Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Meal plans for 1/30-2/5

12:32 PM

I bet you were wondering if I had made a meal plan or simply given up. I actually DID do a meal plan for this week, and so far we have stuck to it, but I didn't post it because it needs to be changed a little bit. 

The Superbowl is a huge deal for our family, and it is especially a huge deal with one of the favorite teams is playing. Those of you that know our family know that my middle son is oft referred to as #TomBradysBiggestFan. Seriously, he has been a Patriots/Tom Brady fan since he was like 3. And I mean he's a hard core fan. Like, we live in Washington State where people are fanatically huge fans of the Seahawks. like almost all the people. In fact, during football season schools, companies, even hospitals have employees/students wear their Seahawks gear each Friday. They call it Blue Friday (It's seriously a big thing. Read about it here.) Well, on Blue Fridays, my kid bravely and stubbornly wears his Patriots jersey to school. Every.Week. Relentlessly! 

So, Superbowl is a big deal. BUT when I was planning this weeks meals, I forgot that Sunday is the Superbowl. We do that say differently as far as food goes, so I need to change the plan for Sunday. I will write a whole post about that in a few minutes. For now, I will post my original plan, but keep in mind that Sunday will change! 

Above is a picture of my plan for the week. (With my notes and all) And for those that cannot see or read the picture, here it is:

Monday 1/30: Turkey Noodle Soup 
Tuesday 1/31: Leftovers! 
Wednesday 2/1: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese with Salad and Brussell Sprouts
Thursday 2/2: Crock Pot Chili with rolls
Friday 2/3: Chicken Pillows W/Broccoli and Salad
Saturday 2/4: Baked Potato Bar 
Sunday 2/5: Roast, Orzo, veggies, salad (will change to SUPERBOWL food!)

So a few notes and recipes:

Monday 1/30: Turkey Noodle Soup
  • I pretty much always do turkey noodle soup the day after turkey.
  • I feel like my Turkey Noodle soup has really, really bumped up a level since my mother-in-law introduced me to these amazing noodles (which you can find in your local freezer section). Reames Frozen Noodles: 
Tuesday 1/31: Leftovers
  • Guys, when you actually cook every night, the leftovers can build up fast, so it's a great idea to have a leftover night at least once a week or so. That's tonight's plan!
  • Admittedly, some of my kids will not eat the stuff we have leftover, so we may end up supplementing with PB&J sandwiches or noodles and butter. We will see how it goes.
  • The best thing I did during med school/residency when I was trying to meal plan like a boss, was to plan leftover days, then CLEAN OUT ALL the leftovers after that meal. Pull out all the leftovers from the week, let everyone pick and choose what they want, then when everyone has eaten, get rid of the old food, clean out that fridge! Make room for next week's leftovers. :)
Wednesday 2/1: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese with Salad and Brussell Sprouts
  • I might change the Brussell Sprouts to a different kind of veggie because we have eaten them a lot lately.
  • This is a favorite meal for Wes and the kids, but it is not low cal, so that's why I make sure that we have salad and veggies with the grilled cheese and tomato soup.
  • Also, since I cannot eat cheese or greasy foods, I will stick to the veggies and Salad for this dinner. BUT just because I cannot have it, doesn't mean the kids and Wes should miss out on a favorite meal!
Thursday 2/2: Crock Pot Chili with rolls
  • This might be my favorite go-to meal in the winter especially. It is SO easy and so good! 
  • EASY is the goal for Thursdays because it is so crazy with kids activities! The crock pot is my friend on Thursdays-lets hope this week I remember to start the food in the morning. LOL
Friday 2/3: Chicken Pillows W/Broccoli and Salad
  • This meal is a little bit of a thing to put it together, so I don't love to make it often, but it is THE favorite of several of my kids. They have requested this meal for weeks and weeks, so I finally put it on the meal plan-on a night when we have nothing else going on except date night for me and Wes!
  • Before I share the recipe, let me note that when I make chicken pillows, the morning of, I take our my small crock pot and put in 2 or 3 breasts of chicken and cook them in the crock pot all day-then I shred the chicken instead of dicing it. Just a little change that makes it easier for me and I like it this way! :) 
  • The picture below is the Chicken Pillows recipe I use (thanks Mom!) 
Here's the typed out version of the recipe:

Chicken Pillows

2 Cups diced, cooked Chicken (or shredded)
8 oz Cream Cheese, Softened (sometimes I use more if I want it creamier)
1-2 onions, chopped
2-4 stalks celery, chopped
8 oz fresh mushrooms, cut
2 (or more-I usually use like 4) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
Melted butter
Seasoned bread crumbs

Gravy: Make a white sauce (1/4 C flour, 1/2 square butter, salt, pepper, and 2 C milk, one bullion cube for flavor) OR open can or 2 of cream of anything soup, OR Mix the white sauce with a can of cream of anything soup (this is what I do)

For the Pillows:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Saute onion, celery and mushrooms in olive oil or butter. Add to a bowl where you have already mixed the cream cheese and the chicken. Mix the veggie in. Drop by spoonfuls on to the center of a crescent roll, Close up the roll and pinch the edges closed. Roll in melted butter, then roll in the seasoned bread crumbs. Put on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Serve with gravy.

Saturday 2/4: Baked Potato Bar 
  • Dare I admit that this is basically another meal designed to use up leftovers? I put this meal after chili, broccoli, and the chicken pillow gravy intentionally so we can use all those items as possible toppings for the potatoes! 
  • Besides the leftover toppings, I will have available, butter, sour cream, ranch dressing, bacon, and various other options. 
Sunday 2/5: Roast, Orzo, veggies, salad (will change to SUPERBOWL food!)
  • Roast, Orzo, veggies and salad is the traditional Sunday meal for my family. It is awesome! But alas, this Sunday it will change!
  • More on the Superbowl foods in another post
  • Go Pats!
And there you have it! Meal Plans for this week!!!

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