The Weekly Spread: A Dietitian's Meal Plan

I'm back from fall break. I came home to an empty fridge, so I had to quickly make a meal plan and get to the store. I hate shopping without a plan and list, but when I've got a meal plan and a list of what I need, it's much less stressful! Sorry this is low on photos, I'll take some this week so there will be photos next time I post these recipes!

Here's what I already had:

chopped leeks in the freezer,

elk roast

apples from a friend's tree

the last tomatoes and peppers from the garden

roasted red bell peppers from the freezer

frozen peaches from a friend's tree

Here's my menu:

M: Mollie Katzen Tortilla Soup (uses up all those tomatoes, peppers and roasted peppers from the freezer) + quesadillas and avocados

T: Elk roast on whole wheat tortillas with salsa and cheese (pretty much a taco), peach smoothies, lettuce from the garden

W: Crock Pot Leek soup, sliced apples, green salad, cheese sandwiches

Th: Tacos, my 11 year old daughter found some new recipes she is going to try.

F: Squash Goulash + the last melons from the garden + green salad + toast

S: Vegetable Tortellini Soup + sliced apples + whole wheat bread

(image from budgetbytes.com)

S: Make something creative with leftovers

The Weekly Spread: A Dietitian's Meal Plan

It's fall break this week and we are going to stay with family, which means I get a break from cooking! Here's what I'm making at home and making ahead to eat on the car ride.

Things I need to use up:

• yogurt (other than that my fridge is essentially empty!)

• garden stuff: lots of pears!, cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, squash, melons

Monday: Chicken & Rice + Roasted Butternut Squash + Fresh Pears (this is October's cooking class recipe, it's not to late to signup if you haven't yet!)

Tuesday: Spaghetti Squash Goulash + Pesto Bread + fresh pears

Wednesday: Pear Pasta + Green Salad, I use milk instead of cream to save $

(image from allrecipes.com)

Thursday-Saturday: FALL BREAK!

Things we will eat while traveling:

Rice and Bean Salad https://www.ddinutrition.com/riceandbeansalad

Hummus and Tzatziki https://www.ddinutrition.com/hummusandtzatziki

Some great recipes from previous cooking classes that I would probably make if I was home:

Broccoli Cheese Soup https://www.ddinutrition.com/broccolicheesesoup

One Pot Pasta https://www.ddinutrition.com/onepotpasta

Have a great week!

The Weekly Spread: A Dietitian's Meal Plan

Buying things on discount and freezing them saves money on food costs. Growing a garden and freezing the extras also saves money. The only things I'm going to have to buy at the store this week are milk, garlic, curry powder and flour.

Are you interested in gardening? Family Advocates will be sending out information about how to join a community garden this week. If you even have mild interest, I encourage you to sign up! Gardening is a great way to get exercise, spend time and save money!

Things in my fridge:

• leftovers

• sour cream

• yogurt

• quart of tomatoes

Things in my freezer:

• garbanzo beans I cooked and froze in a gallon bag

• deer and elk meat

• chopped cabbage from spring

• chopped leeks from spring

• frozen mangos from winco

• naan bread, bought on discount and frozen

Things in the garden:

• tomatoes

• herbs: dill, thyme, basil, rosemary

• cucumbers

• bell peppers

• lots of lettuce

• kale

• pears

• carrots

• potatoes

Menu:

Monday: leftovers from last week (spaghetti squash gumbo, shown below) + apples + garden salad

Tuesday: tzatziki + hummus + naan bread + mango smoothie (frozen mangos and milk)

Wednesday: stew (I'll use deer) + crackers + pears

Thursday: leek cabbage soup (uses, leeks, cabbage, sour cream) + homemade whole wheat bread

Image from food.com, link above

Friday: garbanzo bean curry + naan bread + green salad + chopped apples

Photo is of my daughter who used to hate curry when she was in kindergarten. She's 9 now, and it's one of her favorite meals. Got a picky eater? Just keep serving what YOU like to eat and they will learn to like it.

Saturday: red lentil kale soup + crackers + fresh pears

Image from Oh She Glows food blog, link is above

Sunday: Use up leftovers and make something creative!