Meal Plan update Wednesday!

So far so good!!

Today I made Turkey meatloaf

I buy ground turkey at Sam's 2- 2.5 packs

I use 2.5 lbs turkey
about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of prepackaged stuffing mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup of ketchup
about 2T of powdered ranch dressing mix
1T of garlic pwd
1T onion pwd
mix all together and I form 2 loaves so it cooks faster.


If you want to smear ketchup over the top of the meatloaf (or BBQ sauce) it will add a little extra something.

 - bake for about 45 minutes at 350

for the veggie side - I made green bean and artichoke casserole

2 cans french style green beans
1 can artichokes in water
italian bread crumbs
parmesan cheese
olive oil

drain green beans and artichokes - I cut the artichokes into small pieces
mix with bread crumbs (enough to coat the green bean mixture)
add about 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup olive oil and mix
Place into a baking dish cover lightly with a sprinkle of bread crumbs and parmesan cheese then pour enough olive oil over the top to lightly coat the casserole.

bake at 350 for about 15 - 20 minutes until warm

Meal Plan update

I think I have figured out my meal plan aversion! While fixing "sticky rice" I was thinking - why is it I don't like to have a meal plan considering I know how much easier it would make my life... hmm. Well I think it's because of hyperemesis leftovers (and no I am not pregnant) I still have food aversions and my youngest is 8!  I especially don't like to eat the food after cooking it all day. When I cook red beans I never want to eat them after smelling them all day.

Weekly Menu Plan

I have always resisted a weekly menu plan even though I know how much easier my live would be IF I broke down and had ANY plan. I always thought if I planned what to eat I would want to eat it that night. This week I have decided to start posting (or try to) every Monday what our meal plan will be. Hopefully this will help in two different ways. One we are trying to cook at home more often for health reasons and second, to save money. When a family of six sit down to eat at a restaurant - we are talking minimum of $50-$60 with tip. Here comes a secret. My greatest weakness is eating out. I can wear an old t-shirt for years because I don't want to spend the money to buy new clothes but eating out - I could do it every night. Surprising I know - I like to cook. I even think I am a pretty good cook, but having someone bring out a delicious plate of yummy goodness and keep my ice tea full with delicious tea and a fresh slice of lemon... just makes me feel good.

I also hate it when the kids(and dh) start asking me at 1pm what we're having for supper. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard.

SO - I am going to start simple. I purchased this Peel and Stick Wall Decal - Dry Erase Calendar and I placed it on my kitchen door (FYI it's not white more just frosted - because of the color of the door it looks brown). It will stop everyone from asking me what's for dinner AND I won't lose it. The kids really enjoyed it as well!

We started with tonight and the kids enjoyed picking the rest of the week! It was great - they got involved with me. The meals are planned and ready to go.


So drum roll please ... I have a real meal plan for this week!!!!

• Monday - Enchilada Casserole
• Tuesday - Sticky Rice ( rice, garlic powder, cream of mushroom soup, and chicken breast)
• Wednesday - Turkey Meatloaf
• Thursday - homemade mac and cheese
• Friday - chicken tenders
• Saturday - homemade pizza
• Sunday - 4th of July BBQ Ribs

My goal next week - planning side items as well!!!

Menu Plan Monday

This is Zero Saturday morning.

The morning he left for Philmont - please keep him and all of the boys in you're prayers. We have been praying the Rosary nightly for his protection.

-

Bob and his toys...day 2

Bob is at it once again here is his flip video he titled "Dance of the Robot"

Bob and his toys...

DS, 10 received a Flip video camera from Santa last Christmas - he absolutely loved it!! He makes his own movies with legos and puppets. Well last week he made a deal with his "KEKE" (his grandmother). She was going to pay for him to go to a robotics camp that cost the same amount as the Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 so he dealt the deal and decided to get the robotics set instead of camp - personally I thought it was a smart move.

Anyway he has now combined them and has started making movies - he has learned how to use the flip software, add background music, and email the videos - I have no idea how he learns this stuff. (not from me)

Confirmation Pictures