pasta night for each week.

10/24 chicken
 http://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com/2014/04/fiesta-ranch-chicken-pasta-bake.html?m=1

10/25 meatless
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/vegetables/black-bean-chipotle-burgerx/

10/26 Breakfast
http://damndelicious.net/2013/06/12/breakfast

10/27
http://goldilockskitchen.com/2016/08/corned-beef-hash-huevos-rancheros.html?pp=0

10/29 Leftovers

There you have it! Atleast 2 of these meals are new to us so we shall see how that goes too!  That's what we are eating in my house; what's for dinner in yours?

Meal Plan 10/17-10/21

  Even if you are not following my weekly meal plans do you have your own plan?  How do you decide?  I know some people have a specific day they have a certain meal (taco Tuesday)  Some people plan their meals based on the sales circulars.  Do you continue to make the same meals?  How often do you challenge yourself to a new recipe?

  I look on the Internet for most of my meals.  Sometimes I go to a specialty page and scan for a recipe other times I just make a generic search for porkchops recipes.  I do however shop before I pick my menu.

  My small list of regular necessities are dairy items, cereal, fruit, meat/fish, pasta, beans and veggies.  After that I let loose in the store and grab whatever to create.  I usually shop for the month.

10/17 pasta
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/52130/cheesy-pasta-alfredo-with-salmon/

Sauce
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/214183/quick-alfredo-sauce/

10/18 Meatless
http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/zucchini-burgers/

10/19  Chicken
http://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com/2014/04/fiesta-ranch-chicken-pasta-bake.html?m=1

10/20 Ground meat (this for me is usually turkey)
http://www.food.com/recipe/yes-virginia-there-is-a-great-meatloaf-54257?nl

10/21 Leftovers

  What are your plans for the week?  I'm hungry just thinking about it.

Meal Plan 10/10-10/14

             (Last weeks porkchops dinner)

  Last week went well!  A couple days had meals skipped by various people in my house so leftovers went further then just Friday!   This week just like any other week I try to challenge myself with new recipes or a new meal.  New meal being I have made this meal before but not this way.  You can make spaghetti a variety of ways and it's still spaghetti!

  I started this week off with a meal I love.  I don't know if it's all the sugar and soda combination and the ease of a crock pot meal but, I really like this meal! This is definitely saved as well as a few more recipes by them!


10/10 Crockpot with Chicken
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/08/slow-cooker-bajio-chicken.html

10/11 Soup (meatless)
http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/cheddar-potato-soup/

10/12 Pasta (meatless)
http://www.recipetineats.com/baked-spinach-ricotta-rotolo/

10/13 Vegetarian Meal
 http://www.marthastewart.com/900261/quick-veggie-fajitas

10/14 Leftovers


That's my plan for the week!  Do you think anyone will notice I have managed to skip meat most of the week?

Happy Eating!!

Meal Plan 10/3-10/7

  Another week means another plan.  Last week went really well with an exception that I had leftovers for two days versus one.  So on Thursday and Friday we had leftovers.  Nothing wrong with that.  Tonight we used the chicken that I had pulled out for the Chicken Lazone meal on Friday to cook that meal.

  It was good nonetheless and because I didn't have to think about what to make or thaw the meat out the dinner was easy to pull together in less then an hour and everyone was satisfied with the meal.

  I did manage to pick up groceries last week to the tune of just under $200 and will make the rest of the meals for the month of October.  We will need to go back to the store for milk as I don't have room to keep gallons of it in my fridge for weeks at a time.  Other than that though we will survive and I will use up all the produce I bought instead of throw it away due to letting it get rotten. (that's more for of a goal for me)

10/3 Kielbasa
http://damndelicious.net/2014/07/12/parmesan-zucchini-corn/

10/4 BBQ Porkchops in the crockpot w/ mac & cheese
http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/brown-sugar-barbecue-sauce/

10/5  Breakfast for dinner!

10/6 Chicken
http://chelseadamon.com/easy-delicious-weeknight-baked-chicken-dinner/

10/7 Leftovers


  Wish me luck.  Using up some fresh zucchini this week, making my own bbq sauce for the porkchops and will make something special for that breakfast for dinner.  Monday and Thursday recipes are new to me so we will see how they taste!

Meal Plan 9/26 - 9/30

  I have found that a meal plan works for so many reasons in my home.

1.  I know at 0800 what I'm eating and what time to start cooking because I will also know how long it will take me.

2.  Saves me an excuse of eating out as I already have a plan.

3.  Helps clear out my pantry.

4.  I can easily gauge groceries we need for the week or ahead of time based on meals.

5.  It does save money both with minimal or at least planned shopping.


  I surf the Internet and find new recipes as well as use some recipes from my favorite bloggers and tried and true recipes I have on hand.  The meals will vary weekly from slow cooker, vegetarian, seafood or good old breakfast for dinner.  I may have a random night out and a leftover night but for the most part everything will be done at home!


9/26 Tuna Casserole
http://wholesomemommy.com/real-food-remake-cheesy-mac-tuna-casserole/

9/27 Gnocchi Soup
http://therecipecritic.com/2016/09/creamy-chicken-gnocchi-soup-olive-garden-copycat/

9/28 Chili
http://mixandmatchmama.com/dinner-tonight-sweet-corn-chili/

9/29 Chicken
http://www.plainchicken.com/2013/05/chicken-lazone.html?m=1

9/30 Leftovers
It is every man and child for themselves!

  Ok there it is.  There are a couple things I still need to buy to make this work so we shall see how close I get this week.  After our grocery shopping I will plan for the month of  October.

Weekly Menu (March week 2)

  I will post 4 meals this week as we have a birthday in the house so therefore one day this week will probably be dinner out.  I did miss last Friday as that too was a night out.

This week includes two chicken meals, a soup and a meatless meal.

Soup:
http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/06/summer-corn-chowder


Meatless:
http://www.health.com/health/m/recipe/0,,10000001173704,00.html

Crockpot:
http://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/slow-cooker-teriyaki-chicken-quinoa-and-veggies/

Chicken:
http://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/blog/party-food/caprese-chicken-pasta-salad

  So there we have it.  Dinner for the week.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Weekly Menu March 1st

  Well the deal was to go grocery shopping this weekend but that didn't happen.  However I still have some food in the freezer and pantry that can sustain us for the week.  Imagine my disappointment.  I love to shop regardless what it's for and I had my whole month figured out and list made. Oh well its prepared for next week!

Chicken/Pasta
http://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/one-pot-lightened-up-chicken-parmesan-alfredo/

Porkchops
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/parmesan-crusted-pork-chops-recipe.html

Sausage (crockpot)
http://www.simplecleanliving.com/slow-cooker-smoked-sausage-and-potato-soup/

Chicken
http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Main-Dishes/Garlic-and-Herb-Lemon-Chicken




*** Update*** We did get grocerieslast night but will continue with this week's plans.

Weekly Menu (week 4)

  I'm trying to squeak by one more week without going to the grocery store.  I still have some meat left and of course a pantry of supplies on hand.  So before I replenish I need to get rid of the old to bring in the new.

  This week meals include: shrimp, pork, there's always chicken and sausage.  Of course there is a meatless item because it doesn't hurt!

Chicken in the crockpot:
http://eatathomecooks.com/2012/03/slow-cooked-brown-sugar-chicken-and-sweet-potatoes-4-ingredients.html

Sausage:
http://childhood101.com/2014/07/easy-dinner-recipe-sausage-rice-bake/

Shrimp:
http://damndelicious.net/2015/01/16/easy-shrimp-broccoli-stir-fry/?m

Pork in crockpot:
http://www.food.com/recipe/bbq-pork-tenderloin-in-the-crock-pot-362883

Meatless pasta:
http://damndelicious.net/2014/10/11/one-pot-garlic-parmesan-pasta/?m

Weekly menu (week 3 Feb)

  So even though I am posting this late.  I wanted to update you on our menu for the week and share the recipes!  We missed a couple meals last week for various reasons so those get carried over to give me peace of mind.

Meatless:
http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2014/04/black-bean-and-veggie-quinoa-taco-bake/

Chicken:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/11843/irish-chicken-and-dumplings/

Pasta:
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/italian-sausage-tortellini.html?m

Leftovers

Pizza!