Real Life, Real Menu~ week of 5/18/20

Meal planning has become such a routine in our household, that I don’t even know what it would feel like to not have dinners planned for the week. Truth be told, every meal doesn’t always happen, sometimes we grab something in the drive through or decide to just have crackers and cheese for dinner. But just having a general guideline of what we are going to be eating, knowing that we have the ingredients or have prepped for the meal is just so reassuring! During times of stress and uncertainty, it is nice to have some things that are consistent. Meal planning has been one of those! I hope you find some inspiration from our weekly meal plan, and I would love to hear how you meal plan in your home!!!

Monday:

Magnolia Table’s Volume 2 Chicken Noodle Soup

Obviously, I am a huge fan of Joanna Gaines- how could you not? This new cookbook- Magnolia Table is amazing!! If you are interested in ordering one- shop somewhere local if you can. If you need to use online shopping- Amazon is a great way to do that! Here is a link to Magnolia Table Volume 2  on Amazon.

Tuesday:

Tacos- pick your own adventure:

Start with taco meat here is my favorite seasoning recipe

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Adventure 1-

Traditional tacos:

• Find your favorite Tortilla then add…
• Meat
• then pick your toppings/garnishes
  • lettuce
  • tomatoes
  • black beans
  • salsa
  • cheese (I mean is that even a choice)
  • sour cream
  • avocado
  • cilantro

Adventure 2-

Taco Salad:

• Start with Lettuce
• then pick your toppings/garnishes
  • meat
  • lettuce
  • tomatoes
  • black beans
  • salsa
  • cheese (I mean is that even a choice)
  • sour cream
  • avocado
  • cilantro

Adventure 3-

Taco Rice bowl:

Pick your rice- white, brown or cauliflower

• then pick your toppings/garnishes
  • meat
  • lettuce
  • tomatoes
  • black beans
  • salsa
  • cheese (I mean is that even a choice)
  • sour cream
  • avocado
  • cilantro

Wednesday:

Leftovers

Thursday:

Pulled Pork

A few weeks ago, or maybe a few months ago (who’s keeping track of time now anyways?)

Pork Shoulder Roast

Have you heard of the Pioneer Woman? I love her show on Food Network. She’s not known for making  healthy meals, but I have learned to adapt them a little, by making some simple changes. I personally make this into a crockpot meal!

This is the crockpot that I use- I have had it forever and use it multiple times a week! Here is one similar to mine on Amazon.

The edits I make are:

When making the marinade/sauce I go step by step, per the recipe except I sub out the sugar- instead of brown sugar, I use coconut sugar
To make it into a crockpot meal, after making the sauce I coat the entire pork roast in the crockpot, flipping it around in it so it coats all sides. Then I put it on low and cook it all day long, over 12 hours
It makes the best shredded pork EVER! You can put it on tortillas, make it into a bowl with rice,or cauliflower rice, or just eat it by itself really- it’s that good.

Friday:

Out to Eat

Saturday:

Breakfast for dinner

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Sunday:

Lasagna~

This is my mama’s recipe and I LOVE it. I started making it with a healthy twist. Instead of lasagna noodles I sub zucchini noodles.

•  1 lb ground beef
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 TBL parsley
• 1 TBL basil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 can tomatoes
• 2 six ounce cans tomato paste
• 10  ounce lasagna noodles **** subbing zucchini noodle for a healthy swap!
• 3 C cottage cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 beaten eggs
• 2 TBL parsley
• 1/2 C shredded parmesan
• 1 lb mozzarella sliced

1. Brown meat, add next 6 ingredients. Simmer, uncovered until sauce is thick (approximately 30 minutes)
2. If using traditional noodles cook them & drain. If using Zucchini noodles thinly slice zucchini
3. Combine cottage cheese with egg, seasonings, parmesan cheese
4. Place 1/2 noodles in 9 x 13 pan
5. Spread 1/2 cottage cheese mixture
6. Then 1/2 of mozzarella cheese
7. Then 1/2 meat mixture
8. Repeat layers
9. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes
10. Let stand 15 minutes

This dish makes the BEST leftovers!!

Thanks for stopping by to see what is cooking in our kitchen! If you need even more weekly dinner inspirations- head on over to I’m and Organizing Junkies site

Faith ♥

***Some of the links in my posts contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. I pinky promise I will always give my honest opinion of any product and would never recommend something if I did not use it and love it!!