I have my lists ready with exactly what I need to make for the planned meals (Sun-Thurs) when I head to Trader Joe's which is usually followed up by Fred Meyer or Safeway for the thing or two they did not have (worth it though since it's better food and cheaper at Trader Joe's). Weekends are so unreliable that I don't usually plan anything (we have lots of yummy, somewhat healthy, Costco frozen foods that I use then, and always have basic staples around the house to fill in gaps).
This week was Pinterest inspired, or should I say obsessed :/ ? Here is what we ate: (excuse the horrible cell phone camera photos)
Monday: Farfalle with Spinach and Mushrooms
Ok, so I didn't use Farfalle...because I couldn't find it whole wheat. I added shrimp and may have added a bit extra cheese...opps! This will defintely be made again. Simple but delicious.
Tuesday: Stuffed Peppers and Healthy Peanut Butter Brownies.
Ok, so the picture makes it look gross, but it was the leftovers...
I added ground turkey and used Italian Seasoning in place of their herbs because it's what I had on hand and was similar enough. It was good, but missing something, so we added skimmed mozzarella on top and it was delicious (though Scott isn't a huge fan of tomatoes so I might leave those out next time). The leftovers were even better! Oh and the brownies??? I adored them, and they are super easy and almost tasted like fudge. Another keeper! I did not take a picture of the brownies because by the time I remembered, I was embarrassed by how the dish looked (a little too empty :/ )!!
Wednesday: Pan Roasted Salmon and Green Beans.
Yes, I promise that is salmon in the picture...
This was not a Pinterest night...I have been making these two for quite some time. One of the local market's had a buy one get one free deal on Salmon fillets, so that's what inspired my deviation from Pinterest recipes. I always use chili powder instead of cumin when I make it. Oh and Scott asked for some freezer rolls with texas roadhouse butter. I used margarine instead of butter because when I made it with butter it tasted too "buttery" (I know, go figure...).
Thursday: Mama's Favorite Ziti.
(There is no picture because it did not impress me enough to think to take a picture...)
This one was good but nothing spectacular. I did make quite a few changes and didn't measure much, so it may have been my fault. Though to me, pasta with red sauce of any type is never amazing. I used ground turkey instead of beef, only 1 can of tomato soup but added tomato paste, added mushrooms, and used chicken broth instead of water. It was very flavorful, but heavier than I wanted and just sort of boring to make and eat. If you enjoy pasta with red sauce, though, it's good for what it is.
Friday and Saturdays are leftovers and eating out days in our house. P.F. Changs and Red Mill Burgers! YUMM.
This coming week's menu looks like this:
Sunday: "World's Best Chicken" and Garlic-Rosemary Mushrooms
Monday: Couscous with chicken sausage ragu and salad
Tuesday: Spaghetti squash with bean-less chili and corn cake
Wednesday: Steak (2 for 1 deal at Metropolitan Market this week!) and creamed spinach
Thursday: Whole Wheat Orzo with salmon, asparagus, and feta and a salad.
I did my grocery shopping for these meals today, and it made me feel so happy when my cart and bags were full of things labeled "organic" and a large amount of vegetables. When I got home I took this picture to remind myself later on of what a healthy shopping trip looks like incase I get back into my habits of thinking frozen pasta meals in a bag are "healthy" just because it is not very high calorie.
Scott was not too thrilled when he saw all the vegetables. I think he's worried about eating that much healthy food, I'm sure he'll be asking for "a side of cheeseburger" a couple times this week to make up the difference! He could eat burgers 6 days a week (maybe more) and be completely content, but he never puts up a fuss with what I make. He eats it, never complains, and just looks for something else to eat instead of having seconds if he's not wild about it. What a sweet man.
As far as life aside from food.... I decided I need to get some Instagram magnets... I just need to decide which 9 photos I want to use. I think they'll look super cute on the fridge.
Also, I have found myself saying how much I love Seattle on a DAILY basis... Very, very good thing since it's the first time I've really felt "at home" anywhere in about 4 years. I sort of hope we don't have to leave any time soon. At least I know I'll get to stay here until May 2014. Fingers crossed it's longer than that.
Oh and I'm going to try and start a little project soon... The plan is to make floating night-stands for our bedroom. We have never had night-stands and I've always wanted some but our room is just too small. So.... I am going to build wooden boxes to hang up on the wall and put a basket in the opening (like a drawer). Kind of like this,
only it'll be stained a dark cherry wood color instead of painted white, and I'm not a big fan of the studs around the outside. Really nothing will be the same besides the idea of having a box floating on the wall. Hopefully I can get motivated to get started on it soon! I want to find the baskets I'm going to use first, so that I can build the box to fit it perfectly. Oh, and I've NEVER done anything like this before, so who know's if it'll come out cute, or even useable!
Last and most exciting of all... This coming week is Scott's last week of his first semester of grad school! I get to have him all to my self after work and on weekends again! During which time we have some friends visiting, a trip to Boise for Christmas, and a Trip to Vancouver, BC, for our anniversary planned! Oh I can't wait!
If you're still reading, I'm sorry, but no one forced you to. ;)
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