When I sat down to make out this week’s weekly menu plan, I changed it probably three times when I realized our schedule was going to be a little busier than I first realized. I need things to be super quick and easy! I also realized that we had a lot of leftovers from last week so I won’t need to cook as many days as I originally thought. Bonus for a night off from cooking AND reducing food waste! So I took a little closer look at what is already in the pantry or freezer and will be using up a lot of it instead of buying new. Extra bonus for our budget too!

This Week’s Menu

Monday: YOYO (You’re On Your Own) Night. We’re cleaning out the fridge so will have a buffet of leftovers to choose from!
Tuesday: Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apple Ginger Sauce
Wednesday: Crawfish & Shrimp Poboy sandwiches (using up some crawfish I have in the freezer).
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Not sure yet!
Sunday: Pepperoni Pasta Salad

New Recipe Challenge Review

Last week as part of the New Recipe Challenge I tried a few new recipes. They were all hits! The Kickin Taco Chili was a particular favorite both when I served it as chili but again when I served it over salad with crushed tortilla chips for an ultra quick and easy dinner. Everyone was surprised how good a “soup ON a salad”. It’s a keeper! And the BLT Chicken salad was a HUGE hit. And wow, was it easy! I made it earlier in the day so that the flavors could blend and it was easy to put dinner together after the kids’ swim team practice. Look for the recipe this week here on my blog.  This week I’ll be sharing another new recipe as part of the Eating the Alphabet Healthy Recipe Challenge. Look for it mid-week!

So how are you doing on your New Recipe Challenge? Any new recipes to share? Keep the conversation going either in the comments below or on my Facebook or Twitter page. And for more weekly menu plan ideas, check out the weekly linkup at OrgJunkie!

I know it’s Tuesday but I was on the go non-stop yesterday and didn’t have a chance to share my weekly menu plan with you all. I’m trying some more new recipes in keeping with the New Recipe Challenge and also trying to use up some ingredients that I already have on hand. Spring swim team practices have begun for the kids so our evening routine is going to be changed up a bit! I’m going to be using my slowcooker a bit more often and looking for recipes that can be prepared ahead so it’s ready to eat when we get back from practice so it’s not too much of a late night! We went to one of the new Sprouts Farmers Market stores over the weekend and stocked up on a lot of fresh produce at fantastic prices so will be incorporating that a bit into this week’s plan also.

This Week’s Menu

Monday: Slowcooker Ribs (new recipe from a Better Homes and Gardens softcover cookbook); garden salad
Tuesday: BLT Chicken Salad sandwich on whole wheat bread. I’m making this one up a bit on the fly as I was inspired by the new menu item at Starbucks (but I didn’t want to pay for a sandwich there!) If it turns out well, I’ll share the recipe here later.
Wednesday: Slowcooker  Kickin’ Chicken Chili; garden salad
Thursday: Kickin’ Taco Salad (using up leftovers from the chili)
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Greek-style Quesadillas (using up Feta cheese already in the freezer plus remaining ingredients purchased at Sprouts

New Recipe Challenge Review

Last week I tried two new recipes (click the links for recipe links there), the Chicken Fajita Chili and Goof-Proof Chicken.  We liked them both! The chili was the real winner and is a definite keeper. The chicken was VERY easy but my advice is to use a non-stick pan instead of trying to do it in a cast-iron pan. Lost a lot of the coating that way–not so good when it’s served on the side! But the flavor was good at least so I’ll try it again.

We all loved this chili–one that I tried for the New Recipe Challenge!

What’s on your menu this week? Has anyone been trying any new recipes yet? Share with us in the comments section!

For more recipe ideas, check out OrgJunkie!

This week is a little bit up in the air as we’re still not totally sure what our plans are for Easter. So I’m just doing a meal plan for the first part of the week and not the weekend right now. It’s all about simple and using up things that we already have in the pantry or freezer. I had a lot of leftovers from last week’s meals so I’m trying to use those up instead of buying new. Here’s what’s on the menu:

Monday: Easy Chicken, Rice and Black Bean Tortilla Soup with sliced avocados
Tuesday: Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and Light Fettucine Alfredo Sauce (new for us to try!) over stuffed cheese tortellini and ravioli from Trader Joe’s.
Wednesday: Trader Joe’s bean and cheese taquitos (picked up this past weekend!) and pork tamales (from a friend whose family made them for a fundraiser–in the freezer) and/or chili (from freezer) with a garden salad.
Thursday: leftovers or chicken soft tacos using up leftover rotisserie chicken with orange & yellow bell peppers, onions and avocado
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday & Sunday: TBD

I’ve written before about how I don’t use that canned or packaged parmesan cheese and instead grate my own. But did you know that you can use those ends from the paremsan cheese that are too tough to eat? You bet! Just throw them in your spaghetti sauce (or any other soup or sauce that you might normally add parmesan cheese to) and they will add some nice flavor. That’s one way to use it ALL up and have no waste.

What’s on your meanu plan this week? Share with us in the comments below. Have a great week! For more ideas, check out OrgJunkie.

Last week’s President’s Day holiday kind of got me off track because the kids had a school holiday so I never got my Menu Plan Monday written up for you all! I kind of did it on the fly last week. But I’m back on track this week!

Before I share my menu plan with you, I want to let you know a little tip about how to save money at the grocery store! At my local Kroger, I can often find “Manager’s Specials” on perishable items that are near their expiration date. Sometimes it’s produce but often it is dairy or meat or bread. I like to check the “Healthy Living” section of the store for deals on organic or other natural foods. This week I found some tofu for 33% off the regular price! I like to saute firm tofu and toss in some masala or marinara sauce (or really anything). Silken tofu can easily be added to smoothies. No matter what it is, be sure to check the expiration dates as sometimes they are due to expire the next day but often times not for another week! I will very often stock up and freeze whatever I buy on sale if I know I can’t use it before the expiration date–yes, I will freeze even the tofu! Be sure to ask at your local grocery store if they have similar markdowns and where to find them.

I also want to let you know about some guest posts coming up on my blog. The first will be tomorrow where Renee from QponJunkie will be sharing how to save money using digital coupons. She really knows her stuff so be sure to check back for all the scoop and how you can start saving more money at the grocery store.

Now on to this week’s menu plan. We’ve got a busy week (is there anything else?) so a couple of slowcooker meals are in the mix. This is what I’ll be cooking up:

Monday: Chicken Broccoli Fettucine Alfredo (from 30 Day Gourment Big Book of Freezer Cooking)–yes, from the freezer! Plus a garden salad.
Tuesday: Slowcooker Creamy Onion Pork Chops (I’m subbing the homemade cream of mushroom soup I’ve got in the freezer–it is SO easy to make and super delicious). Last week I asked on my blog’s Facebook page for suggestions for new slowcooker recipes and one follower suggested this as one of her family’s favorites! Adding a garden salad as a side.
Wednesday: Salmon (not sure yet of the recipe), wild rice pilaf, roasted broccoli
Thursday: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (I’m using up some rotisserie chicken carcasses I’ve got in the freezer)
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out to eat
Sunday: Leftovers or soup and sandwich

What’s on your plate this week? For more menu inspiration check out OrgJunkie.

This week we’ve got a lot going on—food wise that is (well, regular life-wise too!) I’m cooking some favorites and trying a new recipe too!

I had hoped to do a roundup of some new Valentine’s Day food ideas but it never happened. Instead, you can check out the roundup I did last year. Or check out the Produce For Kids Healthy Valentine’s Day Pinterest board for some healthy inspiration! Many of the ideas are quick and easy so even if you’re a procrastinator you can probably get something fun made for your family.

Love chocolate? This lava cake is SO easy you wonder why you never knew about making it in the slowcooker before!

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, I forgot to mention that last week I guest posted over at Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker. Kristin has got a whole month’s worth of posts lined up all about chocolate! Let me tell you, I’ve never met a chocolate I didn’t like but wow! What a great collection so far. I made Chocolate Lava Cake in the slowcooker and I promise, if you try it you will want to make it over and over because it is so super easy. Don’t blame me though if you gain a pound or two afterwards!

Here in the South, lots of people will be celebrating Mardi Gras—which is tomorrow! Even though we’re not from Cajun country, I still like to observe the holiday with some Cajun food. You’ll see I’ve got Shrimp Jambalaya on the menu…it’s a new recipe from one of my slowcooker magazines that I’m trying out.

The PTO Teacher Appreciation committee at our school is hosting a Bowl Full of Love luncheon for our teachers. We’re providing a variety of soups for them to enjoy for their lunch as a pre-Valentine’s Day treat to show them how much we appreciate them! I’ve volunteered to bring chili so I’m making a double batch for us to have at home.

So here’s what’s on the menu this week:
Monday: Chicken Tenders, roasted rosemary potatoes and steamed asparagus (bought on sale—the season starts early in Texas!)
Tuesday: Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya, garden salad
Wednesday: Cowboy Beef & Black Bean Chili, garden salad, cornbread
Thursday: Vietnamese Take-Out—it’s a more than decade long Valentine’s Day tradition for us. For a special dessert, I’m going to try a chocolate pasta (yes!?!) with strawberries and cream for dessert. Or maybe some chocolate linzer cookies with raspberry filling. I’ve got some new cookie cutters I want to try out!
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: panini or soup—TBD

And be sure to check back Friday as I’ll be kicking off our 2013 Eating the Alphabet series! I’ll give you a hint: my recipe includes beets—something I’ve never tried cooking before—so hopefully you’ll be inspired to try it yourself after you see how easy my recipe is.

So, what’s on your menu this week?

It’s a new week and I’ve got some new recipes I’m going to be trying this week. It’s supposed to be cold here in southeast Texas so as my mom would say “it’s soup kind of weather!”

I couldn’t help myself at the grocery store this week when I saw this display of locally grown cauliflower at my local H-E-B grocery store. I  love how they are trying to source foods from Texas growers and producers. That makes it easier for shoppers to “buy local” and also helps me with #5 on my list of Culinary New Year’s Resolutions for 2013. Now my family is divided when it comes to cauliflower but I love it so I’m hoping to try out some recipes (like maybe some of these) that might help them come around. Or at least I’ll be enjoying a whole lot of cauliflower this week!

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

Monday: Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup–one of our favorites! and a garden salad
Tuesday: Slowcooker Cinncinati Chili and garden salad; this is a recipe I’ve had for years but will be trying it in the slowcooker for the first time. Hope to share with you all if it works out!
Wednesday: Soy Ginger Flank Steak (from the freezer), Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes and Double Broccoli-Quinoa
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: leftovers
Saturday: out to eat
Sunday: Homemade Tomato Basil Soup and grilled cheese paninis

What’s on your menu this week? For more great ideas check out OrgJunkie!

It’s a new year and I’m back from my break! We spent the kids’ winter break visiting family for Christmas and taking a road trip to New Mexico. Let me tell you, Texas is one crazy huge state to drive! But we had a great time.

Stay tuned this week because I’m doing some reflections on 2012. I’m including my top posts of 2012 (so you can check them out in case you missed them), my food related New Year’s Resolutions and more!

I’m ready to get back to meal planning too. Thank goodness my freezer is still filled with some homemade meals to help this first week back go a little more smoothly. Here’s what’s on our menu this week:

Monday: Teriyaki Burgers (from 30 Day Gourmet’s BIG Book of Freezer cooking), garden salad
Tuesday: Pork carnitas soft tacos (leftover from the freezer), sauteed peppers & onions or tomatoes & lettuce (our family is split on what they like to use in their soft tacos) in soft flour tortillas
Wednesday: Homemade Falafel and “Greek taco” fixings on homemade flatbread (I will try to take pictures so that I can share the recipes with you all! The Falafel is a new one for me)
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: Homemade Slowcooker Spaghetti Sauce over whole wheat pasta and garden salad
Saturday: Leftovers/TBA
Sunday: TBA

What’s on your menu this week? Let’s get planning together!