Meal Plan~ Labor Day

Okay, let's try this again. Today (Saturday), we followed the meal plan. *round of applause please.  We ate tomato soup and grilled cheese for lunch (the boys also ate baby Lima beans). For dinner I make a pork loin in the oven with carrots, onions, and potatoes. It was so good I will insert a picture:

Anyways, this is Labor Day weekend so I am NOT looking forward to grocery shopping tomorrow, but it is a necessary evil. Here is my meal plan that I WILL follow!

For Breakfasts: Oatmeal, Raisin Bran (my personal fav), English muffins with egg and turkey sausage, or waffles.

Sunday:

• Lunch: Leftovers... we have plenty!
• Dinner: Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and asparagus

 Monday: 

• Lunch: Grill Food! Burgers and hot dogs with baked beans and mac&cheese... America! 
• Dinner: Shepherd's Pie (with ground turkey)

Tuesday:

• Lunch: Broccoli Mac&cheese
• Dinner: Leftover Shepherd's pie

Wednesday: 

• Lunch: Prorogues/ homemade pizza... quite a combo, I know.
• Dinner: BBQ Chicken sandwiches, broccoli, and mac&cheese

Thursday:

• Lunch: Crab legs and corn on the cob (the boys will prob not eat sandwiches #pickyeaters )
• Dinner: Torteloni & peas

Friday:

• Crazy day at Emmett's school and my work... we will probably grab lunch somewhere 
• Dinner: something quick and easy like PB&J with yogurt and fruit

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Between myself,  my messy toddler, and a husband that changes clothing five times a day- I have a LOAD of Laundry ;)
I was tired of trying to get 'deals' on detergent only to find that it made us break-out and we would have to go back to a free-and-clear anyway. So I finally decided to take the plunge into homemade laundry detergent, and I couldn't be more impressed. I did a bunch of research and watched a lot of YouTube videos and finally just decided to combine a bunch to make my own recipe.
Here it is:

1 Cup of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 Cup of Borax
1 Cup of Oxi Clean
1 Cup of Downy Unstopables
1 grated bar of Fels Napthia (I used the shredder on my food processor)

I found all of these items at Walmart including the glass jar, which looks nice, is completely optional, and only cost $5.

Here is a close look at the soap if, like me, you have never heard of it before.

Combine all ingredients in a Gallon-sized baggy, zip closed, and shake it shake it shake.
Pour into the container of your choice and you're in bid-ness.

 

Use between 1-2 Tablespoons in each load, depending on the soil level and the efficiency of your washer. Enjoy clean clothes and saving money =)

Freezer Meals~ How to

All Moms are busy: working, stay at home, or anywhere in between I think we all sometimes struggle to get a home-made dinner on the table. After eating out twice last week for dinner, I decided I needed to replenish my freezer and crock pot meals. I started yesterday getting some freezer meals set aside. I made a HUGE batch of meat sauce and a pot of Chili. I set a bowl of each aside for my Hubby and froze the rest. It is also helpful to make double-batches of the meals you are already making for dinner so you don't have to spend all day cooking.

*What You Need*

• good-quality freezer bags
• measuring cup, a sharpie (not a fine-tip as it may puncture the bag... found that out the hard way)
• baking sheet to stack the bags flat for freezing
• and of course food =)

 Once you are ready to use the meal you may choose to either thaw overnight in the fridge or place in the sink under cold running water. Heat in a pot (or microwave) and enjoy. =)

Meat Sauce =)

Chili



Make sure to label each bag with what is inside and the date. Once frozen, everything starts to look the same. If you are prepping food for the crock-pot it is helpful to add any instructions and cook time.




Since I use Meat sauce in many recipes, I decided to measure the amount placed in each bag.

I found is is better to use a measuring cup to fill the bags, because it makes much less mess than a ladle.



Lay flat and place in freezer or deep-freeze... I left it over-night.

This is how thin my Chili froze. It's a full meal and barely uses any space =)



Front view of frozen Chili =)

Turkey Noodle Soup

Growing up, I always dreaded the week after Thanksgiving... Why? We would eat nothing but ham or turkey sandwiches... no thanks. I became determined to make something out of the left-overs- something more than a sandwich. Since necessity is the mother of invention, I  invented some Turkey Noodle Soup.

The great thing about this recipe is that it is extremely adaptable.. you can use whatever you happen to have in your kitchen.

                          

 

Here's What you do:
~In a large stock pot place your turkey carcass (hate that word) in plenty of water- cover and boil. I also add plenty of garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper (add to taste). This takes time, how much time depends on how large your turkey was and how much water. You will know when it is done when your water starts to look like broth and smell amazing... Mine took about an hour. The next step is VERY important: Make sure you double strain your stock- you don't want anything crazy in your broth.
~Next, place the strained broth back into your stock pot (I rinse mine out to save dishes) and while waiting to return to a boil, cut your veggies. I used what I happened to have in my fridge which was celery, and carrots, I also added a can of corn towards the end (we love corn). When the veggies begin to soften add your egg noodles (or rice) and add some shredded turkey. Once the noodles are done, so is the soup. I serve with dinner rolls, and enjoy =)

 



Chicken Corn Cowder!!!

I made the most Yummy Chicken Corn Chowder last night and I just have to share my recipe.

1 Chicken Breast- or 2 tenders
1 Can of Chicken Broth
2 Cups of Half and Half
1 Can of Corn
1 Carrot
3 Red potatoes
Onion
Butter
Water
Pepper
Red Pepper
Celery Salt (Optional)
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder

Directions:
Cook chicken breast in chicken broth and water in a large pot covered on high heat. I used frozen chicken- and added garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, red pepper, and celery salt. Once the chicken is cooked pour all contents of the pot into a large mixing/ serving bowl.
In the same pot add around 3/4 of the stick of butter and as much onion as you desire, I used a quarter of an onion. Let that cook for a few minutes and add the potatoes, cut into small pieces, and carrot which I cut into thin slices. Next, add the corn. While the veggies are cooking shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. After the veggies have cooked approximately 3 mins, add the contents of the mixing bowl (chicken ad broth) back into the pot, cover and cook. After 5 mins add 2 cups of half-and-half and stir well. Cover and continue cooking until the veggies are tender. I recommend serving with dinner rolls.
ENJOY!!!  =)

The most AMAZING French Toast EVER!!!

This recipe is a twist on the traditional french toast-it's Baked! This is a great recipe for special occasions, company, or just a delicious Saturday morning treat.

Baked French Toast

Ingredients:
1 - stick of butter
1 - tsp of corn syrup
1 - cup of brown sugar
Loaf of french bread- sliced about 3/4 in think (the amount of bread is up to you)
5 - eggs
1 - tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 - cups of milk
1/2 - tsp of vanilla extract

Combine butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil for about 1 minute. Then using a 9X13 baking dish spread the mixture at the bottom of the pan. Next, add the french bread in a single layer. Then, combine eggs, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla in a bowl and beat together. Pour over the bread and cover the pan in foil. You can then either refrigerate overnight or let sit in the fridge until the eggs mixture is soaked into the bread.
Place the uncovered pan in the oven, pre-heated to 350*F and bake for 40 minutes. ENJOY!