Tag Archives: meal planning

February 25, 2013 · 7:58 AM

Sloppy, Sloppy Joes

Gooood Morning!!!

How is everyone finding themselves on this Monday morning? If you were having too much fun this weekend to hop on the internet (and my blog) you can check out what I had to say yesterday if ya feel like it. If not, that is A-OK, too!! :-)

I was able to get some meal planning done this weekend which is always nice!! I have been so much better about it than I used to but some weeks I could certainly do better. I am pretty much excited for my menu this week as I think I have some yummy dinners in my future!!

We are going to start with last nights dinner because it was downright tasty!!!

Turkey Sloppy Joes Baby!!!

This recipe is one that I have made several times and it continues to be a hit. It is super delicious and comes together in about 30 minutes. The original recipe actually calls for it to go in the slow cooker but let me tell you, it works just as well on the stove top!! I don’t know what it is but something about this messy meal just makes me happy. I think because it takes me back to childhood. I mean, who didn’t like sloppy joe night as a kiddo?!

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To complete the meal, I roasted up some ranch red potatoes!! Mmmmmm, mmmmm good!!

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Meal Plan: Week of February 25th

I may change some of the days around based on what I am in the mood for but you get the basic idea!!!

Workout

I am still debating about whether I am ready to return to it today or not. I am cautiously optimistic that I am starting to feel better but I don’t want to overdue it and set myself back. I still have quite a bit of congestion and my ear is still stopped up but my chest doesn’t feel nearly as tight. I am thinking I will play it by ear(no pun intended!!) as see how I feel this afternoon. If my energy is up, I will pop in a Jillian Michael’s or Brooke Burke video and if not, I will just sit on my couch and be lazy.

Except not really, because I have a house to clean. That is exercise in itself!!

Questions?

Do you like sloppy joes? How about as a child?

What is one food that takes you back to your childhood?

What is in your menu this week?

 

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November 12, 2012 · 8:57 AM

Cake Balls and Holiday Goodies

Well, hello there!!! I hope everyone’s day is starting off of the right foot.

Our house is having an extended weekend…sort of. My kids have today off from school so while it is fun for them, it is another day of a messy house for me. I try not to stress over it but I really do look forward to getting my house back in order on Mondays.

You see that room…..yep, that is my kids playroom and it was CLEAN and organized yesterday morning. This morning, not so much. Thank goodness I can close that door and pretend that mess does not exist.

 

The highlight of my weekend? A one year old birthday party. My oh my, I am living the crazy life ;-) !

It was actually a fun little party, especially since I got to hang out with some friends. Not to mention the birthday boy is quite the cutie AND there was delicious food which you won’t ever find me complaining about.

 

Amber, the birthday boys mommy and Brandi(my friend and aunt of the little guy) did a great job with the decorations and food for the party.

Hello ladies!!!!

I had eaten lunch before we got there so I didn’t dig into the frito chili pie bar but I loved the idea and it was a big hit with the other guests.

I did however, help myself to some goodies on the dessert table.

Brandi made pumpkin shaped cake balls and they were delicious!! I may be the only person in existence who is not a huge fan of the cake balls with the icing mixed into the cake. I don’t know why but the texture kind of grosses me out. Give me my cake and icing separate, please!!

These cake balls were actually just spice flavored cake, made into balls with the help of a cake ball maker. No icky icing mixed in to ruin them!!

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While I was shopping this weekend I couldn’t help but get in the Christmas mood. There was Christmas music playing in just about every store I visited and there is no shortage of Christmas decorations and food lining the shelves.

When I saw these, it took every ounce of self control I have not to throw them into my basket.

If I didn’t have a bucket full of Halloween candy in my house I certainly would have splurged on these but right now, I have to make the sacrifice for my waist line. However, these will be perfect for enjoying at a Holiday get together a little later next month.

What I did pick up……

These limited edition English Muffins!!!

How good do these look? I haven’t busted into them yet but that is about to change. In about 5 minutes. This will be my breakfast this morning and I have to say, I am a LOT excited about it!!!

I’ll let you know the verdict tomorrow!!!

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This weeks MEAL PLAN

Monday: Feta and Spinach Crustless Quiche

Tuesday: Mustard Chicken with sweet potatoes and green beans

Wednesday: Mini Greek Meatballs with tzaiki and quinoa

Thursday: Left overs

Friday: Skillet white beans with spinach and tomatoes

Are you a fan of the new cake ball trend?

Are you enjoying the Christmas cheer in the stores or is it a bit to early for you?

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November 6, 2012 · 8:42 AM

It’s That Time

Hey, all you patriotic people, it’s THAT time. Time to VOTE!!!!

I have to admit, I have some butterflies in my stomach today. Isn’t it crazy to think that the path our country will be taking over the next four years is in our hands today?! That is big stuff and a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

I actually voted over a week ago and my husband and I cancelled each other out but I feel good that I did my job. And yes, Lance and I have decided for the sake of our marriage, it is best to NOT discuss politics in our house ;-) .

If your Facebook feed is anything like mine, this day will be filled with some intense opinions and will be taking a more serious tone so I thought it might be fun to lighten it up with some light-hearted humor!!

Source: imgfave.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: toonpool.com via Bela on Pinterest

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Meal Plan

How did I forget to share this again yesterday? And you know, the funny thing is, I am doing this more for me than I am for y’all. I need incentive to plan my meals each week because it makes grocery shopping SO much easier and I figure if I keep myself accountable by sharing on here, I have to stick to it!!

Monday: Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers with sweet potato wedges

This is my plate from last night. I went sans bun and added some guacamole on top instead. It was quite delicious!!

Tuesday: Italian chicken and broccoli

Wednesday: Black Bean Quesadillas

Thursday: Smoked Sausage with shredded glazed balsamic brussel sprouts

Friday: Ham and White Beans

Are you voting today or did you early vote?

What is on your meal list for this week?

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October 30, 2012 · 8:53 AM

Eggplant and Cinnamon Apple Straws

I think it is only appropriate to start out by acknowledging the devastation happening in the Northeastern part of our country right now. I have friends in that area that are being affected but fortunately they are all safe and sound. Power outages are certainly no fun but if that is the worst one is dealing with in the wake of Sandy, I have a feeling many people are feeling grateful.

I stayed up well past my bedtime last night, glued to the television and twitter for updates and I am sad and shocked at the pictures I see. Mother nature can offer such beauty but man, she can certainly be a beast as well.

Sending out well wishes to anyone who has been affected by this storm. Hang in there….the sun will come out soon :-) !!

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Last Nights Dinner

I made a new to me dinner last night and it was amazing! Last week while planning my meals for the week, I came across a recipe for eggplant parmesan. Eggplant is one of those foods that I have always been a little leery of cooking in my house. I have had it before(though limited times) and while I enjoyed it, I wasn’t sure how it would go over with my family. I decided to give it a shot anyway and I am glad I did.

The eggplant was sliced, soaked in an egg wash and coated in a breadcrumb/parmesan cheese mixture. I then popped it in the oven for 20 minutes, turning it halfway through and voila…done!! I was surprised at just how quick and easy it came together, especially because it tasted so great.  I found the recipe on Spark Recipes and would highly recommend it if you are a fan of eggplant parmesan but want a healthier version of it.

I can’t wait for lunch today because I get to devour the leftovers!!! Too bad I have to share with Liam…..who loved it just as much as I did. :-)

 
This week a new food found it’s way into my house and oh boy, it has become an addiction!!

I blame it on one of my friends who mentioned just how good these cinnamon apple straws were and how they were always out of them at the store. I figured if they were constantly out, they were obviously in high demand so when I saw them fully stocked and priced at $1.50 per bag, I couldn’t help but grab a bag.

One serving of these is only 130 calories and for that you get 38 straws!!!!! That’s a lot of snack, or at least it sure feels like it!

Shame on me…..after the fact I realized I should have grabbed a 2nd bag for her but honestly, if I had I probably would have kept it as my back up stash. ;-) .

 

I meant to post my weekly meal plan on Monday but it slipped my mind so I am going to do it today instead. Forgive my forgetfulness, will ya!

Weekly Meal Plan

Monday: Eggplant Parmesan with Hidden Veggie Noodles and marina sauce

Tuesday: Buffalo Chicken Bites with sweet potato wedges and broccoli

Wednesday: Taco Soup(a Halloween tradition)

Thursday: Turkey Smoked Sausage with sun dried tomato quinoa and green beans

Friday: Out of town

All of this food talk has my tummy rumbling!! I have been a bit lazy this morning so breakfast hasn’t happened yet but that it about to change. Like right now.

Have you found any great new foods at the store recently?

Do you enjoy eggplant? What is your favorite way to eat it?

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June 20, 2012 · 1:57 PM

My Very 1st What I Ate Wednesday

I love Wednesdays in the blog world(Wed-nes-day)!!……Come on, you know you say it like that, too!! Or maybe not and I am just the whacky one ;-) .

I cannot help but look forward to all the fun WIAW posts to see what everyone stuffed in their face ate the previous day. The menus range from super healthy, to not healthy at all to somewhere in between. Of course, I fall into the Uber-Healthy category(yeah, right)…….more like the, “I tried to be healthy but my cravings took over” category, ha!!

I started my day the same way I start EVERY day. With a cup of Joe. I have a Keurig now but before I got it, my husband was usually kind enough to get a pot started so it would be brewing when I woke up in the mornings. It is a bad start to the day if I don’t have my coffee within five minutes of waking up!!

Butter Toffee Flavor

Coffee was followed by a slice of Trader Joe’s sprouted grain bread topped with almond butter, a sprinkling of chia seeds and half a banana, sliced.

Normally, I would probably have had a little extra protein with it but I was heading to the gym and didn’t want my food sitting like a rock in my tummy. That is no bueno!

After getting back from the gym, I grabbed a handful…okay TWO handfuls of dark chocolate covered edamame. This was another one of my Trader Joe purchases and it is so yum!! It may sound a bit odd but it is very similar to the sweet and salty combo of chocolate covered peanuts or almonds.

Addicting.  I think I will have to refrain from buying it next time. My waist line no likey…but my mouth does!!!

Lunch was a bit heavier than usual but I was fine with it since I had a smaller breakfast and my snack wasn’t all that substantial. We had leftover pasta and meat sauce so I helped myself to a bowl of that sprinkled with a bit of feta cheese.

Does anyone else out there think that feta cheese is the most incredible cheese ever? I think it adds the best flavor to just about anything!

I normally do pretty well keeping my food in check in the earlier part of the day. However, late afternoon rolls around and for some reason my mind and tummy (okay, most likely just my mind) thinks it needs to be fed…and fed….and fed. Every.single.day. I need to work on this!

Snack #1

Oikos Strawberry Greek Yogurt

Snack # 2

Trader Joe’s Monkey Business snack mix

I ate this while watching Bethenny Frankel’s new talk show so I paid NO attention to how much I was shoveling into my mouth. All I know is that is was way too much. Uh oh!!

When dinner finally came around, it is safe to say that I wasn’t starving or anything. Actually, I blame dinner for causing me to eat too much snacky food because the aroma of the beef fajitas simmering away in the crockpot was just so good! While I wanted two fajitas for din-din I stuck with one because I didn’t want to be doubled over with a food baby. I love good food but I hate the miserable feeling of eating too much!!

Notice more feta cheese?!

For the record, my favorite way to eat beef fajitas other than on a sizzling plate at a restaurant is this way. These aren’t just good, they are GREAT!! Try them. Soon!!!

There you have it, folks. It certainly wasn’t a perfect day of eating but it sure was an enjoyable one!

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