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.

Meal Plan Monday: September 28th - October 4th

We are heading into another crazy week at our house.  There were moments while I was planning that I just stared at the day saying. "I'm don't even know."  Our biggest dinner goal is to try to eat together but there are going to be nights this week where that isn't going to happen.  Thankfully that is not the norm.  This week I am relying on pre-made meals and leftovers to carry us through.

Monday: Leftovers
Minestrone soup or chili from the weekend.

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday

Wednesday: Red Beans and Rice
Recipe from Cooking Light
This recipe idea was inspired by Dave Ramsey who says while saving money to live off of rice and beans.

Thursday: Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers
Recipe from the Fixate cookbook
I have a wedding rehearsal this night so I will be making the filling for this on Wednesday.

Friday: Leftovers
Red Beans and Rice or Stuffed Peppers

Saturday: Creamy Chicken and Noodles
Recipe from The Going Jane blog
This recipe calls for cans of cream of chicken soup.  I'm going to clean in up with this recipe from Center Cut Cook.
This recipe is so good.  It reminds me of my Nana and Aunt's Chicken and Dumplings.

Sunday: Chilaquiles
Recipe from Cooking Light
I have been wanting to make this for so long.  This nacho like meal seems like a great football meal to me.  I'm all about the crock-pot on Sunday's so Sunday dinner is ready soon after we get home from church.

Meal Plan: August 16th - August 22nd

One more week until school starts!  Are you ready or sad to see Summer come to an end?  Maybe a little of both?  I'm ready for a stead routine.  Every week this summer we were having to figure out a different schedule.  This week my youngest has dance camp in the afternoons so dinners are being planned around that.

Here is what we are having for dinner this week:

Sunday: Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli and Chicken
We were supposed to have this last week but found ourselves with one kid at dance and another at a play date. Not sure what magical world we entered that evening. The recipe reminds me of the Chicken, Broccoli and Cheddar Hot Pocket but way better, of course. My youngest even ate her chicken without complaint.Recipe from Fixate
.5 red, .5 green, .5 yellow, 1 blue, .5 tsp

Monday: Turkey Meatballs with Zoodles
This will be the girls first time trying zoodles. I'm interested in seeing what they thing. They like zucchini but I'm not sure if they will buy it as a noodle.
Recipe from Fixate
2.5 green, 1 red, 1 blue

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday!
Made with soft corn tortillas baked in the oven to crisp up.
Taco Meat Recipe from Fixate
1 green, 1 red, 1 blue, 2 yellow

Wednesday: Chicken and Rice Casserole

This recipe includes, chicken, rice, zucchini and yellow squash

Recipe from Cooking Light
1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow

Thursday: Pesto Grilled Cheese Panini w/ Tomato Basil Soup

Sandwich Recipe is here

Soup Recipe is from Fixate

Friday: Chinese Take Out Made at Home: Chicken and Broccoli

Recipe inspired by Skinnytaste's Beef and Broccoli

Saturday: MexiKale Salad

We are attending a church picnic.  This salad makes a ton so it is perfect.  

Recipe will be on the blog soon.

Meal Plan: June 7th - June 13th

My husband and I are so excited that this week is recital week.  One dress rehearsal and the recital on Friday.  That means we can do whatever we want the rest of week!  There are two very happy parents in this house.

Weekly Meal Plan:

Sunday: Pineapple Chicken Skewers with Wild Rice
Sneak Peak recipe from Autumn Calabrese's new cookbook, Fixate.

Monday: Tacos with Baked Crunch Shells
Make your own taco shells recipe from Eating Well

Tuesday: Healthified Copycat Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap

Wednesday: Spaghetti with Sausage and Simple Tomato Sauce
Recipe from Cooking Light

Thursday: Flank steak with Asparagus and Sweet Potatoes

Friday: Pulled Pork, Mustard Potato Salad and Cole Slaw

Saturday: Dinner Out

Be Inspired!

With Love, Alli

Meal Plan: January 13 - January 18

This week I'm reaping the rewards of cooking frozen meals last Saturday.  Side note: Can you believe it is only the second full week of 2015?  I feel like we celebrated the New year weeks ago.  It's going to be quite the year.

Sunday - Lasagna with Béchamel Sauce

Ingredients

1 lb 80% lean ground beef

1 jar (24 oz) Food You Feel Good About Smooth Marinara Sauce

2 cups water

salt

pepper

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups low-fat milk

1 pinch ground nutmeg

3-1/4 cups Wegmans Whole Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

1/3 cup + 2 Tbsp Italian Classics Grated Italian Blend, divided

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

12 sheets Italian Classics Fancy Cut No. 15 Lasagne, uncooked

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1. Brown ground beef in large saucepan on MEDIUM; drain off excess fat. Add pasta sauce and water to ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to boil, about 3-5 min. Set aside.

2. To make bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Allow the flour and butter to cook until light and foamy, about 2 minutes, whisking constantly; whisk in milk, a little at a time. Whisk in the pinch of salt and nutmeg and bring the sauce to a bare simmer, whisking constantly until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove sauce from the heat and set aside.

3. Layer in following order in 9"x 13" baking dish: 1-1/2 cups sauce, 4 lasagna strips, 1/2 bechamel, cheese, 1-1/2 cups sauce, 4 lasagna strips, bechamel, cheese, 1-1/2 cups sauce, 4 lasagna strips, bechamel, remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses.

4. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Bake on center rack in oven 40 min. Remove cover; bake 15 min. Let stand 10 min before cutting.

Monday - Breakfast Dinner

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday

Wednesday- Ham and Asparagus Risotto in the Actifry
I love LOVE risotto and can't wait to see how it cooks in the Actifry.

Thursday - Steak and Potato Birthday Dinner for hubby!!
Broiled Steaks - Great for the winter when it's too cold to grill.
Smashed Potatoes - Recipe from Pioneer Woman
Roasted Broccoli - Recipe from The Neely's

Friday - Light King Ranch Chicken
Recipe from Cooking Light

Saturday -  Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Recipe from Cooking Light

Dinner Meal Plan: December 7 - December 13

This past weekend was fun.  The girls had a blast at their Nutcracker parties.  I can't believe it is Tuesday already.  December is flying by!  We have more Nutcracker fun planned this weekend!  We see the show annually.

What's for dinner this week?

Exported from Mealboard.com

Sunday - BLTs 
Simple and quick Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches with oven cooked bacon.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees f.
Lay cooling rack on a sheet pan.  Lay the bacon on the cooling rack and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the bacon it really crispy.  Dry on paper towels and serve.

Monday - Chicken Pesto Pasta

Ingredients:
2 Chicken Breasts
Bow of pasta choice - I used two to use two half full boxes we had in the house.
Store bought pesto - I used Wegmans pesto

Directions:
Cook the pasta according to the boxes instructions.
Sauté chicken in a pan while you cook the pasta.
Add the pasta to the pan with the chicken.
Stir in the pesto.

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday!

Wednesday - Tuna Melts

1. Brown muffins in toaster or broiler oven.
2. Make your Tuna Salad
3. Top each muffin with tuna with cheese. I use slices of cheddar or muenster.  
4. Broil 5 inches from heat until cheese melts and is a little bown.

Thursday - Beef and Broccoli and Snow Peas with Brown Rice

I'm not sure how I'm making this yet but I have a flank steak, snow peas and broccoli florets waiting for me to figure it out.

Friday - Sandwiches on the Go

I have a wedding at the church.  The girls have dance.  There is a Christmas parade and tree lighting in our downtown.  After the parade our church is having cookies and hot chocolate for the kids.  Here is a great crock pot hot chocolate recipe for occasions such as these.  

Saturday - We have a busy day with pageant rehearsal, a Bake-A-batch fundraiser, gingerbread house building and maybe some cookie baking soooo I'm thinking a good New York style pizza and laid back dinner will be in order. 

Meal Plan: October 18th - October 25th

Hi Everyone!! Sorry for the week off.  Our fall has been super busy and last weekend we were back in Connecticut for our niece's wedding.  I think all the traveling caught up with me because I was exhausted last week.  Since my last post I have made a life change.  I have been doing Beachbody's 21 Day Fix for 15 days now.  As you know, I work pretty hard at not turning to fast food because of our busy schedule but our quick meals have started to be not so healthy.  So here goes my first crack at a kid friendly 21 day fix approved meal plan.

Exported from Mealboard

Saturday

Skinny Sloppy Joes - Recipe by SkinnyTaste.com 

   Sooooo much better than Manwich.  We all loved it.  Hubby said it would be a great base for a chili.  Side note: I left out the mushrooms.

Greek Yogurt Cole Slaw - Recipe by Two Healthy Kitchens

   This was good.  I just wish it was a little more saucy.

Sunday

"Autumn in a Crockpot" - Recipe found on Pinterest  served with Roasted Brussels Sprouts

    Chicken, Honeycrisp Apple, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie Spice!

Monday

Stir Fry with Japanese Brown Rice
   This is a recipe my dad taught me years ago.

Tuesday

Chicken Taco Tuesday with Refried Black Beans

 

Wednesday

Dinner at Roy Rogers - School Fund Raiser

Thursday

Clean Eat Cobb Salad - Recipe by SkinnyMs

   See my kid-friendly version here.

 

Friday

Leftovers or Frozen Pizza 

Family Dinner Meal Plan: August 17 - August 23

My mom is in town to help us with our day care needs.  School starts in one week and camps ended last week.  Amazingly our calendar is pretty clear this week.  Maybe I shouldn't put that out there.  Looking forward to spending the week with the girls before they head back to school.  They are getting excited.  They organized their backpacks today!

Sunday: Leftover tailgate Fried Chicken with Doctored Store Bought Mashed Potato and Corn on the grill.

Monday: State Dinner - Cedar Plank Salmon, Asparagus and Rice Pilaf

Tuesday: Black Bean and Beef Taco Tuesday 

Adapted from Dine and Dish Walking Tacos.
1 pound lean ground beef, crumbled, browned and fat drained
1 package taco seasoning
3 Tbs water
1 can Black Beans, drained

With your browned grown beef still in the skillet, add the Bush’s black beans, 3 Tbs of water and your taco seasoning. Heat through.

Wednesday: French Toast and Sausage

Thursday: Beer can chicken

Friday: Vegetable Lo Mein
Recipe from Wegmans

You can add teriyaki chicken too.

 

Ingredients 

1 pkg (21.15 oz) Asian Classics Lo Mein Noodles (Frozen Foods), prepared per pkg directions

2 Tbsp Wegmans Vegetable Oil
1 small onion, peeled, thinly sliced
1 pkg (12 oz) Food You Feel Good About Cleaned & Cut Asian Slaw
1/2 cup Asian Classics Stir-Fry Sauce (International Foods)

Directions

1. Drizzle oil around sides of stir-fry pan; tilt pan to distribute evenly. Heat oil in pan on HIGH until oil faintly smokes. (If oil smokes too much, pan is too hot.)
    
2. Add onion. Stir and toss, 2-3 min, until onions are soft. Add slaw; stir and toss 2 min. Add noodles and stir-fry sauce. Stir briefly, 1-2 min, to heat through.

Saturday:  Celebrating a good friend's engagement! I was planning on bringing a dish known as Funeral Potatoes.  Perhaps that is a bad idea.  Though, I also know this recipe as Harvest Potatoes.  That sounds a lot better, right?!

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?: 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?