Monday, January 20, 2014

Weekly Menu Retrospective #125

 
Welcome to my weekly roundup of the past week's eats. I prefer to report what we ate in the last week, rather than what we're planning to eat in the coming week. Why? The reason is pretty simple: although I usually have a general idea of what we're going to eat in the next week or so, life often unfolds a little differently than planned, and I adjust my menu plan on a near-daily basis to accommodate leftovers and other not-possible-to-plan-ahead circumstances. I find this is the easiest way to ensure that I minimize our family's food waste. I'm also willing to admit that I'm a rather spontaneous cook, given to preparing foods that strike me as the most appealing thing to eat right here and now!

If you'd like a whole book full of inexpensive, quick and kid-approved recipes, check out my book, Cheap Appétit : The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month (While Eating Better Than You Ever Thought Possible) on Amazon (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon UK) and Barnes and Noble.  It's gotten multiple 5 star reviews!! I've included page references to recipes that are in the book in my menu plans so you can locate them quickly. For more details about the book, go here. 
 
Breakfasts:
Granola (p. 92)  Zucchini Raisin Bran Muffins (variation of the recipe on p. 102), leftover cornbread, Blueberry Clafouti (p. 223)
 
Lunches: 

leftovers, sandwiches, pizza 

Dinners:
Monday:  Black Bean Chili (p. ), Cornbread (p. 212)

Tuesday:  Fish Cakes, hash brown potatoes, Broccoli, Bacon and Cheddar Salad (p. 204)

Wednesday: Everything-But-the-Kitchen-Sink Lentil Soup (p. 162)

Thursday: Sweet & Sour Pork (p. 142) served over rice

Friday: Turkey & Vegetable Coconut Curry (variation of the recipe on p. 136) served over quinoa
  
Saturday: Make-It-Your-Way Potato Hash (with sausage, red peppers and peas, p. 140)

Sunday: Pork Souvlaki, baked potatoes, Greek salad, Chocolate Quinoa Cake
 
In keeping with my local and organic challenge, I'd also like to note the local and/or organic items on this week's menu:

Organic: coconut (in granola), coconut oil (in granola), coconut milk, raisins, sunflower and pumpkin seeds (in granola), flax seeds, quinoa, lettuce, lemons, coffee (locally roasted and delivered by bike!), cornstarch, mustard, tamari, oregano, basil, parsley, Fairytale tea, peppermint tea, lemon balm, oatstraw

Local: potatoes, onions, carrots, red peppers (from the freezer stash), zucchini (from the freezer stash), apples, salsa (home-canned), ground beef (from VG Meats), honey (unpasteurized), sour cream, whole wheat flour
 
Local AND organic: 
oats, milk (used to make yogurt), eggs (not "certified organic", but real free range and fed organic feed), apple cider vinegar

Want to know more about the specific food products I use and where I buy them? Check out my "What's In My Pantry" board on Pinterest.  I will keep this board updated with current information on what products we use, where we're buying them, and how much we're paying. It's a work-in-progress, and you can find it HERE.

For more great meal ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday at orgjunkie.com. 


Mountain Rose Herbs. A herbs, health and harmony c 
SOUTHERN ONTARIO READERS: Tired of figuring out what to make for dinner? Want ALL the best weekly deals, plus menu plans and grocery lists based on what's on sale and in season? I just launched a new weekly budget menu plan service, featuring the best weekly deals and seasonal foods in Southern Ontario. I have a free sample available that you can read here! It's super-affordably priced, too - more details are here.  

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