meals: vol. 17

i think i'm starting to get the hang of this. it's definitely challenged how i think about meals and has me starting to get a bit more basic in their makeup. i've typically been more of a "one pot meal" fan, but switching to more of a separate meat and vegetable has been helpful.

have any meal ideas to share? i'd love to hear!

menu for 12/9-12/15
monday: leftovers
tuesday: salmon, asparagus (because i haven't actually made it yet, three weeks later. haha)
wednesday: beef & shrimp stir-fry 
thursday: slow cooker chicken breasts, sautéed veggies
friday: spaghetti squash carbonara, asparagus
saturday: steaks, mashed sweet potatoes, garlic green beans
sunday: slow cooker chicken soup (with leftover chicken).

breakfasts: almond flour muffins, hardboiled eggs, larabars, wheat-free waffles (for coen), fruit, sun butter and bananas, smoothies

lunches: leftovers, salads, lunchmeat roll ups, carrots and cucumbers with paleo ranch, snacks

snacks: beef jerky, smoked salmon, dried fruit, seaweed, dried pea snacks (c), fruit, nuts, cheese sticks (c), larabars, hardboiled eggs, spiced candied walnuts

love.

meals: vol. 16

aaand i'm late with my menu. again.

i'll claim post-thanksgiving sluggishness (maybe partly due to that grain-free pie you see up there). okay? thanks.

menu for 12/2-12/8
monday: leftover roast chicken soup with roasted vegetables (i used leftover turkey instead)
tuesday: bacon-wrapped steaks (orr just steaks and bacon. let's be real) and mixed veggies
wednesday: italian turkey sausages and roasted carrots, turnips and mushrooms
thursday: steak, loaded sweet potatoes, green beans
friday: salmon, leftover baked sweet potatoes, asparagus 
saturday: eggs and sautéed spinach, bacon and cashew flour pancakes
sunday: crock pot something.

breakfasts: almond flour pumpkin muffins, hardboiled eggs, larabars, wheat-free waffles (for coen), fruit, sun butter and bananas, smoothies

lunches: leftovers, salads, lunchmeat roll ups, carrots and cucumbers with goddess dressing, snacks

snacks: beef jerky, dried fruit, seaweed, dried pea snacks (c), fruit, nuts, cheese sticks (c), larabars, hardboiled eggs, spiced candied walnuts

happy planning!

love.

meals: vol. 15

my first homemade dressing--recipe below!

it's that time again!

today is officially one week since we went paleo. and honestly, while it's hard in some regards, i'm really enjoying it.

my almond and coconut flours are coming in this week, and i'm excited to get to try out some muffins and quick breads. last night i made drop biscuits with what i had on hand (a few different nut meals and a little this and that) and they weren't terrible! :)

have any good recipes you'd like to share? i'd love to hear them!

menu for 11/25-12/1
monday: sausage spaghetti squash "pasta"bake (with spinach & arugula instead of kale, i think)
tuesday: leftovers
wednesday: slow cooker chuck roast with mushrooms, carrots and turnips (and thanksgiving prep)
thursday: tons of yummy paleo things (happy thanksgiving!)
friday: salmon, sweet potatoes, asparagus 
saturday: scrambled eggs with veggies, bacon, cashew flour waffles
sunday: thanksgiving in a pot soup (with all the leftovers)

breakfasts: egg & bacon muffin cups, larabars, wheat-free waffles (for coen), fruit, sun butter and bananas, smoothies
lunches: salads, lunchmeat roll ups, carrots and cucumbers with goddess dressing, hot dogs, leftovers, snacks
snacks: beef jerky, dried fruit, seaweed, dried pea snacks (c), fruit, nuts, cheese sticks (c), larabars

and here's the salad dressing recipe:

maple mustard salad dressing (paleo)
serves one
ingredients
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
1 tbsp. maple syrup
a dash of pepper

directions
mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, and pour over salad. easy peasy!

happy planning, and a very happy thanksgiving!

love.

meals: vol. 14 (a new start).

today marks the first day of our new life (when it comes to eating).

we are going paleo. 

it's something that we've been discussing for awhile now, and something i've been hoping to try for over a year. not for my own health (though i know i'm going to benefit from being more purposeful in eating whole, healthy foods), but for nick's.

the paleo diet has had much success in the auto-immune disease circles, specifically those that have gut health issues. and so, here we are. giving it all that we've got and will be for the next year or so (unless we see much improvement, and then it will be indefinite). personally, the story of danielle walker from against all grain, has left us particularly inspired. reading her story with illness was like reading our own journey with nick's.

so, what does this mean for this blog?
well, it means that you will probably see a good bit more about food. 

i will try my best to not be obnoxious about it, and this is definitely not going to become a food blog. but there will be more on the topic, because this blog is about real life, every season of it. and this season is going to be a little bit more about what we eat.

also, i want to share all that i'm learning about how to implement this diet into our everyday lives. the practical, the planning, the outcome. the successes and the failures. also, even if paleo isn't your thing, i hope you'll stick around. i'm hoping to integrate this new lifestyle into our existing one, including working to create food (with the help of many that have gone before me) that would be exiting for anyone to eat, regardless of diet restrictions.

so, let's do this.

menu for 11/18-11/24
monday: out for dinner
tuesday: pan fried chicken breasts, loaded sweet potatoes, salad
wednesday: slow cooker beef stir fry
thursday: salmon, sweet potatoes, asparagus
friday: chicken sausages and veggie sauté 
saturday: breakfast for dinner (paleo pancakes)
sunday: soup or stew?

breakfasts: egg muffins, larabars, wheat-free waffles (for coen), fruit, sun butter and bananas, smoothies
lunches: salads, lunchmeat roll ups, carrots and cucumbers (hopefully i'll get to make a paleo ranch!), hot dogs, leftovers, snacks
snacks: beef jerky, dried fruit, seaweed, dried pea snacks, fruit, cashews and almonds, cheese sticks (coen)

meals for the week: vol.13

I think fall has finally found its way to north Carolina, and I'm pretty excited about it. my goal this week is to not consume ridiculous amounts of coffee & hot chocolate. and maybe to actually get to all the things on the menu. 

menu for 10/21-10/28

monday: slow cooker chicken salad sandwiches, tater tot things, sautéed squash  

tuesday: slow cooker beef stroganoff over egg noodles, green beans

wednesday: fish taco bowls (& salads), slow cooker berry cobbler

thursday: leftovers 

friday: one pot chicken lo mein

saturday: breakfast for dinner

sunday: slow cooker mexican chicken & lime soup, cornbread

breakfasts: cereal bars, oatmeal, yogurt, eggs, slow cooker berry cobbler

lunches: smoothies (with kale, shh!), chicken salad, tuna salads, leftovers, baked potatoes (loaded/leftovers)

snacks: cheese, fruit, popcorn, yogurt, veggie straws

happy planning!

love.

meals for the week: vol. 12

the last few weeks of posting late or not at all has left my meal execution pretty terrible. so here's to long-awaited fall weather, crockpots, and on-time menus.

happy planning, friends!

menu for 10/14-10/20

monday: fish taco bowls (& salads), slow cooker berry cobbler

tuesday: leftovers

wednesday: slow cooker beef stroganoff over egg noodles, green beans

thursday: loaded baked potatoes with turkey bacon & sautéed spinach, asparagus

friday: slow cooker breakfast casserole for dinner

saturday: out of town

sunday: one pot chicken lo mein

breakfasts: cereal bars, pumpkin chocolate chip oat bars, yogurt, eggs, berry cobbler

lunches: smoothies (with kale, shh!), leftovers, salads, tuna salads, carrots, leftovers, baked potatoes (loaded/leftovers)

snacks: seaweed, cheese, fruit, popcorn, yogurt

what's on your menu?

love.

meals for the week: vol. 11

yes, it's thursday. and it's not pretty. i'm sorry.

but at least it's something. and i needed to get my brain together to have the weekend at least semi-planned out. this week has been something, for sure.

help a mama out and share some meal ideas? thanks, guys.

meals :: 9/23-9/29

monday: slow cooker pesto ranch chicken, baked potatoes, asparagus

tuesday: nope.

wednesday: i don't remember (seriously.)

thursday: slow cooker shoulder roast, baked potatoes, sautéed okra, peppers & onions, cornbread

friday: slow cooker chicken & dumplings

saturday: bacon cheeseburgers, sweet potato fries, veggie 

sunday: slow cooker beef stroganoff and egg noodles (or something with chicken? help!)

breakfasts: protein shakes, granola, bagels, yogurt, eggs, berry crisp

lunches: smoothies (with kale, shh!), leftovers, salads, tuna salads, carrots, leftovers, baked potatoes (loaded/leftovers)

snacks: seaweed, cheese, trail mix, fruit, popcorn, granola, kale chips

meals for the week: vol. 10

it's late, but it's here! 

my love for my crockpot has been revived with the arrival of this (semi) fall weather. have any killer slow cooker recipes sans tomatoes? please share!

meals :: 9/16-9/22

monday: nope.

tuesday: slow cooker turkey sausages, peppers, onions & potatoes (and maybe a recipe to follow?)

wednesday: slow cooker beef & broccoli and rice

thursday: roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, garlic green beans

friday: leftovers

saturday: out for the evening

sunday: Thai-inspired chicken & rice soup (adapted for slow cooker)

breakfasts: protein shakes, fruit, cliff & luna bars, berry crisp, egg muffins, yogurt

lunches: smoothies, leftovers, salads, tuna salads, veggies & homemade ranch, leftovers, baked potatoes (loaded/leftovers)

snacks: seaweed, veggies & ranch, cheese sticks, trail mix, fruit, popcorn

what's on your menu?

love. 

meals for the week: vol. 7

oh, hey tuesday. better late than never, right?

i hope your meal planning is going well these days--if you have any great recipes to share, please do!

meals :: 8/26-9/1

monday: chicken & veggie stir fry

tuesday: fish something (any ideas?) 

wednesday: chicken &rice bake, green beans

thursday: shepherd's pie (i mean it this time)

friday: tbd

saturday: out to dinner!

sunday: chicken, bacon & green beans (modified for slow cooker), easy baked potatoes

breakfasts: protein shakes, fruit, cliff & luna bars, berry crisp, egg muffins

lunches: smoothies, leftovers, tuna salads, veggies & homemade ranch, lunchmeat & sandwiches, baked potatoes (loaded/leftovers)

snacks: seaweed, veggies, cheese sticks, cinnamon almonds, trail mix, fruit, popcorn

happy planning!

love.

meals for the week: vol. 6

so after a month of cutting out wheat, we've added some back in. so far we haven't noticed a difference, but we're still limiting it a bit. honestly, i feel better without it. 

meals :: 8/19-8/25

monday: leftover stew (slow cooker) 

tuesday: summer vegetables with sausage & potatoes 

wednesday: chickpea potato curry & rice

thursday: shepherd's pie (i am determined to finally make this. haha)

friday: chicken, bacon & green beans (modified for slow cooker), easy baked potatoes

saturday: 

sunday: girls' night! (finger foods & appetizers)

breakfasts: yogurt and granola, fruit, cliff & luna bars, berry crisp, egg muffins, smoothies

lunches: leftovers, tuna salads, veggies & homemade ranch, lunchmeat & sandwiches, baked potatoes (loaded/leftovers)

snacks: seaweed, veggies & homemade ranch, cheese sticks, cinnamon almonds, trail mix, fruit, popcorn

what are you eating this week? i'd love to hear!

love.

meals for the week: vol. 5

i'm pretty sure i can just say "ditto" to all the things of last week's post. 

so, i will (new recipe coming soon, i hope).

also, have you noticed i've gotten into a bit of a rut with my meals? yes, many have just had to keep carrying over from not getting to them, but there are quite a few repeats as well. any suggestion for me? i'm all ears. :)

meals :: 8/12-8/18

monday: chicken stir-fry

tuesday: korean beef bowls (with rice noodles)

wednesday: farmhouse beef & bacon stew (slow cooker)

thursday: chicken curry and rice

friday: fish tacos, guacamole & chips

saturday: shepherd's pie

sunday: chicken, bacon & green beans (modified for slow cooker)

breakfasts: yogurt and granola, fruit, cliff & luna bars, berry crisp, egg muffins, smoothies

lunches: veggies & homemade ranch, tuna salads, leftovers, baked potatoes (loaded/leftovers)

snacks: seaweed, veggies & homemade ranch, cheese sticks, cinnamon almonds, fruit, popcorn

hope you have a great week!

love.

meals for the week: vol. 4

it's that time again!

plans changed a few times last week (i'm learning that's just life), so there are definitely a few repeats for this week. also, i've tried to link back to the recipes that i'm planning on following for some of them, which will hopefully help in your own meal planning. :)

i have a recipe to share with you all later this week, so keep an eye out for it!

meals :: 8/5-8/11

monday: farmhouse beef & bacon stew (it's in the crockpot now, and it smells amazing)

tuesday: fish taco bowls 

wednesday: paleo bacon meatloaf, baked potatoes, peas

thursday: chicken stew with kale and beans

friday: leftovers

saturday: shepherd's pie

sunday: bacon, chicken & green beans

breakfasts: very berry crisp, egg muffins, yogurt and granola, fruit

lunches: lunchmeat rollups, veggies & homemade ranch, tuna salads, chicken nuggets (for c)

snacks: seaweed, veggies & homemade ranch, cheese sticks, cinnamon almonds, fruit, popcorn

hope you have a great week!

love.

meals for the week: vol. 3

i don't have a recipe for you this week, but i figured i should extend an open invitation--feel free to leave a comment to request recipes for anything on the menu that you might like to try. 

sound good? good. 

meals :: 7/29-8/4

monday: korean beef bowls

tuesday: slow cooker whole chicken, asparagus, fries 

wednesday: fish taco bowls

thursday: chicken stew with kale and beans

friday: shepherd's pie

saturday: farmhouse beef & bacon stew

sunday: leftovers

breakfasts: very berry crisp, egg muffins, yogurt and granola, fruit

lunches: chicken salad, hummus, veggies & homemade ranch, tuna salads, chicken nuggets (for c)

snacks: seaweed, veggies & homemade ranch, cheese sticks, cinnamon almonds, fruit, popcorn

hope you have a great week!

love.