Meal Planning Monday April 1, 2013

Happy April Fools Day all!!  Let's hope the sunshiny weather is not a joke for April 1 and we get to keep it for a few days!

Hope you enjoy this week's meal plan, and that's no joke :)

Monday: Birthday Dinner for my sister

Tuesday: Lemon Dill Salmon (5P+) and Roasted Potatoes (3P+)

Wednesday: Crock Pot Catalina Chicken (5P+)

Thursday: Crock Pot Pulled Pork Tenderloin (4P+) going to serve on tortillas for a pseudo taco night

Friday: Pizza at my parents

Saturday: Out to dinner

Sunday: Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken with Pears and Portabella Mushrooms (4P+)

Breakfast: egg whites and veggies (2P+)

Lunch: Weight Watchers Vegetable Soup (1P+)

Dessert: Strawberries and Fat Free Whip Cream (0P+) I got the most beautiful strawberries at Target 2/$4!!

Kid Friendly Korner: Mac and Cheese Cupcakes with gluten free pasta

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday March 18, 2013

So I have been a bit absent lately, sorry to all who missed my post last week.  Things have been really hectic and while I still planned my meals, I just couldn't get the post written.  We are heading to Virginia next week for Spring Break so there won't be a formal meal plan for that week, but I will post a Take 5 Plan so I don't skip another post :)

Monday: Weight Watchers Shrimp Scampi (8P+) - I used whole grain pasta to lower the points

Tuesday: Cod with Glaze (3P+) and oven roasted green beans

Wednesday: Chicken and Potatoes in the Slow Cooker (6 P+)

Thursday: Mexican Style Chicken and Cornbread (8P+)

Friday: Order Out

Saturday: On a plane to Virginia!!!

Sunday: Vacation

Breakfasts: Cranberry Maple Slow Cooker Oats (6P+)- I leave out the the maple syrup because I prefer my oatmeal less sweet and it lowers the points :)

Lunches: Zero Point Soup - you can sub whatever 0 point veggies you like

Dessert: Chocolate Chip Clouds (1P+)

Kid Friendly Korner: Tortilla Pizzas with turkey pepperoni and veggies

Meal Planning Monday March 4, 2013

Happy Monday All!!  This week's meal plan has been a struggle for me to put together.  SO many things to do and so little time!  However I have learned the hard way that if I don't plan these meals ahead of time the week will be horrible and chaotic, so better late than never, here is this week's plan :)

Monday: Lemon Ginger Tilapia (6P+)

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (4P+ or more depending on toppings and tortillas)

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Catalina Chicken (5P+)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Cheese and Veggie Pizza

Saturday: Eat Out!!

Sunday: Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin (4P+)

Breakfast: Egg whites with garlic sauteed kale, mushrooms and bell peppers (2P+)

Lunch: Salad in a Jar (P+ varies) I am using kale, spinach, black beans, bell pepper strips, blueberries, oranges, low sugar dried cranberries and light sesame ginger dressing

Dessert/Snack:Weight Watcher Berry Cobbler (4P+) with strawberries and lemon cake

Kid Friendly Korner: Cheesy Broccoli Bites

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday February 4, 2013

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!!  Hope you all have a great time rooting for your favorite team (or the commercials depending on your preference!)  Today we are enjoying some delicious chips and salsa, boneless bbq wings (I cheated and bought them frozen) and making some awesome chocolate chip cookies (recipe listed as this weeks dessert).  I am also looking forward to some homemade hot cocoa with Little A after we make snow angels this afternoon :)

Have a great week everyone!!

Monday: Weight Watchers Chicken and Cheese Casserole 5P+ (using leftover Slow Cooker Whole Chicken from last week)

Tuesday: Sweet and Sour Chicken in the slow cooker (5P+)

Wednesday: Crock Pot Italian Chicken (5P+)

Thursday: Slow Cooker Beef Stew (P+)

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Weight Watchers Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake (5P+)

Breakfast: Weight Watchers Cranberry Maple Slow Cooker Oats (6P+-I leave out the maple syrup and it goes down to 5P+)

Lunch: Salad in a Jar (Points vary based on your choice of ingredients)

Dessert: Butterscotch Chip Cookies (1P+)

Kid Friendly Korner: Cheese Taco Cheeseburgers

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday January 28, 2013

I am feeling a bit under the weather so today's post is  quick one.  Have a great week all!

Monday: Quinoa Beef Stew (6P+)

Tuesday: Lemon Dill Salmon (5P+)

Wednesday: Whole Chicken in the slow cooker (4+)with skinny mashed red potatoes (4P+)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (4P+ with no tortilla or toppings) with a taco bar

Breakfast: Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats- I leave out raisins and use all water (4P+ plain)  topped with fresh blueberries and 5 almonds chopped (5P+)

Lunch: Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup- leave out potatoes and use 7c water and 7c fat free chicken broth (1P+)

Dessert: Fat Free Sugar Free Brownies- use gluten free flour, add 1/4c skim milk and1tsp baking soda(1P+ for 1/16 of the pan)

Kid Friendly Korner: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese with tomatoes

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday December 10, 2012

Hi all!  This week's post is using up a lot of what is in my freezer and pantry because there was no time to shop this weekend, so please excuse any repeats :)

Monday:  Catalina Chicken

Tuesday: Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs (using Jennie-O Italian Seasoned Ground Turkey)

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Turkey Taco Stew (new recipe)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza at my Parents house

Saturday: Little A's Christmas Party for Daycare making one of my favorite cookie recipes to take :)

Sunday: Slow Cooker Chicken and Dressing

Breakfast: Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oats

Dessert: Fudge Babies (changes/additions: walnuts=almonds, add .5c peppermint chips) I am in LOVE with this recipe and this blog Chocolate Covered Katie!

Kid Friendly Korner: Burger "Tacos"

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday December 3, 2012

Happy December all!  It certainly does not feel like winter here though, it was 60 degrees in Chicago today.  I am  definitely not complaining about the temps as I am very much a warm weather girl, but it is quite strange to not be freezing and breaking out the thermals yet haha!

This week meal plan has a few new items and a few old faves.  There is also a SUPER yummy zucchini cookie recipe inspired by our box from Door to Door Organics.  I am in love with this service!  Great produce on my doorstep when I get home, what more could a girl need :)

Oh, if you have any great kid friendly dinner ideas, feel free to share in the comments as we are kind of in a kid food rut at our house right now.

Monday: Leftover Cinnamon Chicken

Tuesday: Catalina Chicken

Wednesday: Italian Turkey Meatloaf with Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza at my parents

Saturday: Eat out

Sunday: Family Party

Breakfast: Pumpkin Pie Spice Baked Oatmeal (see below for recipe)

Dessert:  Zucchini Cookies (with a few changes: 1c sugar=1/4c sugar, 1/2 banana, butter=coconut oil, add 1/2tsp vanilla)

Kid Friendly Korner: Corn Dog Muffins

Happy Eating! :)

Baked Pumpkin Pie Spice Oatmeal:

Ingredients:

2c oats

2c fat free milk

1/2c unsweetened applesauce

1/4c almonds

1/2c dried cranberries

1tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2tsp salt

Topping options: maple syrup, honey, whipped cream, milk, brown sugar, fruit etc…

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.  Pour into sprayed 9x13 baking dish.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 for ~30 minutes (if uncovered the surface will get very crunchy). 

*There is no sugar added to this recipe.  If you are looking for sweet oatmeal you can add 2Tbs maple syrup or honey to the ingredients or top with a sweet topping.*

Meal Planning Monday November 19, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving Week all!  This is one of my favorite holidays of the year as a home cook, there are just so many delicious recipes to make.  I will be posting my menu later this week.  For now, you will have to settle for this week's easy peasey meal plan trying to make the days up to and after Thanksgiving as kitchen light as possible :)

Monday: Italian Turkey Meatballs with Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese and Slow Cooker Tomato Soup (few changes to soup: no onion or sugar, add 1 head of roasted garlic yum!)

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: THANKSGIVING!!!

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Family Party so I plan to make this delicious Caprese Dip to take (probably going to make it as an appetizer for Thanksgiving too!)

Sunday: Brinner! (Oatmeal Pancakes, Breakfast Casserole, Fruit)

Breakfast: Banana Bread Muffins  (add a handful of chocolate chips to this recipe to change it completely!)

Lunch: Slow Cooker Tomato Soup

Kid Friendly Korner: Grilled Cheese Roll Ups

No dessert this week because I am saving all my sugar calories for Thursday, but I will poast a few of my favorite Thanksgiving dessert recipes later this week.

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday November 12, 2012

Happy Veteran's Day!  To all who have served, are currently serving or have supported someone who serves over the years, I hope you had time to reflect on what an incredible service you have provided to your country.  May you have all the blessings you deserve!

This week I have my first set of Parent-Teacher conferences at a new school so I am a bit nervous...I am also going to be very busy and missing dinner on Wednesday so we will be using some freezer and make ahead meals this week.

Monday: Catalina Slow Cooker Chicken left over from last week re-made in a a Catalina Chicken Bake using this recipe from Mommy Hates Cooking and subbing the chicken for the ground beef.

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (still have some in the freezer)

Wednesday: Mac and Cheese This is a Weight Watchers recipe that I plan to make ahead and give to my parents to reheat in the oven with some panko crumbs on top since they will have Little A while I am at parent teacher conferences.

Thursday: Leftovers with Sweet Potato Fries.  We are starting Door to Door Organics this week (we get 2 sweet potatoes in this week's box) and I can't wait for all the yummy veggies and fruits!

Friday:  Pizza with Oven Baked Pears for dessert :)

Saturday: Eating Out

Sunday:  Lemon Dill Salmon and Sliced Baked Potatoes

Breakfasts: Banana Bread Muffins (low fat, low sugar, whole wheat)

Desserts: Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Kid Friendly Corner: Burger Tacos (made with ground turkey)

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday November 5, 2012

Hi all!  Hope everyone survived the crazy week of candy and chaos, we barely did!  I am just hoping to make the candy "disappear" tonight so Little A stops wanting to eat nothing but candy!

Here is this week's meal plan:    

Monday: Catalina Chicken (here is a link to a Take 5 Recipe post using this recipe to create 5 meals if you are interested in ways to not waste the leftovers)

Tuesday: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos (half a batch is frozen in the freezer from 2 weeks ago and we are using it this week, another great way to use leftovers from slow cooker meals)

Wednesday: Italian Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Thursday: Catalina Chicken Baked Potatoes (oven baked potatoes with a scoop of Catalina Chicken and shredded cheddar cheese served on top)

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Jewelry Party at my cousin's so dinner will be a variety of yummy appetizers

Sunday: Burgers on the grill because I just can't let go of warm weather yet :)

Lunches: Lemon Dill Salmon for salads

Breakfasts: Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Kid Friendly Corner: Whole Wheat Pancakes

Dessert: Skinny No Bake Cookies from Skinnytaste (I cut the sugar to 1/2c and could probably go a little less).

Happy Eating! :)

Halloween Recipe Roundup!

Halloween is by far one of my favorite holidays.  I love the decorations, the costumes, the trick-or-treating and of course the food :)  This post is dedicated to my top 5 favorite Halloween recipes.  Of course I could have done a lot more than 5, but only have time for 5 now.

5. Pizza Snake

4. Peanut Butter Pumpkins

3. Spiderweb Pancakes

2. Spider Taco Dip with Bat and Pumpkin Chips

1. Halloween Brownie Smores


As a bonus, a kid friendly nutritious Halloween snack that I made for my son to take to preschool for his Halloween party.  Anyone who knows me knows that my creativity is a bit...um...unique so this was my shot at a bit of Halloween flair :)


Orange Jack-o-Laterns: 

Ingredients:

22 navel oranges
22 Gummi worms
44 grapes (any color)
88 toothpicks

Directions:
1. Place a toothpick through each grape and insert into oranges as eyes.
2. Place a toothpick through each end of a Gummi worm and insert into the orange as a smile.


Happy Halloween and Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday October 29, 2012

This week is going to be action packed with Halloween fun, so we may be eating a bit less healthy this week but I hope not!

Sidenote: I am using an image of one of this week's recipes (breakfast cookies) for this post because I am trying to come up with a new image for Meal Planning Monday.  

Monday: Whole Grain Pasta with Marinara Sauce

Tuesday: Catalina Chicken

Wednesday: Pizza Snake!

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

Sunday: Crock Pot Ham

Dessert: Apple Cake (I plan to sub diet lemon lime pop for the butter and to sprinkle the apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves before pouring the cake mix over the top.)

Breakfast: Breakfast Cookies

Kid Friendly Corner: Mummy Pizzas

Happy Halloween and Happy Eating! :)

Linked Up At:
No Ordinary Blog Hop

Meal Planning Monday: October 22, 2012

Hope everyone had a great week!  Ours was a bit challenging with lack of sleep leading to not wanting to cook when I got home, so this week's meals are all slow cooker in the hopes of sticking to the plan!

Monday: Slow Cooker Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Parmesan Honey Pork Roast (going to use pork chops because they are on sale this week)

Wednesday: Crock Pot Round Steak (may use a different type of steak depending on what I find on sale at the store today)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Halloween Party!!!  Little A will be with his grandparents :) (Side Note: Look for a post full of Halloween recipes this week as I prep for one of my favorite holidays!)

Sunday: Leftovers and/or eating out

Desserts: Healthy Lemon Bars

Breakfasts: Breakfast Burritos (I plan to add some veggies to this to up the nutritional value - may also sub black beans for turkey sausage to keep protein and decrease cost.)

Kid Friendly Recipes: Pita Pizzas (whole wheat or gluten free pitas, low sugar sauce, turkey pepperoni)

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday October 15, 2012

Here is this week's meal plan, hope you enjoy!

Monday: Italian Turkey Sausage in the Slow Cooker (got a manager's special at Jewel this week so the package was only $3!)

Tuesday: Crock Pot Chicken Casserole (going to use 98% fat free soup, reduced fat cheddar cheese and 1/4c Smart Balance spread to reduce the fat)

Wednesday: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos (this one repeats a lot in our meal plans because it is a favorite!)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Eating out!

Sunday: Lemon Dill Salmon

Dessert: Weight Watchers Berry Cobbler (using yellow cake, mixed berries and diet cheery 7 Up)

Breakfasts: Whole Wheat Pancakes from SkinnyTaste

Kid Friendly Corner: Mini Banana Pancake Muffins from Once-a-Month Mom(minus the syrup in the recipe) served with blackberries from Jewel that were on sale 4 for $10!

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday October 8, 2012

This week's menu is full of cold weather favorites for me because I am just not ready for fall yet!  The menu also has a lot of chicken in it because our local Jewel has all Perdue and Jewel brand chicken breasts, tenders and thighs buy 1 get 1 free so I went a little crazy :)

Monday: Forget About it Chicken  (I plan to make this in my slow cooker and use brown rice)

Tuesday: Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders and corn on the cob (another great sale at Jewel, .25 and ear!)

Wednesday: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches :)

Thursday: Breakfast for Dinner

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers for lunch before a family party that evening

Sunday: Slow Cooker Roast Beef 

Breakfast: Muffin Tin Omelets

Kid Friendly Corner: Lightened Up Mac and Cheese

Dessert:  Pumpkin Oat Cookies (low sugar, low fat)

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday

Trying out a few new recipes this week, let's hope they are good!

Monday: Lemon Dill Salmon

Tuesday: Cheeseburger Pie (made with ground turkey)

Wednesday: Fajita Beef Stew (slow cooker) *New

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza (I'm chaperoning the homecoming football game so this will be dinner without me!)

Saturday: Visiting Great Aunt so we will be eating out

Sunday: Apricot Ribs (slow cooker) *New

Breakfast: Chunky Monkey Pancakes

Dessert: Spice Cake made with applesauce instead of eggs/oil

Kid Friendly Corner: English Muffin Pizzas (To make ahead bake until cheese melts slightly to hold toppings, wrap in freezer paper and place in a freezer bag.  Then when you want to serve remove from freezer, unwrap and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.)

Recipe Review: Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets Take 4!

If you read this blog regularly, you probably know I am on a quest to find the perfect gluten free chicken nugget.  Little A is obsessed with what he calls "nuggies" and momma is definitely not obsessed with feeding him the fast food ones.  The recipe for these was found on wholenewmom.com and is a great, simple recipe for chicken nuggets.

I made these following the recipe exactly (but omitting the cayenne since they were intended for a little guys taste buds.)  They turned out really well and received the "Little A Seal of Approval!"  Having made them once now though I have a few changes planned for next time.

1. Increase the black pepper a bit to account for the lack of cayenne so they have a bit more flavor.

2. Decrease the coconut oil to 1/8c instead of 1/4 because they were a bit oily for my taste.

3.  After I coated the chicken pieces in the flour mixture I poured the oil over the chicken while still in the bowl as the directions stated.  As I began moving the chicken pieces from the bowl to the the baking sheet, the oil began to harden making the pieces very difficult to move to the sheet. Next time I will coat the chicken pieces in the flour mixture and then place them in a foil lined 9x13 dish then pour the coconut oil over them and toss to mix. 

Other than these few minor changes these were great.  So good in fact that Little A believed they were from the "Chicken Nugget Store," otherwise known as the place we go when momma is too tired to cook and the bane of many a mother's existence the golden arches!  I figure, any recipe that my son believes is from McD without me actually having to go there is a winner!!

Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday

With the holiday on Monday, I only have to plan for 4 weeknight meals, yippee!

Image Credit: my719moms.com

Monday: BBQ with family

Tuesday: Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner!  (Pancakes, eggs, fruit, turkey bacon)

Thursday: Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops in the Crock Pot...this is a new recipe so I will let you know how it turns out

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Eat Out

Sunday: Slow Cooker Orange Chicken  I am REALLY excited to try this recipe!

Breakfast for the Week: Slow Cooker Chocolate Oatmeal  I made a few edits to the original recipe.  Sub honey for agave, no stevia and fat free milk.

Dessert: Angel Berry Goodness

Kid Friendly Recipe: Cupcake Pizzas

Hope you have a fantastic week and Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday

This week's meal plan is full of old favorites I can make ahead to account for a packed work schedule.

Image Credit: my719moms.com

Monday: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Tuesday: Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops

Wednesday: Italian Turkey Meatloaf Muffins  (recipe review)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Eat Out

Sunday: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken (I use low calorie salad dressing)

Breakfast for the week: Slow Cooker Oats (I sub unsweetened applesauce for the maple syrup in this recipe to cut down on the sugar.  I also add 1T of peanut butter extract.)

Kid Friendly Meal for the Week: Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets

Dessert: Weight Watchers Friendly Cobbler using lemon cake and peaches

Have a great week and Happy Eating! :)

Meal Planning Monday

Image Credit: my719moms.com

Happy Monday all!  This week was a whirlwind of excitement, exhaustion and anticipation for me with a side of nervousness as I started a new job.  This upcoming week holds a bit more of the nervousness for me since I will meet my students on Tuesday and that comes with a whole new set of challenges...but I am definitely ready for it! :)

That being said, this week is going to be full of slow cooker recipes that can be used for lunches the following day, nothing like making it super easy for myself!

Monday: Cheeseburger Pie from Mommy Hates Cooking  I will use ground turkey to make it a bit healthier and gluten free Bisquick to make this even more healthy eating friendly.

Tuesday: Hawaiian Chicken This is a new recipe for us and I am really hoping it helps with my Chinese food craving so I don't cave and order sweet and sour chicken!!

Wednesday: Sweet and Spicy Pork Tenderloin

Thursday:  Cheese Quesadillas, brown rice and green beans (A has karate on Thursdays so it needs to be a quick, kid friendly meal!)

Friday: Pizza (Going to try to make this Taco Pizza this week since I didn't get to it last week.)

Saturday: Eat Out

Sunday: Saucy Swiss Steak from Stockpiling Moms 

I will try to get to some recipe reviews since a lot of these recipes are new, but no guarantees with the new school year starting!

Happy Eating! :)