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Showing posts with label Menu Plan Monday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Menu Plan Monday. Show all posts

Monday, April 22, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 4/22 thru 4/28

mpm chalkboard

We're linked up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

This is a super-busy week for us. Prairie Girl has her big end-of-year dance recital on Saturday which means extra practices and an out-of-the-ordinary schedule, so we're relying a little on leftovers and like any "normal" family, we have to sneak in a couple of fast food trips too.


Breakfasts
Oatmeal
Raisin toast with peanut butter or cream cheese
Hot rice cereal

Lunches
Smoothies
Leftovers


Dinners
Monday:
Pork chops
Mashed potatoes
Maple Roasted Green Beans

Tuesday:
Taco Tuesday at the local Taco Casa

Wednesday:
Pan grilled chicken
Lentil & vegetable soup with dumplings

Thursday:
Leftover soup

Friday:
BLT's on homemade bread

Saturday:
Post-recital pizza party

Sunday:
Crockpot chili




Monday, April 15, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 4/15 thru 4/21

mpm chalkboard


We're linked up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.


This week Prairie Babe has me craving fruit, so it's smoothies for lunch! I loaded up on frozen fruit on my recent trip to Whole Foods, so I am prepared. Smoothies are a great way to get in multiple servings in one glass, and even picky eaters will down smoothies, especially if you convince them it's "ice cream" (I might have told this to Prairie Girl).


Breakfasts
Oatmeal
Pancakes
Bacon

Lunches
Smoothies
Leftovers
Kashi pizza

Dinners
Monday:
Leftover steak and chicken kabobs
Baked potatoes
Broccoli

Tuesday:
Hamburger patties
Sweet potato fries
Green peas


Wednesday:
Slow cooked pinto beans
Kielbasa
Spinach

Thursday:
Whole roasted chicken
Mashed potatoes
Creamed corn

Friday:
Veggie Loaded Beef Tacos

Saturday:
Errand day! Prairie Dad's pick

Sunday:
Eggs
Bacon
Biscuits
Gravy

Monday, April 8, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 4/8 thru 4/14



As always, the menu plan is linked up Org Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

God bless my husband. The man loves leftovers. Ok, maybe love is too strong of a word, but he does like them and will eat them without complaint or question. Since he is so willing, I try to cook larger meals so we can have enough leftover for lunches or dinners. Simply put, leftovers save us time and money, and they help us eat healthier because there's no excuse to go for take out if there's food in the refrigerator. This week, leftovers will make their way into our menu plan.


Breakfasts
Oatmeal
Crock Pot Applesauce
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Lunches
Tuna sandwiches
Kashi pizza
Leftovers
Fruit

Dinners
Monday:
Leftover pork roast and noodles
Fresh steamed broccoli
Toast

Tuesday:
BBQ ribs
Mashed potatoes
Creamed corn

Wednesday:
Hamburger patties
Sweet potato fries
Green peas

Thursday:
BBQ turkey meatloaves
Maple roasted green beans

Friday:
Grocery shopping smorgasbord - more to come about this tradition!

Saturday:
Slow cooked pinto beans
Kielbasa
Steamed spinach

Sunday:
Leftover beans
Porkchops
Broccoli
Cornbread


Monday, March 25, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan - 3/25 thru 3/31

I try to keep my meals as unprocessed as possible. I like to rely on simply dishes and lots of vegetables. But at this season in my life, sometimes I have to stretch the boundaries a little bit to accommodate both my cravings and my time.  As the months progress, and I transition into being a full time stay-at-home-mom (more to come on that later), I am hoping my meal plans can make the jump from mostly natural to completely natural.

One thing I do love to do is cook up food in advance so we can eat on it through the week. It saves me time and money, and there's less of a chance I'm going to end up in the kitchen stuffing cookies in my mouth for breakfast. So this week, anything with a * has been prepared in advance and is waiting for me to take it our of the refrigerator.

Breakfasts
Pancakes*
Sausage*
Applesauce*
Oatmeal
Cereal

Lunches
Steak*
Macaroni and Cheese*
Tuna sandwiches
Leftovers
Bananas
Apples
Pineapple
Strawberries

Dinners
Monday:
Baked Ravioli - using spinach ravioli, organic marinara, and 2% mozzerella
Sauteed chicken breasts

Tuesday:

Hamburger patties
Roasted corn
Baked potatoes


Wednesday:
Southern Stir Fry made with brown rice and organic veggies
Smoked kielbasa

Thursday:
Prairie Dad's birthday - his choice!

Friday:
Pan grilled catfish
Pasta salad
Baked zucchini

Saturday:
BBQ Easter buffet
Strawberry cake with chocolate and cream cheese dipping sauces

Sunday:
Leftovers

Monday, March 4, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 3/4 thru 3/10

And...I'm back! Just like with my first child, I have been extremely nauseous during my pregnancy, so only the most necessary things have been getting done. But I am trying to be diligent with this blog, so hopefully we will have several updates this week!

At this time more than any other, my menu plans are subject to change, but I do have an idea of what the week will hopefully look like. I say hopefully because who knows when the pregnant lady will get a craving that is not on the menu!

Breakfasts
Cereal
Homemade pancakes
Milk
Orange juice

Lunches
Leftovers
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Brown rice with butter
Frozen pineapple
Apple sauce

Dinners
Monday:
Healthier Stuffed Peppers

Tuesday:
BBQ pork ribs
Bake potatoes
Green peas

Wednesday:
Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Rice - made with organic cream of chicken and basmati rice

Thursday:
Leftover buffet

Friday:
Hot dogs with relish and cheese
Potato salad
Baked beans
White Cheddar Cheetos

Saturday:
Spinach quesadillas

Sunday:
Hubby's Choice

Monday, February 18, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 2/18 thru 2/24


While menu plans are largely about being organized and prepared for what may come, they are also about flexibility. If something comes up during the week, you can easily bump one day's meal to the next day, or you can swap out days depending on how you feel and how much time you have. I never experience a week when I strictly adhere to my menu plan. There are days when family drops by and they bring over food, there are days we have so many leftovers that there is no need to cook, and there are occasions when we just feel like going out, such as Valentine's Day. So if your week doesn't go by the schedule, it's still a success because you had a plan, even if you didn't get to follow it to the letter.

Breakfasts
Cereal
Toast
Eggs
Orange juice
Milk
Coffee

Lunches
Leftovers
Tuna sandwiches
Cheese and crackers
Apples, Peaches, Pineapple

Dinners
Monday:
Peppered pork meatloaf
Baked potatoes
Green peas

Tuesday:

Stir-Fry Chicken and mixed vegetables
Brown rice
Egg rolls


Wednesday:
Pork tenderloin
Black bean quinoa salad (watch for the recipe!)

Thursday:
Beef stroganoff
Noodles
Green beans

Friday:
Baked salmon
Buttered brown rice
Spinach

Saturday:
Whole roasted chicken
Mashed potatoes
Creamed corn

Sunday:
Breakfast for dinner - eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Recipe Box: Veggie Loaded Beef Tacos

We love tacos. LOVE them. We can eat them at least once a week, and while I do love them from our favorite fast food place, I feel much better about them when I can make them at home. I knew they are only made from wholesome, natural foods, they will be healthy, and the flavor will be amazing.

I love convenience about as much as I love tacos, and to me, that means a dish that is quick and simple. The base for the tacos is super quick which means I usually have plenty of time to make homemade tortillas. My go-to tortillas recipe is from thehappyhousewife.com. They turn out great every time!


Two clarifications: I know the recipes calls for canned tomatoes and beans. When I say canned, I usually mean what I've grown and/or cooked at home. I don't purchase canned goods if possible. However, if you like them, they will certainly work! Also, our ground beef is provided by my in-laws from their grassfed cattle ranch. I know that all my beef is organic and the healthiest available. I know this isn't possible for everyone, but I encourage you to investigate local options instead of chain stores. The quality will be much better, the nutrients will be higher, and you will be helping local ranchers.

Veggie Loaded Tacos
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1/2 c. water
1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
Tortillas
Cilantro
Lime juice

Combine beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Brown until cooked thoroughly. Add tomatoes, pinto beans, water, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Simmer until water reduces to thick sauce and all veggies are tender and cooked. Add to tortillas, top with fresh cilantro and lime juice and add your favorites - we love shredded cheese and sour cream. We also like to add a little corn, either on the side with butter or on top for a little texture.

Enjoy!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 2/11 thru 2/17

Today I'm linking up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. 
This past week has been wild! In case you missed it on my Facebook feed, I found out that I am expecting! Prairie Babe should make his or her arrival in early October. As with my first pregnancy, I am constantly nauseous, but this time around, I know how to make better food choices. What little I can eat has to be nutrient dense, so we're going to have some compact dishes on the menu plan this week.

Breakfasts
Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal  - definitely Prairie Girl's fave breakfast lately!
CranBran VitaTops
Oatmeal
Milk
Coffee

Lunches
Leftovers
PB&J Sandwiches
Eggs
Apples, Peaches, Pineapple

Dinners
Monday:
Roasted Potatoes, Chicken Sausage, and Peppers

Tuesday:
Southwestern Turkey Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries

Wednesday:
Stir-Fry Chicken and mixed vegetables
Brown rice

Thursday:
White Cod Filets
Baked Potatoes
Broccoli

Friday:
Veggie loaded taco meat with homemade tortillas (watch for the recipe!)

Saturday:
Prairie Girl turns 3 - pizza party!

Sunday:
Hubby's Choice

Monday, February 4, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday - 2/4 thru 2/10

Today I'm linking up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. 

I was a bad girl this weekend. We had our annual Super Bowl party, and I ate my way through it. On top of that, I skipped the gym because it was being renovated and I didn't feel like fighting for the few available parking spaces. This week I'm making up for it by eating light and healthy. I'll have some heartier dishes that Prairie Dad can enjoy, but I'll be sticky with mostly veggies on my plate.

We were mostly successful with last week's menu plan, although we did have a few off days due to activities, so some of our meals are carrying over.We also managed to eat up some of the snacks from last week's menu, so we have a more limited selection this week.

As a special treat, here's my "skinny techno latte" recipe!

Skinny Techno Latte
K Cup of your choice - I use a reusable K Cup and Starbucks Caramel coffee
1/4 cup whole milk
1 T. Grade B maple syrup

Brew your coffee, mix in the milk and syrup, and enjoy! Only 90 calories per cup, and much cheaper than buying your coffee from the shop.

Breakfasts
CranBran Vitatops
Oatmeal
Milk
Coffee

Lunches
Pinto beans
Leftovers
Eggs
Bacon
Apples
Raisins
Crackers

Dinners
Monday:
Crockpot roast with potatoes onions and carrots

Tuesday:
Southwest Turkey Meatballs with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Maple roasted green beans

Wednesday:
Whole roasted chicken
Mashed potatoes
Corn

Thursday:
Chicken fajitas

Friday:
Pork ribs
Quinoa black bean salad

Saturday:
White cod filets
Baked potatoes
Broccoli

Sunday:
Hubby's choice

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Techno Prairie Menu Plan Monday

Today I'm linking up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. 

Menu planning is an essential tool for busy moms. By planning the week's meals on Sunday evening, I don't have those midweek moments when I panic and think "Oh no! What's for dinner?!" I can also plan around work and activities and figure out what I need to pick up at the grocery store.

This week my meal plans are about using up some things I found stashed in my kitchen. I'm still finding some pre-packaged foods and foods in plastic containers (remind me to tell you some day why I hate plastic). I'm also preparing for a big grocery shopping trip in a couple of weeks to fill the freezer, so I want as much as possible cleaned out so I can defrost it before the trip. With all that said, this week's menu may be more "techno" than "prairie" thanks to those modern foods, but waste not, want not!

Since Prairie Dad works during the week, he takes his breakfast and lunch with him and Prairie Girl and I pick whatever we want from our lists. I work at night, so I have dinners prepared early and take mine and PD and PG eat theirs at home. Since this is my first meal plan on this blog, I have no photos, but as I cook up some dishes, I'll post recipes and photos. Enjoy!

Breakfasts
CranBran VitaTops
Even "healthy" pre-packaged foods don't have a place
in my kitchen anymore. I don't need the plastic waste
or added unnecessary ingredients.
Oatmeal
Scrambled eggs
Bacon
Milk
Coffee

Lunches
Leftovers
Salad
Peanut butter sandwiches
Yogurt
Apples
Canned peaches
Juice

Dinners
Monday:
Hamburger patties
Baked potatoes
Broccoli

Tuesday:
Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Rice
(Made with the yellow rice and organic cream of chicken I found in the pantry)

Wednesday:
Mini BBQ turkey meatloaves
Maple green beans

Thursday:
Crockpot roast with potatoes, onions, and carrots

Friday:
Baked white cod fish
Quinoa black bean salad

Saturday:
Whole roasted chicken
Mashed potatoes
Whole kernel corn

Sunday:
Hubby's choice from a restaurant

Snacks
Cereal
Cheese
Frozen fruit
Crackers