This weeks attempt at a healthy Menu Plan

Ok, so I am going to be trying to slowly shape up things around here in the eating department.

#1 For myself, I am trying to say NO to sweet tea and ice cream M-F! I can have treats on the weekend, but those are 2 weaknesses of mine that I feel are leading to the demise of any control I would like to have with regard to weight!

#2 I am planning to make breakfast for Brandon and myself. This week, I plan to use one of these recipes each morning...(I got both recipes from a blog I follow HERE)

Ok for breakfasts....

Super Secret Smoothies: (I will not be letting Brandon in on the title of this one or what the secret part is)

1 cup soy milk
1/4 cup orange juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup frozen peaches
4 T. ground flaxseeds or 2 T. flaxseed oil
1 T. honey
smidge vanilla
1/2-1 banana, chunked
And here's secret ingredient: a large handful of fresh spinach leaves

Blend while nobody's watching, pretend you don't know what the tiny green flecks are when asked, and serve with a straw.

OR


Banana Oatmeal (using steel cut oats)
1/3 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. water
1/3 c. soy milk
Heat above over medium heat until it's looking like oatmeal. (I don't know how else to describe it!)

Add in:
1/2 banana sliced so thin it's nearly transparent
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 T. honey
pinch coarse salt

Whip with wire whisk until the banana melts into the mixture.

Add in:
1/2 t. vanilla

Stir, then add in any of the following:
raspberries, blueberries, strawberries
raisins/Craisins
dates
sliced almonds, or any other nuts
Lara bars--I use my grater to shred about 1/4 bar over the top
crumbled leftover muffins
sliced bananas

#3 Dinners cooked at home will be of the healthy variety. Brandon doesn't do a lot of veggies...so I think the best way to get them in (which he is willing to try anything) is to do soups and pastas where they don't dominate too much!!


For dinner I plan to make these 3 recipes this week and have leftovers on the off days!!

Curried Red Lentil Soup with Lemon: (I got this from the same blog with the breakfast smoothie and oatmeal!)

2 c. red lentils, rinsed and drained
4 c. water
32 ounces (4 c.) vegetable broth

Bring to a boil and then simmer the above ingredients, covered, about 5 minutes.

Add in:
4 stalks celery, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Simmer uncovered 20 min.

Then add in:

1/4 c. chopped cilantro
1 T. curry powder
1 tsp. (or more, if you love it) cumin

and simmer uncovered another 20 min.When all veggies are tender, season with salt and pepper to taste and add 2 T. fresh lemon juice.

AND

Spicy Bean Stuffed Peppers (found recipe on this blog HERE)
Stuffing:
1.5 cups cooked pinto and navy beans (you can go crazy with bean creativity here – use whatever you like, canned or dried)
1 serving cooked bulgur
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
2 tbsp pickled jalapeño, diced
Cumin, oregano, hot sauce, black peppercorns, S+P – any seasonings you like!

Mix all ingredients together and stuff 2 bell peppers

Bake in a 400* oven for about 20 minutes. Top with cheese and bake until cheese is melted!

AND

The Best Veggie Lasagna (found it at the same blog as stuffed peppers...HERE)
Ingredients
3 cups pasta sauce (like Classico Spicy Tomato and Pesto)
16 ounces 2% cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
9 whole wheat lasagna noodles
8 ounces mozzarella cheese
Approximately 4 cups mixed vegetables (I used spinach, carrots, sundried tomatoes, and zucchini)

Preheat oven to 400*. Spray 11 X 8 glass casserole dish.
Combine cottage and Parmesan cheeses.
Place 3 uncooked noodles in pan.
Cover with 1 cup pasta sauce, 1/3 cheese mixture, 1/3 vegetables, and 1/3 mozzarella.
Repeat 2 more times.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake one hour.
Makes about 8 servings, ~350 kcal per serving.

We went tonight to get the goods to make this happen this week and had no problem!! It cost less than $60 too....so we can't really argue $$ is a reason for not trying this healthy kick!! I will let you know my opinion on each recipe at the end of the week!

And in case you think you might have missed something here at Living To Love...NO, this is new!! Wish us luck!

OH, and I am hurting for more recipes like these...so let me know if you have any connections!