Meal Plan 2

This weeks meal plan was created in my car in front of the grocery store because I forgot my list at home that I had made a few days ago. So it isn't the most creative or necessarily one I'll stick with, but it is a plan to go to this week.

Recipe Links
Fettuccini Alfredo
Broccoli Cheddar Pancakes
Cool Taco Salad

Grab and Go Breakfast Ideas for College Students

Homemade Protein Breakfasts

Deviled Eggs
Hard Boiled Eggs, Orange Slices
Egg Muffins
Breakfast Parfait

Homemade Breakfast Bars

Crumb Topped Cherry Pecan Cereal Bars
Breakfast Cookies *These look really good!
Strawberry Banana Granola Bites
Baked Blueberry Almond Oatmeal Bars
Chewy Blueberry Granola Bars

*Tip - When freezing granola bars, place a piece of wax, parchment or freezer paper between the bars to prevent sticking. 

From the Freezer

Mason Jar Freezer Smoothie
Peanut Butter Pancake Sandwiches *Note - I would make the pancakes small and put the jelly on the inside)
Breakfast Burritos
Potato Breakfast Burritos
Muffins

*Tip - When freezing smoothies, consider using Ball Freezer Jars. 

Ready to Go Purchased Ideas

Kind Bars : We really love these. They are all natural and have just a few delicious ingredients. 

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

1 large frozen banana
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 cup water
1 cup ice
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
1 tablespoon Peanut Butter
Sweetener of choice (honey, Stevia etc...)

Blend till smooth. Freeze in mason jars, leaving room at the top. 
Take out of freezer when you get up in the morning, take on the go. 

Rotating Meal Plans

I am working on creating two weekly meal plans per month that repeat. For instance, if I create meal plan #1, and then meal plan #2 it would look like this for the month.

Week 1 - Meal Plan 1
Week 2 - Meal Plan 2
Week 3 - Meal Plan 1
Week 4 - Meal Plan 2

This is so I can simplify our life during this busy time.

TIP: Use the George Foreman grill to make grilled cheese. It cooks them a bit slower so they don't burn, you don't have to flip them and you can make more at one time. 

Creamy Chicken Burritos
Cool Taco Salad
Parmesan Garlic Chicken

Grilled Pizza is simply store bought pizza dough stuffed with ingredients, folded over, and grilled on the George Foreman. I cut them into individual portions prior to grilling.

Cheesy Potato Soup

I cannot say enough good things about this soup! It is easy to make and my kids LOVE it which is saying a lot. 

Ingredients
4-4 1/2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
1/3 cup onions, finely chopped
1 -2 cup ham, diced and cooked
3 1/4 cups water
3 teaspoons Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
1/2 teaspoon salt ( to taste)
1 teaspoon pepper
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions
1.) Combine potatoes, onion, ham, and water in stockpot and bring to boil.

2.) Then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender.
Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper.

3.) In separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook stirring constantly until thick.

4.) Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form and all milk is added. Continue to stir until thick (4-5 minutes)

5.)Add in cheese and stir until melted.

6.)Stir the cheese mixture into the stockpot and cook until heated through. (I also will break up some of the potatoes for thickness. It gets thicker as it cools and next day).

Serve with Crusty French Bread and butter. 

Broccoli and Rice Casserole

This is so good, just make sure you bake it fully for tender broccoli.

1 small onion, chopped
1/2 stick butter
14 ounce bag frozen broccoli florets
2 Cups Minute Rice
2 Cups Water
10-12 Slices of American Cheese (Can be 2%)
1 Cup Milk
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup


1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees


2.) Melt Butter in the pan, add onions. Once they have cooked for a bit add the broccoli. Cook over low till the broccoli is no longer frozen.


3.) While Broccoli is cooking, mix the Minute Rice and Water in a glass bowl. Place in microwave and cover. Cook according to package directions.


4.) Combine Broccoli Mixture, Cooked Rice, American Cheese, Milk and Cream of Chicken in a bowl. Mix well.


5.) Pour into 9x13 casserole dish. (do not cover) Bake in oven for 40 minutes or until top is slightly browned and sauce is bubbly.


Serve with crunchy French Bread and butter.

Parmesan Garlic Chicken

4-5 Thin Chicken Breasts
3/4 cup Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Season Salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Spray 9X11 baking dish with non stick spray
3. Lay chicken in dish
4. Mix remaining ingredients and spread on chicken
5. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until cooked through and bubbly. If you want a bit of crisp, turn on broiler for a few minutes at the end. 

Tastes great served with Yellow Rice and Salad. Frozen Berries and homemade Whipped Cream make a lovely dessert.