Menu Monday #20

We enjoyed another great weekend here at home with lots of good food and family time! On Friday night, we decided to go out to eat. I had been shopping all afternoon and didn't get my pizza dough in the bread machine, so we didn't really have the option to eat at home. After thinking all week about the Indian food that we had last weekend, we couldn't resist going to our local Indian restaurant for dinner. Last time we went, Noah wasn't eating as much table food yet, so this time he really got to enjoy it. That boy gobbled up his paneer tikka masala! He was like a little machine. :) I enjoyed some of it as well, along with some chicken tikka masala, my favorite. After dinner, with all of our bellies nice and full, we decided on a whim that it was time to finally upgrade our cell phones. We had been eligible for upgrades for a bit, but had held off getting anything new with the recent changes Verizon has made to their plans. I was thrilled when hubby said he was thinking about iPhones this time. Yay, we were going to join the 21st century by getting our first smartphones! With the release of the new iPhone 5, Verizon deeply discounted their iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s models. Score! We happily headed home with our new phones that evening. :) I spent a portion of the rest of my weekend getting apps downloaded and organizing everything on it. I have had my iPad for over a year now, so I have been using apps for awhile, but I know I have avoided some for the main reason that my iPad only has WiFi, so I could never use the internet while I was away from home for things like coupon apps and such. So, what apps might I be missing that should be on my must-have list now? Ahh, isn't it gorgeous? :)

Photo courtesy of AppleInsider

On Saturday morning, I decided to make Whole Wheat Banana Bread Pancakes for brunch, since we hadn't had those in awhile. They are everyone's favorite pancake, so we gobbled them up! We did a little more shopping in the morning, then headed home to get comfy before the rain settled in. A dreary afternoon here, it was perfect for making my homemade Margherita pizza and watching some football! Go Bearcats!

On Sunday morning, hubby and the boys treated me to brunch, by making scrambled eggs and Cream of Wheat. The boys are so cute as they help Daddy prepare food! :)

Sunday: Cheeseburgers and hot dogs, baked beans, chips

Ethan wanted to have another picnic on the back deck since the weather was nice, so that is what we did! Josh and I enjoyed burgers topped with cheddar cheese and A1 sauce on toasted whole wheat bakery buns, while the kids gobbled up their hot dogs. I'm still not a fan of baked beans, but all of the guys are, so I made some of Bush's Grillin' Beans in the Southern Pit BBQ flavor. Trying to stick to a "real food" diet as much as possible, I discovered that Cape Cod's kettle cooked 40% reduced fat original chips are made with just potatoes, oil and salt! Sweet!

Monday: Pot roast with potatoes, carrots and onion

It's a cool, rainy day here, so this meal will be perfect for warming us up this evening! It is already smelling delicious in my CrockPot. :) I used a bottom round roast, red potatoes, organic carrots and a white onion. I also added a packet of Litpon's dry onion soup and some A1 sauce for added flavor. This is my first time trying the A1, so I hope we like it!

Tuesday: Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta al Forno

We haven't had this super yummy pasta dish in ages, and it will be another great indoors meal for another expected rainy day. I promise it tastes much better than it looks in the pic I posted. ;) I'll use whole wheat penne, fire-roasted diced tomatoes and maybe a little tomato sauce as well, fresh mozzarella bocconcini, grated parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, chicken breast tenders that I will stir-fry first, and probably some fresh basil this time too, since we have plenty still available! :) I am still debating about making some fresh French bread to go with this dish. My waistline doesn't need it, but my taste buds would sure appreciate it! Haha!

Wednesday: Pacific Pork Kebabs and Pineapple Rice

I haven't made this meal in awhile either, for some reason. It is one I tried out a year or two ago and it is really tasty. It comes from Martha Stewart, so you can't go wrong there! ;) You pair pork tenderloin, cut into bite-size cubes, with chunks of red bell peppers and onion and then glaze everything with a pineapple-honey mixture. I use brown rice instead of white, and it has pineapple chunks, ginger and scallions tossed in with it. I was wary the first time I made it, but everything works really well together for a great grilling meal!

Thursday: Grilled chicken breast, parmesan basil orzo and oven roasted asparagus

The weather will be good for grilling, so we'll enjoy it while we can. I'll marinate my chicken breast in Roasted Red Pepper dressing all day for a great flavor. I'm trying a new recipe for the orzo, so hopefully it will be a hit. The asparagus should round out the meal nicely.

Friday: Out to eat - perhaps sushi?

We'll get something quick before the in-laws arrive in town for a visit!

Saturday: TBD - possibly Pork Schnitzel and Warm Potato Salad?

With the in-laws coming, I'll let them decide what's on the menu, but I think this will be a dish they will love. I know hubby has been craving it lately, so I'm sure he would love for me to make this.

Happy meal planning to you this week! Can you believe it is October already?!? I need to start rolling out some pumpkin and squash recipes soon! Yum!!