Week 4, 2019 with Trim Healthy Mama

The menu plan for week 4 is largely dependent on leftovers and making the most of food on hand.  My freezer is full and the refrigerator contains a variety of small portions of leftover meals that will not work for dinners, but will be served at lunch.  I continue to be extremely dependent on S meals, which may be the reason for the difficulty I am having with continued weight loss.  During these cold days more comforting food is more attractive.  In review, I also realized that even though I planned to have at least one E meal per day, I missed the mark.  Sigh.  I may need to juggle a bit.

Normally my plan for breakfasts is filled with E choices.  Since I have the breakfast casserole and no  room in the freezer we will be eating it during week 4.  In reviewing past recipes I realized that I had forgotten about the Bust-A-Myth Cake and how much I enjoyed it.  It returns.  I have one last piece of the Oat Berry Cake stashed in the freezer.  (Always good as a back up plan.)

Bust-A-Myth Cake page 298 Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook.

The lunches planned for week 4 are filled with bits and pieces of past meals.  Some are one serving, others more, but they will all be consumed this week.

Chinese Chicken Salad page 199 Trim Healthy Table.

The dinners planned for the week are heavy on chicken recipes, some old and some new.  Valentine’s Day will feature a favorite of the ‘Ole Buckeye’s…Chicken Piccata.  Historically I make this with Rachael Ray’s Carbonara (Yum), but I am replacing it with Zucchini Alfredo.  Hopefully it will be worthy of a special meal.  I am also trying out new “cauliflower rice” recipes.  Normally they disappoint, but I keep trying.

Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken

Zucchini Alfredo page 309 Trim Healthy Table

Sweet and Spicy Orange Salmon

Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Cauliflower Rice

The recap of last week is full of successful meals.

Thai Coconut Soup   THM S  A delicious spicy soup provided by my daughter.

Berry Oat Breakfast Cake   THM E  Wow!  This would be a great E dessert as well.

Banana Cream Cake Muffin in a Mug   THM E  Talk about quick, easy and tasty.  I did it in the microwave, but will try it in the oven next time to determine which way I like it better.  This would be a great snack as well.  I have learned to make oat flour ahead so that I have it on hand.

Sheet Pan Fajitas   THM S  Oh how our family loves these.  The fresh lime squeezed at the end helps the flavors pop and now I use low carb tortillas for those both on and off plan.  (Why buy both?)

Low Carb Easy Taco Pie   THM S  So quick and easy.  Leftovers are great for lunch.

Sour Cream Corn Bread   THM FP  After several different recipes, this is the best so far.

Moms Breakfast Casserole   THM S  Disappointing.  I have so many egg casseroles that are much better.

Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup   THM S   I used spicy hot Italian sausage in this recipe.  Excellent soup and hearty enough for a soup and salad dinner.  I served it with Focaccia Bread page 247 of Trim Healthy Mama Table.  The bread will become a mainstay with Italian meals.  Excellent.

I have realized over these past weeks that I have not dedicated enough time for planning and thinking things through.  My schedule has been disrupted and I have been scattered in my organization.  I need to get back into the grove, mainly to get the daily meals more in line with healthy eating and encouraging weight loss.  I find that I am throwing menu plans together to meet a timeline for popping them onto the blog and planning my grocery runs.  This whole process is becoming stressful, instead of helpful.  It is time to get priorities in gear.  Until next time…Bon Appetit.