Neighbors - Week 5

Well this year I really wanted to plant a garden. I did not for a number of reasons but planted a container tomato plant & she has about 18 fruit, so I’ve been proud of it. This weekend I was showered with vegetable gifts. My neighbor Troy brought us about 6 cucumbers. And my neighbor Scott told me to go pick whatever I would like from their garden and clean out the tomatoes. My little container plant is sad compared to a beautiful garden of juicy plump red tomatoes. So I took advantage & picked a 5 gal bucket full. My neighbor was appreciative he didn’t have to pick more tomatoes & I got ambitious yesterday and canned salsa. I mean you can’t let a huge bucket like that go to waste. It was quite the process though! Ask my husband?! It was exhausting, frustrating, and long. But luckily it made 6 pints of salsa and I felt so accomplished afterwards. I shared a few red beers with my family of fresh tomato juice & it was the best I ever had so that was the prize after the successful project completion!!!!!  (Let me know if you are interested, I can post how I did it!) This week I challenge you to ask your neighbors, friends, & family if they are looking to get rid of some produce! Or if you are one of those folks who did plant a garden and are growing produce out of your ears. Give some to your friends it’s so generous and nice to have some fresh produce in your fridge. Or attempt a Saturday project of canning salsa like I did now I got a few extra items to add to the pantry and to add to my evening table!!!!  

Week Four Dinner Plans

Sunday – Ribs & Cucumber Salad

Monday – Tacos & Corn

Tuesday – Tator Tot Casserole

Wednesday –   Pita Burgers w/ Greek Salad

Thursday – Wings & Celery / Carrots

Friday – Favorite Take Out

Saturday – Mediterranean Pizza Pitas or Pizza night get other fun toppers for family to create together!!

Grocery List

·         Stack of ribs

·         3 Ib of Ground Beef

·         1 pkg of chicken wings

·         Bag of Frozen Tyson Chopped Chicken

·         Tator Tots

·         Cream of Mush soup

·         2 Cucumber

·         Tomato

·         Red Onion

·         Celery

·         Carrots

·         Lettuce

·         Can of Green Beans

·         Corn

·         Hoisin Sauce (find in Asian isle)

·         Greek Rub seasoning

·         Taco Seasoning

·         2 pkg of pitas

·         Pkg of soft tortillas

·         Cheddar Cheese

·         Feta Cheese

·         Kalamata olives

·         Greek Yogurt

·         Sesame Seeds

·         Large container of vegetable oil (for deep fat frying)

Before you go to the store, please check your pantry & fridge. It will save you money if you
already have the items. Then just cross it off the list before you go shopping!!!

RECIPES

Sunday –Ribs & Cucumber Salad

Click Link for full recipe, Pin to your board on pinterst!

Pampered Chef Chinese-Style Baby Back Ribs

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/227713324881524741/

For the cucumber Salad, just cut up the cucumber, Slice up a little onion, tomato. ½ cup or so of vinegar, T. of sugar, and ½ or so of ranch. Refrigerate until dinner is ready.

 

Monday – Tacos & Corn

            Ground Beef (Brown 2 lbs of the Hamburger)

            Taco Seasoning

            Tortillas

            Salsa

            Cheddar Cheese

            Top with your favorites!

Follow the directions on Taco packet, its super easy! Throw corn in microwave while cooking. After dinner is finished save the remaining taco meat for tomorrow’s meal!!

 Tuesday – Taco Tator Tot Casserole  

Taco Ground Beef (Saved from Monday night)

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Tator Tots

Cheddar Cheese

Green Beans

Preheat 350. Mix the ground beef with cream of mushroom soup & drained green beans. Layer the bottom of your casserole dish. Then top with tator tots then cheese. 350. 30 mintues.

 

 

Wednesday – Pita Burgers & Greek Salad

 

Click Link for full recipe, Don’t forget to pin to your board on pinterst!

Add to eCookBookLearn more

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pita-burgers

Make a quick salad, lettuce, favorite dressing, use a little of the feta cheese & olives!

 

 Thursday – Wings, Carrots, & Celery

            http://allrecipes.com/recipe/restaurant-style-buffalo-chicken-wings/

 

Friday – Its your night off, order take out or have your hubby prepare dinner!!

 

Saturday – Mediterranean Chicken Pitas or Pizza Creation Night

            Kalamata Olives

            Red Onion

            Garlic

            Tyson Chicken Chopped (prepare as directed

            Small diced up cucumber

            Greek yogurt

            Feta cheese

            6 Flat pita bread rounds

Pre-heat 450. Dice up your veggies & olives, chicken.  Mix yogurt with greek rub a little feta cheese & cucumber. Heat the pita in microwave for 1 minute or less to get it soft. Brush with oil.  Lay on sheet pan. Then layer with your chicken, veggies & feta cheese on top! Throw in oven for about 8 minutes!

Here is another recipe if you want to do family pizza creations.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pita-pizza-2/

 

Back to School - Week 4

Back to School

Hope everyone survived the week back to School. Its such an exciting time for kids to start a new year. But for moms can bring about hectic lifestyle changes, what a better week to plan ahead and relieve some stress. This week I wanted to focus on Savings! I know all you moms were out there buying school supplies, new shoes, registrations, lunch money, sports, and everything else! So I’m challenging you this week to check out your local grocery sales. Grab the paper or even easier look online!! Actually Hyvee is having a BACK TO SCHOOL two day sale, its Friday and Saturday. I planned the menu around those sale items. I went this evening and only spent $84, and that included (2) 8 pks of gaterade, x3 12 pks of pop, and Tide Detergent. So not too bad ladies!!! Hurry up & get out and start shopping and saving! You’ll be happy you’re SAVED BY THE BELL!!!!

Week Five Dinner Plans

Sunday – Chicken Gloria Casserole & Asparagus

Monday – Enchiladas & Sweet Corn 

Tuesday – Jambalaya

Wednesday – BLT Wraps

Thursday – Brats & Pork N Beans

Friday – Favorite Take Out

Saturday – Shrimp Old Bay Boil

Grocery List

·         Hyvee Sale (Split Chicken) Breast (only sale $.99 lb – Friday/Saturday)

·         Ib of Ground Beef (Hyvee sale, only sale $3.99 lb – Friday/Saturday

·         2 Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage (Hyvee sale 2 for $6)

·         Sherry Wine (or if you have white wine at home just use that)

·         Cream of Mush soup

·         Chicken Stock

·         Asparagus

·         Onion

·         Lettuce

·         Tomato

·         Potatoes

·         Mushrooms

·         Sweet Corn (enough for 2 meals, keep in mind one meal you will break the corn in half.) I’m planning to get 8 ears for two adults one toddler.

·         Bag of Frozen green and red peppers

·         Frozen French Fries

·         Can of black beans

·         Can of Diced Tomatoes

·         Tomato Juice (you can buy a single 12 oz can)

·         Large package of soft burrito torillas

·         El Paso Enchilada Sauce

·         Box of White Rice

·         Cheddar Cheese

·         Sour Cream

·         Sliced Black olives

·         Bacon

·         Hyvee Brats (try the apple maple, they are my favorite!!) On sale 4/$5.

·         Buns

·         Pork n Beans

·         Sauerkraut

·         Old Bay Cajun Blend spices


RECIPES

Sunday –Chicken Gloria Casserole & Asparagus

Click Link for full recipe, Pin to your board on pinterst!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/283445370272636930/

I just throw my asparagus in the oven with the casserole. Also boil some water for Rice. Its so yummy to lay over a bed of rice with this dish!!

Monday – Enchiladas & Sweet Corn

            Ground Beef

            Tortillas (Save 4 tortillas for BLT wrap night!)

            Enchilada Sauce

            Cheddar Cheese

            Top with your favorites, mine are: Sour Cream / Black Olives

Follow the directions on the El Paso Enchilada Can, its super easy! Boil water for your sweet corn!

 

 Tuesday – Jambalya  

Click Link for full recipe, Pin to your board on pinterst!

This recipe I do modify a bit, I use the frozen bag of pepper veggies, and cut up your sausage. If you want to use a little shrimp throw that in too, just save enough for Saturday shrimp boil. tweek how you like it, you cant mess this up! The hot sauce and spices are the must in my eyes!!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/283445370270789296/

 

Wednesday – BLT Wrap & Fries

Click Link for full recipe, Pin to your board on pinterst!

Add to eCookBookLearn more

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/164311086378642261/

 

 Thursday – Brats & Beans

            • Brats

• Pork N Beans

            • Sauerkraut

Grill the Brats on the grill, sometimes if you want to speed up the grilling boil them before hand for 10-20 minutes. Throw Pork n Beans opened still in the can on the grill with foil on the top will cook outside! Top with your favorites, mine is sauerkraut, mustard, and ketchup!!!

Friday – Its your night off, order take out or have your hubby prepare dinner!!

 

Saturday – Shrimp Boil

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/23151385555263283/

Week 3- Balance

This week I wanted to focus on balance! With work, the demands of keeping up with our homes, our kids, our marriage or relationships. The single most important thing is to work on your marriage or relationship and make time for one another, or if you are single to make time for yourself. Keeping that in balance will help everything around you seem in synergy! I remember my marriage prep class, with our dear friends Jack and Fran, they were married for many years, and asked us the question, "What is more important, your children or your marriage." The answer is your MARRIAGE. If you make time for it and continue to work on it, it can only become more successful and happy. Doing so will overflow to your family. You will teach your children great love and the importance of commitment. This is so simple. So this week I challenge you to book a sitter, plan a date night and spend some quality time with the one you love!! Get in balance!!

Tip: Don't stress!! If the menu plan doesn't happen just save it for another night!!! Its ok to cheat and order out and grab and go once in awhile! The weeks get tiring so don't feel bad if you don't get a meal on the table! Sometimes its just as fun to go for a ride & grab McDonalds!

Week Two Dinner Plans

Sunday – Calzones, sweet corn

Monday – Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes

Tuesday – Chix Pot Pies

Wednesday – Pork chop, Rice

Thursday – Pig n the Blankets & Fries

Friday – Favorite Take Out

Saturday – Runza’s

Grocery List

·         2 lbs Ground Beef

·         Tyson Frozen Chicken Fried Steak

·         French Fries

·         Pork Chops

·         Hot Dogs

·         2 boxes Hot Roll Mix

·         Frozen Mixed Veggies

·         Country Gravy Mix

·         Pizza Sauce

·         Cream of Chicken Soup

·         Cream of Mushroom Soup

·         Coleslaw

·         Sweet Corn

·         Balsamic Vinegar

·         Grands Biscuits

·         Croissant Rolls

·         Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

·         Shredded Swiss Cheese

 

RECIPES

Sunday –Calvones

            1 lb ground beef

            1 jar of pasta sauce

            Hot Roll Mix

            Moz Cheese

TO MAKE DOUGH:
Make hot roll mix according to package directions for pizza, replacing egg and butter with hot water and olive oil. Let dough stand 5 minutes.

Divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into an oval about 5x7-inches. Use left over meat from Saturday night, mix in pizza sauce and cheese. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Bake calzones until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Take out and brush with some garlic butter, heat for another 3 minutes or so.

 

Monday – Chicken Fried Steak

            Chicken Fried Steak

            Potatoes

            Gravy

Heat the Chicken Fried Steak in oven as directed. (Cook 2 extra for tomorrow’s meal) Boil or Microwave your potatoes. Mix up the Gravy as directed.

Tuesday – Chicken Pot Pies

Cut up the two chicken fried steak into small pieces

            Frozen Veggies

            Cream of Chix soup

            Grands Biscuits

            Cheddar Cheese

Preheat oven 350. Mix the chicken, soup and veggies. Press each biscuit into 5 1/2-inch round. Place 1 round in each of 8 greased regular-size muffin cups. Firmly press in bottom and up side, forming 3/4-inch rim. Spoon a generous 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each. Pull edges of dough over filling toward center; pleat and pinch dough gently to hold in place. Top with cheddar. Bake 22 minutes. Thanks for the recipe Megan Carlson!!

Wednesday – Pork Chops and Rice

·         Add to eCookBookLearn more

·         3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon rosemary

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1/2 teaspoon pepper

·         6 (3/4-inch-thick) boneless pork chops

Click to see savings

·         2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Click to see savings

·         2 tablespoons olive oil

·         2 garlic cloves, pressed

·         1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chicken broth

·         1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

 

1.      Cook rice according to package directions; keep warm.

2.      Combine flour, 1 teaspoon rosemary, salt, and pepper. Dredge pork chops in flour mixture.

3.      Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Add pork chops, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove pork chops.

4.      Add broth and vinegar, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet. Cook 6 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half. Add pork chops, and cook 5 minutes or until done. Serve over rice. Garnish, if desired.

Thanks for the recipe Cheri Mastny!!

 Thursday – Date Night – Pig n Blankets

Have dinner ready for the babysitter!  

            Hot Dogs

            Croissants

            French Fries

Wrap the dogs in croissants, pre-heat oven as directed on rolls. Put fries with dogs! And go on a date with your hubby. Take care of your marriage and it will take care of you! Too many think having kids is all about sacrifice. "The happiest parents are those who are disciplined about integrating their old life with their new life," says relationship expert and psychologist Seth Meyers.

Friday – Its your night off, order take out or have your hubby prepare dinner!!

Saturday – Runzas

Ground Beef (Save the remaining 1 lb for Sunday night dinner)      

Hot Roll Mix

            Cream of Mushroom Soup

            Package of Coleslaw

            Swiss Cheese

Prepare dough as box directions. Roll out dough and cut into squares. Brown hamburger and drain. Add coleslaw and soup cook about 10 minutes or until the coleslaw softens. Salt, pepper and season to taste. Let mixture cool before filling dough squares. Brush tops with butter. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.!!