Meal Plan Monday - Week of March 5, 2012

It's back to a fairly normal week this week, except that instead of the normal work Tuesday/Thursday deal I will be working Thursday and Friday instead.  So, as a result you will notice that I have "easy to prepare meals"' on those two days.  Not too much else is new.  I am sticking with recipes that are already tried and true.  Plus, I am trying to stick with cooking only out of what we have on hand for the next two weeks.  I do this for a couple of reasons.  One, there really isn't anything jumping out at me sale wise this week and since Kroger usually plans their "events" for two weeks at a time, I don't expect much for next week either.  Also, by using up what we have I flush out old stock and save money at the same time!

This weeks menu:

Monday - Busy Day Pork Chops

Tuesday - Lemon Butter Chicken

Wednesday - Turkey Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes

Thursday - Beef and Barley Soup  or recipe below

Friday - Tuna Casserole

Saturday - Crispy Baked "Fried" Chicken

Sunday - Pot Roast

Beef and Barley Soup - Eating for Life recipe

Ingredients

1 tbsp Olive oil
1 1/2 lbs Top sirloin cut into 1-inch cubes
4 cups Low-fat, reduced-sodium beef broth
1 cup Water
1 Onion, chopped
1 stalk Celery, sliced
1 Carrot, sliced
1 tsp Dried oregano
1/4 tsp Ground black pepper
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 cup Pearl barley
1 Bay leaf
10 oz Green beans
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
10 oz Frozen green peas

Preparation

1. In a large pot, over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add beef cubes and cook for about 8 minutes; stirring occasionally until browned on all sides.



2. Stir in beef broth, water, onion, celery, carrot, oregano, black pepper, garlic, barley, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.



3. Stir in green beans, tomatoes, and pea's. Simmer covered until meat and vegetables are tender, about 15 more minutes. Remove bay leaf.



4. Ladle a portion (about 2 cups) of soup into each bowl. Serve and enjoy!

This is also a great crockpot meal.  Just prepare all above and then cook on low for 10 hours.  The meat falls apart in your mouth!

Will be linking up to orgjunkie.com for meal plan Monday.  Hope you have a great week!

Menu Plan Monday - Week of Feb. 20, 2012

So,  this week I will finally be back to a "normal" schedule.  I have been trying out different patterns to my work week (working two days together, or Monday and Wednesday's ect.) and I always felt "off".  I guess I am a creature of habit. 

......it that I sign of maturity or getting old.....hmmmm

Anyway, looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.  So I will be working Tuesday and Thursday, so you will see that those are the days that are great "prepare ahead" type meals.

This weeks menu:

Monday - Beef Terriyaki

Tuesday - Chicken Potato and Vegetable Bake

Wednesday - Asian Peanut Beef and Noodles for 2 (recipe below)

Thursday - Terriyaki Chicken and Broccoli

Friday - Beef Fried Rice

Saturday - Spaghetti

Sunday - My Birthday so I'm not cooking! :)

......HAHA  I just noticed that 4 meals this week are Asian themed......oh well, guess I was in a mood. 



I found this recipe on kraftrecipes.com and it instantly became one of my favorites!  And it's easy to make! 

1/4 lb. (4 oz.) spaghetti, broken in half, uncooked

1-1/2 cups sugar snap peas

1/2 cup red pepper strips

1/4 cup KRAFT Light CATALINA Dressing

1/2 lb. (8 oz.) well-trimmed boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into thin strips

1 Tbsp. PLANTERS Creamy Peanut Butter

1 Tbsp. lite soy sauce

2 green onions, sliced

1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS Dry Roasted Peanuts

Cook spaghetti as directed on package, adding snap peas and red pepper to the cooking water for the last 2 min. of the spaghetti cooking time.

While the noodles are cooking, heat dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat; stir-fry 3 min. or until meat is barely pink in center. Add peanut butter and soy sauce; stir-fry 1 min. or until sauce thickens.    

Drain spaghetti and vegetables. Add to skillet; toss with meat mixture. Stir in green onions; sprinkle with peanuts.

What do you have planned?  I will be linking this up at orgjunkie.com.

Valentine's Day Fun

So, I haven't made a post in quite some time of what I have been doing with Renae for her preschool at home and so I thought is was high time that I did so.  Over the last week we have been doing all sorts of valentine fun and so I thought I would share with you what we have been up to. 

Renae and I made a "Flower Arrangement" for Dakota and her teachers at the preschool, based on

1 Corinthians 13:4--8a. I got the idea from here.

...And this is what it looked like when it was done.

We made treats for the party. Super easy and delish! I searched and searched but for the life of me, I cannot find the site where I found the recipe. But it was so easy I can tell you now. Just take a square pretzel and put a Hersey's Kiss on top. Place in the oven at 350F for just a couple of minutes so that the chocolate is soft when you push on it. Then gently push an M&M into the top. Place in the fridge till the chocolate hardens again. You could easily do this for any other holiday as well. I also had a friend of mine mention that she did this before as well but used Rollo's instead......just might have to try that one!

I was trying to find something that Dakota's class could enjoy for a Valentine'd Day, when I came across this idea here. I think they turned out great with very little effort and I think that they were a hit in both of the girls classes.

I saw on mylitter.com that they decorate at home and do a family style dinner with table cloth, nice dishes and wine glasses. I thought that this was a great idea and decided to adopt it for us as well. I think it was a big hit and I think this is a tradition in the making. As for what I made for dinner....I made Get Yo' Man Chicken! recipe here and Pasta with Asparagus recipe here.  And then we had chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

We made Valentine's for Daddy using the girls hand prints that overlapped to make the shape of a heart and then pasted them onto heart shaped doily, then on the back I printed some daddy themed poems on card stock and pasted it all together. I think Renae was quite proud of her work. I got the idea from here. The poems are from authors unknown.

We also did Valentine themed lessons for Renae's preschool and I didn't take as many pictures as I had thought but here are a few that I did take. The resource for all of the printables that we used is from here.

Fill in the missing number

Match the missing word of cupid.

This was the Valentine treats from us and also from Norm's parents.

And finally, my exceptionally sweet and wonderful husband spoiled me with flowers and chocolates. If you are counting, yes that is 3 dozen flowers! Due do an error from the florist, it seemed that the delivery that he had placed wasn't going to come. I told him that it was no biggy, but he wouldn't hear of it and went and got me more! Then, during dinner there was a knock at the door and the delivery made it after all. I am one very lucky lady! He truly it the best man on the planet......okay I MIGHT be bias......no.....it's true.....the best!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

I am linking this up at http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com for Preschool Corner.  This is a great site that you can get endless ideas for your kiddos.

What I have been reading....

I participate in an online book club called "Booking It" on the blog Lifeasmom.com.  It is set up that there is a monthly book that is "assigned" which you can choose to read and then participate in the discussion.  Or you can read your own choice and then discuss your review on it. 

As part of my goals, I plan on reading 24 books this year.  The 12 assigned books and then 12 of my own choice.  This month, I have sort have bitten off more then I could chew as I am currently reading 4, yes 4 books at the same time.  As a result, I have only finished one of the books (the assigned one) but hope that I will have the remaining books completed in the next couple of weeks.  Below is my review of the what I have read so far.

This is a book that I just started yesterday.  As far as what the book is about, well, the title says it all.....40 unforgettable dates with your mate.  This is a follow-up book to The Five Love Needs of Men and Women.  However, I have never read this book and I since they do recap the book it isn't necessary to read it prior to this book. 

The author's take you through how do create intentional dates with your mate based on the Five Love Needs that were discovered after surveying 1400 men and women.

Gary and Barbara Rosberg, divide the book up, part to speak with the wife and part to speak to the husband so that each know how to create the unforgettable date for their partner.  Even though I have just begun this book I am already enjoying it and it doesn't hurt that the author's have a great sense of humor.  I look forward to not only finishing this book but putting it into practice!  Also, Norm plans on reading this book with me, which just happens to be another one of my 2012 goals (to read 2 books together)

The Second book that I have started is Montessori At Home by John Bowman.  Since I am just starting out with pre-school with Renae I have done none stop reading of different styles of teaching and I have also followed several homeschooling blogs.  One blog that I frequent is 1+1+1=1.blogspot.com and she does some Montessori Style teaching with her kiddos.  So when I came across this recommended e-book I thought I would dig right in.  And am I ever glad that I did.  Not only does it describe all of what this style of teaching entails but it also give many many MANY examples of what to do.  With links of samples to blogs and to videos showing how to present the given item(s).  There is so much information that I have actually taken a little break from this book so that I can absorb a little of what I have read so far.


Water For Elephants - Sara Gruen.  I got this book for Christmas (it was on my wish list) after a college of mine at work suggested it.  She has said it was one of the best books that she had read last year and described a bit of what it was about and so I was intrigued. 

I am so glad that I got this book.  I have only gotten into the first few chapters but it is so well written that I have trouble putting it down.  I know that this was a popular choice last year and so I am sure many reading this already know what it is about or have read it already, but for those who haven't, The main character is Jacob Jankowski and it is his story as he reflects back on his wild and wondrous days with a circus. It takes place in the depression era and Jacob, finding himself parentless and penniless, joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth where he meets Marlena, beautiful star of the equestrian act. Beautifully written, with a luminous sense of time and place, Water for Elephants tells of love in a world in which love’s a luxury few can afford.  I am loving this book so far.

The last book that I read this month was The Money Saving Mom's Budget - Crystal Paine.  This book was our assigned reading and I actually did finish it.  YEAH!

I did enjoy this book and found that a lot of what Crystal talks about in this book I (we) have already put into practice. ie: Paid off all debt, menu planning, coupon clipping......

However, I did find that it was a great refresher and that there were tips that I did get out of the book that will make things a little more efficient.  I especially liked the chapters regarding the de-cluttering and then maintaining that environment which is something that I still struggle with. 

The main principle that I will be putting into action that I haven't been doing until now is the envelope system.  It is a system that I have heard about through Dave Ramsey and now again with Crystal Paine.  It is something that I have resisted, but according to Crystal, it will make a huge difference in controlling my spending.  Or "spaving" as Crystal aptly put it "spending money to save money". 

This is definitely a book I would recommend to others, especially for those just starting out but I think everyone can get some info and ideas from her book.  I love the easy going writing style from Crystal.  It honestly felt like you are listening to a friend's advise.

Well, that is all that I am reading for now.  Would love to hear what is on your nightstand! 

I will be linking this up to the "Booking It" post.

Daddy's Home!

This past week had been particularly challenging.  Renae has been.....how shall I say this.......making me go pre-maturely gray......

Also, Dakota was very "clingy" and as the week progressed, I know why.  She ended up with some kind of stomach bug. 

So, after an exhausting week, I really didn't think I would have anything to post for a "moment to remember". 

But, after scrolling though my pictures that I had taken, I came across this.....

This, it the excitement that the girls have for Daddy, when he gets home.  What you don't hear is how most often Renae is excited to tell Daddy "what we did in school today", and it's never about how mommy wanted to pull her hair out.....lol.

This is why I get excited about teaching my girls!

I will be linking this post up at homeschoolcreations.com

New Year's Resolution 2012 - January Update

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
- Jimmy Dean

After reviewing my resolution list I am pleased with the progress that I have made thus far.  However, since I didn't knock it out of the park in some areas that I thought I would have....ie/exercise, ahem. 
I am going to practice breaking goals down into bite size pieces as suggested in the book that I am currently reading "The Money Saving Mom's Budget - by Crystal Paine


Her first book "The Money Saving Mom's Budget"  released on January 10th on Amazon.


This has been a great read and has so many useful tips and tricks that I would definitely recommend you add this to your reading list!



Here is an update for you to see:

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it - Well, not as consistent as I could be......ok ok ok. REALLY need to work harder at this

2. Cut down/out sweets - ......and this

3. Join Booking it on Lifeasmom.com and add 12 books of my choice to read on to of there list

(total of 24 book) - I am doing well with this resolution.  In January I read the assigned reading "One Bite at A Time - by Tsh Oxenreider and I read Son of Neptune - by Rick Riordan

4. Read Bible in 1 year following this plan (www.esv.org/biblereadingplans) - I stayed on schedule for this up until the last couple of days in January.  I am still trying to catch up.

5. Compile a list of 12 habits to develop in a year and link up to report on moneysavingmom.com - Did this here. But haven't done the link up.  For January it was to get up earlier.  I was pretty good for the most part but will continue to try and keep up the 4am wake up in Feb.

6. Learn to use our DSLR camera that we have owned for a few years but I have no idea how to

use. - Still need to do

Marriage:

1. Read 2 Books Together

2. Monthly Date Night - Went to Olive Garden!  Was wonderful to have some quality time together!

3. Read 3 books on marriage

Home:

1. Redo Home binder to work better for me.

2. Involve Renae in chores

3. Start Monthly "other" cleaning project (ie/baseboards, etc.)

4. Do monthly De clutter Project - Redid our master closet!  Trust me....this was HUGE!  I plan on doing a post about this soon.

Financial:

1. Switch to Cash only for Groceries and personal spending allowance - Didn't do for Jan. but should be in place this month

2. Redo monthly budget.....and stick to it - Didn't do for Jan.

3. Save/buy "new-to-us" car for Norm - Saved some, long way to go

4. Continue with investments - yep, right on track

Children/Homeschooling:

1. Monthly date with just Renae - didn't get to do

2. Swimming lessons for both girls - still not started yet

3. Continue to Pre-K Renae - yes, will be doing an update post soon

4. Make decision on schooling direction for Renae - still working on this

5. Finish alphabet and letter sound recognition and Teach Renae to read - ongoing

6. 1 field trip a month - went to The Children's Museum!  Was wonderful, will post pictures

7. At least 1 family vacation - need to budget for this

8. Read 10 read aloud books to the girls - Read Beazus and Ramona - Beverly Cleary (Renae loved this)

Friendship/church:

1. Send Birthday cards out early - Sent, but not early (sorry Jody)

2. Send 1 note/card per month to encourage someone - didn't do

3. Start attending church - not yet

4. Start getting involved in a homeschool group - not yet

Blog:

1. Set up/follow weekly blog schedule -hmmmmm, haven't done set up let alone, follow through

2. Plan to blog posts 1 week in advance - see above

I am also linking up to moneysavingmom.com post here.  Come join in the fun of goal setting, it's not too late,.....think of all that you can accomplish once you put your mind to it! 

Menu Plan Monday - Feb. 6,2012

Well, last week menu plan went well and I figure I should strike again while the iron is hot. However, since I had to work yesterday and then leave early for a sick baby. I am behind a day for posting.

.....but, better late than never I always say.

This week I was to work yest. and Thursday, so those are my quick meal days. Also, now that I took advantage of a lot of the stock up prices at Kroger these last couple of weeks I hope to not do any grocery shopping (except for milk and prob. eggs) for this week and next and only cook out of my pantry and freezer.

Wish me luck!

Monday - Sheppard's Pie

Tuesday - Braised Balsamic Chicken

Wednesday - Sweet & Sour Pork

Thursday - Spaghetti

Friday - Crispy Baked "Fried" Chicken

Saturday - Curry Chicken and Broccoli (recipe below)

Ingredients

• 1 (14 ounce) bag frozen broccoli florets, thawed
• 2 cups cooked chicken strips
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup milk
•  2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 (divided) teaspoon curry powder (more if you want more flavor)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• Hot cooked rice

Directions

1. Saute chicken in curry and butter till browning on outside.  Curry smell will permeate the house, but in a good way.  Place the chicken then broccoli in a 1-1/2-qt. oven safe dish.  In a bowl, combine the soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder, milk and salt. Spoon over chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake for 1hr at 350 degrees. Serve over rice.               

I originally found this on AllRecipes.com but then tweaked it a little till I got it the way I like it. 

For more ideas on recipes and a peak at how others do meal planning, I am linking up to orgjunkie. com Be sure to check it out and let me know how you are doing with your meal planning or any tips that you might have.