Veggie (if you want it to be) Meal Plan 9.29.14

Plant based meals are still whats on my mind when I cook, but during pregnancy I am not meat free and definitely not dairy free. Milk is just about the only thing to help with the acid reflux that I experience and it has to be cow's milk. Don't know why.

Judge if you'd like, but I feel better sticking with a traditional diet during pregnancy and I am pretty much a slave to cravings. It usually deters me from eating meat, which is funny, but if I crave fried chicken, it's all I can stomach.

That being said, I try to make sure most of my meal plan options easily become Meatless  which is absolutely possible with the Pasta Bake and Quiche below.  I know, eggs and cheese in quiche are pretty hard to change up.  Here's a  vegan quiche option  :)

Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Bake from Diethood.com

Sweet Potato and Rice Casserole from Better Homes and Gardens

I make a basic Cheddar, Bacon Broccoli Quiche that is very similar to this one from Fifteen Spatulas.  It's easy and tastes just as good without bacon or with your choice of bacon substitute. If you want a Vegan Quiche Recipe, try this!

I also plan on trying out a pumpkin recipe this weekend.  I think it will be these Mini Pumpkin Pies because it is my most favorite kind of pie and am thrilled that it's finally time to eat it again! 

     

Veggie Meal Plan for Week of September 22nd, 2014 and a Review!

I haven't done a meal plan in a few weeks.

Getting back into the swing of the school year + kids being sick + activities and whatnot have had me a little busy.

Meals have been pretty thrown together lately.

I am attempting to get back into our usual schedule.

I hope you like the recipes that I chose for this coming week :)

Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Crispy Tofu from Minimalist Baker  

I adore spring rolls!  They are light and delicious and I feel like I can eat 20 of them (but I probably shouldn't...)  I also shy away from eating a ton of tofu (it depends on the kind of tofu for me and my husband really does not like tofu...), but crispy tofu sounds pretty yummy right now!

Baked Spaghetti Squash with Tomato, Basil and Parmesan form Love and Olive Oil

CrockPot Loaded Baked Potato Soup from the Mostly Homemade Mom

One saving grace from this past week was an offer from a local business to make us dinner one night.  So much food came from this one meal that the kids all ate, the husband and I had two servings each and then we adults each had 2 days of leftover lunches!

It was all SUPER yummy!  Even better?  They ingredients are local, seasonal and light.  No fried greasiness or loaded preservatives.  It's better than when I cook fresh!

More about Chefanti:

Chefanti meals are freshly prepared and available for pick-up or delivery every Monday through Friday. Meals must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance, and may be ordered as far as 2 weeks in advance. Our menu changes every 2 weeks, so be sure to check back frequently for interesting and healthy choices the whole family will enjoy!

Meals are served family-style and packaged in oven, microwave, and freezer safe containers for you to easily heat up or save for later. To place an order, check our online menu, then login to your account. Select the item(s) you want to order and the day you want the meal(s) delivered or available for pick-up at our West Chester location. Your pre-ordered meal will be available for pick up after 4pm on the day you choose, and deliveries will be made between 2-7pm on the day you have scheduled.

We Chose the BBQ Chicken, Mixed Veggie and Mashed Potatoes for the adults and Crispy Chicken with Broccoli and Mashed Potatoes for the kids.  It was a hit with all of us!  My husband and Mother in Law had lots to say about the quality and tastiness and the kids ate - that should say it all ;)

If you are in the area, please take a look at the Chefanti website.  Awesome stuff, awesome service - extremely pleased!

     

Back to School: Packing Lunches

School starts here on Tuesday and I am dreading packing lunches again.

I have a hard enough time making actual food for myself and dinner for everyone.

I wrote a post that is like my cheat sheet when I feel defeated.  Just a list of what my kids will eat and what I should have on hand each week.

Having it in writing always makes me feel less overwhelmed.  My list only includes one sandwich option for when my daughter is in the mood, so I strive for more creative choices.  There are also some make-ahead and breakfast in a pinch ideas!

You can find it over on Local Girl :)

Veggie Meal Plan Week of 8/11/14

Happy Friday, Friends!  So glad the week has come to an end.  That doesn't mean that the weekends are easy, breezy.  It just means that I would much rather be home with the kiddos, crazy busy than in an office not getting anything done around the house or spending time with  kiddos these last few weeks before school starts again.  One day...

We are trying to squeeze out the last of the summer produce and get in lots of veggies.  The kids love love love summer fruits and veggies and it's so hard in the winter when you can still get them, but they just aren't very good.  Such a bummer.

Our Veggie Meal Plan:

Grilled Ratatouille Pasta

Easy Tomato Risotto with a sides of chicken and chopped veggies.

PLT Sandwhiches Ohh how I love Portobello sandwiches!  We'll probably do a side salad and chips of some sort with these.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

     

If you are interested in more menu planning inspiration, check out Orgjunkie.com

Veggie Meal Plan 7/25/14

Going through Pinterest this last week I have noticed an increasing amount of fall/winter pins and I think that there may actually be people out there that are as done with summer as I am.  But to be fair, I am rarely into summer.  I like the beach for a couple of days and that is it.  I hate the heat and humidity and I spend the fall and winter reveling in the glory, almost mourning the fact that it will be spring and summer again.  And then it is and I feel like this… counting the days until cooler weather, boots, scarfs, fires in the fire place, pumpkins and cinnamon, snuggling under the blankets with hot chocolate.  I. Can’t. Wait.
My desire for the cooler months may have may have influenced my menu choices this week 


Veggie-Packed Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Veggie Burrito Bowls

Vegetable Tamale Pies

Creamy Corn Casserole

Please enjoy these recipe with the AC cranked or on your back porch on an unseasonably cool Summer night.

Looking for more menu inspiration?  Check out OrgJunkie’s weekly round up on Menu Plan Monday!

     

Veggie Meal Plan: Breakfast Smoothies!

It's hot and sticky out and there is no better time to start a smoothie or shake routine!

I have been talking about doing shakes and smoothies in the morning for a long time, but this weekend I finally had time to get the blender out, find it a home on the counter and GET STARTED!

I have been using whatever we have in the house because I have a stockpile of frozen fruit that I saved as it was going bad.  But after just one week of this, I have blown through most of it already.  It's time to plan my breakfasts so that I can have the necessary produce and ingredients on hand.

P.S.  Smoothies are also a hit with my kiddos.  Even the baby (not such a baby anymore) likes some yummy fruit blends to go with his breakfast :)  I am making super huge batches and still running short when it comes to filling my glass, because, you know, mom always gets what's left.  It's easier than hearing everyone else complain ;)  If I plan better, maybe I will get a whole smoothie.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie by The Two Bite Club

Bananas are the cornerstone of my smoothies.  It's just not the same without it.

Oatmeal Smoothie by Martha Stewart

I will probably add a banana...

54 Healthier Smoothies List created by various writers and collected by Great List

I was going to pick out a few of these that sounded good to recommend to you, but I think just pointing you over to their websites is the best and easiest way for you to see the variety that they have listed.  I am Particularly excited by the Black and Blue, Coconut Kale and Pina Colada.  There is also a whole bunch of dairy free, which is awesome!  The Sunrise is right up my ally :)

Also, I am always down for a simple Strawberry Banana Smoothie, heavy on the ice.  But other people like a variety...  and I am now putting It Works! Greens in with my smoothies.  It has been approved by my OB (no surprise, it's all natural!) for me and baby so in it goes!  

I had stopped all supplements until I could speak with my doctor and my morning sickness went from 0 - 60 in about two days.   I am so happy he thinks that it sounds like a great addition to my diet and I have already noticed that the nausea is much more manageable.  Hallelujah!

Greens are great in addition to or in lieu of spinach and kale in your drink.  I like to do both.  Can't hurt, right? 

Happy smoothie making everyone!

     

If you are looking for more recipes and meal planning ideas, visit OrgJunkie.com and MeasuringFlower.com