What's Cooking Week of August 13th, 2017

We did really well staying on plan with the menu last week...well, until Friday...but one night is better than the previous week.

Here's what's on the menu this week...

Sunday -- Noodles & Eggs (it's a German meal, and we love it...our American spin on it anyway).
Monday -- Saucy Mozzarella Patties
Tuesday -- Hamburgers (didn't have last Friday, so tonight it is)
Wednesday -- Pork Tacos (this will be a new recipe...crockpot makes it even better)
Thursday -- YOYO (Brian off, and Sherrie has a meeting)
Friday -- YOYO (Brian off, and not sure our plans)
Saturday -- YOYO (Saturday Youth Event, so I don't have to cook)

What's on your menu this week?  Any new favorites?

What's Cooking Week of August 6th, 2017

So, we did okay with the menu last week.  Thursday's plans were the only ones that were thwarted.  They were not fulfilled because Brian was off, and we had a very late lunch, resulting in a last minute decision for Frozen Yogurt for supper (yeah, I know...healthy choice there mom).

Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Sunday -- Chicken Fajitas
Monday -- Meatloaf
Tuesday -- Homemade Pizzas
Wednesday -- Breakfast for Dinner (this is a repeat from last week, but it's an easy choice before church)
Thursday -- Lamb Chops (hoping plans don't get thwarted again since Brian is off)
Friday -- Hamburgers
Saturday -- Frikadellen or YOYO (not sure my plans for Saturday just yet)

What's on your menu this week?  Do you find a menu keeps you accountable?  How often do you rotate your menu?  I try to go as long as I can before repeating the main dish...it's a challenge I hold with myself.  LOL!

What's Cooking Week of July 31, 2017

It's been nearly a year since I've posted on the blog.  I feel bad about that, but life has just been busy, and well, sometimes I wonder if anyone ever reads this thing.  LOL!

Anyway, with the start of another school year (we are entering our 10th year of homeschooling), it's time to buckle down and try to get back to menu planning.  I typed up a list of all of our tried and true family favorites and asked the boys to help me choose the menu for the next few weeks.  I'm hoping by involving them, they'll hold me accountable and maybe even lend a hand in the kitchen.

This time around, I'm only posting the main dish...our sides are usually the same variation, so that's not very exciting.  We tend to go between sides of salad, steamed veggies, sauteed veggies, roasted veggies, pasta, rice, French fries, tater tots, etc.  So, there's not much excitement in listing those because every meal is nearly the same with a few variations.  LOL!

Here's what on the menu this week...

Sunday -- Cod (nothing fancy...bag of frozen fish)
Monday -- Crockpot chicken tacos
Tuesday -- Stuffed shells
Wednesday -- Breakfast for Dinner
Thursday -- Steak Fajitas
Friday -- YOYO (You're on Your Own...leftovers or easy fixin's because I've got plans)
Saturday -- YOYO (I'm chaperoning at our youth Saturday event, so we'll eat whatever the host home prepares)

So, that's what we have planned this week, and I'm really hoping I stick to it.  I went grocery shopping and have all the necessary ingredients, so there's no excuse.

What's cooking at your house this week?  Check in on me and see how well we stuck to the menu.  :)

Menu Plan August 14-20, 2016

I have to admit...I did a horrible job with the menu last week.  So many things came up and happened that it got tossed completely out the window.  I think I only cooked one night, and that's just embarrassing.  I'm really hoping that this week will be better.

Here's what's cooking at our house this week...

Sunday -- YOYO
Monday -- Portabello Mushroom Pork Tenderloin, Pasta, Veggies
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- Dinner at Church
Thursday -- Frikadellen, Pasta, Veggies
Friday -- Grilled Chicken Sausage, Salad
Saturday -- Chicken Alfredo Skillet, Steamed Broccoli

What's on your menu this week?  How did you fair sticking to your plan last week?

Menu Plan August 7-13, 2016

Well, there were just a few hiccups to the menu plan last week.  Nothing major, but a few items got pushed down a few weeks due to some last minute plan changes.

Here's what's cooking this week...

Sunday -- Parmesan chicken strips, pasta, veggies
Monday -- Portabello mushroom pork tenderloin, pasta, veggies
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- Dinner at church
Thursday -- Frikadellen, pasta, veggies
Friday -- YOYO
Saturday -- Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos, corn, salad

What's cooking at YOUR house this week?  Were you able to stick to your plan last week?

Menu Plan July 31-August 6, 2016

I have so neglected this blog lately.  Just when I think I've found my blogging groove, I seem to lose it again.  I don't know why...just not feeling it.  Maybe I feel no one reads it anyway, so why bother?!!?  LOL!  Prove me wrong...comment to let me know you're still reading and following along...

With that said, with the start of school next week it's time to get back into a routine.  So, I'm going to try my hand at menu planning again.  We joined Costco last week, and my freezer is stock full of yummy meat choices.  So, I have no excuse not to get my act together, plan a menu, and put a nice, warm meal on the table each night well almost every night.  A mom deserves a few breaks here and there, right?!!?

Here's what's cooking at our house this week...

Sunday -- YOYO
Monday -- grilled pork medallions, pasta, veggies
Tuesday -- grilled filet mignon, salad
Wednesday -- dinner at church
Thursday -- spaghetti, biscuits, salad
Friday -- homemade pizza
Saturday --  parmesan chicken strips, pasta, veggies

What's cooking at YOUR house this week?  What do you do to try to stick to your menu planning?  Any tips you'd like to share?

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear what you've got on your menu this week...so share!

Menu Plan March 13-19, 2016

Well, when the cook of the house gets sick and the rest of the family follows suit, the menu gets tossed out the window.  I had good intentions last week, but when I woke up feeling like death on Wednesday, I knew it was going to be a tough week.  It was a week of 'eat what you feel like eating or can keep down.'  Thankfully, we are all on the mend, and we're praying Brian manages to not get it at all.  Here's what's cooking this week...

Sunday -- YOYO
Monday -- Burgers, Salad
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Thursday -- Pizza Casserole, Salad
Friday -- YOYO (Bunco/Game Night...YEAH)
Saturday -- Stuffed Shells, Biscuits, Salad

What's cooking at YOUR house this week?

Menu Plan March 6-12, 2016

In an effort to get back eating the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) way, I've got to get back into menu planning.  You will see lots of salads since it's the easiest side to eat with mostly any meat.  I've also grown very fond of sauteed brussels sprouts, so those will be a staple side, too.  We are still busy with lots of activities that keep us (at least one of us) out of the house some nights, so it's hard to find quick, easy meals to cook.  However, I have to try.  Here's what's cooking this week...

Sunday -- YOYO
Monday -- Frikadellen, Pasta (boys only), Brussels Sprouts
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- Buffalo Chicken Bites, Salad
Thursday -- YOYO (Bible Study potluck)
Friday -- Pizza Casserole, Salad
Saturday -- Hamburgers (bunless for me), Salad (chips for boys)

What's cooking at YOUR house this week?

Menu Plan October 11-17, 2015

Here's what's cooking at our house this week...

Sunday -- Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Pasta, Veggies
Monday -- Italian Meatballs, Gravy, Pasta, Veggies
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Salad
Thursday -- YOYO
Friday -- Taco Salad (Hosting Bunco for Homeschool Mom's Night Out)
Saturday -- YOYO (Fall Festival at Church)

Beginning next week, Caleb has to cook one meal a week by himself...this week is just too busy.  I'll be there for moral support and to lend a helping hand when requested, but he's going to hopefully do most of it by himself.  We'll see how it goes...Micah will join him at a later date.

Menu Plan October 4-10, 2015

Well, if you see things repeated you know I didn't do so well at sticking to the menu.  That doesn't mean we ate out...it just means we fended for ourselves because I didn't cook for whatever reason.  That's why there are always easy things available.  Sometimes I'm tempted to post the menu and then reality of what we ate each night...that would be fun to see.  

Here's what's cooking this week...

Sunday -- Hamburgers
Monday -- Philly Cheesesteak Green Peppers, Salad
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Veggies, Pasta
Thursday -- Breakfast for Dinner
Friday -- Grilled Salmon Burgers, Salad
Saturday -- Frikadellen, Veggies, Pasta

What's cooking at YOUR house this week?

Menu Plan September 27-October 3, 2015

Well, I did just okay with the menu plan last week.  Last week was our first crazy, busy week, and it was tough and tiring.  However, with time, I think we will get into a routine and adjust to the busy schedule.

Here's what's cooking at our house this week...

Sunday -- Frikadellen, steamed veggies, pasta
Monday -- Italian meatballs, gravy, pasta, steamed veggies
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- YOYO (It's my birthday, and I'm not going to cook if I can help it)
Thursday -- Crockpot chicken tacos
Friday -- Hamburgers, salad
Saturday -- Pretzel crusted tilapia, salad

What's cooking at YOUR house this week?  Do you have a crazy, busy schedule this fall, too?  How do you manage?  I'd love to see your tips.

Menu Plan September 20-26, 2015

It's been a while since I posted a menu plan.  I'm really trying to get back into planning out meals now that our schedule is so busy.  With us being out of the house 4 days a week, sometimes twice a day, I have to have a plan in place.  Otherwise, we will end up eating out or eating garbage.

So, wish me luck as I try to get back into the menu planning groove.  Here's what's cooking this week...

Sunday -- Pizza Casserole, Salad
Monday -- YOYO
Tuesday -- Hamburgers, Salad
Wednesday -- Frikadellen, Green Beans & Mushrooms, Pasta
Thursday -- Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Friday -- Spaghetti, Salad
Saturday -- Turkey Tenderloin, Gravy, Sweet Potato Tots, Green Beans & Mushrooms

***I am still following the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) plan; however, I have been very slack the past month or so.  I'm trying to get back into that groove as well.  Please note that if you see pasta on my menu, I'm not eating it...it's for my boys and husband.  The only pasta I eat is the occasional Dreamfields when we are having spaghetti.  Most of my meals still fall within the THM guidelines, but some of the sides aren't, so I won't partake of them.  I just didn't want anyone from THM who has followed my blog to be confused and think that I'm eating off plan.***

My Favorite 'S' THM meals

I know I haven't been on THM long enough to have a whole list of favorites yet, but I thought I'd share a few favorite 'S' meals.  If you're not familiar with Trim Healthy Mama (THM), S stands for Satisfying.  These are meals that are high in fat and low in carbs.  In my opinion, these are easier for me because they're more in line with the way I cooked/ate prior to THM anyway.  There's not much thinking involved as long as you remember to limit your carbs to 10g.

Here are a few favorites:

S Breakfasts:
Eggs (cooked any way) with bacon or THM sausage balls
S muffins with eggs and bacon
Egg scrambles (eggs and veggies of choice)
Egg muffins (recipe found in the THM book)

S Lunches/Suppers:
Taco salad (just don't eat the shell unless you use an on-plan low-carb tortilla)
Beef/cheese quesadilla (sometimes I add 1 tbsp black beans) using an on-plan low-carb tortilla
Spaghetti over Dreamfields pasta (cooked as directed and using 3/4-1 cup cooked pasta) with salad
Grilled meats (chicken sausage, Wild Alaskan Salmon Burger) with salad or grilled veggies
Bunless hamburger with salad
Chicken salad served inside a Joseph's pita with veggies dipped in Ranch dressing
Pizza on a Joseph's Lavash
Deli meat smeared with cream cheese and wrapped up with peppers and cucumbers
Fried eggs over a bed of spinach with sauteed mushrooms and bacon **can be breakfast**
Fried eggs served over 1/2 an avocado with bacon **can be breakfast**
Pizza casserole (from the THM book) with salad
S smoothie (Greek yogurt, almond milk, frozen berries, 1/2 scoop THM protein powder, cream cheese, dash of sweet blend) **can be breakfast or snack/dessert**

S Snacks/Desserts:
000 yogurt with 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Luscious lemon cake with macerated strawberries
10 squares of Lily's chocolates
Sliced strawberries, chopped up Lily's chocolates, splash of heavy cream

S Restaurant Choices***:
Outback -- Alice Springs Chicken with steamed broccoli
Longhorn's -- Parmesan crusted chicken with green beans and broccoli (I usually choose the lighter option and I bring home 2/3 of the chicken to get 2 extra meals at home)
Chili's -- Grilled chicken fajitas (without the tortillas) served over lettuce with sour cream, cheese, and guacamole
Olive Garden -- Chicken alfredo served over steamed broccoli (instead of the pasta)
***We typically eat out 1-2 times a week, sometimes less.  My husband works an hour away from home, and it's easier to just meet at a restaurant if I've been busy carting our boys around to activities.  I also want a break from cooking sometimes.***

I hope this helps some of you THMers out.  I know it can seem overwhelming at first, but hang in there...it does get easier.  I think the key is building up a repertoire of favorites that are easy and delicious.

What are some of your S favorites?  Please share your ideas as well.

Menu Plan February 15-21, 2015

Here’s what’s cooking at our house this week...
Sunday — YOYO
Monday — Italian Meatballs w/Gravy, Noodles, Veggies
Tuesday — Crockpot BBQ Pork Chops, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Corn
Wednesday —Burgers
Thursday —Homemade Pizza
Friday —YOYO
Saturday —Frikadellen, Pasta, Veggies
What’s cooking at YOUR house this week?

Menu Plan February 8-14, 2015

Here’s what’s cooking at our house this week...
Sunday —Roasted chicken, rice, veggies
Monday —Spaghetti, Garlic Cheddar Biscuits, Salad
Tuesday —Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Wednesday —YOYO
Thursday —Italian Meatballs, Noodles, Veggies
Friday —Homemade Pizza
Saturday —YOYO
What’s cooking at YOUR house this week?

Menu Plan February 1-7, 2015

Here’s what’s cooking at our house this week...
Sunday — Homemade Hamburger Helper, Salad
Monday — Sautéed Pasta, Salad
Tuesday — YOYO
Wednesday — Crockpot Pork Chops, Pasta, Veggies
Thursday — Chimichangas
Friday — YOYO
Saturday — Parmesan Chicken over Salad
What’s on your menu this week?

Menu Plan January 25-31, 2015

Well, even though I plan out our meals, sometimes life happens and things don’t go as planned.  It’s also very hard to get motivated to start dinner when your husband isn’t home to join you most nights of the week.  However, I still have to make a game plan…even if I don’t always stick to it.  LOL.
So, no, we are not eating the same meals every week…it’s just that some haven’t actually been prepared even though they’ve been on the menu for several weeks.
Here’s what’s cooking this week...
Sunday —Meatloaf, Pasta, Veggies
Monday —Ham Steaks, Sweet Potato Souffle, Veggies
Tuesday —Mahi Mahi, Rice, Veggies
Wednesday —Stuffed Shells, Salad
Thursday —YOYO
Friday —YOYO
Saturday —Kielbasa, Pasta Veggies
What’s on your menu this week?  Do you always stick to your menus or do you deviate?
I will add though…one nice thing about this month is that because I’ve deviated so much I’ve only had to make ONE major trip to Walmart and Sam’s.  Now, I have stopped at Publix (thankful we have one in our neighborhood that’s less than 5 minutes away) almost weekly, but I can handle that.  LOL!

Menu Plan January 18-24, 2015

Well, since we’re already into the week, I’ll just share our menu plan for the remaining days of this week...
Tuesday — crockpot port chops, rice, veggies
Wednesday — meatloaf, pasta, veggies
Thursday — ham steaks, sweet potato souffle, veggies
Friday — YOYO
Saturday — breakfast for dinner
What’s cooking at YOUR house this week?  

Menu Plan January 11-17, 2015

Here’s what’s cooking at our house this week...
Sunday — Tacos
Monday — Frikadellen, Pasta, Veggies
Tuesday — Grilled Tilapia, Rice, Veggies
Wednesday — Parmesan Chicken over Salad
Thursday — Noodles and Eggs
Friday — YOYO
Saturday — Neighborhood Holiday Party
What’s cooking at YOUR house this week?  It’s a week of favorites here.

Menu Plan January 4-10, 2015

Here’s what’s cooking at our house this week...
Sunday — Easy Chicken Casserole, Veggies
Monday — Burgers, Tater Tots
Tuesday — Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, Rice, Veggies
Wednesday — Parmesan Chicken over Salad
Thursday — YOYO
Friday — YOYO
Saturday — Ground Beef Stroganoff over Rice, Veggies
What’s on YOUR menu this week?  I’m hoping to really do my best with sticking to our menus this year.  We will see how it goes...