The menu plan for week 98 may look fairly simple, but it does not include all the additional planning needed.  Not only am I making plans for our meals at home, but I am also planning provisions for a boat trip we are taking over the fourth as well as two “carry in” meals (one for my son’s family and one for the family of a fallen Navy aviator.  The week ahead needs not only extremely careful planning but some intense, organized cooking and prepping for delivery to multiple places.

We will be joining friends on Oceanus a trawler for several days of boating over the holiday.  The ‘Ole Buckeye will join them on Tuesday for the trip from Willoughby to Cape Charles and my daughter will drive me to Cape Charles to join them after the East Beach 4th of July Parade.  My Bunco group has been planning for months to take part in the parade.

Dinners for the trip appear to be fairly simple.  Tuesday night the crew will eat out upon their arrival in Cape Charles.  I will be preparing a dish for the pot lunch on Wednesday evening.  The captain and his wife will be responsible for one dinner and we will eat ashore on the remaining evening.  The plan is to make a grocery run together on Tuesday to provision for breakfasts and lunches.  I am also planning to make several additions that are THM friendly so that I am able to stay on plan.  At this point I plan to prepare things that will travel easily and take little space.

The breakfast plan for week 98 is quite simple…nothing new, but all proven.

Savory Breakfast Cookies   THM S

Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake   THM S

The lunch plan for week 98 follows the breakfast model…no experiments this week.

The dinners planned for week 98 include a new meal actually on the menu plan last week.  Our plans changed when we received freshly caught mahi and tuna.  We had enough to share with family on Sunday and had a delightful evening of grilled fish and sunset boating.  The Tuscan shrimp was moved to this Sunday.

The week is less experimental but very busy in the kitchen.  Tuesday includes a “carry in” meal for my son and his family.  It will be a difficult day for them.  He is responsible for the memorial service at Oceana with a fly over for Chris Short.

At the end of the planned week we will deliver yet another “carry in” meal for the Short family.

With the 4th of July celebration nested in the middle of extra meal preparation, it will be a busy, yet enjoyable week.  I haven’t had the opportunity to spend time on a boat since we sold ours in Illinois.  Sea legs required.

So there you have it.  Family, friends, food, fun combined with healthy eating.  Bon Appetit!