Weekly Menu Retrospective #116

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!

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Breakfasts:
Granola (p. 92), Rhubarb Streusel Muffins (p.97), Baked Oatmeal (p. 91)

Lunches: 
leftovers, sandwiches, pizza

Dinners:

Monday:  Broccoli and Bacon Alfredo (recipe coming soon!)

Tuesday: Taco Platters

Wednesday: Skillet chicken (season with salt, pepper and paprika), Corn and Tomato Salad, tossed salad

Thursday: Sausage and potato skillet (improvised meal on the fly with what was in the fridge and garden!)

Friday: Pork and Apple Stew (p. 156 - family favourite!)
  
Saturday: Sausage, Swiss Chard and Mozzarella Egg Puff (variation of the recipe on p. 181)

Sunday: Classic Beef Burgers (p. 125), corn on the cob

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), raisins, sunflower and pumpkin seeds (in granola), flax seeds, lemons, coffee (locally roasted and delivered by bike!), cornstarch, cane sugar,  mustard, tamari, cinnamon, oregano, black pepper, parsley, Fairytale tea, peppermint tea, lemon balm, oatstraw

Local: potatoes, onions, red peppers, cucumbers, corn, salsa (home-canned), ground beef (from VG Meats), honey (unpasteurized), milk

Local AND organic: sesame seeds (used to top bread loaves), oats, milk (used to make yogurt), eggs (not "certified organic", but real free range and fed organic feed), apple cider vinegar,  popcorn, whole wheat flour, *fresh herbs (parsley, basil, chives, oregano), *Swiss chard *green onions, *green beans, *pears, *cherry tomatoes *jalapeno peppers

*from our backyard veggie garden or produce cooperative

Want to know more about the specific food products I use and where I buy them? Check out my "What's In My Pantry" board on Pinterest.  I will keep this board updated with current information on what products we use, where we're buying them, and how much we're paying. It's a work-in-progress, and you can find it HERE.

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

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