The 2022 week 9 menu plan is complete and once again I have tried to combine both S and E meals from Trim Healthy Mama as well as Keto offerings which are normally S meals. I have included several old standbys as well as new recipes. Several of the new recipes will be adapted to keep them within THM guidelines.
These past weeks it has been more and more difficult to plan meals. I use the weekly grocery sales to develop the eating plan, however lately the grocery specials have left much to be desired. Add that to the current experience of sticker shock when perusing the grocery shelves and my menu planning has become an exhausting routine.
Breakfast
I continue to have leftover breakfasts that we will eat again this week. The ‘Ole Buckeye has been sharing some of the smoothies and shakes, so I plan to incorporate them more frequently. The oatmeal went untried last week, so it appears once again.
Gingerbread Cookie Milkshake THM S
Apple Cranberry Steele Cut Oatmeal THM E
5 Ingredient Waffles THM S
Lunch
Several days last week we ate dinner leftovers for lunch and we continue to have leftover soup. I have 2 soups on the venue for week 9, but who knows if I will need them.
7 Can Soup THM E (with revisions)
8 Can Chicken Taco Soup THM E (with revisions)
Dinner
I made a revision to last week’s plan. Since Mardi Gras is happening I decided to do a New Orleans inspired dinner. (leaving the chicken in the freezer for next Monday.) Our daughter is having us for chili on Tuesday (fat Tuesday), so Monday night was the night for Zatarain’s. I will admit that there is a method to this Mardi Gras madness. When I reorganized the pantry with the goal of utilizing its’ contents I discovered 2 boxes of creole mixes. We enjoyed a specialty dinner…and I accomplished a goal.
We have also agreed on something new. We will be going out to eat one evening each week. When I was working we always went out to eat on Saturday night and that changed when we moved to Virginia. The pandemic made even more changes, but we have now mutually agreed to have a weekly evening out. Initially it will most likely be based on the high school soccer schedule and we will grab a bite to eat after the game. That being the case, casual dining will be the norm.
I have only one new entree’ planned…a new version of pork tenderloin. I have included several new side recipes that I am eager to try. We got fresh beets at the Farmer’s market that calls for a previously made successful salad. I am also attempting to add more mushrooms to our routine. The Green goddess salad is an internet success…so I will give it a go as well.
Best Baked Pork Tenderloin THM S Keto
Mushroom Meatballs Keto
Hits and Misses
One of my favorite Girl Scout cookies is Samoas…chocolate and coconut. I haven’t had one in years. Experimenting with this breakfast shake seemed natural. It has great coconut flavor but lacks enough sweetness and I actually added an extra tablespoon of erythritol. With so many shakes in my arsenal this one will not be a repeat.
I use recipes from this blogger all the time. I have never been disappointed…that is until now. These meatballs were “fine”, but that simply does not hack it at our house. Fine is a trial not to be repeated.
Chicken Meatballs with Tomato Balsamic Glaze
This keto dessert is one of our all time favorites. Caroline (my favorite keto blogger) calls it a coffee cake, but we have it for an evening dessert. Whenever raspberries go on sale this recipe comes to mind. It is not inexpensive, but always receives rave reviews.
Almond Raspberry Cream Cheese Cake
Sometimes when I fix a forgotten recipe I ask myself “What took you so long?” I said that last week. This Greek Shrimp is amazing…and oh so easy. When we lived in the Chicago area we often ate at Periyali Greek Taverna. The Greek shrimp was often a special and I always ordered it. When I found this recipe I was so excited. The flavors were just what I remembered. This needs to be on the menu more often!
Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta
Recap
I must say that we had a very wide variety of healthy eating last week. Sometimes I have to laugh especially at lunch. I always underestimate how many lunches homemade soup will service and the lentil soup was no exception! In fact even the beef stroganoff provided an additional evening meal. I must admit that I did not spend an exorbitant amount of time in the kitchen and yet we ate exceedingly well. The week ahead looks to be yet another adventure in healthy eating. Bon Appetit!
