2023 Week 12 Menu Plan

The 2023 week 12 menu plan is complete.

Breakfast

Since most mornings are a fast for me, I have decided to do simple breakfasts in advance for the ‘Ole Buckeye. That way there is always something ready for him to eat and he can supplement with toast and or fruit. Occasionally he will prepare soft boiled eggs. In the past I have made breakfast and eaten with him. I do this out of routine rather than need. I am seldom hungry in the morning and since I have made the switch to eating 2 meals per day between noon/1 and 6/7 PM I feel much better. 

Banana Walnut Explosion page 36 PlantYou by Carleigh Bodrug

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough page 38 PlantYou by Carleigh Bodrug

Superseed Muesli page 42 Plantyou by Carleigh Bodrug

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Coo-Coo for Coconuts Chia Pudding page 39 PlantYou bu Carleigh Bodrug

Maple Pecan Baked Oatmeal

Field Berry Oatmeal

Lunch

Soup and sandwich, soup and salad…what more could we want midday. I am hoping to have an entire food prep day this week and make all of these soups in advance. That way we can have whatever we fancy on any given day.

Absolute Best Lentil Soup

Tic Toc Cucumber Sandwich

Cabbage Soup

Zuppa Toscana

Lentil Feta Walnut Salad

Dinner

As I planned the dinner menu, I had to keep in mind that 2 evenings this week we will be attending evening high school soccer games that start at 5:30, meaning late meal time. Early prep will be the key.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta page 138 PlantYou

Asparagus Lemon Pasta with adaptation

Kara’s Chili Family Cookbook

Baked Salmon with Lentils and Lemon Herb Sauce

Tuscan White Bean Skillet

Hits and Misses

We had hits as well as misses last week and several so-so’s that aren’t up for a repeat.

Another version of chickpea salad. This was not my favorite version but it fed us for several lunches.

Chickpea Salad

I really liked the unique flavors of this soup…the ‘Ole Buckeye…not so much.

Kale,Spinach, Ginger, Miso Soup

It’s amazing how good potatoes taste when you seldom have them. This bake was rustic like the name and great for our cold evenings last week. It gave us a lunch as well.

Rustic Italian Vegetable Bake

Normally when I get beets the greens are not fresh enough to braise. I lucked out this time. I roasted the beets for later use and braised the greens with a little onion. Delish and so very healthy.

Beet Greens

I made a Mediterranean dinner combining pizza and salad…wow what a great dinner. This salad was outstanding as was the pizza. I bought a frozen gluten free pizza dough, but the next time I will make a whole wheat crust. The whole dinner was definitely worth the effort.

Greek Pizza

What a great salad! I have been making a lot of quinoa salads, but this farro salad was so much better. I am learning to love the texture and mouth feel of farro.

Italian Farro Salad

We try to have salmon once a week and I try to find a variety of preparations. This one is simple and delicious requiring very little clean up. 

Baked Salmon in Foil

Epic fail. I admit it may not have been the recipe. I used frozen spinach (too much) in place of fresh. I was so disappointed because it took a lot of time to prepare. Not enjoyable for me at all.

Vegan Lasagna page 168 PlantYou

Recap

The menu planning this week was a struggle. I will admit that healthy eating takes much more planning and preparation and sometimes I am simply not “into” the kitchen duty, especially when I have limited time. My goal this week is to get a handle on the prep in advance so that dinner can be on time and I am not struggling getting meals on the table. The adventure continues. Bon Appetit!