Meal Planning Monday

Eeek...another post without pics   Just a quick update so I can stay organized and perhaps share some inspiration for your upcoming meals.

Monday:  Asian Glazed Drumsticks, side salad, Baked Seasoned Fries w/ Skinny Garlic Aioli

Tuesday:  Asian Turkey Meatballs w/ Lime Sesame Dipping Sauce, Brown Fried Rice

Wednesday:  Possibly leftovers.  Otherwise, Cilantro Lime Shrimp, baked lemon-peppper asparagus, corn-on-the-cob

Thursday:  Definitely time for leftovers.

Friday:  Searching for inspiration.  I'm going to have to dig through my freezer, so I'm still thinking. 

*Note:  On any night, we made have smoothies to boot.  I've been addicted to strawberry-blueberry smoothies lately.  Lastnight, I added watermelon, but I wasn't as hip--but I think that was because I used more Greek yogurt.  I'm still a bigger fan of traditional, low-fat yogurt, but please, whatever smoothie recipe you may have, please share!  Here's mine:

Strawberry-Blueberry Iced Smoothie

10-15 strawberries

2 handfulls of blueberries

1/2 lrge container low-fat vanilla yogurt

1/4 C granulated sugar

Sometimes a dash of lowfat milk

All the ice I can fit in the blender

Obviously, I don't like measuring, so adjust where you see fit.  First puree the berries, next, mix in the sugar and yogurt.  Last, add the ice and crush thoroughly.  Add a dash of Reddi-whip to each glass if you feel daring.  Makes 4-5 12 oz. glasses.  Add a colorful straw for treat. 

So what's in your fridge this week?

A Bit of a Repreive...or Work

I know I haven't finished my vacation posts, but the calendar was finally forced in front of my face and I realized:  I have a culminating project (in order to receive my MA degree) due Aug. 1.  However, I still need to make time for revising, etc. and reading turnaround time with my advisor. Long story short:  I probably won't be posting for a few days.  So, sorry for the lack of pics, but this is what's been going on in my life:

1.  Made a guinea pig cage.  Bought gp supplies.  Realized gp can get kinda pricey.
2.  Adopted a gp from a gp rescue lady.
3.  Noticed a green/black mark on my wrist from my watch--perhaps I'm lacking in iron? 
4.  Switched out the shower curtain--I read somewhere that plastic ones are made with materials (obesogens) that leak out during steamy showers and can add to cellulite/weight gain.  No wait, that was on Dr. Oz.  Silly me.  Well, it looks nice anyway.
5.  Took Lovely to Strings in June, a 4-day, 1.5 hrs per day plus a concert, orchestra workshop.  Laughed at Lovely's fake/pre-performance at home.
6.  Signed Lovely up for violin lessons.  She better like it!
7.  Attempted to pick-up my teaching materials for next fall only to find out they weren't in yet, but I got to laugh at Lovely as she ran/sashayed down the college halls.  Have I ever mentioned she runs like Phoebe off of Friends?  She's not that bad anymore, but well...there's still a resemblance.
8.  I found Lovely, fully clothed, taking a bath...in our bathroom sink the other day.  She claimed, "I never took a bath before!"  Hmmm.

Ok, off to write now...

Ever Have One of THOSE Vacations? Pt. 1

See the bag?  Pay attention; it plays an integral role in this story.

So we took Sunday and Monday for a "let's celebrate being finished with school (Mama included) vacation day.  We got up early, ate breakfast, made great time, and arrived on-time at our destination.  Our room wasn't ready yet, so S decided to find the nearby Bass Pro Shop, which I was fine with, because it's within a big mall.  Well, it used to be.

We arrived to find Bass Pro, with no doors leading to the mall, and once I found my way into the mall, there were only 4 stores left, one of which was closing.  Yay.  At least we found 10 for $10 at Claire's and the girls (Ok, it was really me) went crazy. 

As we were finishing up, Snugglebug started complaining of a headache.  I gave her Children's Tylenol and prayed for her, but she still was acting funny.  As we were walking to the next store, she began crying...like major crying, crying she hasn't done in years.  However, S was in another store and wasn't answering his phone, so I had to bide my time. Finally, we were able to leave, but we stopped at a Perkins to eat something fast (and cheap) before going back to our room (they called about 30 mins after we drove away to say the room was ready).  We shouldn't have stopped.

Right as the food was delivered to our table....bluck.  You guessed it:  Snugglebug got sick.  Ick.  We left and headed back to our room, already deciding we would take turns taking Lovely out to play in the water while the other watched Snugglebug.

We got to our room and I began to get unpacked.  I grabbed our swimming suits and--no wait.  I didn't grab our swimming suits.  Hmm.  Where did that black bag go?

Honey, did you bring in everything from the car?  You did?  EVERYTHING?  Did you forget to pack the black bag?  You know, the one with the swimming suits?  No, I didn't pack it.  Ummm... 

Over two hours.  That's how long it took me to drive back from our room all the way home again, by myself while S stayed with a grumpy Lovely and a sick Snugglebug.  Where was the bag?  Remember that picture above?  It was right there, in front of my closet.  My bad.  Two hours:  that's what it took to get back to the hotel.  The water park closed at 10 p.m., I got there at 9:54.  Lovely only cried for...a while. 

Now, you ask, why did I have to drive ALL the way home again?  Well, I'm not the kinda gal who can just go to the nearest store and get a swim suit (as I'm sure many of you aren't, for various reasons).  I'm extremely modest, so I have the swim suit, a swim dress cover-up, and a swim skirt that I sewed from a pair of men's swim trunks.  Yes, I wear all that and I'm quite pleased with the results.  Then, I would still have to find swimming suits for the girls and S.  Not an easy task on a Sunday night at 5:30 p.m. (with stores closing at 6 p.m.).  Sigh.  Oh well, at least I got a good dosing of lotion while rifling through my purse for the car keys--my lotion's lid came off somewhere on the trip and doused the contents of my purse. 

First lesson learned on vacation:  I would make a pretty good truck driver, if only I had a sense of direction.   Thankfully, my GPS got me home again, even though it freaked me out when it told me to cross a river on "ferry street."  (Previously, it directed us to non-existent ferries, which developed into a fear of ferry directions.)  At least I was able to laugh!

Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp & a Smoothie

Doesn't this look yummy?  From Gina's recipes, as usual.  I didn't have scallions, but I added chives.  It's flavor wasn't overwhelming, and it could have actually used a little more curry paste, I think.  To testify to the flavor:  S came home and said, "You know, you just have to be in a mood for some foods."  Well, I guilted him into eating it and before you know it, he said, "Wow.  I was more in the mood for shrimp than I thought."  Lovely had to be controlled because she wanted to keep eating it, but Snugglebug doesn't like shrimp. 

I made this over risotto, but I could have used regular white/long grain rice. 

After the Thai shrimp, I used the leftover coconut milk to make cherry-strawberry-banana smoothies.  Yumm! (and yes, that's a dash of RediWhip on the top!)

What have you been whipping up lately?

Let's Take a Hike

The other day, S decided to go on a difficult hike to one of his hunting spots.  Since the girls and I were told we "couldn't handle it," I offered to take them to the local state park to go on our own hike.  Won't you join us?  We're taking Trail 2, which is only 1.4 miles and defined as "moderate," so it shouldn't be too much for all of us to handle!

Watch out!  A very nice buck just jumped out in front of us before we even get on the trail.  It has a nice "spread" as S would say, in beautiful velvet.  Next, the bushes crackle and shake as Lovely spots a white bunny. Whew! The heat is a little much, but I think we can keep going.  Let's stop first and get a drink.

Look!  A box turtle!  Isn't it cute?  Lovely, quit holding it!









Lovely, I said let it go.  I know you don't want it to leave, but it doesn't look too fond of you right now...











One doe and many spiderwebs later, we find a water fountain.  Quit splashing!  On second thought...Keep splashing!  Mama is hot, too!  (no call for jokes on that one, please!) 

Lovely, is that going right up your nose?  And Snugglebug, are you dancing again? 

Ok, we'll end this hike with a sweet pic of the girls.  Aren't you exhausted?  I know I am!

Local Events: Schimpff's Confectionary 120 Year Birthday Party and Jeff Fest

Heads up for all you candy and old-time candy store fans!  This Sat., June 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Schimpff's Confectionery will be hosting its 120 yr birthday celebration!  They'll provide cake, Cokes, candy, ice cream, and giveaways.  There will also be a huge bouncy for kids and several types of candies for sampling.  For those looking for super savings, there will be a 12% discount on in-store purchases to celebrate 12 decades of business, and their famous Red Hots will have the original 1891 price:  2 cents/.25 lb with a min. purchase of $2.50. 

Schimpff's has remained at the original location of 347 Spring Street in downtown Jeffersonville (right across the river from downtown Louisville) and is now owned by the 4th generation, Warren Schimpff and his wife, Jill.  It is more than just a candy store; there's a 1950s soda fountain and lunchroom, a candy museum, and candy demo tours are given regularly. 

On the same day, Jeffersonville is hosting its annual Jeffersonville Entire Family Fun Fest (Jeff Fest) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  There will be free inflatables, free pony rides, free face painting, an art show, a plant sale, and more.  The Jeff Trolley will be running people between events as areas of downtown will be blocked off. 

Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  They're calling for 90 degrees with a 40% change for scattered thunderstorms. 

Monday Meal Planning...on Tuesday

The sweetness of summer....this mouth-watering bowl of fruit is about to be turned into a smoothie...

Here is my version of Gina's Baby Past Shells with Asparagus and Marinara: 

I used rotini shells because I wanted something fun and whole grain...the baby shells at Kroger were all white pasta.  I also added 1/3 lb. lean hamburger meat for the predator in my husband.  And...I'll admit, I didn't remember my grocery list, so I forgot the crushed tomatoes to make my own sauce, so I had to turn to Ragu...sorry :*-(

It still turned out very good and S had two huge helpings.  Additionally, I made garlic bread for a side.  I'll be putting this recipe in my "keeper" folder!

This week's meal plan (thanks, Allison, for the idea!):

Monday:  Chicken Parmigiana, without the crunchy coating but with Angel Hair Pasta, green beans  

Tuesday:  Pasta Marinara with Asparagus, garlic bread, fruit smoothie for dessert

Wednesday:  Venison Tacos, refried beans, Spanish Rice

Thursday:  Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp, rice, steamed veggies

Friday:  Most likely leftoevers.

Sat. & Sun:  We are usually bad and eat what's left in the fridge, grill, or eat out.  We'll see what this week holds! 

I'm currently working on a Meal Plan Planner.  I'm TERRIBLE at planning ahead (at least for food, that is), so I'm really looking for something that works.  I've adapted a worksheet from a couple different sources, adding my own spin on it, and so far, it's worked this week.  Except the part about forgetting it at home when I went to the grocery store--it also serves as my grocery list.  I'll put a downloadable copy on here as soon as I get it finished, or almost-finished-still-tweaking. 

So, what's your game plan this week?