menu time again...

this one is unusual, it was just one of those day...shopping for turkey and holiday fare...

Last evening I made chicken salad...so that was the first thing I thought about when breakfast arrived.  I don't think I've ever had chicken salad for breakfast, but why not...

Menu 

Breakfast: 1/2 cup chicken salad with 3 whole wheat crackers

Lunch: 1/2 grilled chicken breast with asparagus and brocolli

Snack: TLC dark chocolate bar nutrition bar with coconut or protein shake

Dinner:  Panera Bread Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich with turkey, no bread, small apple

check out the Restaurant Rescue for more about this winner.  

Have a great thanksgiving...

Menu 

breakfast:  1/4 cup cottage cheese on 1/2 slice of whole wheat toast or whole wheat crackers (Akmak is a good brand. one of my favorites, truly a whole wheat cracker - no enriched stuff)  Sprinkle on cinnamon, it taste more more like a cinnamon roll! 

lunch:  egg salad  or boiled egg with a pickle 

snack: dark chocolate chip protein shake

dinner: grilled pork chop with wilted spinach, apple slices warm from the microwave 

During my homeschooling days, I made seasonal menus for everyday of the year. Making menus ahead takes the guess work out of "what to eat" and helps preparing grocery list a breeze. During those days, I needed to be organized because of time issues. I have found over the years that menu planning has many more benefits as well.

I started creating menus by making a list of every food item my family liked to eat, broken into catagories of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Next, I created a blank menu guide and printed it off the computer.  Any new recipes I wanted to try were recorded on the back of the menu sheets for easy access.  

More tips on "how to" meal planning in the section on the left.

Today's menu:

breakfast: 1 egg omelet with 1/8 cup 2% cheese and salsa

lunch: 3 ounces of tuna salad with 1 slice toasted whole wheat bread

snack: Pineapple protein smoothie made with 1 cup 2% Hood milk, pineapple tidbits, UnJury Protein powder 20 grams

dinner: 2-3 ounces grilled chicken, 1/4 cup green beans, 1/8 cup sauteed mushrooms, 1 baby Dutch Yellow potato.  

water: 8 cups + 

Sometimes we all get in a menu rut.  Someone not long ago asked if I would share menu ideas, so here goes! 

This menu is for the regular food phase.  (I am over three years out from surgery)

my personal menu for yesterday:

Water for the day 8+ cups water

breakfast: 1/2 cup cereal with 1/8 cup sunflower seeds, 1/2 cup 2% Hood milk, 1/2 cup blueberries, 

lunch: 2 ounces turkey rolled up with 1 2% string cheese, 1/2 cup grape tomatoes

snack: protein smoothie made with 20 grams protein powder, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 cup 2% milk,

dinner: 2-3 ounces salmon, 1/2 cup green beans, 1 slice whole wheat toast 

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas...if your house is like ours it tends to attract people and food over the holidays...and we enjoyed both!

Soon after everything gets back into place after Christmas, it's time to deal with all the leftovers and  "de-junk".  Some foods like turkey and ham can be a great treat after the holidays but some things aren't on the "after holiday" stay list.  So it's time to restock the fridge and pantry. 

I must say there wasn't much to clear this year, I threw out the Christmas candy peppermints weeks ago, when I decided it was either me or them...they lost! 

Today's new addition was to make deviled eggs.  A great hit for everyone for meals or snacks...and speaking of turkey and ham, we are still enjoying the smoked turkey from the Honey Baked Ham store...it's a must-have during the holidays.  That is a sure "restock" for New Year's. 

Happy New Year!