Meal Plan Monday 4/25/11

What a week!  Things are finally slowing down as we reach the end of the month. 

Last week we ate a couple of new recipes.  

Grilled Shrimp Fajitas, SO GOOD!   

Teriyaki Grilled Chicken, YUM!  

Every recipe I've tried from Skinny Taste is FABULOUS.  I have yet to have one fail.  Give her a try.  You won't be disappointed. 

This week we're trying three new recipes (*).  

Monday:   Drunken Pork Chops, "Buttery" Mashed Potatoes (and cauliflower), Green Beans and/or Salad (we didn't get to this last week...busy Saturday with a kid's party - I'll share the picture on Wednesday) I'm going to try this in the crock pot since Monday's are super hectic around here.

Tuesday:  Teriyaki Grilled Salmon*, Steamed Veggies, Brown Rice

Wednesday:  Hashbrown Casserole*, Turkey Sausage, Fruit

Thursday: Chalupas with guacamole salad

Friday:  Thin Crust Pizza

Saturday: I'm participating in a 5K with my running buddies Jodi and Melissa.  We did this race last year and loved it so much, we decided to do it again.  I'm hoping I can shorten my time by a few minutes.  Not sure what we're eating for supper, but probably leftovers or something from the freezer. 

Sunday:  Buffalo Chicken Balls* (using ground turkey), Oven Cheese Fries, Celery and Carrots with Creamy Ranch Dip

Breakfasts:  100 calorie dairy, 50 calorie Fruit, 50 calorie Fat, 100 calorie Carb, 50-70 calorie Protein

Cottage Cheese with mandarin oranges, peanut butter bread and hard boiled egg; Plain yogurt with frozen blueberries with almonds, Applesauce Oatmeal Muffin with butter;  Corn Chex with banana in almond milk, egg white omelet with butter

Lunches: 50 Fruit, Vegetable, 100 calorie carb, 50 calorie fat, 140 calorie protein

Turkey Sandwich, fruit; Bean Nachos, fruit; Ham and Cheese baked potato with Salad and fruit

Snacks:  Morning snack 100 calorie dairy, fruit, fat/Afternoon snack 100 calorie carb, 50 calorie protein/fat

Cottage cheese with fruit and nuts;  Turkey wrapped string cheese with nuts; Banana Peanut Butter smoothie;  Popcorn with nuts;  Granola bar with peanut butter;  Baked Lays with Sour Cream Ranch Dip (2 tbsp reduced fat sour cream mixed with dried dill, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley)

Some have questioned why I make note of my breakfasts, snacks and lunches.  

I find it extremely helpful to think ahead about what I'll be eating for all of our meals.  It's even more helpful since I've been trying to lose weight.  (Currently I've lost 19 pounds since January)  When I'm hungry, I can read our meal plan and know what kind of foods I can eat.  Since being on this journey, I've learned I'm an impulse eater.  Whatever is within arms reach, I'll eat it.  So to combat that, I keep snacks in the fridge, all ready to go.  Also keeping in mind my lunches, helps me know what to buy at the grocery store.  Keeping these items in the pantry makes for easy prep, less impulse eating which allows me to stay on my healthy eating adventure.

What about you?  Do you have any helpful tips for staying on your diet?

Have a great week!

Enjoy!