Menu Plan 1/31/11

Or lack of menu plan!!

I will very likely go shopping sometime this week, so I am not planning the meals, yet.

Instead, I am going to link to some things that have caught my eye, that I might like to try - in addition to the Chinese food that has been tempting me lately.  Yeah, I like the unhealthy fried kind, covered in sauce and probably loaded with MSG.  Here's a story.  I ate Chinese takeout the night before I had major bleeding due to a placenta tear and a potential miscarriage when I was pregnant with my girl (thank the Lord my doctor put me on bedrest and it healed).  My neighbor ate Chinese take-out from the same place the night before she went into preterm labor (and delivery!) with her girl....   Um, yeah.  I didn't eat Chinese food for the rest of either of my pregnancies.  And I will probably never go back to that restaurant.  And yet, one of my all-time favorite restaurants remains a Chinese restaurant - a very different and far-away Chinese restaurant... I don't even know if it still exists.  Anyways.  On to the links...

Recipes I Want to Try:
Lentil Soup (I have some lentils in the pantry.  I've used them once, and am still looking for a good recipe.)
Stir Fry (We like stir fry a lot, but I don't make it very often!)
Pasta Primavera
And since I was mentioning Chinese food, should mention that I want to concoct some homemade Wonton Soup.
And speaking of soups, PW's Chicken Tortilla Soup looks fabulous.
Pumpkin Spice Waffles (I want to give pumpkin waffles a second chance...)
Cottage Cheese Pancakes (I'm guessing they might be similar to sour cream pancakes?)
I'd also like to make Peppermint Pattie Coconut Bark, but I'm afraid I might eat it all!

I need to make a shopping list... Help!  What should I buy for us to eat this month?

Homemade Twix Bars

I received this recipe this week.  I haven't made these yet, but I want to!

Club crackers (broken into small rectangles)
1 c. crushed graham crackers
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. white sugar
1/3 c. milk
1/2 c. margarine (I'd use butter!!)
1 c. chocolate chips
2/3 c. peanut butter

In a 9x13 inch pan, put a layer of club crackers.  Combine the next 5 ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Continue to boil for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Pour mixture over crackers.  Add another layer of club crackers, pressing down slightly.  Place in refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.  For the next layer, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter and melt in the microwave (2 minutes).  Stir well and spread over crackers.  Place in refrigerator until topping is firm.  Cut into bars and enjoy!

Menu Plan 1/24/11

Last week's menu invention:  Instead of pizza, I decided to make a calzone/pizza pocket sort of thing.  I was inspired by this idea of chicken and herb and garlic cheese spread baked in crescent rolls.  For the cheesy spread, I found a recipe for a tasty dill, feta, and cream cheese spread, and I happened to have everything it required (I used garlic powder in place of fresh garlic.)   I had pre-cooked chicken that I pulled from the freezer.  If I make it again, though, I will use crescent rolls instead of the pizza dough which I used.  Crescent rolls probably would have turned out better than the pizza dough because it was a little heavy, but altogether, the creation had good flavor and my husband agreed.  I supposed if you used crescent rolls, premade herb cream cheese spread, and canned (or just pre-cooked) chicken, this would be a pretty easy, quick dinner.

Breakfasts:
Cereal with Milk
Eggs and Toast
Smoothies
Cranberry Vanilla Muffins

Lunches:
Leftovers
Sandwiches
String Cheese
Crispy Almonds
Carrots
Oranges, Bananas

Dinners:
Monday - Shepherd's Pie
Tuesday - Chili & Cornbread (For Bible Study, taking Sundried Tomato & Brie Pasta with Chicken, Salad, and Divine Brownies)
Wednesday - Nitrate-free Hot Dogs, Oven Fries
Thursday - Burritoes, Corn
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Salmon Melts & Potato Soup
Sunday - Homemade Cheese Pizza

Still a little overwhelmed, but trying to pace myself, so feeling better... Have a great week!

Completely unrelated thought:  Isn't it time for another Will Smith movie at the theatre?  Wintertime is movie watching time for me (via netflix) and he hasn't had a new movie out in awhile...  Or is it just all about his kids now...?

Frugal, Fun Centerpiece: Sprinkle, Sparkle Marshmallow Pops

How's that for a long title?

I was charged with creating centerpieces for our winter staff meeting.  They needed to be inexpensive and relatively labor un-intensive. I decided on edible marshmallow pops after being inspired by these and these.  After some trial runs,I ended up going with the second method.  The only items that needed to be purchased were marshmallows and sprinkles, making 6 centerpieces for about $6.

Other supplies:
Glass jars - from home
Burlap, yarn, paper in the jars, and straws - provided at work

Popsicle or lollipop sticks may have been cuter than plastic straws, but the ones I had were too short.

Not nearly as tasty as cake pops, but just as cute, cheaper, and way easier!

I also made a little bouquet for my daughter :)

Now, I just hope they survive transit to their destination...

Felt & Burlap Christmas Ornament

Back in December, I had a Christmas luncheon with optional ornament exchange to attend.  It was a very low-key event with friends from work.  Feeling the pinch from Christmas, and not wanting another errand to add to the list, I told myself I would participate in the ornament exchange if I could make a decently cute ornament myself and not need to purchase one.  I'm the sort of person who likes ornaments to have meaning, anyways.

I'd always liked this felt garland and wreath, so those were my inspiration.

I gathered supplies I already had:

• felt
• burlap
• ribbon
• scissors
• wire and wire cutters (hub's from the garage)

It was easy.

1. cut squares of burlap and felt
2. cut the wire
3. string the squares on the wire (the wire was thin enough that it easily poked through)
4. twist the 2 ends of the wire securely together and cut off the excess wire
My original intention was to make a mini-wreath, but I ended up not really leaving a hole in the middle.
5. tie on a ribbon for hanging

I made it one evening between dinner and bedtime while my husband played with the kids.  He said it looked kitchy, but I told him that was the point .

Guess what?  It was the one ornament "stolen" from it's original owner during the gift game.  I wonder if that is for a good or bad reason?

PS - THEN, I was really proud of myself when a week or two later, I saw that Meg from Whatever did an almost identical craft with her kids.  I think I acutally said, "Nuh-UH!" when I read her post. Great mind think alike, right? :)  Ha ha, I am no where near her level of craftiness.

This sort of thing would also make a cute embellishment when wrapping a gift.  If you are the sort of person who has the time to make gift wrap embellisments :)

Is it too early for Valentine crafts?

I am not a huge V-day fan, but there are so many cute crafts for kids related to the holiday... It was fun to get into it when I was a teacher because it was one holiday we could get into with abandon.  (We celebrated the other holidays, too; we just had to be careful.)

I wonder if when it comes time for my kids to hand out Valentine cards at school when they are older if I will have the time and energy to make some with them or if I will just buy the kind in a box - the kind I always handed out as a kid.

I started researching some easy homemade Valentine's Day crafts and decorations and found a few things to share:

I think these stamped heart magnets would be easy Valentine gifts to make with kids (preschool or older), assembly line style...
This curled paper heart garland look easy and whimsical.
How about some glittery marshmallow pops?
My daughter would love to eat her lunch from a recycled chocolate box for a day!

I am infatuated with anything involving felt and burlap these days... so there are endless possibilities on that front... which reminds me, I never showed you a Christmas craft I made!  Coming soon.

Groceries... & Update

Well, like I said, I am already beyond the food and household budget for the month, so I need to take it easy on the shopping.  We do have plenty to eat, but I went today to get some produce (so uninspiring this time of year) and other things at Aldi.  Spent $35.  FYI baby mamas... Lately, I've been liking Aldi's diapers, as far as disposables go.  They seem generously sized, sturdy, and only 15 cents apiece.  The brownies and candy bars are to see if I can concoct an Aldi version of these brownies for my Bible Study dinner next week.  The disposable pans with lids were clearanced out 2 for $1 so I got a couple packages since I use these throughout the year when making meals for other families.  The tomatoes are already in the freezer.  I like to buy organic dry beans from the bulk bins at Whole Foods, but don't have a trip planned to go there in the near future, so I got a couple cans of beans to make lunch burrito making easier.

Today is a cooking afternoon.  I'm making ground turkey, bean, and rice burritos for lunches, homemade ketchup (since I was at Aldi and they only have ketcup with HFCS and I am feeling motivated, I am making some from tomato paste), and rolls.

Update on the January To-Do List:
•Sort through the entire house and DONATE stuff (especially toys, books, and clothes).
The stuff is sitting in a pile in the basement.  Local friends, let me know if you are looking for baby gear.
•STILL need to sort through and print pictures from 2010.
•STILL need to finish the baby books.
•Purge old paperwork.
•Move home movie clips to online storage.

Allright, now back to the tasks at hand...

Menu Plan 1/17/11

Not much to share this past week, just trying to keep up with things around here (and failing)...soooo, not much time to blog, anyways.  You'd think these extra snow days and federal holidays would help me get caught up on life, and I am trying hard to use them to my advantage, but still feel behind!  Hope you all are well.

One success: banishing paperwork from the kitchen.  We used to have a basket that it all went in, and I'd sort through it from time to time.  Now, I have a drawer for my (paper) calendar and notepad.  All other papers have to be dealth with and put away before the day's end.  I love having a paper-work free kitchen!  My husband loves it, too.

Breakfast:
Granola with Milk
Soaked Oatmeal Pancakes
Bananas

Lunches:
Burritos
Pears

Dinners:
Monday - Breakfast Burritos and Hash Browns
Tuesday - Easy Beef BBQ on Rolls, Green Beans
Wednesday - Tuna Cheesies, Salad
Thursday - Homemade Pizza
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Beef Rice Medley
Sunday - Leftovers

Ok, Costco shoppers, I've probably said this before, but if you like Mexican food, you have to try the refrigerated tortillas that you cook yourself.  They are SO good; my family agrees they are definitely worth the little extra effort.  Only one of the two Costcos closest to me carry them, so I always get some when I am at that one.  I can eat them plain, right off of the skillet.

I think I am going to blow the grocery budget this month.  Somewhat.  Guess I should start posting about it again to hold myself accountable?

Take care.  I'm dreaming about a summer vacation... what about you?

Menu Plan 1/10/11

Between travels and a bit of sickness, we haven't gotten around to eating all our meals from the past two weeks... so you may see some repeats.

Breakfasts:
Cranberry Vanilla Muffins
Granola with Milk
Bananas

Lunches:
Sandwiches
Carrots
Yogurt
Pears

Dinners:
Monday - Odds and Ends
Tuesday - Sundried Tomato & Brie Pasta
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Chicken Chimichangas (half a batch)*
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Lasagna
Sunday - Leftovers

A vegetable from the freezer as a side with each dinner.
Have a great week!

*When I make these chimichangas (which I've tried with beef, gound turkey, shredded turkey, and chopped chicken, part beans, each being good,) I use salsa in replacement of the combination of taco sauce +  green chilis. Simpler and less to buy at the store. Also, I use about 1/2 the amount of butter called for and I don't dip the tortillas. I put some melted butter in the bottom of the pan, place the rolled chimichangas in, and then bush butter generously on the tops of the tortillas. They still turn out plenty crunchy and yummy. I also usually use more tortillas than called for to stretch the meat further. I roll them thinner, more like taquitoes.

My Rules

Per Sarah, I have decided to keep a running list of personal rules (rules that I have made for myself).  So when I am feeling unmotivated or blah, I can refer to these rules.  Generally speaking, when I am sticking to these rules, I feel good.  So, if I am feeling down and it is related to one of these topics (not other life events), I know what to do to get back on track.

- Go to bed by 10:00.  But stay up late to watch a movie once in awhile.
- Do your therapy.  Running is my therapy.
- Don't eat late at night.
- Keep a clean house. Deal with mail and items right away, it is worth the trouble.  Sidenote: Growing up, I used to think that bare was boring.  But, I have changed.  I would rather my house be on the minimalist side.
- Be an active parent, as in, get on the floor and play with the kids some.
- Confess and pray.
- Read and dream (and shop) for fun.

I reserve the right to add to and amend these as time goes by.

OK, I think that is the end of my personal brain dumps this week.

The Chore: Just Do It

A note to self:

One thing that I have learned is that a dreaded task is not going to get any better.  Trying to psyche yourself up for something does not make it any more enjoyable or easier.  In fact, the psyching yourself up part takes time and energy.  Time and energy that could be spent tackling the chore and getting it over with.

What will make you feel better: procrastinating or getting it over with?  Getting it over with wins every time.  It is not going to magically go away.

So... just do it.  That will make you feel best.

Could someone please remind me of this at least twice a week?

Winter To-Do List

Wait.  Make that my January To-Do List.  I need a deadline, people.

• Sort through the entire house and DONATE stuff (especially toys, books, and clothes).
• STILL need to sort through and print pictures from 2010.
• STILL need to finish the baby books.
• Purge old paperwork.
• Move home movie clips to online storage.

Ok, I think that is enough for now.

I can manage one a week and two on one week, right?  Then, I will have knocked them all out by the end of the month.

Grocery Recap, Menu Plan, and an Aspiration

Guess who's back?  (Back again...)

Smoothies!!

Why oh why does that song get stuck in my head?

Hey, we came in under the grocery budget for December by about $25.  How did that happen?  I am wondering.  Well, it was overshadowed by the appliance repairs.  Even when my husband can fix things, washing machine parts are costly!  And we've decided to fix our microwave while we're at it (even though I haven't missed it and don't want to use it much).

OK, so then I started off the January budget by spending about $230 on Friday between Costco, Aldi, and Wal-Mart.  I had to go to Wal-Mart anyways to get some stuff for my husband's work; that stuff is not included in the total.  It took me forever to get to all three stores because everyone was out shopping on Friday, but it was okay because I was kid-free.  It took me 4 hours, total.  Needless to say, I did not feel like taking pictures when I got home.

But, I think the multiple stores were worth it.  Here's my reasoning:
Probably took me an extra 2 hours to go to 2 more stores in addition to Wal-Mart.  Remember, I was uncommonly kid-free that day.  If I saved $100 (which is totally possible), or even just $50, doing something that had to be done anyways, that is a great  return for 2 hours of work by me.

The best deal was 25 cent clearance cottage cheese at Aldi.  The box at the front was dated Jan 1 (the very next day); hence, the clearance price.  But the box at the back was dated Jan. 10.  So, I dug out 3 cartons of those.  I didn't get a ton, because their cottage cheese it not the best quality (I've found Daisy brand to be the purest as far as conventional store-bought varieties go in terms of ingredients) but we can still enjoy a bit of cottage cheese this week.  And some will be for lasagna next week.

I also was swayed by the marketing in the Costco magazine where they highlighted their canned peaches.  Since it is winter after all, and fresh produce it not at it's peak around here, I decided to try some.  I bought the kind in the glass jars that are in very light syrup.  They are supposed to be very high-quality (fancy grade) and only 5 ingredients (peaches, water, sugar, abscorbic acid, and citric acid).

So, this past weekend, we have had cottage cheese and peaches for lunches.  Along with some pumpkin bread from a neighbor, topped with peanut butter.  Yummy.

Oh, and I spent $5 on a gallon of milk from the farm.

Here is the plan for the coming week.

Breakfasts:
I was bummed that Costco no longer has the Kashi Autumn Wheat cereal I like.
Waffles with Syrup
Granola with Milk (It has been awhile, don't know which recipe I will use this time...)
Smoothies  (Yay!  We have blender after going about a year without one because it broke!  Thanks, sis.)

Lunches:
Sandwiches or Leftovers
Veggie Straws or Carrots with Ranch
Fruit

Dinners:
Monday - Homemade Vegetable Soup, Tuna Melts, Salad
Tuesday - Quesadillas, Salad
Wednesday - Leftover Quick and Easy Alfredo Pasta, Salad
Thursday - Out to Eat
Friday - Dinner with Parents
Saturday - Dinner with Friends
Sunday - Homemade (Thin Crust) Pizza, Salad

Goal for the new year:

• I have no "blog" goals for the new year.  This is just a hobby.  I seriously feel like I gain more than I give in the blog world.  Nonetheless, I sincerely hope you enjoy and keep reading.  Thanks for the encouragement you offer!
• As far a related things go, on the natural foods front... Last year I tried (and have happily continued with) raw milk, pastured eggs and chicken, and 100% grassfed beef for our family.  This year I want to try fermented cod liver oil.  At some point.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend!

Reflective and Contemplative

Here are my thoughts from December 31st:

I am feeling a little nervous for the new year. I think it is because 2010 was a pretty "nice" and rather uneventful year (in a "nice" way) for our little family... so I feel like 2011 just might be crazy. With what? I don't know!

I need to remember that I am not in control, and to trust God.


Then I read the first few sentences from AshleyAnn's blog:

2010 was a gift. 2011 will be too. I can’t wait to live it.

And I felt much better.

Happy New Year to you.