Menu Plan Monday

It's Monday and time to menu plan again!  I'll be grocery shopping this afternoon so this is the perfect time for me to plan out what we will be eating for the week.

                                                                                                            image credit: shutterstock

MONDAY:  Twice baked potatoes and garlic peppercorn steak

TUESDAY:  Thai Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 3 ounces uncooked multigrain linguine
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1-1/2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon chopped unsalted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Directions

• Cook linguine according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe dish, combine the salsa, peanut butter, orange juice, honey and soy sauce. Cover and microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Add the chicken; heat through.
• Drain linguine. Serve with chicken mixture. Garnish with peanuts and cilantro. Yield: 2 servings.

Wednesday is dinner with my parents & Thursday I am going out to dinner with my Sweetness!

FRIDAY:  Kid's choice - nacho bar! 

Saturday we will be having dinner with my parents again :)  We go over twice every week!

Hope your week is blessed!

Sherry 

This post is linked up to Menu Plan Monday, Menu Planning Monday, and See Ya in the Gumbo! 

Plan Ahead Sunday

It seems like I am not the only one who likes to plan ahead on Sunday!  A blogger I've been following for awhile (and yes, I've been lurking, I'm all creepy like that)  lists her goals every Sunday, so I figured I might as well join her party and list my plans/goals along with hers!

Visit the beautiful Vanessa at Thrift Core to see what she has planned for the week as well!

SUNDAY:  Obviously today is my plan ahead for the week day!  I'll menu plan, make out my grocery list, lesson plan, do some blogging and working.  I hope to get some writing done and I have a book to finish as well! 

DINNER TODAY:  Garlic herb chicken with rice and green beans

TODAY'S GOAL:  Have lesson plans done for the entire week. 

MONDAY: Lots of work to do this week.  Typing, setting up a move out of storage, statements to send out, patients to call, appointments to confirm, etc.  Homeschooling, laundry, vacuuming, mopping floors.  I think my Sweetness is going to stop by after work as well <3

DINNER TONIGHT:  Twice baked potatoes w/ bacon, cheddar, sour cream, green onions

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Get my entire list of work 'to do's' done!  Find something gorgeous at the thrift store for my bedroom!  (Total work in progress right now)

TUESDAY:  More work from home, homeschooling, and housework.  Boy I sound exciting. 

DINNER TONIGHT:  Cajun red beans and rice with cheddar olive corn muffins   

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Get all homeschooling done. 

WEDNESDAY:  This might be moving day for the storage to office facility.  Also have some donations to take care of.  Homeschooling on the go.  Maybe volunteering at my church's new building. 

DINNER TONIGHT:  Kids and I have dinner with my parents on Wednesdays.

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Get the move done!!

THURSDAY:  I have a date with my Sweetness today - a "proper date", lol.  One where I will actually get all dressed up, do my hair, nails, and makeup!  (oh, and the homeschooling/work stuff)

DINNER TONIGHT:  Not sure.  Maybe Indian food?

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Look good for my date :)

FRIDAY:  Work at the office today - MA'ing and patient relations & billing, etc.  Have Em finishe all of homeschool for the week in back office.

DINNER TONIGHT:  Kid's night - probably nacho or taco bar w/ raw veggies

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Be a source of light at the office.

SATURDAY:  Family fun day.  Depending on the weather I'd like to take the girls on a nature walk, get some pictures.   Also Jennah and I make a new recipe every day for brunch.  This week it will be some sort of mini muffins. 

DINNER TONIGHT:  The kids and I will be at my parents' again

GOAL FOR TODAY:  Have fun with my babies!


Have a great week!

Sherry

Happy Homemaker Monday

Please visit Sandra's blog every Monday to see who else is happily taking care of their homes and families!

The weather:::  All I can say is BLAH.  Not February cold.  Just dreary.


On my reading pile::: Just starting book 4 of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  



On my TV:::  CRAZY about Supernatural!  I started watching it 2 weeks ago on Netflix and I just finished the 2nd season.  Love those cute boys!  :) 


On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Kung Pao chicken n noodles (this was really yummy!)
Tuesday -  Shrimp and chicken jambalaya
Wednesday - Mom's house
Thursday - Beef n Broccoli over brown rice
Friday - Fiber one coated chicken legs, seasoned potato wedges, and green beans
Saturday - Mom's house again
Sunday - SW turkey burgers

On my to do list:::  Homeschooling, laundry, cooking, vacuuming, cleaning, etc.

What I am pinning on Pinterest::: (creative ideas since I am not very creative!)

Using the top of a 2-liter bottle to hold a bag closed.....whodathunkit?

In Homeschooling::: Emily read poems by Carl Sandberg today, learned new vocabulary words, and started to read about George Washington Carver.  (Amongst other things)

Looking around the house:::  I wish I had more houseplants.  :) 

Something sad to share:::  I just found out today that the show "House" is not going to be renewed :(


On my prayer list:::
Family
My friend Cindy who is having surgery March 6th
My kids
Military overseas

Bible verse, Devotional::: The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad  - from Psalm 97

Menu Plan Monday

It's time for Menu Plan Monday again!  Join in the fun and link up at the Organizing Junkie!


MONDAY:   Kung Pao Chicken & Veggies with whole wheat penne

TUESDAY:  Chicken and shrimp jambalaya

WEDNESDAY:  Dinner with at my parents'

THURSDAY:  Beef & broccoli over brown rice

FRIDAY:  Fiber-One coated chicken legs, seasoned potato wedges, green beans or this Hungry Girl recipe on Pinterest

SATURDAY:  Dinner with my parents'

Plan-Ahead Sunday

I plan-ahead for the week every Sunday.  I am an infinite list maker and goal setter!  I can't help but sit down and get all the thoughts out of my head or else I will lose them forever!!

SUNDAY:  Doing some blogging/reading this morning, then heading to church at 11:30.  This afternoon will be all about laundry, housework, lesson-planning, and budgeting.  Also have transcription to do for work.

MONDAY: Staying in all day today :)  Homeschooling with Em and making some presidential notebooking pages going for a nature walk (ok, guess not staying in ALL day)  and making a new recipe for dinner - Kung Pao Chicken!  (See Menu Plan Monday or Cooking Thursday posts this week for recipe!!)  More transcription and a couple of hours of work from home.

TUESDAY:  Fat Tuesday!  No packis for us! Today is pay day (thank you God!) and I have some bills to pay and a few stores to go to.   Homeschooling with the daily routine plus some Mardi Gras fun!  Emily and I are going to see either The Muppets or Big Miracle (a late b-day movie).  Dinner, of course, will be chicken and shrimp jambalaya!!!  And more work-at-home stuff, of course! 



WEDNESDAY:  Wednesday is back to basics with homeschool.  The evening will be spent with the four of us at my parents' house with my sisters for dinner. 

THURSDAY:  Another nature walk today, work from home, homeschool, housework, and hopefully a date with my Sweetness :) 

FRIDAY:  Friday is the one day of the week I actually work from the office!  Emily will go with me where she has access to a computer and everything else she needs to do her school work.  Friday night is kids' night for dinner and I know it will be some type of chicken legs (Jennah's choice this week) -  recipe in MPM post!  We usually spend Friday nights goofing around, watching videos on the computer,  playing ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, LIZARD, SPOCK (my son loves this).

And finally....

SATURDAY:  Which is family fun day.  It changes week to week - but we do spend the evening at my parents' house for dinner again! 

Cooking Thursday - Garlic Lime Chicken

It's Cooking Thursday at Diary of a SAHM.  Join in the fun and link up one of your favorite recipes!

The recipe that I am sharing today is one of my all-time favorites!  I've been making it for a few  years now and every time it turns out absolutely delicious.

The original recipe comes from the cookbook Saving Dinner by Leanne Ely. 

There are a lot of really good recipes in there, but I have to say that the garlic lime chicken is absolutely the best!  I have made it over rice several times, but this week I mixed it with some frozen green peas and whole wheat pasta. It was fantastic!

                                                                          (photo credit)

Here is the recipe from Leanne's website:

Garlic Lime Chicken

Garlic Lime Chicken
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon thyme
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
In a small bowl, combine first 7 ingredients; sprinkle mixture on both sides of chicken breast halves.
In a skillet, heat butter and olive oil together over medium-high heat; saute chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side; remove from skillet and keep warm.
Add lime juice and chicken broth to the skillet, whisking up all of the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until sauce has reduced slightly. Return chicken to the skillet to thoroughly coat with the sauce; serve.
Per Serving: 343 Calories; 11g Fat; 55g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 147mg Cholesterol; 612mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 7 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Fat.
LC SERVING SUGGESTION: Steamed green beans and Cauli-rice (process cauliflower in a blender or food processor until it resembles grains of rice; steam “rice” until tender; drain; salt and pepper to taste and fluff with a fork).
SERVING SUGGESTION: Serve brown rice instead of Cauli-rice.
KOSHER: Use all oil instead of butter and oil.

This post is also linked up over at Permanent Posies Tuesday Tidbits!  and Ms. enplace's See Ya in the Gumbo!   and Miz Helen's Full Plate!

OH!!!!!  And a HUGE thank you to the Kitchen Witch!  I won a giveaway on her blog and I must say I am super stoked about it!!!!!   Thank you again! 

Have a blessed week!

Sherry

ps  Next week's recipe will be using the garlic lime chicken leftovers! 

The Alice in Wonderland Complex

Does it ever hit you that you have no idea who the heck you are?  It does me all the time.  I know that I am not the only one who has diverse interests and difficulty channeling them into a cohesive lifestyle - or am I??? 

I've struggled with this blogging thing for years now.  Every "improve your blog" article/post that I've read says to find your niche and go for it.  But I don't HAVE a single niche. 



I love to cook - but I don't want a cooking blog.  I am a Jesus girl - but I do not want a strictly Christian blog. 

I am a Mom, a homeschooler, an avid reader, a thrifter, a couponer, a life-long learner.   I am very in to plus size fashion, makeup, manicures, hair and fashion trends.  I love movies and music.  I am very family oriented & love my family and close friends.  I am out in the dating world and I am part of an interracial couple.  I work from home and own a small business.  I have a hard time keeping up with housework (think FlyLady).  I love photography.  I am living on a tiny, itty bitty budget.  I love Pinterest and Facebook.  I am trying to lose weight and become healthy.  (Spark People)

I am all of these things, yet none of them define me.  How do I work all of these things to my advantage and find bloggy friends?  All of the blogs I follow (over 100) fit in to one of the categories I've made to house them:

*Homeschool
*Media blogs
*Thrifters
*Fashion blogs
*Weight loss blogs
*Recipe blogs
*Inspiring Mom blogs

Mine could fit into every category. 

It's really quite funny as this post is a PERFECT representation of my life.  I have the most difficult time focusing and narrowing things down.  My life is this hodge-podge of things and my life is stretched between them. 

So after typing this and re-reading it, I guess I'm not all that different from most women out there.   We have a lot on our plates and a whole lot of hats to wear. 

I suppose what I need to do is make this blog for me - say what I feel like saying - and not worry about the rest. 

So blessings to all of you out there - no matter what category you might fit in :)

Sherry

Menu Plan Monday

I'm linked up with the Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday!

I will only have about 20 bucks for groceries this week - so very slim pickins around here!  The good news is that when you know how to cook and have a few staples on hand, you can make it through those financially tough weeks.

MONDAY:  From the Saving Dinner Cookbook, Garlic Lime Chicken over rice with green beans

TUESDAY:  Lentils & Rice topped with a green salad

WEDNESDAY:  Dinner with my parents

THURSDAY:  White chicken chili with corn muffins  (will use leftover garlic/lime chicken)

FRIDAY:  Spaghetti with tomato sauce and garlic biscuits

SATURDAY:  We are celebrating my youngest daughter's 12th birthday with my parents.  She will get to choose what's for dinner! 

Cooking Thursday 2/8/2012

I'm linking this post up with Sandra @ Diary of a SAHM's Cooking Thursday! 

Every Saturday morning my eldest daughter, Sweetpea who is 15, and I try out a new recipe for brunch.  Once in awhile we will do dinner on Friday night instead, but so far Saturday mornings seem to work best for both of us.

Today we tried a Martha Stewart recipe.  While I am DEFINITELY not in Martha's league, I beg to excuse myself as I found this recipe via one of my favorite webistes, Pinterest.  If you have not yet tried Pinterest, you absolutely MUST.  It is addictive and fun!  And if you'd like, you can follow me HERE. 

Anyway - Sweetpea and I made these breakfast cups.  I will show you both Martha's and mine for comparison's sake - but I guarantee you - they tasted really good! 

These would be great to make ahead for quick breakfasts as they microwave well. 

Here is Martha's version:

And here is mine: (DON'T JUDGE!  LOL)

Here is the recipe from Martha's site:


Ingredients



3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted


8 slices white or whole-wheat sandwich bread


6 slices bacon


6 large eggs


Coarse salt and ground pepper


Directions


1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter 6 standard muffin cups. With a rolling pin, flatten bread slices slightly and, with a 4 1/4-inch cookie cutter, cut into 8 rounds. Cut each round in half, then press 2 halves into each muffin cup, overlapping slightly and making sure bread comes up to edge of cup. Use extra bread to patch any gaps. Brush bread with remaining butter.


2.In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium, until almost crisp, 4 minutes, flipping once. (It will continue to cook in the oven.) Lay 1 bacon slice in each bread cup and crack an egg over each. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until egg whites are just set, 20 to 25 minutes. Run a small knife around cups to loosen toasts. Serve immediately.


Cook's Note


Standard muffin pans come in 6- or 12-cup size; if baking 6 items in a 12-cup pan, leave empty space in between. Nonstick pans are nice but not essential. Beware of very thin pans, which often lead to burning. Place pans on a baking sheet to make them easier to get in and out of the oven.


Overall on a scale of 0-10, I would rate these an 8.  I will definitely make them again, maybe substituting breakfast sausage or ham for the bacon and adding some scallions to mine.

Have a blessed day!!

Sherry

A Little Bit of Everything

Bright sunny day here in the Detroit area!!  I know you can't see it, but this tree has buds all over it! 

Work has been a bit crazy this past week so I missed out on Happy Homemaker Monday and Menu Plan Monday :(   

I'm working with a very tight budget (again) this week so I came up with a more financially sound and (hopefully) healthier meal plan idea.  It's definitely not new, but it's one I haven't done before. 

MENU PLANNING

Mondays will be chicken or ground turkey
Tuesdays will be beans
Wednesday we eat at my parents'
Thursday will be whole grain pasta/veggies/meatless night
Friday is kids choice
Saturday is parents' again
Sunday is soup night

Protein will be coming from other sources than meat, mostly.  Kids' night is generally turkey burgers, turkey dogs, tacos,  homemade pizza, etc.

Breakfasts will be oatmeal w/ peanut butter & banana,  yogurt fruit & whole grain toast, breakfast hash (egg/turkey sausage/potatoes) or breakfast cups (eggs, toast, turkey bacon/sausage/ham in muffin tin)

Lunches will be leftovers, lentils and rice topped with salad (love this) grilled cheese for the kidlets, soup, or pretty much anything I can concoct from what we have on hand!! 

Snacks are microwave popcorn (6-pack of light & active at Aldi for 1.49) fruit, raw veggies, pretzels, boiled eggs

READING

I am almost done with the 3rd book in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, "Voyager".  If you like historical fiction, I cannot urge you enough to read these!!!  (*warning - there are some sexually explicit parts in the book - but they are between husband and wife) 

Not sure what I will read next as there are SO many wonderful books waiting for me on my Nook!!
FASHION

I read SO many fashion blogs!  I follow a bunch of plus-sized fashion blogs and just LOVE them so much!  As for my own "fashion......"  I have bunches of clothes hanging in my closet that I love but haven't had the courage to wear.  A lot of them are long skirts, a couple dresses, and a bunch of tops.  I also have a lot of things I could wear differently, but always wear things the same ol' way.  So this is something I'm going to work on as well!

I think that will about do it for the day.  There is always so much in my head that I want to say and then I sit here and can't think of a thing.  Bah!

Have a blessed day!

Sherry