Motivational Monday: Your First Step!

So many times I see inspirational quotes about taking the first step.  "The first step is the hardest."  Often times, the first step is the hardest because we think it needs to be a huge step. If you want to lose weight, is your first step to eat healthier or exercise?  What does eating healthy mean?  What kind of exercise?  There are so many questions that paralyze us before we even take the first step.

This is why I encourage you to make the first step a baby step.  A tiny little baby step.  You want to eat healthy?  Don't worry about a run to Whole Foods or revamping your entire eating plan.  If you put 2 tsps of sugar in your morning coffee, put 1.  If you put 1, put 1/2 tsp.  If you drink two sodas a day, drink 1 soda and 1 water.  If your goal is a big one, like running a marathon but you've only run 3 miles, run 3.5 and see how you feel.  Heck, run 3.1 miles.  The first step is only scary if it is big.  The big scary first step holds us all back.  Make the first step small, baby, simple.

Changing your life only takes one small step.  What is your first step to healthier you?


Freezer Fill up- Summer 2014


For about two weeks now we've been eating anything I could put together from leftovers in our freezer and our pantry.  Let's just say there was a lot of tuna fish and breakfast for dinner.  This past weekend the time finally came to fill the freezer.  For me this starts a few days before with a making a list of everything I want in the freezer.  I have a few favorite go to options but this summer I was focusing on two things.

The first was to make the contents of the freezer clean and paleo compliant.  The second was to ensure that everything could be cooked on the grill or stove top in case of really hot weather (kind of like the kind we are having now).  With those parameters in mind I opened a few cook books and had some fun time on Pinterest.  When the list was complete we (the kiddos and I) headed to a few stores, Trader Joes and Costco in particular, to load up on all the necessary elements.  I wanted a balance of poultry, beef and pork.  Enough delay already.

This is what is filling our freezer for the summer:



  • Hamburgers
  • Uncle Kip's Meatballs
  • Steaks
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • Chicken and Apple Sausage
In the process of making the food I had big plans to take a lot of photos.  Sadly, that was before I became more focused on ensuring there was no cross contamination.  I like to pretend that this process was a well oiled machine but I have a feeling that the kitchen looked like a bomb exploded.  

What I did do was start the things that required cooking first.  I got the taco meat going and the meatballs in the oven.  I sauteed a ton of onions to use in the recipes.  This time around I made my own BBQ sauce to use for the chicken breasts and to save for future pulled pork and pork ribs.

I cooked, did some flash freezing, and filled bags with meat and marinade.  Total I made about 30 meals that with leftovers will last even long.  The chicken breasts will be a nice treat for some crock potting.  

More recipes and details of the above will be coming...as well as a menu plan for the remainder of he summer.   

Artichoke Chicken

Just the other day I had a craving for chicken and artichokes.  No particularly reason I can think of other than the fact that I had noticed a can of artichokes in our pantry.  I hopped on Pinterest and fortunately there was a recipe ready and waiting.  With a few tweaks I made it a bit more paleo friendly (if you scrape off the cheese) and the best part was it tasted just as good over whole wheat pasta as it did with a side of asparagus.  



Yield: Serves 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes 
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4-5 roma tomatoes
1 can of artichoke harts
a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
a few tablespoons of almond flour
2 tablespoons of minced garlic
Salt and pepper, to taste
mozarella cheese

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Core and chop tomatoes.
  3. Drain artichoke hearts
  4. Please all ingredients in a bowl and toss.  (The flour helps with extra liquid.)
  5. Place the tomato mixture in with the boneless skinless chicken breasts. 

  7. Take the almost done chicken out of the oven and sprinkle mozarella cheese over the top. Place the chicken under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is golden brown and the vegetables are caramelized.



Original recipe courtesy of http://aaronandjillw.blogspot.com/2011/08/italian-chicken.html?m=1






Family


In two days I leave for the Beachbody Coach Summit in Las Vegas.  I have been beyond excited planning this trip and getting ready for the last 6 months.  But it also means that I will be away from my little girl for the first time.  Since she was born we have had one night that we did not spend under the same roof (overnight at Grandma's).  She doesn't go to daycare so we are together all the time.  It also means that I will be away from my husband, and although we have had more weekends apart the last year due to work events, we too spend more time together than most couples because we work together.  The first 7 weeks after my daughter was born before I went back to work were extremely difficult because we were so used to being together ALL the time.

But all of that being said, I'm not as apprehensive as I thought I would be.  I started thinking why this was and realized that my Beachbody team has become like another family to me.  I have never met any of the coaches in person that will be at Summit, but I have spent countless hours on the phone, on video chats, and messaging with them.  I know what is going on in their lives and they know what is going on in mine.  They are there with support when I am having a bad day or feel like I have taken a step backward and are some of the first people to congratulate me and cheer me on when I accomplish one of my goals, no matter how small.  And to think that a year ago, none of them were in my life.

I love my "actual" family and wouldn't trade any of them for the world.  But family does not need to be your blood or relation by marriage.  Tovah was the first person that taught me that.....she has stuck by me from day one and I feel more comfortable with her than with almost anyone in the world.  But it amazes me as I go through life how this extended family of mine keeps growing.  I am honored that I have such a large family and love each and every one of you.

Shakeology Recipe of the Week--Strawberries & Cream

Nothing reminds me of early summer like the taste of fresh strawberries. And wow are they good with some whipped cream. But that is something I indulge in maybe once a season. To satiate my strawberry/whipped cream cravings I've been mixing up this Strawberries & Cream Shakeology recipe and it is so tasty and refreshing. (I don't measure so pardon the lack of precise measurements.)


-handful of frozen strawberries, or a little ice and handful of fresh strawberries (now that they are finally in season after the late winter)
-1-2 tbsp fat free or part skim ricotta
-fill to cover ingredients with unsweetened almond milk (unsweetened vanilla almond milk is good too)
-1 scoop strawberry Shakeology

Blend and add more fruit, ice, or almond milk to achieve the consistency you like. And enjoy!

It is also delicious with other fruit added, like banana, pineapple, and mango. Experiment and have fun with different flavors!

Happy National Best Friend Day!

"Sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary,
 simply by doing them with the right people." 
- Elizabeth Green


Yesterday was National Best Friend Day.  While I don't totally understand the origin of these random days I certainly can appreciate them.  What's not to love about these National Donut Day or National Hot Dog Day?   But National Best Friend Day is one I can truly get behind.  I am fortunate in my life to have some very, very good friends who are the best at many things.  In fact because of my fortune in friendship I hate to say I even have a best friend.

However I do have one friend, who came into my life by pure chance and is nothing short of a kindred spirit.  The true sister I never had.  The maid of honor at my wedding.  The godmother to my son.  It is this person who, when can look back on our 20 years as friends, I see not only the exciting times like traveling together but simple moments of joy.  The hundreds of bowls of ramen noodles we shared together.  The thousands of waves we jumped.  The time we took advantage of an empty kitchen floor to spend a whole weekend sitting on it and reading the various parts of Much Ado About Nothing.  (Seriously how many people would do that in the world, let alone find someone else who would do it with them?) Or much more recently decorating a baby's nursery and watching Anne of Green Gables as if we were young girls ourselves.

We are not the same at all in personality but rejoice in our differences.  We have always found peace and comfort with each other.  In so many ways we have provided shelter to each other.  As the years have gone by and we've made it out of adolescence and are now entrenched in motherhood we continue to look to each other for love and support.  For inspiration and encouragement.  Our children have loved each other from the moment they've met, perhaps knowing that their mothers love each other so much.

Today,  we remain friends, kindred spirits, and lucky for me, partners on this blog.

So with that being said, Happy National Best Friend Day,  Annie!


Motivational Monday: What are your goals for the week?

Each Monday I set out to reach new goals for the week.  Some are small, simple goals and some are large goals that must be completed this week.  Different goals have different purposes for my life and famliy and thus different effects on my life and family.  No matter what the goals,  I take inspiration from the words of others.  What are words that inspire you?


First Friday Faves

Each First Friday of the month we will feature five of our favorite things for that month.  This month we are a little summer fun focused.  

1. Tuffo Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket




For the beach, the park, the backyard this blanket will protect you from the grass and shakes any dirt or crumbs off with no problem.

2. L.L. Bean Printed Lunch Box




Taking snacks, treats or lunch wherever you go, although you can find bigger lunch boxes, this one is big enough for a water bottle and some food, and small enough to fit in a larger bag.


3.  Vera Bradley Ditty Bag



If you need a good place to throw sunscreen, bug spray or aloe, than this line bag will do the trick and is  easy to throw into your beach bag.


4.  Babyganics Mineral-based Sunscreen





Speaking of sunscreen, this goes on without a lot of grease or fuss and as an added bonus it is mineral based.  



5.  Wild by Cheryl Strayed



Read this story at the beach while you're dreaming of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  A true story makes this book even more of a page turner.  


The Hunt for Paleo Pancakes- Part 2

One of my favorite features of Facebook are groups.  You can join a group for just about anything.  Right now I'm in a great challenge group where we are trying to eat paleo, or paleo(ish) to be more precise.  A few exceptions are made to make the menu a little more palatable.  In addition to having people to hold you accountable it is a great place to go for recipes.  Last weeks recipe was courtesy of a fellow group member, as is this one.  With just a few tweaks to match the recipe to what was in my pantry I made another attempt at grain-free pancakes.  




These pancakes turned out to taste very good.  My 2 year old taste tester scarfed one down.  The only tweak I made to the recipe was that I added a little more flour in because the blueberries were a little wet.  That being said this is a solid contender for a good grain free pancake.  The original recipe calls for hazelnut flour which I think would be fantastic.  When I track some down I will definitely try them again.  Before the whole family tries these out they may call for a few more options but this recipe is a solid contender for my go to pancake recipe.




Nut Flour (not just one nut but two) Pancakes

Yield: Serves 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 6 minutes  (each batch)
Total Time: about 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup cashew flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tbs oil (I used coconut oil)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbs maple syrup or honey (I used honey)

Directions:
1.  In a medium bowl mix together try ingredients.  In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients.   Pour wet mixture in to dry ingredients and mix until no lumps remain.
2. Heat greased pan.  Make 2-3 inch sized pancakes. Cook slow at low heat.  Do not look for bubbles but instead cook for 2-3 minutes per side.  
3. Serve with blueberries.

My Monthly Goals/To-do List

How do you set goals?  What do you?  We are 5 months into the year already.  Can you believe it?  That means we have had 5 months to reach our New Years resolutions.  How many have you completed?  How many have you kept up?  Are you still doing what you said you are going to do?



I'm all for goals.  I love them.  They are like big to-do lists and I LOVE to-do lists.  Nothing is as satisfying to me as checking something off my lists.  But resolutions put this weird focus on timing and sometimes I think we put other peoples ideas of what our goals should be rather than our own.  You know, pay off debt, lose weight, etc.  While that is often my goals the cliche of it at the new year steals some of the fun.  I also like my goals to be very specific.  Not just lose weight, but get fit, get healthy and do that by completely X work out program.

This was my 2014 To-do List.

  1. Complete T25.
  2. Complete P90X3.
  3. Complete a combo work out of T25/P90X3
  4. Run a Labor Day 5k.
  5. Run the Walk for Wishes in October.
  6. Run the Beauty and the Beach 5 miler in November.
  7. Read the following: Passage to India, Beloved, Team of Rivals, The Good Earth.  (All books I've started and haven't finished.
  8. Continue to pay down loans and debt without creating new debt.
  9. Write more.  

These are great resolutions.  In fact I've already crossed the first one off the list and I'm actively (as I type this) working on the 9th.  But these resolutions are short sited.  Since I wrote this list, I have returned to work from maternity leave, started a new business venture, signed up for another 5k (in two weeks, wish me luck!) and added a number of books to my list.  I've also added a bunch of other personal development goals.  This list just doesn't do the trick.

Recently I had the opportunity to be part of an organizing challenge lead by Morgan from www.morganizewithme.com  It was a fantastic experience and while I learned many things, one of my favorite tips I noticed was setting monthly goals.  Not just monthly goals in our heads but ones I write down and post next to my bed.  This practice is something I can get my head around.  Goals written down are more successful than goals you keep in your head.  Goals you tell your friends are even better.

With that in mind, here is my to do list for the month of June.


  1. Complete The Valerie Fund 5k
  2. Continue eating a clean, dairy free, grain free, sugar free diet.  
  3. Complete reading one (just one) of the above books.
  4. Complete reading one of my personal development books.
  5. Some personal matters- get the family dental appointments scheduled.  (not exciting, but necessary)
  6. Continue to write, write, write.  Both here and on our Healthy Living Facebook page.  
  7. Fill my freezer!  

That seems like enough to keep me busy.  Of course, I have weekly and daily goals (make the bed!) but these are for another day.  For now, it is June 1st and I have written down my goals and shared them.  I'm halfway there.

What is on your to-do list for the month of June?

- Tovah 

Weekly Menu- May 31st- June 6th

Saturday: Clean out the fridge day!  (That's fancy for leftovers)

Sunday:Grilling with the Family (surprise!)
Monday:  Trader Joe's Ham and Sweet Potato and Kale Hash
Tuesday:  Turkey meatballs and pasta (eggplant for Mama)
Wednesday: Herb de Provence Chicken and Potatoes http://www.mccormick.com/Gourmet/Spices-and-Flavors/Recipe-Mixes/Herbes-de-Provence-Roasted-Chicken---Potatoes
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday: Visiting Grandma's house...

Bumper bummer

If you are anything like me, when you got pregnant, one of the first thing you did was start to plan the nursery. I spent days hopping from website to website meticulously researching every single item that went on my registry. Car seats are understandable, but did I really need to read reviews to pick out the best hairbrush? So I went a little crazy :) I had wanted to be a mom for a very long time and was beyond excited! 

One of the things I spent the longest time looking for the "perfect" one was the bedding set. We were finding out if it was a boy or a girl, but I didn't want a "girly" room, even if it was a girl (it was). The room was painted a soft cream color with curtains and an area ring that were a floral pattern in Williamsburg blue and brown. And it was going to stay that way. I finally found a bedding set that I fell in love with. A white background that was embroidered with a tree and all kinds of little animals in and around the tree with white and green striped sheets. My mom and mother-in-law gave it to me as a shower gift. It completed the nursery perfectly!

My baby girl arrived (a month early) and slept in a cradle in our room the first four weeks. It was time to move her to her crib and reality started to set in. Was I really going to keep the oh-so-cute bumper set on the crib and risk my baby suffocating? Of course not! But the bumpers were adorable and made the room. I'm not superficial enough that I would put my baby in harm's way for looks. And only four or five people ever saw the room on a regular basis, although I was spending quite a lot of time there, awake in the night with a one month old. I also don't like to waste money so I didn't want to put the bumpers in a closet and never use them again. I knew there had to be a solution. 

I can't take 100% credit for this idea but after searching the internet for ideas I came up with this. 


Tie the bumpers to the outside bottom of the crib. You actually see the design better and they hide the mattress edges. (I just retied them and they need a little adjusting to snug them tight to the edges and get rid of the pull in the middle.) I love this solution and hope it gives you some ideas!

P90X3- Two weeks into this great adventure

Just two weeks ago I started P90X3.  Despite having done P90X a few years ago I really wasn't sure what to think, or what to expect.  For me I feel like you can read the instruction guide, look at the calendar, review the menu plan, but until you are actually in the midst of the work out I don't think you really know if it is for you.  With that nervous, hesitant mind set, I weighed and measured myself the day before.  I even took pre-work out photos.  I'll be honest, I have big expectations for the results in this work out.  Summer time means that along with this work out I will also be running more, walking more and just playing around more.  I also tend to eat healthier during the summer.  Somehow during the summer, a grilled chicken breast and sliced tomatoes makes a filling dinner.

I am almost 6 months postpartum and while this is not my first work out program since having the baby it is the first time I feel like I'm starting the program in good shape.  I relied on T25 at 6 weeks to get my cardio up to speed and the 21 Day Fix helped me get weights back into my life.  But here, I was going to be faced with cardio, weights and who knows what else.

I am almost two weeks in (just a rest day shy) and I feel great.  The workouts are different each day.  Some weights, some cardio and some just great body movement.

Week 1 Favorite workout:  The Challenge.  This workout was awful when I was doing it.  Push-ups and Chin-ups.  That's it my friends.  Just a variation of each.  But each one I did was more and more satisfying because unlike the last few programs where I was starting my workout with modification I was doing REAL push-ups.  Were they good push-ups?  No.  Were my knees up?  YES!

 Week 2 Favorite workout:  CVX.  Simply stated this work out is a combo of cardio and resistance and all done with one weight. In my case I used one five pound weight.  I ended the workout feeling, exhausted but energized, flexible and yet a little sore.

In fact, that's the perfect way to describe these two weeks.  I feel sore and more flexible, exhausted and yet more energized.

I hope you have had a satisfying two weeks of exercise.  I will be updating you soon.

- Tovah 

The Hunt for the best Paleo Pancakes

Reading the grocery flyers this week (I read them every week, but especially when I'm preparing to stock my freezer) I saw the advertisement that I love to see at the beginning of every summer...Blueberries on sale!  In our house we can polish off a pint of blueberries without thinking twice but what we all love are blueberry pancakes.  

This is my first summer following a paleo lifestyle and I refuse to make my family pancakes without enjoying them myself.  Unfortunately the paleo pancakes I have found have been less than impressive.  Hence, then hunt for the best paleo pancakes.  I am determined to find ones that both the family and I love allowing me to partake in a favorite family tradition (Sunday pancakes) and enjoy one of the best things about New Jersey, their blueberries!



The below pancakes were very tasty.  A little thinner than I like and unfortunately because of that I put the blueberries on top rather than inside the pancakes.  The kiddo ate about half the pancake and then stated he didn't like them.  I'm pretty sure he was just bored with them and wanted to each straight blueberries, so I don't trust his opinion.  While, these pancakes provide a great jumping off point but certainly are not going to compete with non-paleo pancakes.  





Coconut Flour Pancakes

Yield: Serves 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 6 minutes  (each batch)
Total Time: about 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
4 eggs 
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
1.  In a medium bowl combine coconut flour, baking soda and salt and stir with a fork.  In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients.  Pour wet mixture in to dry ingredients and mix until no lumps remain.

2. Heat greased pan.  Make 2-3 inch sized pancakes.  Keep enough space between the pancakes to ensure they do not run together.  Cook the pancakes for 2-3 minutes or until they are bubbling.  Flip pancakes and cook for another 2 minutes.   

3. Serve with blueberries, blueberry sauce or almond butter.  (We did almond butter and chopped blueberries).

Weekly Menu- May 24th- May 30th

Saturday: Baked Alaskan Cod and my favorite butternut squash salad

Sunday: Chicken with potatoes and carrots  Bratwursts and sweet potato fries (last minute BBQ with friends)
Monday:  Happy Memorial Day!  BBQ with family
Tuesday:  Leftovers
Wednesday: Herb de Provence Chicken and Potatoes http://www.mccormick.com/Gourmet/Spices-and-Flavors/Recipe-Mixes/Herbes-de-Provence-Roasted-Chicken---Potatoes
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday: Breakfast for dinner

Second Daily Workout?

I lived years with no regular exercise.  After that caught up to me, I waged a battle with myself to stick with my workouts.  I would have a few weeks of working out 4-5 times and weeks when I would falter.  No matter what I did, I would go through spells where I wouldn't workout for weeks at a time.

It again took years to figure out what worked for me.  I HAVE to work out in the morning.  If I wait until after work, there are many days when it won't get done (and now that I have a daughter to get to bed, it is an impossibility for me).  Even so, even knowing this, I would go through spells where I just wouldn't.  I don't know if it was willpower, or that I let myself make excuses.  Maybe both.

I'm sure I will have times in my life when I falter and fail again.  And pick myself back up again.  But for now, I have gone 4 months without missing a single workout.....6-7 days a week.  I finally feel, for the first time in my life, like it's a non-negotiable.  No matter what is going on, no matter how late I stayed up the night before, I just get up and get it done.

But I'm the kind of person that doesn't settle.  I always need a new challenge to keep pushing myself forward.  Now that I have conquered my workouts, what's my new challenge?

Getting in a second workout each day.  I work full time and am a full time mom to an almost-two year old (she comes to work with me), so this will be a real challenge.  Nap time is reserved for uninterrupted work so I cannot use it for a workout.  My first big hurdle will be to find a time when I can get another workout done and then make myself stick to it, rather than getting wrapped up in the work I was doing.  I think I will start out with 10-15 minute workouts most of the time....abs or cardio....and build from there.  If the weather is nice and I can spare even more time, a walk with my daughter will be perfect.  Maybe I will try to fit more of those in after her dinner before I get her ready for bed.

All of these little what-ifs and maybe-I'll-try-this's is how I figure out what works for me.  I have to try different things and then see what works and what "sticks."  It's all about building workouts into a routine so you are less likely to make excuses.


Breakfast on the go: Egg muffins

Breakfast is the best.  It is absolutely my favorite meal, well other than brunch.  But of course part of the joy of brunch is that you can eat breakfast...and steak...and shrimp.  My breakfast used to be a variety of easy go to foods.  Granola with yogurt and fruit.  Oatmeal.  Peanut butter on a multi-grain waffle.  All of these are tasty and healthy breakfast options.  These days however, I am eating paleo.  That means no granola (unless I make it special.  Stay tuned for a post on that).  No yogurt.  Frankly, no to everything I previously ate for breakfast.  

 My breakfast is currently eggs, meat and veggies.  I must say I love it.  I feel filled up and don't get hungry and even better I feel like I am indulging by having bacon.  The only problem with this plan is that each morning I am making breakfast while trying to get out the door with bottles, lunches and babies in tow.  Thus I am usually scarfing down my breakfast in a quick, unhealthy amount of time.  

 I've known of the existence of egg muffins for awhile now and way back when I've even made them, but not recently and not with cheese.  Despite my reservations it was time to bite the bullet and finally make breakfast easier, so more time could be spent playing with the kiddos before work and not frying eggs.  What was going into my first egg muffins?  What I had in the refrigerator of course (A common theme when I make my own recipes).  Kale and Trader Joe's Maple Chicken Sausage.  Easy, tasty, filling and now my breakfast is ready to go for the rest of the week.






Kale and Sausage Egg Muffins

Yield: Serves 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes 
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

One Package Chicken Sausage (could use turkey if you like)
8 whole eggs 
1 bunch of Kale
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut sausage into 1/2 inch pieces.  In a medium skillet, brown the  sausage pieces on medium-high heat. Cook until sausage is brown all the way through. Chop kale and toss in the skillet until it is cooked.  Set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. 

3. Grease 8 muffin tin cups with cooking spray or line cups with paper liners.   Distribute kale/sausage mixture into the muffin cups.  Pour egg mixture evenly into the muffin cups.

4. Bake egg muffins for 20 minutes, or until the muffins are firm in the center. Remove from oven and gently go round each egg with a butter knife. Serve warm.

Great news!  You can store the egg muffins in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat them in the microwave.


Weekly Menu- May 17th- May 23rd

Saturday:  Maryland Crab soup and Black Eyed Susans.  Happy Preakness!  (Courtesy of http://bigserious.hubpages.com/hub/Recipe-for-the-Best-Maryland-Crab-Soup-You-Will-Ever-Have)
Sunday:  Dinner with friends...in charge of the appetizer and we will be bringing veggies and paleo hummus (Courtesy of http://livinpaleocuisine.com/2013/02/05/paleo-hummus/)
Monday:  Taco Night...family will be enjoying tacos with shells, corn and beans.  Mama will be enjoying a taco salad.  (Recipes courtesy of http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tex-mex-beef-tacos-10000000630120/)
Tuesday:  Tuna Noodle Casserole
Wednesday: Greek Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes (http://www.recipefavorite.com/2013/07/greek-marinated-chicken.html?m=1)
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday: Memorial Day Kickoff-  Trader Joe's Uncured Beef Hot Dogs and Homemade French Fries

Weekly Menu- May 10th- May 16th

This weeks meals are a combination of visiting family and an attempt to empty the freezer.

Saturday: Visiting family
Sunday: Visiting family
Monday:  Pepper Jelly Pork Chops and sweet potato fries (recipe courtesy of "Fix Freeze Feast" http://www.amazon.com/Fix-Freeze-Feast-Delicious-Money-Saving/dp/1603427260/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399912164&sr=8-1&keywords=Fix+Freeze+feast) 
Tuesday: Teriyaki Chicken, roasted carrots an broccoli and rice (recipe courtesy of "Fix Freeze and Feast"
Wednesday: Chicken Ravioli in a marinara sauce for the family (courtesy of Costco); tuna salad for the mama
Thursday:  Chili for a crowd from the freezer (recipe courtesy of "The Silver Palate Cookbook" http://www.eatboutique.com/2012/02/01/the-silver-palates-chili-for-a-crowd/#.U3D3mvldWSo)
Friday:  Roasted Maple Chicken with butternut squash salad