Menu Plan Monday + Zucchini Chips!

Monday~  Grilled Chicken Breast (180 calories) and Oven Fried Zucchini Chips (61 calories)

I've actually made these Zucchini chips before and they are YUMMY! 

Tuesday~ Chicken Quesidillas, Guacamole

Wednesday~ Stuffed Pepper Soup (261 calories for 1 1/3 cups soup and 1/2 cup brown rice)  

Thursday~ Garlic Lime Shrimp (1 cup equals 295 calories), salad

Friday~ Mini Frittatas (22 calories per piece), fresh fruit, (and probably bacon for Tim ;)

New Recipe Reviews: 

Lemon Chicken Rice Soup - Tim 7/10, Julie 8/10, Ease to make 8/10 - It was very tasty and filling since I used plenty of chicken and brown rice instead of white. The citrus added a great kick!

WILL DO again!

Baked Ziti - Tim 6/10, Julie 6.5/10, Ease to make 8/10 - It wasn't really memorable. It pretty much tasted like a pretty plain pasta/cheese/sauce dish. I don't feel like I need to make it again. I'd like to find something with more flavor. WON'T DO again.

Find more great recipe ideas at orgjunkie

Menu Plan Monday + 4 Recipe Reviews!

Monday~ Homemade Pizza

 *We've been using this new dough recipe and love it! You mix it by hand and put it in the fridge for up to 3 days to rest an pull it out when you want to use it. You don't have to let it rise at a warm temp at all and when you use it, you only have to stretch it across the pan with your hands - no rolling pin needed! Perfect for a crispy yet chewy thin crust :) We divide it into 4 balls (in medium sized ziplock bags) and put two of them immediately in the freezer for the next weekend.

Tuesday~ Lemon Chicken Rice Soup (275 Calories a serving), bread

Wednesday~ Baked Ziti (331.9 calories per 1/8th of 9x13 pan), salad

Thursday~ Fajitas

Friday~ Grilled chicken over salad, bread

Recipe Review: 

Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken - We are going to try this one again and then rate it because I kind of overcooked it while I was chasing two little ones! But Tim said the taste was really good and would liked to try it again! And its was easy to make :) It's a GO!

Twice Baked Butternut Squash- Tim- 7/10 (but only as a side, not a main dish ;), Julie- 7/10 - I just didn't love it and it was a lot of work! Ease to make 4/10. No Go. X

Warm Pasta Salad with Pecan and Spinach -Tim 4/10, Julie- 4/10, Ease to Make 9/10. It was easy to make, but not worth making. It all smelled so good and looked good, but fell flat. We just didn't like it enough to make it again. No Go. X

Tuna Melt on Rye - Tim - 8/10, Julie- 8.5/10, Ease to make 9/10 - so easy to make and delicious and light! Great for dinner or lunch with guests.  It's a GO!

For more great ideas check out orgjunkie

#006 You Might Live in Scotland If...

... You have to make your own "half and half" or coffee creamer because they don't sell it in the grocery store. 

The first time I sent Tim to the grocery store to grab a few things, he spent forever looking for some half and half for our coffee. He finally(to my amazement) asked a store worker where he could find some. Her reply was, "What is half and half and what would you use it for?" Our stores here have:

*skimmed milk
*semi-skimmed milk
*whole milk
*single cream (too thick for coffee)
*double cream (basically whipping cream)

---> So I mix equal parts of milk and single cream in an empty jar to make half and half for our coffee. Most people here just put milk in their coffee, but we just can't do it! But I really do miss all of those fun flavored creamers especially around the holidays! I am beginning to appreciate the taste of the actual coffee more now though and my dear husband is glad :)

Scripture Memory~ June 15/2012

James 1:19,20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

*Let's just say I have not been as patient with my sweet girls as i would like to be(especially when *ahem* I am trying to get out of the door on time). So I need this reminder right now!

Menu Plan Monday + Twice Baked Butternut Squash!

Monday~ Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken (186 calories per 4 oz serving)

Tuesday~ Twice-Baked Butternut Squash (296 calories a serving)

Wednesday~ Warm Pasta Salad with Pecan and Spinach

* What a fun website that is too! It has a great selection of dishes to make with Pecans and shares all of the health benefits of Pecans as well :) You should check it out!

Thursday~ Tuna Melt on Rye (409 calories for 2 slices)

Friday~ Lemon Chicken Soup

Saturday~ Leftovers

Sunday~ Cheddar Bacon Burgers for Father's day :) These are Tim's favorite!
(466 calories a burger) - And yes, we'll be having them with salad!

I'm linked up with orgjunkie!

Menu Plan Monday~ June 4/12

It's been a good week, but a busy one. But a good kind of busy - lots of fun things to do with friends. It's at the point where I can't go to everything or I get overwhelmed. I suppose  that's a nice problem to have. Just 8 months ago when I arrived in Aberdeen, I had 0 on my calendar and only 1 friend. I'm thankful to the Lord for a good community!


Calorie counting and Exercising goals: I had the goal of counting my calories every day(and staying within my limits for 14 days straight and exercise 5x each week to remind myself that I CAN get results when I am consistent. I did very well the first week - I didn't miss a day of tracking or exercise and I lost 1.8 lbs! Then the next week, I didn't quite finish 2 of my days of tracking and missed 2 days of exercise and my weight stayed the same. So basically the first week was a really great reminder that if I am careful and consistent with my calories and exercise, I lose weight. Now I just need to stick to it each week!


Here's what's on the menu this week:


Monday~ Breakfast for Dinner


Tuesday~ Chipotle Burrito Bowl, tortilla chips - I didn't get a chance to try this one last week and I would like to :)


Wednesday~ Loaded potato Soup (321 calories, 11.1g fat, 3g  fiber per 1 1/4 cup) and side salad

             

Thursday~Green Salad with Grilled Chicken and Mandarin Oranges and Almonds (220 calories, 9 g of fat, 2 g of fiber, not counting dressing, serving size 1 3/4 cup), crispy bread


Friday~ Salmon with Lemon and Dill, grilled asparagus, and grilled carrot fries (320 Calories per fillet)

Check out orgjunkie for more great menu ideas.