Menu Plan Monday Week of 6/27

Finally getting back on track with menu planning...being sick while working, handling family, etc., really caught up with me. I am finally getting my footing and managing pain, so here I am-tada! I have missed my menu plan. (Although I have to say stockpiling, and making freezer meals really helped save my bacon through all of this)

So here's the plan for tonight through next Sunday. 7 dinners for just over $31. Excited to see my garden finally start to play a teeny role in the planning.

Sunday-
grilled lemonade pork chops $2.00
grilled potatoes with rosemary from the garden .30
spinach salad $1.25

Monday-
grilled tacos $3.75
corn and tomato salad $1.00
fresh mango $1.00
$5.75

Tuesday-
Breakfast For Dinner Night
waffles .75
bacon $1.50
scrambled eggs .50
grapes $1.00
$3.75

Wednesday-
spaghetti and meatballs $3.50
green beans from garden .00
salad .75
$4.25

Thursday-
skillet nachos $3.75
corn .50
$4.25

Friday-
friends' party

Saturday-
grilled chicken $2.50
baked sweet potatoes $1.25
asparagus $1.00
$4.75

Sunday-
grilled pizzas $4.00
salad .75
$4.75

Summer Orzo Salad

I'm the only person in my immediate family that really likes pasta salad. I can get everyone to eat it, but they don't LOVE it. Which is a shame, because it's one of my favorites, especially in the summer when I have fresh veggies and herbs from the garden. I guess that just means more for me, right? Makes for great lunches at work.

This batch features all fresh herbs from the garden...by end of summer, nearly all the veggies will be from my garden as well.

Please note that this is really flexible to what you have on hand. I use different cheeses every time, and sometimes I add tomatoes. This time around I only had a little bit of fresh basil upstairs and didn't feel like going back down to the garden, so I supplemented with some fresh marjoram. Tasted great.

2 cups orzo pasta

1 medium cucumber, diced

1/2 red pepper, diced

1/2 green pepper, diced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

1/2 cup diced mozzarella cheese (provolone is also great)

2T chopped fresh dill

2T chopped fresh basil

1T fresh thyme ( the leaves are so small I don't chop, just pull off the sprig)

3T olive oil

3T red wine vinegar

1/2t garlic powder

1t pepper

1/2t kosher salt

Cook pasta according to directions. Drain, and allow to cool for a moment. Meanwhile, prep cheese, all veggies and herbs. Place pasta, veggies, cheese and herbs in a bowl. Whisk oil, vinegar and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Pour over pasta salad. Add salt and pepper, and mix well. Chill for an hour before serving.

Thank You

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts, prayers and notes. My test went well yesterday, I am now back to eating food, and they found nothing major. My hope is that with the diagnosis and the medication I will be back to my old self soon!

Have I mentioned that not having any food for 2.5 days sucks? Oh, and I discovered that when you're really dehydrated it's really hard to find a vein for an IV. Apparently I have tiny veins. And a nice bruise on my arm from a botched attempt. Oh well---I felt so sorry for the nurse---I wouldn't want to have to do that to people for a living!

Menu Plan Week of 6/14

This week's menu is hard for me to plan...especially because the first few days of it I'm going to be watching the family eat while I suck on popsicles and gatorade.

I am undergoing some tests this week so I can finally get some answers, but I have to through heck first.

Anyway, on to the menu-

Sunday-
skillet nachos
popsicles for the boys for dessert (they think my juice/gatorade/jello/popsicle diet is cool. Wish I could trade)

Monday-
spaghetti and meatballs
green beans
bread and butter

Tuesday-
chicken drumsticks
mashed potatoes
corn

Wednesday-
chicken alfredo w/veggies
salad

Thursday-
grilled pork chops
asparagus
baked potatoes

Friday-
peirogies w/ steak and peppers
salad

Saturday-
grilled pizza

Sunday-
italian beef on hoagies
home made fries
coleslaw

Garden Update June 6th

Well, between the fence and gate, all the planting, the mulching and dealing with it all while not feeling perfect, it took a while, but everything is finally done. I may add a couple things, but for now I'm happy to take a break!
The two middle rose bushes are now 3 years old, and are just going nuts with flowers.

9 tomato plants this year- 4 Romas, 4 slicers, and 1 cherry tomato plant.

I have 4 cucumber plants--the 2nd year of trellising them up this concrete mesh. Works great, and a real garden space saver.

As you look down the rows from this direction I have 4 varieties of peppers, several herbs, kohlrabi, green beans, and melons.
I really am proud of my roses.

I sat outside under the gazebo today and just enjoyed the breeze, the peace, and the beautiful view of the garden. I love summer!

Miss Me?

Yikes. Time flies when you are walking around in pain all the time. I have just been a wreck thanks to my innards the past couple of weeks, and really haven't found much relief. Colonoscopy next week. Jealous? ;)

I've had to carry on with work, cooking and gardening regardless. I miss my meal plan this week. Gonna have to get back to the grind.

The garden is almost completely mulched and looks awesome. I will do a garden update post this weekend. I am so excited to show off a garden that is finally bunny-free!

I will have next week's meal plan up by Sunday.

I almost forgot....I've also been keeping myself uber busy with a couponing/money saving blog for my radio station. It's been a lot of fun! Check it out HERE.

Hope you have a great weekend!