Back to the grind is never easy, but things around here are beginning to feel like "normal" again. This week is a little tricky with all the back to school nights to attend, so we're keeping it fairly manageable with our meals this week. I do really try to keep things healthy yet within a budget for my family. People often ask me if I only buy organic. I wish I could, however definitely not in the budget! I buy organic where I can and I pick and choose what is eaten most. My kids love apples, pears, romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots, celery, broccoli, peanut butter and yogurt. (to name a few). I cant buy organic milk so I choose Garelick Farms. I try and buy organic chicken and grass fed beef and wild fish. I don't buy much "junk", the stuff on the inside aisles of the market, but I do buy potato chips made with just potatoes and salt. I bake most treats so I know what's in them. I do okay...not perfect, but who is???? I don't want people to think I'm "holier than tho healthy", because I'm not. I try to live by example for my kids and hope it pays off!
I thought I'd share with you what was a hit last week and what didn't go over as well as I'd expected. The skirt steak was I think the favorite of the week. I marinated it in Dijon mustard, vinegar and a little olive oil. I barely ate a 1/4 of a piece because my oldest ate 2 full skirt steaks (and asked for more) and my 6 year old ate an entire one too. Not much left for the others so I gave up mine! Shopping for good quality meats is getting very expensive for me with my 4 growing kids, so I am doing lots of veggies and whole grains on the side. Would love to hear where you do your shopping for the best deals. Runner up favorite was the soba noodle stir fry. Everyone here likes a good noodle dish! Least favorite was the quinoa-turkey patties, although they were my favorite. a great dish if you like felafel's. Everyone ate them...that's my rule here...have to give it a fair try. Heard lots of ,"this looks funny", and I don't like the sauce (tahini). I gave them ketchup instead! There are always veggies, salad, and some cut up fruit if you don't love the main dish. I do not make more than one meal, so if you're still hungry fruit and veggies are your choices. It is a rare occasion that someone is miserable at the table, but it does happen!
Meals for the upcoming week...
Monday: tacos with ground turkey, all the fixins' like beans, corn, avocados, lettuce, etc. I like the brand of shells that is GMO free, I believe it is Garden of Eden.
Tuesday: baked ziti made with brown rice pasta, sauce, mozzarella and ricotta cheeses and edamame salad (no one here knows the difference that it's brown rice pasta & I feel better eating it rather than the white flour kind)
Wednesday: homemade chicken tenders, roasted broccoli and cauliflower, and sauteed chick peas
Thursday: ribollita soup (keeping fingers crossed that it cools off for this--it's Teddy, my youngest son's pick of the week, and he most always chooses something hot!) a nice loaf of some good whole grain bread to accompany.
Friday: homemade calzones with lots of veggies and some Applegate bacon and salad
Saturday: grilled chicken and zucchini and corn on the cob with tomato salad
Sunday: whatever wild fish is on sale!
I would love this blog to turn into a sharing page where we can all share ideas, stores we go to, cookbooks, etc. Please give me some feedback. I'd love to know what you find helpful and what you rather not read. I'm all about being honest but not hurting feelings!
enjoy the week all....Donna
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