OATMEAL

Sorry I don't have my menu Monday post up yet - but it will come. I do want to share with you my new morning obsession - oatmeal!

Keep in mind, I'm not talking instant-from-a-pack-loaded-with-preservatives-and-sugary-junk-oatmeal. I'm talking real, old fashioned rolled oats...Irish or otherwise. So here's how I've been making my oatmeal lately that has me drooling on my desk just thinking of it:

1/2 cup Irish rolled oats (regular Old Fashioned oats work fine too)
1 cup water or skim milk
1 T ground flax meal
1 T wheat germ
6-8 walnut halves, crushed
1/4 - 1/2 c frozen cherries (no sugar added)
1 T maple syrup

Cook oats in water according to package directions. Mix in ground flax meal, wheat germ, walnut halves, cherries and maple syrup. You can vary this recipe with many kinds of fruits or nuts...it's so filling and comforting, and I feel energized and alert all the way to lunchtime.

I'm so exicted to hear what you think about this recipe. I LOVE IT and I hope you will too. Happy Tuesday!

Menu Monday

Monday already???

Due to a short week (youth retreat this weekend), I took the opportunity to be boring, again...but it's cool. At least we have good food to eat, no?

Monday: Whole Grain Spaghetti with roasted red pepper and garlic sauce, tossed salad, and rosemary garlic bread. Discovering that whole grain pasta has quite a bit of protein has revolutionized my thinking. I no longer feel like i HAVE to have meat sauce with pasta.

Tuesday: Grilled chicken with roasted veggies and potatoes

Wednesday: Three bean and beef chili with sourdough and white cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thursday - Sunday: not cooking at home...

As for those pork dishes I promised last week - they're still in the works. Just not for this week. When pork goes on sale again and when I have more than one evening at home to cook for the week, we'll give 'em a shot. I can't wait to try!

Menu Monday

Monday: Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup with sour-dough rolls. I replace the beer in the soup with one can of reduced-sodium chicken stock and it comes out perfect, everytime

Tuesday: Chicken pasta with onions and peppers, rosemary focaccia bread

Wednesday: Finishing off the pot of soup

Thursday: Grilled chicken and couscous with herb-roasted veggies

Friday - Sunday we are off on adventures and therefore, not eating at home...Makes this an easy week. I feel like my menus are pretty boring lately. I have a hard time since we eat at the church 2-3 times per week. I'm limited to meals that are fairly portable. Tell me, do you have a favorite recipe that is perfect for an on-the-go dinner?

On the other hand, I found some great pork recipes this weekend, so next week look for apple-glazed porkchops or mustard-crusted pork tenderloin, whichever happens to be on sale...

Happy Monday everyone!

How to Eat an Elephant :: Lesson One

Hold your nose, take a deep breath, and try not to throw up.

Menu Monday

It's not very exciting, but here's what we're eating this week:

Monday: Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina You have to try this - it's amazing! I baked it last night so we can eat it at church tonight before our activities begin. Right out of the oven with some fresh hot bread though, this stuff is irresistable!

Tuesday: Homemade Baked potato soup

Wednesday: Leftovers or Sandwiches (church night)

Thursday: Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup and Grilled Cheese sandwiches, probably

Friday: Homemade thin crust veggie pizza (unless I decide to do deep dish...mmmm...)

Saturday: Brunch with whole wheat pancakes, eggs, and fruit
Dinner will either be out or leftovers...I have coups for one of our favorite places in
Nashville, so I'm betting that it will be out.

Sunday: Chili and Baked Potatoes with TCC University Ministries
Dinner: Per the usual - Popcorn, Apples, and Cheese!

Okay, so now that it's on paper, it doesn't look so bad. I do need to look for some new recipes this week. Tell me, what have you cooked lately? Any good vegitarian dishes?

Not Nearly Enough...

I didn't accomplish nearly enough this weekend. I am sitting here in our freezing little house (because we're too cheap to turn up the heat) and I'm sad. Well, sort of. Not moping around sad, but a little scrunch my nose up in disappointment sad at not getting more done this weekend. I did rest though. And watch a movie with Trev. And brunch with Trev. And rearrange our room. And clean out the closet. And make an even bigger mess in the junk room. And clean the kitchen. Several times. And bake - several times. And go to Starbucks with Trev. And go to church. And sing on the worship team. And go to a University Ministries meeting. And make some Christmas exchanges. And do a little shopping, both grocery and otherwise. And cook dinner for tomorrow. And write a blog...

Maybe I'll have more success next weekend. :)

Just Wednesday

My boss writes his notes for me while on the eliptical each morning. You can imagine how fun it is to try and decipher them....