{March 2012 Menu}

Daylight Savings, St. Patrick's Day, the First Day of Spring...it must be March!
So tell me, what's on your menu this month?




















March 2012 MENU
1- Peruvian Chicken +
2- Bean Burritos^
3- Papa John's (Free pizza coupon code!)
4- Coconut Chicken w/ Apricot Sauce+
5- Black-Eyed Peas w/ Country Ham
6- Chicken Tortilla Soup+
7- Beef Stroganoff*
8- Buffalo Chicken Potato Casserole+
9- Cheese and White Pizzas ^
10- Double Crunch Pork Chops+
11- Pork Tenderloin+*
12- Broccoli Chicken Tater Tot Casserole+
13- Leftovers (NSA TwST Meeting)
14- Steak and Cheese Sandwiches
15- Cube Steak
16- Wine and Cheese^
17- Corned Beef*
19- Roast Beef*+
20- Pan-Fried Noodles w/ Broccoli
21- Cheddar Cheese Chicken+
22- French Fry Pie+
23- Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches*+
24- Cheese and White Pizzas^
25- Tacos
26- Ribs*
27- Chicken Wings+ and Caesar Salad
28- Cashew Chicken+
29- Honey Lime Garlic Chicken+
30- Baked Beans w/ Cornbread^
31- Eat out (Happy Birthday to me!)

* Crock-Pot
+ Pinterest
^ Meatless (Lent)

Resolutions & Goals: Part I

Happy Lent, Everyone!

I find that I tend to get more accomplished when I write things down, so I'm a natural list person, be it my short-term, daily to-do list or my long-term New Year's resolutions. This series of posts will be a collaboration of my New Year's Resolutions, my weekly goals (in the spirit of the oh-so-inspiring Alicia over at Alicia's Homemaking), and my Lenten goals.

I keep running lists in the 'Notes' app on my iPhone including my main to-do list, trip packing list, books to buy/check out, songs to purchase, menus, grocery/shopping lists, gifts to give, etc. and find that without these at my fingertips 24/7 I would be lost!

Is anyone else out there using this time to refocus, refresh, or make (or break!) a few habits? What things are you hoping to accomplish this week/month/year? Stay tuned to see what's on my list each week, and post your goals in the comments!


Weekly Goals (the out-of-the-ordinary items I'd like to accomplish this week)

• Exercise at least 3x
• Keep up-to-date on daily Lenten Bible readings (via YouVersion)
• Make a batch of No-Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars
  
• Complete March menu plan
• Clean out medicine cabinet
• Finish knitting balaclava for Jean, blanket for our friends Janice & Kevin's peanut, and at least 2 dishcloths
  
• Organize spice drawer
• Organize utensil drawer
• Find 3 Acts of Service that I can do for Jean to make his week a little easier
  

Lenten Changes (things I'm refocusing during the Lenten season)

• Complete all daily Lenten Bible Readings (via YouVersion) on time
  
• No snacking! 3 modest meals a deal with nothing solid in between
• Actively speak Jean's 'Love Languages' (Physical Touch & Acts of Service) more often and more effectively
  

2012 Resolutions & Goals (the 'big-ticket' items I/we would like to accomplish this year)

• Buy a home
• Move to my parents' town (hopefully we can kill two birds with one stone for #1 & 2!)
• Conceive our first child
• Scrapbook our wedding
• Scrapbook our honeymoon
  
• Learn to crochet
• Learn to knit socks

Stay tuned!

{January 2012 Menu}

Happy New Year!

Once again, this month's menu is brought to you (mostly) by Pinterest. You'll also find several Crock*Pot recipes sprinkled throughout, noted by a '+'. Enjoy!

January 2012 Menu
1- Blackeyed Peas w/ Country Ham (NEW YEAR'S DAY!)
2- Buffalo Tacos
3- Coconut Apricot Chicken +
4- Chili & Cornbread
5- Chicken & Dumplings +
6- Chili Dogs
7- Meatball Sliders +
8- Mini Chicken Alfredo in Shells +
9- Parmesan Chicken Quarters
10- Balsamic Asparagus Penne +
11- Broccoli Chicken Tater Tot Casserole +
12- Whiskey BBQ Turkey Burgers +
13- Pizza
14- Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches *+
15- Beef Stroganoff *
16- Lemon Garlic Chicken +
17- Double Crunch Pork Chops +
18- Baked Potato Soup *+
19- Coconut Chicken w Chili Sauce +
20- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
21- IOTA SHOW
22- Ranch Pork Chops *+
23- Baked Ziti *
24- Tacos
25- Cube Steak
26- Turkey Burgers
27- Tortollini Meatball Soup
28- Balsamic Pork Loin *
29- Ribs *
30- Cheddar Chicken +
31- Breakfast

+ Pinterest recipe
* Crock*Pot recipe

{December Menu}

Sorry about last month!

I'm not sure what happened, but for some reason I just didn't get a menu out. It was weird not having one, and while we certainly didn't starve or get takeout every night, we definitely spent a lot more on food than we normally would have if I had put some effort into the planning. I also didn't realize how much my menus are missed by others when I don't make them!

So, without further ado, here is the December 2011 menu, brought to you (mostly!) by Pinterest :)

December 2011 Menu
1- Cheddar Chicken*
2- Out for Janell's Birthday!
3- Pizza
4- Leftovers
5- Paninis*
6- CP Buffalo Chicken*
7- Honey Garlic Pork Chops*
8- Baked Spaghetti in Garlic Bread*
9- Pizza
10- Toasted Ravioli*
11- Chili Cheese Macaroni*
12- Avocado Pasta*
13- Buffalo Chicken & Potato Casserole*
14- Lentil Soup
15- Parmesan Baked Chicken*
16- Balsamic Pork Loin*
17- JTG Show/NSA Holiday Party
18- CP Baked Potato Soup*
19- CP Corned Beef
20- Tacos
21- Pesto Mozzarella Chicken*
22- CP Beef Stroganoff
23- Pad See Ew
24- Pesci Christmas
25- Sims Christmas
26- Front Royal
27- Front Royal
28- Cube Steak
29- Caprese Sausage Pasta
30- JTG Show
31- Filet Mignon (New Year's Eve!)

*Recipe found on Pinterest
CP- Crock*Pot

{October Menu}

Since half of September was spent gallivanting (OK, not exactly) around the UK, I didn't plan a menu. I thought that as long as I had the basics in the house, I'd be able to pull dinners together on the fly. It's been OK, but I definitely miss having my menu all planned out, thus the October menu a week early.

Just before we left on vacay we had a power outage thanks to Irene (bi-otch) and lost everything in our freezer. While that was heartbreaking for someone who so carefully cultivates a well-stocked food supply, it was nice to start over fresh. I told myself the same thing when my hard drive broke...physically broke...about a year ago. Denial IS just a river in Egypt!

View at http://tinyurl.com/Oct2011Menu or email for original Word document

October 2011
1- Jean @ gig (leftovers for Mandy)
2- Chili dogs* ('Skins game)
3- Linguini & Pesto
4- Popcorn Chicken Salad
5- Baked Chicken
6- Bulgogi Beef
7- Pizza
8- Baked Ziti*
9- BBQ Chicken
10- Falafel*
11- Chicken Makhani*
12- Beef Stroganoff*
13- Fire Tacos
14- Jean @ gig (leftovers for Mandy)
15- Chicken Cordon Bleu
16- Buffalo Chicken Lasagna* ('Skins game)
17- Popcorn Chicken Salad
18- Chili & Noodles*
19- Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
20- Black-eyed Peas & Brown Rice
21- Pumpkin & Squash Soup
22- Cube Steak
23- Pizza ('Skins game)
24- Baked Beans & Cornbread*
25- Apricot Chicken*
26-Jean @ gig (leftovers for Mandy)
27- Spaghetti & Meatballs
28- Leftovers
29- Pizza Soup*
30- Baked Potato Soup*
31- Mummy Dogs & Avocado Chipotle Soup*

* = Crock Pot recipe; can be found on the CrockPot365 Blog

Happy Eating!

{The Obligatory Garden Post}

We are about halfway through our 2011 garden season, so I thought I'd show a few photos of this year's 'haul' (if you can call it that) so far!

Tomatoes! This year we planted Cherries, Grapes, Big Boys, and Romas. Just in the last two weeks or so have they started to turn, so we're finally reaping our reward. Many of the larger ones are splitting along the shoulders, but they sure are delicious still!

In front and to the right of this you will find more tomatoes and one huge basil plant. To the near left is a row of carrots, and to the far left, two rows of kale.

This guy is just lovely...and unexpected! We have a long strip along our fence that was just weeds last year. We're not sure if the landlord planted something here or if our wildflower patch from last year blew seeds over (we suspect both), but amongst the weeds and greenery this year are tons of wildflowers and sunflowers!

Making dinner :)

A side view of our garden. The little hole in the bottom right corner is our front door/entry. The orange and white splotches at the bottom center are marigolds and petunias. Center right is our herb garden, including thyme, rosemary, and lemon verbena.

A straight-on shot of our front entry, flowers, mulch bed, and herb garden, as well as the awesome brick walkway that Jean just put in.

Threw this one in just for good measure ;)

{Grill Love}

The Finstads have officially been bit by the summer bug! We are so anxious for the warmer weather we've been showing some...unusual... behaviors lately. How about you?

5. Do you wear flip-flops, shorts, and skirts, albeit UNDER wool coats?

4. Have you spent $18 on 46 pounds of charcoal at BJ's?

3. Are you sleeping with the windows open at night, and just adding an extra down comforter to the bed?

2. Would we catch you driving with the windows down and the heat blasting?

1. Are you also grilling everything in sight?

Summer bug!

Grilled BBQ chicken, kielbasa, potatoes (sweet & white), and avocado

{April Menu}

Well looky there, The Finstads didn't fall off the face of the Earth! We did, however, go to New York City (post forthcoming) which might as well be another planet... Even with all of our worldly (and by 'worldly' I mean 'East Coast') traveling, I still managed to squeak out a menu for April. After all, we'd be lost...and hungry...without it. So, without further delay, here she is!


1- Lasagna
2- Crock*Pot Creamy Italian Chicken
3- Steak (Thanks Mom!)
4- Coconut Curry
5- Enchiladas
6- Mustard Pork Chops
7- Pizza
8- Turkey Burgers
9- Sausage Subs
10- Cordon Bleu
11- Spaghetti
12- Cube Steak
13- Manicotti
14- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
15- Lasagna
16- Cheeseburger Casserole
17- Meatloaf
18- Cheesesteaks
19- Passover Seder (Brisket)
20- Leftovers
21- Paninis
22- Broccoli Alfredo
23- Beef Stroganoff
24- Ham (EASTER!)
25- Baked Potatoes (w/ ham)
26- Ham & Cheese Subs
27- Jean in DC (Leftovers)
28- Sausage Subs
29- Pizza Bread
30- Eat Out

{March Menu}

Yaaaaay March!
My favorite month of the year... St. Patrick's Day festivities last for weeks, the weather turns warmer, and my birthday wraps up the whole month on the 31st. In honor of my oh-so-favorite month, here is an oh-so-festive menu. Enjoy!

I really need to figure out a better way to make these into postable images...

1- Baked chicken quarters
2- Manicotti
3- Chicken nuggets
4- Turkey burgers
5- Leftovers
6- Meatloaf
7- Enchiladas
8- Steak (MARDI GRAS)
9- Pancakes (ASH WEDNESDAY)
10- Chicken cordon bleu
11- Corned beef
12- Red beans & rice (NO-MEAT FRIDAY)
13- Cube steak
14- Leftovers (DUKE SPECIAL @ GIBSON ROOM)
15- Crescent pizza
16- Tacos
17- Corned beef, sprouts, beet/walnut salad, Jameson (ST. PATRICK'S DAY)
18- Linguini alfredo (NO-MEAT FRIDAY)
19- Turkey burgers
20- Roast
21- Crock*Pot lasagna
22- Crock*Pot Italian chicken
23- NEW YORK CITY
24- NEW YORK CITY
25- NEW YORK CITY (Egg salad sandwiches/NO MEAT FRIDAY)
26- Manicotti
27- Spaghetti & Meatballs
28- Crescent pizza
29- Wings
30- BIRTHDAY SHOW @ MADAM'S ORGAN
31- Iota Steak (MY BIRTHDAY!)

{February Menu}

Has anyone tried out menu planning as a New Year Resolution? How's it going? I want to know what's on YOUR menus!

1- Egg salad sandwiches
2- Leftovers (Jean in New York)
3- Leftovers (Jean in New Jersey)
4- Leftovers (Jean in Haymarket)
5- Turkey burgers
6- Chili dogs & potato skins (Super Bowl)
7- BBQ chicken quesadilla
8- Beenie Weenies (Boy Scout Day)
9- Leftovers (Jean in DC)
10- Crock*pot Italian chicken
11- Tacos
12- Chicken cordon bleu
13- Cheeseburger soup
14- Steak, shrimp, onion rings, potatoes, spinach salad, champagne cocktails, red velvet cakes (Valentine's Day)
15- Spaghetti & meatballs
16- Bacon-topped meatloaf
17- Cube steak
18- Homemade pizza
19- Leftovers (Jean in Richmond)
20- Enchiladas
21- Lasagna (President's Day)
22- Chicken Tenders
23- Red beans & rice
24- Baked chicken
25- Leftovers/eat out (Jean in Arlington)
26- Crock*pot BBQ chicken
27- Wings & salad
28- Chicken bacon ranch casserole

{Menu Plan Monday: The Fall of the Food Hoarder}

I get a lot of questions and comments about menu planning, mostly from people who wish they could menu plan, but don't seem to think that they have the time or patience to do so. I've been menu planning for a little over a year now (wow...can that be true?!), and I thought that yeah, it probably helped, but it was more of a fun, 'housewife-y' thing to do, right? Definitely. Not.

We returned from our honeymoon on December

3rd (remember these happy people? --->),

and I thought that I was being oh-so-organized by typing up a menu in iCal on our plane ride back from San Juan. Being that I was not armed, as usual, with my cookbooks, internet access, calendar of events and appointments, or trusty recipe box, this menu was hastily written from standby recipes. While this is not a bad way to develop a menu, it helps if you actually follow through and buy the groceries that you need. The best laid plans...

Many of my days this month were spent Christmas shopping, and subsequently, many of our nights held oatmeal for dinner. We even made a Run For The Border a few times (not that I EVER complain about that). That dreaded 5 o'clock feeling took over me more than once this past month. You know the one. The 'what's-for-dinner' question looms over your head, followed by the 'oh-crap-nothing-is-thawed' realization. Luckily I'm somewhat of a food hoarder and we always have oatmeal, powdered milk, eggs, canned goods, as well as other basics in the house, but these still pale in comparison to a solid, well-planned and home-cooked meal. Lesson learned: always plan - and stick to - your menu!

I invite you to take some time in this new year and make out a menu plan. It can be for a week, two weeks, a month, whatever works for you. Start simple - what are some of your favorite meals, your 'go-to' recipes? Write them down, making sure to take into account any night where you might plan to eat out or be away from home, check for any ingredients you might need, and make ONE trip to the store. You're halfway done! now, as long as you refer to the menu once a day or so, and remember to thaw or prepare anything that might need a little extra time, you're on the homestretch to having a home-cooked meal every night of the week, no Beefy 5-Layer Burritos needed. So, what are you having for dinner this week?

Monday: Chicken cordon bleu

Tuesday: Turkey burgers

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Beef stroganoff

Friday: Crescent pizza calzone

Saturday: Meatloaf and mashed turnips

Sunday: Wings & Caesar salad

{Menu Plan...Tuesday?)

This week's menu is a wee bit out of wack due to sickness, mixed-up weekend plans last weekend, etc. Here it is!

So, what's cookin' at your house this week?

Monday: Chili dogs. Dinner ended up being representations from the B.R.A.T diet :)

Tuesday: Lemon Chicken. We didn't have it last week since we were visiting Mom & Dad.

Wednesday: Turkey, Barley & Lentil soup

Thursday: Broccoli & Ham Potatoes

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Bacon, Avocado & Tomato Sandwiches

Sunday: Chicken Lasagna

{Menu Plan Monday)

Monday again? Here it is! What's on your menu for this week?

Happy cooking!

Monday - Panini sandwiches & chips
Tuesday - Spaghetti & Meatballs
Wednesday - Coconut curry chicken
Thursday - Turkey burgers
Friday - Lemon chicken (Crock*Pot)
Saturday - Tacos
Sunday - Beef & Guinness stew (Crock*Pot)

Last week's chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, roasted balsamic veggies, and sawmill gravy.

{Menu Plan Monday}

It's Menu Plan Monday! What's on your menu this week?

November 1 - 6, 2010

Monday: Chicken Quasadillas

Tuesday: Swiss Steak

Wednesday: Navy Bean Casserole

Thursday: Beef Stroganoff

Friday: French Bread Pizza

Saturday: Babysitting; BBQ Bonfire (Eat Out)

{Menu Plan Monday}

The cupboards are stocked, so what's for dinner this week?

Monday: Leftovers from Sunday's 'Skins game (chili dogs, potato skins, slaw)

Tuesday: Split pea soup & grilled cheese sandwiches

Wednesday: Beef stroganoff

Thursday: Chicken quesadillas

Friday: Calzones

Saturday: Thai noodles & turkey dumplings, broccoli

Sunday: Navy bean casserole ('Skins game @ 8:20)

{Menu Plan Monday}

Less than 8 hours until dinner time - do you know what you're having? You could! I get a lot of questions about the whys and hows of menu planning, so it's time to address them once and for all! Just last week I had a great conversation with friend Lindsay Silverstein (check out her photography - she's amazing!) about the benefits of planning out one's meal for a week, a month, or even more. We even made a plan to get together and cook (it's always more fun with a friend, no?) Even if 'freezer cooking' - making double meals and freezing half for a later date - is all you can handle, it's still a huge help with time, budget, and health. Some of the items that I will typically make ahead are quadruple batches of pizza crust dough, cookie dough, doubles of casseroles, extra pancakes, and many others.

Homemade stuffed-crust pizza at a fraction of the cost of delivery, and loads more flavor!

Once the basics of menu planning are under control, you will be able to tweak your methods to plan according to weekly grocery sales and seasonal produce. More items can be made from scratch. You will have fewer of those 'oh crap, I forgot to take the xxx out of the freezer' or the 'no idea what's for dinner, we should just eat out' moments, which is good for both our wallets, and our waistlines (but please, don't get me wrong, we still make the occasional run for the border!)

I've listed our weekly menu here (full month available on my Facebook notes page).

So what are YOU having for dinner this week?

Oct 4: Babysitting the nieces at John & Laine's

Oct 5: Baked chicken quarters (brussels sprouts, homemade breadsticks)

Oct 6: Turkey burger casserole (green salad)

Oct 7: Navy bean casserole (roasted asparagus)

Oct 8: Leftovers

Oct 9: Eat out

Oct 10: Turkey burgers (oven fries, green salad - Skins game @ 1pm)