This Week's Menu Plan & Simple Recipes

This year has been incredibly busy for Skyler and I both.  Unfortunately, this has not been real good for our diet.  No, we haven't been eating fast food everyday or anything . . . but I also haven't been very good at planning our meals.  Fortunately, school and my work at the studio is wrapping up, and I am excited about prioritizing our menu!  For now, I am getting a head start by forming a menu with several simple recipes!   Here is a look at our weekly menu, and a few recipes can be found at the end :) The items with an "*" have a recipe listed below! Enjoy!

7-Layer Dip:  Recipe Below

AFG Homestead Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfast

 M- Egg & Cheese Sandwich

T-Cereal w/Milk

W- Biscuits & Gravy

T- *Pina Colada Smoothie

F-Boiled Egg(s)w/yogurt

S-Scrambled Eggs, and Fruit

S- French Toast

Lunch

M - Chicken Caesar Salad

T - PB&J or Banana/Carrots

W - Baked Potato w/Boccoli & Cheese

T - Left Over 7-Layer Dip

F - *Tuna Salad Sandwich/Carrots

S - Left Overs

S - Bridal Shower Lunch

Dinner

M - BBQ Chicken/Fried Potatoes/Coleslaw (Homegroup)

T - Hamburger/*French Fries/ LO Coleslaw

W - *7-Layer Dip/Fruit Bowl

T - Beef Stroganoff/Frozen Corn/Salad

F - Date Night - Eat Out!

S - *Salmon Croquettes/Rice/Salad

S- Steak, Baked Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli/Cauliflower

NOTE:  We usually make double portions of our dinner meals, and freeze them to use for a later date.  

This is a great solution for busy days!  

Recipes:

Pina Colada Smoothie

 Ingredients:

4 oz plain yogurt

8 oz coconut milk

1-2 farm fresh eggs

1 T extra virgin coconut oil

1 T unheated honey

1 T flax seed oil (optional)

1 Cup fresh pineapple pieces

1 banana sliced

Directions:  Mix all ingredients in a blender. If you would like your smoothie to be cold, add some ice to the blender as well!  Makes 2 large or 4 small smoothies.

Tuna Salad

Ingredients:

Mayonnaise (as much as your preference desires!)

1-2 cans Tuna

1-2 Boiled Eggs, sliced and diced

1 T Dill Pickle Relish (or to taste)

Directions:  As you can see this recipe is really all about your preferences.  I like to use 1 can of tuna, and 2 hard boiled eggs with a few scoops of mayo, and about 1 T of relish.  However, your family might like a completely different combination.  It is really easy to adjust, simply take a few taste tests as you make it! :)  Serve on bread as a sandwich, with crackers, or over salad.  

French Fries

Ingredients:

Potatoes

Coconut Oil

Sea Salt

Directions: This is a great, healthy, variation of french fries!  Preheat over to 450 degree F.  Slice potatoes into fries; the thickness will depend on your preference.  Cover fries with coconut oil - I usually put some coconut oil into my hands grab some fries and slather them with the oil between my hands.  Salt according to your preference.  Cook in over for about 30 minutes.  Check on them every now and then, and flip fries if necessary.

7 Layer Dip

Ingredients: 

-2 Cans Refried Beans (Of course it would be better to make these,and I bet there is a great crockpot recipe that would be fast! I just bought mine from a can this time :S)

-Guacamole (I did make this! Recipe can be found below)

-1 small container of Sour Cream

-2 Handfuls Cut Green Salad (I used an organic spinach mix this time - I think this is a great way to get extra greens in our diet!)

-2 Cups Salsa (Again, homemade is best, but I just bought a natural salsa from the store this time!)

-2 Cups Shredded Cheese

-Top with diced tomatoes and black olives (optional)

Directions:  In the exact order from above ingredients, layer in a 9x13" pan. Chill prior to serving. Eat with Tortilla Chips.

NOTE:  We use this as one of our meatless meals for the week, but it traditionally makes a great dip to bring to a party!

Simply Delicious Guacamole

Ingredients:

- 2-3 Avocados - mashed

- 1 tomato - diced

- 1/2 cup diced onion

- squirt of lime juice - optional

- salt to taste

Directions:  Once avocados have been mashed, mix in tomatoes and onions.  Add juice from lime, and salt to taste preference.   

NOTE:  I was never a fan of guacamole, and even now I am pretty picky when it comes to the recipes I like.  This recipe is a simple one I threw together one day, and we love it!  It is our favorite.  Nothing fancy, just simple and yummy! 

Salmon Croquettes

 Ingredients:

2 cans of salmon (preferably wild Alaskan salmon)

2 free-range eggs

1 cup of bread crumbs or crackers

1/2 cup onion minced

2 cloves of minced garlic, or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

2 T mustard (whichever flavor you prefer)

sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Directions:  Drain salmon, and mix in a bowl with eggs, bread crumbs, and seasonings.  Preheat cast iron skillet and add butter. Shape salmon with hands into patties.  Place in skillet and cook half way through, then flip and cook on the other side.  Both sides should be browned and slightly crispy! 

I hope you like the recipes!  Cooking is more of an art for me, and less of a science.  Most of these recipes have been simplified from more complex recipes I have come across.  When our schedules are busy it's nice to have a handful of simple recipes!  I have written these recipes out for you, but to be honest . . .these are so simple I don't use a recipe card.  I just go off common sense and taste buds!   I recommend you do the same, and create some simple recipes your family will love! :)

What are some of your favorite recipes to use when life gets busy!?