Meal Planning Monday

I'm back on my meal replacement plan for a couple of weeks to lose a few more pounds (you can read about how well I've done so far here) but I shall still be cooking family meals for the rest of the household. That's willpower for you!

I've therefore let the Mr and the Mini Mes chose the menu...

Meal Planning Monday

We are not long back from an amazing all-inclusive holiday, in Madeira, where we may have stuffed our little faces with beautiful foreign cuisine to our heart's content. Now that we back to normality however it's time to sort out the food shopping (after stepping on the scales and crying) and thinking about what we will be eating as a family this week...

 

• Monday is a quick carbonara teamed with garlic ciabatta before visiting family for the evening.

• It's Hunters chicken tuesday, which is chicken wrapped in bacon and cheddar with a BBQ sauce, teamed with chips and peas. I will probably serve up some crispy onion rings to go with it too.
  

Family Food

Just as I expected Christmas and Boxing Day were over as quickly as they arrived! It was strange not having the Mini Mes for the celebrations, as they were with their dad, but they still opened their presents here on the 25th before they went. I cooked my first ever Christmas dinner (my mum usually hosts) so it was a little hectic in the kitchen but everything went to plan and tasted pretty good, even if I say so myself...
Luckily I have a year to recover!

My first Christmas dinner minus the parsnips, Brussels sprouts, bread sauce and cauliflower cheese

From Wednesday I will be watching my weight again and counting down to Kefalonia so my meals will vary slightly from the rest of the family in terms of portion sizes.
I'm doing a Ryvita challenge for January where I intend to try different toppings on a variety of flavoured crispbreads each day and hopefully I'll shred a few pounds in the process!

This weeks menu...

Monday - Prezzo 

Tuesday (NYE) - Hot buffet food. I'm doing my simple slow cooked curry and other family members are bringing a dish to share too.

Wednesday - Creamy chicken and spinach pasta

Thursday - Meatball bolognaise with salad

Friday - Roast pork with mash and veg
Saturday - Chinese buffet with friends

Sunday - Jacket potatoes

What will you be cooking this week?

Linking up with...

Slow Cooked Curry

A proper winter warmer and so simple too. It's quite mild so it makes this dish ideal for all of the family, but you can of course alter it for a little more heat!

Ingredients

2 onions, diced

2 garlic cloves/tbsp garlic puree

1 heaped tbsp ginger

1 teaspoon chilli

800g chicken (breast or thighs work best)

1 tsp olive oil

30g butter

1 tsp fennel seeds

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

400ml chicken stock

1 tbsp sugar

Pinch of salt

80ml double cream

Method

• Cook the chicken in a pan on a low heat with the oil for around 5 minutes then transfer to the slow cooker
• Add the butter to the pan and once melted add the garlic, onion and spices. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the sugar, salt and stock, bring to the boil and transfer to the slow cooker.
• Cook on a high heat for 3 hours or a low/auto heat for 6 hours. Add the cream and mix through thoroughly before serving
• Scoff!

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

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.

Meal Planning Monday

So far I am in love with May! The sun has been shining and it has been a truly great week. The rain and snow seems like a distant memory all of a sudden!

This weeks menu...

Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Haddock, mash and veg
Jacket potatoes with chilli and salad
Toad in the hole
BBQ

We haven't made plans for the weekend as yet but if the weather stays as beautiful the Mr and I shall go camping (the mini mes are with their dad) and enjoy our meals alfresco.
I'm very much looking forward to nights in the garden, sat on the patio with drinks and nibbles now that the better weather has finally arrived.
 

What's on your menu this week?

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

Meal Planning Monday

It won't be long until the days are a lot hotter (fingers crossed) so this will probably be the last week of comfort style food before it's replaced with pasta, salads and BBQs!

This weeks menu...

Spaghetti bolognese with garlic ciabatta
Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Chinese style slow cooked beef with rice
Salmon, cream cheese and chive farfalle
Chicken Tikka Masala with naan

I managed to lose 8lb last week which was amazing (I even changed the scales batteries as I couldn't believe it at first!) by increasing my fruit and veg intake, cutting out junk and calorie counting. I shall continue to do the same this week and hopefully lose a bit more... ready for my bikini - ha!
 

What's on your menu this week?

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