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Hey there! I'm Holly. A 40+ year old insurance-nerd wife, mom, beauty lover, and about a million other things in between.
This is the place where I share about our lives, what I'm currently loving, books I'm reading, plus-size style, beauty recommendations, health + fitness endeavors and anything else I'm finding interesting at the moment.
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Category Archives: Menu Plans
What’s For Dinner?
So I made some better grocery decisions this week. I didn’t buy any meat from disreputable sources, and in fact I picked up some awesome (and delicious — I know because I sampled!) chicken sausages from the Carmichael Farmer’s Market this morning. I got two different flavors so we’ll be enjoying those for lunch this week which will be excellent because I am already feeling the pressure — this. week. is. FULL!
Hopefully I will at least be well fueled, which will help me be able to kick ass and take names! Here’s what we’re munching on:
Monday
Lunch: Leftover Garlic Pepper Pork Loin from Sunday’s Dinner + Steamed Broccoli
Dinner: Cinnamon Chipotle Sliders + Sauteed Rainbow Chard
Tuesday
Lunch: Taco Salad
Dinner: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken Thighs + Salad
Wednesday
Lunch: Mediterranean Chicken Sausage + Caprese Salad
Dinner: Blackened Chicken with Avocado Cream + Sauteed Carrots with Cumin + Orange Zest
Thursday
Lunch: Chive Chicken Sausages + Sliced Red Peppers + Strawberries
Dinner: Southwestern Turkey Burgers + Brussels Sprout Slaw
Friday
Lunch: Leftover Turkey Burgers Veggie Must Go
Dinner: Pepperoni Pizza with Cauliflower Crust + Salad
Saturday
Bridal Shower — this day is going to be a Free for All!
Sunday
Shop!
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What’s cooking in your neck of the woods?
What’s For Dinner?
Well it appears this week will be the first hot one in the books for my little town.
Followed by many more, I’m sure, so instead of complaining I’m going to use this as an excuse to get some sun on my legs and enjoy some simple warm weather pleasures:
*drinking lots of water spiked with lemon juice (which is my new favorite thing EVER — juice a whole lemon into 36 oz of water, refrigerate and enjooooooooooy the refreshment)
*wearing skirts and dresse
*grilling in the backyard
*squeezing in some ultra-sweaty wods in the early evening
*and perhaps staying up a little bit too late since nothing beats a hot summer night (in the spring!)
Breakfast this week is made to order green smoothies (for her…since Garrett hates them) or chicken apple sausage, baby carrots and hard boiled eggs (for him, already prepacked in the fridge, ready to go!)
Shall we talk about the rest of the menu?
Monday
Lunch: Salad topped with my favorite Citrus Carnitas (I bought a new mango vinaigrette at Whole Foods that I might try with this. It could be awesome, or awful.)
Dinner: Joe’s Special and Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
Tuesday
Lunch: Grilled Honey Chipotle Chicken + Cucumber/Tomato/Feta Salads
Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner! Sweet Potato Hash with Poached Eggs + Ham
Wednesday
Lunch: Chicken Chorizo with Steamed Garlic Broccoli + Caprese Salad
Dinner: Cobb Salads (OHMYGOD I LOVE COBB SALADS!)
Thursday
Lunch: Taco Salad (you didn’t think a week would go by without it, did you?)
Dinner: Mid week BBQ! Grilled Chicken Sausages + Veggie Skewers (Zucs, Summer Squash + Peppers)
Friday
Lunch: Grilled Blackened Mahi Mahi + Salad + Veggie Leftovers
Dinner: Spicy Turkey Burgers + Sweet Potato Fries + Salad
Saturday
Lunch: Wild Card — we may go on a picnic.
Dinner: Grilled Italian Pub Burgers stuffed with spinach + Caprese Salad + sauteed zucchini
Sunday
Shop!
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What’s cooking in your neck of the woods?
What’s For Dinner?
It’s a green smoothie kind of week around here for breakfast. The weather is supposed to be in the high 70s/low 80s all week so for the rest of the meal planning, I am pretty committed to cool refreshment, grilling and enjoying of eating green things outdoors.
Just a quick note, I’m linking to a lot of “inspired by” recipes. I’m adapting most of them to make them Paleo (leaving out croutons, substituting sweet potatoes for regular potatoes, etc) but I just wanted to clarify that. I actually find a lot of Paleo cooking inspiration from completely un-Paleo cookbooks. My current favorite: Tyler Florence Family Meal. I’ve been flipping through it all week with excitement! Don’t let non-paleo recipes bum you out — let them inspire your cooking.
Ok, random sidebar over. Let’s talk about what’s going on the table:
Monday
Lunch: Taco Salad, obviously.
Dinner: Grilled Flank Steak + Steamed Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts Salad
Tuesday
Lunch: Grilled Flank Steak Salad
Dinner: Spicy Grilled Turkey Burgers with Snappy Crunchy Coleslaw (mayo free!) and Sliced Cucumbers with Lemon Pepper
Wednesday
Lunch: Chicken Chorizo with Sauteed Zucchini
Dinner: Grilled Chicken BLT Salads with Avocado
Thursday
Lunch: Greek Salads
Dinner: Curried Ground Turkey with Sweet Potatoes served over Sauteed Rainbow Chard
Friday
Lunch: Chipotle Salads
Dinner: Grilled Honey Chipotle Chicken + Veggie Must Go
Saturday
Lunch: Brunch!
Dinner: Wild Card.
Sunday:
Shop!
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What’s cooking in your neck of the woods?
What’s For Dinner – Portland Aftermath Edition
You guys.
This weekend I ate one half of a roast beef sandwich. That had french fries INSIDE OF IT.
At 1:30 in the morning.
Are you surprised that over half of my meals this week involve salad? Because you really should not be. Let me just clarify that the french fry filled fourth meal? Was one of TWELVE MEALS I ate in Portland. Many others coming from similar food trucks and donut shops, to boot. Oh god.
I remember a couple of years ago, Garrett and I drove down to San Francisco mid week to see one of our favorite bands perform. Then we drove home after midnight, went to sleep and got up the next morning to go to work. About 5 minutes into getting ready we both looked at each other and said:
“We are too old for this shit.”
And now, we only see bands we like during the week if they are local. Or if it is an out of town show, we spend the night and don’t work the next day. We don’t quite recover like we used to! What I’m getting to here is that this Food Filled Vacation yielded a similar sentiment when we woke up this morning. We eat too clean, too regularly to enjoy a dive off the deep end into the donut box these days. So that may be the last time we go nuts and try ALL OF THE FOOD in a 72 hour period. We’ll see.
My digestive system is mad at me, but all in all we had such a great time! I can’t wait to tell you all about it but I’m currently nursing a gluten hangover and we have no groceries in the fridge, and someone needs to handle that. Also, I’m pretty sure my pants don’t fit anymore, so I should probably figure out what I’m wearing to work tomorrow. 🙂
Until then, here’s what we’re noshing on this week:
Monday
Lunch: Taco Salad I’m minutes away from consuming this bliss. YES!
Dinner: Grilled Chicken + Asparagus + Salad
Tuesday
Lunch: Grilled Chicken Salad
Dinner: Spanikopita Turkey Burgers + Zucchini/Squash/Shallot Saute
Wednesday
Lunch: Greek Salad
Dinner: Salmon Burgers + Cucumber and Tomato Salad + Leftover Zuchini
Thursday
Lunch: Spinach Salads
Dinner: A friend is in town tonight: Wild Card!
Friday
Lunch: Leftovers.
Dinner: Fiesta Grilled Chicken + Roasted Cauliflower + Salad
Saturday
Lunch: Brunch
Dinner: Weekend Burgers + Salad + Sweet Potato Fries
Sunday
Shop!
*****
What’s cooking in your neck of the woods this week?
What’s For Dinner
I was all stressed out about planning a menu and going grocery shopping this morning and then it dawned on me: I ONLY HAVE TO COOK FOR 3 DAYS NEXT WEEK! Then we are off to Portland and someone else will be doing the cooking. YUM! 🙂
So I scrambled through my fridge and threw together some random combinations of food, and we now have a menu! Bonus, I only need to pick up a few things at the store so I don’t even have to go today if I don’t feel like it. Sunday Fun-day it is! I think I’m going to watch some Formula 1 with Garrett, organize my closet, and read a little bit. (Yes I realize I just listed organizing as something fun, but man, I do love it!)
Here’s what we’re chowing on this week:
Monday
Lunch: Chex Mix Shrimp (Just toss your shrimp in melted butter + the seasoning mixture for Chex Mix. Saute or broil and done. It’s amazing!) over Cauliflower Rice
Dinner: Big Blue Burgers + Salad + Sweet Potato Fries
Tuesday
Lunch: Taco Salad with Ground Turkey
Dinner: Blackened Mahi Mahi + Sauteed Rainbow Chard + Salad
Wednesday
Lunch: Salmon Burgers + Sauteed Zucchini
Dinner: Must Go Veggie Frittata (As in “all veggies in the fridge Must Go” + Fried Ham + Sweet Potato Hash
Thursday and on…
This picture just made me laugh so I had to include it.
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What’s cooking in your neck of the woods this week? Plus, last call for good restaurant suggestions in Portland. Leave ’em in the comments.
Have a great week you all!
What’s For Dinner?
Happy Easter!
While you are reading this post, I will be eating this plate of delicious eggs benedict. Well, not this exact one, but the one my mom is making me. And you can bet it will be good. But you aren’t here to find out what I’m eating right now, are you? How about I get on to what I’m eating next week!
Monday
Lunch: Taco Salad (duh.)
Dinner: Broccoli Slaw Frittata with Ham + Sweet Potato Hash
Tuesday
Lunch: Asian Ground Beef, Mushrooms + Broccoli Slaw Wraps
Dinner: Cayenne Rubbed Chicken with Avocado Salsa + Chili Zucchini
Wednesday
Lunch: Grilled Chicken Salad
Dinner: Turkey Satay Burgers + Sweet Potato Fries + Salad
Thursday
Lunch: Paleo-ified Chinese Spring Roll Salad with Grilled Chicken
Dinner: Balsamic Chicken + Peppers and Roasted Artichoke Salad
Friday
Lunch: Salmon Burgers and Roasted Yellow Squash Fries
Dinner: Leftovers or Go Out!
Saturday
Lunch: Brunch
Dinner: Grilled Marinated Flank Steak + Roasted Cauliflower with Jalapeno Cilantro Salsa Verde
Sunday
Shop!
*****
It’s looking to be a pretty tasty week. What’s cooking in your neck of the woods?
What’s For Dinner?
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are going to be very Paleo and mostly Zone this week.
Since this weekend we are in the Bay Area for the wedding of our good friends (drinking champagne and eating cake!) we will definitely be cleaning up our act when it comes to meals come Monday!
For Breakfast, I’m sticking to the Zone Combos that have been working so far. I made some sweet potato hash before we headed out of town, so that’s what’s on the menu for most of the week!
Lunch and Dinner are as follows:
Monday
Lunch: Taco Salad
Dinner: Sauteed Chicken in Mustard Cream Sauce + Roasted Asparagus + Salad
Tuesday
Lunch: Leftover Chicken in Mustard Cream Sauce + Asparagus
Dinner: Salmon Burgers (from Costco, Holla!) with Dill Yogurt Sauce + Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Shallots + Walnuts
Wednesday
Lunch: Sausage + Peppers with Salad
Dinner: PaleoifiedChicken Stir Fry Wraps + Cauliflower Fried Rice
Thursday
Lunch: Greek Salad
Dinner: Indian Spiced Chicken Burgers + BBQ 3000 Sweet Potato Fries + Tomato Cucumber Salad
Friday
Lunch: Chipotle Barbacoa Salads with Guacamole
Dinner: Cauliflower Pizza with Chicken Chorizo + Shallots
Saturday
Lunch: Brunch!
Dinner: Paleo-ified Almond Apricot Chicken with Mint Pesto + Roasted Broccoli
Sunday
Shop!
*****
What’s cooking in your neck of the woods?
What’s For Dinner
You know my life is out of control when I can’t even come up with a weekly menu, or make time to blog it.
I’m taking back my life this week though, so I’ve at least scribbled down a template that I am damned determined to follow!
We’re getting back to basics (and I can’t wait!):
Monday
Lunch: Taco Salad + Kale Chips
Dinner: Tri Tip + Roasted Butternut Squash + Salad
Tuesday
Lunch: Carnitas Salads
Dinner: Grilled Chicken + Bacon + Egg Spinach Salads
Wednesday
Lunch: Grilled Chicken Salads
Dinner: Chile Relleno Casserole (again, it was bomb!) + Salad
Thursday
Lunch: Leftover Chile Relleno Casserole + Raw Veggies
Dinner: Turkey Burgers (the type TBD) + Sauteed Snap Peas + Salad
Friday
Lunch: Ground Beef Hot Plate + Cauliflower Rice
Dinner: Steak with Garlic + Mushrooms + Sauteed Swiss Chard + More Brussels Sprouts
Saturday
Lunch: Out // Leftovers
Dinner: Out // Leftovers // Must Go
Sunday
Shop!
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What’s cooking in your neck of the woods?
What’s For Dinner?
Last January Garrett and I headed down to the central coast and spent a long weekend looking at a lot of this:
This coming weekend we are headed down again to celebrate one of my besties’ 30th birthday and her recent engagement! I’m hoping the weather will give us a repeat performance.
What does this mean to you? Well, it means my menu post is a little bit light. But here is what we are eating all the same:
Monday
Lunch: Taco Salad (I know, same old! But it’s easy AND delicious.)
Dinner: Slow Cooker Coconut Ginger Chicken over Cauli Rice
Tuesday
Lunch: Chile Rellenos Casserole (I’m making this ahead of time)
Dinner: Chicken with Pepperoni Marinara + Garlic Sauteed Zucchini + Salad
Wednesday
Lunch: Sonoma Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups (or leftovers for Garrett since he hates Chicken Salad like a crazy person.)
Dinner: Spinach Stuffed Turkey Burgers (a riff on this recipe) + Kale Chips + Salad
Thursday
Lunch: Leftover Spinach Burgers + Veggie Mustgo
Dinner: Cajun Turkey Chili (This recipe is my own. If it’s good, I will post it.)
Friday through Sunday
PEACE OUT SACRAMENTO!
What’s For Dinner?
INCOMING: Busy week!
I have long afternoon trainings at work most of the week which means a lot of make ahead prep meals and simple dinners since I probably won’t be coming home for lunch. It’s a bummer because I really enjoy being able to run home and cook some food mid-day, but it’s going to be grab and go all week! Good thing I have tomorrow off to prepare some food, because today I plan to have my butt firmly planted on the couch reading, working on my Project Life album and (hopefully) watching the 49ers kick some ass.
Here’s the plan:
Monday
Lunch: Spinach Salads with Bacon and Eggs and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Dinner: Deconstructed Gyro Salad
Tuesday
Lunch: Hard Boiled Eggs + Sweet Potato Hash
Dinner: Mexican Meatza + Salad
Wenesday
Lunch: Grilled Chicken Thighs and Steamed Broccoli
Dinner: Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast (recipe similar to this) + Carrots + Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Pecans
Thursday
Lunch: Sausages and Cabbage with Onions
Dinner: Pork Loin + Butternut Squash Stew
Friday
Lunch: Leftover Stew
Dinner: California Club Turkey Burgers + Sweet Potato Fries
Saturday
Lunch: Brunch!
Dinner: Must Go (or go out after a busy week!)
Sunday
Shop!
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So what’s cooking in your neck of the woods? What do you cook when you have a busy week ahead?
