Mandy and Jace

Hey everyone! Sorry about missing last weeks meal plan. We did absolutely nothing on Memorial Day and it was awesome. This past weekend was great, too. Saturday we spent the afternoon at the shooting range with Jace’s parents. I’m pretty sure I’m getting progressively worse, but I’m having fun so that’s all that matters.

I’m coming up with lots of fundraisers for my trip to Africa. Here in the next couple of months I will be hitting it pretty hard so I can make sure I have all the money I need to go. I am getting more and more excited about the trip and I still have 9 months to go! I really think God is preparing me slowly for this adventure, and I’m interested in the ways he is going to change me just in the preparation phase. I have a heart for the lost more than ever before, and I am slowly realizing that love is the key to everything. We can’t expect others to love us if we don’t love them. I know that seems elementary, but It’s amazing how many people don’t grasp that. Anyway, I’ll stop rambling. This is about food right?

This week is clean out the freezer week. Right now you can’t open the freezer without ducking for cover. I’m getting really tired of ground beef flying out and smashing my toes, so I’m making it a point to not buy any meat this week and cooking what we have. Here’s the plan.

Tonight: steak sandwiches
Tuesday: chicken and rice (either this recipe or this one, not sure yet)
Wednesday: beef quesadillas
Thursday: take out
Friday: date night

Happy eating!

In my quest to have a healthier lifestyle I have been trying to add more veggies to my diet. That is really hard when you don’t like veggies. Give me a huge steak with lots of cholesterol and I’ll be a happy girl. My doctor on the other hand isn’t so happy. So I’ve been trying to find new ways of cooking various veggies to make them better.

This is more of a template rather than a recipe. There is so much more you can use besides what I have here but this is just to give you an idea.

Grilled veggies
Pick your veggies, extra flavor and liquid. Cut them up however you want them cut and season them to your liking. Place the veggie mixture into several pieces of foil made into a pouch. Be sure you double up your foil so it doesn’t drip though and get everywhere. Put the veggie pack on the grill while you are grilling you meat and other stuff. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes or until the veggies are tender. Pour them into a bowl when they are done and enjoy.

Veggies:
squash
zucchini
carrots
celery
eggplant
mushrooms
bell peppers
edemame
broccoli
onions
tomatoes

Extra Flavor:
feta cheese
fajita seasonings
Greek seasoning
basil
thyme
creole seasoning
Parmesan cheese

Liquid:
butter
chicken broth
soy sauce
oil

This is one of my go to meals that I usually make on nights that I don’t have a lot of time to cook and eat. For instance our Wednesday nights. We are usually running 90 mph, but I don’t want to buy take out. So we usually run in, shower and change clothes, throw together something to eat, eat it quickly and get to church hopefully before 7:30 when it starts.

With this recipe I can turn it on before I leave for work after lunch and it is ready by the time I get home for dinner. Perfect for a family on the run.

Slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches
adapted from Allrecipes

1 (2 pound) pork loin
1 can or bottle of root beer
1 bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce
6 hamburger buns

Get your slow cooker out and line with a slow cooker liner if you want to. I absolutely recommend buying the slow cooker liners. They make dinner a breeze to clean up. Place the pork loin into the slow cooker and pour the bottle of root beer over it. Turn it onto low and cook for about 5-6 hours or 3-4 hours on high.
When the meat is ready, remove the pork loin and shred the meat with two forks. Place the shredded meat into a bowl and pour your barbecue sauce over the meat. Stir until all the meat is coated.
Put the meat on the buns and serve.

After a very long week last week I am very happy it is Monday. I am starting a new week that will hopefully be normal.

This week’s meal plan is pretty simple. I’m excited to make onion rings! If they turn out well I will put up the recipe.

Here’s this week’s plan.
Tonight: sauteed chicken with onion rings
Tuesday: homemade pizza
Wednesday: cowboy soup
Thursday: take out
Friday: date night

Happy eating!