Going back to good eating

so over the last few months, I admit-we've been eating a lot more meat.    These are things I have learned:

I really hate to cook  meat. 


My cholesterol has gotten worse after eating it.

My body does NOT like to eat it....

So what does that mean?  We are going back to our mostly vegan/vegetarian way of eating.  I cannot tell you how much better I feel just making the decision. 

So watch for updates, I will be posting our awesome meal plans again.  And sharing yummy recipes etc. 

Pumpkin Chili-details

So we are making pumpkin chili for the girls Bethel of Job's Daughters tonight.  I decided since I had altered it a little I was going to post what I did-with pictures because this is truly a great chili!

I did a huge pot--about to feed my family with a few nights of leftovers.  you could do a smaller portion.

Brown 3lbs of hamburger

Add 2 Tbsp of Pumpkin Pie spice...I made my own

Place hamburger and 1lb cooked beans in pot

Add 2 cans diced tomatoes, or more if desired. and 1 1/2-2 Tbsp Chili powder

1 29oz can of pumpkin puree and 1/2 cup sugar

Sautee 2 green bell peppers and 2 onions

Add to mixture

64oz of V-8 or other vegetable juice

Cook on low heat for 8 hours in crockpot or simmer for 1 hour on stove top

Pumpkin Chili in the crockpot

Yesterday I saw that the weather today was going to be cold and rainy.  I LOVE IT!  So I decided a nice warm comforting meal was in order for the menu tonight.
Yes, it is autumn...so what could be better than pumpkin chili?!!!

Adapted from this recipe

I added 1lb extra hamburger, a 64 oz container of v-8, extra spices and beans and did a whole can of pumpkin instead of half.

So kind of funny,  I went to the store to get bell pepper and onion because somehow I was actually out! *gasp*

While there I realized no cans of beans - well they wanted $1.50 for 1 can of beans!  yes, so at 1am I was starting a pot of beans last night.

Then today, I realized, no pumpkin pie spice! LOL  so I made some up from this recipe here

the only thing not from scratch was canned tomatoes and the canned pumpkin...maybe next time I should remedy that!

Looks great and smells divine!  I can't wait to taste it.

Brown 3 lbs hamburger

Add 2 Tbsp of Pumpkin Pie spice...I made my own

Place hamburger and 1lb cooked beans in your pot/crockpot depending on your method of cooking

Add 2 cans diced tomatoes, or more if desired. and 1 1/2-2 Tbsp Chili powder

1 29oz can of pumpkin puree and 1/2 cup sugar

Sautee 2 green bell peppers and 2 onions

Add to mixture

64oz of V-8 or other vegetable juice

Cook/simmer on stove top for 1 hour

or 8 hours on low in the crockpo

Baked Macaroni and cheese-soo simple

I know that I talk about my baked macaroni and cheese a lot, but I have never shared it-so here goes.  I never learned to cook as a girl.  Everything I have learned has been since I was married, and I am far from a chef!  I wanted a homemade macaroni and cheese that did not need the preparation of a white sauce.  Because those sauces scare me.  Seriously.  And then I came across a version in the Joy of Cooking that met my needs! And best part was that it was baked and not runny - reminiscent of the elementary school stuff that I loved.  This has been modified and used many years-I hope you enjoy

Ingredients:
macaroni noodles (1 lb)
2 lb cheese- I use a mixture of cheddar and sharp.  more sharp adds more flavor. 
2 cups of milk
2 eggs

boil noodles.  layer in baking dish:  noodles, cheese, noodles cheese.  combine milk and eggs and pour down the side of the pan.  add pepper to top if desired.  cover with foil and bake about 30 min at 350 degrees.

thats it.

Weekly meal plan

yup-I am fully aware that it is the middle of the week! LOL

Meal Plan..


Breakfast:

1. peach frozen yogurt with pumpkin muffins
2. cream of wheat berries with cranberries and cardamom (fresh from the vegetarian slow cooker)
3. quinoa breakfast
4. whole grain muffins with bananas
5. oatmeal

Lunch:

1. Tuna Casserole (Allie's pick)
2. bean burritos
3. Curried Split Pea Soup with Cauliflower....sourdough bread..fresh fruit
4. Zoo sack lunch
5. noodles

Dinner:

1. Bean/cabbage sloppy joes
2. Veggie Upside down "cake"
3. Chicken sandwiches?  Pita with hummus for jessica
4. Spicy Mac and Cheese
5. chicken, salad and homemade bread

Meal Plan Monday

so Shawn is out of town this week and the kids last day of school is Wednesday.  We are going for a week of simplicity to make my life easier with all of our meetings!

Breakfast:
cereal-hot or cold
toast/yogurt/fruit
cottage cheese and pears

Lunch:

sesame orange chicken and rice
oriental chicken cabbage salad with watermelon and strawberries (park day!)
Potato soup with carrot/zuchini bread and honey spread
kids choice: hot dogs (salad for me)
noodles

Dinner:

Chicken tacos
spicy macaroni and cheese with  brocoli
honey baked lentils with sour cream muffins
Macaroni and cheese
Friday: hectic night, not sure yet, maybe homemade pizza!

Review: Macaroni and Cheese Lite (Moosewood)

I didn't get a picture of this one, but this was a clear winner to me!
This macaroni and cheese is full of veggies.  When you first read the recipe, you start to think that it is just going to taste..odd.  Who puts cabbage in macaroni and cheese?  MOOSEWOOD does!  And it was GOOD!

The vegetables were mushrooms, cabbage, spinach, onion and garlic.  It also had cottage cheese and sunflower seeds.

Doesn't sound like your every day mac and cheese huh?

The flavors were very bold and I couldn't stop eating it.  We love different versions of macaroni and cheese around here--and this is definitely another one to be repeated and added to the rotation!

Weekly meal plan

Breakfasts:
choice of:
granola and yogurt
green smoothies
oatmeal
toast and fruit

Lunch:
homemade pizza and fruit
oatmeal with toast
vegetable pot pie
baked brown rice pudding and artichokes (we are taking Paula Deen's baked rice pudding and using brown rice instead
bean burritos with raw veggies
sack lunches with sandwiches, veggies, pretzels and fruit

Dinner:
Spicy Jack Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
Vegetable Fried Rice
Chili Dogs (dad's night!)
Chicken Tacos
No Hurry Vegetable Curry
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
kids choice night

New Year-New plan!

Yes, I know...December was a bad month for a meal plan.  But--I am back and lets see how good this week is!

Breakfast...since our schedule is off so bad time wise with Christmas break, this week's breakfast will be easy as we adjust to the time schedule again.


Breakfast:
cereals, oatmeal, yogurts, toast and peanut butter, fresh fruits.

Lunch:
Sauteed veggies and blue cheese on toast
Samosas with greek yogurt and fruit
Edamame, rice and oranges
Lentil and brown rice casserole
sandwiches or soup
Honey baked lentils with sour cream muffins

Dinner:
Bhuna Gosht, basmatti, dhal, raita
Macaroni and cheese lite (moosewood) with a side salad
lasagne, brocoli and bread
Tart and tangy baked beans, corn bread and sauteed greens
Vegetable stroganoff, bread and yogurt with fruit
Vegetarian mulligatawny soup with popovers

I am sure looking forward to this week of food!