my chive talkin' menu plan - week of October 4, 2009

Hello folks! It has been an interesting week around here. Mini-me started cross country (XC) at school and we had two meets. This upcoming week planning is going to be crucial since the kid has 3 XC meets this week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It seems that XC is only this month so it is a very short season but we also have karate! We had taken September off from karate (we needed to get the swing of middle school since the kid is now in accelerated math - good thing since we were able to see what kind of homework we will be getting). We are going to try and get back into karate once per week for October then we will bump it up to twice/week in November.

ACK! We will be busy but we will stay active and we will keep it healthy! Salads and extra veggies will be added everywhere!

Sunday ~ I will set some Braised Short Ribs simmering while we watch the Cowboys game! Dinner should be ready by the end of half-time! Check out this recipe because it screams fall (or colder weather)! There will also be a big dinner salad (ya know ~ lettuce, cucumbers, tomato [the last Jersey tomato to be found] and carrots) AND just because I have it in my fridge, broccoli! I am actually hoping there are lots of leftovers so I can use it in my morning eggs.

Monday ~ an absolute favorite of everyone: TACO Salad...this is completely interactive. I put everything in separate bowls/containers and everyone makes their "own" salad. Avocados, sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, beans, taco-seasoned beef! I may make some corn bread to go with this is I can find a "healthy" recipe.

Tuesday: Oven-"fried" Chicken. This will be a mix of boneless skinless breasts & thighs (I have a package of each and I will use half for this meal and half for Wednesday). A noodle side dish will accompany some green beans & spinach. I hope there is leftover corn bread!

Wednesday: Butternut Squash Chicken Chili ~ I saw this recipe the other day and I have been thinking about it ever since. When I looked in my freezer and realized I have boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs I got very excited.

Thursday: Pork Chops and Applesauce! What a combo! I will also make some mashed potatoes and curly cabbage!

Friday: Big Man is grilling up some steak! Baked potatoes and a big ole salad are sure to be found and since big man loves 'em I will fry him some onions & mushrooms!

And here are the menu plan details. Again, thanks Jenna!!


I hope you are menu planning!! It has been a lifesaver for me! I am more organized and less stressed after a hard day at work. I have Jenna to thank! She introduced me to the wonders of menu planning. You should totally check out Jenna's Chive Talkin' Menu Plan Blog Roll. I am so happy that I did. Plus, I check back there to see who has linked and what kind of menu they have! Great way to get new ideas and recipes!!

Go ahead...

Ya know ya wanna...

my chive talkin' menu plan - week of September 27, 2009

And the menu, once again! Sorry about last week, I did write a menu but not in blog form! It is actually still up on my fridge. This week brings back karate classes (we took a 2-month break due to summer & back to school) and the first cross country meet for the kid. I am thinking we are going to ease back into karate and go to Friday and Saturday classes since the CC meet is on Wednesday. Next week may be even crazier...there are 3 meets! Planning is going to be even more important because I insist that we all eat together. My kid is only 10 and I figure every year it will get harder to eat dinner as a family but I will always insist that we do so as often as is possible!

Sunday ~ tonight Big Man made stuffed peppers. He used the last of our garden tomatoes in the mix! I made a big ole salad!
Monday ~ Sirloin Steak, potatoes, corn on the cob (I hope this isn't the last of the sweet Jersey corn) and more salad.
Tuesday ~ Breakfast for dinner ~ This is one of my family's faves (especially the kid) and it has been on the menu for a couple of weeks but we haven't gotten to it for some reason or another.
Wednesday ~ Spaghetti & sausage with a Salad
Thursday ~ Whole Roasted Chicken with roasted veg
Friday ~ Pork Kebab with Grilled Veg (zucchini, red peppers, mushrooms, onion) all served over cous cous.

With the early warning signs of Fall upon us, I find I am craving soups! I am on the lookout for good, low-calorie vegetable soups. Please hit me up with any recipe suggestions!! Thanks in advance!

And here are the menu plan details. Again, thanks Jenna!!


I hope you are menu planning!! It has been a lifesaver for me! I am more organized and less stressed after a hard day at work. I have Jenna to thank! She introduced me to the wonders of menu planning. You should totally check out Jenna's Chive Talkin' Menu Plan Blog Roll. I am so happy that I did. Plus, I check back there to see who has linked and what kind of menu they have! Great way to get new ideas and recipes!!

Go ahead...

Ya know ya wanna...

my chive talkin' menu plan - week of September 13, 2009

Sunday ~ Pork Chops with Cabbage & potatoes
Monday ~ Steaks with Black Beans & rice
Tuesday ~ Burgers & dogs with Tuna Mac (the big man& the kid love this stuff ~ me not so much ~ I will have a regular salad.
Wednesday ~ BBQ Chicken with alfredo pasta & broccoli!
Thursday~ Beef Cubes with cous cous and veggies
Friday ~ Pork Cutlets with cabbage & potatoes (I know there will be leftover cabbage from Sunday night ~ I never make the whole head of cabbage! and the big man absolutely loves this meal!)

I was able to plan this menu mainly from stuff I have in the freezer and the pantry. We are doing some serious budgeting but it is all working out!

And here are the menu plan details. Again, thanks Jenna!!


I hope you are menu planning!! It has been a lifesaver for me! I am more organized and less stressed after a hard day at work. I have Jenna to thank! She introduced me to the wonders of menu planning. You should totally check out Jenna's Chive Talkin' Menu Plan Blog Roll. I am so happy that I did. Plus, I check back there to see who has linked and what kind of menu they have! Great way to get new ideas and recipes!!

Go ahead...

Ya know ya wanna...

my chive talkin' menu plan - week of September 7, 2009

I cannot believe that it s Labor day already! Summer is over but around here it is just beginning. You see I live in southern New Jersey (google Atlantic City, NJ or Ocean City, NJ ~ I live between these places on the mainland and we are very seasonal. Basically, between Memorial and Labor days we are invaded by tourists. I love this and I hate this! It is a fine line but this weekend is the unofficial end to the tourists and summer. Locals will take to the beaches and start enjoying some of the "touristey" stuff we have avoided for the last 2 months! I can't wait to get to the boardwalk for some rides and caramel popcorn!

I started school last week and the karate kid starts on Tuesday. I did a lot of planning today and me and the big man went shopping at Target & Acme to prepare! Planning lunches and dinners is going to be essential to keeping me organized and on budget.

Monday ~ we are going to a barbecue with friends in the afternoon and then barbecue at my mom's for dinner.

Tuesday ~ Turkey (meat) Loaf with mashed potatoes & veggies & a salad (If you are remembering last week's menu you might think I am repeating but I never got to making this)

Wednesday ~ Big Man will work the grill while I walk with the girls! Grilled Sausage with peppers & onions sandwiches, corn on the cob and homemade potato salad

Thursday ~ Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes, applesauce and cabbage

Friday ~ Big Man found a shrimp recipe that he is making! Sorry but that is all I know!

Saturday ~ anothe night where I will not be cooking. The big man and I are attending a very good friend's wedding.

And here are the menu plan details. Again, thanks Jenna!!


I hope you are menu planning!! It has been a lifesaver for me! I am more organized and less stressed after a hard day at work. I have Jenna to thank! She introduced me to the wonders of menu planning. You should totally check out Jenna's Chive Talkin' Menu Plan Blog Roll. I am so happy that I did. Plus, I check back there to see who has linked and what kind of menu they have! Great way to get new ideas and recipes!!

Go ahead...

Ya know ya wanna...

gotta love ...

when a plan comes together!!

NOT!

I woke up this morning and put together my short ribs, put them all in the crock pot....turned the crock pot on low....and went about my business.....

Came home and the house didn't smell like short ribs...

I FORGOT TO PLUG THE FUCKING THING INTO THE FUCKING WALL!!!!

So, leftover Burgers from last and short ribs for tomorrow!

I am trying not to cry but that is a whole other story...I start school tomorrow and I am just a tad stressed and I have been trying to make lists so that nothing gets missed...

so I am frustrated that I didn't even notice a little stupid plug not being plugged in!

my chive talkin' menu plan - week of August 30, 2009

A couple of days ago my husband received a letter from Unemployment telling us that his claim will be exhausted after his next call-in and there are no extensions available at this time. So, we have to budget and plan better than ever! We inventoried the freezer and the cabinets, we looked through the sale ads...I pretty much planned tonight all the way through to Labor Day Monday.

Sunday ~ Burgers and pasta salad
Monday ~ Short Ribs and mashed potatoes. I am using this recipe.
Tuesday ~ Leftover Burgers with Grilled sausage
Wednesday ~ Grilled Chicken
Thursday ~ Spaghetti and Meatballs
Friday ~ Leftover Spags & balls with a chicken (leftover) caesar salad.
Saturday ~ Homemade Cheese Steaks
Sunday ~ Turkey (meat)Loaf
Monday (Labor Day) ~ we are going to a party most of the day. We know we all be tired and not in the cooking mood so there will be plenty of TurkeyLoaf leftovers!



And here are the menu plan details. Again, thanks Jenna!!


I hope you are menu planning!! It has been a lifesaver for me! I am more organized and less stressed after a hard day at work. I have Jenna to thank! She introduced me to the wonders of menu planning. You should totally check out Jenna's Chive Talkin' Menu Plan Blog Roll. I am so happy that I did. Plus, I check back there to see who has linked and what kind of menu they have! Great way to get new ideas and recipes!!

Go ahead...

Ya know ya wanna...

my chive talkin' menu plan - week of August 23, 2009

Sunday~Pork Chops, "fried" cabbage, mashed potatoes, and apple sauce
Monday~ Stuffed Peppers ~ This is a BigMan specialty! He makes the most yummy stuffed peppers and we get to use some red peppers from our garden.
Tuesday~Chicken Cacciatore
Wednesday~Cajun Grilled Chicken, Red Beans and Rice and a Salad
Thursday~Steak Night ~ steak, baked potatoes, and a big old salad!
Friday~Pork Kebabs with Grilled Veggies



And here are the menu plan details. Again, thanks Jenna!!


I hope you are menu planning!! It has been a lifesaver for me! I am more organized and less stressed after a hard day at work. I have Jenna to thank! She introduced me to the wonders of menu planning. You should totally check out Jenna's Chive Talkin' Menu Plan Blog Roll. I am so happy that I did. Plus, I check back there to see who has linked and what kind of menu they have! Great way to get new ideas and recipes!!

Go ahead...

Ya know ya wanna...ay