Dinner Plan, Meal Prep and a Victory!

This morning I ran a 5k! I'm so excited and proud of myself!

I started out saying that I was going to run 20 minutes without stopping then when I got there I said "Oh 5 more minutes will be easy", then I got to 30 and checked my distance.  I was almost at 3.1 might as well keep going. Thank goodness for 90's Hip Hip on Pandora and Tupac.  They got me through it!  I was slow but who cares?!  I have a little over a month until I run a real one...outside.  The weather needs to quit being bi-polar so I can practice outside!

We will call this week's dinner plan the Pinterest plan.  I just made a bunch of stuff that looked good, nothing I made on my own.  I was too busy being a crafty crafter!

Sunday and Monday I only spent a couple hours making 8 things!  I even had 6 things in the oven at one time.  I do not have to cook the rest of this week and possibly some of next week!  Completely worth the time!

Here is my list of things I made:

Meatballs with a sauce of BBQ and grape Jelly. This one is for Marcus....even though they are amazing.

Black Bean, Quinoa Casserole-This was so good I couldn't wait for it to cool down before I ate some!

Quinoa Pizza Balls (I love balls haha)-And I might have a slight love for quinoa these days. I haven't tried these yet but they smelled good!

Homemade Greek Yogurt-This wasn't a lot of work but took a total of 16 hours.  I haven't tried it but hopefully it is good.  If it is, it will be worth it!

Oatmeal Cookies-So easy and healthy.  They satisfy a sweet tooth....and I may have put some chocolate chips in them:)


Skinny Potato Casserole-YUM-No need to say more

Quinoa Apple Cake-This was weird at first and I discovered coconut oil doesn't taste great in baking but it was still ok.  Kind of like a crumbly coffee cake.

Turkey bacon, egg cups-Egg beaters, Turkey bacon, Spinach, and tomatoes.

I also made quinoa, oatmeal and brown rice.  Chopped up cucumbers, lettuce, kale and spinach.

I think it took me an hour each day and of course just checking on the yogurt!

Quinoa and Oatmeal

Meatballs and Apple Quinoa Bread

Egg cups and Hash brown Casserole

One of these days I will get a fancy camera to take pretty pictures!


Happy Tuesday!!

Healthy Dinner Plan 2/18-2/24

I didn't do a dinner plan last week.  We had sooo many leftovers I didn't have to cook one time.  Tell me that isn't awesome?!  Anyway back to clean eating, here is our dinner plan for the week.

Monday February 18

Catalina Pork Chops, Brown Sugar Asparagus and Fresh Green Beans

Tuesday February 19

Spaghetti Squash and Turkey Marinara Bake

Wednesday February 20


Something I create---No idea what yet!

Thursday February 21

Crockpot Veggie Stew

Friday February 22

Hawaiian Sweet Potato Skins

Saturday February 23

Dinner with the family

Healthy Dinner Plan 2/5-2/10

Sorry that when I post I post a hundred things at a time!  I don't have a lot of time to post and usually plan it all out and then just do it.  I also live in the middle of nowhere with very little internet service so I take the chance when I can!

We are trying to eat from the pantry again this week.  

Tuesday February 5th
Cheesy Vegetable Spaghetti Squash
 
 Wednesday February 6th
 Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken over Brown Rice

 Thursday February 7th
Kale Salad

 Friday February 8th
Whole Wheat Cheese Pizza

 Saturday February 9th
Healthy Fettuccine Alfredo
 
 Sunday February 10th
 My cousin is making us dinner!  

Breakfast
Apple Cinnamon Quinoa

Healthy Dinner Plan 1/28-2/3

Well I am still cooking from the pantry except for sunday because it is the super bowl!  Time to celebrate...even though the Bronco's aren't in it bummer!

January 28

Spaghetti Squash, Grilled Chicken and Mixed Vegetables

January 29

Quinoa, Black Beans and Green Beans

January 30

Lettuce Wraps

January 31

Quinoa Crusted Tilapia

February 1

Mango Salsa Quinoa Salad

February 2

Spaghetti using spaghetti squash

February 3rd

Skinny Taco Dip- Going to make my own healthier version based on this one
Skinny Enchilada Lasagna


Shopping List

Dairy
Eggs-1
Plain Greek Yogurt
Shredded Cheese

Produce
Spaghetti squash
Lettuce
Mango
Tomatoes
Cilantro
Avocado

Frozen
Mixed Vegetables
Tilapia

Meat
Chicken breasts or shredded chicken
Ground Turkey, Chicken or Ground Beef
Grilled Chicken (I but the Tyson's Grilled and Ready, only 100 calories for the whole thing and it is tasty!)
Turkey lunch meat (Can use ham or roast beef for the wraps too)

Pantry/Dry
Quinoa-3 meals
Black Beans
Ranch, Hummus or Mayonnaise for the wraps
lemon juice
flour
Spaghetti sauce
salsa
fat free cream of chicken soup
Rotel
corn tortillas

Simple week and cheap meal!

Healthy Dinner Plan 1/13-1/27

Well I know I said I was going to do one week at a time but this one is two weeks.  I know I know I am a woman and I change my mind often;)  I am trying to only spend 50 dollars on groceries this month so I can pay off some bills so the only thing I am buying this month is produce and dairy.  These are all meals from the pantry, my fridge and freezer, no extras! It will be nice to empty my fridge and freezers.

Meatballs, Quinoa, Vegetables

 Beef Stroganoff over Egg Noodles

 Crock Pot Veggie Stew

 Sausage, Red Beans and Rice Ghoulash

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

 Ham and Kale Quiche

 Lazy Enchilada Casserole

 Sweet and Sour Chicken over Brown Rice

 Pesto Pasta With Grilled Chicken

 Parmesan and Walnut Spaghetti Squash-Recipe to come

Tilapia with Avocado Sauce

 I am not going to make snacks or breakfasts so I can clear them out and start over!

 Here is the grocery list for these meals:
*Keep In Mind I have all of this stuff already in the pantry or made ahead.

 Dairy

 Cottage Cheese
Shredded Cheese-2 meals
 Buttermilk-Can also mix regular milk with a Tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice
 Cream Cheese or Sour Cream (for the stroganoff)
 Milk
eggs-2 meals

Produce

 Lime-can also use the bottled kind
 Cilantro-Can use the dry
 Avocado-1 medium
 jalapeno-1 small
 Mushrooms-If you want them for the stroganoff, it is good without
 Spaghetti Squash
 Garlic-2 meals
 Red bell pepper-1
 Sweet Potatoes-2 medium red potatoes-or any kind-4 medium
 celery-2 stalks
 baby carrots-1/2 bag
 onion-2 meals
 green bell pepper-1
 Kale-1 meal

 Meat

 Diced Beef
 Sausage
 Hamburger
 Ham-I just use lunch meat
Chicken-2 meals
 Tilapia
 Meatballs-bought or made

 Frozenn

Vegetables-mixed, green beans, peas, whatever you like

 Dry

 Parmesan
 Walnuts
 Ketchup
 Dijon Mustard-I used regular
 Chicken broth
 Beef Broth
 Golden mushroom soup-2 cans
 Worcestershire sauce
 Apple Cider Vinegar tomato sauce-3 meals
 Spaghetti sauce
 Pineapple-1 can
egg noodles
 rice-brown or white
Pasta of your choice-one meal
 elbow noodles-macaroni
 quinoa
enchilada sauce- bought or made
 flour
diced tomatoes red beans
 black beans
 corn tortillas

Healthy Dinner Plan 1/6-1/12

Ok so eating healthy isn't hard and thanks to pinterest the recipes are easy! I am only going to do one week at a time until I get used to it. The holidays have worn me down so today is all about planning and none of the executing...Mama needs a break!

 Sunday January 6th

 Mexican Lasagna
  
Monday January 7th
  Savory Fall Stew

 Tuesday January 8th
  Salmon  

Wednesday January 9th
 Sweet and Sour Chicken over Brown Rice

 Thursday January 10th
  Black Bean, Avocado, Tomato and Cucumber Salad

 Friday January 11th
 Bacon and Pea Macaroni and Cheese

 Saturday January 12th
 Leftovers

 Food from the pantry:
1 can of 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup

 1 can Rotel quinoa lentils(I have it in the freezer)

 vegetable broth (I have it in the freezer)

 Carrots

 Onion

 Spices

 Brown

 Rice

 Ketchup

 Dijon Mustard

 Apple Cider Vinegar

 Tomato Sauce

 Cheese

 Corn Tortillas

Things I need to buy:

 Chicken Breasts

 Red Bell Pepper

 Cucumbers

 Tomatoes

 Greek Yogurt

It is nice to have a stocked pantry:)

Dinner Plan 12/16-12/30

We have had a busy couple of weeks so a lot of these are repeats because I never got to them! I am not doing the full two weeks of meals because of Christmas!



Dinner

 Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

 Fast and Easy Ghoulash

 Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice

 Italian Crescent Casserole

 Crunchy Black Bean Tacos

 Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

 Curried Pumpkin Apple Soup

 Sausage, Red Beans and Rice

Breakfast

 Mini Sausage and Potato Frittatas

 Waffles

 Cheese Danish

Dinner Plan 12/2-12/16

Well my monthly dinner plan and shopping just isn't working so I am trying out every two weeks.  I also decided to just list my dinner plan instead of doing it by week.  I like to make things when I want to make them and don't usually follow the order so this way I can switch it up.  


 Main Dishes

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken With Fried Rice

Lazy Enchilada Casserole

30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup

Grilled Pork Chops

Crockpot Salisbury Steak

Ham and Kale Quiche

Deep Dish Pizzas

Sausage, Red Beans and Rice

Italian Crescent Casserole

Spaghetti With Smoked Sausage and Pepperoni



 Breakfast

Cheese Danish

Chocolate Avocado Banana Bread

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

Snacks 

Protein Bars

5 Minute Guacamole and Tortilla Chips

Sweet Potato Crackers

Dinner Plan 11/4-12/1

This month I kept it pretty simple.  I'm not crazy about this once a month grocery shopping, I keep running out of things but I'm going to try one more month.  I just need to plan a little better!




Week 1-
Chili (Recipe to come)

 Diced Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Vegetables

Cereal for 2 days since I was sick

 Italian Chicken

 Chicken Stir Fry over Rice

Taco Bites

Week 2-
Hamburger, Fideo and Vegetables

Grilled Pork Chops

 Soy Sauce Chicken Drumsticks br />
 Chocolate Chip Pancakes

 Chik Fil A Nuggets

 Week 3-
 Pizza

 Chicken Tortilla Soup (Recipe to come)

 Taquitos (Recipe to Come)

 Brown Sugar Chicken

 Black and White Bean Chili (Recipe to come)

 Week 4-
 Spaghetti

 Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps

 Mini Deep Dish Pizzas

 Salisbury Steak

 Black Beans, Rice and Vegetables

 Snacks:
 Cookie Dough Bites

 Banana Peanut Butter Bites

 Sweet Potato Crackers

 Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars

 Breakfast:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pancakes (We like peanut butter, chocolate anything around here!)

 Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

 Cinnamon Scones

There are so many recipes I have in my head that need to be shared so this will be updated at the end of the month with a bunch of recipes!!

Monthly Dinner Plan 10/7-11/3

I have been doing pretty good with my monthly meal plan and shopping.  I have some more practice to go but there is no doubt soon enough it will be a piece of cake.  Last month I went over my budget by about 35 dollars.  I did it on purpose to stock up on things such as flour and cheese!  This coming month I am expecting to be under budget yeah!  Here is my extremely affordable meal plan that is mostly from what I already have!!

Week 1
Meatloaf Cups

Homemade Spaghettios W/Ground chicken meatballs

Spicy Pork Chops and Rice

Sour Cream Pancakes

Ghoulash

Week 2
Chicken Tacos

Italian Pork Chops

Lazy Enchilada Casserole

Chicken Fried Steak Strips

Zucchini Lasagna

Week 3
Black and White Bean Chili

Mini Deep Dish Pizzas

Grilled Pork Chops

Spaghetti salad

Black beans, Quinoa and Vegetables

Week 4
Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken

Whole Wheat Margherita Pizza

Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Hamburger, Fideo and vegetables

Snacks
Lemony Bars
Homemade Cheez Its
Strawberry yogurt dipped pretzels
Brownie and PB Oat Balls

Breakfast
Mini Frittatas
French Toast Casserole
Baked Oatmeal
Cranberry Maple Cinnamon Rolls

Monthly Meal Plan 9/9-10/6

Well I know I was going to try and slowly work into a monthly meal plan and monthly shopping but I know myself and if I don't just dive right in it won't happen.  So today I defrosted my freezers and cleaned my poor refrigerator.  It had been so long I'm surprised we had safe food lol (only kidding).  So anyway I'm all ready and prepared!  I left a couple days out so that I can make some one skillet meals and soups from the pantry and for leftovers of course!  Here are the meals in no particular order.

Week 1
Creamy Garlic Pasta with Diced Chicken
Fresh Green Beans

Hot dogs

Sausage, Red Beans and Rice

Sour Cream Pancakes, eggs, bacon

Hamburger, Fideo and Vegetables

Chicken Fried Steak


Week 2
Sausage, Green Bean Saffrito

Mini Deep Dish Pizza

Mini Tacos

Zucchini Fritters

Black Beans, Rice and Vegetables

Week 3
Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bites

Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps

Pineapple Chicken

Avocado Pasta

Crockpot Enchiladas

Parmesan Chicken

Week 4
Spaghetti

Beef Fried Rice

Orange Chicken

Pizza

Chicken Drumsticks

Chili

Breakfast in the freezer
Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Cinnamon Scones
Baked Oatmeal
Zucchini bread muffins
Snacks
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Homemade wheat thins
Granola bars
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites


As far as Sides go I will do those as I go!

Dinner Plan for 9/2-9/8

This week has been busy, I've had a sick kid, and have been celebrating my birthday!  Last year in my 20's BOO!  Besides that I have (with the help of a great friend) been blanching, peeling and de-seeding 15 pounds of peaches and 7 grocery bags full of plums.  We were extremely lucky to get all of that for free!! I made a peach, cantaloupe jalapeno jelly and spiced plum brandy, both were tasty! We also visited a local farm out here and I got potatoes, onions, jalapenos, zucchini, cantaloupe, and bell peppers all for 20 dollars!  I kept asking myself why I don't go there more often.  As far as my goals go I half painted our entryway/laundry room.  I will post before and afters when and if I ever get it done lol Here is our dinner plan for the week!  Next week I will be slowly working into meal planning for a whole month.

Sunday September 2nd
Zucchini Lasagna
Homemade French Bread (YUMM)

Monday September 3rd
BBQ Beef Brisket
Potatoes and Carrots

Tuesday September 4th
Tequila Lime Chicken
Black Beans
Fideo

Wednesday September 5th
Spaghetti (There are vegetables in the sauce)
Leftover French bread

Thursday September 6th
Creamy Garlic Pasta with diced chicken (Cooked and froze previously)

Friday September 7th
Black beans, Rice and Zucchini

Saturday September 8th
Leftovets

Dinner Plan 7/15-7/21

This week we are still trying to stay with mostly gluten free. I honestly feel so much better!!
Sunday July 15th
Cauliflower Pizza Bites
Parmesan Risotto
This was my first time making Risotto and although its time consuming it is worth it!
Monday July 16th
Chicken Korma
Over brown rice with stir fry vegetables
Tuesday July 17th
Sausage links, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns
Wednesday July 18th
Salmon
Rice Pilaf
Peas
Thursday July 19th
Leftover Night
Friday July 20th
Quinoa Cakes
Kale Salad
Saturday July 21st
Cauliflower Pizza
Salad

Dinner Plan 7/1-7/7

This week I am focusing on some hot weather meals. Lots of salads!
Sunday July 1st-
Pizza and fruit salad
Monday July 2nd-
Zucchini Fritters
Spinach salad (also from my garden)
Tuesday July 3rd-
BBQ Meatballs over Rice
Mixed Vegetables
Wednesday July 4th-
Chicken Burgers
Kale Salad
Thursday July 5th-
Leftovers (I am alone for dinner so it will just be what's in the fridge)
Friday July 6th-
Italian Lemon Chicken
Cucumber and Summer Squash Salad
Saturday July 7th-
Chocolate Pancakes
Hashbrowns
Sausage Links

Dinner Plan 6/24 to 6/30

Luckily I found out I do not need a gluten free diet anymore but am still trying to eat healthy. This week we are cleaning out the pantry.
Sunday 6/24
Turkey spaghetti
Mixed vegetables
Monday 6/25
Chicken salad on a roll
Tuesday 6/26
BBQ Meatballs
Tossed salad with strawberries and blueberries
Wednesday 6/27
Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Mashed potatoes
Corn
Thursday 6/28
Dinner out
Friday 6/29
Pepperoni Pizza
Saturday 6/30
Leftovers

Gluten Free Dinner Plan 6/10-6/16

This is our second week eating gluten free. It hasn't been too bad except that I desperately miss bread. I made some gluten free bread and took 2 bites and almost threw up. I know that's too much information but being honest! A friend of mine recommended a couple different mixes, so more experimenting I will do. Today looks like a good day for some muffins (post to follow). Thank goodness for pinterest, I mean seriously whoever thought of it was a genius. Almost everything on this weeks menu was from it.
Sunday June 10th
Spicy Sweet Pork Tacos
Spanish Rice
Steamed Green beans
Monday June 11th
GF Panda Orange Chicken
Over brown rice
Stir Fry Vegetables
Tuesday June 12th
Chicken Burgers
Leftover Pasta Salad
Wednesday June 13th
Slow Cooker Cube Steaks
Mashed Potatoes
Peas
Thursday June 14th
Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Fried Potatoes
Roasted Broccoli
Friday June 15th
Spaghetti with Sweet Italian Turkey sausage
Salad
Saturday June 16th
Sausage, Tomato, red bean, rice and green beans (one skillet)

Gluten Free Dinner Plan 6/3-6/9

Cutting out gluten has been difficult to say the least but I found some great recipes that I am excited to try. I might even try my hand at GF baking!

Sunday June 3rd
Dinner with Family (Gluten Free)

Monday June 4th
Quinoa Confetti Salad -I realized I didn't have a couple of the ingredients so I substituted, but overall it was good!

Tuesday June 5th
Turkey Sloppy Joes
Carrot Fries

Wednesday June 6th
Beef Fried Rice


Thursday June 7th
Chicken and Veggie Nuggets
Italian Pasta Salad (Recipe to follow Thursday)

Friday June 8th
Parmesan Chicken (Recipe to follow)
Salad with cucumbers and carrots

Saturday June 9th
Pizza
carrots, celery and cucumbers

Dinner Plan 5/27-6/2

Pineapple Sheet Cake

Sunday May 27th

Homemade Pizza (with this crust)

Pineapple Sheet Cake

Monday May 28th
Beef Roast with potatoes and carrots

Tuesday May 29th
Sausage, Red Beans and Rice
Tossed Salad

Wednesday May 30th
BBQ Meatballs over Parmesan Noodles
Green Beans

Thursday May 31st
Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Fried Potatoes
Mixed Vegetables

Friday June 1st
Beef Fried Rice

Saturday June 2nd
Spaghetti with Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage
Salad
Easy Italian Breadsticks

Dinner Plan 5/20-5/26

 These are the Pigs In a Blanket.  This makes me want to start saving for a new camera.

Dinner Plan 5/20-5/26
Our family only eats dinner together.  Breakfast and lunch are usually seperate because of work and school, so I only plan dinner.  I am also known to switch it up a little bit too but here is the plan for the week. It is not the healthiest meal but I'm cooking from the pantry and trying to use up what we have.

Sunday May 20th
Pigs In A Blanket
Salad
Skinny Chocolate Chip Cookies

Monday May 21st
Homemade Chik Fil A Chicken Nuggets
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Carrot Sticks

Tuesday May 22nd
Chicken Fried Steak Strips
Hashbrowns
Green Beans

Wednesday May 23rd
Chicken and Bean Burritos
Fideo

Thursday May 24th
Beef Stroganoff
Mixed Vegetables

Friday May 25th
Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
Salad

Saturday May 26th
BBQ Meatballs
over Rice