Weekly Menu, August 28

Last week went really well, at least as far as the menu was concerned. We were able to keep on track and have a lot of great meals. I have been playing a bit with more muffin recipes; love those little guys. I have also been playing with kefir shakes and having a great time. I'm hoping to get some of that posted soon but it's a work in progress. I basically have one week left before I head back to the classroom. I'm only taking one class this semester but I'm really excited about it. I know it's going to take some time away from my schedule, but it's totally worth it. I love getting into the classroom and learning new things.

So, this weeks schedule is pretty simple. We are trying to keep the fridge cleaned out for a little getaway coming up and I'm trying to plan ahead to make mealtime cheaper and well-prepared while we are away. We'll see how it all goes.

	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sunday	*kefir shake chocolate-banana muffins scrambled eggs	nutella crackers popcorn cantaloupe	roast mashed potatoes peas
Monday	*kefir shake roll up pancakes sausage links	PBJ chips watermelon	honey chicken kebabs rice broccoli
Tuesday	*kefir shake oatmeal	ham & cheese rollups cheezits grapes	sausage penne pasta green beans garlic bread
Wednesday	*kefir shake cinnamon toast scrambled eggs	PBN grahams strawberries	EARLY PREP leftovers-fridge clean out
Thursday	*kefir shake oatmeal yogurt sticks	sandwiches cheesy goldfish carrot sticks grapes	pizza out
Friday	*kefir shake sweet rolls HB eggs	lunch out?	Mexican food out
Saturday	*kefir shake Diner bfast	sandwiches chips grapes	BBQ food

Hopefully next weeks menu won't be too delayed, but I will probably not be able to post until Monday. I've actually thought about changing my rotation to a Monday to Sunday instead of the current Sunday to Saturday. I did that in the summer so I could grocery shop on the weekends without kiddos, but now it's easier to go while they're in school. Maybe next week will be the perfect opportunity to make that change. We'll see. Until then, have a great week!

Weekly Menu, August 21

Clearly a busy week and I didn't get the menu up in time. We actually didn't have a plan for Sunday which led to us going out to dinner and I sometimes feel guilty when that happens. If only I'd had a plan...not the case here. Hubs has been working so much that we needed some family fun time so we went to a theme dinner location where kids could play some old western games and ride a train. It was a good time.

This week, admittedly, is a lot of distracted eating. Plans to eat out with Grandpa and eat out for a nighttime museum visit, I feel like I need to make a point of having meals on the table the rest of the week. Challenge accepted!

Tonight I tried a meal that we never got around to last week and then the rest of the week is pretty straight forward dishes we've had before. Keepin' it simple but yummy.

	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sunday	*kefir shake waffles scrambled eggs	cheese quesadilla lettuce corn	family dinner out
Monday	*kefir shake pancakes HB eggs	PBJ parm goldfish applesauce	chicken and bacon rigatoni mixed veggies
Tuesday	*kefir shake biscuits w/jam sausage patty	ham & cheese roll up watermelon chips	meatloaf mashed potatoes carrots
Wednesday	*kefir shake cinnamon toast scrambled eggs	PB and banana grahams strawberries	EARLY PREP Bob’s Beef, crockpot style noodles green beans
Thursday	*kefir shake oatmeal w/fixings	cream cheese & jam sandwich cheezits apple slices	pizza salad
Friday	*kefir shake roll up pancakes	PBJ chips carrot sticks	dinner with grandpa
Saturday	*kefir shake muffins HB eggs	pizza watermelon	dinner at the museum

I realized sometime in the chaos of last week that I never linked the recipes I was trying. I will try to do better this time, though I'm not trying as much new stuff this week. I have also been experimenting with various kefir shakes and have been surprised at how little I can find for single-serving "nutri-bullet" style machine. I'm hoping to get a post together about it soon. I'm having A LOT of fun experimenting.

For now I'm ready for this week, now that I have a plan! Let's get to it! Have a yummy week!

Grandma's Sloppy Joes

Full disclosure, this recipe isn't technically my grandmothers. It's as close as I can get though. When we were cleaning out my grandmothers house to sell, she gave me all of her cookbooks. We all know that as we try things we find favorite books and get rid of those that aren't working for us. This book is particularly tattered on the corners and many of the pages have spills from years of use.

She has since passed away so I can't ask her, but I have a feeling these would be her favorite. They are wholesome, simple ingredients that come together in a wonderful savory-sweet combination. It comes from the Betty Crocker Cookbook, 1978 and there's very little I need to modify to fit todays tastes in my house.

I did use homemade rolls, but we've used store buns and kaiser rolls and they also taste great. I gave the bread a light toast before serving to help minimize any soggy action that might occur... if for some reason you don't inhale every morsel immediately upon its arrival at the table.

Grandma's Sloppy Joes

1 lb hamburger
1 medium onion, chopped
2-3 celery stalks (about 1/2 c)
1/2 c ketchup
1/4 c water
1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp red pepper sauce
1 tsp salt
5-6 hamburger buns


Melt 1 Tbsp butter in saute pan. Brown the onion and celery. Once softened (onions should be translucent) add the meat. Brown while incorporating the onion mix. Drain excess fat and add the rest of the ingredients (expect the rolls). Stir and allow to simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, split and toast the buns. This tastes great with a garden salad and ranch dressing, but you enjoy them any way you'd like.

Weekly Menu, August 14

It was a bit of a rough start for school last week. We had a crazy rainstorm roll thru town and it made a mess of things at my daughters school. It meant she was home an extra day; they postponed school starting a day.  Then, my son started on time but on the first day of school we found out he might be switching to a new teachers room, but they don't know yet, so everything is on hold...except going to school of course. He's really happy with his teacher and class though, and they both are happy to be back in the swing of things.

Meanwhile, I've been trying to adjust to a new normal again. Seems a little easier since we can build on last year. I should be a pro by the time they are finishing high school, right? Finding the right meals and the right order is something I am still working on as we roll into after school activities and transportation. There were a few glitches last week, but not too bad.

This week I actually really want to try a couple new recipes. I've linked them up for my reference, but check them out. They look super yummy. I am also really enjoying my kefir shakes in the morning and I'm looking to expand on the possibilities. Feel free to drop any ideas you have in the comments.

	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sunday	*kefir shake bacon & eggs biscuits & jam	pizza carrot sticks watermelon	leftovers night: sloppy joes, pizza, enchilada casserole with salad
Monday	*kefir shake cinnamon toast sausage patty	PBJ Cheetos grapes	teriyaki meatballs rice broccoli
Tuesday	*kefir shake pancakes HB eggs	ham & cheese skewers cantaloupe cheezits	chicken manicotti salad
Wednesday	*kefir shake biscuit sandwiches	bfast crackers grahams raspberries	EARLY PREP tacos in the crockpot lettuce, tomato, and cheese corn
Thursday	*kefir shake waffles scrambled eggs	tortilla roll ups chips apple slices	chicken and bacon rigatoni mixed veggies
Friday	*kefir shake roll up pancakes sausage links	PBJ goldfish crackers cantaloupe	steak/fish mashed potatoes green beans
Saturday	*kefir shake muffins strawberries	burritos lettuce grapes	chicken strips carrots popcorn

I am looking forward to a full week of school for kids and maybe find a little order for myself. Woo Hoo! Let's do this! Have a great week!