menu planning monday 08.31.09

I think I am going to try something new this week. A friend of mine shared a 4-day anti-bloat menu that helped her last week and I am going to try it out. I am just posting the dinner portion here, but there are specific things for all meals for 4 days -- my friend lost 4 lbs. by following this plan. Unfortunately, I do not think the rest of my family is ready for any 'anti-bloating'!, so I will be making some additional items to suit their needs.

Monday: Grilled tilapia, green beans, roasted red potatoes drizzled

Tuesday: Grilled chicken breast, sauteed fresh cremini mushrooms, brown rice

Wednesday: Grilled or baked turkey breast cutlet, green beans, roasted red potatoes

Thursday: Grilled chicken breast, sauteed yellow squash, brown rice

Friday: Tonight is the first local high school football and we bought season tickets. After all this 'anti-bloat' this week, I am not going to ruin it all by eating at the stadium. But, I do want something a little tastier than plain grilled poultry or fish. Tonight's celebratory 'end-of-anti-bloat-week" dinner will be: steak, baked potato and salad.

Saturday: Youngest son's birthday is being celebrated this weekend, so I am going to let him choose the meal for tonight:)

For more (non anti-bloat!) menu planning ideas, check out OrgJunkie!

menu planning monday 08.17.09

We made it through the first week of school and lived to tell about it! I was able to follow my meal plan except for Thursday (a 10:00 am meeting lasted until after 4 pm!). I am grateful for an understanding family who appeared happy to have sandwiches that night:)

The boys did great with their lunch planning, but I think I will have them plan one week at a time instead of the night before.

Monday: Panko-crusted cod fillet sliders (need to use these rolls before they go bad) with freshly-picked hydroponic lettuce salad (with tomatoes and peppers from my garden)

Tuesday: Baked teriyaki chicken thighs with whole grain/wild rice medley and panko-fried zucchini strips. Mini blueberry dump cakes for Bible Reading Group dessert.

Apprehension-Free Wednesday: I am so happy that Wednesday night suppers have resumed at church. This week's meal will be roast beef, mashed potatoes, lima beans, salad, rolls and dessert. They are also trying a new feature: Domino's Pizza for the children (and any adult that signs up for that in the place of the regular dinner). I think my children will be pleased:)

Thursday: Homemade pizza (recipe posted soon!) with crudites

Friday: Scrapbooking Night for the girls and Boy's Night Out for the rest!

Saturday: Dinner club at our friends, the M's!

For more menu planning ideas, check out all the other links at OrgJunkie!

week in review 08.15.09

Since I have not been as successful in photographing and reviewing on a regular basis, I decided to do a little end-of-the-week review.

The best thing that I tried for the first time was the panko-crusted fried catfish from Monday. This Japanese-influenced version of fried catfish resulted in a crispy, yet light version of the typical southern-fried staple. It was so good that I used the same technique tonight when I made cod fillet sliders (we found these cute little buns at the market!). I am pretty sure I will use it from now on with my fish tacos.

So, the next time you have a hankerin' for some fish, GO PANKO!

menu planning monday 08.10.09

Monday: Panko-crusted fried catfish filets with mashed potatoes

Tuesday: Three-cheese tortellinis with tomato sauce (leftover from spaghetti luncheon on Sunday -- homemade by Chef D) and garlic bread

Apprehension-Free Wednesday (has returned!): Dinner served at church will be herbed-roasted chicken, vegetable casserole, blackeyed peas, salad, bread and dessert.

Thursday: Fish Tacos (I must use up all this tilapia in the freezer!) with pinto beans

Friday: Grilled beef patties with whole-grain and wild rice medley and steamed asparagus

Don't forget to check out all the other menu planning ideas at OrgJunkie!

menu planning: back-to-school lunchbox version

I am bound and determined to provide healthier lunches for my boys this year. Last year was not a good year for lunchboxes here -- yes, I even succumbed to buying those dreaded lunchables (hanging my head in shame).

I sat down with the boys this week and we came up with a plan! Other than healthier options, I wanted them to have more options -- it seems like we tend to get in a rut with what leaves in the lunchbox each morning. Also, the boys are going to start participating in packing their lunches. They are 7 and 11 and perfectly capable of a few more responsibilities. We developed lists of options for main entree/side/dessert/drink for lunch and snack/drink for snack time. Here are the boys lists:

Max

Entree: fluffernutter sandwich, ham sandwich with mayo, slice of cheese & crackers, pumpkinbread PB sandwich, and pasta with cheese/almonds

Side: apples with PB, pumpkinbread, corn bread muffin, oatmeal bar, yogurt, carrots, nuts

Dessert: brownies, cookie bars, poppyseed muffins, rice krispy treats, chocolate chip muffins, oatmeal squares dry cereal

Snack: pretzels, almonds, sunflower kernels, cheese crackers

Drinks: Sunny-D, Decaf Tea, Chocolate Milk

Desmond

Entree: fluffernutter sandwich, ham sandwich, pita pizza, tortilla/ham roll-ups, pasta, cereal with milk

Side: pumpkinbread, yogurt, carrots, peanuts, banana

Dessert: brownies, cookie bars, rice krispy treat, sugar cookies

Snack: cornbread muffins, sunflower kernels, dry cheerios, cheese crackers

Drinks: apple juice, Sunny-D, milk

I found 20.2 oz tinted stainless steel bottles for them at Whole Foods yesterday and finally found a lunchbox for Max today (camouflage, of course). I made a batch of the oatmeal bars tonight and will make some pumpkinbread tomorrow. I think we will be ready on Monday morning!

menu planning monday 08.03.09

I am very late in posting, but doing it anyway.

Monday: Hamburgers and fries

Tuesday: Bacon-Swiss Quiche (lemon bars for Bible Reading group dessert)

Wednesday: Pan-Roasted Chicken Cutlets with Maple-Mustard Dill Sauce over a wild rice medley

Thursday: Homemade pizzas

Friday: Fish Tacos with fresh salsa and a side of pinto beans (I had this scheduled for last Friday, but we ended up dining out)

Check out many more menu plans over at The Happy Housewife (filling in for Laura at OrgJunkie).