Monday, January 2, 2012

Working it all in

Menu Planning is so crucial, so this week I have vowed to create a healthy menu plan.

I hate choosing a day for each meal, because its all about taste buds for each specific day. My solution is to plan 5 meals then I can eat off of that menu when I feel like eating that type of food. This gives me  the right to have a (healthy) craving. I think as Caroline grows she will appreciate this too, because we can let her choose with us.

This weeks Menu:
Turkey Meatball Soup
Zesty Orange Chicken breast
Garlic Mashed "Potatoes"
Macaroni and "Cheese"
Chicken breast with homemade Salsa topping
"Spaghetti Meatball" Pie
"Brownies"

So I am sure you are thinking to yourself why the quotations? Well, I have started this week to "indulge". Not like you would think. I am eating these foods made with vegetable purees. So the mashed potatoes are about 1/2 potato and 1/2 pureed cauliflower. These offer a low fat, high fiber option vs the fatty sour cream/butter/cream version. This saves you calories and fat. Macaroni and cheese, this one is made with butternut squash and parmesan (again, lower fat, high fiber). The Brownies...this one is my favorite. It is made with carrot and spinach puree and 3 oz chocolate. Low fat, high fiber. Spaghetti meatball pie gives you meatballs that are made with whole wheat bread crumbs, squash puree and broccoli puree.

So what brings this on.....

My daughter has been slightly constipated (lots of milk/bananas/cheese to thank for this). Not only that, but I have been reading up on the health benefits of fruit and vegetable puree (think double veggies if you have a side of broccoli with your mac n "cheese". Plus what kid doesnt love it).

So here is to getting healthy. Let me know if you are willing to try some purees and what you think of them. It does take a few hours to prepare these, but Nick works on bikes in the dining area while I am pureeing so we got some good couple time in while I was waiting for steaming to finish.

I am still striving. Health has to be #1 for me, so if you are on a journey to health, post a comment - leave a tip - share a story. I know we can get there and learning from one another is a great tool.