Supper for A Month (Meal Planning!

.  Hi friends!  If you're reading this blog or checking out my site, chances are you are looking for ways to incorporate healthier foods into your lifestyle or looking to create some new, healthy habits.  I share a lot about what my choices are for creating that in my life and for my family in my blog.  

Today, I'm going to share what I planned out for our family supper's over the last few weeks. This isn't recipes, just meals (with a brief description).

I don't assign most meals to a specific day in this blog entry because you probably have a different weekly schedule than mine, different number of family members and different work hours than I do (I work from home).

But we ALL need to eat and I think deep down most of us WANT to eat healthier, we just don't know how, we complicate it or we become overwhelmed with all the choices and information.  
I think part of a healthy lifestyle is a decision to keep learning -- to keep evolving into a better, healthier version of ourselves and when we do so, we help others to do the same (including our kids).

So, here we go!  Here is what we ate over the last month or so.  

We have a weekly Pasta night.  It's easy, my whole family loves it and I can use wholesome ingredients with my pasta. 

Gluten Free Spaghetti w/ ground beef, mushrooms, onion and diced zucchini.  I use an organic jarred sauce (Aldi has great prices on organic foods) add my veggies and meat, plus some Young Living Vitality Oils to boost the flavor!  I serve it with applesauce or a salad.  

Chicken Tenders, Broccoli in Fettucini with a garlic butter sauce.  I get some frozen organic tenders from Butcher Box.  When I'm ready to use them, I thaw them, marinade and cook them.  My broccoli is organic and either from Costco or Azure Standard (frozen), when in season I get fresh broccoli.  It's easy to cook it with the pasta in the boiling water, add it right at the end, then drain them both, add your chicken and sauce.  (If you really want to make this quick, buy some already grilled, or frozen cooked, chicken strips and use those instead of cooking your own).

Ground Beef Stroganoff. We love this one!  Ground beef is a less expensive alternative than the steak bites or stew meat that is often used in traditional stroganoff recipes.  I add peas to mine!  My quick and easy "cheat" is to use organic cream of mushroom soup.  My favorite brand is from Pacific Foods (this comes in handy for Green Bean Casserole too!)

Sausage, Kale & Red Onion with Gluten Free Elbow Macaroni. I cook the Sausage and onion together while my pasta boils.  Once the macaroni is done, I drain it and set aside.  When my Sausage and onion are done, I add a bit of flour to the pan to soak up all the fat -- then some organic heavy cream (Horizon or Organic Valley are good), this makes a thick, creamy sauce for the macaroni.  I chop my fresh kale up very small (spinach also works!) and add it right before I combine it all with the macaroni.  Season with some salt, pepper, garlic, paprika and some copped up sundried tomatoes.  So good!

Hamburger "Buddy" - this is a semi-homemade version of that boxed stuff that our mothers used back in the day -- this is just much healthier for you!  Use your favorite pasta, some ground beef, some veggies (peas, broccoli, spinach, etc..) and seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, turmeric and paprika for example.  I use an organic powdered cheese and combine it with cream and butter to make a sauce to pour over my pasta, meat and veggies.  YUM!  

Next, we have a Taco/Mexican/Tex Mex/Southwest Night (or whatever you want to call it!)
These meals are typically Mexican inspired as it's one our favorite type of food!

Loaded Tostadas with Guacamole -- so easy!  I cook ground beef like I would for tacos, plus chop up all the toppings like onion, bell pepper, tomato... PLUS some corn and black beans.  You can also use refried beans and spread it on the tostada!  I spread the tostadas on a baking pan, top with meat, beans and cheese then bake at 350 until the cheese is melted -- THEN we add our toppings plus sour cream and guac!

Taco Cornbread -- you have got to try this!  Bake some corn bread in a shallow baking pan, you want the pieces thinner than traditional cornbread and then top with all of your regular taco fixins! 

Taco Stuffed Potatoes -- bake some potatoes, get some big ones!  And top them all of the stuff you'd have on a taco!  SO easy!

Shredded Chicken Taco Fries --- I cook my chicken in my Instant Pot - cooks it perfectly!  I usually just throw a jar of salsa in with it and some salt and pepper for seasoning.  I cut up some potatoes into wedges, coat with oil, salt, pepper and chili blend seasoning then bake until crispy.  The chicken plus other toppings go on top of the potato wedges -- Voila!  Supper is done!

Taco Salad -- use ground beef or chicken!  Make it loaded by having some corn, beans and guacamole for toppings!  Take out all the stops and pile on the veggies!

SANDWICH NIGHT -- probably my personal fave because it requires the least amount of effort for me (with the exception of leftovers night!).  Here is what we have had lately:

**Most of them are served with various, sliced, raw veggies and sometimes chips or maybe some roasted potatoes (or sweet potato!)

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches -- you can use strips of steak, or even ground beef for a cheaper alternative -- cook it, then add to a baking dish, top with onion, mushroom, green pepper and cheese, then add to your bread or buns!  

Shredded Beef -- I use a large roast for this and season depending on the mood I'm in !  Most of the time I opt for a more italian flavor and have onion, green pepper and banana peppers to add to it -- I will also cook with with a can of diced tomatoes.  Mozzarella or Provolone cheese slices go well with this -- or top with some crispy Polenta!  YUMMMY!

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with slaw and baked beans!  Cook your chicken in your favorite BBQ sauce, shred it and serve!  Slaw is easy if you buy a bag of pre-cut slaw -- this cost a little more  than chopping it yourself.  I just give mine a rough chop, buy a bag of julienne carrots and add my ingredients for my dressing!

Crunchy Chicken Tender Club Sandwiches (Or Chik Fil A night!).  I buy some organic, gluten free chicken tenders for this -- pop those in the oven until crispy, along with some bacon, then top with some american cheese, tomato and lettuce.  Make your own potato wedges or buy some frozen waffle fries!  To up the nutrients -- use Sweet Potatoes instead of regular!

Hot Ham & Cheese (We use Swiss or Cheddar for this).  Get some good deli ham for this.  We like Boars Head brand.  Brown it, cheese it and serve it!  I make a side salad loaded with veggies to have with our sandwiches. 

Next up, I have a night where I fix a Salad as a meal or we get to put together our own "bowl" of goodness!

Asian Slaw & Chicken -- you can buy a slaw mix or chop your own and then add some shredded or cubed, cooked chicken and make an Asian dressing to go on top!  So refreshing and easy!

Shepherd's Pie Bowl -- mashed potatoes on the bottom with cooked ground beef, cream of mushroom soup with peas & carrots!  So easy and good!  #comfortfood 

BLT w/ Avocado & Sliced Boiled Eggs Salad -- cook your bacon, boil your eggs, chop up your favorite lettuce -- and dig in!

Creamy Chicken and Peas over rice -- Cook your chicken, add some cream of chicken soup, Pacific Foods has a good one!  I cook my rice in my Instant Pot -- so easy!

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Salad --- you definitely want to marinade your chicken before hand for this; It makes the flavor so much better!  I serve the chicken over romaine lettuce with red onion, cucumber and grape tomato halves and a simple dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette and some salt and pepper.  

Sheet Pan meals are often made as well -- they are easy and don't require a lot of clean up afterwards.  Here are some that we have had lately:

Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan over Polenta with Green beans

Pizza!  Buy, or make your own, crust, add toppings and cheese-- Voila!  I can chop up kale and/or spinach and add to the sauce to get more nutrients and veggies in our diet plus so many veggies are yummy toppings too!

Garlic Chicken w/ potato wedges and broccoli -- I add the broccoli to the pan last so it doesn't get overcooked. 

Sheet Pan Hoisin Chicken with roasted carrots and red potatoes.  I buy Gluten Free Hoisin sauce -- so good!  and coat my chicken in it before putting on the pan.  Using parchment paper baking sheets helps make clean up a breeze!  

Sheet Pan Ranch chicken with Broccoli, Cauliflower and Red Onion -- so tasty!  I toss the veggies in a bowl first with some avocado oil, salt and pepper.  The chicken is coated separately with avocado oil and ranch seasoning.  Then baked in the oven -- veggies go on last so the chicken has time to get done and the veggies are mushy and gross!  For faster cooking, cut the chicken in strips before oiling and seasoning.  

On Sundays, I like to cook a family meal -- put in a little extra effort and make it a nice meal. 

Chicken Ricotta with spinach, mushroom and onion -- stuffed into baked potatoes!  So good!  I cook chicken in my Instant Pot with some italian seasonings like oregano, basil and thyme, plus salt, pepper and lots of garlic!  I add some tomato sauce and chicken broth too -- you need the broth or the tomato might burn in the IP.  Once it's done, I shred it while still in the pot then add the veggies and ricotta cheese then switch to saute and cook until the veggies are soft. The potatoes have been baking in the oven while the chicken is cooking so when everything is done, the chicken and veggies get spooned on top of the baked potatoes!  

Roasted Chicken w/ Mashed Potatoes, Peas & Carrots.  I use my homemade herbed salt for the chicken.  It's a combo Celtic Sea Salt, some pepper plus my Young Living Vitality oils - safe, thyme, oregano, basil, black pepper and lemon -- THE BEST herbed salt blend ever!  Mashed potatoes are made with real cream and butter.  Peas and Carrots cooked on the stove. 

Breakfast for Supper!  ALL the favorites!  Pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns....

Grilled Chicken Tenders, Mac N Cheese and a Salad.  My chicken tenders are marinated before grilling.  The Mac N Cheese is gluten free store bought.. BUT, I add extra cheese and bake in the oven for a little extra special touch.  Salad is loaded with veggies!  

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans -- I actually make individual meatloaves either using a muffin pan or just shaping them into small loaves ( or extra large meat balls), mashed potatoes made with real cream and butter and green beans that are cooked in my large cast iron skillet -- so good!  


One night, usually Saturday, is Leftover Night!  It's like a smorgashboard, or a la carte cafeteria!  

That's it!  Our last month or so of weekly suppers.  I hope this helped, or inspired, you in some way.  Keep watching the blog for specific recipes or video on how I make something.  Tried a new recipe last night and was a hit!  Video coming soon!

Happy, healthy eating!

xoxo
​Lori
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