I have a menu plan for week 93, but I will alert anyone reading this that last week’s plan went right out the window. I did stick to the planned breakfasts, but several lunches and dinners were shelved. After weeks and weeks of planning and working in our courtyard garden and several weeks of rain, we took advantage of several days of spectacular weather on Thursday and Friday. We actually did some “sight seeing” in Norfolk and had a wonderful al fresco lunch at Orapax a great neighborhood Greek restaurant. On Friday we were invited to spend the day with friends on their boat anchored on the Elizabeth River just across from the city. We spent a relaxing afternoon followed by dinner al fresco at the Blue Moon at Waterside. The weather on both days was pristine. On Memorial Day, Monday, we were invited for a family day at my son’s. It was a rainy day, but we shared lots of food and fun. Our schedules changed and as a result there were many deletions to last week’s menu plan.
As we go forward to week 93 I also must keep in mind that beginning Saturday we will be spending the week with the grand girls while my son and daughter in law are away. I must remember while planning the evening meals that I need to consider what they enjoy eating as well as their schedule.
The breakfasts planned for week 93 are all repeats. Although the girls will eat their routine cereal and bagels, I will continue to maintain the THM meals that are quick and easy. Of course the weekend calls for my famous creme brûlée French Toast, an all time favorite of the grand girls!
The lunches during week 93 continue the tried and true trend but I will put more attention on the weekend lunches since the girls will be eating with us. I have a new recipe for pizza bites planned because I think the girls might enjoy them. I know that they like the quiche because I have made it for them in the past.
Easy Peasy Pizza Bites THM S
Early in week 93 I am relying on cook once/eat again meals. We will be out of town for two days and I am looking forward to visiting our favorite restaurants in Richmond. Saturday we plan to go to a Saturday Night Fever Party at the Bay Front Club. I am still struggling with what I will wear as well as attempting to convince the ‘Ole Buckeye to wear something ’70’s. I also need to plan a dish to pass…with the 70’s in mind. Oh how I think back to some of the dishes I prepared way back when…
The rest of the evening meals are planned with the 12 and 14 year olds in mind. They love it when I cook and always are so appreciative. I really do enjoying cooking for them. I know they will enjoy the new pork loin that I plan. I have moved the chicken bruschetta to week 93 because I think they will enjoy it as well. The fajitas were an easy choice.
Pork Loin with Wine and Herb Gravy THM S
Italian Herb and Bruschetta Chicken THM S
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas THM S
Now it’s time to review the hits and misses for the week.
The pancake recipe that I used is directly from the Trim Healthy Mama website. My breakfast left me wondering just what had taken so long. I remember vividly testing two separate pancake recipes a year ago when starting this plan. Epic fails. I don’t know if it was the recipe or the cook, but I was not interested in making them again. Mistake…big mistake. These were quite tasty although I was not a fan of the syrup. (big fail). I must find a better alternative for topping my pancakes. Even the ‘Ole Buckeye approved and he is a critical reviewer of pancakes (of course he had butter and pure maple syrup on his). Regardless, I will definitely add this recipe to a breakfast cycle.
It has occurred to me since over a year has passed on this eating plan, that my tastes may have adapted and I enjoy foods differently now. I guess that might be partially why I enjoyed the pancakes so much. The ‘Ole Buckeye however is a different story and he is very open to a repeat of this recipe. As an aside…the sour dough pancakes…a miss. They will not be repeated.
THM Pancakes THM E
THM Syrup THM E
Oh how I love it when I find a Fuel Pull that I like. It seldom happens, but when it does and it is tasty, I am one happy camper. This frappe is like getting a fru-fru drink at Starbucks, but without the calories, or the expense. (I did use Starbucks coffee beans.) Yum!
Mint Chocolate Java Chip Frappe THM FP
Sourdough Pancakes THM E A Miss.
The Tex Mex Quinoa was great. I was careful with the spices, but the next time I will be more generous. It was a definite cook once/ eat again meal and perfect for an E lunch. The ‘Ole Buckeye enjoyed it as well and he is not a quinoa lover. This is defiantly a rotation contender.
One Pan Tex Mex Quinoa THM E
I am not sure I have a true verdict on the Chicken Salad. I will admit that it was nice to enjoy the grapes that are included. I love chicken salad but normally as an S meal. However, I am fervently looking for enjoyable E meals especially for lunch and dinner. By including them more often I continue to maintain the slow progress of weight loss. This recipe was fine, but not all that I had hoped. However I am finding that most E meals are just “fine”.
Healthy Chicken Salad THM E
Black grapes were on sale at Kroger for 99 cents per pound and that was all I needed as an excuse to go off plan for one of our very favorite dinners.
Rachael Ray’s Roasted Sausages, Fennel and Grapes
And that’s that. Some meals were a success, others will wait for yet another week. We continue the adventure of creative healthy cooking and we enjoying what we eat.
Bon Appetit!
F
