Weekly Menu Retrospective #90

Welcome to my weekly roundup of the past week's eats. I prefer to report what we ate in the last week, rather than what we're planning to eat in the coming week. Why? The reason is pretty simple: although I usually have a general idea of what we're going to eat in the next week or so, life often unfolds a little differently than planned, and I adjust my menu plan on a near-daily basis to accommodate leftovers and other not-possible-to-plan-ahead circumstances. I find this is the easiest way to ensure that I minimize our family's food waste. I'm also willing to admit that I'm a rather spontaneous cook, given to preparing foods that strike me as the most appealing thing to eat right here and now!

If you'd like a whole book full of inexpensive, quick and kid-approved recipes, check out my book, Cheap Appétit : The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month (While Eating Better Than You Ever Thought Possible) on Amazon (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon UK) and Barnes and Noble.  It's gotten multiple 5 star reviews!! I've included page references to recipes that are in the book in my menu plans so you can locate them quickly. For more details about the book, go here.   Cookbooks make great Christmas gifts :)

Breakfasts:
Granola (p. 92), Aloha Muffins (p. 99), peanut butter toast, French toast

Lunches: 
leftovers, sandwiches, pizza 

Dinners:

Monday: Everything-But-the-Kitchen-Sink Lentil Soup (p. 162), leftover Creamy Cucumber Salad (p. 205), leftover Chocolate Quinoa Cake

Tuesday: Sausage and Apple Saute (p. 137)

Wednesday: Macaroni and Cheese (plain version of this recipe on p. 174), broccoli and carrots

Thursday: Taco-Spiced Beef and Bean Pocket Sandwiches, Colourful Cabbage Salad (p.207)

Friday: Potato, Bacon and Egg Hash (variation of Make-It-Your-Way Potato Hash, p. 140)

Saturday: Sausage and Lentil Stew (p. 158), Cornbread (p. 212)

Sunday: Pork and Apple Stew (p. 156), leftover cornbread, Pear Crisp

In keeping with my local and organic challenge, I'd also like to note the local and/or organic items on this week's menu:

Organic: coconut (in granola), coconut oil (in granola), canola oil, raisins (in granola), sunflower and pumpkin seeds (in granola), coffee (locally roasted and delivered by bike!), quinoa, lentils

Local: potatoes, carrots, onions, apples, cabbage, cucumbers, garlic, salsa (home-canned), ground beef, pork and sausage (from VG Meats), honey (unpasteurized), milk, eggs, sour cream 

Local AND organic: peanut butter, sesame seeds (used to top bread loaves), oats (in granola), cornmeal, apple cider vinegar, millet, popcorn, whole wheat flour

For more great meal ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday at orgjunkie.com.

(P.S. Want to join in on my Holiday Food Waste Challenge? All the details are here.)
  
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