Menu of the Week: September 10

This week we have some family stuff going on so I’m not sure how many nights I will be cooking. Just in case, I planned out four meals. I know I placed them under specific days, but that’s just for convenience sake. The first three are the ones I will make first and the last [...]

This week we have some family stuff going on so I’m not sure how many nights I will be cooking. Just in case, I planned out four meals. I know I placed them under specific days, but that’s just for convenience sake. The first three are the ones I will make first and the last is only if we’re home….

Monday

• Spinach and Cheddar Quiche
• Gazpacho Soup

Tuesday

• Marinated Salmon
• Sauteed Onions and Potatoes
• Garlicky Greenbeans

Wednesday

• Rustic Lasange
• Green Salad

Thursday

• Greek Salad w/ Chicken
• Toasted Pita w/ Hummus

Friday – Sunday

• up for grabs!!!!

What’s the plan at your house this week?

Keeping Your Electric Bill Down

I just received my electric bill for the month of August. My jaw dropped when I saw that it was close to $500. I guess it shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise considering the previous months were in the arena of $430 – $450. Why does it keep going up? Why is it [...]

I just received my electric bill for the month of August. My jaw dropped when I saw that it was close to $500. I guess it shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise considering the previous months were in the arena of $430 – $450. Why does it keep going up? Why is it so high in the first place? I know it’s hot here, but my parents’ bill is half the price and they live in the same area. So what’s the deal?

I’m thinking it has something to do with the high ceilings and Western exposure of my house with the sun blaring in through all the windows and sliding glass doors. I think something like acrylic windows might really help. They claim to keep out summer heat! To air condition, or not to air condition? That is the question. The insulating acrylic windows will reduce the summer heat no matter what your condition. The air tight acrylic window decreases conductive heat from entering your home. Also available in a tinted acrylic, both conductive and solar heat will be substantially reduced.

Another idea is steel roofing. Metal reflects 70% of the sun’s energy. This minimizes heat retention and as a result less heat is transferred into the buildings structure. Research shows that metal experience 34% less heat gain than asphalt shingles. Results indicate that metal roofing offers a similar effect of R-11 insulation on top of the roof during sunny day conditions.

Where do you find these things? At the Energy Doctor, of course. They are the North American leader in energy efficient products for your home.

One of their specialties are solariums, which can be used as an additional room for kids to play, an indoor garden or a private swimming pool enclosure. Although solariums are great for the winter (and all year round actually), they are wonderful for keeping the hot sun out during the summer months.

Another wonderful addition The Energy Doctor provides are patio enclosures. They help keep the house cool in the summer.

For now, we are thinking of getting some shades for the highest window panels in our house. However, if our electric bill keeps going up, I may just need to make a call to the “doctor”.

*This post is sponsored by The Energy Doctor. Check ‘em out for all of your energy efficient needs.

Menu of the Week: September 3

I’m a little late at making my plan this week due to the holiday weekend. However, I did work on it and finally got if finished. Here is the plan for this week: Monday Labor day BBQÂ Â (it’s not at our house so I’m not sure of the menu) Tuesday pasta salad Wednesday chicken [...]

I’m a little late at making my plan this week due to the holiday weekend. However, I did work on it and finally got if finished. Here is the plan for this week:

Monday

• Labor day BBQÂ Â (it’s not at our house so I’m not sure of the menu)

Tuesday

• pasta salad

Wednesday

• chicken cacciatore
• green salad
• crusty bread

Thursday

• black bean casserole with cornbread topping

Friday

• broccoli and sausage calzones
• mixed green salad

What’s the plan at your house this week?

Menu of the Week: August 27

I’ve made a realistic goal for myself and that is to plan 4 nights of cooking per week. The other 3 nights we either go out, get take out, eat leftovers, or just whatever is around the house. This is what works for us. I usually do our menu plan on Sundays, compile a shopping [...]

I’ve made a realistic goal for myself and that is to plan 4 nights of cooking per week. The other 3 nights we either go out, get take out, eat leftovers, or just whatever is around the house. This is what works for us. I usually do our menu plan on Sundays, compile a shopping list and go to the grocery store on Monday morning. I normally make at least one more trip to the store during the week, but I get all the basics and ingredients for our dinners. Here is the plan for this week:

Monday

• bacon wrapped turkey burgers with blue cheese sauce
• white bean salad with mandarin oranges and chives

Tuesday

• asian style tilapia
• mashed potatoes
• asian salad

Wednesday

• chicken and mushroom quesadillas
• mixed green salad

Thursday

• chicken curry with chickpeas and tomatoes
• rice
• steamed zucchini

Weekend

• take out, left overs, out to dinner

What’s the plan at your house this week?

Living with Alzheimer’s

Today is my grandma’s 87th birthday. She hasn’t really been here for a few years now though. I mean, physically she’s been here, but mentally she has been gone for a long time. She’s been living in “lock down” in a nursing home specifically for people with Alzheimer’s for the past two years. Alzheimer’s is [...]

Today is my grandma’s 87th birthday. She hasn’t really been here for a few years now though. I mean, physically she’s been here, but mentally she has been gone for a long time. She’s been living in “lock down” in a nursing home specifically for people with Alzheimer’s for the past two years. Alzheimer’s is a horrible, horrible disease. I hate it. It took my sweet, beautiful, kind, caring, funny grandma from her family. My grandpa, who is 91, still visits his wife every single day. She has no idea who he is anymore, but he is still her loving and loyal husband of over 65 years now.

I miss my grandma so much and seeing her now just makes me sad. She doesn’t have a clue who I am, she doesn’t even know what a grand daughter is. She doesn’t like when I visit, as infrequent as that is. It makes her nervous and upset and she has a hard time breathing. She closes her eyes, either to pretend she’s sleeping or from sheer exhaustion at the emotions it possibly stirs up in her. If not that, she just tells me to “go home”. I know my grandma would be appalled if she knew what was going on. I clearly remember she used to tell my mom that if she ever got like this, to just kill her. It is horrible that her nightmare came true. Even more horrible for her adoring family.

I know Alzheimer’s affects so many people and that it affects everyone differently, but all of us have something in common. We all hate it and we all wish there was something we could do. The best thing we can do is to help raise awareness and support our loved ones who are suffering from this awful disease. You can look on the Alzheimer Associations website for tons of helpful information, including details about the Memory Walk, the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. There are walks in more than 600 communities. A typical Memory Walk is a 2-3 mile walk held on a weekend morning in the fall. By teaming up with the Alzheimer’s Association, you can walk with a purpose – and move us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s. Together, we can MOVE a nation.

With that, I’d just like to say Happy Birthday, Grandma Ruthie! I love you and miss you always. xoxoxo

Menu of the Week: August 20-26

Monday oven fried chicken spinach with garlic and pine nuts baked sweet potato chunks Tuesday chicken taco salad with cilantro-ranch dressing Wednesday strawberry chicken salad with mixed greens and walnuts Thursday turkey bolognese over rigatoni steamed broccoli Friday pizza salad Weekend take out or out to dinner

Monday

• oven fried chicken
• spinach with garlic and pine nuts
• baked sweet potato chunks

TuesdayÂ

• chicken taco salad with cilantro-ranch dressing

Wednesday

• strawberry chicken salad with mixed greens and walnuts

ThursdayÂ

• turkey bolognese over rigatoni
• steamed broccoli

Friday

• pizza
• salad

Weekend

• take out or out to dinner

Menu for the Week

I’m enjoying sticking to my meal plan for the week. It makes life much easier. I create my menu over the weekend and write out my shopping list so I can go to the grocery store on Monday mornings. I have decided to only plan 4 meals per week for a while and see how [...]

I’m enjoying sticking to my meal plan for the week. It makes life much easier. I create my menu over the weekend and write out my shopping list so I can go to the grocery store on Monday mornings. I have decided to only plan 4 meals per week for a while and see how that goes. The 5th day will be something simple, such as pasta or homemade pizza. We normally eat out or take in on the weekends. So, here goes! I am trying a few new dishes out this week.

• Japanese steak rolls, lime rice

• chicken dijon, garlic mashed potatoes, salad

• salmon marinade, broccoli, crusty bread

• fajita salad with creamy cilantro-lime dressing

Let me know if anyone wants any of these recipes. All but the salmon are recipes from HT members.

What does everyone else have planned this week?

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Menu Plan Monday

  Monday:Â chicken marsala, salad Tuesday: meatloaf, creamed spinach, mashed butternut squash Wednesday: baked ziti, sauteed zucchini and mushrooms, caesar salad, garlic bread Thursday:Â grilled mojo chicken, black beans and rice, plantains, salad Friday: chicken quesadillas, corn, salad Saturday: burgers, fries, salad Sunday: pizza, salad What’s on your menu this week?

Monday:Â chicken marsala, salad

Tuesday: meatloaf, creamed spinach, mashed butternut squash

Wednesday: baked ziti, sauteed zucchini and mushrooms, caesar salad, garlic bread

Thursday:Â grilled mojo chicken, black beans and rice, plantains, salad

Friday: chicken quesadillas, corn, salad

Saturday: burgers, fries, salad

Sunday: pizza, salad

What’s on your menu this week?

Menu Plan Monday – June 11

I’m trying to get myself back into this meal planning routine. I have been eating out and not cooking much in the past couple of weeks and it seems that when I do make a meal lately, it does not come out fantastic. I hate to admit it, but I think I’m out of practice. [...]

I’m trying to get myself back into this meal planning routine. I have been eating out and not cooking much in the past couple of weeks and it seems that when I do make a meal lately, it does not come out fantastic. I hate to admit it, but I think I’m out of practice. Summer is here and we love to grill. Well, my husband grills, but I help with the preparations and menu planning. Don’t have anything planned for the grill this week as far as I know, but I’m going to throw out some other ideas I have for dinner!

Monday: breaded chicken strips, french fried sweet potatoes, green salad

Tuesday: balsamic onion pizza, salad

Wednesday: italian style tilapia (made with garlic, olive oil, some white wine, chopped tomatoes, and fresh basil), roasted asparagus, bread with dipping sauce

Thursday: salad nicoise, flatbread

The weekend is up for grabs. We’ll probably go out, take in, and/or grill so I’m off duty. What’s on your menu this week?