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

Chili Dog Sauce

I LOVE chili dogs but am not a fan of how unhealthy the store bought sauce is for you so I decided to make my own a couple of weeks ago. It turned out beautifully! A friend, who is not normally a fan of hot dogs, commented on how good it was. The sauce has a nice amount of spice, a lot of flavor, loads of extra nutrients, and makes a huge batch. I like that it makes a great big batch because then I have leftovers - leftovers that can be used in a tomato chili, frozen for future chili dogs, or added to nacho cheese for chip dip.

• 1 lb Ground Turkey (you could also sub beef, venison, chicken, etc.)
• 1 1/2 cups Small Red Beans (Dry)
• 2 cups Spinach leaves - Raw
• 2 cup Carrots, grated
• 1 medium Onion, cut into chunks
• 1 cup red bell peppers, cut into chunks  
• 2 cans Red Gold - Chili Ready Diced Tomatoes 
• 1/2 cup Ketchup
• 3 teaspoons Jalapeno Hot Sauce
• 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1 tablespoon Paprika
• 1 tablespoon Cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 tablespoon Oregano, dried
• 3 cloves Garlic
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Rinse and cook beans (never cooked your own, here are some cooking instructions / tips).
2. while beans are simmering, throw all the ingredients (except the meat and beans) in a food processor or blender and puree. Then pour them into a 6 quart slow cooker on low. (You may need to process/blend in a few batches as it may be too much liquid for just one.)
3. Brown turkey with salt and pepper; drain and add meat to the slow cooker.
4. Once the beans are cooked, toss them into the food processor or blender and pulse till they are small crumbles in size (you can also leave some whole for texture; add to slow cooker.
5. Let everything simmer for 3-6 hours. 
6. Then enjoy!

If you like a meatier sauce, by all means, add more meat. I may add another half a pound next time I make this.

1 serving = 1/4 cup of sauce (36 calories)

Menu: May 28-June 3

Thank you to all those who've given their lives to make free and protect us from harm!
we'll be doing a fairly traditional Memorial Day cookout this week. Friday night Jared will be speaking at a banquet for a group of high school seniors so I will not be planning a meal. Then we have a couple of graduation parties to go to on Saturday so the menu is shortened.

• Hamburgers, brats, hot dogs, slow cooker BBQ beans, pasta salad, fresh fruit and s'mores
• Chicken sausage and vegetable skillet over penne pasta
• Sub sandwiches, veggie tray, and fruit salad
• Chicken salad pitas and fresh fruit salad (this was on last week's menu but didn't get made as we were just too busy trying to get projects around the house completed)
• Grilled chicken salad with boiled eggs, broccoli, carrots, etc. and fresh bread (trying it in the slow cooker this time)

Menu: May 21-27

Trying to keep things simple is difficult for me. I tend to overcomplicate things, especially when it comes to food. I prefer to do everything from scratch as I know it is healthier for you. I love to make "fancy" meals but I know that it's not necessary. So...because of time constraints I have to daily remind myself to keep it simple but make it delicious! what are some simple but absolutely delicious dishes that you enjoy?

• Taco Salad and tortilla bowls
• Grilled venison steaks, roasted potatoes, mixed veggies, and a side salad
• Chili dogs, raw veggie tray, and potato wedges
• Grilled pork chops, grilled potatoes, mixed veggies, and dinner rolls
• Crispy southwest chicken wraps and a side salad
• Chicken salad pitas and fresh fruit salad

Menu: May 14-20

Monday was Miss E's 4th birthday so we did something special and went to a resort and waterpark. It was lots of fun! I've kept the menu simple this week.

• Hot beef tortillas (a take on hot beef sandwiches), side salad, and mixed veggies 
• Chicken taco soup over brown rice and strawberries for dessert 
• "Brinner" bread bowls and fresh fruit 
• Spaghetti, steamed California veggies, green beans with garlic, and French bread 
• Tailgating at a baseball game - burgers, dogs, etc. YUM! 
• Crockpot lasagna, mixed veggies, salad, and French bread