Sunday, September 26, 2010

Easy Casserole AND Meal Planning

Although my flu is gone, I am still getting over a cold.  I woke up Friday morning with a headache and an upset stomach.  Breakfast was a quick Lara Bar and a clementine, so I could stay in bed longer:


I started to feel better once I got to work.  I went out for fish and chips with friends at lunch, and then made a very yummy chicken, potato and mushroom casserole for dinner.  I served it with corn on the cob.

Chicken, Potato, and Mushroom Casserole

1/2 bag mini potatoes
1/4 small onion, chopped
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
Pepper
1 can mushroom soup
1 can mushrooms, drained
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Panko bread crumbs

Slice the potatoes, and place them in a pan (1 layer).  Sprinkle with chopped onion.  Mix the mushrooms, soup, and spices in a bowl together, and then pour over the potatoes.  Lay the chicken breasts on top, and sprinkle with panko crumbs.  Bake @400 for approximately 1 hour.


After dinner I whipped up some "Friendship Loaf."  A friend at work gave me a "starter" about a week ago, and each day you are to either mush the ingredients in the starter bag, or add something to the bag (there are instructions that come with the starter).  Friday was the day to make the bread, and in doing so, I was left with 4 starters to pass on.  It is like chain letter bread - hehe!  I just gave one starter to my sister, and the others I will probably freeze.  The bread is really good!

 

Saturday I had no appetite, so I only had an apple with PB and a slice of friendship loaf for breakfast/lunch:


Dinner was 1/2 a hamburger, and 1 ear of corn.  We went over to a friend's place in the evening just to hang out, watch TV, and visit.  I had an ice cappuccino, and a small chocolate chip cookie.


As usual, Sunday was a family day for us.  My dad took the family out for brunch:

(Mushroom and bacon omelet, with toast and hash browns.  I ate none of the toast, and half the rest)


In the afternoon we went on a road trip to set my mom's room up in her new home.  Lunch was a snack size Booster Juice, and dinner was Thai chicken curry:


I had a skinny, decaf, 1/2 sweet pumpkin spice latte on the drive home.

Meal Planning

The hubby and I used to meal plan all the time.  We would make a list of each what we were going to have for supper each day of the week, and then make a grocery list according to that plan.  It has been a while since we have done this, but we decided that now with me back at school, and work in full swing, it would be a good idea to have a plan.  We are trying a few new recipes this week that I am really looking forward to, with easier things on the days I have class.

Do you meal plan?  
Do you have days that have to be "easy" meal days because of your schedule?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've seen Friendship Bread on other blogs but never had it... what's it like?

I love the idea of meal planning but have never really done it. Living with the BF makes it tough... he's the kind of person that's happy eating the exact same thing every day for weeks on end. Trying to get in the way of that never ends well!

Di @ http://thetreadmilldiaries.com said...

Yes, I definitely meal plan at our house. I'll pick 5-6 entrees that I plan to make for the week and will shop for the ingredients the weekend before. I leave a day or two for leftovers because I tend to make meals that serve four and there are only two of us.

Also, the easier / quick prep meals are on days I have less time...and the more elaborate meals are saved for the weekend or days where I'm usually home a bit earlier.

Having a plan keeps me from eating things I may not want to when I don't have something lined up.

Simply Life said...

We definitely meal plan every week - I plan for enough meals of the week that I know we'll be home for dinner but don't assign meals to days. I always try to have 1 easy and quick option (usually just pasta and jarred sauce) that we could throw together on a busy day!

Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman said...

We try really hard to meal plan and do just OK. I like being spontaneous when it comes to dinner, but the meal planning really helps with the budgeting. We're trying to get better at actually sicking to the plan.

Anonymous said...

I've seen people do the "friendship" loaf thing before and it's such a fun concept! Haven't been the recipient of it though.. :( Anyways, when Glenn was here I would try to plan meals when I have a day off...it helps cause you can find out what you need at the store and know what you are going to eat the rest of the week..no standing in front of your fridge or in your kitchen at 6pm wondering what you are going to eat!

Kyle and Darci said...

Hope you're getting to 100% VERY soon!

When I do take the time to meal plan I LOVE how smooth it goes. I need to get better about doing it regularly tho!

Amber said...

I really want to meal plan but right now I don't. I've heard so many people say that meal planning saves them so much money, though so I need to get on it!

winkingannie said...

I think meal planning is key to stress-less dinners. It also helps to keep a few things around to make in a pinch. I pulled a steak out of the freezer this morning once I realized that trivia night was actually Wednesday night and not tonight. Whoops. Planning meals for the week - including lunch - can really save money. Now if I could only get my S.O. to give some suggestions. :)

Kacy said...

I don't meal plan at all, but I do buy ingredients to make a few recipes when I have time.

Anonymous said...

I hope you feel better soon! Being sick is no fun at all. I do meal plan and make casseroles (like baked pasta, etc) that will last a few days....easy peasy!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

girl i am nursing a cold too. it sucks. feel better!!!

meal planning? yeah, high raw vegan = keep the produce drawer well stocked :)

Anonymous said...

I dont meal plan at all! I just like to listen to my craving of the hour :)

Dana xo
http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/