Saturday, January 24, 2015

Meal Plan #3 - Includes Shopping List Help & Printable Weekly Menu

MEAL PLAN #3
January 26- Feb 1

Helpful printables at bottom of post! 

Notes before you begin:
  • This menu is made in mind for my family of 2 adults and 3 kids (small eaters) at dinner & 1 adult for breakfast/lunch. Wednesday my family eats dinner with our small group from church so that meal will be just for 1 adult. If you need another family dinner explore Pinterest for meal ideas or this post
  • Meals that are underlined are live links to the recipes.
  • I have organized two small prep-days for the week to make this week of meals as easy to prepare as possible & to minimize your time in the kitchen. Don’t feel you have to do it all, just do what works best for you.
  • When shopping READ LABELS, sugar is in everything, EVERYTHING, everything! Yes, dextrose means sugar! Other hidden names read here.
  • My cooking rhythm – what works for our family is more labor intensive meals on Monday/Thursday, easy meals Wednesday/Friday/Sunday and Leftovers on Tuesday (we have small group). Adapt the meal plan to fit your family rhythm. Oh and Sunday night is always Breakfast for dinner!
  • This is about the journey, be open minded to new food ideas or you will give up fast. Try to enjoy being in the kitchen and being creative with your food. This is not about a number/size, this is about a new relationship with food. And the journey works so stay focused.
  • Keep focused on your goals – write down your goals, what you hope to see change, and keep a journal if not daily do it weekly. This helps see progress and change. My goal is easy; to be the best me to serve & love my God & my family.


Day #15: Monday
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation
Note: My plan is coconut milk, ½ banana, ½ cup frozen fruit, big handful of organic spinach (I store in ziplock in the freezer so it doesn’t get bad), and a scoop or two of protein supplement (Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins). Another option is Almond butter, coconut milk, banana, & greens.
Lunch: Pear & Pomegranate Spinach Salad with chicken or chicken sausage
Note:  Omit the cheese and dried cranberries if you cannot find unsweetened. You will need to substitute dates for honey in the dressing or use a balsamic vinaigrette recipe.
Dinner: Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken served over Greens or Grain Free Tortillas top with Guacamole
Note: You may want to double the chicken recipe if you have a bigger family and want leftovers for the soup.

Day #16: Tuesday
Note:  You may want to ½ the recipe. This recipe makes 8 big, thick servings. I make a whole recipe because Andrew will eat it all week as well. This recipe was on the menu two weeks ago but the great thing about this recipe is you can change up the flavors and add ins, so do a different potato and meat this time. 
Lunch: leftover Pear & Pomegranate Spinach Salad with chicken or chicken sausage
Note: *** recipe modifications needed – use olive or avocado oil, no cheese, no tortillas and no beans, add in carrots, celery or jicama if you want some crunch.

Day #17: Wednesday
Breakfast: Smoothie
Lunch: Leftover Chicken Tortilla-Less Soup
Note:  You could double the sauce if you like extra sauce. Be creative and through extra veggies in the rice. When looking at ingredient lists learn to substitute to help the budget, if you don’t want to buy rice vinegar look up a substitute for it. 

Day #18: Thursday
Breakfast: leftover Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
Lunch: leftover cashew chicken in butter lettuce cups
Note:  Maybe add in some broccoli/carrot slaw for extra veggies.
Note:  If you are a steak eating family this would be a good meal to substitute your chicken for steak. I put a link to skillet cooked chicken breasts or you could grill it.

Day #19: Friday
Breakfast: Smoothie
Lunch: Leftover Chicken Tortilla-less Soup
Note: #keepthedishesclean #makethemancook #TGIF  

Day #20: Saturday
Note: Use what meat and nuts you have. If you don’t want to do squash substitute sweet potatoes.
Lunch: Leftover burgers over greens
Dinner: Date Night – Chipotle

Day #21: Sunday
Breakfast: Empty the fridge Omelet
Note: Don’t let extra veggies go to waste throw them in!
Lunch: Empty the fridge Salad
Note: Use up the extra meats and veggies.
Dinner: Extra Crispy Waffles – My family can’t go a week without these!
Note:  Top with fresh berries!


Prep Day 1
Make salad
Marinade Chicken Cilantro Lime Chicken
Prep veggies for beginning of week
Explore some Paleo Sauces/Dressings to spice things up – here

Prep Day 2
Make Salad
Make Mayo
Prep veggies for rest of week


Snack Idea -
Nuts
Veggie sticks – make dip with Paleo Mayo or Guacamole
Fruit – don’t go over board on sugar
Larabar – don’t over do it here and check ingredients
Almond butter on anything! – highly recommended on bananas and apples


Here are your helpful printables:

  1. Printable Meal Plan #2 With Notes - click  HERE
  2. Printable Recipe Ingredient List - click HERE - This has every ingredient for every recipe so you can scan to make your shopping list, also includes my helpful shopping tips.
  3. Printable Weekly Schedule - click HERE - post on the fridge!

Friday, January 16, 2015

Meal Plan #2 - Includes Shopping List Help & Printable Weekly Menu

MEAL PLAN #2
January 19-25 of Whole30 our way!

Helpful printables at bottom of post!

Notes before you begin:


  • This menu is made in mind for my family of 2 adults and 3 kids (small eaters) at dinner & 1 adult for breakfast/lunch. Wednesday my family eats dinner with our small group from church so that meal will be just for 1 adult. If you need another family dinner explore Pinterest for meal ideas or this post
  • Meals that are underlined are live links to the recipes.
  • I have organized two small prep-days for the week to make this week of meals as easy to prepare as possible & to minimize your time in the kitchen. Don’t feel you have to do it all, just do what works best for you.
  • When shopping READ LABELS, sugar is in everything, EVERYTHING, everything! Yes, dextrose means sugar! Other hidden names read here.
  • My cooking rhythm – what works for our family is more labor intensive meals on Monday/Thursday, easy meals Tuesday/Friday/Sunday and Leftovers on Wednesday. Adapt the meal plan to fit your family rhythm.
  • This is about the journey, be open minded to new food ideas or you will give up fast. Try to enjoy being in the kitchen and being creative with your food. This is not about a number/size, this is about a new relationship with food. And the journey works so stay focused.
  • Keep focused on your goals – write down your goals, what you hope to see change, and keep a journal if not daily do it weekly. This helps see progress and change. My goal is easy; to be the best me to serve & love my God & my family.

Day #8: Monday
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation
Note: My plan is coconut milk, ½ banana, ½ cup frozen fruit, big handful of organic spinach (I store in ziplock in the freezer so it doesn’t get bad), and a scoop or two of protein supplement (Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins). Another option is Almond butter, coconut milk, banana, & greens.
Note: Costco/Target carry Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausage and Trader Joe’s has Chicken Garlic Sausage both Whole30 approved! This Flatbread would be for someone who wants to play in the kitchen a little.
Dinner: Citrus Herb Chicken (Double this recipe as prep for Tuesday Dinner) w/ Smashed Loaded Red Potatoes & side salad
Note:  Chicken – omit sugar. We LOVED this recipe our 1st round of Whole30, we tried with Thighs and breasts and it is SO much better with Thighs! If you marinade the meat it is EXTRA AMAZING! Double the chicken recipe, yes you will have to use two pans because this chicken is the perfect meat for tomorrow night’s dinner. To store the leftover chicken remove chicken from bones while warm, save the onions and oranges too. Smashed Loaded Red Potatoes  - SKIP THE CHEESE!  My family LOVES this recipe. We use ghee and I also do the potatoes in the microwave until smashable, then put them on my Pampered Chef bar pan, smash them with my potato smasher, smear with ghee, bake for 20 minutes until crispy and browned and then top!

Day #9: Tuesday
Note: Use whatever veggies work for you. I think the kids will like this!
Lunch: leftover Creamy Sweet Potato & Coconut Soup, side of Chicken Sausage & Grain-Free Rosemary Flatbread
Note:  SO GOOD! If you don’t want to make the dressing Sprouts does have an Asian Dressing with no sugar READ THE LABELS! If you don’t want to double the meat from Monday you can get an UNSEASONED rotisserie chicken from Sprouts and use that or Trader Joe’s has pre-grilled chicken breasts also Whole30 approved.

Day #10: Wednesday
Breakfast: Smoothie
Lunch: Avocado Chicken Salad over Greens with EVOO & Lemon Juice for dressing w/ side of Plantain Chips
Note:  Be creative and make substitute in this recipe, you can use other UNSWEETENED dried fruit, other nuts or seeds or even use Paleo Mayo. Also this is a new Plantain Chip recipe. If frying, use Avocado oil..
Dinner: Leftover Asian Chopped Salad

Day #11: Thursday
Breakfast: Leftover Paleo Potato Bacon Pancake or Empty the Fridge Omelet
Lunch: Avocado Chicken Salad over Greens with EVOO & Lemon Juice for dressing
Note:  Try with butter living lettuce this week. Something different and it is naturally sweet so yummy!
Note:

Day #12: Friday
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation
Lunch: Empty the fridge salad
Note: #keepthedishesclean #makethemancook #TGIF

Day #13: Saturday
Breakfast: Paleo Banana Nut Muffins & Omelets
Lunch: Leftover Paleo Crockpot Chili Served over Baked/Sweet Potato
Note: I am going to try cooking my potato in the crockpot on High for 4 hours while at church following this recipe
Note: Add kale or Brussels sprouts. Substitute chicken sausage. Make extra chicken for lunch tomorrow.

Day #14: Sunday
Breakfast: Leftovers
Lunch: Lemon Chicken over greens
Note:  THESE ARE AMAZING!!!! Top with melted ghee or melted almond butter and shredded coconut or toasted coconut chips.  If you are really pursuing Paleo then invest in blanched almond flour, Amazon, and fall in love with these waffles!


Prep Day 1
Make salad
Cook up bacon for Potato toppings, soup, and Paleo Potato Bacon Pancake
Dice up veggies for Paleo Potato Bacon Pancake
Explore some Paleo Sauces to spice things up – here

Prep Day 2
Chop veggies for Paleo Crockpot Chili
Make up bacon for Chili and Carbonara
Prep veggies for rest of week
---note do not make Paleo Banana Nut Muffins ahead of time


Snack Idea -
Nuts
Veggie sticks – make dip with Paleo Mayo or Guacamole
Fruit – don’t go over board on sugar
Larabar – don’t over do it here and check ingredients
Almond butter on anything! – highly recommended on bananas and apples

Here are your helpful printables:

  1. Printable Meal Plan #2 With Notes - click HERE
  2. Printable Recipe Ingredient List - click HERE - This has every ingredient for every recipe so you can scan to make your shopping list, also includes my helpful shopping tips.
  3. Printable Weekly Schedule - click HERE - for the fridge!


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Asian Chopped Chicken Salad

Asian Chopped Chicken Salad


What I Used for Salad:


  • Shredded Broccoli/Carrot Mix (like Trader Joe's Broccoli Slaw, I have also seen as grocery stores in coleslaw and package salad area)
  • Kale/Cabbage/Brussels Sprouts Salad Blend (like Trader Joe's Crunch Salad, I have also seen as grocery stores in coleslaw and package salad area)
  • Nut of choice - pine nuts, cashews, sliced almonds, slivered almonds
  • green onions, chopped 
  • raisins/unsweetened cranberries (optional)
  • toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • Ingredients

What I Used for Meat:

- leftover grilled chicken (Trader Joe's has pre-paged, fully-cooked grilled chicken breasts)
- sesame oil
-EVOO
-fresh, orange juice 
- OR leftover Citrus Herb Chicken  - I love making a double batch of this chicken recipe and then using the leftovers the next night in this salad!

What I Used for Dressing:

adapted from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tasteful-tahini-salad-dressing/

  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
  • 3 tbsp apple cider or red wine vinegar
  • 3 tbsp coconut aminos (sprouts)
  • 2 tsp sesame oil (or toasted sesame oil, have at Trader Joe's)
  • 2 tbsp tahini paste or tahini sauce 
  • 2/3 cup olive oil/avocado oil
  • 1 tbsp honey (omit for Whole30)
  • ground pepper to salt


How I do it:

- Mix all dressing ingredients. Set aside. 
- Toss broccoli/carrot mix, kale/cabbage/brussel sprouts mix, and green onion. Drizzle with dressing, toss. Set aside. 
- Heat skillet to medium, add 1 tbsp EVOO, 1 tsp sesame oil,  & chopped up chicken. Saute for a few minutes and then squeeze the orange over the chicken. Saute for a few more minutes. Remove from skillet.
Reheating Chicken
- Add 1 tsp EVOO to used skillet and add nuts and sesame seeds to toast. Saute a few minutes stirring frequently until golden brown. Remove from skillet. 
Toasted almond slivers & Sesame Seeds

- Top salad with chicken, toasted nuts/seeds, dried fruit, and more dressing if desired. I love a little extra squeeze of orange juice at the end :) 

-ENJOY!



Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

This is an easy, throw together recipe that we make so often. Every time I serve these everyone loves them.

What I use:

  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Seasonings - I always use Everyday Seasoning (Trader Joe's grinder, contains sea salt, mustard seed, black peppercorns, coriander, onion, garlic, paprika, chili pepper), Garlic Salt (Trader Joe's grinder), Italian Seasoning


How I do it:

  • Pre-heat oven to 350. 
  • I peel sweet potatoes and slice into coin shape, trying to keep the same thickness for each slice. If the sweet potato is fat I cut the slices in half. 
  • Throw them in a bowl
  • Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil - you want enough to coat each piece
  • Toss in season to taste - we like a lot!
  • Use your hands or a spoon to mix, you want all potatoes to be coated in oil and seasonings. 
  • Spread out in a single layer on a cookie sheet or bar pan - I use my Pampered Chef stone bar pan which makes these extra crispy and evenly baked on each side. I you use a metal pan make sure there is plenty of oil and flip them half way thru baking. 
  • Bake 25-35 minutes depending on the brown-ness you desire - I like them a little burnt :)
  • Enjoy!

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Meal Plan #1 - Whole30 Our Way

MEAL PLAN #1
January 12-19 of Whole30 our way!

Notes before you begin:
  • This menu is made for my family of 2 adults and 3 kids (small eaters) at dinner & 1 adult for breakfast/lunch. Wednesday my family eats dinner with our small group from church so that meal will be just for 1 adult. If you need another family dinner explore Pinterest for meal ideas or this post
  • Meal titles in maroon are live links to the recipes.
  • I have organized two small prep-days for the week to make this week of meals as easy to prepare as possible, to minimize your time in the kitchen. Don’t feel you have to do it all, just do what works best for you.
  • When shopping READ LABELS, sugar is in everything, EVERYTHING, everything! Yes, dextrose means sugar! Other hidden names read here.
  • This is about the journey, be open minded to new food ideas or you will give up fast. Try to enjoy being in the kitchen and being creative with your food. This is not about a number, this is about a new relationship with food. The journey works, so stay focused.
  • Keep focused on your goals – write down your goals, what you hope to see change, and keep a journal if not daily do it weekly. This helps see progress and change. My goal is easy; to be the best me to serve & love my God & my family.

Day #1: Monday
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation
Note: My plan is to do smoothies on school mornings to get us out of the house on time. Planning on using coconut milk, ½ banana, ½-1 cup frozen fruit, big handful of organic spinach (I store in ziplock in the freezer so it doesn’t get bad), and a scoop or two of protein supplement. I will keep my fruit minimal to keep sugars under control. I am using Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins as a protein supplement – it is grain, free, gluten, dairy free! It supports joint health and anti-aging! Also, I love my Nutribullet!

Lunch: Crockpot Breakfast Casserole topped with avocado & side salad w/ Homemade Greek Dressing
Note: Breakfast Casserole, Salad & Dressing will be prepped on prep day #1, so this is oh so easy!

Dinner: Crockpot! Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken w/ Green Beans & Potatoes (minus the cheese peeps) & a side of fruit, if you need to finish off with a sweet treat.
***** chicken recipe: use recipe above for ingredients and stuffing/spice directions and then follow this link for crockpot cooking directions http://wellnessmama.com/3308/slow-cook-chicken/ *******

Note: We are cooking a whole chicken here! I’m so excited to try this!

Day #2: Tuesday
Breakfast: Leftover Breakfast Casserole w/ Avocado & Fruit Side
Note: I love Pomegranate seeds, which are in season right now, and all you need is a tablespoon or two to satisfy that sweet craving. Costco & Trader Joe’s carry just the seeds although cutting up a whole pomegranate is fun for the kids. Pop them in the freezer for an extra crunch!

Lunch: Salad w/ Leftover Lemon Herb Chicken & Homemade Greek Dressing
Note: Be creative here add in a boiled egg and bacon to make a cobb salad or add sliced almonds and unsweetened shredded coconut for a sweeter twist.

Dinner: Crockpot Taco Meat served over Greens w/ Plantain Chips topped w/ Avocado Lime Dressing or make Nachos with Sweet Potato Chips – AMAZING!
Note: Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken – and remember the quality of your meat is important! For a little extra work, Pinterest Paleo tortilla or wrap options.  And I promise you will love this dressing as a substitute for your good old ranch.

Day #3: Wednesday
A lovely day of leftovers to clear out the fridge and keep you out of the kitchen – enjoy the break!
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation

Lunch: Breakfast Casserole with Side Salad & Avocado

Dinner: Empty the fridge salad night! Lemon Herb Chicken over Salad or Taco Salad


Day #4: Thursday
Breakfast: Leftover Breakfast Casserole w/ Avocado & Fruit Side
Note: I know we are repeating here – this is making this lifestyle affordable and doable.  And hey I’m not the boss of you eat something else! Pinterest Whole30 recipes or check out this post on my sister blog from my first Whole30 prep.

Lunch: Leftover Taco Salad w/ Avocado Lime Dressing or Taco Meat Scrambler (Scramble up some eggs, leftover taco meat, and throw in some veggies, top with guacamole)
Note: Don’t get bored, get in the kitchen and be creative!

Note: This is one of our favorite meals from our first round of Whole30. Top your burger with guacamole or a dollap of Paleo Mayo. You can add seasonings to the mayo to make spicy or more of a sauce.
**Sweet Potato Fries have become a staple in our house, I gave you a link above but here is how I do it. Peel, rinse, slice into coins, in a bowl toss potatoes with olive oil & add seasoning – Everyday Seasoning (TJ), Garlic Salt (TJ), Italian Seasoning, Seasoning Salt – I know seems like a lot but it is what makes them amazing. If you have a stoneware cookie sheet use it, makes them perfectly crispy. If not use put foil on top of your cookie sheet. Spread coated potatoes in a single layer and bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes – watch them, they will burn. You can use white sweet potatoes or yams, I prefer yams they are sweeter. Make extra-they are a great breakfast side dish.
**Having green beans again to be affordable – buy a big package for Monday and Thursday.

Day #5: Friday
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation

Lunch: Leftover Coconut Crusted Burger over Greens

Dinner: Jalepeno Burgers served Breakfast Style topped with Over-Easy Egg, Bacon & Avocado on the Grill w/ Grilled Delicata Squash  & DESSERT!!!! Grilled Cinnamon Bananas
Note: #keepthedishesclean #makethemancook #TGIF
Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken. This is my creation so if Breakfast style doesn’t sound good then make your own style. You will love these burgers though. I have never grilled Delicata Squash but I have roasted it, it is amazing! This dessert credit goes to Andrew who creatively discovered it during our first Whole30, it is now made anytime the grill is on!

Day #6: Saturday
Breakfast: Easy Peasy Banana Pancakes Top with Melted Almond Butter & Shredded Coconut
Note: This recipe requires blanched almond flour, if you are new to Paleo this may not be something in your pantry – and it is a pricey item. Here is another recipe that requires no flour – Flourless Paleo Banana Pancakes.
Personal Side Note: Weekend breakfast was the hardest for me our first round of Whole30 because usually Andrew lets me sleep in and makes breakfast – which is usually yummy and covered in syrup. Don’t let the weekend derail you. Plan some family fun for the day, something to look forward to. We will be heading downtown to get Andrew’s PF Changs ½ Marathon Packet – proud of him!

Lunch: Empty the Fridge Salad,
Note: Out of protein? Trader Joe’s and Costco carry Whole30 approved Chicken Sausage that is fully cooked, just heat and serve. Also Trader Joe’s carries frozen turkey burgers and grass-fed beef burgers both Whole30 approved. Out and about with the family? Grab a protein style burger with mustard and pickles (haha, Andrew hates both mustard and pickles). Be aware of hidden sugars in salad dressings and condiments when eating out.

Note: Use what you got! This recipe calls for chicken thighs – you have chicken breats in the freezer – use them! Recipe calls for kale, you have spinach? Use it. It calls for avocado oil, don’t have any? Use olive oil or ghee. You would rather have a baked potato, go for it, they are Whole30 approved! Don’t want to grill, bake it!
This is a great blog post about Whole30 journey… read it, be encouraged!

Day #7: Sunday
Breakfast: Empty the fridge Omelet W/ Leftover Banana Pancakes

Lunch: Chipolte Date– choose a meat over salad with salsa and guacamole as your dressing!  
Note: I will be at Andrew’s marathon and then on my way to Tucson for my cousins’ bridal shower, so wish me luck on staying on track!

Dinner: Almond butter waffles topped with melted ghee sprinkled cinnamon, shredded coconut, and sliced almonds
Note: Sunday night is always Breakfast for Dinner night around here. You and your kids will love these! They keep in the fridge well and freeze well so make a double or triple batch. My kids will also eat them plain so they are good for a grab n go snack in the car.


***Prep Day 1 – Prior to Monday lunch time, I suggest Sunday.
  1. Make big salad & fill it with veggies – mix it up, I like doing a bag of Trader Joe’s Kale, Cabbage Crunch Salad Mix and a big box of spring mix, for my taco salad though I will prefer Romaine or green leaf. Important to buy your greens organic when possible. Costco has a great deal on Organic Baby Spinach and Organic Spring Mix.
  2. Make Homemade Greek Dressing
  3. Make Avocado Lime Dressing
  4. Make Crockpot Breakfast Casserole - add up how often you are going to eat this, maybe make half a recipe
  5. Defrost whole chicken in fridge Sunday night
  6. Wash up produce
  7. Package smoothies for week  - my smoothies
  8. Make Plantain Chips


***Prep Day 2 – Prior to Thursday Dinner
  1. Make salad, unless you have plenty still
  2. Make Whole30 approved salad dressing – no sugar peeps! Here is a list of Paleo dressings
  3. Make Paleo Mayo – without immersion blender use this recipe; with immersion blender use this recipe 
  4. Prep Turkey (or Chicken) Coconut Crusted Burgersput the burgers together but not the coating, that needs done at time of cooking
  5. Prep Jalepeno Burgersput the burgers together and put in fridge
  6. Make up Bacon
  7. Grill or bake chicken for Grilled Chipolte Sweet Potatoes
  8. Make up Almond butter waffles


Snack Idea:
  • Nuts
  • Veggie sticks – make dip with Paleo Mayo or Guacamole
  • Fruit – don’t go over board on sugar
  • Larabar – don’t over do it here and check ingredients
  • Almond butter on anything! – highly recommended on bananas and apples

Printable Shopping List for MEAL PLAN #1 click here

Printable Weekly Schedule for MEAL PLAN #1 click here


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