I've always planned our menus - helps me eliminate that 5:00 "what do we have for dinner" rush! I've found that with the changes I've made in our eating habits, planning is even more important. So, I've added another element to my weekly plan - "prep" - this helps me remember to soak beans, take meat out of the freezer, etc.
School starts this week, so having breakfast planned helps the mornings run smoothly! Lunches always consist of leftovers, sandwiches or something from the freezer (I freeze lunch size portions of larger meals).
Here's this week's "newly improved" meal plan:
Monday - brkst: zucchini-cranberry bread (YUMMY! I'll post the recipe tomorrow)
dinner: Milanese turkey cutlets, garlic zucchini & tomatoes
prep: thaw turkey breast for Wed night, make cupcakes for teachers lunch
Tuesday - brkst: eggs, smoothies
dinner: pork stir-fry (leftover pork from Sun/veggies/brown rice)
prep: soak batter for biscuits
Wednesday - brkst: whole wheat cinnamon waffles
dinner: turkey breast, green beans, potatoes, biscuits
prep: soak beans and rice
Thursday - brkst: eggs, biscuits with honey
dinner: beans and rice (w/ lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa)
prep: soak oatmeal
Friday - brkst: cereal/oatmeal, yogurt
dinner: turkey noodle soup
prep: soak batter for pancakes
Saturday - brkst: pancakes
dinner: leftover buffet
prep: make dish for church picnic tomorrow
Sunday - dinner: brats with peppers and onions, homemade buns
For more great menu plans, check out I'm an Organizing Junkie
Monday, August 9, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Improving our eating
Since January it seems that we have had a run of health issues - nothing serious, just annoying colds, infections, etc. I can't help but think that by improving our eating we can improve our overall health. I've slowly been making steps to eat more whole foods, cook better quality foods and just overhaul our diet.
However, with a husband and two kids I can't do it all at once - I'd have mutiny on my hands. So, I've been taking little steps. A few things I've done so far:
- Cut back on buying processed food, and when I still buy it, find a healthier alternative.
- Found a local source for farm fresh, free range, pastured eggs.
- Switched to whole wheat flour (started at half and half, then 3/4 to 1/4, now full).
- Started soaking grains to aide in digestion (still working on this one)
- Replaced most oils with coconut and olive oil
There are still a lot of changes I want to make - I'm looking for a source for grass fed beef and organically fed pigs. If I can find that, I plan on buying 1/4 to 1/2 for our freezer. I did just find a source for pastured, organically raised chickens at a good price and I'm picking up 5 for the freezer Monday. I'll attempt to start using those instead of boneless, skinless breasts from the supermarket.
My plan for the rest of the year is to make one small change a week. This week it has been soaking grains. I made the best soaked whole wheat pancakes this morning - my son asked for seconds. Tonight I'll attempt soaking brown rice for dinner tomorrow night. The soaking only takes seconds, but it does require some advance planning. Eventually I hope to eliminate most (if not all) of our processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, msg, etc. I hope that by this time next year, my pantry and fridge will look dramatically different and we'll be well on the way to a healthier lifestyle!
However, with a husband and two kids I can't do it all at once - I'd have mutiny on my hands. So, I've been taking little steps. A few things I've done so far:
- Cut back on buying processed food, and when I still buy it, find a healthier alternative.
- Found a local source for farm fresh, free range, pastured eggs.
- Switched to whole wheat flour (started at half and half, then 3/4 to 1/4, now full).
- Started soaking grains to aide in digestion (still working on this one)
- Replaced most oils with coconut and olive oil
There are still a lot of changes I want to make - I'm looking for a source for grass fed beef and organically fed pigs. If I can find that, I plan on buying 1/4 to 1/2 for our freezer. I did just find a source for pastured, organically raised chickens at a good price and I'm picking up 5 for the freezer Monday. I'll attempt to start using those instead of boneless, skinless breasts from the supermarket.
My plan for the rest of the year is to make one small change a week. This week it has been soaking grains. I made the best soaked whole wheat pancakes this morning - my son asked for seconds. Tonight I'll attempt soaking brown rice for dinner tomorrow night. The soaking only takes seconds, but it does require some advance planning. Eventually I hope to eliminate most (if not all) of our processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, msg, etc. I hope that by this time next year, my pantry and fridge will look dramatically different and we'll be well on the way to a healthier lifestyle!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Success!
I did it! Unbelievable but I finished everything on my to do list this weekend. The house is in so much better shape. I do need to clean a bit, but as for organization, I nailed it. Plus, in the process I gathered two big trashbags of items for Goodwill, two large tupperware containers and a bag for our next garage sale, and a nice sized pile of items to list on Craigslist. I'll have to keep track of how much money I "make" from my work this weekend!
I also made a batch of freezer jam from some fresh raspberries last night. I used Ponoma Pectin and a bit of honey for a sweetener, and it jelled up perfectly. The jam is a beautiful red and will be so nice this winter when we don't have fresh berries everyday.
One of my summer goals has been to improve our eating habits. I've been slowly moving away from more processed foods and getting us eating more whole foods. I don't want to overwhelm the family, so little steps. It's hard for me to pass up the "deals" at the grocery, but I know just because something is inexpensive, that's still no reason to buy it! Later this week, I'll post more about my plans for healthier eating and the steps I'm taking.
I also made a batch of freezer jam from some fresh raspberries last night. I used Ponoma Pectin and a bit of honey for a sweetener, and it jelled up perfectly. The jam is a beautiful red and will be so nice this winter when we don't have fresh berries everyday.
One of my summer goals has been to improve our eating habits. I've been slowly moving away from more processed foods and getting us eating more whole foods. I don't want to overwhelm the family, so little steps. It's hard for me to pass up the "deals" at the grocery, but I know just because something is inexpensive, that's still no reason to buy it! Later this week, I'll post more about my plans for healthier eating and the steps I'm taking.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Weekend Plans
The kids are off to Grandma's tonight for a few days before summer is over. And I have big plans!!!
My goals:
clean the basement closet (it's a disaster)
reorganize the laundry pantry
work on de-cluttering the kids room
shop for a table and chairs for our new front patio
Yes, a lot of work, and yes, I am excited about it!!!!
Hopefully if I can get my list done, I can go into the school year organized and relaxed.
My goals:
clean the basement closet (it's a disaster)
reorganize the laundry pantry
work on de-cluttering the kids room
shop for a table and chairs for our new front patio
Yes, a lot of work, and yes, I am excited about it!!!!
Hopefully if I can get my list done, I can go into the school year organized and relaxed.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Super Simple Veggie Dip
Yesterday one of my daughter's friends was over for lunch. Trying to get anything healthy into most of her friends isn't easy, but I knew this one liked carrots. So, I sliced up a bunch of veggies (including carrots of course!), and prepared this simple dip. I love it because it contains fresh ingredients from my garden, and no preservatives or artifical flavoring. The kids love it because it's good!
Pesto Dip (aka Veggie Dip):
1/2 c. plain greek yogurt
1/2 c. organic lowfat sour cream
2 T. pesto
Mix it up, let it sit for the flavors to blend and enjoy with veggies, crackers or bread.
I make the pesto myself in the summer when my basil plant gets out of control and then freeze it in 2 T portions to use all winter (or for quick dips). This batch included sun dried tomatoes which made for a wonderful veggie dip! Enjoy!
Go to Pennywise Platter Thursday for more great frugal recipes!
Pesto Dip (aka Veggie Dip):
1/2 c. plain greek yogurt
1/2 c. organic lowfat sour cream
2 T. pesto
Mix it up, let it sit for the flavors to blend and enjoy with veggies, crackers or bread.
I make the pesto myself in the summer when my basil plant gets out of control and then freeze it in 2 T portions to use all winter (or for quick dips). This batch included sun dried tomatoes which made for a wonderful veggie dip! Enjoy!
Go to Pennywise Platter Thursday for more great frugal recipes!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Just a few more weeks of summer left . . .
Wow, where has summer gone? With just a few weeks left, I look at the list of things we'd like to do as a family that we created back and June and realize we'll never finish it! I guess some will have to move to fall . . .
However, there are still a few weeks and weekends, so we'll try to pack in the best of the best!
Putt putt - we have a few free coupons, so no excuse!
Free movies at the theatres
Zoo
Splash pads
Picnic at a State Park
Find a fair with rides (that one came from my daughter)
That's a manageable list I think!
However, there are still a few weeks and weekends, so we'll try to pack in the best of the best!
Putt putt - we have a few free coupons, so no excuse!
Free movies at the theatres
Zoo
Splash pads
Picnic at a State Park
Find a fair with rides (that one came from my daughter)
That's a manageable list I think!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Back to Normal?
Well, last week was our "grown up" trip to Vegas. Lots of fun, but glad to be back home with the kiddos. I've had lots of stomach problems since I returned and today went to the doctor - apparently one of the problems with normally eating healthy, fresh foods is that when you don't, your body lets you know!
She assured me I'd be feeling like myself again within a few more days of our normal schedule.
Now that I'm back from being gone five weeks of the summer, the house is in shambles. So, my current goals are:
1. To get things back in order - one room at a time is my plan.
2. Get us back on a normal routine.
3. Have some fun with the family for the rest of the summer!
Last night while fixing dinner, I cleaned (and decluttered) the breakfast nook. It's probably the smallest room I have to clean, but I figured a quick "win" would feel good and hopefully keep me moving forward! Tonight I attack the kitchen - I've not yet been to the grocery as I have plenty of meat in the freezer and food in the pantry, but that will have to change soon, so I plan to get ready!
She assured me I'd be feeling like myself again within a few more days of our normal schedule.
Now that I'm back from being gone five weeks of the summer, the house is in shambles. So, my current goals are:
1. To get things back in order - one room at a time is my plan.
2. Get us back on a normal routine.
3. Have some fun with the family for the rest of the summer!
Last night while fixing dinner, I cleaned (and decluttered) the breakfast nook. It's probably the smallest room I have to clean, but I figured a quick "win" would feel good and hopefully keep me moving forward! Tonight I attack the kitchen - I've not yet been to the grocery as I have plenty of meat in the freezer and food in the pantry, but that will have to change soon, so I plan to get ready!
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