Menu Planning Monday (on Sunday)

Visit Organizing Junkie for more menus.

I am working on cooking from the pantry and freezer. We are buying the bare minimum and really try to stretch our budget this month. Thankfully our freezer was nicely stocked and my mom cleaned out her freezer in to ours recently!

Monday
chicken & bean enchiladas (sauce in the freezer, beans in the freezer, whole wheat tortillas, leftover grilled chicken) & broccoli-corn salad

Tuesday
Flax Whole Grain penne with sausage & meat sauce (make big pot)

Wednesday
blueberry & flax pancakes, eggs

Thursday
Crockpot lasagna with spinach and leftover meat sauce, salad

Friday
soy marinated mahi mahi, steamed rice, garlicky pepper broccoli

Saturday
pea & potato soup, salad, fresh bread

Sunday
grilled chicken, foil pack potatoes, mixed vegetables

Treats & snacks:
oatmeal bars
miracle cookies (recipe coming)
fresh fruit popsicles

Menu Planning Monday (on Friday! oops!)

Monday
Tuesday - inside out cabbage roll casserole, mashed red potatoes
Wednesday - mahi-mahi, mashed sweet potatoes, steamed carrots and cucumber & tomato salad with fresh basil and balsamic
Thursday - crockpot turkey chili, brown rice, steamed veggies - carrot, summer squash, eggplant, broccoli
Friday - leftover inside out cabbage roll casserole, mashed red potatoes
Saturday - vegetable & bean enchiladas, salad
Sunday - roasted vegetables, baked chicken, mixed whole grains

Menu Planning Monday (on Saturday!)

Sun – grilled chicken, carrot salad, a TBD whole grain
Mon – spaghetti with beef red sauce, pasta, salad
Tues – Asian chicken salad (using leftover spaghetti)
Wed – baked penne with leftover meat sauce, salad
Thurs – bean burritos, broccoli with corn & tomatoes
Fri – (leftover) penne with seafood “butter” sauce, garlicky green beans
Sat – Date night - celebrating 10 years of marriage! Kids eat at Grandma's, parents eat at the Melting Pot!

Menu Planning Monday (on Sunday)

Monday – Chinese chicken salad (using the dressing from Asian noodle salad) and pork potstickers & brown rice
Tuesday – buffalo wings, veggies & blue cheese dip
Wednesday – lasagna, roasted asparagus
Thursday - sourdough buffalo burgers with avocado, salad
Friday - pork loin chops, mashed red potatoes, garlicky green beans
Saturday - grilled vegetables (fresh from the farmer's market), grilled chicken and grilled sausages or hot dogs
Sunday - something wonderful inspired by Saturday's farmer's market finds

Other possible attempts:
toffee
some type of no-bake oatmeal treats

Menu Planning Monday

Monday mushroom chicken, rice, green beans

Tuesday handmade meatballs, red sauce, whole wheat flax spaghetti, salad with blue cheese

Wednesday Gyros with fresh baked pitas or flatbread and cucumber & tomato salad (thanks for the idea Becky!)

Thursday leftovers

Friday pizza & salad

Saturday Mom's birthday fiesta!

Sunday Fiesta leftovers

Menu Planning Monday

Sunday -
grilled chicken, grilled asparagus, crusty whole grain bread, strawberry shortcakes

Monday -
chicken burritos in whole wheat tortillas with lots of veggies, corn and black bean salad

Tuesday -
Asian Noodle salad care of Pioneer Woman - topped with chicken breasts

Wednesday -
flax whole wheat spaghetti with meatballs, salad

Thursday -
leftovers

Friday -
??

Saturday -
??

Menu Planning Monday (on Sunday)

I have fallen off the menu planning wagon. Time to jump back on.

Menu for the week of April 27

Sunday burrito/salad/nacho bar with steak, black beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, salsa, lettuce, olives

Monday seafood sauce, whole wheat flax pasta, spinach with garlic

Tuesday - "Vacation Day" - Field Trip to Hamburger Farm Salsa chicken in the crockpot, Texas caviar, possibly homemade tortillas

Wednesday -late afternoon playdate, prep dinner together before lunch chicken enchiladas, salad

Thursday - Park Day leftovers

Friday homemade buns, hamburgers, potato salad, green salad

Saturday breakfast for dinner

Menu Planning Monday

Sunday - baked bbq chicken, broccoli, giant steak fries
Monday - bake bread, make chicken stock
Dinner - butternut squash & ground turkey sauce over flax whole wheat penne (a dairy free variation on this recipe)
Tuesday - panko crusted tilapia, garlicky green beans, steamed rice
Wednesday - (make buns) buffalo burgers, baked fries, coleslaw
Thursday - sloppy joes on leftover buns, leftover coleslaw, roasted chickpeas
Friday - tortilla pizzas, salad
Saturday - the grandparents'?



In my oven this week
muffins with the kids
whole wheat bread (I am going to try adding an egg to reduce the crumble factor)
french bread (last week's loaves got over done - I want a yummy, perfectly golden loaf this week!)
granola
granola bars
hamburger buns (varying the linked recipe to make it dairy free)


For more recipes visit www.orgjunkie.com

Menu Planning Monday (on Sunday)

for more menus visit www.orgjunkie.com

Last week I scrapped a lot of my planning and made some new recipes. We had lots of rain and cold days Ham Soup was a huge hit. I baked my first loaf of yeast bread (also a hit) and this week I plan on trying some new recipes for bread! Fun!

We are still doing well with no-take out although Tuesday after my doctor's appointment we picked up take-out which wound up being a good choice because by the time we got home I was feeling awful and would not have done well having to cook and clean up. So one take-out meal for the month is a darn good record considering we used to eat out or get take-out 1-2 every weekend plus maybe 1x during the week.

The menu that might be followed...
Sunday - black bean & beef burritos, mexi-veggie soup

Monday - baked sweet chicken thighs, baked potatoes and either roasted or garlicky asparagus, coleslaw (DS1 loves coleslaw but we rarely have it since DS2 is allergic to dairy so I am going to tinker with a dairy free recipe - I will post it if it is a success) fresh french bread (Kitchen Aid recipe)

Tuesday - chili (from the freezer), corn bread (I am going to try this WFM recipe - I have yet to find a really good dairy free cornbread recipe which might be partly because I am always trying to reduce fat, add whole wheat flour or add flax seeds. This time I will make the recipe as is), salad

Wednesday - baked Mediterranean tilapia, steamed spinach, fried eggplant, rice pilaf

Thursday - veggie bean soup (from the freezer), fresh bread or biscuits

Friday - tortilla pizzas, salad or veggies for dipping

Saturday - maybe dinner at my parents'?



My baking & bulk cooking for the week:
2 lbs black beans (cooked, packaged and frozen today)
red sauce for pizza or pasta (cooked last night - already packaged and frozen)
french bread
whole wheat bread
oatmeal bars (cooked and tested - SO SO GOOD!)
granola bars
chicken stock

Menu Planning Monday (on Sunday)

Still staying strong with no take out or restaurant meals in February! On Tuesday I am having an IUI so I need to plan ahead for lunch/dinner so DH can take care of it while I rest. I may concede to getting take out for lunch on the way home since we will not be home until after noon.

Sunday - baked sweet chicken (chicken thighs w/ a glaze of soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger and a touch of brown sugar), baked potatoes, garlicky green beans (chocolate pudding for me and pumpkin custard for DH for dessert)
Monday - biscuit burgers, oven fries, coleslaw
Tuesday (mommy taking it easy after IUI) - chili from freezer, broccoli, multigrain chips
Wednesday - waffles, sausage, eggs w/ spinach (soak black beans)
Thursday - black bean dinner - smashed spiced blacks beans, spinach and fried potatoes topped with a fried egg
Friday - pork chops, mixed veggies, buttered whole wheat and flax noodles
Saturday - maybe dinner at my parents'

Baking -
muffins (last week we made oatmeal blueberry - maybe something with flax and pumpkin this week)
whole wheat beer bread
I am putting it on my list again - yeast bread. I am going to get brave enough to make a loaf of bread
more granola bars


Visit www.orgjunkie.com for more Monday menus!

Menu Planning Monday (on Sunday)

This week is a minimal shopping week. I am planning from the fridge, freezer and pantry with no blank spots for eating out. Next week I am going to work on creating a menu that creates lots of meals to freeze to aide in our quest to be dining-out-free for the month of February.

Sunday – Super Bowl Party - buffalo wings, dino chicken, carrots & celery w/ blue cheese dressing, potato chips & onion dip

Monday – spinach & bacon egg casserole, salad with blue cheese

Tuesday – crockpot Chicken cacciatore, whole wheat flax spaghetti

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore
Modified from allrecipes.
INGREDIENTS

* 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
* 1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce - make a quick red sauce
* 2 green bell pepper, seeded and cubed - mixed peppers from freezer
* 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
* 1 onion, finely diced
* 2 tablespoons minced garlic

DIRECTIONS

1. Put the chicken in the slow cooker. Top with the spaghetti sauce, green bell peppers, mushrooms, onion, and garlic.
2. Cover, and cook on Low for 7 to 9 hours.


Wednesday - Veggie Egg Foo Young, brown rice

Thursday - Turkey & Black bean chili, corn casserole

Dairy Free Corn Casserole
modified from here


* 2 tablespoons Earth Balance
* 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
* 1 cup soymilk
* 2 cups defrosted frozen corn
* 2 teaspoons honey
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 2 eggs, well beaten

Melt margerine over low heat; add flour and blend. Add milk substitute gradually. Stirring constantly, bring mixture to the boiling point. Add corn, honey, salt, and pepper; heat through. Remove from heat and stir in the beaten eggs; pour into a greased 8×8 baking dish. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes, or until firm. Serve alone as side dish or is wonderful under chili. May top with cheese or substitute.

Friday
- crockpot chicken & vegetable curry, barley

Saturday lunch - vegetable soup using up the veggies
Dinner - Leftovers or grilled cheese

Treats & Snacks:
granola bars
flax seed granola
muffins - kids' choice
possibly try to make crackers

For more weekly menus visit www.orgjunkie.com

Menu Planning Monday

Monday
Chardonnay pork loin roast, whole wheat pasta with spinach cheese sauce, sauted asparagus and applesauce. Low carb mini almond cheesecakes.

Tuesday
turkey & black bean chili (from freezer - add extra veggies), cornbread muffins, salad

Wednesday (library & grocery store)
Mediterranean Tilapia, spinach, orzo

Thursday
Mom is going OUT! Take out or quickie dinner for DH and kids.

Friday
chicken & apple sausage with peppers and onions on rolls, coleslaw, apple slices

Saturday
Take dinner to a friend

Sunday - My baby is THREE!
William's birthday choice

Menu Planning Monday

As we ring in the new year we have wonderful news to celebrate with old friends of ours. A family has been born and we are hoping to meet our friends' new baby boy on New Years Day! Although as I type both DH and DS2 have the sniffles - we are hoping a cold doesn't descend upon our home as 2007 ends. I am planning on spending NYE day, while DH works a short day and my boys play nicely together (I can hope, right?) making a vat of chili to freeze and baking up banana bread to take to our friends so they can spend more time lavishing that new baby with love than worrying about the next meal.

The challenges of integrating a low carb menu along with dairy free while at the same time using whole foods as often as possible and working with in a budget proves to be even more daunting when trying to make festive treats. Our New Years day eats are really quite out there but hopefully will keep everyone happy and full while keeping sensitive bellies well and blood sugars in check.



The menu for the week - an eclectic week between the holiday and cooking in bulk to share...

Monday (NYE)
make many loaves of banana bread
make turkey & black bean chili to freeze
for dinner - Asian Hot Pot, korean spare ribs, flax noodles

Tuesday - Happy New Year!
(visiting friends with new baby - taking them lunch to share, banana bread and freezer meals)
Appetizer night -buffalo chicken dip
, Texas caviar, guacamole, dinosaur chicken, spicy hummus, soy-flax chips, carrots & celery sticks, tuna salad stuffed tomatoes, sliced fruit

Wednesday -
leftover chili, cornbread, salad

Thursday -
Tom Ka Gai (Coconut Chicken Soup), salad

Friday -
baked tilapia, baked sweet potatoes, steamed zucchini


Check out more menus at Laura's

Menu Planning Monday

Monday (Christmas Eve)
Dinner at my parents'
taking: 3 types of vanilla ice cream for Cherries Jubilee
whole wheat bread
hummus
sugar free pumpkin pie

Tuesday (Christmas!)
breakfast:
a variation on Charleston Breakfast Casserole + a dairy-free version
orange slices
walnut bread toast
oj and tomato juice

lunch:
veggies & dip
roast beef sandwiches

dinner:
cioppino
antipasto salad
low carb almond cheesecake
at the kids' request - red & green jello jigglers

Wednesday:
Tom Ka Gai (Coconut Chicken Soup)

Thursday:
Mediterranean Tilapia
orzo with artichoke hearts and klamata olives

Friday:
baked chicken
baked potatoes
broccoli



Friday: