O.K.,last week was a bust. I didn't get my menu planned and we ended up with take out chinese, and 2 other dinners out. D+ for me. The plus is for the one night that I cranked something out even though I didn't want to. And I did make corned beef which was very tasty and provided about 8 sandwiches.

So here's the plan for this week.

Tuesday:Smoked Pork Chops, Mac n Cheese out of Ellie Krieger's book, and Broccoli

Wednesday: Chorizo and Potato Fritatta, Salad, and biscuits

Thursday: Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi with Orzo or Angel Hair Pasta, Salad, and Green Beans

Friday: Chinese Chicken Salad and Wonton Crisps or Out. (If we go out, this will be Monday's dinner)

Saturday: Marinated Tofu and Broccoli and Baby Corn Stir Fry

Sunday: Pork Roast, Maple Roasted Carrots, Mashed Potatoes and Salad.

Let me know if you would like me to post any of the recipes. And make sure I am keeping on track. Most of these recipes are out of some sort of healthy cookbook or another.

Last night was homemade Nachos. Which would probably fall under the good part of good, better, best. I used ground turkey, low fat sour cream, and 1/2 2% Cheese and 1/2 regular cheese since I ran out of the low fat kind. I added a bunch of veggies too, but I did use regular chips in an effort to not waste food.

Well, two nights out in a row. But tonight I made the Chinese Chicken Salad I posted in the Recipe folder. It was awesome! Very tasty and definitely a keeper. It would be perfect in the summer or for a luncheon.

I think tomorrow night will be the Tofu and Broccoli Stir Fry. And then I need a new menu plan for the week.

Well, last night didn't go according to plan. We ended up at the movies at dinnertime. I did get popcorn, but I only ate half of it. I should have gotten the small, but S said he wanted to share so I got a medium.

But, we didn't get fast food on the way home. We ate leftovers. I had a piece of mac and cheese and an apple, not the best, but not the worst either.

So far so good. Tuesday's dinner was tasty. The mac n' cheese was good, but a bit bland and a slightly grainy texture. The blandness I kind of expected since most baked macaroni tastes sort of bland to me. The texture was due to the two packages of butternut squash that went in to it. I hit it with the immersion blender, but I think it's just the nature of the ingredient.
I will say it was quite filling. I toyed with having a second piece, but realized that I really was full. I would make it again, but I would add more salt and up the seasonings a bit. S said it was o.k. until he commented on the texture. Once he knew what was in it, he didn't want anymore.

Last night's fritatta was a little off. Too many potatos and not enough eggs. I winged it and added 4 whole eggs and 4 egg whites. It needed two more eggs at least. Also I couldn't find the small piece of chorizo that I am sure is in my freezer. So I added a few slices of bacon instead.

I am a little bit nervous about tonight's dinner since frozen shrimp are always sort of hit or miss. Hopefully they won't be too fishy.

Grocery shopping done.

A few extras were procured due to unforseen hunger while at the store. A small packet of european cookies, and some veggie corn dogs. Nothing too horrible.

I have tried making multiple servings planning on leftovers, and one of two things happens. Either S eats more than one portion in a sitting or the food goes to waste. It's hard to manage the leftover thing here. It's easiest to just make two portions and be done with it.

I am posting the Chinese Chicken Salad recipe in the recipes folder so that it is easier to find later.

I love cold Asian noodle dishes, especially sesame noodles, but I have to be careful since I can't eat peanuts and peanut products. They are a fairly common ingredient in that style of dish.

chinese chicken salad please!

on saturday, i tried this asian noodle salad at the co-op's prepared foods bar. it was tops! they listed the ingredients but not the recipe. i am going to try it since the hot weather is coming and i want to change my hot lunches to cold salads. it looked like your typical mayonaise salad, with angel hair pasta, sun dried tomatoes, scallions, salt and pepper and cayenne papper. i am going to give it a try with some pull apart chicken breast meat that i will marinate in soy, wine and rice vinegar. add a little steamed broccoli and toss.

i think my main issue is boredom. i don't have the time or inclination to make a new dish every night. i admire your menu. at least you have something different every day. i cook on the weekends, and i am eating the same ole same old monday thru thursday. i have to cook again on thursday because my reserves have run out. i just get down right bored. it has its pros and cons. if i am routined, then i stay on plan because gosh darn it, i just don't have any fuel left in my tank to do anything different by the end of the day. but if i am bored 4-5 days out of the week, i want to
splurge" on the weekends. which usually means, eat off plan, eat too much, eat eat eat...

oy vey. how to find that balance...