Menu Plan Monday 2012 ~ Week of June 25th

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?  Here, in Pennsylvania it is H-O-T hot!  I know some of you southerners would laugh at what we consider hot, but we're just not used to temperatures in the high 90s.

I never handled the heat well.  Even as a kid, I always felt uncomfortable and sick in very high temps.  So, when Grace wants to play outside, I try to stay in the shade and keep from exerting myself too much.  I save my energy for when I have to run after her when she decides to wander into the neighbors' yards or wants to see her orange flowers at the front of the house.  (A fence would be ideal for situations like this, but we can't fit the expense into our budget right now.)

Not a whole lot of cookin' happened last week due to the heat.  Last weekend, I prepared Cabbage Patch Stew in the crock pot.  I cooked it early but didn't plan on serving it until Monday.  I was relieved to have a meal already prepared.  All I had to do was reheat it.

We kept it pretty simple the rest of the week.  Sandwiches, hot dogs and burgers.  Summer food at it's best!

 

I also made a pot of Simply Tomato Sauce and served it over spaghetti.  I also made some bread sticks by toasting some leftover hot dog buns in the oven!  (Thanks for the great idea, Pocket Change Gourmet!)

This week, I'm hoping to do a bit more cooking.  Not only am I getting bored with hot dogs and burgers, the calories are just too high for me to budget them into my calorie count.  I don't mind higher calorie meals once in a while, but 2 or more times a week is just too often.

Since that's not a very exciting recap of the previous week, let me just fill you in on what I'm planning for this week (still coming from the June Summer Menu):

• Lima Beans and Ham over rice.  I am really wanting to try this, but I keep forgetting to soak my beans.  I'll be soaking them tonight and preparing this in the crock pot for Tuesday night's dinner.  

• "Skinny" Arroz con Pollo.  I can't believe we went a week without eating chicken.  Joe picked up 2 packs of chicken breast when they were on sale last week.  You know times are tough when two of the times Joe went to the store, the sale chicken bin was empty! Third time's a charm!  Good thing Joe passes the store on his way home from work.  It totally wouldn't be worth it if he had to make a special trip.  

• Leslie's Chicken, Grilled Potatoes (oven method), steamed vegetables.  I think Joe will really enjoy this chicken dish. What's not to love when the chicken is wrapped in bacon?  Mmmm! 

• Pesto Orzo.  I planned on making this for dinner for us one day this month, but instead I'll be making a double batch and taking it to my niece's graduation party.  It's easy and makes a ton!  Perfect!  Since it's one of our favorite meals, I'll probably set a bit aside for Joe and I before I pack it up to take to the party.  

• The rest of the week will be leftover buffet.  I'm sure each of these meals will provide enough leftovers for us to enjoy for an additional night or two.  Plus, I have an assortment of leftovers in the freezer that would work in a pinch!  

Now that you know what we're eating this week, let us know in the comments what's for dinner at your house this week!  Or, if you need more menu planning inspiration? Follow me over to Menu Plan Monday hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie! Or, if you like what you see here, you can check out my past menu plans.


You can also find this week's menu plan linked to On the Menu Monday hosted by Yvonne at Stone Gable.