Nom Nom Nom Week 13

Last week we tried a new recipe, the Bistro Steak Sandwiches.  They were...awesome!  They were intimidating to me, because I only like to cook easy looking stuff, but Jeff did ALL the work, and they were awesome.

I'm SO excited to start using a new meal planning website/app.  It was recommended by my amazing sister, and it just took me until now to browse around.  It's called Pepperplate.  You can import recipes from popular cooking websites, or manually enter your own.  You can then easily plan your meals, by adding a recipe to each day of the week.  It will then making a shopping list for you...oh, heaven!!  You do all the work by going to their website, and then you can download the app, so you will have the recipes and shopping list on your phone.

I can definitely see the benefits of entering my own recipes, even though it's time consuming.  1) It will make meal planning easier-instead of looking through different cookbooks/bookmarks I have/etc., they will all be in one place. 2) It will make a shopping list for me (which I love, because this is the thing I HATE doing!) 3) The links I post on my blog are great, but I know those websites might not ALWAYS be there, so it would be nice to have the recipes in "writing." 4) I like typing, more than actually writing. 5) You can categorize the recipes...this is going to be great, because I can just click on "dinner" and scroll through what I want to have that week.

Now, I'm not going to completely trust Pepperplate to be around for the rest of my life, so I'm also going to copy and paste the recipes into a different spot.  For right now, that will be a recipe page on my blog.  That's also beneficial, so if you would like a recipe that isn't linked to a website, you can still get it (Since I'm the only one that can get into my Pepperplate recipes.) Phew.  You had a feeling I would start getting a little more productive once summer started, didn't you??  Let's get to the food!

Monday, June 4th-Sunday, June 10th
Monday:  Chicken and Rice Casserole
Tuesday:  Chicken & Dumplings (Didn't get to them last week, and it's supposed to be rainy today)
Wednesday:  Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana
Thursday:  Cheese & Chicken Chimichangas
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers/Out
Sunday:  Nachos (Oh, we had those last Sunday?!  Don't judge my nacho consumption...)

Nom Nom Nom Week 12

Doesn't the dumpster just add to the preciousness of the photo?

*This is pretty much what we've been doing lately, instead of cooking.  Walking around in parking lots.   No more messing around...summer is upon us, and I'm going to be a cooking machine (har har).

May 27th-June 3rd
Sunday:  German Pancakes for Breakfast/Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Monday:  Bistro Steak Sandwiches
Tuesday:  BBQ Ribs in the Crock Pot/Baked Potatoes
Wednesday: Sweet & Sour Chicken/Fried Rice
Thursday:  Chicken & Dumplings
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers
Sunday:  Nachos

Nom Nom Nom Week 11

Chocolate?

Last week was the week for some family classics!  Turkey Casserole (made by my parents) on Monday, and Spaghetti Pie on Thursday.  The steak in the crock pot was awesome-I enough leftovers for two more lunches-I had thrown in some potatoes, too.  It tasted a lot like a roast, but was a smaller amount, which I liked.  I also liked just using a brown gravy packet, and water.  Sometimes I think the cream of mushroom soup makes the gravy a little too thick.  The roasted vegetables came out yummy, but I included potatoes, so of course everything else was cooked to a little crisp : / I still have some work to do, to perfect that dish.  Any tips?  A few carry over meals this week, some new ones:)

April 23rd-April 29th
Monday:  Nachos
Tuesday:  Tilapia Fillets with Honey Mustard-Pecan Topping/Rice Pilaf
Wednesday:  Crock pot Chicken & Dumplings (Jenny's Recipe)
Thursday:  Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken & Fried Rice
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers/Etc.
Sunday:  Grilled Salmon/Rice

Nom Nom Nom Week 10

Little Ham

Sooo..time for a new meal plan!  
(I got the first four recipes from an app (and website) called Food on the Table.  It plans meals for you for the week, and makes a shopping list.  It's free-so the shopping list is pretty much an advertisement, but it's still pretty awesome.)

Monday:  Oven Fried Chicken Legs/Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Tuesday:  Tilapia Fillets with Honey Mustard-Pecan Topping/Roasted Vegetables

Wednesday: Country Style Steak & Potatoes in Crock Pot 

Thursday: Shrimp Scampi in Lemon Garlic Sauce 

Friday:  Out

Saturday:  Leftovers/Out

Sunday:  Grilled Salmon/Rice

Nom Nom Nom Week 9

Celebrating Jeff's birthday, with a warm, chocolate chip cookie from Flatbread

March 26th-April 1st (Cash and I will be out of town most of the week-hence, all the leftovers:)
Monday:  Cafe Rio Chicken Tacos (Yep...still haven't had these!  The chicken is in the crock pot, though-so we are good to go, tonight:)
Tuesday:  Tilapia (Frozen, from Costco) & Crock Pot baked potatoes
Wednesday:  Shrimp Scampi (Coscto, frozen) & Texas Toast
Thursday:  Chili (in freezer) & Rhode's Rolls
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers/Out
Sunday:  Leftovers/Out

Nom Nom Nom Week 8

This picture throws me into such a hilarity, every time I see it.  Some of my very best friends said he has the "Amanda food" look.  Ha!  Last week:  Didn't make the Cafe Rio chicken, because I changed the night I was having it, and use rotiss. chicken, instead.  I did make regular chicken in the crock pot for chicken enchiladas, and it was ...  amazing.  Definitely will do that again.  I tried the Olive Garden dressing, but didn't have a few key ingredients, so it was a little Olive Gardenless.  Fail.  Who runs out of Italian Seasoning??

March 19th-March 25th

Monday:  Chicken & Rice (My mom's recipe)

Tuesday:  Spaghetti & Garlic Bread  

Wednesday:  Something easy with Cafe Rio Chicken (see last week for recipe)...probably Taco Salad again-or maybe Tacos, I'm bitter about buying lettuce these days

Thursday:  Breakfast for dinner...using the last of our bacon, etc.

Friday:  My spring break BEGINS

Saturday:  Still celebrating spring break

Sunday:  Buckling down, and eating leftovers at home

Nom Nom Nom Week 7

All he needs is shredded cheese!

Time for some...meal planning!  Nope, I didn't do one of these last week, but we actually cooked more than you would think...came up with some pretty creative meals from stuff we had:)

Monday:  Cast Iron Skillet Pizza (I think we'll do the chicken alfredo this time...we use a sauce that is Jeff's mom's recipe, and it is..SO..good) & salad with Olive Garden salad dressing

Tuesday:  Chicken Enchiladas (my mom's recipe) with crock pot shredded chicken

Wednesday:  Chicken Taco Salad with Cafe Rio chicken  

Thursday:  Jeff's home birthday dinner...BBQ Crock Pot ribs, Twice-baked potatoes

Friday:  Out

Saturday:  Jeff's Birthday! 

Sunday:  Leftovers/maybe some sort of nacho dish...etc. :)

Nom Nom Nom Week 6

Obviously this picture doesn't have anything to do with food, but it's soo cute.  Aunt Al was giving Cash his Valentine's Day present.  (Pants are optional in our house...)

We had Broccoli Cheddar soup on Monday-I would definitely recommend the recipe.  The only thing I would change is leave out the Velveeta.  Now, I'm usually allll for Velveeta no matter what, but this soup really didn't need it.  Also make a double batch if you want to serve more than two people.  Jeff tried his hand at fried chicken, and it was...awesome!  The crazy part is that the outside pretty much got burnt to a little crisp, because the inside was not getting done.  It was still...awesome!  (Can you tell I've been watching multiple episodes of How I Met Your Mother?)

February 27th-March 4th (I thought you would never come, March.  WELCOME!)

*As much as I'd like to be craaaazy exciting with all my recipes, we are trying to really see how much we can live on, as far as a "food budget."  I understand the whole eating at home is cheaper than going out thing, but I'm still working on the whole spending less at the grocery store thing.  (I know, I know, couponing...ahhhh)  Sooo, here it is...

Monday:   Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole
Tuesday:  Costco Shrimp Scampi/Noodles (Never had it that one time I had planned)
Wednesday:  Zesty Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken (See last week for recipe)
Thursday:  Hamburger soup & rolls
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers for lunch, out for dinner
Sunday:  Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken

Nom Nom Nom Week 5

Love the bib, Sam and Christopher!!!

Wow...this is NOT appetizing.  Hmm..sorry!  I made "crepes"  (meaning, ugly little flat things that luckily tasted like crepes) and we had them with strawberries and nutella.  Cash was verrry excited about them.

I know you are on the edge of your seat about where we went for Valentine's Day.............One of our favorite places is Boise Fry Company-I really can't put it in words how much I love their fries, salt, and dips.  Okay, two words:  Maple Marshmallow Dip  (Err..I mean three words)  I'll just let that speak for itself!

Meal Plan:
Monday:  Zesty Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken
Tuesday:  Fried Chicken (This is all Jeff...will post the recipe when he finds one), Mac & Cheese
Wednesday:  McDonalds (Andrus Night)
Thursday:  Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers for lunch, out for dinner
Sunday:  Tacos

Have a great week!

Nom Nom Nom Week 4

Well, these posts should pretty much be titled:  What I thought we were going to eat this week, but never actually ate...That would be much too long though, and not witty at all.  Wait-are you even able to concentrate on what I'm saying right now, since all you are thinking is:  "What is that nonsense Cash is eating??"  You caught me...I didn't hand cook that chicken, hand mash those potatoes, or do anything but drain the water out of the carrots.  Thanks, Gerber!!

Superbowl was a huge success-everything turned out great (Not counting how I told Jeff to put wax paper under the pizza when cooking it in the pizza stone because wax paper is soo the exact same as parchment paper, right?  Oh no, it's not?  Noo..wax paper sticks like glue to the pizza...awkward)  Anyway...we made good ol' pepperoni, but also my new favorite-Bacon-Chicken-Artichoke Heart-Alfredo.  Like Cash says:  "Mmmmmmmm"  The smokies were awesome-they tasted just like candy.  If you don't have some sort of meat at your Superbowl that tastes exactly like candy well, then, invite me next time!

We had tons of leftovers, so ate those on Monday, Tuesday was more leftovers for Jeff and Artic Circle for me, Wednesday was Chicken Pillows (Yum!), Thursday was Goodwood, and Friday was the Food Truck Rally.  We could never miss a Food Truck Rally!  Still planning on fitting in the oven-baked stew and country club chicken this weekend.  Even though I didn't cook as much as I planned, we still had stuff for lunches each day, and I never had to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch.  (Pretty much my ultimate goal in life...)

This week is EASY, and I barely have to get anything at the grocery store-which is a huge plus.  Trying to cook from what I have-ra ra! (Who am I??)

Monday:  Shrimp Scampi (Costco)
Tuesday:  Hmm..not sure, since it's Valentine's Day.  Pretty much in the holiday manual it says you can't just eat a normal, home-cooked meal on Valentine's Day...
Wednesday:  Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Thursday:  Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken & Rice
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers for lunch, out for dinner
Sunday:  Hamburger Soup (already made & frozen)/Rhode's Rolls

Nom Nom Nom Week 3

This week's meal plan is going to look a lot like last week.  Tuesday ended up being FREE chicken burritos at Qdoba (my reward for listening to Idaho Sports Talk), Wednesday was a spontaneous girl's night with my mom and Al (Bonefish, oh, and when you read "girl's night" did you really say it in your head like this:  GIRLZZZ NIGHTT..WOOO!!  Just me??), and Thursday was our fun, family celebration for the opening of Again 2, at Chicago Connection.  One nice thing was to have the Costco pulled pork around, so Jeff could have it for dinner on Tuesday, and we could have it for lunch on Wednesday.  On Sunday, Jeff made the most delicious pizzas in the cast iron skillet (pictures below).  On Monday, I tried a copycat recipe of the Chili's Chicken Enchilada soup.  It ended up being very tasty, but I had to do some major repairs to the recipe.  If you google the recipe and want to try it, email me so I can let you know how to help it!  I probably will just leave that soup to Chilis, from now on.

Superbowl Sunday:

Here's what I plan to make for the big game...

Bacon Wrapped Smokies with Brown Sugar & Butter  (Don't judge...)

Jeff is going to amaze with his cast iron skills, making personal pan pizzas..move over, Pizza Hut...

I'm going to try this dough.

February 6th-February 12th

Monday:  Sloppy Joes (See Week 2)

Tuesday:  Oven Baked Stew & Texas Roadhouse Rolls (See Week 2)

Wednesday:  Shrimp Scampi (Frozen, from Costco) w/spaghetti noodles

Thursday:  Chicken Pillows & Freezer Corn

Friday:  Out

Saturday:  Leftovers for lunch, out for dinner

Sunday:  Country Club Chicken & Roasted Parmesan Green Beans (the beans are to make up for the bacon wrapped smokies, last week...)

Step One

Step Two...you say the picture is blurry?  I say it's art.  You say the oven is dirty?  I say...Yah..and there is a lone, burnt tator tot in there that you can't see, too! :)

Step Three (It's imperative that you do not forget the bacon...)

Nom Nom Nom Week 2

Okay, recap on last week:
I would definitely make the Zuppa and Tortilla soup again.  The BBQ ribs were soo good, too.  The teriyaki chicken was a little strong, I think because it said to double the sauce recipe...not something I would do again.  I do want to try it again, but not doubling the sauce.  We had leftovers to eat for lunch the next day, which is a huge plus to actually cooking in  the evening.  Overall, it went well-and I'm excited for the yumminess that will take place this week!

January 30th-February 5th

Monday:  Navajo Tacos
Tuesday:  Chicken Pillows & Freezer Corn (from this summer)
Wednesday:  Oven-Baked Stew & Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Thursday:  Sloppy Joes
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers for lunch, out for dinner
Sunday:  Chicken Taco Soup

Feeding the "Under 2" Crowd

Does anyone else have issues with what to feed the babies??  They are just so fresh and new!  I've found it difficult to try to feed Cash from what I'm eating. Ahem.  Let's just say:  I like salt...

January 23rd-January 29th
(Sources:  there's no place like mommy, WholesomeToddlerFood, Toddler Food Ideas )

Monday:                                                          Friday:
Breakfast- Scrambled Egg/Strawberries           Breakfast- Cereal/Applesauce
Snack-    1 slice toast w/peanut butter              Snack- Fruit Cup/Cheddar Cheese
Lunch-   Tuna Sandwich/Peas                         Lunch- Cold Cut Sandwich/Cucumbers
Snack-   String Cheese/Fruit Cup                     Snack-  Cheerios/Pears
Dinner- BBQ Ribs/Potato/Carrots                    Dinner- Peanut Butter Sandwich/String Cheese

Tuesday:                                                         Saturday:
Breakfast- Cereal/Bananas                               Breakfast- Waffle/Bananas
Snack- Toast w/cream cheese                         Snack- Peanut Butter Sandwich
Lunch- Tuna Sandwich/Peas                          Lunch- Cold Cut Sandwich/Cucumbers
Snack-  Fruit Cup/Yogurt                                Snack- Cheerios/Applesauce
Dinner-  Chicken/Carrots/Potato                      Dinner- Grilled Cheese/Avocado

Wednesday:                                                     Sunday:  
Breakfast-  Scrambled Egg/Pears                     Breakfast- Cereal/Applesauce
Snack-  Fruit Cup/Cheddar Cheese                 Snack- Toast with fruit spread
Lunch-  Peanut Butter Sandwich                     Lunch- Leftovers
Snack-   String Cheese/Fruit                             Snack- Cottage Cheese/Fruit Cup
Dinner- Pulled Pork/Applesauce                      Dinner- Grilled Cheese/Potato

Thursday:
Breakfast- Scrambled Egg/Applesauce
Snack-  Toast w/cream cheese
Lunch-  Cold Cut Sandwich/Olives
Dinner- Chicken/Rice/Peas

Nom Nom Nom

Okay, let's talk about one of my favorite things...FOOD.  I will now proclaim:  My New Year's Resolution is to make a meal plan every week we are home this year.  This will also include a loose implementation of said created meal plan, as well as a trip to...the grocery store.  (And I'm talking a big trip to the cheap ones, here-not going to Albertsons every other day because firstborn has nothing to eat)

By the way..I know it's January 21st-I like to start my resolutions a little later.  My birthday (and Cash's) is on January 9th, so our holiday relaxation mode stretches out a bit longer than most.

January 23rd-29th

Monday:  Barbecued Ribs
Tuesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken
Thursday:  Ski Night (Jeff:  Pulled pork from Costco<---would definitely recommend)
Friday:  Out
Saturday:  Leftovers for lunch, out for dinner
Sunday: Zuppa Toscana