Meal Plan Monday: March 28 - April 3

I hope you had a wonderful Easter.  The time has come.  Spring Break is ending and we are entering our Dance Competition Season!

Monday:  Hawaiian Pizza Sandwiches
Using leftover ham from Easter.  The "other" King's Hawaiian roll recipe, Funeral Sandwiches, are very popular.  We loved this pizza variation.  Really, can you go wrong with King's Hawaiian?  I want to try the cuban sliders too.
Recipe from Wonky Wonderful

Tuesday: Mexican Lasagna - 21 Day Fix Approved
New Recipe from Alicia Berger Fitness

Wednesday: Pesto Pasta
Our quick go to meal.

Thursday: Thai Basil Chicken
New Recipe from Skinnytaste

Friday: Cheeseburger Pie

Recipe from Recipe

Note: I'm using cheddar cheese instead of processed American cheese.

Saturday: Dinner Out
Competition Day 1

Sunday: Leftover Enchiladas 
Competition Day 2
Hubby made these last week and froze half the batch.

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 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

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: August 9th - August 16th

Well we are heading back into the crazy dance schedule season.  The next two weeks each daughter has company camp with long rehearsal nights.  Time to get my mad organizational skills out for my workout and dinner times.

This is what we are having for dinner this week:

Sunday:  Turkey Tenderloin, Corn on the Cob and Grilled Zucchini and Squash 

1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow

Monday:  Chicken Parm with Broccoli 
Recipe from Fixate
I made extra chicken when we had the Chicken and Waffles for dinner.
1 red, 2 green, 1 yellow, 1/2 orange, 3.5 tsp

Tuesday: Cheeseburgers with Salad

1 red, 1.5 green, 1 blue (with bun 2 yellow)

Wednesday: Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli and Chicken
Recipe from Fixate
.5 red, .5 green, .5 yellow, 1 blue, .5 tsp

Thursday: Egg Roll in a Bowl
Recipe here

1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 tsp

Friday: Spaghetti with Chicken and Pesto and Cauliflower
Hubs will be doing a 32 mile bike ride for the Boys and Girls Club on Saturday so we are going to carb him up.

1 red, 1 green, 2 yellow, 1 blue

Saturday: Dinner Out
Race Day and Back to School shopping Day.  I think dinner out will be best.

Meal Plan: July 26th - August 1st

The kids are still with their grandparents this week.  Hubs and I were surprised at how busy we still were last week.  It was a different busy still not as laid back as we thought.  We hope to work on that this week.  We definitely had a lazy Sunday so I would say we are doing pretty good.  I think my favorite part about it just being us is the amount of teamwork we have when it comes to preparing dinner.  Since we aren't having to tag team with the kids we spending more time together in the kitchen.  Isn't that the best room in a house?

Here is what we are having this week:

Sunday: Veggie Nachos
Recipe from Cooking Light Magazine
1 green, 2 yellow, 1 blue

Monday: Meatless Monday - Lemon Ricotta Parmesan Pasta with Spinach
Recipe Inspired by Cooking Classy
1/2 green, 1 red, 2 yellow

Tuesday: Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers 

Recipe from the Fixate cookbook

1 green, 1 yellow, 1 red, 1/2 purple

Wednesday: BBQ chicken with Corn on the Cob and Salad

1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 orange

Thursday: Philly Cheesesteak Burgers with Sweet Potato chips

Fit Foodie Life recipe

Chips recipe from Fixate cookbook

1 green, 1 red, 1 blue

Friday: Eating on the road.  Going to pick up our girls!

The colors on the menu plan represent the portion containers included with the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Insanity Max 30, Cize and Portion Fix programs.  As a Beachbody Coach, I have included the container colors to support those currently using these popular programs.  Message me for more details.

Food Inspired: Cheesesteak Burgers

                       

Inspiration: Cooking Light Magazine

I loved the idea behind this burger but I wanted to make it closer to the original.  Everyone loved them. The best part was that they didn't need mayonaisse or ketchup. They were great on their own.  

Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 green pepper, thinly sliced

1 yellow onion, thinly sliced

4 slices provolone cheese

4 whole grain hamburger rolls (or go sans roll)

1 lb lean ground beef (I use 90/10)

Directions

1. Combine onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and beef. Shape beef mixture into 4 patties.  Put to the side.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat.  Add onion and pepper; sauté 6 - 9 minutes.
   
3. Once the onions have browned remove from heat.
   
4. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add patties to pan; cook 3 minutes. Turn patties over; cook 2 1/2 minutes or until desired degree of doneness.
5. Top patties with onions and peppers. Cover the onions and peppers with cheese; cook 1 1/2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
   

Be Inspired.

With Love, Alli

Meal Plan: March 29th - April 4th

It's Spring Break week!  With as cold as it has been, I can't really say I'm excited about it.  We don't have anything planned.  Just looking forward to having a slower week.

Here is what we are having this week:

Sunday: Chicken with Carrots and Potatoes

Recipe from My Recipes

Monday: Chicken Parmesan Meatballs and Eggplant Cutlets 

Tuesday: Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas

Recipe from My Recipes

Wednesday: April Fools!!  Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Cupcakes

Recipe from Courtney's Sweets

Thursday: Ravioli with Roasted Zucchini and Mac and Cheese Ravioli
Recipe from Real Simple
Mac and Cheese Ravioli found at Wegmans

Friday: Homemade Fried Rice

Recipe from Family Dinners Blog

Saturday:  Cheeseburgers on the Grill

Meal Plan: October 5 - October 12

This is going to be a short meal plan week as we are wrapping up our busy fall with our nieces wedding on Friday.  We are so excited this weekend is here.  We have been looking forward to celebrating at the wedding for quite some time. 

Sunday - Two Bean Chili con Carne
It has definitely felt like chili weather this weekend.  Nothing is better for football day in fall then a bowl full of chili. 
This is the base recipe that I started making 12 years ago.  But you know how people are with their chili recipes.  It's in the vault.  I will tell you that I mix my beans instead of using one kind.

Monday - Baked Chicken Fajitas
Recipe from budgetbytes. com



Tuesday - Cheeseburgers
My daughter has wanted a cheeseburger for a couple weeks now so I plan to oblige. 

Wednesday - Baked Potatoes with Left Over Chili.

Thursday - Dinner with Friends

Friday - Wedding!!

Saturday - Dinner with Friends

Meal Plan: August 31 - September 6

Sunday: Slow cooker Chicken and Noodles
Recipe from Going Jane
This didn't get made last week so we decided to make this dinner for my parents when they visited. It taste very similar to our family's traditional Chicken and Dumplings.

Monday: Labor Day Cookout with Cheeseburgers, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw and Baked Beans

Cole Slaw Recipe












Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas
This recipe brought me back to college when I would make these enchiladas for my roommates.  I pre-made this dinner and popped it in the freezer.  All I have to do tomorrow is bake it for 45.  I used one of my bags of pre-shredded chicken to make this recipe go even quicker.

Wednesday: Chicken Breast Lombardy
I was first introduced to this recipe in a Weight Watchers cookbook magazine.  I found it again on My Recipes website.  This recipe has mushrooms, marsala wine, mozzarella cheese and butter.  I'm excited to make it again.  It's been a long time.

Thursday:   Crock Pot Ravioli 
Trying this recipe for the first time.  Throwing it all in the crock pot and heading to dance.

Friday: Wraps
Our first night of company rehearsal.

Saturday:  11th Anniversary Dinner

Meal Plan: August 24 - August 30

Well it's here... the first day of school and dance classes all on the same day.  Back to serious meal planning and making sure every meal fits the schedule.

Does anyone else go to the grocery store the day before school?  I learned way before I had children to stay away from the grocery store the day before school starts but couldn't avoid it today.  It's right up there with Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We usually shop on Saturday or Sunday so it wasn't foreign for me to be there.  Unlike the major holiday's it makes me wonder why it is so busy.  What have you been feeding your kids all summer?  After being there for two minutes I was yelled at while saying hello to a friend.  It was shortly after that I decided to hunker down, put a smile on my face and recited the mantra of "be the example".  The cereal aisle was too scary to stop but I got a minute of peace in the chip aisle.  It's a jungle out there.

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

Sunday: State Dinner - Pepperoni Rolls and Salad

Monday: Cheeseburger Pie

One the of the girls favorite for the first day of school. 
Our good friend made this for us a few years ago and it instantly became my oldest daughters favorite.  She asks for it for every birthday.  When our friend made it she forgot the sour cream.  The first time I made it I followed the recipe but we all agreed we liked it better without it so that's how I have made it from now on.

Ingredients:

1-1.5 lbs ground beef
2 Pillsbury dough crescent roll tubes
1 pint sour cream 
1 small can of mushrooms (optional)
1/2 of an onion chopped
8-10 slices of Am. cheese 
Cooking Spray
1 Tbsp of oil

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 350/
In a frying pan, add oil and cook onions over medium heat until almost clear. Then add in ground beef (and mushrooms) and cook until beef is almost done. Drain as much as the liquid as possible. Spray the bottom of a 13x9 pan with cooking spray. Spread out both tubes of crescent rolls making the crust even, without holes along the bottom of the pan/baking dish. When beef mixture is done and drained, stir in the entire pint of sour cream and mix well. Place that mixture evenly on top of the uncooked crescent rolls. Place the American cheese slices over the top of the beef and sour cream mixture covering the top, and bake on 350 for about 20 minutes or until the bottom of the crust is light brown.
Serves 6-8 

Tuesday: Salsa Chicken Casserole

 











Recipe from Sweet Daily Blog

Wednesday:   Leftover Pepperoni Rolls

Thursday: Slow cooker Chicken and Noodles
Recipe from Going Jane

Friday: Mom and Daughter Dinner  

Saturday: Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Recipe from The Little Kitchen

What's for dinner?: July 20 - July 26

We are back from a week in Virginia Beach where we visited family and my daughter competed in a dance competition.  It was an exciting week and full of good summer food.  We had hot dogs, pulled pork, smoked brisket, pulled pork, tuna subs, crab legs, pulled pork, burgers.  Full on vacation food.  Have you ever gotten to a point where you just wanted the Elaine "Big Salad"?

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

Sunday: Banana Splits for National Ice Cream Day
Yes, we are the coolest parents ever.  We were tired, it was easy and we had a "holiday" to give us an excuse.  Our splits had bananas, Neapolitan ice cream, whipped cream, peanuts, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, pineapple from my pineapple plant and a cherry on top.

Monday:  Chicken Milanese with Spring Greens and Rice Pilaf
I love making this recipe because it is kid friendly without being too kiddy. I do put ranch on the girls salads rather than the lemon dressing.  Pair it with a box of Near East Rice Pilaf (Any flavor will do.  We are having the one with almonds)
Make it even faster by buying a bottle of Lemon Vinaigrette.
Recipe from My Recipes


 

















Tuesday: Tacos with Black Beans
The walking tacos we had the other week added black beans to the ground beef.  I'm going to replicate that with our tacos.  We all really liked it.  Not sure how black beans in the tacos and on the side will go but we have been loving them over regular refried beans lately.  Have you ever bought refried black beans?  Delicious!

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Salad
Have you ever had a spaghetti sandwich?  I totally got the craving while typing this.  I think I will pass on the Texas toast garlic bread.  You just take a slice of sandwich bread, butter the bread, add the spaghetti and fold in half.

Thursday: Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomato Soup
My favorite sandwich from Doumar's where we visited last week. 

Friday: Utah State Dinner - Pastrami Burger, Funeral Potatoes and Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad

Saturday:  We will be at birthday party.

Have a great week!

What are we having for dinner?: June 15 - June 20

We made it through recital week.  We had a lot of Wawa subs but we did it!  And now we get a week off.

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



Sunday: Father's Day Meal! Steak, Wedge Salad, Roasted Red Potatoes

Monday: Chicken Parmesan Casserole with Green Salad
Recipe from emily bites a fellow Wegmans shopper apparently.

Tuesday: Homemade Pizza
Wegmans 16in crust, pizza sauce and turkey pepperoni
I buy the 16in so we can have left overs for lunch.

Wednesday: Hot Dogs; Sausage with Peppers and Onions


Thursday: Loco Moco
Get the recipe here


Friday:  Spaghetti with Wegmans Pesto

Saturday: Hubby said something about going out to eat so...

 

 

 

What are we having for dinner?: June 8 - June 14

It's the last week of school AND recital week.  What does that mean for dinners?  We just have to eat when we can.  I was very overwhelmed at first and then I told myself it is just one week... we got this.

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



Sunday: Crab Legs and Frogmore Stew - South Carolina State Dinner
My youngest has been asking for crab legs for a couple weeks.  She had a big day on Saturday so we made her wish come true.  I planned on having red potatoes and corn on the cob for our sides and just decided to add in shrimp and kielbasa to knock out a state dinner.

Monday:
The girls:
Perdue Chicken Nuggets
Easy Mac (Wegmans Brand)

The adults:
Frozen PF Changs

Tuesday:
I know that one of us is having pizza because she is going to an end of the year Girl Scout party.  Technically I did cook because I made cupcakes.  Oh yeah
The rest of us will eat when we can.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger Pie - Recipe Coming soon


Thursday: Pork Tenderloin, Southwest Bag Salad, Grilled Onion in foil


Friday:  Eating on the fly - Recital at 6:30

Saturday: Something - Recital at 10:00 and 1:00
Yeah we got this... Right?

 

 

 

What are we having for dinner?: June 1 - June 7

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



Sunday: Frozen Lasagna and Salad
Keeping it simple after a day of errands.

Monday:
The girls:
Perdue Chicken Nuggets
Easy Mac (Wegmans Brand)

The adults:
Corn and Black Bean Quesadillas - Using leftover Corn and Black Bean salad from Saturday.

Tuesday: Johnny Cakes and Coffee Milk for Rhode Island State Dinner

Wednesday: Chicken Fried Rice - Recipe Coming Soon


Thursday: Cheeseburgers and Fries

Friday:  Eating on the fly


Saturday: Squash Casserole from My Recipes

 

 

 

What are we having for dinner?: May 10 - May 16

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!  I hope all you Mom's or Ladies that feel like someone's mom are having a great weekend!

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



Saturday:

Pizza Delivery and a Movie

Razzleberry  Pie from Marie Calendars.  (Raspberries and Marionberries Pie - for a State dinner)

 

Sunday:  Hubby is making me my favorite, Mexican Food!

Rotisserie Chicken Tacos, Goya Spanish Rice

Monday:
The girls:
Perdue Chicken Nuggets
Easy Mac (Wegmans Brand)

The adults:
P.F. Changs Mongolian Beef Frozen Dinner

Tuesday: 

Breakfast Dinner - Pancakes and Sausage Links

Wednesday:

Stouffer's Lasagna, Salad and Garlic Bread

Thursday:

Cheeseburgers and Baked Beans

Friday:  

White Pizza and Salad

 

What are you going to have for dinner?

 

 

50 States; 50 Meals: New Mexico

What we had for dinner:

New Mexico is home of the green chili.  We had Green Chili Cheeseburgers.

It only made since to use a Bobby Flay recipe.  I simplified it a little by not using as many varieties of chili's.