Meal Plan Feb 24 - March 2

Busy Week yet again, but there are some yummy meals, and repeats in here.

Monday Feb 24: Fajita sausages with Eggs and English muffins
 I am using the Fajita sausages I bought from Sam's Club a couple of weeks ago. They need to be used soon so they don't expire!

4 sausage links sliced into small medallions
1 cup fresh spinach
10 egg whites

Spray skillet with Pam, and cook slices for 2 minutes. Add spinach and sauté until wilted. Pour egg whites into the skillet and cook eggs until done. Serve with English muffin.

This makes 2 servings, 420  calories plus the muffin with butter comes to 570 calories.

Tuesday Feb 25: I wil be going to help out my in-laws with somethings, and they are feeding me dinner.

Wednesday Feb 26: Brushetta Chicken with Broccoli

(4) 4 oz chicken breast
1 can of Rotel tomatoes with peppers
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 red onion, diced
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 Tbsp Fresh basil

Combine tomatoes, garlic, scallion, olive oil and vinegar in a small bowl and refridgerate until time to serve.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle salt and papper on chicken breast. Place in pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until done. OR cook chicken on grill.

Makes 4 servings at 140 calories each.

Steamed parmesan broccoli: Steam 2 cups of fresh Broccoli in steam basket from 5-8 minutes covered until soft, put in bowl and mix with Tbsp of grated parmesan cheese and 1 tsp garlic powder.  Makes 2 servings 40 calories each.

Serve dinner with sweet Hawaiian roll and butter for 305 Calories.  Sprinkle chicken with shredded Mozzarella cheese if desired.  Only adds 40 calories.

Thursday Feb 27: Left overs

Friday Feb 28: Thai-style pork chops (300 Calories, PAge 72)

Thai-style pork chops

Ingredients:
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp water
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, Minced
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
12 OZ pork tenderloin, cut into half inch strips
1 yellow or red bell pepper cut into 1/2 pieces
3/4 red onion cut into 1 inch chunks
2 cups hot cooked rice

Whisk soy sauce, lime juice, water, olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic and ginger in medium bowl until well blended. reserve 1/3 cup for dipping sauce

Add to remaining soy sauce mixture and toast to coat. cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, turning once.

Prepare Grill or Broiling pan.

Remove pork from marinade, and discard marinade. Thread pork, pepper and onions onto 8-10 inch skewers.

Grill or briol for 6-8 minutes until pork is cooked.

serve with rice and dipping sauce.

Makes 4 servings at 248 Calories each.  We will probably eat double servings of this 496 calories each.

Saturday March 1: Dinner at a friends for a Birthday Party!! Yay!

Sunday March 2: Dinner at the Lockes

Check your kitchen:
Pam
3 cloves garlic
balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese
Salt
pepper
Garlic Powder
red pepper flakes
soy sauce
lime juice
Rice


Shopping list


1 cup fresh spinach
2 cups Broccoli
REd or yellow bell pepper (Large)
red onion
Fresh basil
fresh ginger
1 can of Rotel tomatoes with peppers
Carton of egg white
Shredded Mozzarella cheese (optional)
Sweet Hawaiian rolls
English muffins
Fajita Sausages

(4) 4 oz chicken breast
12 OZ pork tenderloin

Mommy's Dirty little secrets

We all have them.  Things we don't bring up in conversations about parenting. Things we let slide. Things we outright hide. I am willing to share (some) of mine.  Here are my top ten dirty little secrets.

1- My kids drink too much juice and choclate milk. "How much?" you ask. I don't even know. As much as they ask for. I fought it for awhile.  Colin, my almost 3 year old, did not have juice until he was 18 months old or so, and choclate milk was only a sometimes treat. Then it get's challenging, and I just wasn't up for the challenge. I don't know how many times I have been out at a birthday party or restaurant and all they have is Juice or soda. I make the responsible choice...juice. No caffeine for my little darling. Then there is grandma's house where juice flows like fine wine in Napa Valley. Not a battle I am interested in fighting. After awhile, I decided if everyone else is going to give in and give him juice and choclate milk, I was just going to join them on the path of least resistance. By the time Andy, my now almost 2 year old, could cruise around the coffee table he was cruising on over to swipe sips of whatever his brother was having like a teenager stealing alcohol at a wedding.  I assure you it was always a sweet nip of the nectar of the toddler Gods... 

2- I actually enjoy kids programming. Before you judge too harshly, check out an episode of Phonies and Ferb. The show follows two step brothers as come up with awesome and fantastical things to do on their summer vacation.  Watch at least 5-10 episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba.  ONe is not enough to get hooked on this trippy show full of strange characters, songs which sound like they were written moments before they were tapped, and impressive celebrity guest. (Seriously, the episode about friends with Jack Black is Amaze-balls. And The Roots, Lovley Love my Family is on my Ipod). I find myself singing along to the hits of the Fresh Beat Band, and I am always ready to get up and dance to "Roll up the Map" by Sharky and Bones of Jake and the Neverland Pirates. And who can watch Mr and Noodle and Elmo's skits and not at least chuckle a little bit.

3- I never wake a sleeping baby...unless they start to drift off in the car too close to home to get a full nap or successfully transfer to their bed. Then I yell and clap and cause any ruckus just to keep them up. Napping is an art form. It is so much more important than you ever know before you have kids. I need it, they need, and I feel a little guilty about my poor sleepy child drifting off as I yell "ANDY!!" at him like a crazy person, but it passes while I enjoy an hour of quite while I do chores or facebook or whatever I am up too. I get a pang of guilt when Colin yells "ANDY!!" to keep him up at night so he can keep talking to him.  After all, Colin learned that technique from me. Sorry Andy.

4- I let 100% of stains on my clothes be attributed to my children, which is only true 60% of the time...well...30% off the time. That's right, I have Peanut Butter on my shirt, and the boys ate pancakes for breakfast. Whoops, I didn't notice until I was out and about. Oh well, people understand when you have little ones.

5- Most of the things my kids do which I should be correcting, I actually think are hilarious. I am mostly trying not to crack a smile.  When I pull out Andy's coat and he runs away like I actually pulled out a loaded gun. Run Andy Run!! When Colin is pitching a fit because he can't have a toy Andy is currently playing with, and he tells me "I'm just Sad" I want to give him whatever he wants. Sassy comments coming out a 2 years olds mouth are precious. I say "It's time to change your diaper" and Colin says "NEVER!" I want to laugh out loud.

6- I hate playing Play-Doh. SO MUCH! THey want to play Play-Doh, all the time. First thing in the morning "We play Play-doh" all smiles and excitement. Crap! Okay. Here is the problems. They don't like the play doh to be mixed Once the colors have been mixed they are basically garbage.  So I have to help maintain separate colors. They can't really make anything with the Play-doh yet. so really I am sitting there making them balls to smash with their blocks, making cars, snowmen, Trees, pirate ships, fire places with stocking, animals and more which they play with. Any thing I make for one, I have to make for the other. And then must regulate if the pieces are starting to get mushed together too much. It takes 100% of my time for a minimum of 1 hour (Trying to quite anytime before one hour will leave me with two VERY sad toddlers that are still begging to play Play-Doh. UGH.) I look forward to the day they can play with out me, and I can look at them and be sad at how much they have grown and no longer need me.


7- If I have a baby sitter for any reason I will not be home early. I will drive around aimlessly to kill the last 10 minutes of baby sitting time. I am using every minute I can. Love those boys, but love a little alone time too.

One corner of the playroom

8- I wish my kids had less toys. We are so blessed to have so many people who love our boys. They are the only Grandkids ON BOTH SIDES. My house is bursting. Imagine at least one new toy every time they see their Grand mother.  They see one grandmother pretty much 1-2 times a week and there are two boys so that means 2 new toys (that is somewhere around 150 new toys a year). Plus they see their other Grandmother 1-2 times a moth and get 2-4 toys each per visit. (72 toys a year) Throw in regular gifts from Aunts, and truly spectacular Christmas and birthdays (30-40 gifts per boy per holiday), and we are looking at a new toy for every day of the year. I love how much they love the stuff they get and how sweet they are about opening them and saying thank you, but it is an overwhelming amount of stuff.

9- Part of me loves when my kids are sick.  I hate they they don't feel well, and I worry about things like fevers and developing pneumonia. BUT...I love how they want to snuggle me, and sleep on my shoulder. It gives me an excuse to snuggle up on our couch in Pajamas and watch movies all day. It gives me an excuse to hold him until he falls asleep. It's okay to let him sleep in the big bed if it is just an easy way for me to monitor his temperature. My sweet sick snuggle bunnies. I will clean up puke all day, but just drift off in my arms while I hold you as my payment.


10- I let the babies get blamed for any farts I let loose. I am somewhere with two toddler boys and there is an unpleasant smell in the air.  No one is looking at me. No holding back now folks. ;)

Thank you for giving me Grandfathers

My husband has given me a lot of things. From life lessons I was too stubborn to learn from anyone else, to two amazing sons, to a set of 3 oz Tupperware containers (which you have to work at an airport to truly appreciate.) One thing that he gave me, which caught me completely by surprise, was grandfathers.



Pap, with a favorite car in 1946

Let me explain. My mother's father passed away before I was born. My Father's father also passed away before I was born.  His mother remarried, and the only grandfather I knew growing up was his step father.  He lived across the country. Lived across the county in a time before the internet, and back when long distance phone calls were expensive. He passed away when I was 8. I loved him, but I did not know him well.

Fast forward to college. I met a boy, John Locke. It didn't take long to fall in love and start getting introduced to the family.  I met Uncle Ken Locke in 2003. We built a set together for a production of Godspell. I instantly loved him.  He was energetic, funny and clearly a little crazy.  I will never forget seeing him cutting metal with sparks flying all over the place and nothing to protect his skin or hair; only his regular glasses to protect is eyes. He was full of ideas, tips and a contagious laughter. By 2004, John and I were solidly an item. We saw Pap, John R. Locke, on a pretty regular basis. He was full of love, great one-liners and amazing stories. The two of them together were even more of a riot. Listening to them recounting the stories of their youth was enthralling.  The Locke boys were always up for adventure. Pap told heart warming stories about courting his first wife, Norma. (They would stay out late at a 24 café talking all night and smoking cigarettes.) Uncle Ken would tell stories about things he had built to solve any number of problems. (One example, he built nightstands with outlets in them so you could plug your bedside lamp, alarm clock or whatever you needed directly into the table.) Pap, an amazing man, had taken care of his first wife Norma after she lost her legs until he death.  When I met him he was caring for his second wife who was struggling with Parkinson's. Uncle Ken, had an inspiring marriage with John's great Aunt Phyllis full of love and based in a solid friendship. By 2006, when John and I got

 engaged, I was just as excited to tell Pap and Uncle Ken about our news as he was. Pap said that he was "real proud" of us. Uncle Ken said to John "It's easy if you pick the right one. I did, and I know you did too."  Two shining examples of excellent husbands, and both approved.


Uncle Ken and Aunt Phyllis
celebrate their engagement

Uncle Ken passed away in Nov 2011.  I remember our last visit. Colin (then 8 months) sat on his chest and cuddled away.  I was so pleased because Colin was old enough to be a handful by then.  A good crawler, and from time to time shy around people who were not momma or daddy. Still, Colin sat there and connected with Uncle Ken in way I know Uncle Ken wished he could connect with his own great grandchildren if they lived closer and could see each other regularly. He was tired, but still had a spark. He told us he loved us, and I knew he did. He did not love me out of obligation to John, his great nephew, but because he took the time to get to know me and accept me fully as one of his own.

Pap joined him in Heaven Feb 9, 2014. My last visit with Pap was similar. We brought him a book to listen to on an All-in-1 mp3 player. He was touched, and thanked us very genuinely. The boys, Colin (now 2 years old), and Andy (1 year) were happy to see him. Colin wanted to play with his bed (which had lots of buttons and made cool noises), and Andy looked excitedly at Pap's pictures and airplane mobile. Pap told us he loved us, and he was proud of us.

It meant a lot to me, to make him proud. He loved what a hard worker I am. He was a business owner and valued hard work and dedication. We would commiserate about how difficult it can be to find good employees, and about the details of book keeping. (After he retired from the service center business, he worked keeping books at his church). He had valuable input. He taught me if you get two different numbers when you are double checking a summation, and the difference of those two numbers is 9, it means you inverted one of the numbers. (Pretty cool right!) We talked about new technologies, he was always ready to learn new things, even if he wasn't interested in using them regularly. He was proud of me for choosing to stay home with our children. He told me I was doing it right. He loved my boys. It was another expression of love for us too. Our sons being named after him and Uncle Ken is one of our expressions of love to him.

When I look back at these things, when I look back at this time we had, I realize I knew Pap for 11 years and Uncle Ken for 8 years. Longer than I knew my own "step" grandfather. I saw them often. I had the chance, the completely unexpected chance, at the age of 21, to gain not one but two grandfathers.  Both of whom loved me.  I got to enjoy grandfathers as an adult. When I could sit and listen to their stories, and appreciate and enjoy them.  When I could share with them my grown up accomplishments.  When I could understand things which they experienced (like polio and war). It was such an amazing blessing.

For me, the loss is bittersweet. I only feel this sorrow, this missing piece of myself, because I had the chance to love them. It was worth it. I am so thankful for this opportunity. I am so blessed. I can't repay my husband for this, but I can say thank you. Thank you for giving me Grandfathers.

"So much of me, is made up of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart." Rest in Peace John Robert Locke. I will miss you Pap, but you will always be with me.

Meal Plan February 9-16

EMPTY Fridge! All condiments, and beverages!

After limping through our post-vacation week on frozen meals, leftovers, and the kindness of friends, I am ready to get to the grocery store, and also get myself organized!!

Sunday Feb 9: Black Bean and bell pepper Burritos with Chicken.  This is a simple wrap that is yummy and has some bite!

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon Canola oil
1 cup diced bell peppers
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 can (15 oz can) black beans
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 teaspoon Chili powder
4 (8-inch) whole wheat tortillas (Warm)
1.5 oz reduced fat shredded cheese
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
8 oz boneless skinless chicken (Cut into strips)

Heat oil in large non stick skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken for 5 min. Lower heat to Medium.  Add bell peppers and onion, cook and stir for 4 minutes.  Stir in Beans, salsa and chili powder.  Cook and stir for 5-8 minutes until veggies are tender and sauce is thickened.

Spoon filling on to the warm tortilla.  top with Cilantro and cheese

Makes 4 burritos at 240 Calories each

Serve with Rice, for a total of 410 Calories


Monday February 10: Pizza
Kids make your own Pizza night! You may have seen Countdown to Spring Post.  We have selected make our own Pizza for Monday. We are going to have Pizza and salad. NOT including the ingredients on here because I am getting half and my firend is getting half.

Tuesday February 11: Wild wedges (Page 36 of 300 Calories) with Frijoles Charros
A quesadilla that is yummy and a great comfort food. Designed as a appetizer, I like it as a meal. The bean recipe  comes from a dear Mexican friend of mine. They are delicious, and filling!

Wild Wedges

Ingredients:

2 (8-inch) whole wheat tortillas
1/3 cup reduced fat shredded cheese
1/3 cup chopped cooked chicken
1 green onion
2 tablespoons salsa

Heat large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Spray one side of 1 tortilla with cooking spray; place in skillet (spray side down). Top with cheese, chicken, green onion and salsa. PLace remaining tortilla on top. spray with cooking spray. cook 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cheese is melted.  Cut into 8 wedges.

Makes 2 servings at 170 Calories

Frijoles Charros:
Ingredients
1 Can pinto beans
1/2 cup fresh salsa
1/2 cup reduced fat shredded cheese

Pour beans along with their juice into a pot, and mix in salsa. after it heats up, add cheese and stir. Salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 2 servings at 280 calories each.

Serve together for a dinner at 450 Calories.  Yummy Mexican night! I am eating one serving and the boys will eat the other since John will be working late.

Wednesday Feb 12: Tuscan pork with White Beans (Pg 104 of prevention)
Ingredients:

Tuscan Pork with White Beans

1 lbs well trimmed, lean pork tenderloins
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp salt
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup sliced shallots
1/4tsp dried thyme
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
2 cans (19 oz each) Cannellini Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.5 oz) Italian style stewed tomatoes with juice
1/4 cup defatted reduced sodium chicken broth
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups fresh spinach

1- Cut the pork tenderloin crosswise into 8 pieces. Place each piece of tenderloin between 2 sheets of wax paper and pound to 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle both sides of the pork with the pepper and salt.

2- In a large no-stick skillet, warm 3 tsp of the oil over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking.  Add the pork and cook for 3 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked throughly.  With a slotted spoon, transfer pork to a plate; cover loosely to keep warm.

3- Add remaining tsp oil to the skillet.  Add the shallots and thyme, and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in the vinegar and bring to a boil. stir in the beans, tomatoes, broth and red pepper flakes., and return to boil. Reduce the heat to med-low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.  Stir in Spinach and simmer for 1 minute, or until wilted.

4- divide the bean mixture among 4 plates, top each potion with 2 pork medallions.

Makes 4 Servings at 428 Calories Each. We will use 3 servings and save one for leftovers.

Serve with Sweet Hawaiian roll

Thursday Feb 13- Leftovers Day!!

Classic Lasagna

Friday Feb 14: Classic Lasagna  (pg 70 300 calories)- This is a favorite in our house, and a great Valentines day treat.  Also, the boys LOVE it. I am going to double this, and try freezing one whole lasagna so I can throw one in the oven when I need it.  Serving this with Green beans or Salad and a sweet Hawaiian roll.

Ingredients:
12 Whole wheat Lasagna noodles
1 lbs lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onions
4 Garlic cloves
2 jars (26 OZ each) tomato Basil pasta sauce
30 OZ fat -free cottage cheese`
4 egg whites
8 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1- Preheat Oven to 375 degrees

2- Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Rinse with Cold water; drain again, and set aside.

3- Brown beef, onion and garlic for 6-8 minutes in a large saucepan over med-high heat, stirring to break up meat. Drain fat.  Add pasta sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

4- Stir Cottage cheese, egg whites, and 4 Tbsp basil in Medium bowl until just combined.

5- Set two pans 13X9 side by side. Spoon 1 cup of sauce mixture onto the the bottom of each baking dish in a thin layer. Layer Three noodles on each pan over sauce mixture.  Spoon the cottage chees mixture over the noodles (Half in each dish). Top with 1/4 of remaining sauce into each pan, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese for each baking dish. Top with remaining noodles, 3 per pan. and split the remaining sauce mixture on top of each baking dish.

6- cover the lasagna you are going to eat with foil. Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through.

7- on the lasagna you will be freezing- Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 2 Tbsp of basil. Once cool cover with plastic wrap, and mark with directions. "Heat at 375 degrees covered for 40 minutes or until cooked through."

8- Remove tonights lasagna from the oven. Remove foil; Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 2 Tbsp of basil on lasagna. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes to serve.

Makes two lasagnas- 6 servings each 336 calories each

Serve with rolls and green beans

Saturday Feb 15: I will be out of town and John will be eating at a work conference. WE will both be eating out.


Check your Kitchen

Canola oil
Cooking spray
Chili powder
Fresh Cilantro
salt and pepper
Dried thyme
crushed red pepper flakes
Fresh Garlic (4 cloves)
Balsamic Vinegar
defatted reduced sodium chicken broth

Shopping List

2 bell peppers
1 very large onion
Fresh Basil
1 green onion
Shallot
2 cups fresh spinach
Large Container of Fresh salsa

Sweet Hawaiian rolls

1 Can pinto beans
1 can (15 oz can) black beans
2 cans (19 oz each) Cannellini Beans
1 can (14.5 oz) Italian style stewed tomatoes
1 Can of green beans
2 jars (26 oz each) tomato Basil pasta sauce

Box of rice
12 Whole wheat Lasagna noodles
6 (8-inch) whole wheat tortillas

30 oz fat -free cottage cheese`
egg whites

Bag reduced fat shredded cheese
4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

12 oz boneless skinless chicken (Cut into strips)
1 lbs well trimmed, lean pork tenderloins
1 lbs lean ground beef