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Meal Planning: Week of September 1st

Review from last week:

I made a turkey breast in the crock pot (same recipe I used for Thanksgiving last year) and it came out juicy and delicious again.  

The first night we had it with spiralized zucchini and squash, and sauteed with onion and garlic.

The second night we had it reheated and topped with steamed lentils, bruschetta sauce (both from Trader Joe's) and a sprinkle of feta cheese.  I wish I could have captured the look on Greg's face when I told him that is how I was repurposing the turkey.  It was a mix of disgust and annoyance.  BUT - he absolutely loved it when he tried it and even went back for more lentils.  So, Jessica for the win.

I literally ate lentils/bruschetta for lunch every day this week.

The cilantro I had went bad, so we modified the chorizo tostadas a bit and just had it over lettuce with lime-crema sauce.  This wasn't my favorite, partially due to the fact that I had just watched "Forks over Knives", a documentary about the benefits of a plant-based diet, and I was feeling pretty guilty about the amount of meat we have been consuming.  I'm such a sucker - I really should avoid watching stuff like that...

Plan for next week:

Friday: Going to the Christensen's for fish tacos!

Saturday: Out to eat!  We are in a Cabo state of mind - and there is a little Mexican place in Bothell we have been wanting to try.

Sunday:  Naan pizzas or Trader Joe's spicy beef and broccoli.

Monday: Labor Day!  Grilled tandoori steak and veggies to celebrate the end of the weekend (and the unofficial end of summer).

Tuesday: Tomato-Basil Soup and sandwiches (BLT's or grilled cheese).

Wednesday: Blue Apron Meal: Japanese Okonomiyaki with Dried Mizuna and Garlic-Lemon Sauce.  Whaaaaa?  I went for the vegetarian plan this week, so there are several ingredients I've never heard of before.  

Thursday: Blue Apron Meal: Rose Romaine & Painted Oak Lettuce Salad with Plums, Cucumber and Toasted Brie Baguettes.  Seriously, click on this link and tell me how delicious that looks!

Friday: Blue Apron Meal: Fresh Cavatelli & Sun Gold Tomatoes with Basil-Seed Ricotta & Opal Basil.

Meal Planning: Week of August 25th

Review from last week:

Mahi Mahi fish tacos, but instead of making the chipolte sauce, we just used the jalapeno/cilantro hummus from trader joes.  I had mine over cabbage in a bowl (my new lower-carb option go-to).

BBQ chicken.  The shredded chicken from Costco (Jack Daniels pulled BBQ) is amazing!  Just as flavorful as the pork was, but much healthier.  And you can cook it in the microwave in 4 minutes - perfect for a week night.  Greg and Ben had theirs on a pizza, I had mine with - what else - cabbage.  I also tossed in some roasted brussels sprouts.  Yum.

Not pictured, but seriously, if you have not tried this tomato soup yet you are MISSING OUT.  I finally measured, and I only use 1/4 cup heavy cream instead of the 2 cups the recipe calls for.  It is still creamy and delicious and an extremely low calorie yet filling soup.  The boys had their with some Italian-Style meatballs from Costco.

The stuffed chicken breasts were great, as usual.  This is definitely in our top 10 meals.  And look how easy it is.  Pound the chicken, top it with ingredients, roll up and dip in breadcrumbs, and bake.

I'll be making the pasta tomorrow night and we can have that for 2 days :)  Tonight I'm headed to enjoy take out and wine with Rachel and Raleigh!

Plan for next week:

Monday: BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad

Tuesday:  Crock Pot Turkey Breast with roasted carrots and Brussels Sprouts.

Wednesday: Leftover turkey with Sauteed Julienned Summer Vegetables.

Thursday: Trader Joe's Spicy Beef and Broccoli

Friday:  Chorizo Tostadas with Pickled Red Onions, Lime Crema and Queso Fresco - possibly made salad-style over cabbage to keep it slightly healthier (served with margaritas, of course = 3 DAY WEEKEND)!

Saturday: Naan pizzas - I picked up some frozen naan from trader joes and thought we could have a little make-your-own-pizza night.  Something kid-friendly for Ben, but for Greg and I, something delicious, like this fig, prosciutto, and goat cheese pizza recipe I came across on my favorite wine blog, Wander & Wine!

Is it FALL yet?

Around mid-late August, I'm always completely over the warmer temps and ready for all things FALL.  It's without a doubt my favorite time of year.  My favorite holidays, favorite weather, favorite types of clothing (boots! blazers!) and not to mention the excuse to drink a few more extra-hot lattes and bake treats.

Since I'm feeling a little annoyed at the 10-day forecast still being in the 80's, here are a few of the reasons why I'm excited for the upcoming months!

• Ben's 3rd birthday!!  We are finally throwing our little guy a legit birthday party, and I cannot wait to see his face light up when he realizes it's all for him!

• A (family) trip to Cabo in October to celebrate our 7th anniversary!  Here is a pic we took when we were there back in 2009!  I cannot even count the number of buckets of beer + chips & guacamole that were consumed on that vacation, but I cannot wait to park it on the beach each afternoon and recreate this memory.  Just this time, imagine a little blonde boy with a shovel and a bucket digging away under that yellow umbrella :)

• Upon our return home, Greg's mom is coming to visit us for 2 weeks!  It will have been over a year since we have seen her last, and I'm SO excited for her to see Ben and all of his new tricks - i.e. TALKING!  And she doesn't know this yet, but I'm hoping we can make it a team effort and tackle potty-training together if Ben hasn't mastered it by that time.  (Help, Marcia)! :)

• My favorite candle at Bath and Body Works made its return this week:

• While I have never been a Pumpkin Spice Latte fan, I AM always waiting each year for Trader Joe's to release their pumpkin pancakes and waffles!

• Long walks in the crisp Fall air with Ben wrapped up tight in the stroller.

• Bear hats and bear suits.  Seriously, I'll be on the look out for something bear-related every year until Ben enters High School.  #tryandstopme

• Carter's Microfleece Pajamas - I'm slightly concerned that these only go up to 5T, considering Ben is already moving into 4T and we lovethemsomuch.

• And while I have continued to make some of our favorite dinners throughout the summer, there is nothing better than a hot soup or chili on a cold evening.  Here are a few of our favorites:

Southwest Chili

• 1 lb beef eye of round (I usually use beef stew meat or turkey meat - it's good with any type of meat)
• 1 15 oz can of spicy chili beans
• 1 can garbanzo beans
• 1 14.5 oz can petite-cut diced tomatoes, DO NOT DRAIN
• 1 16 oz jar thick and chunky salsa
• 1 8 oz can whole kernel corn, drained (or frozen corn)
• 1 tbsp sugar

Spray inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours. Garnish with cheese,  sour cream, green onions or tortilla chips if desired.

245 calories, 3.9 grams fat, 27 grams carbs, 5 grams fiber, and 25 grams protein.

Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya

Creamy Crockpot Tomato Basil Soup

Layered Chili

Layered Chili (from the cookbook, Kitchen Revelry)

3T chili powder
2T ground cumin
1/2t dried red chili flakes
1/4 cup EVOO
3 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped seeded green bell peppers
6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced - (or if you are like me, buy an enormous jar of minced garlic from Costco and forget about mincing your own.  1t = 1 garlic clove)
2 lbs ground turkey meat (or ground beef)
1T dried oregano
1T cocoa powder or 1 ounce dark chocolate, chopped
1 12 ounce bottle lager beer
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
2 15.5 ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Mix the chili powder, cumin and chili flakes in a small bowl.  Heat a heavy large nonstick pot over med-high heat.  Add the chili powder mixture to the pot and stir for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the oil to the pot, then the onions, bell peppers, and garlic and saute until beginning to soften (about 5 min).  Add the meat and saute until no longer pink (about 5 min).  Add the oregano, then the tomato paste, salt and cocoa powder; stir 1 min.  Add the beer and simmer 5 min.  Add the diced tomatoes and the beans.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to med-low and simmer slightly covered until the flavors develop, (about 30 min).

Chicken and Potato Florentine Soup (Olive Garden Recipe)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans
• 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (12 oz) can beer  (or 1 can chicken broth)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
• 3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts  (1lb of chicken tenders)
• shredded Cheddar cheese
• sour cream
• tortilla chips

DIRECTIONS

Place the onion, kidney beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer or chicken broth, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker.  **Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend.  Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours. 
 

Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips

Marcia Ingle's Chicken and White Bean Chili

1 lb Chicken Breast (cut up)

2 tsp olive oil

Salt and Pepper

(Brown the above ingredients in a pot)

Pour 2 cups of chicken broth on top of the chicken.

Add:

2 Tbl chopped onion

1 can green chilies

4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp oregano

1 can diced tomatoes

3 cans northern white beans (drained but not rinsed)

Simmer 1/2 hour

Top with shredded cheese and sour cream.

Mean Mug Round 2

Remember this?  Still going strong.

"I want some Dada RIGHT NOW"

Ben is 100% going through a Dada phase as of late.  Sure, I'm still the one he wants to tuck him into bed (or these days, lay with him in his bed until he falls asleep), but otherwise, he wants to be with Greg doing one of their various activities together:

• Going to the park
• Going on a walk around the neighborhood (Greg, often holding a plastic cup of beer) ;)
• Walking around the yard while Greg sprays insect killer on every bug he sees.
• Jumping on couches or beds
• Having a dance party in the shower
• Eating a snack while Greg makes silly noises every time Ben takes a "big dog bite"
• Watching a "new" cartoon (we are desperately trying to expand beyond Monsters, Inc right now - why do kids always want to watch the same thing a zillion times)?

The other day, while Greg was inspecting the wooden yard border thing I backed into at the bottom of our driveway (it was bound to happen - I'm surprised it took me 2 years), Ben saw him from the window and proclaimed "I want some Dada RIGHT NOW".  He demanded his shoes and hustled down the driveway because he couldn't possibly wait for him to come back.

It's pretty darn cute, I must say.  (And leaves me with extra free time to clean and watch Bravo solo).  Holla!

Meal Planning: Week of August 18th

Review from last week:

We had flank using what I thought was the same marinade we loved before, but this time, it was just okay.

Ben helped set the table.

We loved having John, Hilary, Violet, Rachel and Cooper over for fish tacos!  (I love having a full dining room table).

We learned slang words before dinner ;)

The shrimp gazpacho was good, too - cool on a super hot day!

I also made another batch of chili, and this time it was extra spicy for some reason.  Not complaining - I seem to be able to tolerate spice much better these days than I used to...

Plan for next week:

Monday: Boboli BBQ chicken pizzas (using the Jack Daniels chicken from Costco).

Tuesday: Tomato basil soup and grilled cheese sandwiches or salad.

Wednesday: Roasted Red Pepper and Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken Breast and roasted vegetables.

Thursday: Fish Tacos with Chipolte Cream

Friday: Baked Pasta with Sausage and Spinach and salad.

Saturday: Out to eat

Sunday: Leftover pasta

Seattle Tourist Day(s) with John, Hilary and Violet

When some of your favorite people come to town to spend a week hanging out, it's awesome.  When that week happens to coincide with our planned family staycation, it's perfection.

We have had such a fun couple of days!  On Sunday, we left the toddlers at home with their Grandmas (correction, 1 Grandma, 1 "Yaya"), while the 4 of us headed to Seattle to spend the day!  We stopped for a quick mimosa (mine, Lemon-Rosemary, Hil's, strawberry) before going to see THE BOOK OF MORMON!

Words can't really describe how hilarious and amazing this show was.  If you've seen it, you will understand how I could barely hold it together during "Turn it Off".  Tears were streaming down my face and I literally had to stop thinking about it (TURN IT OFF!) or else I would start laughing again and miss out on what else was happening during the show.

After the show, we went with Hil and John to check into their hotel (The Alexis) and grabbed a snack and free wine (YES!) at the bar.

We had a nice, fancy dinner at Capital Grill and then left them to enjoy the rest of their evening away and headed home to get Ben in bed.  

On Monday morning, we picked Violet up from Debbie's house and drove down to meet them at the Pike Place Market!  It was really funny to see 2 kids in my back seat.  They were so adorable singing along to the Disney station on Pandora together!

We grabbed coffee, walked around the market, visited the pig, watched the flying fish, and then put together a picnic lunch (Beecher's!) for later.

Our ride to catch the sailboat for our sailing adventure was a tad bit tight...

...but it was short and sweet.

Walking down the dock to get on the boat:

We got to spend an hour and a half or so out on the water - and it was perfect.  The weather was blazing hot, but there is something about being on a boat that makes it not matter as much :)  

We then drove over to Seattle Center to play in the fountain some more before enjoying our picnic.  The kids ran around in the grass for awhile and then we finally decided to head home.  Ben passed out the SECOND we got in the car.  Such a fun day enjoying so much of what Seattle has to offer!