Measure Of My Menu

Menu Monday

2009-08-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

Must get organized!

Nothing fancy this week, just my menu. Today we had our son and his family over for lunch and we grilled hamburgers, I took this opportunity to grill my chicken and squash for Monday. It was a good day.

Monday: Grilled Chicken w/ grilled squash
Tuesday: Tostados

Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff
Thursday: Talipa and Potatoes
Friday: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Ok, I can do this!

2009-06-08T06:53:00.000-07:00

I have got to get a little more organized. My menu planning has thrown me for a loop lately. I know how much easier it makes my life when I do this but I get sidetracted quicker than a blink of an eye. Trying to sort my Weight Watchers menu and my family's menu is sometimes tricky. For the most part, I try to keep it the same, but my DH just doesn't like some of my healthy choices. This is my menu for this week:

Monday: Chicken Fried Rice and Shrimp egg rolls.

Tuesday: Baked Potato and Salad

Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff and Salad

Thursday: Tacos and Chips & Salsa

Friday: Fish Fry Take my own veggies and desert!

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

Six Weeks later, still going strong!

2009-05-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

My own little Birthday Cake!!!

I started Weight Watchers Six weeks ago, and I guess I have been letting my menu go for the last 4 weeks. I have been planning them but between this blog and that one I really haven't had time to keep up. This was my first blog that I really loved so I just can't give it up, if you want to follow my weight loss click here . I do want to eventually post some of my WW recipes, so since today is my Birthday I will post what I made today.

Birthday Cake!!!

One Weight Watchers Chocolate Muffin

2 T. Marshmallow Cream

2T. Almond Milk

2 T. FF Cool Whip

decorations for cookies or cakes.The icing was very, very good! Yummy....

My Menu for the week:

Monday: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches W/ Salad

Tuesday: Chicken Fried Rice with Won Ton Soup

Wednesday: Tostados and Guacamole

Thursday: Roast w/ Potatoes, and Carrots.

Friday: Leftovers from any of the above meals, and hopefully off the see family the next morning.

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

You can eat normal food and still lose weight.

2009-04-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

This is the 3rd week of my starting Weight Watchers, I don't go to the meetings, but I started blogging about my weight loss to keep me accountable and it is working. The thing that is important to me anyway, is to plan ahead, to stay accountable, and to be honest with yourself. I write mostly to me. It all started here, I started to blog my menu, and when it came time to change my eating habits, it has been so much easier because of my new menu posting habits. This is my menu for this week, all very healty even those those Chilli Fries, don't look healty they are.

Monday: Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup 5 points

Tuesday: Chilli Fries w/ Cheese, Salad... Yes it is WW 8 Points

Wednesday: Chicken Enchiladas 6 Points

Thursday: Tostados With beans and beef 8 points

Friday: Cabbage Rolls w/Rice and Broccli 8 points

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

Life Made Simple!

2009-04-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Menu Planning has really changed my life. I was worried I would not be able to be on Weight Watchers and plan a menu the way I used to (borrowing from all of my bloggy friends). I was sure I could never look at all the good recipes without wanting to just toss my meal plans out with the dishwater, but as a matter of fact it has been fun looking at different foods and changing this and that to make it more Weight Watcher friendly. Everything I put on my table now I can have, with just a substitution here and there. Here is my menu for this week:

Monday: Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Tuesday: Beef Stroganoff and Egg Noodles W/ Salad

Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken W/ Beans and Rice ***Cinnamon Chips and Ice Cream

Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas with Mexican Rice

Friday: Grilled Hamburgers and Oven Baked French Fries.

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

First Week of Healthy Eating

2009-04-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

Yummy, Chicken and Dumplings! I am very excited this week to get back on track and start my Weight Watchers menu's again. The last four months have been very difficult, and I am so ready to get my eating habits and exercise under control again. I am finally ready to do it. This is my menu for this week and, yes it is all on the Weight Watchers plan

Sunday: Chicken and Dumplings

Monday: Pot Roast, with Potatoes and Carrots

Tuesday: Grilled Pork Chops

Wednesday: White Chicken Lazagna (didn't make it to the table last week)

Thursday: Tostadoes

Friday: Hamburgers on the grill w/ Grilled Vegetables.

Saturday we will eat out

Chicken and Dumplings recipe:

Ingredients:
2 celery ribs, chopped
8 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
12 ounces cubed cooked chicken
1-2/3 cups reduced-fat biscuit/baking mix
2/3 cup fat-free milk

Directions: In a large Dutch Oven add celery. Stir in the broth, salt and pepper, bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered. Add the chicken. For dumplings, combine biscuit mix and milk. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto simmering broth. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a dumpling comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering). Yield: 6 servings

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

Help, I need somebody's, Help, not just anybody's, Help,you know I need somebody's Help..

2009-03-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

OK, I have said it, if you are reading this blog, I really need your help. I love doing my food blog, and I spend a lot of time seeking out recipes, checking out blogs, and planning my menu. The problem is I see all these good recipes, and it makes it very hard for me to want to make food that is healthy, and within my Weight Watchers guidelines. If you have any tips, that might help me please leave them in the comments. I have to find a balance, I want to be able to make a cake and eat it too. They say your diet starts in your head, I just don't seem to be able to to find the starting line. Grrrr.

So here is my menu for this week

Monday: Meat Loaf and Mashed potatoes and salad

Tuesday: Pork fried rice and Egg rolls

Wednesday: White Chicken Lazagna

Thursday: Shepards Pie w/Salad

Friday: Grilled Tilapia with Stir Fry Veggies and Sweet Potatoes

Most of theese dishes are Weight Watchers recipes, I will let you know next week if they pass the test.

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

Working woman's Spaghetti

2009-03-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

I use one pound of pre-cooked ground beef, Spaghetti sauce, chilli pepper, sugar and fresh garlic.
Saute the garlic with one tablespoon EVOO

Add Pasta sauce, chilli powder, and sugar. Simmer

Boil pasta and add to meat sauce.

Yum!

One of these days things will be normal, no, I don't think that will ever happen. Things are always changing, there is always something new, sometimes I just want to linger in the sameness, but that never happens for me. This week I have a new student living withme that speaks even less english, than all of my past students. I can't imagine what itis like for her to see everything as different. For that reason I can say I am happy for the sameness of my home, friends, my bed and even my predictable dog. He always wants a hug, he always wants in the car, and he always wants to lick me.This week every thing on my menu will be new and different to Akane even though it is the same old same old to us.

Monday: Spaghetti and Salad w/ French Bread

Tuesday: Tilapia with Rice and Red Beans.

Wednesday: Hamburgers and French Fries

Thursday: Grilled Pork Chops and Sweet Potatoes

Friday: Clam Chowder

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

2009-03-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

No, it does not take an army....But you may want to call a few of your closest friends over.

2009-03-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

I get my energy in bursts, so when I decided to cook for a month in one day, I had one of those bursts of energy. Notice I said had. Well by the time I got home from the airport and shopping for all my meat, I had lost all that energy, but I had a ton of meat with no where to go, so I began my first cook for a month in one day. Sadly I did not have enough energy to complete the month but I did make enough for three weeks. Yahoo! I do think it would be much easier to do this with a few friends in a very large kitchen. I managed to make or at least do the major preparations for 21 healthy meals.

My menu for this week:

Monday: Chicken Salad with grapes and walnuts

Tuesday: Mini Porucupine Meat Loafs, Rice and Green Beans

Wednesday: Chicken Enchiladas with black beans

Thursday: Grilled Pork Chops with Roasted vegetables

Friday: Rump Roast with Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Baby Carrots

Saturday: Fun day we will probably eat out!

This week Menu Plan Monday is being hosted over at $5 Dinners, be sure to check out what everyone else is having this week.

2009-02-23T06:10:00.000-08:00

I usually don't post Sunday's menu, but I made the best Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Red Peppers so I will include it in my menu this week.

Sunday: Roasted Pork Loin with Roasted Red Peppers, Mashed Potatoes, and Salad. Our dessert is posted below. It was Yummy!

Monday: Sloppy Joes, my husbands favorite, and my least favorite thing in the world. Oh well.

Tuesday: Chicken Grilled with onions and garlic. Roasted vegetables

Wednesday: Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Salad

Thursday: Talipa and Rice with Sweet Potato

Friday: Eating out....To much cooking is not good for you...

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

Yummy Chocolate dessert!

2009-02-22T12:36:00.000-08:00

Last night I was watching Paula Dean and I got this idea from her show Paula's Party. I changed it up to make it easier on the waistline, but it was very, very good!

First you mix a chocolate cake mix with 1 can of pumpkin and 3/4 cup water.

Bake in at 350 degrees for 20 minutes in a large sheet cake pan.

I used a round cookie cutter to make round cakes for my rammekin.

Mix your puddding up and set in the refridgerator( cover with plastic wrap).

When you are ready for desert just put the cake in the bottom of the rammekin, put 1/2 cup of pudding on top and add whipped cream. I put shaved chocolate on top. Yum, so easy and there were about 6 cakes left for another day.

2009-02-16T06:24:00.000-08:00

Mom's Goulash was always a hit!

When I was growing up my mom used to make Goulash all the time. My sister said she made it for as long as she can remember. I remember my friends would always come over if they knew she was making it. I was looking up different recipes for goulash, and the only one that resembled my mom's was Rachel Ray's Macaroni and Tomato Goulash. Mom said the more friends we invited the more macaroni she would add to the Goulash. It was also very inexpensive to make, but we never worried about such things as kids, it was just so tasty.

Monday: Home made Pizza and Salad

Tuesday: Goulash and Salad w/bread

Wednesday: Chicken and Rice Casserole

Thursday: Pork Loin with Potatoes and Corn

Friday: Grilled Chicken Breast w/ Baked Potato and vegetables

This is my mom's recipe for Goulash:

1lb ground beef
1/2 chopped onion
1 crushed garlic
garlic salt to taste
salt and pepper to taste
bell peppers were alway optional (if there were any on hand)
1 lb elbow macaroni
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
Brown your beef and garlic and onion. Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Add tomatoes and simmer. Cook macaroni and add to meat mixture. It is really great.

Saturday: Who knows, I sure don't!

check out other menu plans at Menu Plan Monday

2009-02-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

My friend ask me the other day why in the world I spend so much time planning my menu, taking pictures of food and posting it on my blog. Well, I guess the main reason is because it is helpful. I am not as organized as I would like to be, so it helps me to plan ahead. Sometimes when Monday comes, I may not be in the mood for Fried Chicken, maybe a simple grilled chicken sandwich sounds better. No problem, I have the chicken, I have the bread, all I have to do is shift gears a little and not rack my brain for an hour trying to think of something to fix for dinner. Why do I post it? Because it helped me to look at menu's, I get great ideas and wonderful recipes. Taking pictures of my food is a result of my JiYeon, she took pictures of everything we ate, and it was just fun. She is gone back to South Korea now but ever time I take a picture of our meal I think of her and smile.

This is my menu for the week

Monday: Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles

Tuesday: Fried Chicken and Mashed Potatoes I will Grill mine (maybe).

Wednesday: Tostados with Chips and Salsa

Thrusday: Chicken Marsala with Pasta

Friday: Shrimp Fried Rice, Chow Mein and Spring Rolls

Satruday: No plans we will just fly by the seat of ur pants.

Please no more ice!

2009-02-02T06:52:00.000-08:00

I am ever so greatful that I planned ahead last week, because even though my menu had to be adjusted because of the frozen weather, the lack of electricity and the fact that every store within 50 miles was closed due to the power outage, we managed to eat some of the meals I had planned. I was so thankful for the leftover roast, I just added a little bit of water and put the pan over the flames on our gas fireplace and we had a wonderful dinner.

I will attempt again this week to plan ahead.

Monday: Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Tuesday: Light King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Wednesday: Pork Fried rice and egg rolls

Thursday: Chicken and rice casserole

Friday: Steak and baked potato and salad

Saturday: Eating out!

A Brand new Start!

2009-01-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

I am going to pretend like the last 30 days never happened and we are starting fresh. Second thought, now that we have this second chance maybe we should make the most of it.

My menu for this week may look a little unhealthy but I promise it isn't (except for the Chicken Pot Pie). Everything else is made ala Weight Watchers.

Monday: Roast with Potatoes and carrots

Tuesday: Pork Rice and Spring Roll

Wednesday: Tostados

Thursday: Joshua's Homemade Soup ( Fresh from the freezer)

Friday: We will either have leftovers or eat out.

Saturday : Play day!!!!

Chickn Pot Pie recipe

2009-01-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

Easy Chicken Pot Pie
1 can drained mixed vegetables

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

8 ounces cooked and cubed chicken

1 large pre-made pie crust

Mix the first 3 ingredients

Use your bowl to cut out six round

pie crusts to fit the Ramekin.

I pre-bake the bottom crust for 10 minutes

Then add the other ingredients

Make the top crust pretty by just cutting

the crust and putting it together.

Lets try again!

2009-01-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

Monday: that day is a blur..........
Tuesday: Roast with New Potatoes , Sweet baby peas and rolls
Wednesday: Pizza (will I ever get it together)
Thursday: Mini Meat loafs....Mashed Potatoes...Green beans
Friday: Chicken Pot Pie...( I have been trying to make this for weeks)
Saturday: My husband comes home after 3 weeks in the hospital, so I will fix anything he wants...

Cooking for two!

2009-01-12T06:24:00.000-08:00

With my hubby still in the hospital and my new language student from Japan I will try to menu plan for just two this week.

Monday: Steak Stir-fry with rice and sweet peas.

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie and salad

Wednesday: Mexican Casserole

Thursday: Denver Omelet, Biscuits, and coffee.

Friday: Leftovers (there are sure to be many)

Saturday: We will go to Noodles, for Italian food.

If you want to join in or view other's menus, take a look at I'm An Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Menu for the week...Take out or eat out!

2009-01-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the kindness of my husband's Administrative Assistant, I had a wonderful home cooked meal. I am hoping to get back to cooking next week, but until my hubby gets out of Physical Therapy rehab, the menu will have to wait....I miss the good old days.

2008-12-21T20:33:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a short week for us. We will travel on Christmas Eve, so my only two home meals will be Monday and Tuesday. I feel full all the time because of all the snacking, so my meals will be quick and easy.

Monday: Hamburgers Steak with potatoes and Salad

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday: ( Christmas Eve... Soups, Crackers, dips and other goodies)

Thursday: Ham, and all the trimings.

Friday: Shoping and eating on the run

Saturday: Traveling

2008-12-21T10:20:00.000-08:00

This recipe comes from a special friend of mine. I knew we had alot in common but it looks like we have more in common than I thought. We like cookies! Here is her recipe as it was given to me.

Only 4 ingredients.

Whoo hoo!!!

1-8 oz. pkg. of cream cheese. I always buy the cheap brand.

1 lb. of butter

2 cups of granulated sugar

4 cups of flour

Cream the cheese and butter thoroughly. Make sure they are at room temperature or you'll break your arm trying to cream them together. Or use a heavy duty mixer. Add the sugar and blend well. Add the flour and mix like crazy. Throw the bowl in the freezer for half an hour or so. (This was not that hard to me) Spray the cookie sheets with Pam or something cheap. I always buy the cheap brand. Now here comes the part I hate. Roll them in little balls about the size of a walnut or even smaller.(I used my little cookie scoop from Pampered Chef it is easier)Set on cookie sheets, smash with a glass dipped in granulated sugar. Sprinkle with red and green sugar. Bake for about 10-12 minutes at 350° until set and light brown on the bottom. Make sure they are taken off the cookie sheet right away or they might stick. They freeze like a dream. Hide from the family and/or your DH until closer to Christmas. I usually label the container as date-filled bars since nobody likes dates in my house except me.
I also add 1 tsp. vanilla

The bolded parts are my contribution.

I have had many people tell me I should make these and sell them, but I would rather make them and eat them. Yum!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast and Fun Food Gift!

2008-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

This is a quick and easy food gift:
First you pop the popcorn and seperate the unpopped kernels
Then add 1 T. of creamy peanut butter to 1 pound Almond bark.
Microwave on low 1 minute at a time, until smoothI use a spoon to pour over the popcorn.
You will see pecans and M&M's in mine I add those last. (do not coat the M&M's) Pour over pecans seperatly, then with your hands mix the pop corn and the pecans and let pop corn and pecans dry.
I usually wait at least 30 minutes.
Next add M&M's and bag. You can put them in a bowl and let your family enjoy....be careful this stuff is addictive

Will cooking be the same...........I don't think so!

2008-12-14T20:46:00.000-08:00

This is my JiYeon

For seven months I have been blest to cook for JiYeon. This girl can eat and she liked almost all my offerings. JiYeon, is a student from South Korea, and she has been attending the college where I work. This will be her last week with us and I am so sad, it is hard for me to plan ahead this week but I will try. I am not sure if any of this will make it to the table, but I will make Spaghetti at some point for sure. So these are my plans.

Monday: Spaghetti and salad.

Tuesday: Pork fried rice and Chow mein

Wednesday: We will eat out!

Thursday: Chicken Marsla

Friday: JiYeon will be leaving today so I will not cook..........

Saturday: We are hosting a party, so we will be eating something good I hope. ..

If you want to join in or view other's menus, take a look at I'm An Organizing Junkie's

Menu Plan Monday

Guess who's being fabulous

2008-12-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

Fabulous K is giving away a blog makeover! Head on over there to enter! She's the most fabulous thing since sliced bread!

2008-11-30T19:52:00.000-08:00

Well one holiday down and 2 more to go. To much ham and turkey, to many deserts and rich foods. I am glad to have a simple menu this week. Only one party on Saturday this week, so whoohoo! I am hoping for a very low-key week. It is snowing outside so I am making comfort foods this week.

Monday: Individual Chicken Pot Pies. My 36th Anniversary, but I am really tired of eating out so I am having one of my favorite foods. Yea!

Tuesday: Salmon Patties and Mashed potatoes and salad

Wednesday: Pork Fried Rice, egg drop soup and Spring rolls

Thursday: Meatoloaf and Mashed potatoes and Green beans

Friday: Pasta Bolognese and French Bread

Saturday: Party.

If you want to join in or view other's menus, take a look at I'm An Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

2008-11-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

This week I only have to plan two meals, then it is eat...eat...eat, for 3 days. We will go to my family's for Thanksgiving day and everyone brings their best recipes. We have tried a couple of times to fix something different, but we always go back to the traditional Ham, Turkey and Dressing and Sweet Potatoes. I always bring the Dressing and desert. After Thanksgiving Day everyone is pretty much on there own as I am busy shopping and eating out. It's tradition and we don't mess with tradition in my family. So I will post my short menu everyone is on their own from Wednesday on..... Happy Thanksgiving, remember to thank the One who gives us life, and good food on this day. His name is Jesus!!!

Monday: Grilled Catfish, Scalloped poatoes, and salad

Tuesday: Chicken Breasts W/Krispy Bacon and Muenter Cheese Served over rice. Squash and corn medley.

Wednesday: On the road, most likely McDonalds or fast food...

Thursday: Turkey and Ham and all the trimmings.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, You're on your own Good luck!

If you want to join in or view other's menus, take a look at I'm An Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

2008-11-17T06:53:00.000-08:00

This week I should be completely finished decorating my house so I will make this week an easy week in the kitchen. I am getting in the mood for the Holiday's and entertaining. I love this time of year.

Monday: Leftovers, Prima Chicken Pasta Linguini Tossed with Chicken, Veggies and Asiago Cheese Sauce, Yum!
Tuesday: Tostados w/salsa and chips

Wednesday: Spaghetti with salad and garlic bread

Thursday: Grilled Catfish and potatoes

Friday: Hamburgers and French Fries

If you want to join in or view other's menus, take a look at I'm An Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Cookie baking time!

2008-11-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

Crispy Fudge Cookies

Ingredients:
One box Pillsbury "pudding in the mix" Fudge Chocolate cake mix
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup Rice Krispies
3/4 cup pecans
3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients together. Dough will be crumbly. Form into tight 1-inch balls, place on cookie sheet and flatten slightly. Bake in 350 oven for 12-14 minutes. They are so yummy!

This is a super easy recipe, JiYeon made her first batch of cookies ever. She is a natural. Now if she can find cake mixes in South Korea she will be baking these when she goes home.

2008-11-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

Well everything didn't make it to the table this week. My husband has been ill so when he started feeling better I made Steak on the Grill. So the pancakes got set aside for this week, and the Parmesian Tilapia with Rice and steamed veggies were a little to time consuming for a Friday night.

Monday: Beef Stroganoff and egg noodles

Tuesday: Pulled Pork sandwiches With sweet potato oven fries. Oops that didn't make it to the table either.

Wednesday:Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday: Clam Chowder

Friday: Sweet Potato Burritos!Honey, don't freak out, I will make a big pot of Brown Beans for you and a pan of crispy cornbread!

If you want to join in or view other's menus, take a look at I'm An Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Sweet Potato Oven Fries

2008-11-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

I love Sweet Potato Fries, but to me they are much better baked in the oven . Not often does a recipe really wow me. I'm talking about the kind of thing where you take a bite and know immediately this is something you'll be making again and again. That's just how I felt about these spicy sweet potato fries. I hope you enjoy them.

Ingredients1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into wedges 2 teaspoons canola oil 1/4 teaspoon salt Pinch of taco seasoning
Directions Preheat oven to 450°F. Boil sweet potato for about 10 minutes. Let cool, then cut in wedges or long strips. Toss sweet potato wedges with oil, salt and pepper. Spread the wedges out on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until browned and tender, turning once, about 20 minutes total.

2008-11-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

Menu #1

Not very creative but lets hope it makes it to my table!

Monday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Salad.

Tuesday: Potato soup

Wednesday: Pulled Pork sanwiches with Potato soup

Thursday: Breakfast- Bacon and Pancakes

Friday: Parmesian Tilapia with Rice and steamed vegies.

Saturday: Lets eat out!

If you want to join in or view other's menus, take a look at I'm An Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

First post on my Menu Blog!

2008-11-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to help myself become more organized and a better Menu Manager, I am creating a Menu Blog. I hope it measures up!