Emeal update

Tonight's dinner on our emeals list is Dirty Rice and Sausage.  They have many menu types available, but what I really like is how versatile the menu and grocery list.  I chose the Any Store Meal Plan.  The first week I followed it exactly, which was really difficult for me because I like to twist things up a little... its my personality!

The following week I crossed out some items to allow for some things I new the family would not want to eat.   It was as easy as they said.  Where ever I saw the number 4 on the grocery list (that was the meal we decided not to eat)  I just crossed that item out.   Also I don't follow the list like Monday is rock solid for meal 1...   I generally just pick and choose, which you could do either way.  I am just not that structured.

The other thing I enjoy about it is I can easily change items like whole grain brown rice vs. white, or fresh spinach vs. frozen.  The menu can be molded to fit your needs.   So in essence, if you are not sure sign up for a trial and see how it goes.

I think you will enjoy it, if you are strapped for time, fighting with a disability, or just would like to alleviate one of the pressures of your day. I think this would be a good fit it has worked for me so far.

Emeals!

Well we are on our second week of Emealz.  I had decided to do a 3 month trial.  But I already LOVE IT!    I am not a too busy mom type, but I am sick and in dealing with those issues I am not always on top of everything.   I wasn't too sure if I was going to be a fan because generally I like to do everything myself, because it saves money.

But the menu's are organized really well.  So if there is something I don't like I just cross of ingredients on the shopping list that correspond with that menu number so if I don't want meal 6, I write in hamburgers or whatever I happen to want to make or is requested on the shopping list I cross out all items that have the #6 next to it and add meat and buns (or pizza night)...  right  are we clear.

There are a ton of kinds of menus, like low fat, carb free, gluten free, based on particular stores, or just general.  We are using the basic menu, and so far things have been tasty.  I have also made a few changes that were relatively painless to do, like ground turkey in place of ground beef, substituted certain veggies I already know that won't work with our family.   Its been easy to maneuver around.

The price didn't change too much for us, because we were already at 80-100 per week budget, however the variety is fantastic, it has been nice getting away from the  Monday hamburgers, taco tuesday wednesday chicken and rice a roni...  etc.  I was getting tired and so was my menu.   

And frankly its nice to have one thing I don't have to think about. There is enough on my plate, and anything I can do mindless I am all for.   So my rating is... so far so fabulous!

How do you use Menu 4 Mom's

I have to say I have really gotten into this pre-made menu stuff.  For me the key is too not get crazy modifications or changing the schedule is okay, this is huge growth for me people.  (sigh... I miss the non-neurotic,  oh well version of me I remember being less stressed)  Anyhoo FOCUS!

I like the schedule and with my recent awesome gift from my family of the ITOUCH!  YEAH FOR ME!  (I named her Brae... you know like Braeburn APPLE, I am so clever!)  oops FOCUS!  You see what I do is email myself a copy of the menu and the grocery list and open it in Brae (my itouch), and tada! I just turn it on flip the through the pages and shop.  

I have saved paper and I don't have to worry about forgetting my list.  yeah for technology.

Dinner thoughts

Last week marks my first week of using menu4moms.  I have been subscribing for over a year now, and when the email comes in I look at it then delete or save it whatever.  Then last week I just grown tired of my same old standby's.  I get home and I am so tired that I just don't even want to think about what I am going to make let alone try and decide if I have the stuff to make it. 

I opened the email, printed the menu, which comes with the recipes too, and put it on my fridge with the recipes in my junk drawer.  Then I printed the shopping list.  I went over everything deciding what changes I need to make to it to lower the calories and fat content, and went shopping.

When I was finished with this weeks shopping, I had only spent $35  which is alot less than what the shopping list assumed it would be but, I am cooking for only 3 people.  Also there was a few items I already had, but I did pick up a few essentials.

All in all, I was happy because of the no-brainer cooking, and the family enjoyed it cause it was different.  In fact last night we had stuffed pork chops and cinnamon baked apples  2 things I don't think I have ever made, and it was GOOD!

"Mexican" Quiche modified

I will be using old and new recipes and trying to modify them  into a better for us version... feel free to use them and comment back on your modifications and how they turned out!

This quiche was going in to the oven, I forgot to take pictures of it afterwards and before it was devoured by everyone (including picky kids)... luckily it made 2.  I used deep dish frozen pie crust for lack of time.  Took it over to a friends house for dinner, she was making chicken tacos for dinner.

1 (9 inch) refrigerated unbaked pie crust - for WW recipe see bottom-
1/2 lb. ground turkey
1/2 c. sliced green onion
2 cloves garlic
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chili peppers 
8 oz. Cheddar cheese   
2 tbsp. flour
1 c. fat-free milk
1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce
4 beaten eggs

Bake pie crust for 5 to 7 minutes until nearly done; keep warm. Brown ground beef in skillet with onion and garlic cloves; drain well. Stir in chili; set aside. In saucepan, combine cheese and flour. Add milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until cheese is melted. Add Tabasco sauce. Gradually blend all filling ingredients together. Pour in pastry. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes. Makes 6 to 8 servings.



PIE CRUST (Whole Wheat)
1 c. whole wheat flour -I like whole wheat pastry flour, seems to taste smoother-
1 c. white flour
1 stick butter
1/4 c. Canola oil
1/4 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt

Cut butter and oil into flour. When it comes to pea sized balls add water and salt. Roll out with rolling pin. Makes upper and bottom crust.

New farmers market discoveries

I love garlic, so when I was at the "organic stand" at the farmers market and read the words "fresh garlic"  I was intrigued.  You see it looks just like green onions... but smells like garlic.  I tried it in several dishes now, and I am hooked, it doesn't seem strong when you bite in to it but it has worked out real well in soup, a deep pit pork recipe, and a few others.  I like how the whole thing can be used and there is a garlic essence kind of thing going on when you eat a dish with it.  rather than strong garlic taste or biting into, which I love, but not so much my family.  

I suggest you head down to farmers market this thursday and get some... but don't forget to leave me some.