Monday, July 30, 2012

Menu Plan Monday

Very bad food week last week!  We didn't go by our menu plan and we ate out entirely too much!!  Bad for my budget and my diet!  Trying hard to stay on plan this week!

Saturday - Grilled Burgers and Hot Dogs with In-Laws

Sunday - Teriyaki Chicken, Chinese Chicken Salad, and Not-So-Fried Rice

Monday - Pork Chops (grilled or skillet), Loaded Potatoes, Green Beans

Tuesday - Grilled Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli (with cheese), and corn (steamables)

Wednesday - Going to dinner and a show at our local comedy venue

Thursday - BLT's with Turkey Bacon and Potato Soup (from Bear Creek)

Friday - Grocery Night!

For hundreds of menu plan ideas, visit Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday linkup!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Recipe - Taco Pasta

I found this recipe at one of my favorite recipe blogs - Emily Bites.  I love her recipes.  They are healthy alternatives but using real food and she even features Weight Watchers Points Plus.  I adapted the recipe just a little bit to suit our taste and this recipe got the Hubs' seal of approval!  Super easy and flavorful!


The ingredients:
Whole Wheat Pasta (we used penne but next time I'm using shells), Taco Seasoning, Rotel (actually 2 cans), Cheese, Light Sour Cream.  And of course I forgot to include the hamburger meat.

Brown about 1lb of hamburger meat.  Next time I am adding diced onions for more flavor.
When finished, drain and rinse.


Side Note: While you are browning the meat, go ahead and prepare pasta according to instructions.
Add 1 oz pack of taco seasoning, 1/4 cup water, and two cans of Rotel (I didn't drain for extra spice).



Add pasta.  Looks yummy already!

Add about 1 1/2 cups of your favor cheeses and allow to melt.  I used the Taco mix but suit your own tastes.
Add 1/4 cup of Sour Cream.  Add salt and pepper to taste.


Ready to eat!!  Hubs added more sour cream to his bowl but I did not.  
This was a great new recipe for our collection.  I offered to do a side of refried beans or something but Hubs said this was plenty.  And trust me...he ate his fair share!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Menu Plan Monday

Another week is here!  Not feeling so hot today but hopefuly that will change.  This week we are adding veggies and trying chicken a couple of different ways.  Here's our menu...

Saturday - Homemade Pizza with turkey pepperoni, green bell peppers, onions, and roma tomatoes

Sunday - Vegetable Soup (Hubby's choice) made with diced tomatoes, beef broth, carrots, potatoes, ground beef, and elbow noodles and I made a skillet of cornbread to go with it.

Monday - Sausage Potato Skillet made with turkey smoked sausage (first time trying it), green bell peppers, onions, potatos, and cheese.  With a veggie side.

Tuesday - Teriyaki Chicken (using Lawry's Teriyaki Marinade), "Fried" Rice, and Chinese Chicken Salad. 

Wednesday - Grilled Pork Chops, Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli and Cheese, and maybe corn on the cob.

Thursday - Grilled Chicken, Loaded Potato Casserole, Okra, and Green Beans

Friday - Grocery Night!

For hundreds of menu ideas, visit Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Menu Plan Monday


It's Monday already??  Can it be Friday tomorrow?  I'm having a low motivation morning but I'm slowly waking up.  We had a busy but very fun weekend with old friends and new.  I made more progress on the scale which made my Friday, the 13th even better!  This week's grocery trip consisted of lots of whole grains, reduced fat items, fruits, and veggies.  Here is our menu plan....

Breakfast
Peanut Butter Banana Wraps
Cherrios
Eggs and Toast

Lunch
Salads (with either turkey strips, grilled chicken, or buffalo chicken)
BLT Wrap
Tuna
Egg Salad

Dinner

Saturday - Dinner at one of our favorite places with some of our favorite people!

Sunday - Late lunch turned into Dinner with new friends!  No cooking for me!

Monday - Homemade Pizza with turkey pepperoni and reduced fat cheese

Tuesday - Chicken Junk (zucchini, squash, and chicken marinated in Moore's low sodium marinade and served over wheat pasta like angel hair)

Wednesday - Grilled Chicken with mac n cheese, oven-fried okra, and green beans

Thursday - Breakfast - Eggs, grits, and toast!

Friday - Grocery night so something easy!

For hundreds of menu plan ideas, visit Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Menu Plan Monday

I got a nice little surprise on Saturday.  I did laundry so my closet floor was visible again and I found my scale.  After a few seconds of hesitation, I stepped on it.  5 more pounds are gone!  WHAT?!  So even though I didn't eat my best, those crazy speed walks to class all last month really helped!  So that little bit gave me a lot of inspiration fuel and I'm back full force watching my calories AND walking.  This week I'm incorporating some recipes as well as keeping some of our comfort food staples as I retrain myself to control portions.  You can still eat your old favorites if you watch how much you are eating.  We have two plate sizes at my house...standard and then HUGE.  We almost always use the huge ones so one goal is to use the regular plates.  Sounds silly for sure but it will invoke change in my diet.

Here's our menu...

Lunches:
leftovers
Spicy Chopped Salad
Cheese Quesadillas with Salsa

Dinners:

Saturday - We had a late lunch so we had a small dinner.  Fish filet and fries.

Sunday - Pizza.  I know, I know.  But it was for a special occassion.  My cousin and bestie bought her first house.

Monday - Kraut and Weinies, Pinto Beans, Veggies, and Cornbread (one of those comfort meals I spoke about)

Tuesday - Grilled Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Baked Okra, and Green Beans

Wednesday - Cheesy Taco Pasta and Refried Beans

Thursday - Grilled Pork Chops with Skinny Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

Friday - Grocery  Day!

For hundreds of menu plans, check out Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.



Monday, July 2, 2012

Menu Plan Monday

Another month has flown by!  We are in the middle of a triple-digit heat wave with no sign of it slacking up.  This should be a fun week since we work two days then are off for the 4th and then back for two days.  Here is our menu plan...

Saturday - Dinner at my parents' house.  I took a Brownie Trifle and Cake Mix Dip.

Sunday - Chicken Enchiladas and Taco Rice

Monday - Chicken Junk (Zucchini, Squash, and Onions Sauteed in Dale's Marinade over angel hair)

Tuesday - Grilled Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Rolls

Wednesday - 4th of July!  Menu and plans not completely set yet!

Thursday - Steak and Veggie Kabobs, Roasted Potatoes, Baked Beans, and BBQ Bread

Friday - Grocery Night!!  Something easy

For hundreds of menu ideas, check out Orgjunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday