Menu Monday 1/19

Ok, ok, I've got to start menu planning. You can read my blog about it, but tonight proved I've got to do this!

Here is what we are having this week. For recipe links, come to my blog.

Save-A-Lot Mexican Casserole
Nacho Spuds
Hamburger Stroganoff
Super Easy Pot Pie
Tuna Cakes
Cheesy Tuna Casserole

My husband has to eat ultra-low-sodium and low-potassium, low-protein because of chronic kidney disease. Meanwhile I like most overweight Americans, am trying to watch the fat and simple starches/sugar. We eat a lot of vegetables!

I'd be perfectly content eating low-sodium vegetarian meals all the time, but he craves meat, so we have to strike a happy medium. We eat vegetarian breakfasts and his lunches, and about 3 nights a week for dinner. I pretty much always eat dinner leftovers for my lunches.

The low-sodium is a pain in the neck sometimes because pretty much anything packaged in a box, can, or bottle is out. I cook a LOT from scratch. My husband is a good soux chef, he does all the vegetable washing and chopping and he makes homemade bread for us on the weekend. (Commercial bread, also full of salt!)

I haven't made this week's menu yet but here's some examples from recent weeks:

chili (mostly beans & veg with a small amount of stew beef) w/ cornbread muffins
penne w/ zucchini & marinara
whole wheat burritos (mexican-spiced black beans, rice, corn, peppers, tomatoes, cheese, guac)
moroccan chicken & chickpea stew over wheat couscous
cauliflower & carrot soup w/ homemade wheat bread garlic toast

When summer produce starts to get less expensive we'll do more salads, but you get the idea.

I don't really have a blog...a little computer illiterate here. Sorry!

@Laura, from comment above.. link us to your blog??

I feel your pain.

I used to plan meals around "allergic to chicken," "won't eat any seafood at all," and "don't really like to eat pork."

I used to buy foods for me, separate from foods for others, in my attempt to "control" foods. More like do my part to not contribute to the weight/health problems, around here.

Then I realized that all *my* food was gone, all the time, and *their* food was still in there, for ME to eat or throw out.

Now you know why I double and triple all my casseroles. Its so there are always leftovers for a day or two.. for lunches, snacks, and those who refuse to, or can't eat whatever I feel like cooking.

My son just started making "Heather's version of tuna salad." I think we are hooked on it, now.

Our menu, this week has a lot of new things to try. I have some "new to me" cheeses in my fridge, too. I'm going to write a cheese post, I think..

Tonight's dinner: Meatloaf type burgers, made into a "parmisan" experience, with Penne/Brocolli/Ricotta side dish, and roasted garlic muffins. I better get that garlic roasting and make some muffins, for my 101 in 1001 challenge, too.

Can you freeze Ricotta? I think I have seven pounds of it. I'll have to check the dates.

What is C.O.R.N? I'm new to the website and have seen this a couple of times. Just wondering. I'm also a newly wed so if anyone has so tips I'd appreciate them! Thanks!!!

My husband only eats meat. No veggies (except for french fries and whole kernel corn. He eats nothing mixed together, no sauces. So it's basically hamburgers, steak, pork chops, chicken anything...

What I did was set up 21 meals with a few meals that the kids and I like and if he doesn't like what I am fixing he has a bowl of cereal. I figure if he wants to eat like a three year old, let him, but why should I?

He loves Burger King and I hate it, so every time he decides we are going to Burger King, I tell him I get to go to my favorite Mexican restaurant. Haven't eaten at Burger King in months. :)

I say if he's going to start expecting something way out of the ordinary, that can't be part of what the family eats, let him prepare it himself. Why should the extra burden fall on you?

As for hubby, as long as we have a meat with dinner and it's served plain, he will eat it happily, so I just plan around his meat and it's fairly easy to cook.

When I need variety, I go out to lunch. ;)

It's good to know I'm not the only one who gets frustrated. I want to be supportive, but as chief menu planner and grocery shopping it gets annoying when there are sudden changes.

My hubby likes to go on an all steamed meat and veggies diet every few months. He'll only eat steamed fish or poultry, no red meat. And, the veggies must be steamed without the sweet essence of SOME butter.

When we encounter these trying times, I make dinner as usual for myself and the little guy but make ziploc bags that are prepped with fresh cut veggies and a filet of fish or chicken. That way i can just season and toss it in the steamer. You know, while the short one and I intake large amounts of deep fried chicken legs and mashed potatoes with homemade gravy. Oh, and I pray marriage counseling is not on the way. These truly are trying times.