Meal Plan Monday: Happy Easter!

Whoops! Sorry I'm late.  I guess I got too excited for Spring Break.  But we still have to eat right?

Monday: Soy-Peanut Noodles
Recipe from The Comfort of Cooking

Tuesday:  Cheesesteak Hamburgers  
My Recipe
Who needs 5 guys?  I got one guy that grills a mean burger.

Wednesday: MNO and DNO w/Daughters

Thursday:  Chicken Cacciatore
Recipe from Turbofire Meal Plan

Friday:  Black Bean Enchiladas 
Recipe from Wegmans

Saturday: Chicken Lombardi 
Recipe from My Recipes.com


Sunday: Happy Easter - Ham, Mac and Cheese, Aspargus Bundles, Pineapple Bake and More

Meal Plan Monday: I'm back!

Hey guys!  I'm writing you from my new house!  We are loving it and unpacking is almost done.  Last week my husband meal planned for me as I stood in the kitchen overwhelmed at all the different locations I had to store everything.  I really tried to think about the work flow as I was storing things. It seems to be working.  My favorite moments have been sitting down to eat dinner.

This week I am starting the new Beachboy program 22 Min Hard Corps.  The meal plan is really challenging me to change my eating habits.  The "Ration" plan as they call it suggests eating carbs and veggies for breakfast.  The veggies are a little easier when you can throw them into an omelet but when you don't eat eggs its a little... different.  We'll see how it goes.  Dinners on this plan focus on meat and veggies so I planned meals where I could not have some components of the meal.

This is what we are having this week:

Monday: Baked Chicken Fajitas
Recipe from Budget Bytes

Tuesday:  Pancake Dinner at Church  
Our Shrove Tuesday dinner got snowed out

Wednesday: Crock-pot Beef and Broccoli
Recipe from Damn Delicious


Thursday:  Happy St. Patrick's Day! Shepherds Pie
Recipe from Skinnytaste

Friday:  Chicken and Asparagus 
Recipe from Skinnytaste
Gearing up for the first day of spring with asparagus.

Saturday: Broccoli Cheddar Chicken 
Recipe from Healthy Life with Valerie Woeste

Sunday: Greek Kababs w/ Tzatiziki Sauce
Recipe from Cooking Classy

Meal Plan Monday: February 22nd - 28th

It's closing week!  We close on our house this week so in preparation our meals are going to be super simple.  It will probably be more of the same next week as we will be moving.  So exciting!!

Monday: Angel Hair with Pesto

Tuesday: Ham, Peppers, Onions and Potato Hash Dinner
The original recipe called for kielbasa but we are going to use the leftover ham my mom brought this past weekend.
Recipe from The Two Bite Club

Wednesday: Breakfast Dinner
This is my mom's night out.  It wasn't last week so hubby is going to get it easy.

Thursday: White Pita Pizza
We have leftover naan in the freezer and left over ricotta from last week's lasagna soup so there you go.  Simple and almost free!
Recipe from Fit Foodie Life

Friday: Pesto Grilled Cheese
Recipe from Fit Foodie Life

Saturday: Dinner Out

Sunday:  Turkey Avocado Wraps

This is one of the meals included in my Clean Eating Challenge.  Contact me if you are interested in joining.

Meal Plan Monday: January 18th - 24th

Dang January has been cray cray crazy!  We celebrated hubby's birthday on Friday and a Patriots win on Saturday.  Too much fun over here.  It was over way to fast.  But this coming weekend promises to be just as fun unless it snows.  Or should that say because it's going to snow?  I guess that is like a glass half full/half empty thing.  Are you team Yay Snow or team Boo Snow or somewhere in between?

Monday: Chili
Recipe from Ortega

Tuesday: Baked Chicken Fajitas
Recipe from budgetbytes.com

Wednesday: Cheddar Baked Potato Soup with Broccoli and crusty bread
Recipe from From Forks to Fitness

Thursday: Ravioli with Sage Butter Sauce
Recipe from Food Network

Friday: Panera Bread
Competition season is beginning.  First dress rehearsal!

Saturday: State Dinner at Church
I am representing Virginia with Ham Biscuits and Brunswick Stew.  Hubby is representing Connecticut with his famous clam chowdah.

Sunday: Cheesy Party Burgers and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Burger Recipe from Kevin and Amanda.com
Cauliflower Bites from Fixate

Monday Meal Plan: January 11th - January 17th

What a fun and busy weekend!  Hubby and I had a quick over night get away to celebrate a dear friend's 40th birthday.  His wife can throw one heck of a party!  And I learned that I can not bounce back from a late night like I used to when I was younger.  I really wanted to Christmas down and completely forgot until I was heading to finally sit down Sunday afternoon.  I turned and saw the tree and tackled taking down Christmas at 5:30 in the afternoon.  I know you guys understand that sometimes you just have to sacrifice something you want to do for something you have to do.  My girls and I had a fun time though!  As a thankful for being so understanding that this blog post is being delivered to you late, I have added in two lunch ideas.

Here is what we are having for dinner this week:


Monday: Ham Steaks, Green Beans/Aspragus and Sweet Potatoes
Tonight I am tasting how good and fast frozen vegetables can be.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes
Recipe from Fixate
I will be having leftovers on a microwave sweet potato for lunch.

Wednesday: Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole
Recipe from Buns In My Oven


Thursday: Date Night In: Gnocchi with Spinach and Pine Nuts 
Recipe from Cooking Light
I'm using walnuts because they are better on the budget; even thought I LOVE pine nuts.

Friday: Happy Birthday Hubby!!  Take out  Made at Home: Fried Rice
This is my recipe.  One of my husband's favorites.  Warning: Not 21 Day Fix Approved but with a few tweaks it easily could be.

Saturday: Pats are in the Playoffs.  Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the game and celebrate hubby's birthday.

Sunday: Cuban Pork and Black Bean Melts
Recipe from Better Homes and Garden

Bonus Lunch Ideas:

Slower Cooker Chicken and Black Beans taco filling on a salad.  I made just the chicken portion of this recipe to change up my salad protein topper this week.

Stuffed Ranchero Sweet Potatoes

Meal Plan Monday: January 4th - January 10th

Happy New Year!  I'm so excited for this year.  It is going to be good things, I can feel it.  There are things that I wanted to accomplish last year that I have already tackled, such a creating a 5 minute workout for anyone looking to add exercise to their day.  Please comment if you would like a copy.  I started the Hammer and Chisel workout program this morning.  This program, once again, uses the containers that we were first introduced to with the 21 Day Fix.  It's nice to continue to try new Beachbody workouts but have a little comfort in knowing the meal plan.

Here is what we are having this week:

Monday:  Slow Cooker Kielbasa and White Bean Cassoulet
Recipe from Real Simple

Tuesday: Cheeseburgers

Wednesday: Cashew Chicken
Recipe from Wegmans

Thursday:  Pesto Pasta

Friday: Dinner Out

Saturday:  Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
Recipe from Lisahov Health & Fitness.com

Sunday:  Chicken Lombardy
Recipe from My Recipes.com

Meal Plan Monday: December 28th - January 3rd

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful holiday.  I have to tell you I was exhausted last night.  I tried having a cup of coffee to help me stay awake and get things done.  I totally fell asleep mid cup. We were having fun but we were on the go a lot and my youngest didn't feel well for most of it.  Between the holiday and she being sick I never planned out the entire meal plan for this weekend. I'm not even sure I know what I feel like having for dinner those days.  Maybe you can suggest somethings?  Yesterday I was so anxious that I hadn't gotten in a workout.  I was rushing around like crazy trying to get it done before the 1:00 football game and decided to stop five minutes in and just hang out with my daughters during the game.  It was nice to sit and be with them.  Something I would like to do more this year.  I was still able to do 30 minutes of the 21 Day Fix after the game so it all worked out and I was less stressed.

Are you ready for the New Year?  I have this feeling that it is going to be a great year.  I have ordered the new Beachbody program, Hammer and Chisel.  I will be officially starting that on January 4th.  Until then, I am following the Beachbody on Demand workout program.  I will keep you updated on my thoughts for that program.  I have a few other things in the works for the year that I can't wait to share with you.  Stay tuned!

Anyway, this week is all about fast dinners and catching up with friends since the girls are out of school and dance is closed.

Monday:  Healthified Copycat Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap
A quick dinner before heading out to see Star Wars!
Recipe Here

Tuesday:  Taco Tuesday
I got the taco rack for Christmas.  I'm so excited to try it out.

Wednesday:  Crock-pot Ravioli and Salad
Recipe from Life in the Lofthouse

Thursday:  New Year's Eve Party
I am bringing a 21 Day Fix(ish) approved 7 layer Dip.  It's a combination of these two recipes from FantasicFood and Beachbody.  I'll write mine down and post it.  I am going to use sour cream instead of the Greek yogurt since I am taking it to a party.  I'm never sure how that substitution will actually be so I'd rather use the tried and true ingredient for a party and try the substitution at home.

Friday: Cranberry Pork Tenderloin, Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
I had some cranberry sauce leftover from Christmas so we are having this instead of apples and sauerkraut.
Pork recipe from My Recipes.com

Saturday:

Sunday:

Meal Plan Monday: December 21st - December 27th

Merry Christmas!  I hope you all have enjoyed this holiday season and are ready for Christmas.  I'm going to be cutting it down to the wire so I have planned quick and easy meals for the week.    Because Chinese delivery is a popular Christmas dinner, I am making homemade Chinese food for Christmas Eve.  Making it at home in the crock-pot will cut down on calories and it will be ready when we get home from church.  I'm excited to make this Christmas dinner again.  It was so good last year it made me dance!  Just as food should!  What are your Christmas dinner traditions?

Monday: Subway 
I won a gift card at my office's white elephant gift exchange.  With tonight's busy schedule it seems like the perfect day to use it.

Tuesday: Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Recipe here

Wednesday: Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenderloins and Steamed Broccoli
Recipe here

Thursday: Beef and Broccoli in the Crock-pot
Recipe from Damn Delicious found on Lifehack 

Friday: Turkey Breasts, Arkansas Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Butternut Squash, Cranberry Sauce
Recipes here

Saturday: Left-overs

Sunday: Egg Roll in a Bowl
Recipe here

Meal Plan Monday: December 14th - December 21st

The countdown is officially on to Christmas!  I hope you are all surviving and not letting the preparation stress you out too much.  This week we have our daughter's first school chorus concert and a fun party to go to.  And, of course, we still have dance to navigate through.  This weekend we are going to bake our cookies.  What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

Monday: Spaghetti Genovese - This is an Italian dish with pesto, potatoes and green beans.  Eating Well added spinach to give it a boost.
Recipe from Eating Well

Tuesday: Quesadillas on the Go
This is concert night.  I make four at time in the oven.

Wednesday: Red Beans and Rice
Recipe from Cooking Light

Thursday:  Christmas Cookie Beer Pairing Party
Beat that Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!

Friday: Dinner Date

Saturday: Tostado Nachos and Movie Night
Recipe here

Sunday:  Pot Roast
We ended up not having this last week because my parents took us out to dinner after the girls Christmas Pageant.

Meal Plan Monday: December 7th - December 13th

The countdown to Christmas is on and that includes Christmas parties!  We have my companies party this Saturday but before we get there we have to get through a crazy week.  I have three church meetings this week at church.  This doesn't always happen but I guess you can say the stars aligned.  This week is all about fast meals to help us get through this busy week.

Monday: Kielbasa, Pepper, Onion and Potato Hash
Recipe from The Two Bite Club

Tuesday: Philly Cheesesteak Burgers
Recipe here














Wednesday: School Fund at Moe's Southwest Grill

Thursday: Store Bought Quiche and Salad
I like buying a quiche and throwing an arugula salad together for a quick meal.  Changes up getting a frozen pizza or making a grilled cheese.













Friday: Chicken Tortilla Soup
My husband found this recipe on Reddit.  He's going to cook it too!!

Saturday: Lasagna with Béchamel Sauce
Recipe here

Sunday: Pot Roast
The recipe is a family secret.  Here is a similar recipe

Simple Thanksgiving

We had this meal for Christmas last year (and probably will again but with cranberry sauce added) but it is perfect for Thanksgiving too.  Using turkey breasts instead of a whole turkey is great for a smaller get together.  We had five adults and three kids.

Roasted Honey-Brined Turkey Breasts recipe from Wegmans

Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes recipe from Betty Crocker

Arkansas Green Beans recipe from All Recipes

Maple Butternut Squash recipe inspired by Skinnytaste

I love the extra shelves I can add to the oven to get everything ready at the same time.

Here's the spread.  I can't wait to make this meal again.

Meal Plan Monday: November 16th - November 22nd

Countdown to Thanksgiving!  I'm gearing up with having our nutrition being on point!  I even made some Chicken Salad and Turkey Chili from the Fixate Cookbook for my lunches.  I was feeling a little tired of  salads last week so I thought I would liven things up at bit.  Of course we start Monday with a salad for dinner.  Go Figure!

Monday:  Cheddar Baked Potato Soup and Salad
Recipe from From Forks to Fitness
My girls have been loving Potato Soup from restaurants.  I like to duplicate things they like in hope that they will actually eat dinner without the constant reminder to actually eat dinner.

Tuesday:  Pesto Pasta
Pasta is always a good choice when you need a quick dinner and I have a PTA meeting this evening.

Wednesday:  Italian Chicken and Peppers
Recipe from Budget Bytes
Trying a new crockpot meal.

Thursday:   Sweet Potato Ricotta Gnudi in Pumpkin Sauce
Recipe from Fixate Cookbook

Friday:  Dinner Out
Both girls have dance at the same time!  Date night!!

Saturday:  Not sure what is going on this day.

Sunday: Chicken Scallopini with Pesto  

Chicken Recipe from Weight Watchers
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup marsala wine
2 tablespoons pesto
4 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese

Meal Plan Monday: November 9th - November 15th

So of course as soon as I vented about the dance everything fell into place and there was nothing to stress about.  Like calling the IT guy and then figuring out your problem.  By Friday I had so much excited energy it took everything I had to not jump in and dance; but, I had strict orders not to bust a move. It was a success if I say so myself.  I did have to give up my quiet night too myself but it was well worth it!

This Wednesday is my oldest daughters 10th birthday.  She has been waiting for this birthday since she turned 9.  She can not wait to be a preteen!  I have so many mixed emotions about this birthday.  I'm excited to see her grow and mature but she is growing faster than I can keep up.

Monday - Panera Bread Fund Raiser for the School

Not a bad choice as Panera always lands on the clean eating restaurant lists.  I hear the menu changed so I will definitely check it out and decide before we go.  

Tuesday - Black Bean Enchiladas

Meatless Monday on Tuesday!

Recipe from Wegmans / Gluten-Free version 

Wednesday - Cheeseburgers

My daughters favorite meal!

Thursday - Short Ribs and Polenta

We have a few friends at Disney this week and they have inspired me to make one of my favorite meals I had when we were there a couple weeks ago.  

Recipe from Cooking Light

From Chef Mickey's

Friday - Egg Roll in a Bowl

Take out at home!  We love this recipe.  It turned out so well last time.  I hope I can duplicate its tastiness.  

Saturday - Dinner Out

More birthday celebrating!

Sunday - Chicken Spiedies and Roasted Vegetables

Spiedies Pronounced "speedies"
Spiedies were originally from Italy. They are marinated cubes of meat, traditionally lamb, cooked on a skewer like a kebab. Pork, chicken, veal, venison, and beef are also used. The meat is marinated and then grilled. The marinade recipe varies, usually involving olive oil, vinegar, and a variety of Italian spices and fresh mint. The meat is then served on Italian bread. The bread is used to take the meat off of the skewer. I was able to find bottle Spiedie marinade at my grocery store.

Meal Plan Monday: November 2nd - November 8th

This week is going to be mad crazy.  I have been planning a Father Daughter dance for the girl's school and it is this Friday.  I have helped plan lots of events for our church so I'm not sure why this event is causing me so much stress.  To be honest I'm ready for it to be here and done.  One minute I tell myself to keep it simple and it's going to be great. Then I think about the To Do list that never seems to get shorter.  As soon as I think I can cross something off my list another something gets added.  Like ordering dresses on Wednesday because you have no time to shop and finally have UPS update to say they will be delivered the day AFTER the dance.  Or emailing parents to let them know they won a prize only to have their emails be returned.  Ugh nothing checked off the To Do list.  In the end I know everything will work out and it is going to be great I just don't know why the road to get there is not cooperating.  Such is life I guess.  I'm telling you this because the meal plan this week is a bit wonky so I thought you might want to know why I'm not doing that much cooking.  I'm giving myself as much extra time as I can.

Monday: Crockpot Baked Potatoes and Salad
These are prepped and ready to be thrown in the crock-pot before we head out to dance.  Hubby has a meeting he will be heading to shorty after we get home.  We will be topping the potatoes with black beans and salsa and I have a southwest bag salad ready to serve with it. I'm wishing I had picked up an avocado now.
Potato Recipe from Food.com.  There are tons on Pinterest too.

Tuesday: Steak, Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
My youngest has a craving for steak so we picked up some perfect portioned New York strips.  These are very thin and used to make my husband very sad  but he has come around and was actually full the last time we had them.

Wednesday: National Eating Healthy Day! 
Pasta and Sauce
Pretty much this is spaghetti night but my oldest doesn't like spaghetti noodles.  Likes every other pasta shape! I have a planned dinner out with my Mom's Group.

Thursday: Sushi
The night before the dance!  I'm banking on last minute To Do errands so hubby said that he would pick up veggie sushi from Wegmans.

Friday: Sandwiches
Pretty much this night's dinner is eat something sometime.  Sandwiches are pretty easy.

Saturday: Hubby's Plan
I asked Hubby to make dinner or plan on eating out because I plan on shopping for my daughter's birthday on this day and don't want to have the stress of having to be back in time to cook dinner.

Sunday: Football Potluck
We are having some Patriots and Redskins fans over to watch the game.  So far I have come up with Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (maybe as a slider) and smashed red potatoes.  See what I did there? ;)
Meatball recipe from Skinnytaste
Red Potatoes from The Pioneer Woman

Enjoy your week!  I'll see you on the other side.  lol

Meal Plan Monday: October 26th - November 1st

I can't believe I just wrote November.  The crazy holiday season is upon us.  We are looking forward to celebrating Halloween this year! It's always nice when it ends up on a weekend.  We have a tradition of picking up a Jack-o-Lantern pizza from Papa Murphy's on Halloween.  Do you have a tradition for Halloween?

Here's what we are having for dinner this week...

Monday:  21 Day Fix Sloppy Joes
Recipe from Fixate

Tuesday:  Taco Tuesday

Wednesday:  Breakfast Dinner

Thursday:  Buffalo Chicken Pita Pizzas
Recipe Coming Soon
Did you know that Franks Red Hot is free on the 21 Day Fix program?

Friday:  Pork Tenderloin and Chunky Applesauce with Broccoli and Cauliflower
Recipe from Cooking Light

Saturday:  Jack-o-Lantern Pizza and Baked Ziti
I need to change my Baked Ziti recipe because I used to add cream cheese too my sauce.  It's not really 21 Day Fix approved anymore.  I will definitely use the left over Fixate sauce I'm making for the Sloppy Joes.

Sunday:  Beef Marsala Stew
Recipe from Cooking Light
I have wanted to make this recipe for some time.  Perfect for Sunday dinner.