Food Thoughts

I am making a list of meals for the entire month of October. Why? I am not sure. I guess I just have the time now. And it is helping me plan my shopping. I don't want to have to worry about running to the store a lot with 2 kiddos in tow since I will be heading back to work again and will be busier.

I haven't decided yet if I want to do a monthly meal plan post or keep it a weekly post... I am thinking still keep it weekly to allow for more flexibility and last minute changes without throwing too much off kilter. I will just draw from my master list and fill in the slots each week. Sound okay? Anyone have a strong opinion?

Looking at my list of meals, I can tell it is fall. The dinner themes seem to be beefy, cheesy, and soupy. The desserts seem to be chocolately, pumpkiny, or apple-y.

I plan to do one big Aldi trip at the first of the month and one Costco trip mid-month. And then a couple other quick run throughs while we are out and about just as needed for milk and fruit. I will still try to hit any other stores for stock up items on sale that I don't want to miss... but only if it is a screaming good deal. Simplify - that's the goal.

Oatmeal Brownies

Remember when I said my mother-in-law brought us some oatmeal brownies and they were a chocolate lover's dream and I would share the recipe because I would be making them soon?

Well, that's all true, except for the last part. I still haven't made them. It's not that I don't want to. I just don't think they'd be a good idea considering my chocolate addiction right now (that I am only halfheartedly trying to kick... probably not going to be too successful, huh?)

Anyways, here is the recipe.

Oatmeal Brownies

1 and 1/2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup mini M&M's
1 package fudge brownie mix for 9x13 pan

Combine first 7 ingredients. Mix well and set aside 1/2 to 1 cup for topping.
Put remaining mixture into a greased 10 x 15 (???) pan.
Prepare brownie mix according to package instructions. Spread over oatmeal mixture crust.
Sprinkle the rest of the topping over the brownie mix.
Bake @ 350 for 25-30 minutes. Be careful not to overbake. Enjoy!

Menu Plan 9/28/09

Breakfasts:

Soaked Oatmeal* with Milk

Bananas

Lunches:

PB&J Sandwiches or Macaroni & Cheese

Apples

Dinners:

Monday - Chicken Crescent Casserole, Green Beans

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Salmon Patties, Garlic Bread, Green Beans
Thursday - Chili & Golden Sweet Cornbread Muffins (both from the freezer)
Friday - Meatballs with Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce over Pasta, Sweet Corn

Saturday - Leftovers

Sunday - Waffles with Homemade Syrup

*Three reasons for the soaked oatmeal. #1: I have always wanted to try it, but am always too rushed to make oatmeal on the stove in the morning. However, since this is my last week before returning to work, I am going to give it a go. #2: It is finally almost cool enough to desire oatmeal in the mornings. #3: Our built in microwave has gone kaput and hubby hasn't had a chance to look into it yet. Hence, oatmeal has to be made on the stovetop. So why not try the soaked version?

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.

The Newborn Diapers

My little Scottsman!

I just had to show a picture of these diapers. The photo is not the greatest, but these plaid, flannel newborn diapers are just adorable. My sister-in-law got them off of craigslist. (12 diapers for $18.) She is expecting her first in February*. They are homemade and work wonderfully on my almost 7 week old son with snappi and a Thirsties cover. I am preferring to use these rather than my newborn prefold/BG infant insert combo. Thanks for letting us use them, Steph. We will return them soon since he is growing like a weed!

Sharing cloth diapers is definitely a finer thing!

*Steph is going totally frugal and green by sewing the rest of her diapers using this one-size pocket diaper pattern. I told her she better post about it sometime on her blog!

This post is linked to Finer Things Friday.

Delicious Dinner

As I've mentioned before, we've been blessed these past 2 months with wonderful meals from family and friends. We are immensely thankful for the time (and money) they have saved us and the additional rest time for which they have allowed us to have. I think it is safe to say we have thorougly enjoyed them all and eaten every bite.

I want to share one meal in particular with you not only because it was a delicous dinner, but because I think it was a somewhat refreshing idea... different from the typical 9x13 casserole. Two friends from my work put this meal together for us:

• 1 pound of Beef Brisket, purchased ready from a local barbeque joint
• Wheat Rolls (We made BBQ beef sandwiches with these.)
• Pan of Cheesy Potatoes
• Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Feta, & Walnut Salad
• Strawberries, Blueberries, & Chopped Cantelope
• Blondie Brownies

It was so yummy, we just had to make it last for two meals! Thanks Ashley and Cheri!

Apple Recipes

In celebration of the start of fall (this evening at 5:18pm EDT), here are some of my favorite apple desserts:

• No Peel Apple Cake (easy to make, easy to eat!)


• Chunky Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (highly recommended); recipe below


• Apple Crisp (a simple classic)
  

Chunky Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep: 25 min. Cook: 45 min.

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

4 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced (must be granny smith!)

1 cup walnuts, toasted (I omit these.)

Stir together first 4 ingredients in large bowl until blended. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apple slices and walnuts. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan. (Will be thick and very apple-y.)

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Spread with cream cheese frosting; sprinkle with additional chopped walnuts, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

3 Tbsp. butter, softened

1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar and salt, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla.

This is linked to the Ultimate Recipe Swap.

Shopping!

My parents were in town this weekend, so we braved Old Navy all together. They wanted to look for some clothes for my daughter, and so I took advantage of the chance to shop with help (grandpa kept the stroller moving) and managed a couple good finds for myself (I've had birthday money burning a hole in my pocket!) I don't always like ON for me because the merchandise isn't the greatest quality, BUT when I hit it right (like today), it can be a fabulously cheap way to get some new, cute stuff that I've been craving.

I just had to share because there were quite some deals to be had... All the summer stuff was marked down and then was an additional 50% off the marked price. I scored a couple $4 tops for myself (thanks mom and dad!), some gold sandals and a pair of flats, plus a dress and top as a gift for a little friend who is having a birthday party in a few weeks. That would be 4 items of clothing and 2 pairs of shoes all for the low price of $22.95. (Full price would have been $85.49.) Yay!

Daughter got a spiffy new fall coat and hat, plus a super cute dress from gram and gramps, too! Then, we hit the shoe store and snagged some new shoes for g-ma. All in all, it was a good shopping trip.

Menu Plan 9/21/09

I cancelled our produce delivery for the remainder of the month because Whole Foods has organic apples and pears on sale for $1/lb. and that's hard to beat. I hope to use the money I save to stock up on some of the grass-fed beef that is also on sale!

This is a pretty simple menu this week. Happy fall!

Breakfasts:

Muffins or Cereal with Milk

Bananas

Orange Juice

Lunches:

PB&J Sandwiches or Crackers and Cheese

Apples, Pears

Dessert

Dinners:

1. Shepherd's Pie

2. Leftovers

3. Burritos (from the freezer)

4. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

5. Out to Eat

6. Dinner with Family

7. Out to Eat

Treats/Desserts:

Smoothies

Blondies

Check out Menu Plan Monday at the Organizing Junkie.

For the Love of Waverley

Want to pray for a sweet family? Please pray for the Nagels. I attended college alongside Matt and Molly, and was recently made aware of their adoption journey. Check out this blog that was started on their behalf and be sure to get the entire story.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I made this Martha recipe last night. Thanks for the idea, Mandy!

Mmm. Beware: they are super chocolately; it almost seems like there are too many chocolate chips for the dough. But, they are delicious!!

Grocery Trip Savings

Well, I haven't posted a grocery shopping picture in awhile, but I was pretty pleased with our short trip today...


The kids and I made a quick visit to Price Chopper to hit the last day of the sale. (The chicken was the main attraction.) After getting to the car, I realized I forgot to pay for the Old Spice - it was under the infant carrier - so back inside we went. Anyways, here's what we bought:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1.88 lb. = $2.80
1.88 lb. = $2.80
1.93 lb. = $2.88

White seedless grapes
2.46 lb. = $2.44

Kraft ranch dressing = $.99

Sliced water chestnuts = $.79

Old Spice gel solid = $2.29


Total before tax = $14.99

Saved = $19.06, 56% off regular price (without using coupons!...)

The chicken was on sale for $1.49/lb. and the grapes were $.99/lb. That's why we are having chicken salad this week! :) But we won't use it all, some will stay in the freezer. The ranch I just bought on a whim because it was a great price and we will always use it (condiments are one thing I am being lenient on as far as eating "healthy" these days with the baby and all - I don't have as much time in the kitchen). The water chestnuts are for a future dish, and the antiperspirant I decided to pick up for my husband since it was $.70 off and a decent price. It will save me a trip to Target or Wal-Mart if I can manage to stay stocked up on the deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

Making a List, Checking it Twice...

That's right, I'm thinking about Christmas already. I'm not bypassing everything between now and then, I'm just trying to outline a plan ahead of time. 'Cause we all know: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." :) Just kidding, I'm not that hard-core.

But I do want to avoid what happened 2 years ago, when my daughter was a baby. I thought, "Hey, I'm not working 5 days a week, I don't have to shop so early. I can wait until after Thanksgiving since I can now shop during the weekdays when it's not so busy..." Umm, doing that was stressful to me. Not going to wait that long again if I can help it.

I like to enjoy the shopping if possible. Regardless of my work schedule, this year I want to have the bulk of my shopping done before turkey day, if possible. Then, I can enjoy the rest of the things the special season has to offer.

September-October:

Purchase Christmas cards

Outline budget

Collect ideas

Start shopping (goal: 1/3)

November:

Continue shopping (goal: finish 2/3)

Mail Christmas cards following Thanksgiving

December:

Finish shopping

Wrap gifts

Mail out-of-town gifts

I just know things are going to come up, so I am trying to be proactive. The weekends are already getting booked.

Do you think I am nuts?

Photo from stockvault.

Menu Plan 9/14/09

Breakfasts:

Cereal or Granola* with Milk

Bananas

Orange Juice

Smoothies

Lunches:

PB&J Sandwiches or Leftovers

Spring Mix Salad Greens

Chips

Apples

Dinners:

1. Tomato & Spinach Pasta Toss (we didn't get to it last week)

2. Leftovers

3. Easy Chicken Salad Sandwiches

4. Pizza Bread, Fresh Green Beans

5. Brisket, Cheesy Potatoes, etc. (provided!)

6. Leftovers

7. ???

Treats:

Izzes!

*I don't bake the granola overnight or it totally sticks to my pan. I just do an extra 45 minutes or so (after the first 10) and then stir it while it cools.

Visit the Organizing Junkie for more of Menu Plan Monday!

For Nighttime Diapering...

I received my orders from Teeny Greeny and Nicki's today!

Menu Plan 9/7/09

Ok, I know I am late posting this...

We just returned yesterday evening from a weekend at the lake. I am so glad I busted my tail last Friday to leave the house CLEANED! We generally try to avoid clutter and keep the house picked up, so you know, we don't have to "clean up" before we "clean", and that helps so much. Of course toys and things get scattered around everyday, but we try to always put them back before it gets too out of control. Anyways, completely cleaning the bathrooms, dusting the furniture, and cleaning the floors (for the first time since the baby was born) was a big accomplishment for me. I just love coming home to a clean house!

We will be eating from the fridge and the freezer this week...

Breakfasts:

Lazy Granola with Milk

OJ

Bananas

Lunches:

Organic Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Costco, w/ coupon)

Whole Grain Crackers and Cheese

Apples

Cookies

Dinners:

1. Homemade Burritos (from the freezer)

2. Liza's Chicken (from the freezer)

3. Leftovers

4. Grilled Chicken Wraps

5. Tomato & Spinach Pasta Toss

6. Leftovers

Veggies/Sides (to choose from):

Squash, Green Beans, Cornbread

Have a great week, everyone!

Laboring

I’m a little slow, but here are some of MY labor facts, considering it was just Labor Day. Ha ha.

Daughter: 9 hours.
Son: 4 hours, a much easier and less worrisome labor.

How did you know you were in labor?

Both were planned inductions. Daughter was for medical reasons, son was… just because. Both ended up here safe and sound! (For both, we kept the scheduled delivery a surprise from everyone, even our parents. It was more fun that way!)

Daughter: The pitocin kicked in; I felt like a sword was slicing through my lower back.
Son: The pitocin kicked in, but I got my epidural before I felt any real pain.

Where did you deliver?

At the hospital. I am fascinated by people who do homebirth, but it is just not for me.

Drugs?

Yes, with both. I tried to wait it out with the first one, but then not knowing how long it would be, gave in and was SOOOO glad I did. With the second, I didn’t hesitate.

(Prior to knowing that labor was going to be induced, I was all for the "all natural" route... but needless to say, both of those plans changed. And I have no regrets.)

C-section?

Neither.

Who delivered?

My own doctor – one of the benefits of scheduled inductions. I love her. She once referred to my first daughter as our miracle baby and I credit her so much for her safe arrival (there were many bumps along the way during that pregnancy). And our second, just as much a miracle, too!