The Plan (October 1-5)

Monday:  English muffin pizzas and salad [yes, we are 7 :)]
Tuesday:  Fish tacos
Wednesday:  Buffalo chicken wraps/salad
Thursday:  Venison, sweet potatoes, veg
Friday:  Rehearsal party for my cousins wedding!!!

My husband worked this weekend, so he has a few weekdays "off" this week (although, he will likely work, just from home) so I am hoping he can execute a few of these meals.

My cousin, who is also a close friend, is getting married on Saturday and it is Thanksgiving on Sunday, so we are in for a busy, busy weekend.  I am hoping to stay on track diet-wise all week, since I know the weekend is likely to be a write off.

SarahSmiles and Cooks {and crafts?}

In addition to cooking, I enjoy crafting.  Sewing is probably my preferred activity, but I dabble in other things as well, like photography, scrapbooking and random pinterest stuff.

I wanted to post this one for feedback, because I can't decide how I feel about it.  I really like the way the turned out, I just don't want to the recipients to feel like they are getting more junk, ya know?

When we go to weddings, we give the standard card of cash.  I thought this might be a nice token to along with the cash.  Inspired by pinterest, I just used wordart in Word for this quick project.  I tried to stick with their wedding colors and/or colors I know will "go" in their houses.

What do you think?

 



Maple Gravy Pork Chops

We have been buying a HUGE loin at Costco about once a month, which keeps us in pork for at least a meal a week.  As awesome as pulled pork is, I have been trying to cut some into chops and broaden our horizons a bit.

This was my inspiration:  http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/vermont_maple_syrup_pork_chops/

My chops were fairly thin, so I just did a stove-top method, but I am sure the oven-method for a thicker chop would be fab as well.  I doubled the sauce, because I had a haunch it would be delish and I would want some for our rice side dish.  I WAS RIGHT.  It was a little bit sour, a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy and a lot amazing.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 pork chops
• Olive oil
• 1/2 onion, minced
• 1/2 c. maple syrup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 tsp chili powder
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a bowl  (maple syrup to s&p).
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or dutch oven.  Sear the pork chops on each side.  Set aside.
3. Saute the onion in the skillet until browned and translucent.
4. Add the sauce and bring to a boil.
5. Add the pork chops back in to the pan.  If they are thick and your pan is oven proof, stick it in a 350 F pre-heated oven and bake for 20 mins.  If they are thinner, just keep the chops cooking in the bubbling sauce for about 10-15 mins on the stove top.
6. Serve with rice or mashed potatoes, so you have something to dump the yummy extra sauce on :)

Le Menu (September 23-28)

Last week the husband and I ended up on a random road trip to upstate New York, basically to run an errand.  It was a fun drive, but mucho McDonalds was consumed.

This week, it's back to meal planning and healthy eating!

Monday:  Venison chops, broccoli, mashed potatoes
Tuesday:  Grilled pork chops, sweet potatoes, spinach salad
Wednesday:  Chicken parm and ceasar salad
Thursday:  Homemade pizza and ceasar salad
Friday:  Grilled sandwiches

My goal is to post the chicken parm and pizza recipes.

What's cooking? (September 10-15)

I have been an absolutely lazy failure when it comes to meal planning over the summer.  My husband worked odd hours and our house was 900 degrees.  I just had no motivation to do much beyond grill a piece of meat or grab a chicken from the grocery store.

Even though I am no longer in school, working for a school or have children in school, September still makes me want to start fresh.  My budget and waistline are crying out for a plan and a routine, so here we go again!

Monday:       Sweet barbacoa venison in the slow cooker (skinnytaste.com style) made into taco salad
Tuesday:       BBQ pork chops marinated in jerk sauce and roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes
Wednesday:  Beef and broccoli stir-fry
Thursday:     Roasted red pepper and spinach pasta bake and a little Cesar salad
Friday:          Sole fillets, broccoli and rice with mango chutney

Why so much broccoli you ask?  Obviously we got a giant sack at Costco and I am doing my darndest darnedest (really spellcheck?  Does that e belong?) to use it up!