Hello all, and happy February! Instead of writing a Monthly Menu, I am going to try writing out a loose weekly menu and see how I like it. Here is what we are planning to have this week subject to change without notice:).
Breakfast:
I hate it when we run out of granola, and I let us go a whole week without before I made some this weekend. Granola is back!
And one of the most frugal, healthy breakfasts I can make overnight in the crock-pot: steel cut oats! We have it for two days, and almost every time without fail I dread making it. Silly I tell you, because it takes less than five minutes to make, and I am ALWAYS glad I make it! I guess that’s why I keep making it every week. Plus we can dress up the oatmeal with what is in season.
And for a weekend treat, waffles!
Lunches:
Here are a couple of my favorite lunches. The kids and Jonathan are now getting more salads for their 3-day-a-week school or dinner leftovers. I usually make their lunches the night before school, after dinner as I am cleaning up. Joshua and I stay behind and eat NACHOS! I am not always quick to share my dairy-free nacho cheese with Joshua since he can have regular cheese, although he loves it.
And here is our 4 Ingredient Pizza that makes a quick lunch.
Dinner:
Leftover chili from my friend’s Super Bowl gathering (thanks J and go Hawks!!) with sourdough bread.
I am trying to incorporate one Salad Night a week where we eat a dense salad. Sometimes that means throwing leftover meat (ham or shredded chicken) and using hard boiled eggs and cheese for the family.
And of course I am going to break out the crock-pot this week a few times to make Crock-pot Chicken Drumsticks (instead of a whole chicken) to shred and have leftovers to make:
- Crock-Pot Enchilada Recipe
- Crock-pot Chicken with Thai Peanut Sauce and Easy Crock-pot Rice.
- Crock-Pot or Not Super Quick Tortilla Soup
- Crock-pot Orange Ginger Chicken-read more below in the snack and dessert section about the health benefits of ginger.
We make that chicken go a long way.
Snacks and Dessert:
If I wasn’t already excited about smoothies before (taking 2012 to post a new smoothie each week), I am even more of a believer in drinking smoothies for the ability to pack a lot of nutrients into one drink. They make a great whole foods snack. Plus, it is hard for our little 4 year-old to eat a lot of spinach (it takes FOR-E-VER), but he drinks smoothies like no other and usually asks for seconds! I am especially trying to incorporate more ginger in our diet, and throwing fresh ginger root in smoothies makes it easy. Not only is ginger root super fresh tasting, but it is cancer-fighting. And who doesn’t love a natural cancer-fighter, especially with me having my mom die of cancer.
My 8 year old helps me keep these No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Bars stocked. Good thing, because I hate running out of them. They are as healthy as the chocolate chips you use, so aim for a darker chocolate.
And here are a couple of recipes that I made in January (for two different birthdays) and don’t plan to make this week, but wanted to share because I love food pics!
