Meal Planning Monday

This past week I've booked a few holidays, been to Ikea for some decorating inspiration (while filling my face with 60p hot dogs) and played taxi to the Mini Mes on several occasions. I swear they have better social lives than I do with three parties to attend! The week ahead is equally as busy with the return of swimming lessons for Jamster, a trip to Liverpool and hopefully a romantic getaway for Valentine's, so there are quite a few quick and slow cooked meals on the planner for convenience.

Here is the menu for the week ahead:

• I do love a good pie and this chicken and gammon recipe is one that I always return to as everyone enjoys it. I've started making the filling on the hob while cooking the pastry by itself on a tray in the oven to save time.
  

Meal Planning Monday

This week seems to have come around so quickly and I imagine it will be over just as fast! I intend to enjoy the festivities with my family, scoff plenty of delicious food and sit back with a glass (or two) of wine.
I truly love this time of year that brings loved ones together to celebrate Christmas and the new year. 

This weeks menu...

Monday - Hunters Chicken with wedges and peas

Tuesday - Lasagne with garlic ciabatta

Wednesday - Christmas dinner 

(consisting of turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, sausages wrapped in bacon, honey glazed parsnips, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, peas, carrots, cauliflower cheese and of course bread sauce and gravy)

Thursday - Buffet dinner

Friday - Pasta bake

What will you be eating over the festive period?

Linking up with...

Meal Planning and Motivation

The past few weeks have been hard. Problems with my eye, another upper respiratory infection and sinusitis have meant I've not been exercising or watching my weight so much- eek. However, now that I'm feeling better and November has arrived I've decided to sort myself out with daily Zumba sessions and calorie counting.
I'm still going to make the most of the slow cooker with some hearty winter foods but I shall be controlling my portion sizes and thinking about a pretty dress I want to fit into for the fast approaching party season!

This weeks menu

Slow cooked lamb stew and dumplings
Slow cooked chicken korma and rice
BBQ Pulled pork with potato wedges and salad
Spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread

Friday we are eating out with friends at our local Indian restaurant and Saturday my mum is cooking for the entire family.

My weight loss motivation for the week is...

Will your slow cooker be making an appearance this week? 
What motivates you?

Have a great week!

Meal Planning and Motivational Monday

Autumn is here, the heavy rain and wind are a sign of that, and the slow cooker will soon be making a regular appearance in my kitchen again. But for now we are still just selecting meals between the four of us that we fancy for the week ahead...

This weeks menu

Jacket potatoes with chilli chicken

Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Meatball bolognese
Ham, chicken and leek pie with herb roasted potatoes and vegetables
Pizza with cheesy garlic bread

Wednesday the Mr and I are child free and planning on seeing Riddick at the cinema so we will select something or eat out on the day depending upon the screenings. We tend to go weekly as the Orange buy one get one free ticket deal is too good to miss (plus the fact there is Ben and Jerry's)!

The weight loss has now reached 17lb. I still have a long way to reach my target but I'm staying positive and the fact I won't be drinking until Christmas now, through choice, should help.
I've decided to participate with Sober October and helping to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support in the process.

My weight loss motivation for the week is...

Will your slow cooker be making an appearance again soon? What motivates you?

Have a great week!

Motivation and Meal Planning Monday

The Mini Mes return to school this week so I've stocked up on lunch box goodies and popped some of their favourites onto the menu...

This weeks menu

Lasagne and garlic ciabatta
Roast chicken with stuffing, roast potatoes and vegetables
Pepperoni and cheese stuffed pasta with tomato sauce and salad
Salmon en croute with new potatoes and vegetables
Slow cooked chilli con carne with rice


With the kids going back to school it also means I can step up the exercise and hopefully lose some more weight. 15lb down and a few more to go!

My weight loss motivation for the week is...

What is on your menu? What motivates you?

Have a great week!

Meal Planning and Motivational Monday

The last full week of the summer holiday begins, how did that happen ?!

At the same time as looking forward to some return of routine when the Mini Mes go back to school next Thursday I will miss them. Perhaps not the arguing and sulking but I'll miss everything else. 

I'll try to think of some wonderful lunch box ideas to make dining in the hall a little more exciting for them in the meantime!

We have just purchased a new car, a beautiful Insignia, so although we are far from penny pinching we are just keeping a closer eye on funds this week and have therefore gone for a low cost plan....

This weeks menu

Battered fish, new potatoes and vegetables

Slow cooked lamb stew and dumplings

Jacket potatoes with a variety of fillings

Cheese and ham kievs, mash potatoes and vegetables

Tomato, sausage and pepperoni pasta bake with salad

My weight loss motivation for the week is...

Have a great week!

Motivational and Meal Planning Monday

I've finally lost a stone! 14 whole pounds. I'm feeling quite proud of myself although the journey still continues. I feel a lot fitter already and my confidence has increased which is what I had hoped for.

Zumba and walking more regularly have really helped... and thinking about a bikini body that I long for!

My motivation for the week...

This weeks menu...

Quorn fajitas (with sweet chilli wraps)

Lasagne, salad and garlic ciabatta
Glazed Hoisin Duck with new potatoes and vegetables
Shepherds pie
Buffet night (hot nibbles including pizza, chicken, and chips) followed by fondue

I'm still eating the above despite trying to lose weight. I calorie count to 1300 a day and weigh/measure portions if necessary. 

What is your motivation this week?
What's on your menu?


Have a great week!

Motivational and Meal Planning Monday

Is it too early to mention that it's just 19 weeks until the C word? Someone pointed the fact out during the weekend and I was shocked to realise just how close it is - this really feels like the quickest year ever! We are already nearly 3 weeks into the summer holiday and there is so much more I want to do before the Mini Mes return to school... I better crack on!

My motivation for the week...

I've now lost 13lb too!

This weeks menu...

Pizza, salad and garlic ciabatta
Salmon and gnocchi bake with tomato flatbread
Hunters chicken, chips and vegetables
Vegetarian curry

What is your motivation this week?
What's on your menu?


Have a great week!

Motivational and Meal Planning Monday

After a bit of a naughty week away, in terms of eating, I'm back on the weight loss wagon and kick starting today with a smoothie and Zumba! I actually feel quite sluggish and bloated from going off the rails for just 6 days so I'm looking forward to eating a little better and exercising again.

My motivation for the week...

This weeks menu...

Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Roast chicken with stuffing and vegetables
Jacket potatoes with various toppings and salad
Toad in the hole with mash and carrots
Fish, new potatoes and vegetables

What is your motivation this week?
What's on your menu?


Have a great week!

Motivational and Meal Planning Monday

My scales need new batteries so I couldn't weigh in as usual but I shall continue how I began with calorie counting and extra exercise. I'm feeling fitter and my clothing feels a little looser so I must be doing something right anyway!

My motivation for the week...

This weeks menu...

Pizza and garlic bread
Sausage stuffed pasta with mascapone sauce
Chicken tikka masala with rice
Carbonara

We are away camping this week so all of the above will be cooked on the camping stove in the middle of a field! At the weekend we are child free and heading to Brighton so we will be eating out there.

What motivates you to exercise?
What's on your menu?


Have a great week!

Motivational and Meal Planning Monday

I'm not sure where the year has gone so far and as the last day of the school year approaches I'm really looking forward to 6 weeks with the Mini Mes with plenty of days out, baking, crafts and family fun.

I'm also hoping to spend a lot of time outdoors walking, running and playing to burn off some calories so that I continue to lose weight and reach my goal for September.

I lost 1lb this week.
Making -7lb in 3 weeks which I'm really pleased with!

 

My motivation for the week...

 

This weeks menu...

Carbonara and garlic flat bread
Vegetarian fajitas
Chicken and gammon pie with potatoes and veg
Lasagne and salad
Buffet dinner for our #HaveACraftParty party

 

What motivates you to exercise?
What's on your menu?

Have a great week!
 

Meal Planning Monday

This week Minxy has her school show and Jamster has a school trip so I've opted for quick pasta based dishes for those days. We are child free Wednesday so I'm going to have a lovely fresh salad and Friday we will probably be eating out as my brother is down for his stag do!

Saturday while the men are away my sister, mother and I will have a day of retail therapy and hopefully be looking for our outfits for the wedding too. This will probably involve a meal out but I'm going to try to stick with healthier options so the weight loss continues.

I lost 4lb this week!

 

This weeks menu

Fajitas
Pasta Bake
Carbonara
Chicken salad
Lasagne


My motivation for the week...

I've been using a Fitbug for the past few weeks which I've found has really encouraged me to walk more.

 I'm quite competitive, even with myself, so I like to try to do more steps than the day previous!

 

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

Another beautiful weekend of sunshine! We enjoyed pulled pork, a hog roast and lots of salad at a local festival and sat in the garden. With more sun due I've opted for lighter meals this week - with the heat we all tend to lack an appetite!

 

This weeks menu

Pizza with salad
Chicken, new potatoes and salad
Jacket potatoes with tuna and salad
Spaghetti bolognese with garlic flat breads
Cheese and bacon kievs with chips and salad

...Did I mention salad?

I managed to lose 2lb this week which I'm really pleased with, especially as my week included my first ever Nando's and a sneaky Buddies dinner. I've done very well with exercise and was even working out last night on the cross trainer when it was about 25 degrees!

No pain, no gain....

 

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

What a beautiful weekend; meals alfresco, lots of family fun and glorious sunshine!
It always goes a little too quickly though and here we are on Monday again, planning for the working week ahead... and it's July!

 

This weeks menu

Eating at Buddies with the extended family
Toad in the hole with mashed potatoes and vegetables
Enchiladas
Cod in cheese and parsley sauce with jacket potatoes and vegetables
Spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread


I'm on a countdown until my holiday and also my brothers wedding in September so I'll be making extra effort to cut out junk, eat lots of fruit and veg and to exercise more frequently so I can shift a few pounds. 50 minutes of Zumba followed by a 20 min boxing/toning session is on the agenda this morning, Wednesday and Friday - I feel tired just writing about it!
 

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

 

This weeks menu...

Chinese style slow cooked beef with cous cous
Mustard stuffed chicken with new potatoes and salad
Spaghetti bolognese with garlic flatbreads
BBQ pulled pork baguettes with salad
Quorn fajitas


We had a lovely weekend seeing World War Z, catching up with family and enjoying a buffet style dinner prepared by my sister. Chilli was on the menu with some great nibbles like spinach and ricotta parcels and samosas.

This weekend coming we will probably be out and about with the Mini Mes so I'll plan those dinners a little nearer the time.
 

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

 

This weeks menu...

Peppered steak and cheese baguettes with home made wedges and salad
Quorn fajitas
Bacon carbonara with garlic flatbread
Macaroni cheese (with sun dried tomatoes)
Sausages and mash with veg and onion gravy

Perhaps a little cheese mad but I've longed for a steak baguette and macaroni for some time!

We have a child-free weekend ahead so we will pick something up that we fancy nearer the time, although I think my sister may be cooking for us all as my brother will be visiting from Liverpool!

 

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

Today the Mini Mes head back to school for the final term of the academic year and the countdown to the summer holiday begins - woohoo!!

 

Along with our summer bucket list the preparations have begun for what will hopefully be the best summer holiday ever. I'm booking tickets, arranging days out and stocking up the arts and crafts for a fun packed family time. I've also set myself a goal of 1 stone to lose by 23rd July, end of term, so I'll be enjoying a lot more salad and healthier options in the meantime.

This weeks menu...

Sweet and sour Quorn with noodles

Beef cannelloni with garlic ciabatta and salad

Lamb moussaka

Jacket potatoes with tuna/beans

Brinner

We have a child-free weekend ahead and the Mr has a school reunion Saturday night so I'll probably cook some pasta for then and have roast gammon Sunday with lots of veg - or a BBQ if the weather remains beautiful.

 

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

It's half term! No early starts and a week of having fun with the Mini Mes - woohoo!
We will be having some picnic lunches, weather permitting, and hopefully a BBQ at the weekend too. Although I tend not to plan dinners that frequently during the holidays, meal planning definitely saves pennies and time so I've decided to continue this week also.

What's on the menu...
Sausages, mash, carrots and onion gravy
Jacket potatoes with cheese and beans
Quorn curry with rice
Pizza, salad and garlic bread
Fish cakes, potatoes and peas

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

We had a fantastic weekend in Norfolk at Feather Down Farm and our wood burning stove cooked our breakfasts and dinner beautifully. The Mr rustled up a delicious Quorn curry Saturday complete with naan bread and he did a BBQ last night, so I enjoyed a complete weekend without cooking!

This weeks menu

Roast gammon, jacket potato and vegetables
Sweet and sour pork with noodles
Pasta bolognaise with garlic bread

Wednesday we are eating out to celebrate birthdays for my mum, sister and sisters boyfriend.
Friday- Sunday we are child free so we will get something nearer the time depending upon what we fancy.

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Meal Planning Monday

A poorly me (another respiratory infection and flu!) has meant I've opted for reasonably quick meals this week so I can rest as much as possible.

This weeks menu...
Toad in the hole with mange tout, baby corn, broccoli and carrots.
Lasagne with salad and garlic ciabatta
Jacket potatoes with cheese, beans and salad
Pizzas

Friday we are heading to the seaside for a weekend glamping at a Feather Down Farm *squeal* so we will eat something on the way down there and cook on the wood burning stoves while away.

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.