Feeling Productive

 So this week my meal plan was meatless all week.  I actually made it through the week following the menu minus yesterday but finished it off today.

  I had the ingredients on hand Monday but had to go to the store and pick up the rest of the weeks ingredients.  Spent $85 on the weeks dinners!

  All the meals were delicious and worthy of being kept in the recipe files.  Some  definitely need to be doubled or have a side added to it but most of them were filling!  If you see any meals of interest you can find the recipes here.

Monday

Bean burritos.  This was a nice easy and fast Monday meal.  

 Tuesday

This pizza was our favorite for the week.  I had never had Naan bread and adding just a few toppings over a pesto sauce was so easy.  This may become a lunch on the weekends AND my picky son even liked it.

 Wednesday

I like to use my spiralizer but I don't use it enough.  I also like shrimp and need to find more recipes to use them in.

 Thursday

Spinach filled lasagna.  I used to think making lasagna was a chore but, the filling was easy enough to assemble while the pasta cooked; so no complaints there!

 Saturday

Finally to end the week was a quinoa dish.  I have made quinoa in place of meat in a taco dish before and really like the flavors.  This dish had pinto beans in it too and all the flavors were great.

I surprisingly didn't hear any complaints at meatless day after day this week.  That was nice.  It could be that a complaint really wasn't worth it.  Dinner hot and ready on the table is worth it no matter what, right?

Well I hope you had a healthy and filling week and I haven't thought about my menuplan yet but, am excited for whatever it is.  What are your plans for next week?

Monday Motivation (meatless dinner mealplan)

  For the last few weeks I have been sharing breakfast mealplans and this week I'm still sharing a mealplan but, a dinner one this time.

   This week I'm going to make my family all meatless meals.  Some of these recipes I have tried and obviously if they made this list they were tasty and successful the first go around.

  I am not going to label my days because I do have to go to the store and pick up some ingredients so depending on what ingredients I have on hand and when I go to the store will vary this mealplan.

Black bean quesadilla:
https://www.budgetbytes.com/2012/02/hearty-black-bean-quesadillas/

Pizza:
https://savorandsavvy.com/2016/08/15-minute-personal-pesto-pizzas.html

Shrimp:
https://damndelicious.net/2015/01/24/zucchini-shrimp-scampi/

Pasta:
https://savorandsavvy.com/2013/11/spinach-lasagna-rolls-recipe.html

Tacos:
https://wendypolisi.com/quinoa-taco-salad-bowl/

  I would love to hear what your dinner plans are this week or today.  I hope you have a happy, healthy and full week!

Weekly Meal 9/11-9/15

  Taking it easy this week.  Minimal recipes to share with you and actually only one is new to me.  Cheating with some meatballs that I received as a gift but, that's OK too.

Monday:
Crock pot
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/2011/08/slow-cooker-bajio-chicken/

Tuesday:
Meatless
http://pinchofyum.com/garlic-butter-shrimp-quinoa

Wednesday:
Hotdogs, potato salad and baked beans

Thursday:
Spaghetti and meatballs (frozen from Omahasteaks.)

Friday:
Leftovers or everyone fend for themselves!

  Happy eating everyone.  As always feel free to share your favorite dish or what your eating this week!

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!

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 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

  So last week was all over the place.  We ate at home we ate out, I might have even missed a meal.  Throw in a day of leftovers and that pretty much took care of my week.  So let's try again.

This week we are going meatless with an exception of salmon tonight!  Couple meals are from allrecipes.  I love that site but I do try and surf the net for different recipes.

Tonight's meal was salmon patties with and side of spinach.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/81506/yummy-lemon-salmon-burgers/

Pasta:
http://wholesomemommy.com/category/wholesome-recipes/main-dishes/meatless-main-dishes/

Soup:
http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2015/09/panera-broccoli-cheese-soup.html

Meatless:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/13941/zucchini-patties/

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

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!

Weekly Menu (week 2 Feb)

  The second week of February is here! Winter has been pretty mellow this year I hope to keep it that way.  I don't mind the occasional snow fall but in order for that to occur it has to be cold. I hate the cold.  So until it heats up I will just keep it hot in the kitchen.

  This week's menu:

Pasta: Fettuccine with spinach
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/214183/quick-alfredo-sauce/

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

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

Soup:  Potato
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/perfect-potato-soup/

Vegetarian: Fajitas
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16683/veggie-fajitas/

Happy eating everyone!

Weekly Dinner Menu (Jan 24 week)

  Finally dinner time!  We went grocery shopping and I have food in the house! Food I can base recipes around and food I bought for specific recipes.  This week will include: soup, meatless and a Mexican dish to list a few.  I am also not going to label which day is what.  A majority of the pressure is off already just shopping for the ingredients and having a meal already figured out!

Meatless/pasta
3 Cheese Zucchini Stuffed Lasagna

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2014/07/three-cheese-zucchini-stuffed-lasagna.html?m=1#_a5y_p=2001719

 Mexican
Black Bean and Rice Burritos
http://gimmedelicious.com/2014/03/25/crispy-black-bean-and-rice-burritos/

 Chicken
Chicken Tortilla Soup
http://www.fivehearthome.com/2014/10/14/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup/


Shrimp
Creamy Corn Fettuccine with grilled Shrimp
http://wholesomemommy.com/creamy-corn-fettuccine-with-grilled-shrimp/

The American classic without the fuss
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans
My recipe consists of something scribbled down from my mom and then twisted to fit my taste.

  There it is folks! That's what we will be eating here! Happy eating at your home!

Meal plan 11/30-12/4

  As I made my meal plan for the week I came to several realizations.   I have leftovers from last week so I will not be able to start the week off with new recipes until the old food (it's not even Turkey Day leftovers) is consumed. Bummer.  Second it really doesn't matter what day I make the meals so I will skip noting the day and just share the recipes!

  As always I will post 4 - 5 meals a week.  Offering variety and new recipes.  This week is a meatless, vegetarian week! Of course after I get the leftovers out the way.

Baked Spinach and Ricotta Rotolo:

 http://www.recipetineats.com/baked-spinach-ricotta-rotolo/

Spaghetti and Bean meatballs:
http://www.fitlivingblog.com/spaghetti-and-bean-meatballs-gluten-free/#comment-3407

Zucchini Burgers:
 http://m.ladybehindthecurtain.com/ys8aj0k/articles/59493/Zucchini-Burgers

Pasta with White Beans and Kale:
 http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/pasta-with-white-beans-kale-0

Spinach Tortellini Tomato Soup:
http://diethood.com/spinach-tortellini-tomato-soup/

Happy eating everyone!

Weekly Re-cap

  This week has been very successful in the weekly meal plan.  I made 5 days of dinners and that was one more than I usually do.  You know I try to jump ship on Friday but not this week.  There are a few leftovers from each meal in the fridge, I will be lucky if it gets everyone through the weekend.

Be hold an international meals trip.

Monday was American!  Featuring hotdogs, homemade baked beans and potato salad.

 Tuesday was a stop in Italy.  Nothing fancy.  Spaghetti and a side of focaccia!

 Wednesday gave us Brats, Sauerkraut, and a German Apple Pancake Zells.

Middle Eastern hit the eager bellies on Thursday!  This was the second time I made this meal before. Falafel, couscous Tabouli Salad and a cucumber yogurt sauce.

Lastly Friday night I stepped up and made eggrolls for the side of chicken fried rice.

Yeah for me! Yeah for the family! Yeah for our bellies!

  I have read half way through one book which is progress as it takes me FOREVER to read a book.  I never find/make time for it.    So if I can finish the 4 books I picked up at the library before the end of the year I will be a happy camper!

  Of course I had my first mammogram this week and I get to go back for another set of tests Monday. (Wish me luck)  I also eagerly await my visit to the Orthopedic for my foot issue.

  Tomorrow we finish up on dating your partner and start in on a new week of dating and ideas.

 I hope your week was great!

Meal Plan 11/9-11/13

  This week we are going to have a little fun.  We are touring the world.  Not just one day; but the whole week.  Four days this week because you know I only give you for dinners with hopes of having leftovers on Friday will be from different countries.  Some recipes I have had before; however for some others this will be a first for me.

 This week will have only one vegetarian meal and no crock pot meals.  But this week will be quick meals as I usually try to make.  This week will be fun as its always nice to have different meals.  Ones we do not commonly eat. 

11/9 Monday: American
Hotdogs and hamburgers  (store bought)
Potato Salad (my recipe is very simple - decide how many potatoes, hard boil a couple eggs, add mayo to your desired consistency, paprika for flavor and sweet pickles or relish (in a pinch)))
Homemade baked beans (I use a recipe similar to this- I change up the beans I may use either cannellini or navy beans)
http://addapinch.com/cooking/southern-baked-beans-recipe/

11/10 Tuesday: Italian
Spaghetti  (homemade sauce- 1 can of tomato sauce, paste and diced tomatoes)
Green beans
Focaccia http://allrecipes.com/recipe/125583/exquisite-yeastless-focaccia/

11/11 Wednesday: German
Bratswurst
Sauerkraut (I have made this once before but have a jar in my fridge that needs to be gone)
German Apple Pancakes
http://www.food.com/recipe/german-apple-pancake-zells-74083

11/12  Thursday: Middle Eastern
Falafel
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/183947/baked-falafel/

Tabouli http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/israeli-couscous-tabouli-recipe.html

11/13  Friday: Asian
Chicken fried rice
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16954/chinese-chicken-fried-rice-ii/

Eggrolls
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-vegetarian-egg-rolls-recipe.html


  As you see this week I actually have 5 days instead of 4.  That's because I anticipate the majority of meals to be consumed.  So sadly I will be lucky if we even have leftovers this weekend.

  Thank you for following and I hope you find something this week to try and enjoy along the way!

Meal plan 11/2-11/6

   Ok so here I am trying to do my meal plan again!  One week was good the next week not so good.  We eat out on the weekend and depending on what we get it piles up and then that greatly influences my meals for the week.  Pizza and chinese! They will always be the culprit because of the quantity, lol.  We get 2 pizza's on a Friday and 5 or 6 containers of chinese on Saturday or Sunday.

Monday: Shepard's Pie
Ingredient:
ground meat (seasoned and browned)
Mashed potatoes (buttered and prepared)
Cream corn (can)
  After the meat and potatoes are done I layer my pan meat first, followed by corn then spread mashed potatoes on top.  I bake it for 20 minutes. (Sometimes I broil it a bit for some color on the top)

Tuesday: Gnocchi
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/236824/cheesy-baked-gnocchi/

Wednesday: chicken tortilla soup
http://www.fivehearthome.com/2014/10/14/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup/

Thursday: Salmon
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21176/baked-dijon-salmon/

Ok, there we have it! Some meal I was supposed to have last week back up there for this week! We shall give it another go!

Easy Chili from the Pot

  Yesterday I coordinated two meals for dinner.  I didn't prepare them both at the same time but I planned a day ahead.   While I was in the cupboard grabbing a can of tunafish and can of cream of mushroom soup I surveyed the cans for chili!

  Jumped on pinterest to see if I could easily dress up the tuna noodle casserole and decided no and just like always got distracted with everything else on pinterest and found myself looking up chili recipes.  Funny thing with chili and I is.  I swear I probably only make one kind several times (that's with corn) all the other times I make a new chili.  I saw one last night with chick peas; haven't tried that before.

So behold tonight's chili.  3 variety of beans and some spices in this chili.  Plus this was a meatless chili which I do alot.  Not because it saves money but you know what sometimes meat is just overrated.  Noone ever died from skipping a meat meal.

  The ingredients were thrown in the crock pot and you know the rest is history! Set it and forget it.  I was running around all day so I threw this in the crockpot at 2 on high to have it heat up and blend until 6.

  Proudly there were several trips to get more.  Maybe because they were not filled up due to the lack if meat or it was good.  I was pleased with it too.  I really need to break into making my own recipes so I can stand taller and prouder when my family likes the meals.  Likes the meals that I actually made up myself.

Proof is in the leftovers (although I did only use one can of each ingredient).  Funny how I am trying to grasp the concept of cooking more for my large family.  The two little ones don't count but on the flip side two individuals eat a lot.

Recipe credit goes to: http://lovelyolivia.tumblr.com/post/58916742376/so-now-that-im-24-days-away-in-theory-from