Menu: June 25-July 1

I've decided that life is just gonna be busy for a little while (at least till wedding season is over). Thus meals need to be simple, which Jared prefers.

• Tacos with black beans and rice
• Forgotten Chicken and mixed veggies
• Freezer ham sammies, fresh fruit, and veggie tray
• Italian Chicken (this is a crockpot meal - chicken breasts, potatoes, and carrots all cooked together)
• Grilled Chicken Pizza with pesto sauce and a side salad - We're canoeing with our college/careers group today so I wanted something simple that can be prepped ahead of time.

I'm working on a 2 week menu for July 2-15 as I have 3 weddings going out during that time. I will try to get it posted in the next couple of days. 

I've started updating the master list if you need some more ideas for your menu.

Your turn: What are some simple summer "go-to" recipes that your family enjoys?

Dinner at 8pm (June)

I happened to see this idea on a blog a few months ago (here's the original idea) and decided to try it. I knew Jared and I really needed a "date" Thursday night but had no luck finding sitter on the spur of the moment so I decided to try it. I will admit that it was a bit of a struggle trying to get me kids to go to bed early but I think better planning on my part would have helped with that. It ended up being a really nice evening for us to sit and an enjoy an elegant dinner and a movie.



Here is what we had for dinner (I did make a changes to all of the recipes and I'm hoping to get them posted on here soon but the original links will have to suffice for now):

Candlelight provided by some tapered candles, coffee beans, and champagne flutes.

Appetizer - Honey Oat Bread with black pepper & herb olive oil for dipping

Main entree - Sweet'n'Spicy Garlic Chicken

Vegetables - Braised Zucchini with Red Pepper and Onion, and Steamed broccoli and cauliflower

Dessert - Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake and coffee (I baked my cakes in the oven instead of the microwave)

Monster Spinach Smoothie

I discovered a delicious smoothie recipe. It's only 342 calories for roughly 26oz. It is really good after a morning run and loaded with nutrients. :o)

Monster Purple Spinach Smoothie

• 1 handful Baby Spinach (about 1 cup) 
• 1/2 cup Crushed Pineapple or Chunks 
• 1 medium banana (7"-8") 
• 1/2 cup lowfat yogurt (I used lowfat vanilla but am going to try Greek when I can get it on sale) 
• 1/2 cup water 
• 1/2 cup strawberries, halved 
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 

Puree in a blend and enjoy!

I found the original recipe Pinterest (shown below). It didn't call for the berries but I add them because they're in season and supposed to be a great boost for runners. 

Green Spinach Smoothie

• 2 handful Baby Spinach (about 2 cup) 
• 1 cup Crushed Pineapple or Chunks 
• 2 medium bananas (7"-8") 
• 1 cup lowfat yogurt 
• 1 cup water 

Menu: June 18-24

Things are finally just a bit slower. No weddings going out, no catering, just a couple of fittings and generally "wife & mother" stuff. I am looking forward to it and hoping to get some sewing (for myself and the kids) finished. Being Sundays are busy, we are doing Father's Day grilling tonight.

• Steaks and hot dogs, grilled potatoes, grilled veggies, a salad and some dinner rolls
• Red beans & rice
• Homemade Mac'n'Cheese and steamed veggies
• Fajitas, black beans and brown rice, and fruit salad
• Pierogies Marinara and steamed California medley veggies (yes, I got the pierogies for super cheap using coupons)

Btw, I did finish a t-shirt upcycle sewing project for myself on Saturday. I plan to post pictures and a tutorial as soon as I get a chance.

Temperance: Eating for Weight Control (Updated 7/6/12)

Update (7/6/12):

I really struggled the 3rd week in June and was back up to 202.1, but I have not gone over 205 for a full 3 weeks so I think it is safe to say that I am below that mark. I have been a lot better about getting my exercise in and staying under my daily calorie goal over the last week and a half or so. I weighed myself this morning and am at 200.0 lbs even. I am so close to being out of the 200's... I NEED to stay focused and be more disciplined... Only another 40 pounds or so to go till my goal weight and 9 months to lose it.

Update (6/15/12):

Today I had "sticker shock" of sorts. I weighed myself (as I do most mornings) and had to weigh myself 5 more times AND have Jared look at the scale. I was in complete disbelief, it said "201.3"! I would have jumped and shouted but the kids were still sleeping. I am down a total of 50.9 lbs and only about a pound and a half away from weighing less than 200 (I weight that I have not seen since May of 2003). I am finally wearing a Misses 18 (from a 24W). In fact, I tried on a dress that I designed while in college and it was actually a bit big on me. Here's a picture of me wearing the dress originally and then again a couple of weeks ago.

Menu: June 11-17

Sorry that this is getting posted late. It was crazy busy last week! Catering was a success, even with Jared and Miss S. being sick (Miss S. was also cutting all 4 front teeth).
This week I have a dress going out, a first fitting for a July wedding, and Vacation Bible School at our church so things are going to be busy again! Oh, and Mr. R and Miss E had dentist appointments on Monday.

• Jambalaya (although I ended up making this last week and we had the Freezer Ham Sammies this week)
• Citrus ginger "dump" chicken (I'm going to add onions, red peppers, maybe some fresh pineapple, and cook it in the crockpot) over rice and stirfry veggies.
• Grilled chicken salad (yes, I'm doing this again, it's a great summer meal as it's really too hot to cook and it's healthy)
• Pizza or pizza rolls, side salad, and fresh fruit (we're loading up on strawberries and blueberries while they're on sale)
• Some kind of a wrap, pita, or sandwich...I'm still thinking about this one. I've come to the conclusion that the traditional "Sunday Dinner" just doesn't work for us. We are just too busy and I need something quick and easy (both preparing and eating) so that we can still get the kiddos down for naps. 

Your turn: What quick and easy meals are your favorite?

Menu: June 4-10

Correction, next week is Vacation Bible School at our church! Glad I got it wrong. Jared and I will be catering our first Graduation party this weekend and I have a bridesmaid dress going out so it's going to be busy!

• Beef and bean burritos (or tacos) and Mexican rice - my kiddos are very much like Jared in that they scarf down anything Tex-Mex
  
• Chicken and veggie alfredo (yes, it is a pre-packaged freezer meal that I got for $4 thanks to coupons) and French bread
• Chili dogs, fruit salad, and side salad
• Chili-Maple glazed dump chicken (I'll be grilling this), grilled potatoes (potato slices+minced garlic+chopped onion+salt+pepper+parsley+olive oil/butter layered in an aluminum foil packet), and mixed veggies.
• Freezer Ham Sammies (Pinterest), mixed veggies, and fresh pineapple