Menu Monday, January 27

Time goes by so quickly!

Tomorrow is our son's 11th birthday.

He is a study in contrasts that is so absolutely fascinating.  He is our resident artist who has an eye for color and detail, while his room is... shall I say... eclectic?  *smile*  He's not a fan of the dog (I'm being kind), barely tolerates the cat, but adores his chickens and has been begging for an aquarium filled with fish.  He is a graceful, yet powerful dancer, as well as a successful Friday night "dining room sniper", slithering undetected in the candlelight until he grabs your ankle under the dining room table.  He is sweet and sensitive, all while being a head-strong, say-what-he-thinks, bull-in-a-china-shop kind of guy. 

He's an amazing kid that I know is going to grow up to be an amazing man.

What a blessing it is to walk through life with you, my son!

Breakfast:  Green smoothie*
Lunch: Large salad with some type of meat, cheese, or egg
Snack:  Banana slices topped with almond butter or chia seed pudding made with homemade coconut milk

Dinner: 
Monday: Baked pork chops in white wine sauce; mushroom & spinach quinoa "risotto";  mixed veggie salad with vinaigrette
Tuesday:  Take-out pizza; Caesar salad; birthday cake & homemade ice cream 
Wednesday: BBQ steak; baked potatoes; broccoli salad
Thursday: Cajun chicken wings; red cabbage salad with lemon & black pepper; roasted broccoli & potato wedges
Friday: Leek puree; fresh fish; browned butter vegetables*; gratin dauphinois
Saturday: Sausage potato soup; sprouted flour buttermilk biscuits; mixed veggie salad with vinaigrette

Which Star Wars Character are You Like?

I know this doesn't have anything to do with anything... unless you are a Star Wars fan!

My hubby and I ran across this quiz at Zimbio and had just way too much fun so I though I'd share with you, too.

By the way, I'm sure you are wondering...

I am...

 

...while my hubby is...

I'm so glad that my wonderful, protective man loves me!

Oh, and if you take the quiz, would love to know which character you are!!!

Menu Monday, January 20

I started "food combining" last Tuesday.  After the holidays, I just felt like something was a little"off" with me, so I decided to give this a try.  The concept is that for optimum digestion, you should avoid eating certain foods together and focus on getting lots (and lots) of great veggies, primarily green, into your meals.  

By Thursday, I was already feeling better.  I had more energy and just felt "lighter"... do you know what I mean?  Although I'm not doing this to lose weight, that wouldn't be a bad thing either.

Anyhoo, although Monday & Saturday's meals don't follow food combining concepts, the rest of the week does.  On those days, I'll just skip the bread or potato.

Breakfast:  Green smoothie heavily based on this recipe  (My 12-year old daughter loves these!)
Lunch: Large salad with some type of meat, cheese, or egg
Snack: Banana slices topped with almond butter or chia seed pudding made with homemade coconut milk

Dinner: 
Monday: Spaghetti; french bread; Caesar salad
Tuesday: Parmesan crusted chicken*; roasted carrots; mixed veggie salad with vinaigrette
Wednesday: Cauliflower crusted pizza* with Italian sausage, peppers, olives & mushrooms; green salad
Thursday: Baked pork chops; browned butter vegetables*; salade de carrottes
Friday: Hamburger patties; cauliflower poppers*; mixed veggie salad with vinaigrette
Saturday: BBQ steak; baked potatoes; broccoli salad
Sunday: Dinner out

Dessert:  In case I'm jonesin' for something sweet, I love that I don't feel like I can't have a little dessert.  So on my menu this week are a few pieces of dark chocolate or a small scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream after dinner, or if I wait 3-4 hours, these Detox Blonde Macaroons are heavenly!

*These are new recipes I'm trying or perfecting.  I hope to have a lot to share with you soon! 

Menu Monday, January 13

This week, I am going to make a batch of summer sausage.  It is so good and so easy.  But I warn you.  This is the quickest 5 pounds of ground beef you'll go through!

Monday: Beef stroganoff over mashed cauliflower; peas
Tuesday: Orange sesame chicken with broccoli & brown rice
Wednesday: Layered fiesta bake; green salad
Thursday: Baked pork chops with white wine sauce; fall quinoa pilaf; green beans
Friday: Bacon-wrapped stuffed Medjool dates; Parmesan Baked Fish; browned butter vegetables; red potatoes; rum raisin ice cream
Saturday: Vegetable beef barley soup; buttermilk biscuits

Menu Monday, January 6

Are you getting back into your regular routine this week?  We are.  That means back to "school".  Although we had a pretty relaxing Christmas vacation, I can tell that my little gems are ready for some structure.  Me?  I could take another week off ... easy.

• Monday:  Chicken piccata; brown rice; sauteed green beans with almonds
• Tuesday: Hamburger patties; "cheesy" broccoli & quinoa casserole; salade de carottes 
• Wednesday: Oven-fried pork chops; mashed cauliflower; spinach salad
• Thursday: No Noodle Sausage & Sour Cream Bake; green salad
• Friday: Homemade fish & chips; coleslaw; ice cream with chocolate sauce
• Saturday: White Chicken Chili; green salad
• Sunday: Braised Beef Pot Roast; sweet & crunchy Brussels sprouts; pumpkin custard with pecan topping*

 *Didn't make last week