Shopping List
3 Pillsbury Biscuit Rolls
10 Tortilla Wraps
1 Cored Pineapple
Grapes
Pears
Apples
Oranges
Bananas
2 dozen Eggs
Milk
5 pkg Frozen Beef/Chicken Pies (enough for 6 lunches)
Corn On The Cob
3 Small Parsnips
1 Large Sweet Potato
5 Red Potato
1 Zucchini
Grape Tomatoes
Garlic
Onions
Whole Chicken
Shrimp
Monday
Breakfast - sausages (bought on sale 2 weeks ago) & store-bought marble cake (from cousins)
Lunch - Frozen Beef Pies (on sale this week - bought enough for 5 more lunches)
Snack - Homemade Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins & Homemade Cornbread
Dinner - Roast Chicken, Broccoli
Tuesday
Breakfast - Ham, Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins & Cornbread
Lunch - Chicken Fried Rice
Snack - Noodles (from my lunch) & Chicken Quesidillas
Dinner - Ribs, Cesear Salad
Wednesday
Breakfast - Cheese Quesidilla & Sausages
Lunch - Man & Cheese
Snack - Root Vegetable Soup
Dinner - Noodle Soup (made by Uncle K)
Thursday
Breakfast - Pillsbury Biscuits & Cheese
Lunch - Left-Over Noodles from dinner
Snack - no snack b/c early dinner
Dinner - Potato Salad, Soy Sauce Chicken Wings, Butternut Squash & Broccoli
Friday
Breakfast - Paratha
Lunch - Chicken & Rice from last night
Snack - Potato
Dinner - Steamed Eggs & Curry (from uncle P)
Friday, September 25, 2015
Recipes Used Week Of Sept 21st
Here are 3 recipes I used this week. The muffin & cornbread ones I use often & pretty much use as is. The Autumn soup one is a first time for me - I made my chicken stock with the leftover bones of the roast chicken from Monday night's dinner & just added salt & a couple of bay leaves.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/roasted-autumn-vegetable-soup?trkid=zfb915
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/230880/easy-banana-muffins/?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=banana%20muffins&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe&soid=sr_results_p1i8
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17891/golden-sweet-cornbread/
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/roasted-autumn-vegetable-soup?trkid=zfb915
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/230880/easy-banana-muffins/?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=banana%20muffins&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe&soid=sr_results_p1i8
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17891/golden-sweet-cornbread/
Friday, September 18, 2015
Easy Potato Salad & Pasta Salad Recipe
This is part 2 to today's earlier post 'Shopping List & Menu For Week Of Sept 14'. Here are two quick & easy salad recipes that I made this week which can be made in bulk & eaten over a few days - just don't toss in dressing/mayo until you are ready to eat. These are my own creations, nothing fancy - most of the ingredients I always have on hand in my pantry.
Pasta Salad Ingredients:
3 cups Rotini Pasta
3 Slices Black Forest Ham - julienned
1/2 Bell Pepper - diced or julienned
Dry Oregano To Taste
Black Pepper To Taste
Dry Basil To Taste
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
KRAFT Ranch Dressing
Potato Salad Ingredients:
5 Red Potatoes
3 Slices Black Forest Ham - cut bite sized
3 Boiled Eggs - chopped
Fresh Dill To Taste
Dry Mustard To Taste
Black Pepper To Taste
Lemon Juice To Taste
PC Olive Oil Mayonaise
Toss all the ingredients, except KRAFT Ranch Dressing for pasta salad & PC Olive Oil Mayonaise for potato salad, together & leave in tightly covered container in fridge. We ate as a side or snack over 3 days, only adding the dressing to the amount we would eat at a time. This way my kids could add as little (for M2) or as much (for M1) as they like. Likewise, the herbs/spices in the ingredient list can be as much or even omitted to suit your family's preference.
Pasta Salad Ingredients:
3 cups Rotini Pasta
3 Slices Black Forest Ham - julienned
1/2 Bell Pepper - diced or julienned
Dry Oregano To Taste
Black Pepper To Taste
Dry Basil To Taste
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
KRAFT Ranch Dressing
Potato Salad Ingredients:
5 Red Potatoes
3 Slices Black Forest Ham - cut bite sized
3 Boiled Eggs - chopped
Fresh Dill To Taste
Dry Mustard To Taste
Black Pepper To Taste
Lemon Juice To Taste
PC Olive Oil Mayonaise
Toss all the ingredients, except KRAFT Ranch Dressing for pasta salad & PC Olive Oil Mayonaise for potato salad, together & leave in tightly covered container in fridge. We ate as a side or snack over 3 days, only adding the dressing to the amount we would eat at a time. This way my kids could add as little (for M2) or as much (for M1) as they like. Likewise, the herbs/spices in the ingredient list can be as much or even omitted to suit your family's preference.
Shopping List & Menu For Week Of Sept 14
My last entry I described what I typically have in my pantry or fridge on a regular basis. It gave a pretty good picture of the type of grocery shopper & cook I am. Today's post is what I actually bought this week & how I cooked the foods. Hopefully this exercise will enable me to be more aware of what I buy & cook. I am hoping this leads me to be a more healthy & less wasteful shopper. Let's see how long this lasts!
Shopping List For Week Of Sept 14
10 Cremini Mushrooms
1 Small Container Grape Tomatoes
1 Bag Carrots
1 Stalk Celery
1 pkg Fresh Dill
6 English Style Muffins
2 Dozen Eggs
5 Red Potatoes
10 Slices Black Forest Ham (From Deli Counter)
10 Bananas
1 Pineapple (Cored)
1 Bunch Grapes
7 Apples
1 Orange Bell Pepper
1 lb Angus Beef Flank Steak
1 pkg Frozen White Shrimp (approx. 1-1/2 lbs)
1 lb Pork Bones For Soup
1 pkg Plain Chinese Rice Noodles (Cheung Fun)
Monday
Breakfast - Fresh Baked Bread
Lunch - McCain's Personal Pizza - bought 12 of these on sale last week so I'll still have enough left for 3 more lunches
Dinner - Beef Stir Fry, Shrimp With Soy Sauce, Broccoli
Tuesday
Breakfast - Cheung Fun With Hoisin Sauce
Lunch - Ramen - one of our staples we always have in the pantry
Snack - Pasta Salad - made with 4 slices of ham, 1/2 of the bell pepper & rotini pasta, another pantry staple
Dinner - Chicken & Egg In Soy Sauce, E-Fu Noodles, Watercress Soup, Broccoli - used 6 chicken drums & a dozen eggs, watercress is homegrown
Wednesday
Breakfast - Sausage & Egg On English Muffin
Lunch - Leftover Rice & Chicken
Snack - Homemade Carrot & Banana Muffins
Dinner - Potato Salad, Leftover Chicken & Egg In Soy Sauce, Frozen Fish, Chayota - frozen fish was 1/2 a box left over in freezer
Thursday
Breakfast - Ham, Chicken Noodle Soup, Banana & Carrot Muffins
Lunch - Chicken Noodle Soup/Potato Salad - soup made with carrots, celery, onions, 4 chicken drums & rotini pasta
Snack - Carrot & Banana Muffins
Dinner - Orzo With Mushrooms, Ravioli Tossed With Garlic, Tomatoes, Mushroom, Beans & Broccoli With Alfredo Sauce on the side
Friday
Breakfast - Egg, Ham & Cheese on English Muffin
Lunch - Leftover Pasta
Snack - Bruschetta & Wonton Noodle Soup (store bought)
Dinner - Pork Roast With Mushroom Alfredo sauce on the side, Steamed Fish, Broccoli,Beans, & Celery Stir Fry
Shopping List For Week Of Sept 14
10 Cremini Mushrooms
1 Small Container Grape Tomatoes
1 Bag Carrots
1 Stalk Celery
1 pkg Fresh Dill
6 English Style Muffins
2 Dozen Eggs
5 Red Potatoes
10 Slices Black Forest Ham (From Deli Counter)
10 Bananas
1 Pineapple (Cored)
1 Bunch Grapes
7 Apples
1 Orange Bell Pepper
1 lb Angus Beef Flank Steak
1 pkg Frozen White Shrimp (approx. 1-1/2 lbs)
1 lb Pork Bones For Soup
1 Pork Roast
10 Chicken Drums
6 Johnsonville Sausage Patties
2 E-Fu Noodles1 pkg Plain Chinese Rice Noodles (Cheung Fun)
Monday
Breakfast - Fresh Baked Bread
Lunch - McCain's Personal Pizza - bought 12 of these on sale last week so I'll still have enough left for 3 more lunches
Dinner - Beef Stir Fry, Shrimp With Soy Sauce, Broccoli
Tuesday
Breakfast - Cheung Fun With Hoisin Sauce
Lunch - Ramen - one of our staples we always have in the pantry
Snack - Pasta Salad - made with 4 slices of ham, 1/2 of the bell pepper & rotini pasta, another pantry staple
Dinner - Chicken & Egg In Soy Sauce, E-Fu Noodles, Watercress Soup, Broccoli - used 6 chicken drums & a dozen eggs, watercress is homegrown
Wednesday
Breakfast - Sausage & Egg On English Muffin
Lunch - Leftover Rice & Chicken
Snack - Homemade Carrot & Banana Muffins
Dinner - Potato Salad, Leftover Chicken & Egg In Soy Sauce, Frozen Fish, Chayota - frozen fish was 1/2 a box left over in freezer
Thursday
Breakfast - Ham, Chicken Noodle Soup, Banana & Carrot Muffins
Lunch - Chicken Noodle Soup/Potato Salad - soup made with carrots, celery, onions, 4 chicken drums & rotini pasta
Snack - Carrot & Banana Muffins
Dinner - Orzo With Mushrooms, Ravioli Tossed With Garlic, Tomatoes, Mushroom, Beans & Broccoli With Alfredo Sauce on the side
Friday
Breakfast - Egg, Ham & Cheese on English Muffin
Lunch - Leftover Pasta
Snack - Bruschetta & Wonton Noodle Soup (store bought)
Dinner - Pork Roast With Mushroom Alfredo sauce on the side, Steamed Fish, Broccoli,Beans, & Celery Stir Fry
Thursday, September 17, 2015
My Grocery Shopping Lists & Habits
This post is a long one. I decided to look over my pantry & fridge and, in an effort to become more healthy in the way I cook & eat, I have written down my grocery shopping habits. This week I meal planned - actually taking the time to really think about what I wanted to cook & planning out my grocery list. Hopefully I won't lose the novelty of it & let it fizzle. Other than fresh meats & fish, which I typically let my MIL buy & cook, the lists below are what I put together & it really shows the type of cook/shopper I am. Not included are the 'treats' I buy as snacks for my kids - most of which is whatever is on sale that week & only enough for a few days of 'snacking'. So here it is....
WEEKLY FRESH PRODUCE
These items are must buys every week - just buy enough for a week at a time so it is always fresh & available when you need.
Garlic
Ginger
Eggs
Milk
Variety Of Seasonal Fruit
Apples & Bananas
Small White Onions
HERBS & SPICES
These are some dry herbs & Spices which I have found very useful when baking or cooking. These I buy in small quantities & replenish as needed as they do lose their taste once packaging has been opened. In fact, these can also be purchased at Bulk Barn and stored in airtight containers in pantry.
Ground Black Pepper
Dry Oregano
Dry Basil
Dry Cinnimon Powder
Dry Mustard Powder
Dry Ginger Powder
Dry Cloves Powder
Dry Nutmeg Powder
BUY IN BULK WHEN ON SALE
Self explanatory here. These are my go-to sauces for spaghetti nights, home-made lasagna, leftovers, etc... These usually have expiry dates of 1-2 years & seem to rotate going on sale between all the major grocery stores in our area.
Pasta - all shapes & sizes
RAGU Tomato Sauces
CLASSICO Alfredo Sauce
Canned Diced Tomatoes
COOKING ESSENTIALS
Again these items should always be stocked but because the expiry dates are typically a few months (no more than a year) it shouldn't be bought in large quantities. These items also go on sale every couple of months.
Blocks of Mozzerella/Cheddar Cheese
Non-Salted Butter
Uncle Ben's Instant Rice
Chinese White Rice
Ramen - Nissan & Mama Brand
Soy Sauce
Oyster Sauce
Hoisin Sauce
Sirracha Sauce
Olive Oil
Vegetable Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Honey
Ranch Dressing
Ceasar Dressing
Mayonnaise
BAKING ESSENTIALS
Stuff I need for my bread machine & my often baked goodies: carrot muffins, banana muffins, baked cookies, etc...Recipes list of my faves coming soon.
Bread Flour
All Purpose White Flour
Whole Wheat Flour
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Salt
White Sugar
Brown
Milk Powder
Traditional Yeast
Vanilla Extract
Lemon Extract
Almond Extract
Chocolate Chips
WEEKLY FRESH PRODUCE
These items are must buys every week - just buy enough for a week at a time so it is always fresh & available when you need.
Garlic
Ginger
Eggs
Milk
Variety Of Seasonal Fruit
Apples & Bananas
Small White Onions
HERBS & SPICES
These are some dry herbs & Spices which I have found very useful when baking or cooking. These I buy in small quantities & replenish as needed as they do lose their taste once packaging has been opened. In fact, these can also be purchased at Bulk Barn and stored in airtight containers in pantry.
Ground Black Pepper
Dry Oregano
Dry Basil
Dry Cinnimon Powder
Dry Mustard Powder
Dry Ginger Powder
Dry Cloves Powder
Dry Nutmeg Powder
BUY IN BULK WHEN ON SALE
Self explanatory here. These are my go-to sauces for spaghetti nights, home-made lasagna, leftovers, etc... These usually have expiry dates of 1-2 years & seem to rotate going on sale between all the major grocery stores in our area.
Pasta - all shapes & sizes
RAGU Tomato Sauces
CLASSICO Alfredo Sauce
Canned Diced Tomatoes
COOKING ESSENTIALS
Again these items should always be stocked but because the expiry dates are typically a few months (no more than a year) it shouldn't be bought in large quantities. These items also go on sale every couple of months.
Blocks of Mozzerella/Cheddar Cheese
Non-Salted Butter
Uncle Ben's Instant Rice
Chinese White Rice
Ramen - Nissan & Mama Brand
Soy Sauce
Oyster Sauce
Hoisin Sauce
Sirracha Sauce
Olive Oil
Vegetable Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Honey
Ranch Dressing
Ceasar Dressing
Mayonnaise
BAKING ESSENTIALS
Stuff I need for my bread machine & my often baked goodies: carrot muffins, banana muffins, baked cookies, etc...Recipes list of my faves coming soon.
Bread Flour
All Purpose White Flour
Whole Wheat Flour
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Salt
White Sugar
Brown
Milk Powder
Traditional Yeast
Vanilla Extract
Lemon Extract
Almond Extract
Chocolate Chips
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Try Something New
I had started this entry a couple of weeks ago but just finished it today...
Our family recently spent 2 days at Niagara Falls. We typically go a couple of times a year as a mini 'staycation' - my kids still find novelty in it after all these years. When we go, we usually hit a water park, spend some money on arcade games on Clifton Hill, and just take it easy & relax for a couple of days. This time was no different with one exception - the food. There is an abundance of dining options in the hotels & along Clifton Hill, but 90% are franchised restaurants which we could easily find back home so this time around I did some research & picked 3 restaurants to try. All 3 were off the usual beaten path but were excellent choices in the end. So for your next trip to Niagara Falls, or anywhere else for that matter, take some time to search your favorite travel websites for small local restaurants - you will be pleasantly surprised. Here are the 3 restaurants we tried:
Our family recently spent 2 days at Niagara Falls. We typically go a couple of times a year as a mini 'staycation' - my kids still find novelty in it after all these years. When we go, we usually hit a water park, spend some money on arcade games on Clifton Hill, and just take it easy & relax for a couple of days. This time was no different with one exception - the food. There is an abundance of dining options in the hotels & along Clifton Hill, but 90% are franchised restaurants which we could easily find back home so this time around I did some research & picked 3 restaurants to try. All 3 were off the usual beaten path but were excellent choices in the end. So for your next trip to Niagara Falls, or anywhere else for that matter, take some time to search your favorite travel websites for small local restaurants - you will be pleasantly surprised. Here are the 3 restaurants we tried:
The Blue Line Diner
http://bluelinediner.com/
The menu consists of your usual All Day Breakfast items. Adequately made, we enjoyed the Fish & Chips ($17.99 for two large pieces), Toasted Club Sandwich ($11.99) and Grilled Cheese With Ham ($5.49). But the real draw to this restaurant is not it's food but the attached 5000 square feet hockey memorabilia store - Marcel Dionne Inc. Along with autographed items, framed photos, & logo clothing, I've never seen so much 'knick-knacks' (or as one friend put it 'you mean junk') all in one place! And not just for hockey, but football, basketball & baseball too. Hubby was definitely happy I found this place.
Wind Sushi
http://www.windrestaurant.com/
This is an All-You-Can-Eat resto on Lundy's Lane. As far as quality, it is definitely on par with the Japanese AYCE eateries in the GTA. The ordering is done efficiently on an iPad - a great way to keep track of what was ordered. The restaurant had some Thai selections like curries & noodles so M1, M2 & M3 had lots to choose from. Fortunately they took reservations because it was extremely busy. I can't remember the exact prices but we remember it being reasonable so no complaints there.
Sandstone Grill House
http://www.sandstonegrillhouse.com/
The location itself is great - not along the craziness of Clifton Hill but only a short 5-10 minute walk away (maybe closer depending on which hotel you are staying at) and it has free parking.
The value of the food is excellent. Prices are comparable to The Keg or Kelsey's but the quality & quantity are so much better. Our family ordered one meal from the Price-Fixed menu (Appetizer, Ceasar Salad, Seafood Linguine, & Dessert) for $49 which easily fed both my 8 year old & 10 year old. My 4 year old had the homemade Mac & Cheese (definitely not the boxed instant kind) which comes with a drink & Dessert for $9. Hubby & I had a Mixed Grill Set Dinner For 2 which came with a shared appetizer, shared salad & shared dessert for $89 - another excellent value especially if you are like me - a lighter eater but wants to sample everything! Our server was helpful & didn't mind that my children & I were sharing our dinners.
Wind Sushi
http://www.windrestaurant.com/
This is an All-You-Can-Eat resto on Lundy's Lane. As far as quality, it is definitely on par with the Japanese AYCE eateries in the GTA. The ordering is done efficiently on an iPad - a great way to keep track of what was ordered. The restaurant had some Thai selections like curries & noodles so M1, M2 & M3 had lots to choose from. Fortunately they took reservations because it was extremely busy. I can't remember the exact prices but we remember it being reasonable so no complaints there.
Sandstone Grill House
http://www.sandstonegrillhouse.com/
The location itself is great - not along the craziness of Clifton Hill but only a short 5-10 minute walk away (maybe closer depending on which hotel you are staying at) and it has free parking.
The value of the food is excellent. Prices are comparable to The Keg or Kelsey's but the quality & quantity are so much better. Our family ordered one meal from the Price-Fixed menu (Appetizer, Ceasar Salad, Seafood Linguine, & Dessert) for $49 which easily fed both my 8 year old & 10 year old. My 4 year old had the homemade Mac & Cheese (definitely not the boxed instant kind) which comes with a drink & Dessert for $9. Hubby & I had a Mixed Grill Set Dinner For 2 which came with a shared appetizer, shared salad & shared dessert for $89 - another excellent value especially if you are like me - a lighter eater but wants to sample everything! Our server was helpful & didn't mind that my children & I were sharing our dinners.
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