Happy Monday!   I hope everyone had a memorable Mother’s Day.  It’s back to work though…  This week I’ve pulled our dinners right out of my favorites.  When there is a recipe that my family has particularly enjoyed I make sure to add it to my favorites so that I can very easily create meals that everyone loves.  Some weeks I just need to get ‘er done!

Parmesan Sage Pork Chops, Buttery Red Potatoes with Chives, Carrot Coins.  My herb garden is already full of fresh herbs!  I will purchase whatever pork is on sale to use for this recipe, along with enough for later in the week.

Chicken Limone and Parmesan Orzo Primavera.  The boys do NOT like the vegetables mixed into their orzo, so I’ll sauté them separately. 

Lemony Marinated Flank Steak, Stuffed Baked Potatoes, Tossed Salad.  Definitely a meal for the guys.  I should probably check the level of gas in the grill’s tank.

Pork Dumplings Deconstructed, vegetable and fruit trays.   This is the recipe that will use the rest of the pork.  I have a meat grinder which I prefer to use over the food processor for this recipe.

Coney dogs, chips, and leftover fruit/veg from above.  This was a request.   In my humble opinion, the hot dog takes up too much space in the bun, so I cut it in half.  Just because a hot dog is high in quality does not mean it is low in fat – so this also counts as I diet tip…

The weekend has us out one day, and the other I’ll just pull out any leftovers and let everyone graze. 

Get your meal plan done, then go out and have a great week

I think it’s safe to say that spring has sprung.  My tulips are just starting to open, and my sons are heading out the door as soon as they can – often attempting to skip breakfast.  Everyone wants to make the most of the nice day, including the Mom who makes breakfasts and lunches!  This week I’m offering tasty meals that can be made ahead and cook quickly.

GFCF Breakfast

Breakfast Cornmeal, Pork Sausage, Orange Juice – If you don’t like your cornmeal like oatmeal, you can make it the night before, chill it in a plastic lined brownie pan, then slice and fry it right after the sausages.  Drizzle it with maple syrup and breakfast is served. 

GFCF Lunch

Tuna Green Bean Potato Salad and apple slices – this is a great salad. It’s not mayonnaise based and it keeps well. 

GFCF Dinner

Bulgogi, Chinese Green Beans, and rice. Hands down a family favorite.  If I could grow ginger I would.  Pork or chicken work very well in this recipe, too.  I use whatever cut of beef is on sale – don’t use flank steak just because the recipe says to!

This meal plan is under 1300 calories – great for a weight loss diet.  You can easily add snacks for people who need more calories.

Eat well and be well!

It’s May!  Not only does this mean that I’m giving serious consideration to moving the snow scraper from the backseat to the trunk, but it also means that I’m giving a little more consideration to my own backseat…ahem.  I think it’s time to take a look at my diet settings and either plan more exercise or plan less calories!  All of our dinners fit into my plan, but now that it’s nice out I plan on walking a lot more.

Tonight is the band banquet – not sure what’s on the menu!

Leaving Philly-Style Cheese Steak Sandwiches for the guys and walking 3 miles to a sushi place with a friend (definitely adding that to the exercise tracker!).  I’ll make the beef early in the morning and assemble the sandwiches so they’re ready to bake.

Simple Chicken Caesar Salad and winter fresh fruit salad.  When I say simple, I mean it.  This is just chicken that marinates all day, gets grilled, sliced, and served over lettuce with some croutons, pre-shaved parmesan cheese, and dressing.   Easy and good.

Stir Fried Sesame Pork, rice, broccoli, mandarin oranges.  

  Skillet Chicken Parmesan (testing recipe), steamed broccoli, and maybe I’ll be moved to make a loaf of bread.

 Puff Pastry Topped Chicken Pot Pies and whatever leftover fruits/vegetables there are.  The original recipe calls for canned soup.  I replace it with some broth and flour.  In order to keep this diet friendly, I take a small taste of the crust then hand it over to my teenager – Mr. Metabolism. 

Mother’s Day.  I hope you have a great one!