Still Alive! ... And Menu Planning

So... I *may* have disapeared for a while. It was for the best. I needed a break from the blog world to be a little irl (in real life).

And now I'm back a little more capable of managing my blog time!

Monday - DiGiorno pizza & sides (go here for a $2/1 coupon on facebook) I was lucky enough to pair two $4/2 coupons with a sale at Krogers!

Tuesday - sloppy joes and fries (Hunts sloppy joe sauce $10/10 and ground beef $2.99/lb at Food Lion - seeing a trend here?!?!)  : D

Wednesday - cinnamon rolls (They were on sale for $0.98 at Krogers and I had coupons!)

Thursday - Pioneer Woman's colby-bacon chicken sandwiches

Friday - tuna casserole, baked potatoes (YES that's TWO carbs!), crescent rolls (wait, that's three carbs... more for me!) ... crescent rolls were also $0.98 at Krogers

Saturday - Black-eyed pea gumbo and cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - DiGiorno and sides

Tuesday - P-Dub's chicken nuggets, homestyle mac & chz (try adding some Philly cooking creme in this!), vegetables

Wednesday - cinnamon rolls

Thursday - pasta and red sauce (sauce on sale at target for $0.95), salad, crescent rolls

Friday - hamburgers and fries

Saturday - bbq chicken, rice, corn on the cob (with guacamole and chips)

Menu Plan Monday... a week late.

I was completely without a ball last week. I didn't just drop it... it ran away from me screaming.

 

Head on over to www.orgjunkie.com for more great menu plans!

Monday - flatbread pizza

Tuesday - loaded baked potatoes

Wednesday - muffins

Thursday - soup (canned)

Friday - BLTs and chips

Saturday - potato soup and french bread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - bean and beef burritos

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Tuesday - steak salad & baked potatoes

Wednesday - potato, egg and cheese breakfast burritos

Thursday - BBQ chicken, steamed rice and vegetables

Friday - hamburgers & fries

Saturday - black eyed-pea gumbo and cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Meal Plan Monday

I'm trying the Special K diet for two weeks (and by the way, it actually saved me money to buy those specific items instead of my normal meals and snacks) so the meals are a little healthier than normal (with carb add-ons for the family). If it works as promised (with exercise as well) then it may become a regular thing...

Head over to OrgJunkie for some more great meal plans!

Monday - chicken salad/ baked potato

Tuesday - cheese ravioli in pasta sauce/ garlic bread

Wednesday - streusel cream cheese & pumpkin spice muffins (a mouthful!) - same recipe but I added a dollop of cream cheese and streusel

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Thursday - corn and chicken tostadas

Friday - bacon (veg-bacon for me) avocado sandwiches

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Saturday - crockpot chili and cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - steak salad/ baked potatoes

Tuesday - burgers (veggie for me) & fries

Wednesday - P-Dub scones

Thursday - veggie stir fry and steamed rice

Friday - turkey sandwiches & soup

Saturday - potato soup & french bread (not so much diet...)

NOT My Nana's Mashed Potatoes

8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 c milk
1 stick butter
2 tsp garlic
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 T parsley
s&p, tt
water to cover

1. Cover cubed potatoes with water in pot and bring to boil. Reduce slightly and continue on high until potatoes are tender. Drain water.
2. Add all other ingredients and combine with a mixer. Lumps are okay... though Northerners may not agree.
3. Sprinkle with some more parsley if you like pretty things.

NOTE: Potatoes should be creamy, not thick - add more milk and butter to attain creamy consistency. And the more salt and pepper, the better...

Mini Meatloaves

Meatloaf Ingredients

• 1 ½ lb ground beef 
• 1 package (not box) ritz crackers, crushed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• ½ onion, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 T Worcestershire sauce
• 1 T Italian seasoning

Topping

• 1 tsp parsley
• ½ c steak sauce
• ¼ c ketchup
• bread to coat dish

1. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish by lining bottom with slices of bread.
2. In large bowl, combine all meatloaf ingredients. Gitch’yer hands dirty! Shape into mini meatloaves, about 3-4 inches long. Arrange on top of bread in dish.
3. Bake 30 minutes at 375, or until middle is done.
4. Combine topping ingredients in small bowl. Brush onto tops of meatloaves. Serve and enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

Enjoying the fall weather so much that I'm drinking coffee mid-day and pulling out my old soup recipes...

Head on over to Org Junkie to see more great meal plans!

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Monday - homemade pizza

Tuesday - soup and sandwiches

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - hamburgers and fries

Friday - loaded baked potatoes and salad

Saturday - BBQ chicken, rice and creamed corn

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - tacos

Tuesday - potato soup and french bread

Wednesday - pumpkin spice muffins

Thursday - fried chicken, twice baked potatoes and green beans

Friday - quesadillas and spanish rice

Saturday - black eyed pea gumbo and cornbread

Smothered Stew Meat

This started from a recipe I found on allrecipes but has been irrevocably changed since then... My husband says it reminds him of a Mexican dish but I haven't been able to find it (let me know if you know what it is!).


Smothered Stew Meat

1-2lb stew meat (the cut up chunks)
1 package dry onion soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup

1. Brown stew meat in skillet (should still be tender when you add in other ingredients).
2. Add in soups and mix in well. 
3. Heat to perfection.

Serve over rice and spoon lots of the sauce on.

Was that easy or what?

Menu Plan... Monday?

I was sick.

The baby was clingy.

The dog ate my menu plan... yep, I'm gonna go with that one.

Head on over to www.orgjunkie.com to see more great menu plans!

You may notice... the weather has changed. At least here in Virginia. You may also notice that I noticed. Just take a look at some of these great cool weather meals - stew, potato soup, soup and sandwiches, tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches... there's a reason fall is my favorite season!

Monday - spaghetti, salad, garlic bread

Tuesday - sweeper steak and roasted vegetables (will post recipes tomorrow)

Wednesday - pumpkin spice streusel muffins (from my new GMG friend Toni) I added the streusel... it's a bad habit, I know.

Thursday - ham & cheddar potato stacks (loosely based on this recipe),  salad

Friday - butter chicken, steamed rice and vegetables

Saturday - potato soup and french bread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - fried round steak, mashed potatoes, vegetables

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Tuesday - soup (canned) and sandwiches

Wednesday - english muffin egg baskets

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Thursday - wings, baked potatoes, salad

Friday - tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

Saturday - stew and breadsticks

Sunday - leftovers

Menu Plan Monday

No it's not Monday...

Yes I'm behind...

But the house is clean!



Head over to OrgJunkie to find tons of meal plans!

I'm still on a Pioneer Woman kick - Ree Drumond is my new BFF... I promise I'm not stalking her!

Monday - tacos

Tuesday - loaded baked potatoes & salad

Wednesday - potato, egg & cheese burritos

Thursday - marlboro man sandwiches 

Friday - colby-bacon chicken sandwiches

Saturday - easy crockpot chili & cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - quesadillas & spanish rice

Tuesday - sloppy joes & fries

Wednesday - cinnamon rolls

Thursday - homemade pizza

Friday - tostadas

Saturday - bbq chicken, steamed rice & corn

Sunday - leftovers

Menu Plan Monday

I may have unintentionally lied. It would seem that I AM going to try all of the Pioneer Woman's recipes at once. : )  I can't help it... the pictures just make me so hungry and when I'm done with the menu plan it seems that I blacked out while writing all of her recipes down.

Go to www.orgjunkie.com to check out more great meal plans!



Monday - chicken strips, baked potatoes and salad

Tuesday - homemade pizza

Wednesday - boiled eggs, sausage and toast

Thursday - chili cheese dogs

Friday - bean and beef burritos

Saturday - olive chicken, fettucini alfredo and steamed veg

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - colby-bacon chicken sandwiches

Tuesday - sloppy joes and fries

Wednesday - bacon, egg and cheese toasters

Thursday - mexican flatbread pizza

Friday - marlboro man sandwiches

Saturday - stir fry and steamed rice

Sunday - leftovers

Easy Crockpot Chili

{this is what happens when you get tired of measuring : D}

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2 lb ground beef
2 great big cans of diced tomatoes, undrained *teehee*
2 teeny cans of tomato sauce
1 pouch McCormick chili seasoning
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
half an onion, diced 

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet with onions.
2. Dump ground beef and everything else into a crockpot.
3. Heat on high for an hour or low for 2-3 hrs.
4. Serve with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top and say TA-DA! for added effect.

Make some cornbread to go with it and supper will be a hit.

Go check out more recipes at Good Cheap Eats

Homemade Pizza... in all it's awesomeness

Homemade Pizza 

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1. Start with this perfect crust from Money Saving Mom - I usually double for two round pizzas. (My step-mom also suggested that the crust would make great breadsticks - I would brush with butter, garlic salt, a pinch of Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese)

-- Oops - I almost forgot - dust the pizza pan with some cornmeal and a teeny bit of flour before tossing the dough and putting it on.

2. Poke crust all over with a fork and bake for about 10 min (so the middle isn't undercooked). Remove from oven.

3. Brush crust with olive oil (I like to use my Pampered Chef basting brush)

4. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder and pepper. (just enough - don't overdo it)

5. Spread one jar of pizza sauce over pizzas (I just started making my own and it is AWESOME - if you don't want to be too Betty Crocker, just purchase a bag of pizza sauce canning mix from your canning aisle)

6. Add toppings. I usually add a small bag of mozzarella cheese to one pizza and add on either Fiesta blend or Monterey Jack/Colby blend for a plain cheese pizza. My husband and kids get pepperoni added to that and if I'm lucky enough to have my own, I'll add slices of tomato, onion and bell pepper.

Menu Plan (Tues)Monday

A little late... I've been reducing my blog/facebook/swagbucks time lately and have been a good deal more productive around the house and with homeschool... go figure.

You might see a change in my menu plan... because I. DISCOVERED. THE. PIONEER. WOMAN.

Why didn't anyone tell me about her? I had caught glimpses of her through slight references on other blogs... always immaterial and taunting me... but never enough whatfor to make me want to go out of my way to find her. And now I have. And I am IN LOVE with her recipes. They're "down home" enough to remind me of my Nana's cooking, the rundown is hilarious and they're just plain pretty to look at. I'm limiting my intake to three recipes this time (I didn't want to use them all up at once) but definitely plan on seeing more here. There is tons more on her site too - homeschool helps, tickling confessions, photography that will make you wish you were born talented, and some decorating and remodeling.

And since no one told me, I'm telling you - GO CHECK HER OUT!

Monday - sloppy joes & potato wedges

Tuesday - homemade pizza

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - grilled ham and cheese sandwiches & chips

Friday - tacos

Saturday - bbq chicken, crash hot potatoes, vegetables

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Sunday - leftovers

Monday - stir fry and steamed rice

Tuesday - bean and beef burritos

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Wednesday - bacon, egg and cheese toasters

Thursday - chicken strips, salad & garlic bread

Friday - hamburgers & fries

Saturday - crockpot chili (recipe follows) & cornbread


Easy Crockpot Chili
{this is what happens when you get tired of measuring : D}

2 lb ground beef
2 great big cans of diced tomatoes, undrained *teehee*
2 teeny cans of tomato sauce
1 pouch McCormick chili seasoning
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
half an onion, diced 

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet.
2. Dump ground beef and everything else into a crockpot.
3. Heat on high for an hour or low for 2-3 hrs.
4. Serve with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top and say TA-DA! for added effect.

Menu Plan Monday

Coming up, we have family visiting (Grandad and Gigi!), a LONG three-week meal plan, my husband and sister's birthday (they share one) and as part of the Completing Him Challenge I'm making some of my husband's favorite dishes. Whew... I'm already worn out.

Head on over to www.orgjunkie.com to see tons of other great meal plans!

Monday - bbq chicken, steamed rice, vegetables (chicken quarters and bbq sauce baked for 45min)

Tuesday - spinach lasagna, salad

Wednesday - potato, egg and cheese breakfast burritos

Thursday - spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Friday - homemade pizza

Saturday - mini meatloaves, twice-baked potatoes, vegetables

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - wings, baked potatoes, salad

Tuesday - chili cheese dogs

Wednesday - hard-boiled eggs, toast, bacon

Thursday - blt's & chips

Friday - tacos

Saturday - bbq ribs/chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - sloppy joes, potato wedges

Tuesday - quesadillas, spanish rice

Wednesday - pancakes

Thursday - tostadas

Friday - hamburgers, fries

Saturday - cheese tortellini, french bread, vegetables

Sunday - leftovers

VERY simple BBQ ribs or chicken

Shhh... don't tell my husband I'm giving away his secret. : )

 When we first got married, he had me prepare everything this way and I thought it was just nuts (I'm a vegetarian) and other people came over to eat some and they LOVED it.

So here's the SUPER simple secret...

 

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1. Liberally apply Lemon Pepper
2. Sprinkle with Seasoning Salt
3. Grill to perfection

Told you it was easy : )

Oh, and (per Julia Child) make sure you completely pat the meat dry before seasoning or it won't brown properly.

Meal Plan.... Muh-Wednesday

I'm SOOO behind. I just now got caught up on housework and birthday prep that I have a few seconds for menu stuff. This is what happens when you sit on your butt for a whole 4-day 4th of July weekend...

Anyhoo - here's what's on the menu. Enjoy!



Monday - homemade pizza

Tuesday - meatball subs  (I did not have bread crumbs or ritz crackers for this... so I used cheezits. And everyone LOVED it. Crazy... I know.)

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - chicken kabobs, macaroni, steamed carrots

 Friday - blt & chips

Saturday - bbq ribs, potato salad, corn on the cob

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - loaded baked potatoes, salad

Tuesday - tostados

Wednesday - cinnamon rolls

Thursday - sloppy joes & fries

Friday - spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Saturday - hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta salad

Menu Plan Monday

Menu plan Monday again! My sister Allison is visiting and dh is on a trip to TN so I let Allison pick out the food for this week... thankfully, it's all stuff I like! = )

Go  check out www.OrgJunkie.com for more great menus!

Monday - pizza hoagies

Tuesday - lasagna, salad, garlic bread

Wednesday - waffles

Thursday - ORDER CHINESE! = )

Friday - wings, twice baked potatoes, salad

Saturday - bbq ribs, potato salad, corn on the cob

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - hamburgers, fries

Tuesday - quesadillas, spanish rice

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - tacos

Friday - chili cheese dogs

Saturday - bbq chicken, steamed rice, green beans

Sunday - leftovers

Moist Sweet Cornbread

My husband loves soft, moist cornbread and I love slightly sweet cornbread... took forever, but I finally found this fantastic recipe right on a bag of cornmeal and it's been our staple for over a year now.

Cornbread

1 1/2 c cornmeal
2 1/2 c milk
2 c flour
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c vegetable oil

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Whisk cornmeal and milk together - let sit for 10 whole minutes.
3. Add in remaining ingredients. 
4. Bake 30-35 min (knife test) in 9x13 prepared pan.
5. Cut open and butter up!

These rise a good deal so be prepared for some rather large pieces (just cut smaller, they'll last longer!)

Menu Plan Monday

My sister is coming to spend some time with us this summer so I'm trying to plan with another mouth to feed in mind... I'm used to my stepson visiting for the summer so that really isn't that hard to do. Definitely enjoying summer cooking and can't wait to throw in more bbq days!

Monday - blt and chips

Tuesday - mini meatloaves, steamed rice and vegetables

Wednesday - Church's Peru Mission Trip Fundraiser Meal

Thursday - homemade pizza - one with mozzarella cheese, fiesta cheese and tomatoes / the other with mozz and pepperoni

Friday - taco night

Saturday - crockpot chili (recipe follows) and cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - wings, baked potatoes and salad

Tuesday - chicken wraps and pasta salad

 Wednesday - fluffiest pancakes in the world!

Thursday - chili cheese dogs

Friday - ratatouille (combining this recipe and this one - I'll let you know how it goes) and cheese rolls

Saturday - bbq chicken, steamed rice and vegetables

Sunday - leftovers

CROCKPOT CHILI

1.5lb ground beef

2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can kidney beans, drained

1 can pinto beans, drained

1 can tomato sauce

1 packet McCormick chili seasoning

1/2 onion, chopped

1. Brown ground beef on stove. Drain and put in crockpot.

2. Put all other ingredients in crockpot. Bring to desired consistency.

3. Voila! Keeps the kids happy!

Menu Plan Monday

Back from a long break... I had the great privilege of welcoming a precious gift from God into this world on May 4th. Our fourth child and first son's birth (and pretty much his whole story) was a definite miracle and proof that God is actively working in our lives.... I'll tell that story later though - THIS is a menu plan.

Our little man is now three weeks old (tomorrow) and I'm forcibly being shoved back into the swing of things... mostly because dh is gone on a business trip for a week, leaving me to recall all of the survival skills I learned when he deployed (!). I actually HAD made a menu plan for the two weeks that I missed on here but it was HORRIBLY followed, being traded for pizza and fast food instead. Can you really blame my husband?

So here I am, back to enthrall you with our exciting and fancy menu items = D Or just our regular fare... it's all in the eye of the beholder!

Go check out www.orgjunkie.com for more great menu ideas.


Monday - pizza hoagies ( I sub. hoagies and olive oil for french bread and butter)

Tuesday - loaded baked potatoes & salad

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - egg salad sandwiches & chips

Friday - tostadas

Saturday - baked ribs, baked potatoes & corn on the cob (dh is home to bbq!)

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - cheese tortellini in red sauce, mixed vegetables & french bread

Tuesday - hamburgers & tots

Wednesday - hard-boiled eggs, sausage & toast

Thursday - sloppy joes & potato wedges

Friday - quesadillas & spanish rice

Saturday - fried chicken, coleslaw & corn on the cob

Sunday - leftovers