Menu for the Week of 7/26-7/30

Well, wednesday is better than after the whole week is over, right!?  Here it is!

Monday:  Frozen meal
Tuesday:  Chicken Breast, Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Veggie
Wednesday:  Shrimp Stir-Fry
Thursday:  Coconut Salmon
Friday:  White Shells, Ham & Peas

Feedback from last weeks Menu

Monday: Out to eat at Olive Garden.


Tuesday: Breakfast food!  We had waffles and sausage patties and they were very good!!  We will be doing breakfast more often!

Wednesday: Asian Salmon with rice and veggies.  This is one of our favorites and it did not dissapoint this time around.  We had peas for the veggie which was a little different for this type of meal, but they sounded so good!!

Thursday: Spinach and Turkey Enchiladas.  OK, I loved these and ate the leftovers all week for lunch!  I am really becoming a spinach eater!!  My husband wasn't a huge fan.  He ate them and even ate them one day for leftovers, but he felt like the enchilada should only be meat and lots of cheese. 

Friday: Home-Style Sausage and Potato Skillet.  This was so good!!  I'm not usually into "home-style" cooking or eating for that matter, but this was delicious!!

Menu for July 19-23

I'm trying to get back to a routine, but it's been crazy!  We are also moving next Saturday, so I feel a little crazy right now!
Monday:  Out to eat at Olive Garden
Tuesday:  Breakfast food!
Wednesday:  Asian Salmon with rice and veggies
Thursday:  Spinach and Turkey Enchiladas
Friday:  Home-Style Sausage and Potato Skillet

Feedback from last weeks menu

Monday: Southwestern Chicken Layer Salad.  This was good as usual!

Tuesday: "Healthified" Mediterranean Chicken Pasta.  I took this to a family that just had a baby, don't know what they thought yet, but we loved it as usual!!

Wednesday: Grab what we can on our own-super busy night

Thursday: I ended up not cooking since it got so busy!  I was actually helping a friend get organized with cooking/meal planning for her family! :)

Friday: "Healthified" Sweet and Sour Chicken.  So, I moved this to friday and let me say-I was not dissapointed!  This was awesome!!  My husband asked that we have it again soon and I loved it as well!  So, here is the link to the recipe so that you may enjoy as well!
 
http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/recipes/whole-grains/healthified-sweet-and-sour-chicken.aspx

Menu for the Week of July 12-16

Better late than never, right?
Monday:  Southwestern Chicken Layer Salad
Tuesday:  "Healthified" Mediterranean Chicken Pasta
Wednesday:  Grab what we can on our own-super busy night
Thursday:  "Healthified" Sweet and Sour Chicken
Friday:  Cocnut Salmon

Feedback for last weeks Menu

OK, trying not to be such a slacker, but it's not working out so well...  But, here is feedback from the last menu I posted, then I will post this weeks menu!
Tuesday: Singapore Mai Fun, this was really good-this was something brand new.  I had these Mai Fun noodles and had to find a recipe to go with them and ... success!!! 
Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, I had some leftover meatballs from our Italian meatball subs, so I put them in the freezer and decided to use them for spaghetti and meatballs.  Not so good.  The meatballs were an original recipe that needs some tweaking anyway and just didn't really go that great with the spaghetti.
Thursday: Tacos, super yummy as usual!!

Menu for 7/5-7/9

So, I have been a total slacker!!  I have neglected my poor blog and it is going to have abandonment issues!  So, here is my attempt to get back on track!
Monday:  No plan because of the holiday
Tuesday:  Singapore Mai Fun
Wednesday:  Spaghetti and Meatballs
Thursday:  Tacos
Friday:  Birthday Party with Pizza

Menu for the Week of June 14-18th

Ooops, I'm a bit behind this week! It is a crazy week! I am doing a Father's Day slideshow for Church on Sunday and it is a huge project! I also have many other medium-sized projects going on and a baby shower coming up that I need to buy a gift & bake cookies for! So, here it is...

Monday: "Healthified" Cashew Chicken with Broccoli
Tuesday: "Healthified" Mexican Pasta Skillet
Wednesday: Shrimp Creole
Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas with Mexican Rice
Friday: Homemade Burgers & Fries

Feedback from last weeks Menu

I tried to post this weeks menu before posting feedback from last week (both very late, of course)!  Well, here it is!
Monday:  The spaghetti turned out pretty good, my husband decided to play around with spiced and "experiment" and it turned out pretty good.
Tuesday:  We just ended up having leftover spaghetti as the day got so hectic and busy!!
Wednesday:  The tuna steaks were awesome as usual!!  I do want to expand my tuna steak recipe repertoire, though!
Thursday:  The chicken turned out really good, I decided to use my homemade jerk seasoning that has no salt in it.  I decided to use a box 3 cheese potatoes and those were pretty good.  I changed the veggies to an asparagus, gold & white corn & baby carrot blend that was really good!
Friday:  Again, got so crazy-busy we just ran by Hyvee and ate there.  I had Sushi-yummmmmmmm

Menu for 6/7-6/11/2010

Wow, this week has already been stressful!  I have a lot on my mind and am trying to juggle so many things, I feel like a circus act!!  Sorry if you actually read this and feel neglected!  Well, here is what we are shooting for this week (I already had to change tonights dinner to Bertolli because I forgot to thaw the meat).
Monday:  Spaghetti (cooked by my husband-his way)
Tuesday:  Bertolli
Wednesday:  Tuna Steaks with Rice and Broccoli
Thursday:  Baked Chicken Breasts, Seasoned Potatoes, California Blend Veggies
Friday:  Shrimp Fried Rice

Menu and Feedback for 5/31-6/4

So, I didn't post the menu for this past week and that's ok, since it wasn't much to write about.  I only really cooked one night!!  I couldn't believe it, that is crazy for me.  At least that one night was good!
Since Monday was a holiday I didn't cook and I don't even remember what we ate.
Tuesday got so busy I was going to cook, but we ended up doing something quick.
Wednesday was our House Church where we have a potluck-type dinner and we had a salad and sandwich bar since it has been so hot.
Thursday I cooked Coconut Salmon with Rice and Broccoli.  It was really good, so I included the recipe below.
Friday I was going to cook tacos, but got so busy planning out end of the year party for our Middle School ministry that we ate sandwiches instead and are eating the tacos tonight-yeah!!
I have hope that next week will be better as things should not be so busy and our Middle Schoolers will be at camp, so we have no Middle School activities.

Coconut Salmon
4 (4 oz) Salmon Fillets, skin removed
1 T Lime Juice
1/2 Cup Panko
1/4 Cup Flaked Sweetened Coconut
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place salmon on a non-stick baking pan.  Brush juice on salmon.  In shallow dish, combine panko, coconut, salt and pepper.  Dredge each fillet in the mixture and return to baking pan.  Spread leftover crumbs on top of each fillet.  Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Feedback from Last Week

This was a busy week, but what I did cook turned out really well!  I did feel like I had not cooked a lot, though.
Monday:  Papa Johns Pizza, it was ok.  Enough said.
Tuesday:  Curry Chicken, this is seriously one of our favorite dishes and I used less water this time, so it was thicker and that turned out really well!!
Wednesday:  Garlic Shrimp Pasta, this was a lot better than I expected!  It had fresh spinach in it, which I am just now discovering is a wonderful thing!  My husband really liked it as well.
Thursday:  Husband is taking care of dinner.  Guess what we had?  Bertolli!  That's ok, though.  We had the chicken Florentine one I had been avoiding and actually liked it!  Look at me liking spinach!!
Friday:  Italian Chopped Salad, our schedule got busy so we ended up eating out.  I will have to try this another time, though.

Menu for the Week of 5/24-5/28

Monday:  Papa Johns Pizza
Tuesday:  Curry Chicken
Wednesday:  Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Thursday:  Husband is taking care of dinner
Friday:  Italian Chopped Salad

Feedback from last weeks menu

OK, I am totally behind, so I am just going to pretend like last week didn't happen and just give feedback on the last week I blogged and post this weeks menu.
Monday:  For a frozen mean, Bertoli is where it's at for us.  But, it's still a frozen meal.
Tuesday:  This dish was so good!!  It was like an already cut up, very lean pot roast.  It did take a long time to cook (quite a bit longer than the recipe said and this was the first time I made it), but it was worth the wait!!  So juicy and tender and very flavorful!!
Wednesday:  I must say my spaghetti turned out awesome!!  It was a hit, I thought I might have made too much, but we love the leftovers, so I wasn't upset, but I brought home an empty pan.
Thursday:  I used legs since we are trying to save money and for a change of pace-they were better than I thought they would be, but my husband wasn't a huge fan.  The broccoli cheese and rice was a microwave bag thing and it was pretty good-considering.
Friday:  Now this was the hit of the week and is the featured picture.  I had to take a picture because it was seriously probably the prettiest food I have ever made!  It was also super delicious!!  It was just the right amount of spice-perfect!

Menu for the Week of 5/3-5/7

Monday:  Bertoli Frozen Meal
Tuesday:  Herb Roasted Pork Chops and Vegetables
Wednesday: Pot Luck Dinner for Church-Theme is Italian (I am bringing my Spaghetti)
Thursday:  Baked BBQ Chicken with Cheesy Broccoli & Rice
Friday:  Shrimp Creole

We are trying to save money as we will be moving into a bigger apartment and we are trying to on vacation (hopefully to Jamaica!), so I am trying to be more budget conscience over the next few months!!

Feedback from last weeks menu

So, a friend recommended the movie Julie and Julia.  It was a great movie!  I liked it a lot more than I thought I would!  It also inspired me to perhaps try some French cooking.  At the very least, I want to get back into trying more ethnic cuisine. 
The crunchy asian salad and chicken turned out better than I expected!  I didn't think I would like the raw spinach leaves and did not think I would get my husband to eat it, but was pleasantly surprised!  There were a lot of leftovers and they did not go to waste!
So...I did not realize my husband had such a strong aversion to mustard and the ginger salmon had mustard in it, so that was a minor disaster.  He did eat it, but scraped off the "nasty stuff".  I thought it was delicious!!
The southwestern chicken layered salad is a favorite and was great as usual!
I didn't realize how much food I had made, so we changed Thursday to a leftover night so we wouldn't waste anything.  We will make the pork chops next week.
Our mexican pasta was amazing as usual.  We had our friends 11 year old daughter stay with us for the weekend and she loved it!  I was so happy!  She even got to help me make it!  It was a lot of fun.
Overall this was a pretty good week.  I am looking forward to having time to do some more complicated dishes and to cook more ethnic cuisine.

Menu for the Week of 4/26-4/30

Here is our menu for this week and at the bottom is one recipe with my changes and a link to the original.  This is a busy week, so it's a pretty simple week-nothing to fancy.

Monday:  Baked Chicken Breast with Ginger, Cayenne & Mrs. Dash and "Healthified" Crunchy Asian Salad
Tuesday:  Ginger Salmon and Rice and Asian Medley Vegetables
Wednesday:  Southwestern Chicken Layered Salad
Thursday:  Herb Roasted Pork Chops & Vegetables
Friday:  "Healthified" Mexican Pasta Skillet

The recipe of the week is from Friday and is for the "Healthified" Mexican Pasta Skillet which has become a favorite in our house!

"Healthified" Mexican Pasta Skillet
1 lb Ground Lean Turkey
1 jar (16 oz) On the Border Medium Salsa
1 Cup Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 Cups Water
2 Cups Uncooked Whole Wheat Elbow Macaroni
1 Cup Frozen Corn
1/2 Cup Mexican Style Shredded Cheese
Directions:  In a medium skillet, cook turkey over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, ntil thoroughly cooked; drain.  Stir in salsa, tomato sauce and water.  Heat to boiling.  Stir in macaroni and corn.  Reduce heat; simmer 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until macaroni is tender.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Cover; let stand 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Nutritional Information:
1 Serving (1 1/3 Cups):  Calories 370; Total Fat 6g (Saturated Fat 2 1/2g); Cholesterol 45mg; Sodium 650mg; Total Carbohydrate 53g; (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 5g);  Protein 25g; Percent Daily Value:  Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 15%; Calcium 8%; Iron 20%
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/healthified-mexican-pasta-skillet/e86a1cb2-a7b3-4cb7-906a-9a2d7a9c218f

A Brand New Blog

So, I am completely changing the focus of my blog. My husband and I have been working toward a healthier lifestyle for a couple of months now and I was inspired my some of my friends from http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ and decided I would blog about the food I cook. I have always loved to cook and love trying new things in the kitchen! I hope you enjoy and are in turn inspired by the power food has in our lives!

Goodness!!

Wow, it's been way too long since I have blogged! I just wanted to say a quick statement that I will be writing more soon, but I didn't want another heavy blog just yet, since that is all I have had so far and I know what I will be writing about next, and all my ideas are pretty heavy. I plan to write about the environment, health, Vegetarianism/Veganism, and my New Years Goals (which I have yet to complete-I know, I know, I'm bad). Well, hope you are reading since more is coming! Watch out!

Protesting the Neo-Natzis

So, the Neo-Nazis are coming to town tomorrow for those of you that haven't heard...

The National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group, is scheduled to march in downtown Columbia Saturday from noon to 5pm. According to a press release sent by the group, they plan on sponsoring 2008 presidential candidate John Taylor Bowles, who plans to attend this weekend’s event. According to the Columbia Tribune, the march is intended to recruit new members and act as a political campaign. The parade permit says the group wants "to protest the promotion of Marxism by the University of Missouri."

In an interview with the Tribune, Professor Larry Brown, who teaches a class about White Nationalism said the group wants to "create a scenario where they can justify their white supremacy." He also said "What they have been doing in recent years, they have a march and broadcast their propaganda verbally and try to get a violent reaction from the community,"

In October of 2005 this same group held a march in Toledo Ohio (in a predominately African-American Neighborhood) where a riot broke out and over 100 people were arrested.

Brown also said the public should avoid downtown on Saturday. "Unfortunately, they are great verbal manipulators," he said. "Whether you think you can just listen, next thing you know you’re angry."

Also, in a message to all Faculty, Staff and Students at MU, Chancellor Brady Deaton stated that "While I certainly respect the right of free speech protected for all Americans by the First Amendment to the Constitution, I am concerned that the views of this organization certainly do not support our campus values, especially those of respect and responsibility. Our hope is that all members of the University community will simply ignore the event."

Here is my protest, and here is my advice. Stay out of downtown on Saturday. Don't even give them the time of day, ignore them completely. What they want is to get people riled. How great would it be if no one even noticed they were here, so to speak? I honestly fear for the safety of anyone who does go downtown, especially to protest. We don't need to make national news for this. I believe in the 1st amendment right wholeheartedly! I will be exercising my right by not going downtown at all on Saturday. That is my protest. I think of the scripture 1 Peter 5:8 that says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." So, if you must go downtown. Please, be careful. These groups know what they are doing.

I do hate that we are affected by them regardless. I am tempted to be so angry at just the thought of them coming to our city. I feel invaded. But, it is naive to think they are not already here. They are here, they have been, and they aren't going anywhere. At least not anytime soon. I have also noticed that I have become suspicious. I saw a young white man with a buzz cut in the store and my first thought was that he was "one of them". I hate to admit that, but it's true. Maybe he was, maybe he just likes short hair, who knows? But, that's not my right to judge him like that! I guess this is just a great lesson of tolerance for our city, huh?

Here is their website for more information if you must http://www.nsm88.com
Here also is the Anti Defamation League's Profile on the group with good information http://www.adl.org/Learn/Ext_US/The_National_Socialist_Movement.asp?xpicked=3&item=nsm

Well, so far the blog has been pretty heavy, I hope my next post is on the lighter side of life!! Have a great weekend and please, ignore the Nazis! Enjoy each other and enjoy the city, O.K.?