The menu plan for week 81 will be created with my daughter’s visit in mind.  I am quite interested in featuring recipes that are quick and easy as well as totally enjoyable so that she will have greater interest in incorporating those meals into her lifestyle. I have decided that even if she has only a few of our favorites, she will have greater success and it will lead to her following this healthy lifestyle with a more determined mindset.

Breakfast will include two of our top favorites, the Giant Pancake and the Easy Breakfast Casserole.  Luckily I prepared both and have them safely tucked away in the freezer.  I am also planning a new version of the pancake by using frozen rhubarb and fresh strawberries.  The ‘Ole Buckeye loves that combination in pies and cobblers, so why not give it a try in the pancake.  Hopefully it proves to be successful.

The lunches included in the menu plan for week 81 combine quick and easy, past favorites, and one new recipe for an alfredo that sounds both delicious and easy.

Speedy Zucchini Bacon Alfredo  THM S

The dinner entrees planned for week 81 are fairly simple and straight forward.  The challenge will be creating interesting salads and sides that not only follow the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan but are easily prepared.  Very often the sides and salads prove to be the most difficult decision, especially determining what works best in combination with S and E entrees.

The only new entree included in plan 81 is the Loaded Philly Cheese Meatloaf found on page 216 of the Trim Healthy Table Cookbook.  I had originally planned gourmet burgers, but at my daughter’s suggestion I will give this new recipe a try.  It is one of the few that she has made on her own and she wants to provide the grass feed ground beef that she brought with her.

I also included the cod that we have enjoyed so much.  Fresh Market has it on sale every Friday during Lent.  The Chicken Kiev is an old family favorite that I have not made in some time.  I am certain that I can adjust the ingredients to make it THM compliant.  Most of these entrees are delicious on their own, but I will need to be creative with the sides and salads that accompany them.  To add some variety to the sides I have been serving, I have determined a few new ones to try.

Crockpot Zucchini and Yellow Squash  THM S

Cauliflower Mashers THM S

After spending a long weekend at the Charleston Food and Wine Festival the plan for the week ahead sounds relatively mundane.  At some point I will share some of our experiences on our road trip.  Charleston is truly a city for food lovers, but with so much more to offer.  It is indeed worth a return visit.

As we continue our healthy eating journey with Trim Healthy Mama, I am anxious to give a boost of accomplishment to my daughter and assist her in getting into a THM routine.

I look forward to sharing what we are learning with our daughter. Here’s to yet another week of good, healthy eating.

Bon Appetit!