Happy Sunday! I’m impressed by how closely we followed our meal plan last week. Now it could have been because Mimi was home sick a few days, which meant we had more time to prepare dinner. I find that we tend to deviate from the plan if we’re running late getting home from work/school/daycare and then have to scramble while Mimi has a tantrum (since 6pm is her “witching hour”) and Buddy repeatedly asks, “When will dinner be ready?”
So with that in mind, I’ve been trying to really pay attention to prep time when it comes to selecting our meals, and also to select meals where I can cook portions of it separately for the kids. For example, with the red quinoa salad I’m making this week, I’ll separate some plain corn and plain black beans to serve as sides to the kids with a quick cheese quesadilla.
The stars don’t always align that way, though, so there are still plenty of nights when I cook something that’s spicy for Dr. G. and I, then heat up chicken nuggets and steam broccoli for the kiddos. But that’s totally fine, too – some days it’s just reality. You have to pick your battles, right?
This week’s menu is a nice blend of some old favorites (stuffed peppers and red quinoa salad) and some new recipes I’ve been dying to try (green lentil soup by Heidi Swanson, which means it’s going to be delicious, and Martha’s quick broccoli and cheese calzone for New Food Monday).
Here’s the menu; recipes and links are below. And don’t forget to head to Laura’s and Jill’s blogs for more meal planning ideas!
A few notes: Just like last week, we will be happily eating our pizza and feasting on snacks (and enjoying a few beers) during the Patriots playoff game on Sunday night. And I will have to dig up the crepe recipes; I’ll post that on Friday for Favorite Things.
Last week’s workout schedule was just okay. It got thrown out of whack because of Mimi being sick, and then I was under the weather. I just feel like I haven’t gotten back into a good groove since the holidays. I feel sluggish and slow. I’m not sure if it’s simply that I haven’t been feeling 100% of if maybe there are some dietary tweaks I need to make? Anyway, here’s to getting back on the wagon this week!
Sunday: 4-5 mile run to break in my new Garmin Forerunner!
Monday: Boot camp
Tuesday: Run 3-4 miles (AM in gym)
Wednesday: Body Pump
Thursday: Run 3-4 miles (AM in gym)
Friday: Elliptical in basement or boot camp (depending on Dr. G’s travel schedule)
Saturday: Rest day
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This week’s recipes
Broccoli Calzone (from Martha Stewart Everyday Food)
Green Lentil Soup (from Heidi Swanson/Super Natural Every Day/101 Cookbooks)
And for the stuffed red pepper recipe … I have no idea where this is from, or if we made this up ourselves. That’s how long Dr. G. and I have been making this!
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STUFFED PEPPERS WITH COUSCOUS AND GARBANZOS (serves 2-4)
Ingredients:
2 large peppers (I prefer red)
2 tsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/3 c. garbanzo beans, rinsed
3/4 c. vegetable broth
1/3 c. uncooked couscous (plain)
1/2 c. feta
2 tbsp chopped mint
2 tbsp mango chutney
Instructions:
Cut peppers in half and seed. Put in pie plate and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil and add garlic and saute for 2 min. Add cumin, turmeric and cinnamon and saute 3o seconds. Then stir in the chickpeas and broth and bring to a boil. Add the couscous and remove from heat. Cover and let stand until all the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in 6 tbsp feta, and divide the mixture among the peppers. Top with remaining feta and mango chutney.
Notes:
There is usually some leftover filling, which makes for either a yummy lunch or even a side dish on its own. And don’t ignore the mango chutney. It adds a necessary sweetness and depth to the dish. I know at my market, you can usually find mango chutney near all the pickles, olives, etc. Oh, and we usually use more than the 1/2 c feta 😉
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness says
The stuffed pepper recipe looks delicious! My son was sick last week And my training plan was all out of whack! Priorities right!?!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
January is always a sluggish month for me too… post holidays, colder, drearier, etc. Hope all goes back to normal this week!