Monday, October 27, 2014

Dinner Meal Plan: Week of 10/27/2014

This week's meal plan! Enojy!

Tuesday:
Zuppa Toscana (Sausage, Kale and Potato Soup)

Wednesday:
Leftovers

Thursday:
Garden Salad

Friday:
Mummy Hot Dogs (Happy Halloween!)


What are you having this week?

Friday, October 24, 2014

Travel: We went to Colorado!

We had a ton of fun last weekend in the mountains!  Handsome and I decided to take a long weekend and breathe in some fresh mountain air.  We (actually I) hoped for some cooler weather, but it was actually about the same temperature as home (you can't win 'em all, I guess). Now, pictures!

We stayed at the 3rd Street Nest Bed and Breakfast (so cute, I highly recommend it!)
http://3rdstnestbb.home.bresnan.net/

Lunch at La Baguette in Old Colorado City
(Seriously, look at that French Onion Soup! So good!)

Pike's Peak

How this went: "Let me take your picture in panorama and you can be in the picture twice."
"Ok."
"Do a funny pose!"
"I am!"
"Come look at this. You didn't do anything funny at all!"
"Yes I did.  Look, I did a thumbs-up!"
*Sigh*

Helen Hunt Falls (Thanks for the recommendation, Diane!)

Helen Hunt Falls

We took a drive on Gold Camp Road in North Cheyenne CaƱon
(Look, a tunnel!)

Dinner by the Arkansas River at River's Edge in Salida

The Royal Gorge

And then the real reason I go to CO, so I can look at Aspens.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Dinner Meal Plan: Week of 10/5/2014 (With Recipes)

I don't know if this will be helpful for anyone, but I usually spend an hour or so each Sunday or Monday planning 3-4 meals for the week (depending on what leftovers we already have and what each recipe yields) and then buy all of the groceries I need for the week.  I look at the grocery store's weekly ad, but don't always choose to buy from it.  I usually plan to make something with leftovers at the beginning of the week for lunches.  This week is a little different, because we made two pizzas today and can have leftover pizza and fruit for lunches early this week.  I also try to plan quick or slow cooker meals for the days I'm working so that we can eat soon after we get home (dinner is usually at 5:30 at my house!).

I looked through my refrigerator and freezer to help me plan meals this week.  I saw that I have some eggs that need to be used up.  I also stumbled upon some game bird in the freezer (Chukar).  I can usually find a lot of, um... inspiration (?) this way.

Sunday/Monday Prep:
  • I often buy a head of Romaine (or "green lettuce" as my grocery store calls it) and wash and chop it on the day I buy it.  I store it in a gallon storage bag with a paper towel and I try to have as much air in the bag as I can.  It's 99 cents per head of lettuce, which is way cheaper than a bag, and it lasts quite a bit longer.
  • Wash, prep, and portion fruit &/or veggies in small containers to grab for lunches
  • Homemade yogurt cups in small containers:  1 serving greek yogurt, chia seed jam scooped on top (to taste, depends on how sweet it is)

Monday:
Chukar Piccata, Angel Hair Pasta, Green Salad
(note: Chukar is a game bird.  Chicken is typical in this recipe)

Tuesday:
Cobb Salad (lettuce, chopped ham/turkey, hard boiled egg, shredded cheddar, red peppers, avocado, shredded carrots, green onion, olives, bacon, ranch dressing)

Wednesday:
Slow Cooker Pasta Bake (I won't use a recipe, but something like this, probably with broccoli & cauliflower)

Thursday:
Leftovers

Friday:
Irish Beef Stew (Slow Cooker)


What are you having this week?