I make my own yogurt and applesauce cups.
Sometimes I add fresh fruit...
Sometimes mini- m&ms... too bad they do not have organic m&ms, huh?
Monday: Stuffed Shells (going meatless!)
I piled all the toppings on the table and let the kids build there own... spills and all!
My taco meat is 1/2 organic beef and 1/2 turkey, which saves a few organic pennies! I also add in the black beans because I love them and the kids eat more when they are mixed in.
This lazy- susan makes it easy for everyone to get to what they need and these hard, chunky bowls not only look festive, but are perfect for little hands.
Mike jumped in and even wanted to make my tostada for me!
Addy is very serious about her food, but with a little help from daddy she was happy with her results.
Of course everything tastes better with four bows, three clippies, and a headband on your head, right?
Monday: bbq baked chicken & corn
Monday: Grilled Chicken Salad
Tuesday: Lasagna
Wednesday: Creamy Pan Chicken (a favorite)
Thursday: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes (for my boys)
Friday: Family Pizza
Saturday: Brisket
Sunday: Something yummy off the grill
I have been doing a whole lot of baking these days. One of our favorite summer cakes is called Piggy Cake and you can find the recipe HERE from the Pioneer Woman. She calls it pig cake. Either way... she never fails!!
I paid $2.o7 for four organic peaches... these made about a 10 breakfast meals! Beech Nut Naturals run about 60 cents a jar... so mine is about 1/2 the price!
For the peaches I just pealed them and pureed them in my little food processor. For most of her veggies and firmer fruit I boil or steam them first. This food processor cost me less that $20 and it really is the perfect size for us.
Do not get me wrong this daddy from William Sonoma would be more than welcome in my house, but for $149.99... I am thinking I got the better deal!
So after I puree the food I pour and smooth it into an ice cube tray. 
Aagin, I would like to own a few of these... But since I make most of my food on one Sunday a month.. four William Sonoma trays at $19.95 seems... well, silly.. or stupid even.
Once they are frozen I dump them in a baggie. Then every morning we take out what we need for the day and put them in little tubs. These make it really easy to add cereal to it, too.
I would say it works for both mommy's peace of mind and Addy's chubby tummy!
Check out this website and blog... they have EVERYTHING you need to know, from the basics, to a cost savings chart, recipes, menu plans, and directions on several homemade teething biscuits (I can't wait to make these!)
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/index.htm
I have been wanting one of these for awhile now and after a mighty successful trip to Goodwill, I found the perfect menu board... and girls it was seventy five cents!
I had some vision right.
See it really was seventy five cents!
One of the big reasons menu planning has worked for us is the actual posting of the menu. This way in the morning both of us can take a look at what the plan is and take something out of the freezer or plan to stop and pick up a missing ingredient on the way home... and of course the ole "What's for dinner?" question is as easy as a gesture... ha- not that one!
Monday: Rosemary Roasted Chicken and Veggies
As soon as I saw the cover I knew I was gonna make that Sizzling Shrimp Stir Fry! The article was really fun to read and plan your stir fry. It gave you different columns to choose from and creat your stir fry... a protien, veggies, and a sauce. We did shrimp, edemamde, snow peas, mushrooms, and green peppers in a clear sauce. I will say it was yummy, but there was more to it than my usual oil, soy sauce, and garlic... so I may need to practice before it becomes a work nooght meal. However... the magazine is a good one! You know one you like to read from cover to cover!
Monday: Spicy Shrimp (crock pot)
This recipe is one of two reasons Adam says he married me... the other is my Apple Pie!
Apple Stuffed Pork Chops
1/2 Cup butter
1/3 Cup of chopped onion
1 Cup of water
6 good quality, thick cut pork chops with a 2" pocket cut (ask the butcher to do this for you)
1/3 Cup of chopped red apple
1/3 Cup of chopped walnuts
1 8oz pkg of dried seasoned stuffing (I use Pepridge Farm)
2 more Tablespoons of butter (this makes Paula Dean proud)
Heat oven to 350'; melt 1/2 C butter in large skillet and saute in onion (4-5 min);
Remove from heat and stir in walnuts, apples, stuffing, and water.
Fill pockets in pork chops with stuffing mixture.
In same skillet, add remaining butter and brown pork chops on both sides.
Place chops in a 9x13 baking pan, cover, and bake for 60-70 minutes!
This is a great cold season recipe!
Monday: Apple stuffed pork chops
Tuesday: King ranch chicken (roast chicken on Monday)
Wednesday: Left over Chili (mom presents a literacy workshop late)
Thursday: Sizzling Shrimp and Snow Peas (New Recipe- will post if its good)
Friday: Pizza and Puzzles
Saturday: Chicken Noodle Soup (from the freezer stash) and Grilled Cheese by Daddy
Sunday: Fiesta Chicken
Monday: Meatloaf (from our freezer stash... thanks Grandma Mary)
Tuesday: Creamy Pan Chicken
Wednesday: Spaghetti with Meatballs
Thursday: Easy Beef Strogenoff (from Sandra Lee)
Friday: Family Pizza
Saturday: Mop-it-up-Pasta w/ chicken (from Rachel Ray)
Sunday: Chicken Fingers and Fries (Daddy cooks)
Our yummy pumpkin pie... sorry no more left overs! We used fall cookie cutters to make it festive.
Aww... here is our first (non-hospital) family picture. We had to set the camera up on remote, so it is not perfect, but it sure makes me happy!
Things are really starting to settle down around here. I know my posts have been few and far between, but I hope to get to blog more these next few weeks... starting with my menus. Posting my menu plan on Mondays really helps me stay organized and holds me accountable for planning ahead. I also like to think sharing some of the recipes inspires other mommies!
We made these fall cup cakes this weekend! Aren't they pretty?
Ha! I know it seems like you have seen this picture before... but I promise it is new... can we call this a family tradition?
Monday: Beef Stir Fry
Tuesday: Baked Chicken and Mac
Wednesday: Burrito Casserole
Thursday: Stuffed Shells and Italian Salad
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: Trout Almondine W/ special guest
Sunday: Steak and Baked Potatoes
** Wow! We just got in from Austin last night and I have meetings all day today, but look... my menu for the week is done and so is my grocery list... why did we not start this 30 meal plan before!
