Menu Monday

This week's menu is especially challenging because Reagan's eating habits have been going straight downhill for the past couple of months. Of course, she's been sick so much, I really can't blame her for not eating, but she's lost two pounds in a month---soooo, I'm struggling to find foods to entice her to eat.

Don't worry--she isn't starving. She's 23 lbs but she's also VERY tall--we are guessing 34 inches; so she's still tiny for her height. At any rate, here is the menu for the week. Feel free to leave any suggestions geared towards a picky toddler.

Monday: Mac & Beef casserole (used to be one of her favorites), salad (I may hide some veggies in the casserole to get some extra vitamins into Reagan)
Tuesday: Reagan will probably have a Gerber Graduates or Leftovers and I'll probably toss together a salad for myself!
Wednesday: Shepherd's Pie--may use sweet potatoes on top instead of white, due to the vitamins and Reagan loves sweet potatoes
Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie (adding egg to this for extra protein and some vegetables)
Friday: Any leftovers, otherwise I'll make a veggie and hamburger or chicken calzone.
Saturday: We're celebrating mother's day out and about!
Sunday: Either eating out or grilling out!

Breakfasts: Cottage cheese and fruit, muffins that I'm sneaking veggies into, morningstar farms breakfast items, cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, waffles--ie whatever of those I can get into her!
Lunches: Crackers, cheese and meat; quesadillas with cheese and tomatoes; leftovers; meatballs; gerber's graduates; salads; baked potatoes with cheese and broccoli
Snacks: Reagan's Special Mix, yogurt, fruit, cream cheese, sweet potato cubes, crackers and cheese and deli meat, applesauce

Menu Plan Monday

After this weekend, I'm not sure I ever want to think about food again. Nevertheless, here is my menu for this week:

Monday: Lunch: Baked potato with cheese and a side of vegetables; Dinner: Baked chicken and vegetables from the freezer
Tuesday: Lunch: Pasta salad; Dinner: Stir-fry
Wednesday: Lunch: Soup and fruit salad; Dinner: Roast, potatoes, carrots
Thursday: Lunch: Tuna salad sandwhiches and salad; Dinner: BBQ Sandwhiches and vegetables from the freezer or pantry
Friday: Lunch: Vegetable-Beef soup and biscuits; Dinner: Hashbrown casserole and grilled meat from the freezer
Saturday: Lunch & Dinner: Various leftovers; clean out fridge day
Sunday: Lunch: Out; Dinner: Various leftovers; clean out fridge day again

Breakfasts: oatmeal, bananas, pancakes, cheese, eggs
Snacks: strawberries, bananas, oranges, string cheese, baby carrots, frozen peas and yogurt

Yep, I'm pretty sure this is the hardest menu plan I've ever had to make..food...blech.

Monday, Monday.....

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...I'm in a food mood................... (ok when am I NOT in a food mood?? I'm a Southerner..it's inherent!) At any rate, below is my list for the week!

Monday: Leftovers from Sunday-chicken, potatoes, coleslaw, beans and mixed veggies
Tuesday: Sandwiches, soup and fruit salad
Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed sweet potatoes and green beans
Thursday: Salmon patties, brown rice and veggies
Friday: out to dinner
Saturday: out to dinner
Sunday: Roast, potatoes, carrots and a dessert of some sort

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK--- I AM SUCH A BAD MOM--I completely forgot Sunday was Pritsha's birthday!!! SOOO BAD!!!!!! I have to make her a tuna cake and sing Happy Birthday tomorrow! Poor sweetie, no wonder she kept meowing and nudging me all day!!

It's been a few days!

Well the fam has been sick (myself included) so I haven't blogged in a few days. I'm really hoping this is the last of the winter colds. I really really really am tired of Reagan being sick, and us being sick too!

News on the homefront:

Reagan has nearly scratched the lower part of her back completely off and we think it's because her diapers are irritating her. So we've decided to move forward with cloth diapering. I've been doing tons of research and a friend even sewed a diaper for Reagan and is sending it to us to try it out. Once we figure out which diaper works best for my little water-loving monster (she goes to the bathroom A LOT!) we'll be able to buy several and stock up. And hopefully (since they're quite expensive to begin with) use them for child #2.

Now, please don't think I'm starting to become a hippie-loving, save mother earth, eat granola and don't shave-mother or anything--I truly could care less about global warming or cooling (because HELLO! the earth is on it's own natural cycle!) and I think Al Gore is perhaps one of the biggest idiots I've ever had the privelege of listening to (I'm very depressed that he happens to be a Southerner!). I just want to do what's best for my daughter.

This disclaimer has to be put out there because I picked up an issue (to my deep sorrow) of "Mothering Magazine" which is about the most liberal, anti-formula, anti-discipline, anti-EVERYTHING, organic, holier than thou magazine I have ever read in my life.

Just so everyone knows, if you can breastfeed, please do. BUT do not tell me I'm the world's worst mother because I had to feed her formula. And don't tell me she's going to become a sloth because she gets a cheeseburger every once in a while and doesn't eat organic plums. And don't expect me to change my whole life just because you think that using disposable diapers is illegal and ruining the world.

I could go on and on, but needless to say, Mothering Magazine is about the complete opposite from most of my views....in fact they even have an article entitled "How to be an Authentic Parent"....join with me in rolling my eyes here!

Ok, rant over.....just as soon as I go make my donation to the Heritage Foundation, along with my apologizies for funding the far left movement with my above mentioned purchase.
******************
As for adoption, we're slowly moving forward. Our application is almost completed..however I do need some information from both sets of grandparents and a current family picture. I really hope we can get the form submitted this week and get our intake interview done and then schedule our homestudy. I'd like to be on the waiting list by the end of this month!

Other news: Josh is plugging ahead with his masters program and doing quite well. We're having a new fence put in and some fun playtoys for Reagan.

I think that above covers it for today!

Oh, I did want to do a quick menu for monday...even though I'm not posting it to the main link!

Tonight: Chicken pot pie and green bean/carrot blend, low sugar millionaire pie for dessert (loaded with good stuff..fruit, nuts!)
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Soup and sandwhiches
Thursday: Salmon patties and vegetables
Friday: Casserole with ground beef and veggies
Saturday: Roast
Sunday: Out to eat after Church? or BBQ sandwhiches

Menu Plan Monday

This Menu Plan Monday is going to be a little different for me. I've decided I need to clean out the pantry to make room for newer staple items with expiration dates that aren't so soon! So below is a list of items that I want cleared out of the pantry this week. It's my job each day to decide what to make with the following items! *Feel free to leave suggestions!*

Pantry items to clear out:
various creamed soups
canned salmon
Hamburger Helper box (actually I may donate this on the food drive)
a million packs of pudding
Zatarain's rice mix
kidney beans
canned creamed corn
box of mac and cheese
corn muffin mix
canned tomatoes
cookie mixes
large bag of potatoes
large bag of onions
pretzels
nuts

Breakfasts: Oatmeal, fruit-fresh or canned, toast, waffles, eggs
Lunches: Sandwhiches, soups, leftovers, salads
Drinks: tea, koolaid, water, milk, juice
Snacks: Fruit, cheese, cubed meat, snack crackers, veggies

Menu Plan Monday

Ah, it's Monday again! So, after a few weeks of being a slacker and my diet taking a hit from those weeks of slacking, I'm back again with my menu. Enjoy!

Monday: Leftovers from Easter which include roast, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans and rolls
Tuesday: Baked chicken, rice and veggies
Wednesday: Soup and sandwhiches all around
Thursday: Salmon patties and veggie/salad
Friday: Baked burgers and veggies
Saturday: Homemade vegetable-beef soup
Sunday: Chicken-noodle casserole and veggie

Breakfasts: Oatmeal, fruit, toast, cereal, waffles or egg beaters
Lunches: Broccoli-Carrot soup, sandwhiches, salads, other soups, leftovers
Snacks: Cheesesticks, fruit, popcorn, fresh veggies and dip

Ack! Trying to play catch up!

This week is off to a very rocky start. Everyone in my house is crabby and I can't say I blame any of them....THIS WINTER IS NEVER GOING TO END!!! That being said, this weekend is Easter and I'm behind, as well as being crabby! The house is still a wreck, although I'm trying my best to clean everything up and reorganize the spaces for better use. I haven't gone grocery shopping and I've spent the better part of the beginning of the week covered in paint. Alas!

So, I'm going to post my menu and my tackle it for this week all together, right here!

Menu:
Wednesday: Josh and Reagan-baked chicken, potatoes, veggie; Me at the office-soup!
Thursday: Mexican food--I'll whip up something from my WW book
Friday: Pasta and veggies
Saturday: Fend for yourself day!
Sunday (EASTER!): Pork loin, carrots, deviled eggs, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, brussel sprouts or asparagus; sweet tea, hot tea, coffee, pepsi and coke; strawberry cake and granny's lemon pie

Tackles:
Finish organizing, touching up paint and rearranging bedroom. Carpet clean bedroom as well.
Drop off boxes to recycling center.
Drop off items to Goodwill.
Grocery shopping.
Pick a paint color for Reagan's big girl room.

I missed Menu Monday!

Yep, I missed it, but I guess I can still play along, if for nothing else than my own sanity. So here's my menu plan for the week:

Monday-Dinner: Baked chicken, steamed orange cauliflower and green beans! YUM!
Tuesday: Baked fish, new potatoes and green beans
Wednesday: Josh and Reagan: I'll make them meatloaf (a rare treat since it's NOT WW!) and mashed potatoes; for me: Healthy Choice Chicken Noodle Soup
Thursday: Chicken with creamy herb gravy
Friday: Easy Chicken Quesadillas with mexican-salsa salad

Lunches: soups, sandwhiches, veggies, baked potatoes
Snacks: fruit, 100 calorie snack packs, string cheese, light popcorn

Menu Plan Monday

I missed an entire week of blogging. I'll have to rectify that by posting every day this week! For a start, below is my menu. (And also, if you're making WW meals, wow.....they make a TON of food!! I learned not to overcook this week!)

Monday: Breakfast: light english muffin with cheese and fruit; lunch: tuna salad on light bread with a green salad; dinner-hamburgers with blue cheese coleslaw (I never got around to making this last week due to all the leftovers!)
Tuesday: Breakfast: light english muffin with cheese and fruit; lunch: warm tortellini salad with zucchini and tomatoes; dinner: Reagan and I-out to dinner at a friend's house-I'm bringing the fruit salad, Josh will pick up something on his way to his master's class
Wednesday: breakfast: oatmeal with raisins; lunch: leftover tortellini or pork chop dish; dinner: chicken with creamy herb gravy and a veggie
Thursday: breakfast: high fiber cereal with fat free milk and fruit; leftover chicken with herb gravy; dinner: taco salad (WW recipe from last week--fantastic!!!)
Friday: breakfast: cereal and fruit; lunch: meeting at my office, lunch for reagan and i provided; dinner: easy chicken quesadillas and a mexican-salsa salad
Saturday: breakfast: english muffin with cheese and fruit; lunch: field salad with tomato, feta and olives; dinner: any leftovers and i'll put together a large salad and some whole grain rice
Sunday: breakfast: cereal and fruit; lunch: chicken salad with fresh peaches and blue cheese; dinner: lemon sage roasted chicken with sage pan sauce

Can you tell it's a chicken kind of week? :) Actually, beef is really high in points and I always want food, so I've discovered that by eating things that are lower in points I can constantly eat and still lose weight!

Snacks for the week: fresh fruit, light string cheese, celery, fat free sugar free ice cream, and of course, sharing cheerios with Reagan! We'll probably also try our hand at Oatmeal-Nectarine Scones. YUM!

*Note: menu for Reagan, if she doesn't like something, we usually give her steamed veggies with cheese and sometimes leftover chicken and that makes a very hearty meal for her!

Menu Plan Monday!

Ahhhh, Monday. It's once again time to plan my menu! And guess what? This week I have a head start on the game because I've already roasted a turkey breast for tomorrow's dinner! Yummm! Yummm!

This week I'm also going to try something different and plan out all my meals for the week--that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks! I figure this will help me stick to my weight loss plan. Inevitably I find myself eating poorly for those meals I don't plan. So here we go! (Items in bold indicate recipe listed below!)

Monday: Breakfast-light whole wheat english muffin with butter and string cheese; Lunch-turkey sandwhich and green salad; Dinner-Sliced turkey breast, mashed sweet potatoes and green beans
Tuesday: Breakfast-steel cut oatmeal, fruit; Lunch-tuna salad on whole wheat with fruit or green salad or carrots; Dinner-Spicy Chicken-Spinach Bake
Wednesday:Breakfast-light whole wheat english muffin with melted cheese and 1 serving of fruit, Lunch-chicken salad with a green side salad, Dinner-WW Potato-Broccoli Soup and half of a turkey sandwhich
Thursday: Breakfast-eggs and light whole wheat toast; Lunch-turkey strips on salad with walnuts; Dinner-Leftovers!
Friday: Breakfast-muffins of some sort; Lunch-leftovers once again; Dinner-lean hamburgers with broccoli slaw or just plain coleslaw
Saturday:Breakfast-light whole wheat english muffin with melted cheese and 1 serving of fruit, Lunch-leftover Potato-Broccoli Soup and half of a turkey sandwhich; Dinner-Taco salads
Sunday:Breakfast-eggs, toast and fruit; Lunch-Salads for adults; veggies and lean meat for Reagan; Dinner-salmon patties and veggies, leftover coleslaw

Snacks for the week for Josh and I: yogurt, cheese sticks, celery with peanut butter, fruit and popcorn (lowfat or fatfree); Reagan: her usual snacks, which could include any of those listed for us too!

Recipes:
WW Potato-Broccoli Soup
3 cups cubed peeled potato (about 1 lb)
1 cup frozen, chopped broccoli
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp salt
1 14.5 oz can of no-salt-added chicken broth (i usually use reduced sodium!)
1.5 cups of 1% milk
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
6 oz. light processed cheese (such as Velveeta) cubed

Combine first six ingredients in large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.

Combine milk and flour, stirring until smooth. Add milk mixture and cheese to vegetable mixture in Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until cheese melts and mixture thickens.

Serve immediately, or cool and divide into individual airtight containers; refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave. Yield: 7 servings of 1 cup each. Points Value: 3

Spicy Chicken-Spinach Bake
8 oz uncooked penne
2 teaspoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2.5 cups 1% milk
1 6 oz. package of fresh baby spinach, coarsley chopped (NOTE: WW said they tested with both fresh and frozen and had better results with fresh, but I'll probably still use frozen, easier to keep on hand!)
1 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspsoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
1.5 cups salsa
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta according to package directions, ommitting salt and fat. Drain.

While pasta cooks, melt butter in a Dutch oven (what is it with WW and Dutch ovens?!?!) over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; saute 4 minutes until tender. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, level with a knife. Add flour to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add milk, stirring constantly with a whisk. Cool 11 minutes or until thick. Add spinach, stirring until spinach wilts. Remove from heat; add 1/4 cup of cheese, salt and pepper.

Stir in chicken, salsa and 3/4 cup of cheese. Carefully fold in pasta. Spoon mixture into a 13*9 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake at 350 fir 39 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 8 1 cup servings.

Menu Plan Monday!

Last week I didn't do a menu plan and we ate so badly! It always pays to have a plan.

Also, in addition to trying to lose weight, I'm trying to prepare more heart healthy menus, so this week is going to be very simple and very healthy. My weight watchers cookbook finally arrived so I'll be using some of those recipes next week! Enjoy!

Monday-Baked chiken, baked potato, steamed broccoli
Tuesday-Baked fish, steamed veggies and brown rice (not instant--the kind that has tons of fiber and cooks for an hour!)
Wednesday-Lean baked meatloaf (made with steel cut oatmeal), baked sweet potato and veggie
Thursday-HAVE NOT YET DECIDED! VALENTINE'S MENU! Would love to hear what everyone else is having!
Friday-Stirfry and chicken with brown rice (again, not instant!)
Saturday-Tomato soup and fruit salad
Sunday-Roast with veggies