This week's menu plan:

We're redoing our basement family room... and the previous owners left lots of annoying surprises for us to deal with before we get our carpet installed.  We have very little time this week, so all meals are my responsibility and going to be quickies!

Lunches:
-green thai curry with mushrooms and veggies

Dinner #1: (2 meals)
-Pecan encrusted seared boneless porkchops
-sweet potato suffle´
-Honey roasted carrots

Dinner #2: (2 meals)
-Ham and cheese frittata/quiche/casserole with egg noodles and spinach
-Side salad

Dinner #3: (1-2 meals)
-red thai curry with beef and sugar snap peas

Chocolate Peanut Energy Bar Reviews:

Ever gone down the energy bar aisle in the store and wonder why there are so many overly commercialized energy bars?  They have the reputation of tasting like chalk and for their overly chewiness.  Since I was going away for a few days, I didn't have a weekly menu, but instead reviewed these energy bars on my way.  I chose 6 different brands all in my favorite flavor- chocolate peanut/peanut butter.  I haven't finished this post, because I need to organize my thoughts, but here are the testees:

Balance Gold:

The Balance bar was definitely my least favorite.  I did not have high expectations because it looked more like a candy bar than a granola bar.  The flavor was terribly chalky and broke apart.  This bar was also the most expensive at $1.19.  The rest were $0.99.  The caramel layer was an added bonus, but I could not get past how terrible the peanut butter filling was.  The picture shows big chocolate and peanut butter flavor, but there was not.

Earnest:

The Earnest Bar had a good flavor, but definitely not peanut butter or chocolate.  It was a little too chewy and sweet for me, but overall I'd buy this brand again just in a different flavor

Cliff Bar:

The Cliff bar exceeded my expectations!  It was definitely my favorite!  There was lots of chocolate and peanut butter.  It was chewy but not too chewy.  It of course, had the most calories, but hey it's an energy bar!

Luna Bar:

I liked the Luna bar, not as much as the Odwalla or Cliff bar, but definitely more than the Kashi bar.  Again, it was missing peanut flavor, but the chocolate flavor was good.  The weird thing about Luna bars is that I always find them to be oddly dry.  This one was no exception.

Odwalla:

My second favorite, the Odwalla bar!  It definitely needed more peanuts.  I prefer the chocolate on the bottom, which this did not have.  Overall it had the right texture and consistency and was not too sweet!  I would definitely get this bar again.  

To me, the Kashi bar was simple and nothing more exciting than a regular granola bar.  It had chocolate on the bottom, and chocolate chips in the bar, which was a definite plus!  It didn't have a lot of peanuts though, and the flavor was definitely lacking in that department.  I really don't understand why they call it crunchy though.  It was chewy, not as chewy as the Earnest bar though.  If you are looking for crunchy, this is not the bar to get.

Zabaglione- such a guilty pleasure!

I'm trying to figure out more ways to incorporate eggs in my diet, specifically with dessert.  If I make a cake or ice cream, eggs aren't the main part.  Then I remembered, I loved zabaglione while I was pregnant, but used less marsala (it's cooked) and was eager to try the full recipe.  I first fell in love with zabaglione at a nearby restaurant, Pasta Plus.  Pasta Plus has been featured on The Food Network, has amazing food yet family oriented, and was the place Mike took me right before he proposed to me.  I get the zabaglione every time we go there for dessert, and am working towards perfecting our recipe:

For each person, you will need:
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp marsala (you could substitute sherry if needed)
fresh berries.

Whisk the egg yolks until they are light and fluffy over a simmering double boiler.  Slowly incorporate the sugar, then gradually add marsala.  Continue whisking until thickens, about 7 minutes.  This part is best done by a patient husband... because I hate whisking for that long!  Serve in a wine glass over fresh berries.  I wouldn't call this an easy recipe, but there are very few ingredients and very few steps!  This is a perfect summer dessert, that's creamy and not too sweet!

Weekly Menu:

Just got back from Wegman's. We allowed Nathan to sit in the cart instead of wearing him because he was super hyper. He did well! On another note, we weren't too creative this week... here's our menu.

Lunches: Udon noodles with veggies, sprouts, and tofu. Nathan found the green onions in the cart today and started chewing on them... he thought they were nasty!

Dinner #1 (1 night)
Tilapia with lime, cilantro, and sriracha
grilled squash
Israeli couscous

Dinner #2 (2 nights)
Fajitas with tri-tip steak
black beans and rice

Dinner #3 (2 nights)
boneless pork chops
sweet potatoes
brussel sprouts

pictures to come.

Why is that chicken salad pink?!

Meal description for Tandoori chicken salad:
(I don't do recipes, unless measurement matters)

Before Nathan came along, when I had more time, I would make Indian food from scratch and bread from scratch all the time.  I don't have time to do that so much anymore... but this is more Indian inspired and really easy!  It's such a fun lunch!

Take regular chunky chicken salad with celery, but first replace most the mayo with greek yogurt.  I keep a little squirt of mayonnaise to help bind the whole thing.  Add some cashew pieces (try to get raw unsalted and toast them first), green onions, cilantro, sriracha, and tandoori paste.  Use salt and pepper to taste.  Picture in previous weekly menu post.  I serve this with a side of pita and a bit of mango chutney.

This week's menu plan:

Breakfasts-
Great grains with pecans, still a little on the sweet side, but a long way from CTCs
Protein shake (recipe to follow)

Lunches-
Tandoori chicken salad pitas with cashews (recipe to follow)
Banana and greek yogurt
Pretzels

Dinner #1 (1 night)
Sockeye salmon
Quinoa
Salad

Dinner #2 (2 nights)
Chicken breasts
Whole wheat angel hair pasta with tomato, basil, and mozzarella
Purple asparagus

Dinner #3 (2 nights)
Stir Fry on the grill?
My husband's making it, It'll be good and healthy!

1 night- eat out
1 night- something simple and unplanned/more leftovers