Weekly Menu

a trip to Aldi, a few weeks back

I am very happy to have found 2 recipes that I can make for fun things for the kids lunches that don't involve nut butter (because it gets pricey), soy, or lots of sugar.  While definitely paleo-tasting (don't expect them to be like conventional), both kids really liked the pumpkin cake cookies and the lemon poppyseed mini muffins, once I got around to actually making them.  On the list for this week: popsicles.  But I need some new BPA free popsicle molds, first.

It's a "no chop" week of dinners! :) Well, after I slice the shawarma onions on Sunday it will be.  Yay!

Breakfast:
eggs, avocados
berries
coffee, creamer

Lunches:
leftovers
adults: grassfed burgers, salads
kids: nitrate free mini hot dogs w/
veggie chips, pickles
apples & sunbutter

Dinners:
Sunday - shawarma salad
Monday - leftovers
Tuesday - dinner with friends (tacos for the kids)
Wednesday - korean beef & stir fry veggies (sub 2T. maple syrup for the brown sugar)
Thursdsay - beefed up grain-free pizza (eating on the run)
Friday - paleo chicken parmesan (I just bake, no browning.), broccoli
Saturday - sweet potato chip nachos

I haven't done all of my shopping yet for this week.  I went to Hy-Vee, but I still need a trip to Aldi and Trader Joe's!

(sharing and finding recipes here!)

Saturday Musings

Things that made me cry last week.  In a good way :)

This post.  (I think we all struggle with being critical of ourselves and others, even if never voiced.  The last several paragraphs are what I found profound, to actually state "aloud" what we all know.)
This book.  (A surprise to me, the writing and story are an even richer resource than the crafty ideas.)
This movie.  (Although if you've never been in the place of unfulfilled longing to be a parent, it might not get to you. But it is funny, too.)

Moving on!  Gotta plan some paleo food.

Have a great Saturday!

30 Things About Me

If you want to know more about me, read on.  If not, come back another day!
I originally posted this on my old blog, but just decided to update and then repost it here.

shameless selfie: happy to make it though my workout today
(1st time w/ my crossfit trainer)!

1. I am married to the man of my dreams and we have 2 beautiful children: a girl and a boy. Thanks be to God. 

2. I struggled with not knowing if I could have a child due to PCOS, so I am thrilled to have the chance. I am humbled and thankful, knowing how undeserving I am to have a dream come true.

3. I like to swim and be outside and don't do either enough. Water and sun are therapy to me.

4. I sweat a lot when I work out.  That is therapy, too.

5. I love to plan things and design things.

6. I also love to read and write.

7. I've always wished I was more flexible (like, to do the splits).

8. I like to take tests. They are fun and satisfying. Weird, I know.

9. Sometimes I wish I would have chosen a harder major in college the first time around.

10. I am somewhat of an idealist. I often do things more based on principle than what is practical.

11. I fear not making a difference in the world. But, I don’t know how exactly I am supposed to make a difference, yet.

12. My husband has the strongest work ethic of anyone I know. He challenges me to be a more effective and efficient person.

13. I taught first grade before I had my daughter. I am very glad I got to teach that grade. I had the best teaching experience for 5 years and couldn’t have asked for a better experience or memories. Right now, I do not miss the stress, though.

14. I was public school educated K-12 and am a supporter of the public schools. This is one of the few areas in which I have strong feelings and opinions.

15. Now I work part-time, managing a very small part of a very large ministry to children.  I enjoy this little corner of the universe.

16. My weekdays are usually pretty full of nonstop activity, but I am very grateful.

17. I’ve noticed that having responsibilities outside the home helps me value my time and organize it better.

18. I think about the future and contemplate what I should do when I go back to a full-time job someday... and am slowly working on classes in that direction.

19. I rarely get dressed up anymore, but I really do enjoy getting all dolled up. I guess that is a little bit that rubbed off on me during my years growing up in the South.

20. Sometimes I don’t care about things when I should - like modesty.

21. I am more comfortable writing than speaking. I say "like" and "anyways" too much.

22. People think I am shy, and I am, but just until I get to know them.

23. I am pretty laid back about most things. But I am very particular about a few things.

24. I usually trust my gut. “Yes” decisions are quick for me. If I have to ponder it, it is a “No”.

25. I am fairly “conservative” in my own life, but am not the kind of person that thinks everyone else has to be “conservative”, too.

26. I require a steady 8 hours of sleep. But I don’t always get it.

27. I like to have a clean house, feel organized, and have plans to look forward to.

28. I find it much easier to pray than to read the Bible, though I am always glad when I do, even if I didn’t feel like it.

29. I always thought I would be taller than I am.

30. I am loyal.

Weekly Menu

(Sharing recent pins that I like.)

The menu-

Breakfasts:
eggs, turkey sausage, fruit
coffee, creamer

Lunches:
kids-
chicken sausage/olive kabobs
sweet potato chips
fruit
adults-
same as the kids or big-A salads

Dinners:
Monday - chocolate chili, avocados
Tuesday - tropical chicken burgers (def better w/ chicken & grilled than as turkey meatballs), alexia fries
Wednesday - leftovers
Thursday - sun dried tomato meatballs, broccoli
Friday - leftovers
Saturday - garbage free copycat chik-fil-a chicken nuggets, roasted kale
Sunday - leftovers

Experiment:
I want to create some fun and not sugar-laden "ice cream" pops for the kids. Will share if I am successful. Something similar to these? Oh, Martha, they are so pretty. Rasberry + yogurt. What if some lime juice was added? I love some tartness. Wait, they're not for me...

P.S.  You are going to continue to see phone/instagrammy photos for awhile because my camera is MIA. I don't often lose things, but it is lost. Somewhere.

(sharing my menu here)

And just in case you need cheering up...

Squatting

Such a natural position when we are young, right?

eating breakfast and catching bugs

As it should be our whole life.

Happy Friday!

Mid-week Shopping

In case you are curious.

Aside from last weekend, I haven't shared many shopping trips lately, so thought I would... since we are not yet to the blazing-hot-throw-everything-in-the-fridge/freezer-asap heat of summer yet...

I don't usually shop in the middle of the week, but obviously did this week.

Trader Joe's $57

If you must, note the junk food in the upper left. The lemon curd, well I just love lemon and wanted to try it.  I haven't opened it yet, buy may use it for the lemon chicken recipe or save it for birthday treats later this summer - we all have summer b-days. The gluten free cookies are so my kids don't feel left out at camp next week.  And the caramels... I don't really know. I guess they are one candy I like and can have in the house without demolishing. So we'll just hang onto them until I find a use for them.  And the chicken tacos? Those are a convenience item my kids will eat for lunch... not guaranteed gluten free, but made without wheat ingredients.

Aldi $29

I prefer Real Salt and we use it for everything we season by hand with the shaker. But I also buy regular salt and use it, too.  I'm not using the precious stuff on making play dough!

Allright. I have 4 books from the library at once. Why does this always happen to me?  Goodnight.

Groceries + Weekly Menu

blurry quick pic

I went to Aldi this weekend and spent $51. Not the most optimally sourced produce and protein, but at least it's not bagels, right? ;)  Plus we got farm eggs. I have to head to Walmart to get the kiddos some school supplies for camp, so I might pick up a few more small things there that I couldn't get at Aldi: unsweetened applesauce, better price on greek yogurt, a few seasonings, etc.

Next weekend will probably be a big stock up week because we will be plumb out of all our beef, chicken, and seafood by then.  I never made it to Whole Foods this week to get pizza, so perhaps another time. We also never had chili from last week's menu, we had grilled hamburgers and sweet potato fries with friends, instead. A good way to start summer.

Pssst. My favorite waffle recipe is shared at last! Super similar to the one from Eat Like a Dinosaur (affiliate link). We made some this weekend (I used almond flour instead of almond butter because I was out - they turned out softer and crumblier, not as crispy). So there ya go, for anyone who has a waffle iron sitting idle in the cupboard. Make 'em, I bet you'll like 'em. We put frozen wild blueberries from Costco on top of ours.

I may do some experimental paleo baking this week: lemon poppyseed mini muffins and/or pumpkin cake cookies with raisins. I have some events to take food to, and if you know my children, you know that I had better take a paleo dessert for them!

The summer schedule officially starts this week for the kids and I with camp/class/work/etc. I have been in a bit of a daze, forgetting what day it is without our routine lately, so I think this will be good... That also means back to packing lots o'lunches. Wish me luck. Now if it would just warm up enough to get to the swimming pool on our days off!

Breakfasts:
eggs, kale, avocados
banana blueberry eggs muffins
coffee, paleo coffee creamer

Lunches:
salad greens
grilled chicken or tuna
bell peppers
sundried tomatoes
avocado
dressing
strawberries or apples
(no salad for the kids - too messy for lunches - so they get to dunk the meat and peppers in homemade sour cream ranch, plus have sweet potato chips and fruit)

Camp snacks:
unsweetened applesauce, greek yogurt parfaits

Dinners:
Monday - lemon garlic shrimp and creamy avocado zucchini "pasta"
Tuesday - slow cooker meatloaf, peas
Wednesday - leftovers
Thursday - dinner with friends, taking something
Friday - easy lemon chicken (this has some sugar, we'll see how it goes), broccoli
Saturday - leftovers
Sunday - baked asian-style salmon, sweet potatoes, salad

Have a good week!

more ideas here...

And always, thank you so much for reading and linking/sharing/pinning any interesting/helpful posts from my blog (and others!) to spread the paleo word! I appreciate it, as do all the folks I know on the journey with us!