Menu Planning for "Company's Coming!"

Can I just take a minute to breathe?!

Honestly, we've moved too many times in too few amount of years that we are not quite accustomed to having much company.  I've never cooked for more than a potluck crowd or my family of six on any given day, although I have big dreams of future hospitality as we build relationships with the peeps at our new church.

So, this week is quite special--I'm expectin' the in-laws!  Yee-haw!

Until they actually get here, we're gonna keep meals pretty simple so that we can focus on the important things in life--you know, purging and purifying each and every room so it looks not as if a batty home school family lives here and much more like the Cleavers, or at least somebodies more together than us.

Breakfasts

Easy Granola Bars ((w/flax seed & wheat germ, too))

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake ((Whole Wheat modified))

Oatmeal x 2

Berry Yogurt Smoothies

Nut Butter on Toast

Baked Omelet & Cream Scones

...Seasonal Fruits totally included

Lunches

Nut Butter & Banana Sandwiches

Black Bean Quesadillas

Egg Drop Soup w/Carrots & Peas

Bean Burritos

Salmon Cakes

Berry Yogurt Smoothies

...Loaded w/Veggies & Fruits

Dinners

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Asian Chicken Napa Salad

Crockpot Tomato Soup & Grilled Provolone Cheese Sandwiches

Taco Salad

Dinner Out w/'rents

Crockpot Chili & Cornbread

Grilled Burgers on Homemade Buns

...Vegetables NOT Optional

Have a great and inspiring week, y'all!

And don't forget to peruse the menus of many other near-strangers at The Organized Junkie.  It's like fumbling through your brother's sock drawer: you never know what you might find.

Menu Planning for Flexi-what?!

This week I'm trying something new: Instead of scheduling a hardline plan for meals, I thought I'd give my family options.  Yes, I said options.  I know, I know, for the OCD-at-Heart, I am creating a load of dastardly uncertainty for myself, which has my heart palpitating at the very thought, but, with all the sun-shining and the bird-singing going on around here, I feel like trying something new, something verdant, something Springy!  

Seasonal fruits & veggies not optional.

Breakfasts

Oatmeal & Oranges

Buttermilk Berry Muffins ((using Whole Wheat flour))

Alton Brown's Granola Bars

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

Toast w/Nut Butter

Yogurt Smoothies

Lunches

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Toast w/Nut Butter & Banana

Roasted Vegetable  & Black Bean Quesadillas

BLT's

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Double-Baked Potatoes

Dinners

Garlic Chicken, Mashed Spuds, Wilted Spinach

Crockpot Carnitas, Texas Slaw

Taco Salad

Beef Roast, Lima Beans & Bacon, Green Salad

Salmon Cakes, Fries, Raw Veggies

Poverty Pasta & Green Salad

Lima Beans & Bacon

5-bacon slices, chopped

1-small red onion, chopped

2-tablespoon brown sugar

2-cups lima beans

1-tablespoons butter

salt & pepper to taste

*Saute bacon and onion.  Add sugar.  Stir in butter and beans.  Stir in water to cover, and simmer 2-hours, or until beans are tender.  Season to taste with salt & pepper.

Now get outta here!!  There are hundreds more menus to enjoy over at The Organized Junkie.  

I need to label something--ANYTHING!  Right. Now.

Menu Plan for the Week of March 23

So, although the sun is shining and promising to shine for the entire week, this week weighs a bit heavily on my heart and hands.  It's heavy on my heart because I had to change my spring travel plans, which would have taken my tail and the wee tails of my babes outta here on Friday and off to see my fave peeps, those Brazen Husseys.  But, this week weighs heavily on my hands because my in-laws are coming to town in less than three weeks and we are hosting them, as well as my hubby's youngest brother, for four days in. a. row.  I'll have to hang with those Husseys later; for now, I have trouble.

The trouble doesn't lie so much in the relationships--only as much as being separated for three years before recently reconciling creates--but in the fact that we have a very teeny weeny home, and I have huge personal space issues.  I already feel tense and we're three weeks away from showdown.  This week will begin the household tackle, one major area each week until they arrive.  God help it stay clean, although I will easily and totally blame the kids if it doesn't.

But, the primary trouble lies in the fact that we eat very differently than they, and my MIL has pretty much scared my socks off by declaring her fear of the food I may place before them.  

Can you say fight or flight?  

So, if y'all have any ideas how we can bridge the gap between whole foods and not, please, please pass on a recipe or four, um'kay?

Here's this week ((still cleaning out the freezer)):

MONDAY

Breakfast~Applesauce Bread & Yogurt Smoothies

Lunch~Toasted Bagels w/Cheese, Cucumber & Oranges

Dinner~Beef Roast, Mashed; Broccoli, Carrot & Pepper Medley

TUESDAY

Breakfast~Oatmeal & Oranges

Lunch~PB & Honey Sandwiches, Carrots & Apples  ((Can you say SUNNY & 70 PICNIC?!  Don't hate))

Dinner~Bacon-Spinach Frittata, Fruit Salad

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast~WW Banana-Chocolate Chip Muffins ((using WW pastry flour, so forget about the all-purpose bologna)), Oranges

Lunch~Grilled Cheddar Cheese Sandwiches, Cucumbers & Apples

Dinner~Asian-Ginger Grilled Chicken over Napa Cabbage Salad

THURSDAY

Breakfast~Oatmeal & Oranges

Lunch~Veggie Udon Soup

Dinner~Salmon Cakes, Baked Fries, Spinach Salad

FRIDAY

Breakfast~Leftover Banana-Chocolate Chip Muffins

Lunch~Egg Salad on Toast, Spinach Salad

Dinner~Pizza & Green Salad

SATURDAY

Brunch~Swedish Pancake, Turkey Sausages, All Fruit Dump Salad

Dinner~Spaghetti & Meatballs, All Veggie Dump Medley

SUNDAY

Breakfast~Banana-Oatmeal Bread w/Toasted Pecans & Yogurt Smoothies

Lunch~Grilled Provolone Cheese Sandwiches & Hearty Tomato Soup

Dinner~Leftover Buffet

Shoot your rocket over to The Organizing Junkie for more menu plans than you could ever have the time to read, unless you are independently wealthy and have no children pulling on your menu-loving sleeve.  But don't forget to post some help with my FEEDING THE IN-LAWS dilemma!!

Have an inspired week, y'all!

Menu Plan Monday--Already?!

I'm beat.  Trying to get out of dodge in three weeks without leaving my husb'd to either wither away or spend our savings on take-out, not to mention having all things homeschool ready to roll as soon as we drop our bags back at la casa, is hard work.

And what about Daylight Savings Zombie Syndrome, huh?  

Seriously, say it with me...D.S.Z.S.

Dee--Sss--Zee--Sss.

Deeszees.

DISEASE!!

At my age, exactly how long will it take my body to recuperate from this precious loss of sleep?  Can anyone say? and then put it in writing addressed to my lawyer?  ((Like I have a lawyer...puh-lease))

Here's my menu on the fly and without being of sound mind or body--yep, on the fly, which means no links for you!  Sorry, Charlene.  ((If you say it like my beloved Mexican grandpapa, it's rather funny->CHar-lene...."Sorry, CHar-lene," get it?!))

As I said:

MONDAY

breakfast~Oatmeal & Oranges

lunch~Whole Wheat Bagels w/Sesame & Sunflower Seeds ((Toasted w/Cheese!))

dinner~Salmon Cakes, Sweet Potato Fries, Cold Veggies

TUESDAY

breakfast~Oatmeal Pancakes, Oranges

lunch~Scrambled Eggs & Toast, Berry Smoothies

dinner: Sausage & Lentil Stew

WEDNESDAY

breakfast~Granola Bars & Oranges

lunch~Almond Butter & Honey Sandwiches, Carrots & Apples

dinner~Stromboli & Green Salad

THURSDAY

breakfast~WW Buttermilk Pancakes & Macerated Strawberries

lunch~WW Bagels w/Cream Cheese & Salmon, Cucumber & Apples

dinner~Bean Burritos & Southwest Slaw

FRIDAY

breakfast~Leftover Pancakes & Bananas

lunch~Egg Salad Sandwiches, Carrots & Apples

dinner~Pizza & Salad Night

SATURDAY

brunch~Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Sausages, Spinach Salad & Blueberry Muffins

dinner~Grilled Greek Chicken and a Garbanzo Bean Salad w/my own dressing

SUNDAY

breakfast~Oatmeal w/Fruit Salad & Sausages

lunch~Rotisserie Chicken from Costco, Caesar Salad

dinner~Leftovers

((I know I said no links, but I felt bad.  I mean, I only stop at someone's menu if they're offering up a recipe or three--no recipe, no comment.))

Now, drag your deeszees'd fanny over to The Organizing Junkie for more recipes to try while staying up an hour later since it just doesn't feel like bedtime yet.  I'm off to find a tranquilizer and put us both out of my misery.

Menu Plan Monday

Today is my baby boy's fourth birthday, so I'm gonna make this short and sweet.

Monday

breakfast: Oatmeal Pancakes with Triple Berry Topping and freshly Whipped Cream

lunch: Salami & Cheese on Crackers w/Pickles, Olives, and Baby Carrots

dinner: Sesame Beef Short Ribs w/Carrots & Cabbage over Brown Rice and a Brownie Birthday Cake Sundae!!

Tuesday

breakfast: Oatmeal and Oranges

lunch: Almond Butter & Dried Cranberries on Brown Rice Cakes, Celery & Carrot Sticks

dinner: Homemade Pizza

Wednesday

breakfast: Applesauce Bread with Cream Cheese, Kiwis

lunch: Chicken-Vegetable Udon Soup, Bananas

dinner: Hot Italian Sausage and Lentil Stew  w/Spinach & Mushrooms

Thursday

breakfast: Oatmeal and Oranges

lunch: Toasted Cheese Sandwiches & Tomato Soup, Apples

dinner: Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumpling Stew

dessert: WW Chocolate Chip Cookies from the freezer

Friday

breakfast: Applesauce Bread w/Almond Butter, Apples

lunch: Eggs on Toast and Oranges

dinner: 15-Bean Soup, fresh WW Cheddar Loaf

Saturday

breakfast: Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls ((from freezer))

lunch: Stracciatella, fresh Italian Loaf

dinner: Grilled Flat Iron Steaks, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Green Salad

Don't you just love March?!  It holds all my hopes for and the promises of spring!

Skip-t0-my-Lou over to The Organized Junkie for enough inspiration to fill your menu all springtime-long!

Menu Plan: A Week of Slow Cookin'

We modern housewives have it too good!  I mean, there are just too many options, too many choices.  My childhood was a smattering of family favorites, which you could count on two hands and expect with precision clockwork: Steak on Fridays, fresh tortillas on Saturdays, a whole family gathering on Sundays with a beef roast, and then the weekly staples.  My grandmother had no more than a dozen meals under her command and would today be either shocked or overwhelmingly delighted right back into her grave if she could see how I cook: like the proud and haughty belles who grace red carpets, I rarely make something twice, unless we all just love it.  Then, we might see it once each month, at best.

You are to blame.

Yes, you.

Y'all here in my virtual neighborhood make some of the most mouth-watering dishes each week that me cannot help me-self but to try, try, and try!

This week, I thought I'd have a wee bit more fun than usual, while testing my mental capabilities in the small hours of early morning, like, say, nine o'clock.  Yes, this week I will be the Slow Cookin' Queen of menu planning.

Breakfasts (w/fresh fruits & in no order: kiddos pick from list or starve)

From my Baking Day: 

Banana-Nut Bran Muffins (x2)

Easy-Peasy Granola Bars (x2)

...Plus, 

Overnight Soaked Oats (x2)

Fruit & Yogurt Smoothies & Fresh Toast

Lunches (w/fresh fruits & veggies)

Almond Butter & Strawberries on the-other-Laura's Whole Wheat Buns (x2) 

Veggie Egg Drop Soup

Chicken-Vegetable Udon Soup

Mini Cheese Pizzas

Tomato Soup & Cheese Toast

Now, for the Slow Cookin' Dinners:

Monday ~ Cowboy Baked Beans and Sausage; Salad & WW Cornbread  ((I'm going to modify an oven-baked bean recipe and throw in some turkey sausages.  If it turns out fab, I'll post the recipe next week.))

Tuesday ~ Sausage & Egg Casserole, Spinach Salad

Wednesday ~ Turkey Joes on The-Other-Laura's WW Buns, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Cold Veggies

Thursday ~ Chicken & Stuffing, Green Beans & Cranberry Salad

Friday ~ Asian Short Ribs w/Carrots & Cabbage over Brown Rice, Steamed Broccoli

Saturday ~ Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs, over WW Pasta; Roasted Asparagus

KISS Sabbath ~ Ahhhh...Homemade Pizza.

Hope y'all have an inspiring week!  Hop on over to The Organizing Junkie for enough inspiration for two lifetimes!

Menu Plan Monday: Brrr-rrr Edition

I don't know about you, but I'm freezing!  

Yes, it may not be fair, and you may be rolling your squirrelly eyes at me ((I see you)), but I am still freezing here in my l'il hut in California.  

So, I'm gonna make this short and sweet, getting my frosty fingers back into wooly mittens and my backside under a wish-it-was-bear-skin wrap and atop a raging furnace vent A.S.A.P.!

Breakfasts this week (...in no partic order, since I'm freezing, but with plenty of fresh fruits):

Homemade Granola x2 

Baked Whole Wheat Doughnuts x2

Orange-Banana-Nut Oat Bran Muffins x2

Sabbath Feast-->Swedish Pancake, Sausages & Oranges

Lunches this week (...again in no partic order, and with plenty of fruits and veggies, although I may be able to move my fingers by midday):

PB & Banana on fresh toast x2

Veggie Udon Soup

Cheese on Toast

Egg Drop Soup w/Veggies

Eggs and leftover muffins/doughnuts

Sabbath-->Fellowship Potluck or Leftovers

And, finally, Dinners:

Monday: Split Pea Soup in the Crockpot, Whole Grain Loaf

Tuesday: Black Bean Chili w/Ground Turkey in the Crockpot ((modified)), Avocado-Cucumber Salad

Wednesday: Chicken Piccata, Mashed, Steamed Broccoli

Thursday: Macaroni & Cheese ((made a double batch from last week & froze!!)), Succotash, Green Salad

Friday: Yankee Chicken Potpie in the Crockpot, using leftover Mashed; Green Salad

Saturday: Cuban-Style Flat-Iron Steaks, Cilantro Brown Rice w/Pink Beans, Veggie Medley

Keep It Simple Sabbath-->Pizza ((Prepped the day before!))

Woot! Woot! I'm dunzo and outta here!  

Waddle over to the Organizing Junkie for more meal plan ideas to warm you up.  As for me and my house, we shall share the vent.

Menu Plan Monday: Stretching the Pennies

When my husb'd and I reconciled last year, we committed [read: I submitted with much emotional pain] to living small, which obviously is the opposite of living large, right?  It's not as though we are high rollers or live like we are, but we needed to let go of all of the extras, for a time [read: an entire year!], that could get between or take over our healing family, such as classic Baryshnikov ballet training thrice each week, gymnastics for gold-medal champions thrice each week, piano lessons for snobs, Bend-It-Like-Beckham soccer clinics and teams, and swimming for Olympic Phelps-wannabes.  My experience is such that, with a mere four-able-bodied-child family, activities tend to grow like weeds and spread like the Black Plague.  We were busy and happily, but God worked out His gloried salvation in my husb'd and restored our family, providing for us a new heritage.  Now I ask you, what does an abundance of activity have with which to compare to a supernatural and spiritual renewal of a lord ((small "l")) and his earthly kingdom??!  
I answer: NOTHING, as in no thing.
But recently, my husb'd graciously allowed my two eldest children to pick up piano lessons again, as long as we could pay for the lessons from our EXISTING lean-by-choice budget. 
Music to my number-crunching ears!I just love to find ways to stretch our pennies into dollars.
So, first I let go of Netflix, which I just never get around to watching during the home school year when there's planning and prep to do.  Plus, I just plainly prefer books.  Hence...  Secondly, I commit to returning books to the library on time.  I'm ashamed to admit how fine an unrecognized donor I am to the county, although a smile would be nice every now and again, in lieu of the judgmental frowns I receive whilst being quite generous in my frequent donations.Thirdly, I refuse to be tempted to eat out due to poor Mommy-planning.  I've now an abundance of homemade, and otherwise, snacks in my "out-and-about" bag, ready to fill those tummies begging a snack, thereby keeping me out of the drive-thru(s) and snack aisles.Fourthly, I'll stretch our food budget by eating at least two meatless meals each week.  This is where planning, not to mention the inspiration I receive from the many single-income families convicted to live a life of fine stewardship without sacrificing whole foods, becomes paramount.That should do it.I hope.
Breakfasts w/Fresh Fruits

• Baked Oatmeal ; reducing sugar & butter; adding 1-tsp, cinnamon, 1/2-t nutmeg, 1-t vanilla extract, 1 shredded apple, and 1/2-c toasted walnuts (T/F)
• Scrambled Eggs & Leftover Corn Muffins (W)
• Orange Bran Muffins w/Almonds (M/Th)
• Homemade Granola, substituting pecans for cashews; adding coconut, flax seeds, and wheat germ (Sa)
• Eggs & Sweet Potato Scones; can't help but add a touch of nutmeg & a handful of toasted pecans (Su)

Lunches w/Fruits & Veggies

• PB on Brown Rice Cakes (W/Sa)
• Creamy Tomato Soup w/Cheese Toast (M)
• Homemade Pizza (T)
• Fancy Ramen Soup (Th)
• Cheese & Crackers, Pickles & Olives (F)
• Potluck Lunch Fellowship (Su)

Dinners:
MondayOven-Fried Chicken Parmesan, using fresh mozzarella & herbsBalsamic Asparagus Salad
TuesdayBlack Bean Soup (This recipe is da' Bomb--as is!  I made it last week, and we all agreed to a repeat.)Cornbread Muffins, a' la Newshound 'bout Town
WednesdayHomemade Macaroni & CheeseGreen Salad
Thursday ~ My 15th Anniversary!! ((Never thought I'd see this one.))Chicken Piccata, with addition of artichoke heartsMashed Potatoes Veggie Medley
FridaySplit Pea Soup in the CrockpotSourdough Wheat Loaf
Saturday ~ Happy Valentine's Day!!Garlic Beef RoastEasy Potato Casserole, using leftover Mashed; add an egg, green onion, sour cream, a splash of milk,and a sprinkling of shredded cheddar; season to taste w/salt & pepper; bake to blend & melt cheese.Green Salad
Keep It Simple Sabbath: Leftover Buffet!
Have an inspiring week, y'all!  And for more budget stretching meal ideas, check out the hundreds of plans at The Organizing Junkie!

Menu Plan Monday

So, this is gonna be a quick one 'cause I'm mending my night-owl ways; at least I hope I am.  No more nights planning 'til the wee hours; no more nights reading lovely Brit-Lit thereafter; no more nights of sweet peace, and no more deep-dark solitude.  Who's crazy idea was this??Mine.
MondayBreakfast: Oatmeal, Mandarin OrangesLunch: PB on Brown Rice Cakes, Carrot Sticks, ApplesDinner: Honey-Glazed Chicken Quarters over Brown Rice, Green Salad
TuesdayBreakfast: Bran Muffins & YogurtLunch: Egg Drop Soup w/Veggies, BananasDinner: Basil Shrimp over Lemon Orzo w/Feta; Roasted Asparagus
Okay, for anyone who has NEVER roasted asparagus, this is for you:Wash and trim off the tough & bitter ends of the asparagus.Pat dry.Drizzle with olive oil.Roast in 350* oven for 10 minutes.Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.Serve.Eat.Yum.Repeat.
WednesdayBreakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Corn Tortillas, BananasLunch: Cheese on Toast, Sweet Potato Oven-Fries, OrangesDinner: Black Bean Soup; Green Salad; Cornbread
ThursdayBreakfast: Oatmeal, Navel OrangesLunch: Salami & Cheese on Whole Grain Crackers, Carrot Sticks, ApplesDinner: Chicken Piccata w/Artichokes over Whole Wheat Spaghetti; Steamed Broccoli
FridayBreakfast: Bran Muffins & YogurtLunch: Vegetarian Stromboli, Green SaladDinner: Leftover Buffet!!!
SaturdayBrunch: Swedish Pancake, using WW flour and less butter; Breakfast Sausage; Navel OrangesDinner: Beef Roast w/Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Fancy Green Beans, Green Salad

Have an inspiring week, y'all!  And don't forget to stop over at I'm an Organizing Junkie for less whiney menus.  Can't help it: it's my bedtime.Just one more drink of water...

Menu Plan Monday: Comfort Foods Edition

One of my fave things about living near the San Francisco Bay is the perpetual winter overcast.  Call me crazy, but I LOVE it!  The addition of morning fog, which often lingers into evening, blanketing the hill and mountain tops, makes it much more posh than your average midwestern overcast.  This is a melancholic writer's, with a serious bend toward Victorian Brit-Lit, dream weather indeed.  

What does the weather in San Francisco have to do with menu planning, you say?!

Well, it's purely inspirational, I say in return.  When the dampness of a coastal winter delightfully pierces unto the marrow of my bones, what better to eat than comfort foods?

Breakfasts:  Soaked Oats, Gingerbread Pound Cake, Yogurt Smoothies, Whole Wheat-Sourdough Biscuits w/Apple Butter, Eggs on Toast (with fresh fruits)

Lunches:  PB & 'nana Sandwiches, Seasoned Beans over Brown Rice, Tuna on Toast,  Egg Drop Soup w/Peas & Carrots, Canadian Pancakes (with fresh fruits & veggies)

Monday:  CP: Pork Carnitas with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, Chips & Guacamole, Seasoned Black Beans  ((this got lost last week thanks to a pizza surprise from husb'd--tho' I'm not complaining!  The easiest Monday night clean-up ev-ah!))

Tuesday:  Turkey, Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup; Cheese Bread Loaf

Cheese Bread

1-cup buttermilk

2-T butter

2-T sugar

2-cups whole wheat bread flour

2/3-cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

2 1/2-t yeast

(I use a bread machine to form the dough.  Alter as you may need for hand-making.)

Place ingredients into bread machine in the above order, except the cheese, which you will add when prompted by the machine during the mixing phase, much as you would add raisins or such for other loaves.

Set bread machine to form dough only ((or you could bake it right in the machine, if you prefer.  I have an older machine which makes a cube of bread in lieu of a loaf)).

If you, like me, remove the loaf from the machine before baking, do it now, and form a loaf, slashing its flesh for kicks and because it looks cool, too.

 Cover and rise in a warm place until doubled in size, another hour or more.

((I use my oven in winter.  Turn it on low for a couple of minutes and then turn it off.  As long as you can touch the door with a flat hand and without pain, the oven is not too hot to kill your bread, as long as you don't have some sort of sensory retardation which affects your ability to govern your fab five.))

Bake at 350, for 50 to 60 minutes.

One loaf.

Wednesday: Chicken Piccata, Mashed Red Potato, Romaine Salad w/Black Olives, Red Onion, Shredded Carrot, and Shaved Parmesan

Thursday: Black Bean-Turkey Chili, Wedge Salad, Cornbread

Friday:  Turkey Sausage and Lentils, which I throw into the Crockpot!!

Saturday:  Leftover Buffet!!

Sunday:  If we're not visiting family or friends, we'll do something easy, like Chorizo and Eggs or Toasted Cheese Sandwiches.

Have an inspiring week, y'all!  And, step over to The Organizing Junkie for more meal plans to peruse and recipes to snag.

((Update: Can I just scream about the sun deciding to show its gloomy face EVERY DAY thus far??!!))

Menu Plan Monday: Happy Birthday, Olivia!!

I cannot believe it's Menu-Planning Monday again so soon.  It could be that the kettle is on and I've yet to suck down my first cup of tea, but I just don't feel ready to start another week right now.  Too bad for me, right?  'Cause she's here. right. now.

Last week was so much fun for me, but by the end of it, my fam was crying, "Ham again?"  Who knew that anyone in their right mind might tire of ham?  Not I.  But they did, each and every disloyal one of them, finally and fully rebelling right when we reached the ham bone itself, which is now in the freezer for future use.  

But perhaps not this week.  No, this week is a birthday week!  My eldest daughter will turn eleven on Wednesday...sigh.  Time flies indeed.  It's so cliche and yet so true.  I'm hoping I can get my act together well and swiftly to pay tribute to her beautiful life thus far.  

Ahem, on to menu planning now.

Breakfasts:  Bagels w/PB or cheese, Hulled Barley, Banana-Blueberry Muffins ((by birthday request)) & Yogurt, Fresh Fruits

Lunches: Eggs on Toast, Grilled Cheese, Smoked Trout and Cheese on Crackers ((birthday girl knows how to eat, y'all)), Uncle Willy's Ramen, Leftovers, Fresh Fruits & Veggies

Monday: Pizza & Salad w/Easy-Peasy Caesar Dressing

Easy-Peasy Caesar Dressing

1 clove garlic, minced

1-tsp anchovy paste

1/4-c mayonnaise

1-T lemon fresh juice

1-tsp Worcestershire sauce

4-to-5-T olive oil

Blend first six ingredients; whisk in olive oil; salt & pepper to taste.

Tuesday: Crockpot Pork Carnitas w/Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, Cilanto Brown Rice & Black Beans, Orange-Avocado-Red Onion Salad

Wednesday: Chinese Take-Out, as requested by our birthday girl!

Thursday: Split Pea Soup w/Ham Bone, Green Salad, Fresh Bread Loaf ((Peek-a-Boo))

Friday: Spaghetti w/Meatballs, Salad

Saturday: Tuna Melts, Veggie Tray

Sunday: Bean Burritos, Southwest Slaw

Have an inspiring week, y'all!

Menu Plan Monday: Hamming It Up!

I got such a fantastic post-holiday deal on a ham at Costco that we're eating pig all week long.  

Unlike the week I was forced to eat turkey, I'm excited about this week 'cause I love me a juicy piece of ham any day and any way: salads, soups, main dishes, off the bone, on the bone, the bone, what-evah!  You know, I love ham so much that Wilbur would've been in big trouble with Laura as his friend in lieu of Charlotte, and "some pig" would mean something entirely different to children all about this earth.   Yes, be thankful; be very, very thankful.

Breakfasts: (Oranges & Grapefruits)

Soaked Oatmeal

Yogurt Smoothies

Hulled Barley

Blueberry-Sour Cream Muffins

Lunches: (Cold Fruits & Veggies)

Any leftovers we can wrench from hubby's hand

PB & Honey Sandwiches

Salami & Cheese on Crackers, Pickles & Olives

Eggs on Toast

Monday: Baked Ham with Tita's Brown Sugar-Mustard Glaze; Green Beans; Green Salad w/Mandarin Oranges, Red Onion, Celery, and Candied Almonds; & Sweet Potato Rolls

Tuesday: Split Pea Soup w/Ham, Green Salad

Wednesday: Tyler Florence's Spaghetti alla Carbonara ((substituting ham for bacon and adding a nice splash of white wine)); Green Salad

Thursday: Ham, Potato & Broccoli Frittata; Fruit Salad

Friday: Orange Chicken over Brown Rice; Sesame-Soy Green Beans ((I don't think I'll be able to get my hubby to eat another piece of ham))

Low-Fat Orange Chicken  

((I made this up last week, so the ingredients may not be exact.  Sorry, I cook to my taste alone, but it was so stinking good that I had to share my joy!  I'm sure there is something out there in recipeland like it, but this one requires NO BATTERED FRYING, not to mention my baby boy licked his plate clean--literally!))

Zest of one orange

juice of the zested orange

juice of one lemon

5-T rice vinegar

4-T soy sauce

5-T dark brown sugar

1 1/2-t fresh ginger

1-t minced garlic

2 stalks green onion, sliced

1-T raw sesame seeds

1-t asian chili paste

splash of sesame oil

1 1/2 cups water, maybe

Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and bring to the brink of a boil (basically, a shotgun marriage).  Cool the mixture (I placed mine into a four-cup container, which showed 3 1/2 cups of sauce).  Place 1-1/2 cups cooled mixture into a freezer bag with six healthy chicken breasts and marinate for as many hours as you wish, up to eight, I guess.  After eight hours, I charge.  Spray a heavy skillet with a mist of flavorless cooking oil, or add a tablespoon of butter to fatten it up, whatever you prefer.  Sear chicken at a high heat to burn off the extra marinade ((or chicken will poach--eww--instead of fry)), then reduce heat to cook through.  Meanwhile, warm remaining sauce over medium heat, adding a simple mixture of cornstarch and water to thicken.  Serve chicken over brown rice and pour on the sauce.  Oh! and I added another dollop of chili paste at table, 'cause I like my food hot & spicy!  That's the Mexican in me, I suppose ((Thanks, Momma)).

Saturday: White Bean Soup w/Ham Bone; Green Salad; Cornbread

I've stopped planning for Sundays.  Sometimes we're home, sometimes not.  Plus, if I need a little flex-room, I can always move a meal to Sunday, right?

Hope your week promises as many comforts as mine!  If not, pop in over at Organizing Junkie and add some delights to your menu.  Ta-ta for now!

Menu Plan Monday: What's New [Year]?

  Check out Organizing Junkie for more menu planning inspiration!

This week is too hectic to be inspired, so I'm sticking to staples and faves.  Really, I'm just using up whatever happens to be left in my icebox from the holidays, which is...food.  So, whether we like it or not, it will be the staple and favorite of that day indeed.

Breakfasts 

Soaked Oats, Clove and Orange Cream Scones, Yogurt, Fresh Granola

Lunches 

Leftovers, PB & Banana, Fancy Ramen, Eggs (fruits & veggies)

Dinners

Monday~Crockpot Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Turkey over Brown Rice; green salad

Tuesday: Garlic Chicken, Roasted Red Potatoes, Broccoli

Sis-in-Law's Garlic Chicken

1.  Dip chicken into 1 cup milk placed into a bowl.  

2.  Dredge milky chicken into 1 part Italian-seasoned bread crumbs (easy to make-your-own!), 1 part grated Parmesan cheese, and black pepper to taste.

3.  Place dredged chicken into a baking dish.

4.  Combine 4-tablespoons butter and at least two-cloves smashed garlic into a small sauce pan; melt to blend over low heat; remove.

5.  Add the juice of lemon to garlic butter; drizzle over chicken; sprinkle with Paprika.

6.  Bake at 350* for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Wednesday : Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs; green salad

Thursday: Chorizo & Eggs; avocado, orange, red onion & cucumber salad (drizzle with salted olive oil and fresh orange juice)

Friday: Grilled Steak Caesar Salad

Saturday: Frittata; green salad

Sunday: Bean Burritos

Hope y'all have a more inspired week.  With starting a new school term, for which I'm not quite as prepared as I would prefer, and recovering from the busyness of the holiday season, I'm just plain pooped.  

Boy, do I wish I had a week's worth of take-out in my budget and waistline!!

Menu Plan Monday: Turkey Edition

So, like I said earlier, we're having a lot of turkey this week. A twenty-three pound turkey for Christmas goes a little too far when the only family you have near is your thirty-year-old baby brother who's recently lost a ton of weight and wants to keep it that way, when the only thing you want to put to your lips after massaging and then basting said turkey every forty five minutes for hours is a full glass of good wine, and when the kids come back for second, third, and fourth cookie samplings each time you bend your back to baste.  Therefore, by the mathematical talent of logical deduction, I've determined that my husband ate about two pounds of turkey by himself.  He tried, and I give him all the credit for it.

Monday:  Turkey Stew with Dumplings ((...using leftover four-herb blend, of which I might only have three or two herbs))

Tuesday:  Turkey Enchiladas with an avocado and cucumber salad  ((I 'm really looking forward to these; I love the chicken version.))

Wednesday:  Turkey Salad Sandwiches en Croissant  ((all the buttery flaky goodness might help me forget I'm eating turkey AGAIN))

Recipe:

2 1/2 cups cooked fowl

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup sliced seedless grapes ((I might try cranberries))

1/2 cup sliced almonds

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1 teaspoon salt

grinds of black pepper, to taste

1 cup mayonnaise ((or to taste; I don't like it very wet))

1/4 cup whipping cream

Whip cream to soft peaks; add all other ingredients.  Chill.

Thursday (HAPPY NEW YEAR!):  Hopping John with Smoked Turkey, Brown Rice, and Greens, and hot, yummy Cornbread

Friday (Dave's Birthday):  Red and velvety BEEF, oven-roasted potatoes,  green salad

Saturday:  Turkey Chili

Sunday:  We're outta here, so noooooo turkey.

Menu Plan Monday

So, although this Menu Plan Monday is supposed to be Family Faves, I have another plan for this week.  

You see, we really want a fancy-dancy Christmas dinner.  We had to skip a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year, having no one with whom to share the day and not wanting turkey leftovers for eons thereafter, but we have no desire to skip Christmas!  

No way, Jose!  

And I know what my man likes: beef, lots and lots of bloody red beef.  But, in order to get this velvety dinner on our table this year, we need to pull up our bootstraps over the next two weeks and eat not our fave eats but our fave cheap eats!  Here goes:

Monday: Potato & Bacon Chowder, green salad

Tuesday: Chicken Chili & Cornbread, cold veggie tray

Wednesday: Buttermilk pancakes & turkey sausages, w/fresh fruit salad

Thursday: Ham & Split Pea Soup, green salad

Friday: Oven-Baked Chicken Chimichangas, w/Cucumber-Avocado Salad

Saturday: Breakfast Burritos w/fresh fruit salad

Sunday: Out for the Day!

So, do you have an especially decadent dinner planned for Christmas?  How do you cut back to save for those special family traditions you love?