Menu Monday

Monday
Kielbasa with black beans(we didn't get to it a couple weeks ago)
Apples

Tuesday
Spaghetti and Meatballs(freezer)
Garlic Bread

Wednesday
Chicken Parmesan(different recipe)
(uses leftover spaghetti sauce)
Salad

Thursday
Beef Stew in crock Pot

Friday
Haiti!
Joe and I are leaving Friday for a week long mission trip to Haiti with our home church, Grace Community Church-Noblesville.
I originally told the kids they were going to be eating beans and rice all week while we are gone so they will be in on the experience too.  They said "yeah, we love beans and rice".  Yesterday Andrew said, "do we really have to eat beans and rice ALL week?"  I told him I was just joking, but they could have it one day if they wanted!
I have a freezer full of meals for my mom to fix, but I am sure she will fix some of their favorites like, beef and noodles and mashed potatoes, and maybe even some fish!

How to Make a Menu Plan

Menu planning can be overwhelming to some, but if you start out simple it won't be.  Here are some tips I have learned along the way.

1.  Look through your pantry and freezer and see what you already have on hand.  I freezer cook with a group of friends, so I usually have a stash of ready made meals in my freezer.  I also double recipes and stick one in the freezer for later a lot.

2.  Ask your family what "sounds good" and what they would like for dinner.  Sometimes I get the same responses all the time, but other times I get "we haven't had .... for a long time".  Since it is fall, we eat a lot more stews, soups and crock pot meals.  In the summer we grill out more, so marinated meats are better.

3.  Try something new.  I try to attempt a new recipe once or twice a month.  If I have planned for it then I know I will have the ingredients on hand.

4.  Checkout the grocery ads.  See what is in season or on sale.  I stock up on things and put them in the freezer too. 

5.  I also try to balance meats.  A couple beef, a couple chicken, a pork, a meatless etc. 

I have found that having a menu helps me so much in a few different ways. 
      I go to the grocery less, because I have the meals planned out. 
      I am less stressed about dinner in the evening.
      The kids complain less, because they are helping in the planning, and they know they will get their "favorite" soon, if it isn't today.
      It reminds me of how grateful I am that I can feed my family and buy food for a week or more at a time.  A lot of moms around the world can't say that. 

Don't be a slave to your menu. Mine is just a guideline. We don't always eat what it says on a certain day. A lot depends on our schedule. I was at the grocery last night and found a cut of meat on clearance for the crock pot, so it needed to be used up soon. So that is what we are having tonight instead of spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs are in the freezer, so it can wait.

I also like to have a list of available meals on the side of my fridge, so I don't forget and let something go to waste.  Luckily I have a big freezer and can store a lot of extras.

Monday Menus

Monday
Pulled Pork Sandwiches(freezer meal)
Leftover potato soup
apples

Tuesday
Chicken Parmesan
salad
applesauce

Wednesday
Spaghetti and meatballs
breadsticks

Thursday
Chili in crockpot
fritos
cheese

Friday- Homecoming game
Pizza

Haiti Elliotts: Medical Team Video

Haiti Elliotts: Medical Team Video: This is a video from a medical team from Genesis Church in Noblesville, IN that recently served here at NVM for a week. Watch it! But beware...

Here is a glimpse at what we will be doing in 2 weeks. Can't wait, but scared to death!

Gifts

"God’s will for my life will often be found at the intersection of someone’s need and my ability"-Shaun Groves


This is just a simple reminder to me that I can't, and God doesn't want me to try, to do everything!  We all have different gifts and talents and God uses each one in a special way, for His purpose!

Owlhaven has a great article about this today!

15 days and counting......... boy do I have a lot to do yet!

Menu Monday

Monday
Keilbasa with black beans
apples

Tuesday
Orange Chicken
Rice
broccoli

Wednesday
Chili in the crockpot
fritos
cheese

Thursday
Ham and cheese quiche
apples, raspberries

Friday
Andrews Birthday!
Papa Johns Pizza
Oreo cookie dessert

Saturday
Potato Soup
fruit

Sunday
Stromboli- new recipe I tried over the weekend.  Everyone liked it.

Yummy Morning

Our small group met today, always one of my favorites.  We had brunch, so yummmy!
This is what I brought for breakfast- super yummy! Super fattening, lets not talk about that though.
Pumpkin Pancakes with Caramel syrup

1 cup  Flour


2 teaspoons Baking Powder

½ teaspoons Salt

1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

½ teaspoons Ground Nutmeg

¼ teaspoons Ground Allspice

⅛ teaspoons Ground Cloves, Scant

2 whole Eggs

1 cup Buttermilk( I add vinegar to milk)

3 Tablespoons Applesauce Or Vegetable Oil

1 Tablespoon Honey

½ cups Pumpkin Puree

1 cup mini chocolate chips

 1. Preheat skillet until water drops sizzle and disappear, or 350ºF on an electric skillet. In a batter bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Whisk together.


2. Add eggs, buttermilk, applesauce, honey and pumpkin puree. Whisk together until combined. Do not overbeat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk if the batter is very, very thick.

3. Pour batter onto the skillet and flip when small bubbles form on top. Cook another 3 minutes or so until the other side is golden brown. Do not take off the griddle too early—these  pancakes tend to take longer to cook than regular pancakes, but watch them they burn easy.
I doubled this recipe for our family.


Caramel Syrup
1 cup Butter
1 cup brown sugar
4 T corn syrup
2T rum(optional) I didn't use.

Boil 1 minute.


 
Not the greatest picture, but oh so yummy!