Menu for May 7-May 14

Saturday-- Grilled chicken, baked potato, roasted veggies

Sunday-- Lasagna, salad

Monday-- (last dance class for Harp) One Pot Chicken Enchilada Bowl

Tuesday-- Paleo Chicken Curry Stir Fry

Wednesday-- (Harp has a softball game) Hot dogs, veggies (like raw carrots, cucumbers, and peppers) and fruit

Thursday-- (Harp has another softball game, Carter has gymnastics) Regular Red Spaghetti, salad

Friday-- ?? Depends on what the night brings! :)

Saturday-- Harp's dance recital.... probably go out to eat

Menu for March 6-12

Sunday, March 6-- Paleo Tex Mex Casserole, mac and cheese for the kiddos (so they can take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow)

Monday, March 7 (Dance and softball for Harp)--  Baked Ham and Cheese sandwiches, raw veggies and fruit  (I don't normally add the onions and poppy seeds to the sandwiches because of the kids.  I might add the poppy seeds this time because I'm going to make the kids a "to-go plate" to eat in the car on the way to softball--their sandwiches won't be baked.)

Tuesday, March 8 (first Sharks softball game)-- Chicken Tacos, veggies, fruit

Wednesday, March 9 (softball for Harp)-- Cheeseburger wraps (we use spinach wraps), mac and cheese, veggies and fruit  ("To-go" plate for the kids again since softball is right in the middle of dinner time)

Thursday, March 10 (acrobatics for Harp, gymnastics for Carter, softball game for Adam that we may, or may not, be able to go to)-- Pizza Bake (would be easy to make "to-go" if needed.... with all the running around I'm going to be doing)

Friday, March 11-- Talent Show night.  I will not be cooking and I have no clue what my family will eat!  Nana and Papa can figure it out! :)

Saturday, March 12-- IDK.  Seems too far away right now to even worry about it

Menu for February 28- March 5

Sunday, February 28-- Nachos

Monday, February 29 (dance night)-- Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Tuesday, March 1-- Chicken Quesadillas with Butternut Squash, organic corn, raw veggies

Wednesday, March 2-- Chicken Fettuccine Bake, salad

Thursday, March 3-- Subway (acrobatics for Harp, gymnastics for Carter)

Friday, March 4-- Leftovers, sandwiches, whatever I can find

Saturday, March 5--   ??

I've gotten sucked into a movie on Netflix.  Don't really care what we eat next Saturday! :)

Menu for February 15- 26

Softball is in full swing!  Which means I need to get back in my menu planning/ freezer meal making routine.  Unfortunately, I don't think my family can handle another crock pot meal.  So... let's see what I can come up with!

Monday, February 15 (dance night)-- Chicken Noodle Soup (I'm going to make it tomorrow in the crock pot and then warm it up after dance.  Mondays are such long days... I don't want to leave the crock pot on, unsupervised, for 12+ hours.)

Tuesday, February 16-- One Pot Chicken Enchilada Bowl

Wednesday, February 17 (chiropractor for me) -- Chicken Parmesan Casserole, Rainbow Veggies

Thursday, February 18 (acrobatics and gymnastics)-- "Grilled" (on the stove in a grilling pan) chicken wraps, mac and cheese, leftover rainbow veggies

Friday, February 19 (chiro again)-- Homemade pizza (store bought whole wheat crusts, sauce, etc.) 

Saturday, February 20 (Talent Show auditions in the morning, Fashion Show/ Mini Starz in the afternoon)--  I don't plan to cook!

Sunday, February 21-- Stouffer's lasagna... sometimes you need a completely no prep, pop in the oven meal

Monday, February 22 (dance)-- Sloppy joes, whatever raw veggies and fruit we have

Tuesday, February 23-- Baked Ravioli, salad

Wednesday, February 24  (chiro)-- Pancakes, bacon, eggs

Thursday, February 25 (acro and gymnastics) -- Baked chicken, organic corn, roasted broccoli, fruit

Friday, February 26 (chiro)-- Subway ... It's called survival :)

Meals to Start off 2016!

First of all, I am not a blogger.  And I'm not trying to be.  I just like to be organized.  And I like to cook.  And this blog helps me stay organized so I can cook  :)

So like 3 or 4 years ago, a friend of mine started a Facebook group called "30 Days on a Plate."  The idea was that we would feed our families only real food for 30 days.  (Well, we would do the best we could.)  We shared recipes, ideas, frustrations, fails, accomplishments, etc.  But, after 30 days, it stuck.  Most of us couldn't go back.  Once you've opened up that box... once you've jumped down that rabbit hole... once you've started reading and researching...and learning about the foods that you are feeding your children... it's hard to just go back to buying "the other stuff."  Yes, sometimes life gets crazy.  Money becomes an issue... time becomes an issue.  Holiday food becomes an issue.  Children that become random picky eaters become an issue.  However, for the most, we have stuck with it.  Yes, my pantry probably has more "snacks" than it did 4 years ago when we started.  Yes, I just ate a candy cane Hershey's Kiss (when that bag is gone, those things won't be back for another year!!).  Anyhow... my point is... I want to go back to those first 30 days. When I was trying really, really hard to only eat real food.  Because isn't that what we're supposed to do when the new year rolls around?  Try to eat healthier?!

So... here is my plan before school starts:
(P.S.  You can make any meal or recipe a "real" food recipe just by choosing the right ingredients.  Buying local, organic beef.  Organic beans, corn, etc. It's not that hard. Except chicken.  Chicken is hard to find.. and, when you do, it's expensive.  And cheese.  Cheese is also expensive.. and I can only find it in Pawleys Island at The Fresh Market.  Anyhow.  Check out www.100daysofrealfood.com if you need some help getting started!)

Meals:
Beef stroganoff

Taco Chili

Chicken Philly Sandwiches

Sloppy Joes

Honey Sesame Chicken

Quinoa Tex Mex

• This isn't a freezer meal so in order to make it one, I'm going to dump everything in a bag, except for the quinoa, and freeze it together.  I will measure the quinoa out, label it, and put it aside in the pantry.  I will add it to the crock pot the morning I cook it.
• This is also a meatless meal--which will save a little money! :)  But this also means, I might have to put it in a wrap for the kids.  Just because they will probably eat it better that way. 

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Teriyaki Pork Chops

Snacks and other things to help us get through the next few weeks:

Uncrustables

No-Bake Energy Bites

Taco Seasoning

No-Bake Candy Bars (a "healthier" alternative to junk food)

Coconut Oil Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars (I've never made these before, but Carter needs something for his snack at school.  I will use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet or milk chocolate).

When I go to the store, I will also buy sides to go with each meal:
Organic frozen corn (Lowes Foods has the best brand, in my opinion)
Organic black beans
Frozen broccoli
Organic frozen string beans
Fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and peppers (green, red, orange, and yellow)
Fresh fruit (whatever is on sale and in season)
Quinoa
Rice
Rainbow Roasted Vegetables is one of my favorites to make on a Monday or Tuesday night and use the leftovers again later in the week.

Ok!  That's all I've got for now!  My Lifetime movie is over :)  Now, it's time to use this post to make my grocery list.  Let me know if you have any questions AND if you decide to jump down that rabbit hole!! :)

Menu for Nov. 15-21

Sunday, November 15-- Baked Ham and Cheese sandwiches (Hawaiian rolls, ham and cheese--bake them until the cheese melts.  OMG.  Adam's fav), and whatever fruits and veggies we have that need to be eaten before going bad :)

Monday, November 16-- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Venison (our neighbor went hunting and brought us back a prize), couscous, Rainbow veggies (I've started making a big batch of veggies early in the week, and using the leftovers again the next few nights.  Easy and so good.)

Tuesday, November 17-- "Fried" Baked Chicken wings (Harp's fav), Mac and Cheese, leftover Rainbow veggies (instead of baking the leftover veggies, I will heat them up in a pot with coconut oil)

Wednesday, November 18-- Waffles, eggs, and bacon (We never had this last week, even though it was on the menu.)

Thursday, November 19-- Nachos (another one we never got around to eating last week)

Friday, November 20-- Mamma's Lasagna (the one that I froze last week.  Only because I'm not a fan of cooking on Friday nights.  I mean really.  Sometimes, the mom needs a break.  Believe it or not.)

Saturday, November 21-- Softball/ Baseball fundraiser.  We won't be home for dinner.

Menu for November 8-14

It's been a while... but here's my plan for the week!

Sunday, November 8-- Mama's Lasagna, salad

Monday, November 9-- Bacon Cheeseburger Soup (This is one of our favs.  So excited that it might possibly be cold enough to enjoy it again!)

Tuesday, November 10-- Waffles, bacon, and eggs

Wednesday, November 11-- One Pot Chicken Lo Mein

Thursday, November 12-- Crock Pot Chicken Philly Sandwiches, broccoli, fries

Friday, November 13-- Nachos 

Saturday, November 14-- CCU game... don't really know what the plan will be

Back to School Organization

In addition to making freezer meals today, I also got the rest of my house ready for school...

There are a lot of cool Pinterest ideas for how to organize book bags and lunchboxes.  However, I don't have the wall space for any of those super cute ideas.  Last year I bought these Command hooks and hung them on the end of the kitchen counter.  Their book bags and lunchboxes both fit.  However, their lunchboxes are usually on the counter getting ready for the next day.  (This is Harp's new book bag, lunchbox, and her Mini Starz bag.  Carter's new book bag and lunchbox haven't come in yet.)

I don't like to use Ziploc bags in their lunch...just because... I don't know... it's one more thing I would have to buy, I guess.  We have plastic containers and these reusable zipper pouches that we use.  I keep them on the counter in a basket.  (In the summer, I move the basket into the pantry because I don't really use them any other time of the year.)

  This Thirty-One organizer keeps all of our papers and school notes.  I have a folder for each kiddo so I can put notes and info specific to them inside.  I also clip important school notes on one of the outside pockets so I can remember upcoming events and deadlines.  (The bottom is for Adam's magazines.)  I also keep crayons in case they need some for homework.  We don't have room in our house for like a cute Pinterest homework area.  Harp does hers at the kitchen table;  Carter has a desk in his room, but he ends up at the table after Harp is done. So, in our pantry I have a section for school stuff.  It annoys me to no end when they have to go searching for a pencil... and then it's not sharpened... and then they (he, mostly Carter!) can't find paper... and then crayons... and... and... This keeps everything accessible and right where they need it.


The last thing I did today was organize their clothes for the week.  (They will be with my Mother-in-Law until Tuesday night so those clothes are in their bags.)  The best thing I ever did was buy these closet organizers.  We pick out their clothes on Sunday night and don't have to worry about it the rest of the week!



I hope this helped you out!  Maybe gave you some ideas to get your house ready for school.  Survival.  It's all about survival :)

Back to School Meals!

OK Friends!  Back to school means back to reality!  And that means back to freezer meals!

In the past, I have relied on Freezer Meals/ Crock Pot Meals because of our schedule.  With Adam coaching and the kids' after school activities, there literally wasn't anybody at the house to cook dinner.  But!  Adam resigned from football!  He is still the Head Varsity Softball coach, but that doesn't start until February.  He will be home earlier after school and be around to help me take the kids to dance and gymnastics and all that jazz.  However, I am still planning to cook some meals ahead of time and plan some crock pot dinners because it makes life so much easier. 

If you have some questions about Freezer Meals, go here, here, or here.  

So... here are the meals I'm starting off with!

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

Baked Spaghetti (I cooked noodles, sauce, and meat and dumped it all in a freezer bag.  I just need to add cheese the day I want to bake it.)

Cheeseburger Wraps (Just make the meat and freeze it.  Assemble everything the day you plan to eat it.)

Crock Pot Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap

Chicken Philly

Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

Taco Meat using this for the seasoning 

Sloppy Joes

Pulled Pork 

Uncrustables

Good luck with your meals!  Let me know if you have any questions! :)

How to Make Your Own Uncrustables

One of the things that I do save money and make life a little easier, is make my own uncrustable sandwiches.  It's so much cheaper and it's nice to already have some sandwiches pre-made.  This is a very "Duh" How-To process, but several people have asked me about it, so here's what I do:

First, I lay out the bread on my cutting board.  Harper doesn't like peanut butter, so I have to do 3 with just jelly.  Keep the peanut butter and/ or jelly in the middle of the bread.  Don't judge my bread, people.  I have found that the "healthy" bread is too small for the Pampered Chef cutter that I use.  So, it is what it is.  (Even though the picture makes it look like it's regular white bread, it's not--it's whole wheat.)  Anyhow!

After you've put the PB&J on, put the other slice of bread on top just like you normally would.  I have a Pampered Chef uncrustable maker thing that I use.  The outside circle cuts the crusts off.  The inside one seals it.

Then, I put each sandwich in a small Ziploc bag.  I have to label "C" and "H" since Harp's sandwiches don't have peanut butter on them.  (Weirdest child ever.)

Then I put each bag in a bigger Ziploc bag and stick it in the freezer! I bought an entire loaf of bread just make uncrustables with.  I usually get 10-12 sandwiches from one loaf.  They don't have a sandwich every day, but it's the perfect option for busy nights when I don't have a lot of time to make their lunches.  It's all about survival, friends! :)

April 4-10

Saturday-- Crock Pot Chicken Philly Sandwich, mac and cheese, broccoli salad

Easter Sunday-- Ham, organic corn, carrots and zucchini in coconut oil and Pink Himalayan salt, roasted sweet potatoes, fruit salad (strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes)

Monday-- Roast with Saffron and Tomato (Adam bought an African cookbook at Disney.  Should be interesting.) I'm not sure what I will add with it.  Rice? Some kind of veggie?!

Tuesday (Harp's Birthday)-- She has requested "Wegular Wed Spaghetti," red peppers, and a salad

Wednesday-- Hawaiian Chicken, couscous, green beans

Thursday-- One Pot Wonder Southwest Pasta

Friday-- No clue right now.... motivation is gone.

Saturday--  Ditto.