Menu Plan 2•13

And we are back!  The boys had their second winter break last week and we enjoyed having David home too. This morning, I woke up feeling like I was ready to take on a little change. Which is good, because it looks like change is coming. After this week, David should be back working here in town. I get my husband back and I have a feeling that is gonna take a little time to get used to. 

But for now Im just going to enjoy the last week cooking for my boys, who are little foodies and always down to try new things. Which is good because this weeks menu has not one but three new to us recipes. This will be interesting.  Here is what I have planned.

Taco Cups • A few weeks ago, I had put eggroll wrappers on my HEB order and was given wonton wrappers instead. So when I saw THIS recipe pop up on Instagram I thought, why not. 

Tuscan Chicken • This is a recipe that I have had saved on Pinterest for years and never got around to trying. The flavors are different from our usual and I don't know how, but I don' think I have ever used sun dried tomatoes in anything. Fingers crossed.

Roasted Chicken Quarters • I saw a recipe for somewhere so I added them to the menu but then I realized I didn't remember where I saw it and I didn't save it anywhere, so Im totally going to just either wing it or hopefully find it. Gotta love that brain fog, because I have no idea which recipe it was that I was wanting to make!

Salmon Sushi Bake • Ill probably save this one for Friday so David can enjoy it too. But the boys LOVE it. Plus we had everything we needed for it here so, yay for one less meal to buy!  Groceries are killing me and I know Im not the only one!

Sashimi Night • The boys and I are the only ones who will enjoy this so I figured I better squeeze it this week too. 

With everyone under one roof, I have a feeling my time in the kitchen will increase.  The weekends were usually clean out the fridge nights or we would grab something while we were out. Not only will I have another mouth to feed, I will have another lunch to pack. The boys have just been buying lunch but even though they have delicious options, they usually just go through the quick line and then eat junk. So Ill probably start packing them lunch a few days a week too.  

Back to the kitchen I go! Hopefully I can fall back in love with cooking and preparing meals for my family. After having to move between so many different dietary needs and restrictions, it all got a little overwhelming. But Im ready and excited to get back in there. Actually Im just excited to have my husband back!  If it takes more cooking, Im game!

Whats cooking in your kitchen this week?

Read More

Menu Plan 12•12

This weeks menu is going to be short at sweet.  For those of you who follow me on IG, you might have seen that we have a new addition in the house and he been keeping me busy. But we are so in love with him so we are adjusting. If you aren't following me and love puppies, come hang out with me HERE. Ive been trying not to just spam everyone with photos but I kinda think Im just going to give in, hes to cute not to share.

Before I get distracted, lets talk food.  I started seeing a nutritionist at the Liver Clinic and she is awesome. I will admit, that I was going strong for a while there and really dialed in but the last few weeks have been a little iffy.  So, I pulled out the papers she gave me and made sure that I had enough of everything for my meals and came up with dinners for the boys that I could enjoy too. That whole two separate meals plan was great when it worked, but it was just so hard to maintain when I got behind.  Which, happens, so I said peace out to that. Here is what I came up with for this week.

Read More

Menu Plan 9•19

Things are looking a little normal around here. Yeah I said it! You know me, always putting things to the test. Now we sit back and wait for all hell to break loose. Just kidding. Im not waiting for anything. Theres much to do around here. Cleaning, cooking, and all the things that stay at home moms do. Its not all nap times and bonbons y'all! 

But in the spirit of working on routines and getting back to the usual flow of things, lets talk menus! Anyone else ready to just fully jump in to Fall foods? Soups and stews, fresh breads and all the savory flavors! I know I am. But truth is, these guys could eat brighter summer meals year round. So I am trying to slowly adjust and not just all in. It doesn't help that its Texas and hot as hell. Hard to enjoy a hearty stew when the weather is hotter than the bubbling pot on the stove.

Here is what will be cooking up in our kitchen this week.

• Spicy Salmon Maki Bowls
• Chicken and CauliFried Rice
• Sausage and Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner
• Stuffed Pork Chops and Salads
• Leftover/Sandwich Night 

I still have a whole chicken in the freezer that I can cook up if heaven forbid, the boys eat everything. and I also grabbed a family pack of chicken legs that were on sale.  Those can find their way to the grill ir they need to!  If you know me, you know I try to buy at least one OhShit dinner for the nights Im not able to cook or something comes up. This week I grabbed the boys some fish sticks and mac-n-cheese. Sure its not the healthiest, but they can make it themselves. Oh the joys of parenting with chronic illness.  Gotta be prepared for the bad days.

Whats cooking in your kitchen this week? Does your cooking change with the seasons?  Have you started cooking more Fall like dinners?  

Read More

Menu Plan 7•11

Anyone else find it a little awkward to cook in someone else kitchen.  Or maybe live in someone elses house for that matter.  Im not going to lie.  I struggling a little bit even though I know its not permanent.  It wont be for much longer hopefully but still, I feel like Im taking up space and getting in the way.  Not to mention, I miss my cleared off counters, own pots and pans, my gas stove and my ice maker.  First world problems y'all.

Menu planning has been a little weird too.  Mostly because our ways of eating are polar opposites.  We eat mostly chicken and fish and a wide variety of fresh vegetables.  Not very much processed foods, carbs or oils.  Davids parents are red meat, rice, beans and tortillas for most meals.  So when I come in like ok we are having veggies onto of veggies and a side of fish, I kind of feel bad.  Not that they would ever complain, but ahhh, why is this so hard for me.

So this week I picked a few things that would be quick, easy and would make minimal mess.  And then I made on of the meals yesterday, so I might have to go back for more.  Heres what we are having the next few days.

Read More

Menu Plan 1•31•22

The first menu plan of the new year.  I have gone back and forth on if I should keep sharing these here.  Mostly they are for me to hold myself accountable.  And because I can just check in here when I forget and am trying to figure out what I am supposed to be making for dinner.  It happens!  At least 4 times a week.  I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes I need a little help trying to figure out what to make, so I love looking at other peoples menus too.  So here we are!

I have been slacking.  No not slacking, more like organizing.  My life, my thoughts, all of it.  But like I mentioned in yesterdays post, Im ready to get back into this space of mine.  Although I haven't been sharing them here, I have still be sticking to it.  Making my menu, ordering groceries, sometimes even going into the store when I need to.  Now if only I could commit to exercise the way I stick to a menu plan.  Another thing to work on I guess.  Let's see what we are eating this week.

BANG BANG SHRIMP • get the recipe here

I came across this recipe on Pinterest and Ant was looking over my shoulder.  He is the best about helping with my menu.  My little foodie.  So I figured if he like the look of it, I would just throw it on the menu.  We will be having it with a cauliflower fried rice and some butter lettuce for those that want to wrap them. With David watching his carbs non, we have been eating mostly keto-ish.  Its been a change but not a real hard one.  

MILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN BAKE • get the recipe here

So Im a little skeptical of the name.  As I am of all things that claim to be the best, but Im interested to see what the guys think.  Im gonna say it will be a hit just because it has bacon in it.  Bacon and cream cheese, whats not to love.  Its on of the heavy meals of the week.

CHICKEN COBB SALAD • get the recipe here

Never would I have expected to hear Alex ask for a salad as a dinner pick.  Hes not a picky eater, but he does tend to lean towards the more unhealthy options.  Salad is his new go to pick.  A good Cobb Salad is a close runner up to buffalo chicken salad.  Again...there is bacon but I don't bake but a few slices for them, so Im not going to sweat it.  Im just happy I can have dinner with them this time,  I just won't top mine with chicken!  Winning.

AIR FRIED SALMON • get the tik tok recipe here

David sent me this.  He knows how much I love me some air fried salmon.  So I threw it on the menu. This was going to be my one meat allowance of the week until I added the shrimp.  Hmmm.  Anyways. He asked if I could make cheesy broccoli with it.  I agreed but Anthony asked for asparagus so we will roast up some spears too.  And serve it all on some more greens because why not.  I will have to figure this one out because we all know to many greens + blood thinners = trouble for me.  I can have some but not all.  Maybe some mini bell peppers then! Yum!

GREEN CHILI ENCHILADAS • I don't have a recipe for these

Another pick of Davids.  Now.  This man hasn't had a tortilla in months.  And he asks for this?  So I got some lower carb corn tortillas and told him I would make them, minus the rice and beans that traditionally go with it.  He agreed and said I could make this on Friday and count this as my anniversary gift to him!  Y'all, this man!  Fine, but then he will have to treat me Saturday, on our actual anniversary.  Or make something for him and the boys so I won't have to cook.  And that can be his gift to me.  This is what it has come to.  Dang! 

A few weeks ago, I started feeling a little more tired than usual.  The liver clinic was checking in with me weekly.  Following up on my endoscopy and then the next two weeks because I wasn't feeling well.  I was doing great until then I wasn't.  My Encephalopathy was showing its ugly face and I had to admit that I haven't been eating as strictly as before.  More meat mostly. First we talked about maybe eating smaller portions only.  And then David told me she said only once a week if I really wanted it.  I don't actually remember that appointment.  I do remember her telling me at my last in person appointment that if nothing was working we could try liquid diet for a few months and go from there.  UM...hard pass.  I will cut back on my meat and try everything before we resort to that. Please!  

So, salmon or shrimp?  Which should I have?  Does seafood count as meat?  If its ok for Lent is it ok for liver disease?  Im going to have to call the good Doc and ask huh? Le sigh.  Oh the joys of chronic illness.  

So thats this weeks round up.  I really need to start planning weekend meals too.  I have a parrot fish in the freezer that needs to find its way to the oven soon.  Maybe I will do that this weekend!  More seafood.  You can take the girl from the islands, but not the island from the girl!  

Im always looking for more dinner ideas so feel free to drop me some suggestion below.  Or just say hi.  Thats cool too! Happy Monday Y'all.  

Read More

Menu Plan 8•23

You guys.  Eating healthy is hard.  Ok not really hard but its hard when eating for you health means trying to listen to multiple doctors different restrictions.  The struggle is real.  Sigh.  I know I should be thankful for the health I have, and I am but damn if it sucks sometimes.  Its a challenge and something to overcome.  Thats what I keep telling myself anyways.  I got this!

This weeks menu was a collective effort.  I love the weeks when everyone puts in their suggestions and helps me plan the menu.  Its so much easier than trying to figure it all out myself.  Especially when 1, I have zero appetite and 2, Im not going to be eating any of it anyways.  So Im glad they all pitched in. 

Want to see what they chose?  Here is this weeks menu!

Read More

Menu Plan 7•26•21

Its back to reality for me this week.  I may have gone a little overboard on the vacation mode.  I think I only cooked a handful of times.  And I ate more than that.  Magic happens when marshalleese get together.  The food, the fun, I miss that.  But I have yet to make any island friends here in Texas.  And most of my people aren't really up for raw fish or fish with the heads still on it.  I digress.

There are no eyeballs or other crazy sea creatures on the menu this week.  There is a new recipe we are trying and the rest is pretty much the usual.  You know how I like to keep my dinners.  Quick and Delicious.  Here is this weeks line up.

Read More

Menu Plan 6•28•21

 Another week. Another menu.  Its technically another half week menu because I hate leaving for a vacation with food still in the fridge.  So my goal is to cook two days and survive on whatever is left until we leave.  Sounds like a great plan right?  

I did get a few frozen things the guys can help themselves to and there is cereal too.  I got me some tofu and veggies to cook up for the week too.  I'll have a few bites of what I make them when Im cooking it but only for taste testing purposes.  I have had to much meat these last couple of weeks and I'm paying for it.  So Im trying to do better.  

So what am I making this week?  Here is this weeks menu.  Of sorts.

Read More

Menu Plan • May 31st

It’s been a minute. But I woke up this morning in our new home, with my whole family under one roof and it just feels perfect. It feels good to be taking up some space here too. And that also means I need to get back on track. With the blog, with the menus…with life.  Can I just say that 2 weeks in a hotel and another 2 weeks in the house with out a fridge, was quite challenging. The proof is in my hips. HELLO!

When I say that our lives have been completely turned upside down over the past few weeks I am not being dramatic. I have so much I want to share but I’m going to try to break it all down so I’m not just dropping it all at your feet in one day. Today is about food so let’s just stick with that. 

When it comes to getting our weekly menus together, almost always have a little help.  I ask the guys for suggestions and am always blown away at their responses.  They will give me a few lighter healthier dishes and then throw in something heavy.  This week 2 out of 3 suggested pasta.  Well Anthony asked for pasta and David suggested Shrimp Alfredo. Alex only ever suggests the same 2 things.  Lumpia and Arroz con Pollo. Not this week son!  I threw in Mushroom chicken as my meat meal for the week because it is my comfort food and something tells me I’m gonna need a pick me up come mid week.  Lots of changes happening.  Here is what all made the cut this week

Read More

Menu Plan 2•1•21

 I love that fresh start feeling when a new week, month and menu all start on the same day.  Just me?  Probably.  A Monday is a Monday I suppose.  I shouldn't say that because Im really trying not to hate Mondays.  I need to stop saying Monday.  Whatever.

So, new week, new menu.  Ive got ours all planned out and it should be a nice and easy week full of meals for us all.  Ive been trying to make at least one meatless meal that we can all eat together.  Last week I had a few bites to many of meat and my body is just kinda dragging this morning.  But clearly I was in need of a little more protein.  Trying to read my body and know what it needs is hard.  Le sigh.  So, lets see whats on this weeks menu.

Read More

Menu Plan 1•11•21

Im rolling in late today with the menu.  I actually just realized I hadn't shared yet.  I shared it in my head but it didn't quite make it here.  How bizarre! Kidding, its just been a day.  And before I knew it, my "whats for dinner" alarm was going off.  Oh Monday.

We are actually headed out to get groceries in a little bit.  We were going to run to the store yesterday, but totally slacked and the weather was just miserable.  So we stayed in and stayed warm instead.  I put the order in and let them do the shopping for me.  If we are friends on Instagram you already got a sneek peek at the menu but if you aren't...why not?  Come say hello. 

Let's look at this weeks menu.

Read More

Menu Plan 12•7•20

And just like that it is Monday again!  Two days of weekend go by much faster than any two week days.  Le sigh.  But I was ready for today no matter what kind of crazy it could bring.  It has been actually kinda of great and that includes both boys going to the doctor and 5 different needles, so... I got this!

True story, we were going to go grocery shopping yesterday, but then we got hungry.  And we all know you can NOT go to the store hungry.  And since we were out running errands we just grabbed a pizza on the way home and called it a day.  So now, we have to head to the store later today.  But the menu is planned at least, so Im not totally failing.  Lets take a look

Read More

Menu Plan 11•16•20

 Another week, another menu.  This week caught me off guard and I needed a few things that I didn't trust the store shoppers to get for me so I had to actually go into the store!  The horror.  Actually, I had to go to three.  It was a long day for a person who never leaves the house.  But I found everything on my list plus some and didn't go over my budget.  

The menu is a little all over the place.  Everyone has their own taste and this week no one was super sure about the recipes I sent them, so I just put all of it on the list and gave them a leftover day.  And declared that if there were no leftovers come Friday, David is in charge of feeding them.  Sounds fair right?

Here is what landed on the menu for this week

Read More

Menu Plan 10•26•20

 Happy Monday!  Today is feeling like a good day for a fresh start.  Or is that just the weather that Im feeling?  Its been a cool morning after some rain last night.  And tomorrow is supposed to be freezing.  Texas freezing, not like real freezing.  So in the 50.  And rainy.  So I better enjoy the energy I have now, because it will be hard to find it tomorrow. 

And while Im at it, I figure I should get my menu up.  Its planned. Ish.  I don't have specific days and meals planned but I know what I have to make.  For the guys only.  Im still working on what I want to make for myself.  Last week I decided that making 2 or 3 meals and prepping them for the week was the best way to make sure I ate it all.  I hate throwing away food.  Even the 30 cent cilantro.  So in order to stop tossing so much at the end of the week, I decided to just make less.  And it seems to be working.  Here is what we have lined up for the guys this week.

Read More

Menu Plan 9•21•20

Hello Darkness my old friend...  Oh wait, Monday!  I mean Monday.  Its not really that bad.  I mean sure the weekend is over but what I really want to do is to be excited and thankful for another day.  Yes.  Thats what Im doing.  Last week think started out great then hit the fan when I ran out of heart meds.  By Wednesday I was hurting.  I stopped though Thursday like Shrek and by Friday I was struggling.  But Saturday we picked up my meds and all is right in my world again.  

Things have been moving forward here.  The boys have hit a few bumps with the distance learning thing and I am here trying to keep them fed and cheering them along each day.  But seriously.  I feel like feeding them alone is a full time job.  I bought Eggo waffles to hopefully buy myself a break in the mornings.  I also bough myself some coffee creamer because thats my business.  

This week I managed to plan 8 meals and not go over budget!  Im finally starting to feel like I know what I am doing with this two menu thing.  And we are working on making meatless Mondays a thing but Im still trying to try a few new things before I make them try them.  Im not sure I can convince them tofu is for them, but I do have a few things so far I know they will enjoy!  But let's just focus on this weeks menu for now.  Here it is.

Read More

Menu Plan 8•3•20

And its Monday.  Again.  Yay!

Im trying really hard to stay motivated and moving today.  I slept in a little.  But got up and took my meds, squeezed in some facetime with mom and my sisters and even had coffee and oats for breakfast.  I stayed up late yesterday getting things done so I would have less to do today.  I need to fold laundry and wash towels before the boys take over the laundry room.  And I have some cooking to do.

 

After a really rough week with my H.E, I have had to give up meat for the time being.  I have had a taste here and there while I was cooking or what not, but I have not sat down and had a meat meal since last Monday when I had a half a rib.  Last night I told David that I legit scared myself into an almost vegetarian.  I am still cooking meat for the guys but this week I am prepping a special meal for myself for dinners that I can't modify.

Lets check out this weeks menu!

Read More

Menu Plan 7•20•20

Happy Monday Y'all!

I was up at the crack of dawn and out back with the puppies.  For a few minutes I debated on crawling back into bed after we came back in but then I remembered that I have a million things to do today.  I got laundry and dishes started.  Cleaned out the puppies pen and kennel.  Made my bed and got started on cleaning my bathroom.  Then Anthony scared the life out of me.  I couldn't hear him over my music and its not very often I see his face before noon!  Teenagers.

Speaking of teenagers.  My lord, do they ever stop eating?  I may or may not have bought 2 of everything this week just in hopes of filling the bottomless pit that is his appetite.  Im not a hundred percent it is going to last the whole week but a mom can hope.  

Read More

Menu Plan 6•29•20

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope everyones week is starting off well and yall had a great weekend.  We did.  Now we are back home after we spent a few days visiting my younger sister.  Our original vacation plans went out the window.  No hotels, no beaches.  Just hanging out at aunties, playing video games and catching up.  We slept in and relaxed for days and it was amazing.  As we were driving back and were a few miles out of town, our phones started going off with covid warnings stating that the spread in our county has blown up over the last few days.  Not the welcome home we were hoping for.

We spent yesterday gathering our supplies for the craziness that we know is going to happen.  We got groceries before the shelves emptied.  Well, emptied more anyway.  We stopped by Sams Club to grab our usual bulk essentials.  Every register was open and the lines were almost to the back of the store.  Hey Sams Club Members... there is an app for that.  And you can pay online and walk out, around the lines.  Its amazing. 

I did manage to get all the things I needed and a few extras to stock up the kitchen.  Thankfully I got my curbside order in while we were out of town and just had to roll by and pick it up.  I am all for anything to avoid the crowds in the store!  And my menu for this week is done.  Heres what made the cut this week!

Read More

Menu Plan 6•15•20

Another week, another menu.  Last week kind of flew right past me.  Kinda of like today did.  So now its almost midnight and Im just now sitting down to write out my menu.  One of these days Im going to stop procrastinating.  I take that back.  It isn't really my fault.  I wanted to get this done yesterday but I was busy because ROCCO got adopted!  

So now its back to our summer schedule.  Its not really a schedule.  Ok its not a schedule at all.  Its more of a controlled anarchy.  But its summer and they both kicked butt in school, so Im trying to let a few things slide.  Like early bed times.  The only bad thing is when they finally wake up, they are starving.  This week I kept the menu super easy and basic.  Like only one meal needs an oven kind of basic.  And I made sure to stock up on lunch.  This week they asked for sashimi and rice, salmon and salads and frozen pot pies.  Interesting choices.  And our dinners just as random.  Here is this weeks menu.

Read More

Menu Plan 6•8•20

Who is ready for the week?  Im not 100% ready, but Im ready to make the best of it.  Its been a foggy few weeks.  And I am really counting on a good week.  Got up early today to get the dog out and fed before the day started.  Took a few minutes to collect my thoughts and run though the to-do list for the day while I had coffee.  Spent a little time thinking about the beach.  Today is World Ocean Day after all.  I have to see if our usual spot needs a reservation or not.  

Anyways.  First stop on my list is to get my menu up and shared.  Once again I totally slacked on getting my curbside order in and had to go into the store.  I love HEB but going into the store makes me so anxious.  By the time we got though the store and I got to take my mask off I had to lay down because my head hurt so bad.  But we got everything.  Well almost.  We did go to Walmart for bagels and hot pockets for the boys.  You guys, they are bottomless pits!  Ok, to the menu.  Here is what is lined up for this week.

Read More