The Power of NO!

 

Hope everyone had a great week! This week I practiced the art of “No” sometimes its so hard to do this and you worry about what others may think as a result. But it can be so empowering to make a decisions for YOU that works best for yourself, your family and your lifestyle. You just have to pick and choose what will fit into your schedule and what is a priority. So don’t let the word NO scare you, it’s also very invigorating to make a choice and stick to it. I’ve recently practiced the art of NO with my food choices. I downloaded the app called “Lose It” you can track your daily intake, it’s amazing how some of those quick decisions can benefit your health and calories! So practice the art of NO, its so good for you and your diet!

Weekly Dinner Plans

Monday – Philly’s Cheese Steaks & French Onion Soup

Tuesday – Sheppard Pie   

Wednesday –   Taco’s & Black Beans

Thursday – Taco Tator-Tot Casserole

Friday – Favorite Take Out

Saturday – Chicken Alfredo & Broccoli

Sunday – Chicken Enchilada’s

Grocery List
Check your freezer, cabinets, and fridge for items you may already have to save cost on groceries!
Meats
- Thin Sliced Steak or you can even buy the freezer section of PepperJax brand.
- 4 Chicken Breast
-3 lbs. Ground Beef
Veggies
-Potato’s

-Head of Lettuce

-Tomato’s
Freezer
-Fajita Style Pepper and Onion Frozen veggies

-Frozen Mixed Veggies (carrots, corn, green beans, peas)

-Tator Tots

-Broccoli
Bread
-Hoagie Buns
- 2 bags of Tortillas (Taco size/Burrito Size)

-Linguine Noodles

Seasoning

-2 pck’s Taco Seasoning
Canned
-French Onion Soup

-Black Beans

-Black Olives

-Can of Corn

-Green Chilies

-2 cans Enchilada Sauce

-Alfredo Sauce
Dairy
-Provolone Cheese
- Sour Cream

-2 pck’s Shredded Cheddar

-Heavy Cream

-Cream Cheese

-Parmesan Cheese

RECIPES

Sunday – Philly’s Cheese Steaks & French Onion Soup

With this recipe you can substitute the veggies for frozen to make it easier or the meat I have even bought the PepperJax Brand Freezer Meat, its really easy and quick but never as tasty as the real deal. And with this recipe I just posted for direction. But honestly I don’t even bake them instead I put my oven on Broil Low and cook everything up on the stovetop so really all you are doing is toasting the bread and melting the cheese. Hope that makes sense. Put your Hamburger in the fridge if you have it in the freezer. Heat the French Onion Soup in the Microwave and then dip your sandwiches in it! SO good.

http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/cheesesteak-sandwiches/

Monday – Sheppard Pie

Honestly I had to try and make after going to the local Irish Pub McKinney’s they had a Cottage pie that was so delish and I wanted to try and make something similar at home. This was good.

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/updated-shepherds-pie-69212.aspx?cm_mmc=Social-_-Pinterest-_-Ahalogy-_-69212#_a5y_p=1464950

 Tuesday – Taco’s & Black Beans

Taco’s are such an easy meal. Fry up 2 lbs of the meat. (After you are finished you will save half of the meat mixture for your meal tomorrow. You can follow the recipe on the back of the packet. Just make sure you have ranch and salsa!! Heat the Black Beans in Microwave. Also save about a cup of the black beans & black olives for tomorrow’s meal.

Wednesday – Taco Tator Tot Casserole

This is so great, you can use up the meat from yesterday’s meal. And throw everything into the casserole so delicious and easy. Save some of the green chilies, corn, for Friday’s meal.

http://blogchef.net/taco-tater-tot-bake-recipe/ 

 Thursday – Chicken Alfredo & Broccoli

Cook up all the chicken and other half in the fridge for Friday night! I sometimes just buy the alfredo sauce but if you want to make your own follow the ingredients in the recipe below. A tip when you boil your noodles throw in the broccoli so that will cook at the same time!

http://damndelicious.net/2014/01/24/skinny-fettuccine-alfredo/

Friday – Chix Enchiladas

So here we are the end of the week, a lot of the ingredient you used this week will go into this recipe!

http://www.thespiffycookie.com/2011/07/29/cream-cheese-chicken-enchiladas/

Saturday – Take Out

 

Consistency

Happy New Year Everyone! I can't hardly believe we are mid January already. Have you all made resolutions? I honestly haven't really thought about it until yesterday. How sad, its been so crazy with the hustle and bustle of the holiday, then returning to work, kids and all that jazz you know the gig. I recently attended a workshop called "Creating a Vision" by Deb Payne/life coach. It was amazing being put in a room with other successful & inspirational women and hearing their stories. It inspired me to become consistent with my family, faith, health & career goals! I have a lot I want to work on for 2015, its going to be such an exciting year! I want you all to know one of my goals is to become consistent with my blog posts. I want this to be a place you can rely on and come to make evening time more organized. I realized last week when I received a text from a friend "should the rice go in with the jambalaya or make it separate?" She then ended to thank me for the recipes. So to everyone who is visiting my page reading this, thank you for coming to Evening Table. It truly means so much and I can only hope it makes your busy life a little easier! So I challenge you to make some goals for 2015, what are you going to become consistent about???

Menu for the Week
My menu plan feeds: 2 adults + 1 toddler + 1 infant who is eating table food as well. Double or triple  to feed your hungry mouths!

Saturday - Burgers on the Grill & Waffle Fries
Sunday - Pulled Pork & Slaw
Monday - BBQ Pizza & Corn
Tuesday - Spaghetti, Meatballs, & Salad
Wednesday - Meatball Sandwiches & Green Beans
Thursday - Polish Sausage, Dumplings, & Sauerkraut
Friday - Date Night or Order Take Out!

Grocery List
Check your freezer, cabinets, and fridge for items you may already have to save cost on groceries!

Meats
-1 Pork Loin
-Polish Sausage Package (I usually buy the already cooked ones for this recipe)
-1-2 lbs. Ground Beef
Veggies
-Can Green Beans
-Can of Corn
-Can of Sauerkraut
-Head of Lettuce
-Bag of Slaw
-Onion
-Garlic
-Red Pepper
Freezer
-Frozen Meatballs
-Waffle Fries
Bread
-Hamburger Buns
-Hoagie Buns
-Pillsbury Pizza Crust Mix
-Spaghetti Noodles
-Biscuits to make donuts in deep fryer
Sauce
-BBQ Sauce
-2 cans of Spaghetti Sauce
-Jug of Oil for Deep Fat Fryer
-Cedar Vinegar
Dairy
-Provolone Cheese
-Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
Baking
-Powdered Sugar


Saturday - Burgers & Waffle Fries & dessert is Donuts in Deep fryer!
50 degree weather's got me itching to grill. Burgers on the Grill with Fries in the deep fat fryer!
Make your patties to your liking, prep the deep fat fryer with oil (I always set it up in the garage or outside so it doesn't stink up the house.) Biscuits are for donuts I have been wanting to try to make them in the deep fryer. Throw your patties on the grill, when they are almost done throw on a slice of cheese, and butter the buns and put on the grill for a quick minute! 
Donut Recipe: http://www.cooks.com/recipe/3t5n81dd/french-market-donuts.html Pretty Easy & FUN  Saturday night dinner!
Don't forget to take the pork out of the freezer if you already have a loin in your deep freeze. I always prep the meat the night before if its defrosted otherwise do it Sunday AM.

Sunday - Pulled Pork & Beans
Season both sides of the loin with BBQ seasoning. Then add some liquid BBQ Sauce to top the loin. Put on low for 8-10 hrs or so. After the meat is done grab your cutting board and shred the meat with a fork. Put all the meat back in the crock with the grease left at the bottom it will add flavor along with some BBQ sauce and let it set for another 20 minutes or so. Save about a cup or more in a dish for tomorrow pizza.
Prep your slaw :
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Creamy-Spiced-Coleslaw/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Monday - BBQ Pizza & Corn
You will use your pork left over meat, and just follow this simple recipe! Heat the Corn in the Microwave!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bbq-pulled-pork-pizza/

Tuesday - Spaghetti, Meatballs, & Salad
This is super easy! Get a large stock pot, sautéed some onion and garlic. Then put the two cans of spaghetti sauce in and your frozen meatballs, heat on medium for anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. I work in a Senior Living community and I asked an Italian Woman what the key to the best Mariana sauce is, she sad, "let the sauce simmer for 3 hours with the meat in so the greases mix into the sauce! (Take out less than half of the meatballs apprx 20 total meatballs with some meat sauce in a dish to put in your fridge for tomorrow meal!) Boil your water for the noodles and prep your salad! So easy and Delish!

Wednesday - Meatball Sandwiches & Green Beans
Grab your meatballs and sauce and heat in microwave to heat. Put the oven on boil LOW. Butter your hoagies, then layer with the meatball, sauce, and top with provolone cheese. Since you already heated the meat sauce really you don't have to boil long you just want to toast and melt the cheese! Heat the green beans in MIC!

Thursday - Polish Sausage, Dumplings, & Sauerkraut
Boil large stock of water. Throw your sausage in. Prep the dumplings (see my Aunt Rita's recipe below)
2 C Flour, 2/3 C Milk, 1 Egg, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder. Mix & knead all together it will be dough like. Roll into balls. Drop into the boiling water with the sausage. This should be on medium to low, COVER and DO NOT OPEN the lid for 10 minutes and heat the kraut in the MIC!

Friday - Date Night or Order Take Out!
If the sitter is coming before Date night, I usually feed them before or pre-make food, or even easier make PB&J. Don't have the sitter make food for you like Mac and Cheese you can risk your kids getting burned this actually happened to us so be cautious and make it simple!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

Happy Holidays -

The Most Wonderful Time of Year! I just love the holidays, everything about them! The Christmas Tree, the Décor, the food, the festivity & FAMILY it truly is the most wonderful time of year. This time of year I get really excited about soups, my recipe palette reflects some hearty soups! Hope everyone has been doing great & getting all their shopping and baking done. Please share some of your favorite baked goodies in comments, I can write up another with Christmas goodies. Next weekend my family is doing our annual baking party so I can plan some tips for shopping and saving. It’s a busy time of year but also a season to reflect upon what we are thankful for and the true meaning of the season. In your shopping ventures pick up a couple extra cans of food and donate to the Lincoln Food Bank, or sponsor a family or senior in the community to give back. If you’re not sure what to do ask around local organizations are doing giving back campaigns everywhere don’t miss out on the reward you and so many others will get from it!  

Weekly Dinner Plans

Sunday – Beef Soup

Monday – Jambalaya & corn bread

Tuesday – Chicken Legs & Veggies   

Wednesday –   Cheesy Hamburger Soup

Thursday – Salisbury Steak & Steamer Bag of Veggies

Friday – Favorite Take Out

Saturday – Chili and Cinnamon Rolls

Grocery List

·         4 lbs Ground Beef

·         Smoked Sausage Ring

·         Chicken Legs

·         Bag of Potatoes

·         Bag of baby carrots

·         Celery

·         Onion

·         Garlic Clove

·         Beef & Chicken Bouillon cubes (if you don’t have, stock up for winter)

·         Can of French Onion Soup

·         Packet of Chili Mix

·         Bread Crumbs

·         Macaroni Noodles

·         1 Cans of Green Beans

·         1 Can Black Beans

·         2 cans of tomato sauce

·         3 cans large of diced tomato

·         1 Can Stewed Tomato’s  

·         Frozen bag of fajita peppers

·         Steamer Bag of veggies

·         Rice

·         Cheddar Cheese

·         Cinnamon Rolls

·         Jiffy Mix

 

RECIPES

Sunday – Beef Soup with Macaroni

This was a new recipe I tried! It was really good, I did add a can of green beans & frozen corn I had in the freezer and cut up a couple potatoes to make it a little more hearty. You can add or omit what you like.

            http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/2013/11/beefy-tomato-macaroni-soup-recipe-with_11.html

 

Monday – Jambayla & Corn Bread

This is a recipe I make frequently in my house! My friend had a baby and this is what I took them to eat, its so good and super easy and really I just throw everything into the pan and let it simmer. I omit a few things from this recipe: I use the frozen bag of peppers, for the base you can change it up for example instead of diced tomatoes before I have threw in a jar of salsa! Have fun with it, if you are worried about it being kid friendly don’t add the hot sauce & give it as a side so people can add to their own liking!  Prep your chicken meal

            http://www.sweetsugarbean.com/2011/02/cooking-for-my-mama-sausage-and-shrimp.html?m=1

 Tuesday – Chicken Legs and Veggies  

Honestly I found 4 Chicken legs with part of the thigh meat on sale for 1.99, seriously how cheap I wish I would have bought more! I prepped this the night before in the crock. I put the legs in the crock, cut up some potatoes, carrots & celery. Added some seasoning & sherry wine. In the AM put it on low and dinner is ready when you get home. It was so tender and delish!

Wednesday – Cheesy Hamburger Soup

This is a new recipe I found, it is seriously the best thing ever! We love it!!

http://damndelicious.net/2014/03/03/cheeseburger-soup/

 Thursday – Salisbury Steak & Steamer Bag

This is super easy and delish, it reminds me of something my grandmother would make!  

http://tryrecipe.net/showthread.php?tid=764

Friday – TAKE OUT

 

Saturday – Chili, Cinnamon Rolls, & Carrots/Celery.

I just follow the recipe on the back of the chili packet of mix. Usually just the can of tomato sauce, can of diced tomatoes (I also like to throw in stewed tomatoes for a chunky consistency.) & if your family doesn’t like kidney beans, try black beans instead!!

What's in your Freezer ?

How is everyone? I can’t believe we are already in the month of November.  I haven’t been writing as I have been using up food in my freezers. Most years we share a beef with some co-workers. And this year we’ve been debating about buying another beef since the price is so high. Well its so nice to have that supply in the freezer so we have decided to go in on a ¼ beef with some co-workers. Therefore I’ve been wanting to eat up some of the roasts we have leftover before we get a new supply. Its not a bad idea if you like to have some on hand. If you need some names of local butchers let me know. The menus below are some of the menu dishes I used this last week. Same goes with corn and veggies in the summer months, if you stock up you’ll have a generous supply. We always put up sweet corn, one year I had 50 bags of freezer sweet corn.  It lasted us a whole year. My family doesn’t know the term canned corn. Its all fresh Papa Joe NE grown sweet corn.  Another tip to think of; to double up on simple recipe items. So for example if you are getting items for spaghetti get a couple extra noodles and sauce so you have it on hand. Then those blistery cold nights you get off work and just want to pick up your kids and veg out on the couch, you have something in your cabinets to make quick. Think ahead and it saves you time and money! Again remember I haven’t been writing because I have been eating up food in my cabinets which also means lowered grocery expenses too! One week I was just going to the store to get milk, bread, fruit and a few snacks, maybe only a $20 trip!! YAY!

Weekly Dinner Plans

Sunday – Brisket & Mashed Potatoes

Monday – Beef Vegetable Soup

Tuesday – Italian Sausage Spaghetti & salad  

Wednesday –   Enchiladas & Corn

Thursday – Meatloaf & Green Beans

Friday – Favorite Take Out

Saturday – Oven Ribs and Dill potatoes  

Grocery List

·         Brisket Roast

·         Italian ground sausage

·         2-3 lbs Ground Beef

·         Bag of Potatoes

·         Lettuce

·         Bag of baby carrots

·         Celery

·         Onion

·         Garlic Clove

·         Pillsbury Pizza Crust mix

·         Moz shredded cheese

·          Beef Bouillon cubes

·         2 Cans of Green Beans

·         Spaghetti Sauce

·         Angel hair noodles

·         Enchilada Sauce

·         Soft Tortilla shells

·         Cheddar Cheese

RECIPES

Saturday – Oven Ribs& Potatoes     

While home Saturday ready to watch some football. Throw some ribs to slow cook in the oven! Dice some potatoes and throw in the microwave for about 12 mins. Then butter and throw salt/pepper and dill. So easy and delish! If you have any leftover meat. Shred it off the bone and you can freeze for another meal, I’m doubtful there will be any left but if you do it would make a nice bbq pizza night.

http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-oven-baked-ribs-516009

Remember to take the Brisket out of the freezer for tomorrow crockpot meal.   

 

Sunday – Brisket and Mashed Potatoes

For lunch if you do have the left over rib meat from Saturday night, make a quick BBQ Pizza! Then prep your meal for Brisket for dinner since you have already defrosted the roast overnight, put your fixings on the meat and in the crock and slow cook it all day. Low for 6-8 hrs! You can throw the potatoes in the crock pot to cook, or I like to prep beforehand. Peel and dice and microwave for about 12 minutes then mash them up with your favorite fixings.

            http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-slow-cooker-brisket-and-onions-recipes-from-the-kitchn-45437

Monday – Beef Soup

Take the left over beef and shred the meat. Prep the veggies: cut the carrots, celery, and potatoes. Start your beef stock and throw everything in. This recipe I omitted a few things to make it to our liking. I also like to put some red wine in! Freeze the remaining leftover soup for a day when family is fighting colds and you don’t have energy to cook!

            http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/old-fashioned-beef-vegetable-soup/50dfa431-31dc-42d9-abdc-45794e5999b4

 Tuesday – Italian Spaghetti  

This is so easy, just brown your Italian ground sausage, drain. Add your water pan for the noddles. In the pan with some of the grease still in there sauté some onion and garlic. If you do not have a garlic press, add it to your xmas list it’s the most amazing kitchen tool out there! Love it! After you get those nice and golden throw in your meat and sauce. Finish up your noodles. Then toss a quick salad with the fixings you like.

Wednesday – Enchiladas & Corn

            Ground Beef

            Tortillas

            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! Heat your corn in the microwave. (Remember in the summer if you put up sweet corn you will have plenty to last through the winter! We do not eat canned corn in this house.)

 Thursday – Meatlof & Green Beans

Follow this recipe you should have everything. I use quick oats instead of breadcrumbs as well. Heat the green beans in the microwave!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-meatloaf/  

Friday – TAKE OUT

 

Fall -

 

Hi Everyone! It’s been awhile, you know how it goes life gets busy I’m not going to beat around the bush with apologies. I’ve been changing poopy diapers, potty training my toddler, (attempting, any tips would be great!) celebrating Birthdays, Husker Ftball, and just loving this weather, it makes me cringe thinking of winter! But the exciting thing is; with the Jack Frost blistery cold will come a whole new menu palette. So let’s get excited! Chili, Cinnamon rolls, Stew to brew, Cookies to bake, and oh yes the holidays! OMG I love the Holidays! Get your grocery shoes on and be rebellious and park in the New Mothers Expecting lot because you deserve it! Even though I’ve been MIA I have been thinking about evening table and all of you! I hope you are all doing well and keeping food plentiful on the table without stress. That is my whole intention of writing the blog, it keeps me accountable for my own family and I can only think it helps another mom out who is going through the same thing! Poopy diapers, poopy diapers, poopy diapers! Now are you hungry! Well here you go friends!

 

Weekly Dinner Plans

Sunday – Chicken Noodle Soup & Muffins

Monday – Chicken Enchilada’s & Side Salad

Tuesday – Country Fried Steak & Potato’s

Wednesday –   Tomato Tortellini & Grilled Cheese

Thursday – Cavatini with Corn

Friday – Favorite Take Out

Saturday – Steak & Sweet Potato’s

Grocery List

·         Rotisserie Chicken or Chicken Breasts

·         Ground Beef

·         Cube Steak

·          Bullion Cubes

·         Frozen bag of chopped carrots

·         Celery

·         Onion

·         Garlic Clove

·          Spaghetti Sauce

·         Pepperoni

·         Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

·         Shredded Motery Jack Cheese

·         Colby Jack Cheese slices

·         Sour Cream

·         Whipping cream

·         Box of Betty Crocker Muffin Mix

·         Soft Tortilla shells

·         Can of Diced green chilies

·         Frozen Cheese Tortellini

·         Large Can of Tomato soup

·         Can of Diced Tomato’s

 

RECIPES

Sunday – chicken Noodle Soup & Muffins

Throw everything in the pot and let it brew on the stove top! I love to bake some muffins to go with, in which I usually cheat and buy the Betty Crocker box brand, Cinnamon Streusel is really good! Get the kids up helping prep it’s a fun activity!

            http://www.chow.com/recipes/30332-easy-chicken-noodle-soup-leftover-roasted-chicken

 

Monday – Chicken Enchilada’s & Side Salad

Use some of the left over shredded chicken for the enchilada’s, follow recipe below, so delicious and easy. Toss up an easy side salad while its baking in the oven!  

            http://joyfulmommaskitchen.com/white-chicken-enchiladas/

 

 Tuesday – Country Fried Steak and Potatos

This is so easy, all you really need is onion and the cube steak everything else you should have in your cabinets. Skin your potatoes and dice them up, I just throw them in the microwave for 14 minutes or so, mash them up and supper is ready!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/bubbas-country-fried-steak-and-gravy-recipe.html

 

Wednesday – Tomato Tortellini & Grilled Cheese

                16 oz of Chicken Broth (use the bullion cubes and water)

            1 big can of diced tomatoes

            1 big can of tomato soup

            Basil, whipping cream,

Bring all the first 3 ingredients to a boil. Add pasta until it floats, then add the whipping cream to your liking. Prep your grilled cheese while you wait and start to brown.  

 

 Thursday – Cavatini & Corn

                Spaghetti Sauce

                Cavatini noodles

                Ground Beef

                Pepperoni

                Onion/Garlic

                Moz Cheese

                Corn

Brown your meat. Boil noodles. Preheat oven 350. Once meat is done, saute onion and garlic. Add the sauce to the meat, onion, and garlic mix it up. Once the noodles are done. Throw everything into a casserole dish. Top with Moz cheese and put in oven for 30 mins or so. Microwave the corn and you are all set.

Friday – TAKE OUT

 

Saturday – Steak and Sweet Potato’s    

Grill Steaks and Potato’s