Meal Plan Monday - November 18

Gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday is always anticipated at our house.  We are out of school the entire week, which means we get to have some fun and get ready for the holiday too.  We also get to spend a bit more time in the kitchen, whipping up some wonderful special dinners.

Our hands down favorite meal from last week was Grillled Greek Chicken.  I served it with Parmesan couscous and a greek inspired salad - mixed greens, feta cheese, kalamata olives, diced cumcumbers and an oil and vinegar dressing.  Wish I'd have time to take a picture of someone's plate before it was all gone.  It was beautiful. 

We didn't care as much for the Cheesy Spinach Pasta.  It has potential, but needs some tweeking.  However it was much better the next day for lunch.

Sunday - Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad
Monday-  Baked Garlic Shrimp, Rice, Asparagus
Tuesday - Teriyaki Chicken, Fried Rice and Salad
Wednesday- take out - -kids choice
Thursday - Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings
Friday - Leftovers after shopping
Saturday - winging it, based on leftovers and what we feel like eating
Sunday  -  homemade pizza maybe?

Since we are home all week for the Thanksgiving holiday, I have included some breakfast items --

Breakfast Casserole (WW) - if we like this, I'll make one for the freezer too.
Waffles

For more menu ideas visit I'm an Organized Junkie. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 29 Apricot Pecan Bread

What a fantastic flavor combination -- apricots and pecans.  With dried fruit being a fall treat it only makes sense to make this delicious bread when the weather turns cold. 

Apricot Pecan Bread

Part of 31 Days of Fall.

31 Days of Fall - Day 28 Chocolate Pecan Pie

This is an original Kentucky Derby Pie recipe.  I typically make it for Derby Day, but it is also a delicious fall pie, filled with chocolate and pecans.  Don't for get to serve with a dollop of bourbon flavored whipped cream.

 

Chocolate Pecan Pie

1 cup sugar
6 T flour
2 eggs
1/2 c butter, melted
1 c pecans, chopped
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 unbaked 9" pie crust
1 c cream, whippped with 1 1/2 t bourbon

Combine sugar and flour; add remaining ingredients, except cream, and pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake at 325 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes.  Serve just slightly warm with whipped cream.

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 27 Italian White Bean Soup

One of the best parts of fall is cooler weather, and at our house cooler weather means lots and lots of soups.  Some of our family favorites are Potato Soup, Chili, Chicken Noodle and Bean with Bacon. 

 

One of my personal favorites is this Italian White Bean Soup.  Most of the members of my family don't care for this particular soup, but that is just fine with me.  It freezes very well and I like to keep indivudual portions ready to take for lunch.   

 

 

Italian White Bean Soup

 

1 T vegetable oil

1 med onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed

1 can chicken broth

1/ 4 t black pepper

5 fresh thyme sprigs (or 1 1/2 t dried)

2 c water

1 bunch fresh spinach

1 T lemon juice

grated Parmesan cheese

 

In a 3 quart saucepan, heat oil.  Add onion and celery, cook 5 - 8 minutes or until tender.  Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.  Add beans, chicken broth, pepper, thyme and 2 c water. 

Stir to combine.  Bring to a boil, simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. 

 

While soup is simmering, clean spinach, discarding any tough stems.  Thinly slice spinach leaves.

 

Use emersion blender to blend soup.  Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Stir in spinach, cook 1 minute or until wilted.  Stir in lemon juice, remove from heat.  Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.   

 

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 26 Knit Dishclothes

Part of fall is getting ready for the holiday season.  I truly enjoy making as many of my holiday gifts as I can.  My time is limited, so I depend on some quick ideas, including these wonderful knit dishcloths.  If you have never done dishes with a homemade cotton dishcloth, you are really missing a life changing experience.  Everyone who comes to my house and after a party helps with the dishes loves them and asks for one, two or seven for their own kitchen.  I'm pretty sure I've not used a regular, store bought dishcloth in 12 years. 

You only need the most basic of knitting skills and equipment to make these.  I can make one in less than an hour.  It is a favorite fall tv-watching pass time. 

Links to dishcloths patterns -

Basic Dishcloth - this is the one shown, it is my favorite pattern

Simple Discloths - these are a bit "fancier"

Easy Dishcloths - easy and quick patterns 

Part of 31 Days of Fall.

Meal Plan Monday - November 12

Our healthier eating journey is getting easier.  We tried some new recipes last week and they were great. One of our favorites was Baked Chicken Parmesan.  It was just as good, if not better than my ful-fat version.  I highly recommend trying it out. 

Saturday - Grilled Steaks, Roasted Garlic Risotto, Salad
Sunday - Tilapia Parmesan, Risotto Cakes, Roasted Asparagus, Apple Pear Crisp
Monday - Grilled Greek Chicken, Couscous, Salad
Tuesday - Spinach Cheesy Pasta Casserole, Salad
Wednesday - Tacos, Mexican Layered Salad
Thursday - Lacrosse Banquet
Friday - Subway -- Nanny's Treat!
Saturday - Madonna Concert!!!!!

For more great menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

31 Days of Fall - Day 25 Cheer Bowl

The highlight of fall cheerleading is Cheer Bowl.  Starting in September each cheer team puts together a cheer, dance, tumble, stunt performance all to perform at the FCYFA Cheer Bowl.   We are lucky to have a great squad and amazing coaches.  This year resulted in a 5th place win.  Can't wait to do it all again next year!

 Last run through at our playoff game

With our trophy and medal!  Go Wolverines!

 

Part of 31 Days of Fall.