Cupcake Mommie's Menus

May Meal Plan

2011-05-05T20:08:00.000-04:00

That's my princess!

Here's what we are eating in May.

2-Lasagna Buns
3-Leftovers
4-Breakfast
5-Veggie Taco Salad (used my refried beans)
6- Grilled Chicken Salad
7-Eat Out
8-Pizza Night
9- Tacos in a Sleeping Bag
10-Leftovers
11-Breakfast
12-Earthfare (kids eat free!)
13-Lemon Sage Chicken
14-Pizza Night
15-BBQ
16-Bean Burritos
17-Leftovers
18-Breakfast
19-Pork BBQ Sandwiches
20-Hamburgers
21-Pizza Night
22-Quesadillas
23-Baked Spaghetti
24-Leftovers
25-Breakfast
26-Chicken Enchiladas
27-???
28-BBQ
29-Pizza Night
30-Cheddar Chicken
31-Leftovers

See a pattern? Tuesday is leftovers because we have sports and then Wednesdays are breakfast. It works!

We are excited to be welcome a quarter of grass-fed beef to our freezer this month. It is going to be really fun to try new cuts of meat, along with some old favorites.

My son, actually both my children must be going through growth spurts because they are cleaning their plates.
They LOVED these muffins--

Lemon Strawberry Muffins

Hope this month is packed with spring flowers and warm sunshine.

April Meal Plan

2011-03-30T14:07:00.000-04:00

I'm back!

We've been converting some of our house into office space and it has made it more difficult to visit my blog and post.

Since I last posted, I've still been doing my own meal plans and cooking up a storm!

For the next several months my goals are to post my monthly menu plans and keep up with my gardening posts.

When September rolls around I will have a kindergartner and preschooler (SNIFF, SNIFF) and I hope to post more.

Here's the plan for April--

30-Chicken Cutlets, Brown Rice
31-Leftovers
1- Beef Hot Dogs, Fries, Fruit (Soccer Night!)
2- Dinner with Friends
3-Pizza Night
4-Spinach Meatballs
5-Leftovers
6-Breakfast for Dinner
7-Chicken Sausage and Peppers
8-???
9-Pizza Night
10-???
11-Chicken Sausage, Marinara, and Noodles
12-Leftovers
13- Breakfast (maybe breakfast burritos?)
14-Lemon Chicken
15-Pizza Night
16-Slow Cooked Carnitas
17-??
18-Spinach Lasagna
19-Leftovers
20-Breakfast
21-Grilled Chicken Sausages
22-Beef Hot Dogs, Fries, Fruit
23-Pizza Night
24-Easter Dinner
25-Chicken Parmesan
26-Leftovers
27-Breakfast
28-29 David's Birthday Dinners--HE PICKS!
30-Dinner our for David's Birthday
1-Pizza Night

I've got a few spaces to fill, but that is never hard with all the ideas I pack into my month.

I'm always stumped for Easter Dinner. What do you cook?

Enjoy the beginnings of spring!

Chili--3 Ways

2011-02-09T09:00:00.002-05:00

Last week I made two crock pots of chili. Little did I know I would make it into several dishes through out the week.

Here's the story of our chili--

Tuesday I made the chili to serve at a slow-cooker recipe exchange we had at our house. We were able to send leftovers with friends.
Wednesday we had chili leftovers.
Thursday my husband and I had chili for lunch.
Friday I made homemade spaghetti sauce and poured some leftover chili into the warm sauce.

Leftovers are working for me! Less time in the kitchen, more time with the family, and more time to experiment with new recipes!

For more fun visit Works for Me Wednesday!

Super Bowl Menu

2011-02-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

It's that time again and I've had a blast planning our Super Bowl Menu.

I planned two meals since we'll also be enjoying the Caps/Pens rematch on NBC @ 1pm

Lunch--

Wings, Salad, 7 Layer Dip

Dinner-
Ribs
Mac and Cheese (kids),
Bacon Cheddar Tater Skins
Spinach Dip
Mini Blueberry Pies (I'll share that one next week!)

What are YOU fixing for Super Bowl Sunday?

Menu Plan Monday--Jan 31st

2011-01-31T09:00:00.003-05:00

31st-Chicken Fajitas
1-Leftovers
2-Waffles
3-Stella's Birthday--Jason's Deli
4-Hamburgers
5-Pizza, Salad
6-Super Bowl Menu

I'll post my Super Bowl plan later this week.

Check out my February Meal Plan here.

Visit Orgjunkie.com for more menu plans!

February Meal Plan

2011-01-30T19:56:00.000-05:00

See that little girl? She is turning 2 this week. Sniff, Sniff. Time flies.

We are celebrating princess style!

I was having trouble coming up with meals this month. I pulled out some cookbooks and visited some blogs for inspiration and came up with this plan.

31st-Chicken Fajitas
1-Leftovers
2-Waffles
3-Stella's Birthday--Jason's Deli
4-Hamburgers
5-Pizza, Salad
6-Super Bowl Menu
7-Breakfast
8-Chicken Cutlets
9-Tamale Pie
10-Hot Dogs
11-Eat out
13-Pizza
14-Breakfast
15-Chicken Enchiladas
16-Leftovers
17-Earthfare--kids eat free!
18-Tacos
19-Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Salad
20-Pizza
21-Neapolitan Spaghetti Casserole
22-Leftovers
23-Tortilla Quiche
24-Spinach Lasagna
25-Tex Mex Burgers
26-Mini Meatloaf Mounds
27-Pizza
28-Breakfast

Pizza, breakfast, and leftovers once a week are a big help in keeping us eating at home. My husband has become the pizza guy, breakfast stocks the freezer, and leftovers is a total break!

I encourage you to make you plans simple, leaving room for breaks, and trying out new dishes!

Taco Seasoning--and More!

2011-01-30T19:53:00.001-05:00

Amber asked how I make my taco seasoning--

Erin's Taco Seasoning

I also discovered this site which as every spice blend under the sun!

Have fun spicing up your life!

Date Night--Filet Mignon and Twice Baked Potatoes

2011-01-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

With young children who go to bed early, my husband and I often have "date night" at home.

Here's one of our favorite special combos--

Filet Mignon on the Grill--Visit Paula for how to cook on the grill--it's done just right! We just rub olive oil on our steaks, and then salt and pepper after grilling.

Twice-Baked Potatoes and Salad

For more lovable things visit--The Diaper Diaries

Mix and Match Pancakes

2011-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

I've made these pancakes twice now and they hit the spot!

I included my new love white whole wheat flour. It is a little pricey, but keeps things fluffy, more natural, and fiber full! This is the same flour I hope to grind on my own one day!

Sorry there are not pictures...still figuring out the camera!!!

Mix and Match Pancakes

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1 1/2 c milk
1/4 canola oil

1 c chocolate chips or fruit of your choice. We've tried blueberries and chocolate chips!

Directions:
1. Combine dry ingredients and stir with whisk.
2. Combine liquid ingredients and stir with whisk. Stir dry and wet ingredients together.
3. Fold in chips or fruit.
4. Cook 1/4c on hot griddle.

Result--Fluffy, warm pancakes! YUM!

For more tasty treats, visit Tasty Tuesday!

Menu Plan Monday--Jan 24th

2011-01-24T19:30:00.001-05:00

Better late than never right? I'm ending the Pantry Challenge early this year. It seems I filled my pantry more than I used stuff up and it's still not packed to the gills. I guess that is not a bad thing right? We have eaten in a lot this month--which is a great thing!

Monday-Breakfast--New Pancake Recipe coming right up!
Tuesday-Chili, (in the slow cooker), Cornbread, Mac and Cheese
Wednesday-Leftovers
Thursday-Spaghetti
Friday- Corn Chowder and Biscuits.
Saturday- Sandwiches or EO
Sunday-Pizza

For more ideas check out my January Meal Plan.

Visit Orgjunkie.com for many more meal plans too!

Cooking from Scratch

2011-01-19T09:00:00.007-05:00

About a 18 months ago I decided to slowly start to make as much food and other household items as I could on my own--as best I can. Before making a purchase I take time to think about whether or not I could make it myself.

Here is what I have tried--

Bread-
Sliced
English Muffins
Pizza Crust
Soft Pretzels
Pita Bread
Bread Crumbs
Bagels
Dinner Bread

All cookies and muffins (a couple favorites)

Tortilla Chips

Cleaning Products

Growing a Garden

Spaghetti Sauce

Pizza Sauce

Apple Butter

Season Mixes--Taco, Italian, Greek

Vinaigrette
Buttermilk Ranch

What I want to try--

Dish Detergent

Crackers

Grinding my own flour

Laundry Detergent

Shampoo

Child's Soap

Anything else I can try??? I'm ready to expand!

Check out more @ Works for Me Wednesday!

Pantry Challenge Update #2

2011-01-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure how this pantry challenge is going this year. I started with a not-so-full pantry. We started to run out of lots of of regular staples. The best thing so far is that we really have not eaten out much, which is something we are always aiming for! So, in a nutshell, the list does not look much different and we've added things to our pantry now. We'll see how it goes this week!

Meats

1 pound ground turkey

1 bag shredded chicken

1 big bag shredded turkey

1/4 pound ground beef

turkey carcass

Prepared Meals

~~Chicken Parmigiana~~ (making more this week!)

Pizza Pot Pie (this week!)

Pizza Pockets

2 pans stuffing/potatoes (this week!)

1 pan stuffing

Baked Goods

Apple Bread

Bread for bread crumbs (this week!)

Cranberry Cookies

Cookie Dough

Canned Goods

11 cans pumpkin

2 cans corn

2 cream soups

1 can pineapple

Blueberry Pie filling

Frozen Veggies

~~Peppers~~

Zucchini

Carrots

Peas

My Birthday Cake--Adventures in Marshmallow Fondant

2011-01-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

My birthday cake was a practice round to my daughter's upcoming 2nd birthday.

It was a success! My son requested the dinosaurs and it was great practice using food coloring and the cookie cutters.

I can't wait to design her princess cake.

Here's what we used--

Marshmallow Fondant
Basic White Cake
Butter Cream Frosting Recipe

Visit more delicious treats at Tasty Tuesda y!

Menu Plan Monday--Jan 17th

2011-01-17T09:00:00.015-05:00

This week I'm making up a big batch of chicken parm, veggie chili and my new favorite dinner bread for some friends at the end of the week. I'm hoping there is leftover for us :)

Monday-Pizza Pot Pie
Tuesday-Birthday Dinner
Wednesday-Thanksgiving Wraps
Thursday-Chicken Parmigiana (freezer meals for friends)
Friday-Veggie Chili (freezer meals for friends)
Saturday-Pizza
Sunday-Leftovers

For more ideas check out my January Meal Plan.

Visit Orgjunkie.com for many more meal plans too!

Pantry Challenge Update # 1

2011-01-11T09:00:00.005-05:00

Here are some of the dishes that helped in using up our pantry stock this week--

Baked Ziti--I just added ground beef to the tomato cheese sauce. It lasted us through 2 dinners and several lunches this week.

White Turkey Chili---One of my favorite recipes! I substituted my own Northern Beans and leftover Christmas turkey

Multi-Grain Blueberry Pancakes-- These pancakes are a great texture, full of grains and blueberries. They freeze really well!

Here's our pantry list again with highlights of some items we used. It does not look like we made much progress, but we ate in all week and used up every last bite of our meals. I stock piled some boneless chicken and flash froze fresh pineapple chunks for smoothies.

Meats

1 pound ground turkey

1 bag shredded chicken

1 big bag shredded turkey

1/4 pound ground beef

turkey carcass

Prepared Meals

Chicken Parmigiana

Pizza Pot Pie

Pizza Pockets

2 pans stuffing/potatoes

1 pan stuffing

Baked Goods

Apple Bread

Bread for bread crumbs

Cranberry Cookies

Cookie Dough

Canned Goods

11 cans pumpkin

2 cans corn

2 cream soups

1 can pineapple

Blueberry Pie filling

Frozen Veggies

Peppers

Zucchini

Carrots

Peas

Other

Lots of Pasta--used one box

2 Bags Beans

Visit Life as Mom for more families taking the Pantry Challenge!

Menu Plan Monday--Jan 10th

2011-01-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

Monday-Chicken Parmigiana
Tuesday-Turkey Rice Skillet
Wednesday-Turkey Bundles
Thursday-Breakfast
Friday-Marinated Chicken and Rice
Saturday-Pizza
Sunday-Birthday Party

For more ideas check out my January Meal Plan.

Visit Orgjunkie.com for many more meal plans too!

Pantry Challege Inventory

2011-01-05T09:00:00.001-05:00

Here's what WE have lurking in our freezers, pantry, and cupboards. Check back weekly to see me CROSS everything off the list!

Meats

1 pound ground turkey

1 bag shredded chicken

2 big bags shredded turkey

1/4 pound ground beef

turkey carcass

Prepared Meals

Chicken Parmagana

Pizza Pot Pie

Pizza Pockets

2 pans stuffing/potatoes

1 pan stuffing

Baked Goods

Apple Bread

Bread for bread crumbs

Cranberry Cookies

Cookie Dough

Canned Goods

12 cans pumpkin

2 cans corn

2 cream soups

1 can pineapple

Blueberry Pie filling

Frozen Veggies

Peppers

Zucchini

Carrots

Peas

Other

Lots of Pasta

3 Bags Beans

Visit Life as Mom for more Pantry Challenge Fun!

Pantry Challenge

2011-01-04T09:00:00.005-05:00

Just like last year, I plan to join in and take on the Pantry Challenge over at Life as Mom.

This year my cupboards are not as full, but I have been able to make a great January Meal plan that will use up many items I have in my pantry.

It's a great time of year to take inventory of what food you have, use it up, and make a fresh start.

Here are my guidelines for this year--

1. Stick to produce, dairy, or minor recipe ingredients when at the store.

2. Eat In, aside from maybe my birthday weekend

3. 1-2 grocery runs a week.
4. Cook from scratch and substitute ingredients before buying new ones.

My guidelines are more relaxed this year since my pantry is not totally full. I'm pretty sure I could bake enough for an army, but there is only so much of that stuff you can eat!

I'll need to make a couple meals for friends this month and do a little stockpiling on meats.

Please visit Life as Mom for more Pantry Challenge fun!

Meal Plan Monday--Jan 3rd

2011-01-03T09:00:00.007-05:00

After a long holiday I'm back! Here's what is on tap for this week--

Monday--Pizza Pot Pie
Tuesday--White Turkey Chili
Wednesday--Baked Ziti
Thursday--Breakfast
Friday--Veggie Quesadillas
Saturday--Pizza
Sunday--Leftovers

For more ideas check out my January Meal Plan.

Visit Orgjunkie.com for many more meal plans too!

January Meal Plan

2011-01-01T15:12:00.001-05:00

January Meals

1-Sandwiches, Pizza Bites, Fruit, Salad,Mini Crab Cakes
2-Bacon, Egg, Cups
3-Pizza Pot Pie
4-White Turkey Chili
5-Baked Ziti
6-Breakfast
7-Veggie Quesadillas
8-Pizza
9-Leftovers
10-Chicken Parmigiana
11-Turkey Rice Skillet
12-Turkey Bundles
13-Breakfast
14-Marinated Chicken and Rice
15-Pizza
16-Chili/Rice
17-Pizza Pockets
18-Birthday Dinner
19-TBA
20-Breakfast
21-Thanksgiving Wraps
22-Pizza
23-Leftovers
24-
25-Slow-Cooker Recipe Exchange Party
26-Spaghetti
27-Breakfast
28-Thanksgiving Wraps
29-Pizza
30-Corn Chowder and Biscuits
31-

I left a few empty days since I know I'll be making meals for some friends and I know I'll get the urge to try something new later in the month!

What are YOU cooking this month?

Happy New Year 2011!

2011-01-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

Our family was continuing traditions and starting new ones--


Decorating Cookies

We viewed Christmas lights, visited friends and family, made meals, shared laughs, shopped, had date nights, went sledding, and spent time in our jammies. We started Skyping (yay!). Also, throw in a few colds, ear infections, and business travel. We kept busy between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

My menu plans are so valuable to me that I still had a December Menu Plan along with weekly plans that I recorded with my weekly schedule. They continue to help keep me organized and in the kitchen.

As for 2011 goals related to this blog--

I hope to keep a fresh salad in the fridge to make for an easy fresh prepped veggie and explore the best way to grind my own flour.

Here's to a great 2011 for learning, loving and living!

Feeding Company--Breakfast Recipes

2010-11-21T19:26:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine asked for some breakfast suggestions for her Thanksgiving company.

I've been in that bind before--you want to feed your company fast, but not get up at the crack of dawn.

Here's what I suggest:

Freezable--

Bacon, Cheese and Egg Cups

Make bacon ahead and freeze it. Cook it in the microwave when you are ready to use it. It tastes great!

Also, making and flash freezing waffles is a good fast breakfast as well. Toast a bunch of them in the oven and offer a bar of toppings (fruit, syrup,etc)

Make Ahead (24 hours before you want to eat :)

Christmas Brunch Casserole

Egg and Sausage Strata

Spinach and Egg Strata

Quick Fixes in the Morning

Baked Oatmeal consider adding your favorite fruit

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal

Everything Bread

2010-11-16T09:00:00.002-05:00

I recently started getting Taste of Home magazine. It is such a treat to read through all the seasonal recipes.

Last Sunday I made Everything Bread with our dinner. It was not only a beautiful bread, but delicious.

It was also the first time I let my Kitchen Aid do all the work. I first used the mixing blade and then I let the dough hook take over the kneading portion. It made smooth, and delicious bread dough!

Check out Everything Bread here!

Visit--

Tasty Tuesday & Tempt My Tummy Tuesday for more recipes!

Menu Plan Monday--November 15th

2010-11-15T09:00:00.001-05:00

This week we are celebrating our son's 5th birthday (sniff, sniff).

As the birthday boy he gets to choose whatever he wants for dinner on his birthday. Guess what he chose? Despite offering several restaurant options he said, "I want to eat at home, because I like home." This melts my heart. Read below (Wednesday) to find out what he ordered (not exactly a "from scratch meal").

Monday-- Chicken Gyros with Pitas, Salad

Tuesday-- Meatball Subs

Wednesday-- Hot Dogs (organic), on buns, with ketchup and mustard, apples, lemonade.

Thursday-- Corn and Bean Tacos (maybe quesadillas)

Friday-- Leftovers

Saturday-- Date Night--Asian Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

Sunday-- Pizza

Next week we'll be leaving for Thanksgiving.

Everyone have a safe and happy holiday!

View my November Meal Plan here.

For more menu plans check out Orgjunkie.com.

Vegetable Spinach Lasagna

2010-11-09T07:45:00.000-05:00

Vegetable Spinach Lasagna

This time of year makes me want to fire up my oven and eat things that will warm our bodies. This lasagna is easy to make, quite filling and pleases my children. I adapted this from an 2005 issue of Parents Magazine.

It's become a family favorite.

Ingredients

3-4 c spaghetti sauce
9 lasagna noodles (if you are in a hurry use no-boil noodles)
3 c shredded mozzarella cheese
5 oz fresh spinach ( I try to get in as much as possible)
1/4 c Parmesan cheese

Directions--

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of your 9 by 13 inch pan.

2. Lay three lasagna noodles crosswise over the sauce. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, half of the spinach, and 1 cup of sauce. Repeat layers of noodles, mozzarella cheese, spinach, and 1 cup of sauce.

3. Top with 3 more noodles, the rest of the mozzarella, sauce and Parmesan cheese.

4. Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

For more recipes visit--

Tasty Tuesday

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday