Menu Planning Monday

Wow! What a week we had. I am so exhausted from all the festivities that I was tempted to put off menu planning; for a moment. But, I know what a difference this has made for our family and my sanity. We are officially on summer break now and we have a high school graduate in our home. In less than 3 months he will be off to college, and I will lose my best eater. Anyway, it should be an interesting week as we adjust to being together again.

Monday: leftover pulled pork from last nights graduation dinner (or barbeque)
Tuesday: My birthday dinner, hopefully not at home
Wednesday: Grilled honey lime chicken
Thursday: Crockpot chicken tacos
Friday: Grilled salmon
Saturday: Nathan's 18th birthday dinner
Sunday: Breakfast for dinner

Check out organizing junkie for tons or recipes.

Menu Planning Monday

It's finally graduation week. That means something going on at someone's school every night this week. Add to that my sister and 5 kids arriving along with my parents, and we are talking a full house. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. We are sooooo excited. So, this is my best guess for how the weeks menu will go. I was going to try this recipe but we ate all the tortellini last week and I had forgotten I had this slated. So, I'll have to push it back until I buy more tortellini.

Monday: whole wheat waffles

Tuesday: tacos

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs

Thursday: Dinner at Outback before graduation

Friday: Dinner out for my baby sister's birthday

Saturday: Whatever is left in the fridge

Sunday: Pulled pork sandwiches (graduation party)

Check out organizing junkie for tons or recipes.

Menu Planning Monday

The lemon butter cod filets were easy to make and it was a nice change from the plain way I usually cook fish.

It's heating up so it's time to start utilizing my crock pot and grill more. Still trying to keep it very simple as we draw even closer to graduation.

Monday: fish tacos

Tuesday: hamburgers and turkey burgers

Wednesday: turkey loin in crockpot (from Costco) and mashed potatoes

Thursday: leftovers from last night

Friday: spaghetti and meatballs

Saturday: date night

Sunday: barbeque chicken and steak

Check out organizing junkie for tons or recipes.

Menu Planning Monday

Lasts weeks new meal was the Whole Wheat Penne Pasta with Chicken and Veggies. The family was happy with it. I tend to do things more simply. It probably would turn out better if I went to the work of using a whole chickent and so forth, but I opted for frozen, pre-cooked chicken and so I had to add butter to make the gravy. All in all it was a success. We had a wonderful barbeque for Mother's Day. Thanks to my husband, the grill master. It was greatly appreciated. My mom was here and made a corn and black bean salad. Yum. I will try to get the recipe on my other blog after I upload pictures.

My mom took me to Costco and I was able to fill my freezers with lots of fun food. So, we will be utilizing those timesavers for our menus this week. As we get closer to the end of school (2 1/2 weeks) and my son's graduation, things will be crazy, and I know I need to be stocked and keep it simple.

Monday: shredded beef and chicken fajitas

Tuesday: Mother/Daughter dinner at church (boys are on their own)

Wednesday: Chicken and cheese ravioli

Thursday: lemon butter cod filets (I will use tilapia or mahi)

Friday: shredded pork (canned last year)

Saturday: barbeque at Nathan's gymnastics banquet

Sunday: turkey and potatoes

Check out organizing junkie for tons or recipes.

Developing Good Habits

I have had this subject on my mind for weeks. Thoughts come so clearly to me when I'm running, however, they slow down or fade as I enter the house.

Habits are funny. It feels like it takes forever to develop a good one and only a moment to develop a bad one. This is the definition of what I am talking about.

A habit is an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition.

Not exercising is a bad habit. Exercising is a good habit.
Eating without thinking is a bad habit. Eating for fuel with intention is a good habit.

Our bodies were meant to move. You don't have to run to exercise. But you have to do something. You would have to do massive amounts of exercise to change your weight without changing your eating habits.

We habitually eat too much. Before I began this journey, I would eat until I was beyond full; at just about every meal. I would eat when I wasn't even hungry. Bad habit.

My dad is a great example. He has been playing tennis for 20 years. So, he was in pretty good shape. His nightly habit was to watch TV while eating popcorn and drinking a Pepsi. He would top it off with ice cream. Every single night. Several months ago he started working with a trainer and attending boot camps as well as running. His body started to change. However, when he gave up ice cream and Pepsi he became a different person. He took off 20 pounds and completely changed the way he looked. He is buff and has incredible abs. He is 66 years old.

It starts now. What habit can you change this very minute? For me, every day, every meal is a chance to change years of bad habits. Good habits bring happiness.

Pass it on.

Menu Planning Monday

We enjoyed some great meals last week. The Taco pasta
we will try again. I halved the recipe but added too much pasta, so it was dry. I might also add zucchini to it.
For this weeks menu, I am digging into my freezer and cupboards.

Monday: Whole Wheat Penne Pasta with Chicken and Veggies
Tuesday: fish tacos
Wednesday: turkey burgers
Thursday: chili
Friday: tortellini (from Sams Club)I will have spaghetti squash
Saturday: date night
Sunday: Mother's Day surprise

Check out organizing junkie for tons or recipes.