Sunday, September 4, 2011

Meal plans and the week ahead

It's September already - yikes!  And we're in the midst of Labor Day weekend.  Where did summer go, for real??  It makes me sad.  I'm not ready for it to end.  I'm not ready for the cooler temperatures.  I'm not ready for Carson to start preschool.  I just don't want summer to end.  Sadly, I can't stop it from ending, though, and can only get over it and start looking forward to fall activities.  :)  I do love fall, as well. 

Anyway, so what's going on this week?  Lots of fun stuff!!  Today we're headed to church in Grand Blanc and maybe to the farmers' market.  Monday, we're headed west to Hudsonville (near Grand Rapids) to celebrate Kevin's Grandpa's birthday at the farm.  Tuesday, I'm taking the day off from work and Carson and I are heading west again - to Saranac and to Grand Rapids - to visit my friend, Sara, who is home from Colorado with her almost 6-month old son, Aiden... whom I cannot wait to meet!!!  We're thinking of taking the kids to Robinette's orchard for a few hours.  Kevin may go biking on Tuesday night, also.  We have nothing going on Wednesday, that I'm aware of.  Thursday, I'll be taking the morning off of work so that I can take Carson to his preschool orientation.  He'll get to meet his teachers (I met them last week at parent orientation), see his classroom, and meet some classmates.  Friday, I'm working (boo!) and it's my week for milk pick-up.  Saturday, I think we are headed to Detroit for a Tigers game with my mom's family.  We've been talking about it for a couple months, but we still don't have our tickets bought yet (there are still plenty available)... so I'm not entirely sure we're all still going, but as of two weeks ago that was still the plan.  I'll know more tomorrow. 

Here's what the exercise last week looked like... Su: 15min elliptical.  M: 2-mile walk, 1hr zumba.  Tu: 2-mile walk.  W: 1-mile walk, kettlebell video.  Th: 2-mile walk, yoga.  F: 2-mile walk, 15min elliptical, swimming. Sa: kettlebell video, swimming.

I canned tomatoes, salsa, pears, and peaches last week. I still need to update my tally in the sidebar.  I also froze zucchini, squash, beans, broccoli, peppers, and basil pesto.  I butchered 8 chickens and froze the cuts.  I made 15 quarts of chicken stock with the chicken carcasses/feet/necks and froze it... I won't need to make it for awhile again now.  I made crispy pecans, cashews, and pine nuts.  As well as peach fruit leather, a peach cobbler, and some dried peaches.  That's not too shabby considering we had lots going on last week and Kevin was gone for work... although we did have yesterday free when we hadn't planned on it, so that helped a little, but I'd actually already done most everything prior to yesterday.  I did can a second batch of peaches, make fruit leather, dried peaches, and peach cobbler yesterday, though.

This week, I want to make beef jerky, crispy walnuts and almonds, and at least one batch of protein bars.  I'll also be freezing more produce, I'm sure.  And I might can some more tomatoes or pasta sauce.  I'm also going to do some more dehydrating... dried tomatoes, dried peaches, dried nectarines, and dried pineapple.  I also need to make some things for the party tomorrow... I'm thinking some fruit gelatin (with real gelatin, not jello) and maybe frijole mole dip with cucumbers... but I still need to make some mayo if I'm going to make that. 

Breakfasts:
  • Scrambled eggs, sausage
  • Smoothies and hard boiled eggs
  • Salmon frittata muffins
  • Yogurt with fruit
Lunches & Snacks:
  • Leftovers
  • Salads with homemade dressing
  • Frijole mole dip with cucumbers and carrots
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Dried fruit and crispy nuts
  • Apples and peanut butter
Dinners:
  • Su: feta stuffed meatballs; tzatziki; steamed broccoli and cauliflower
  • M: most likely on the road home, or if we're home in time... zucchini hole-in-the-heads with veggies
  • Tu: misc. leftovers or zucchini hole-in-the-heads with veggies
  • W: grilled zucchini pizzas; salads
  • Th: crockpot beef roast with carrots, kohlrabi, and celeraic
  • F: philly cheesesteaks in a bowl
  • Sa: at Comerica Park? 

4 comments:

The Voogts said...

Wow, you were busy! Not sure how you get so much done while working full time.

Oh, gotta go. Little guy just woke up screaming.

Sara said...

I do some serious multi-tasking... otherwise I would be lucky if I got half as much done in my limited time. During the week, I do it all after Carson goes to bed, unless it's something he can help me with (and enjoy helping me with it). On my flex/weekend days, I try to do most of it during nap time, or when he's doing something with Kevin.. but mostly during nap time. I don't like to take away from Carson's time with me at all.

The Voogts said...

I hear ya. I try to do most of my work when the kids are sleeping. But it's tough. Plus I'm just not fast in the kitchen :P

Your menu sounds good. Anxious to hear what a hole in the head is.

Have fun at the game! Last time I was there (a few years ago) I don't remember there being much good food at the park. But I was eating differently back then. Who knows.

Great work on the exercise. Have you noticed any changes yet (weight, shape, etc.)?

Sara said...

Yeah, I'm not counting on any decent food selection at the game. But the game starts at 4:10, so we'll be there for dinner for sure. And they don't allow food brounght in. At least they have Hebrew National hot dogs... not the best, but not the worst, either.

No, haven't noticed a single change... and its very frustrating. I need to make some more changes to see any results, I think... get a little more sleep and de-stress. Too many things going on right now that stress me out, though... crazy at work, busy at home, health stuff (we'll see what my urine test results are), Carson starting preschool, work travel that is making me miss his first day of school and Halloween... just too many things right now. Stress and sleep have huge impacts on weight loss.