Things to Eat - 6 Week Meal Plan (mid-November - December 2017)

Okay, so it is already February and I'm finally posting our dinner plan from two months ago. I basically took January "off", but now I'm back and blogging . . .
______________

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Plated (soy-glazed steak with crispy brussels sprouts and yuzu vinaigrette).

TUESDAY - Sheet pan chili (recipe here). This was good but it didn't taste that different than regular chili.

WEDNESDAY - Dan makes venison stir fry.

THURSDAY - Plated (Za’atar chicken schnitzel with Israeli salad).

FRIDAY - Hot dogs while camping at Sky Meadows State Park.

SATURDAY - Dinner club with friends and neighbors.

SUNDAY - F makes mac and cheese for the kids; Dan and I eat snacks before Angus and Julia Stone at the 9:30 club.
________

WEEK 2

MONDAY - Plated (creamy pumpkin baked rigatoni with mozzarella, fontina, and fried sage). I'm sure this wasn't our healthiest Plated, but it tasted amazing.

TUESDAY - Plated (Thanksgiving cheeseburger with caramelized onion aioli and roasted butternut squash).

WEDNESDAY - Pizza with neighbors.

THURSDAY - Thanksgiving at Dan's brother's house.

FRIDAY - Dinner out at Marble & Rye with Dan's family.

SATURDAY - Dan makes chicken.

SUNDAY - Eggplant parmesan after setting up the Xmas tree. The kids complained, but eggplant parm is one of my favorite dishes so every once in awhile I force them to suffer through it.
_________


WEEK 3

MONDAY - Pasta with tomato sauce and garlic bread. Because sometimes easy = awesome.

TUESDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe here). This has become the kids' favorite recipe (which makes me so happy as I love it too).

WEDNESDAY - Dan makes fish.

THURSDAY - Plated (sheet pan flounder with harissa, crispy scallion potatoes, and dill aioli).

FRIDAY - Appetizers before Mean Girls, the musical (so good!).

SATURDAY - Plated (butter-basted steak with sautéed brussels sprouts and garlic-parmesan fries).

SUNDAY - Dan cooks fettuccine alfredo.
_________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Turkey, sweet potato, and black bean chili (via Gwyneth, recipe in this book). On a cold day, this is the best recipe ever.

TUESDAY - Dan makes venison steaks.

WEDNESDAY - Everyone pigged out on popcorn during Coco, so we have grilled cheese and eggs for dinner.

THURSDAY - Plated (gnocchi pomodoro with swiss chard, goat cheese, and sage-toasted pine nuts).

FRIDAY - Dan makes a venison roast.

SATURDAY - Plated (miso salmon and quinoa bowls with roasted sweet potatoes, cucumber salad, and sriracha mayo). I'm not usually a salmon fan, but these bowls tasted incredible.

SUNDAY - Dinner at a friend's party.
___________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Order out pizza.

TUESDAY - Family dinner out at Boru Ramen.

WEDNESDAY - Plated (potato latkes with horseradish sour cream, roasted carrots, and spinach salad). I mess up the latkes big time.

THURSDAY - Frozen pizza before a Christmas Carol at Ford's Theater.

FRIDAY - Plated (chicken tinga tostadas with cabbage-carrot slaw).

SATURDAY - I photograph a wedding, the rest of the family eats dinner at our neighbor's Christmas party.

SUNDAY - Taylor Gourmet carry-out.
______________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Plated (moroccan chicken with cherry tomato sauce and couscous).

TUESDAY - Plated (spaghetti squash and turkey meatballs with whipped ricotta).

WEDNESDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe here). This has become the kids' favorite recipe (which makes me so happy as I love it too).

THURSDAY - Farmers and Fishers for the solstice.

FRIDAY - Make you own pizza night before we leave for Christmas in Chicago.

Things to Eat - 9 Week Meal Plan (September - October 2017)

As far as dinner goes, things have changed A LOT this fall.

F has loved cooking for awhile now, but up until this fall she concentrated on desserts. So we decided to try the meal-delivery service Plated and ask F to cook dinner two nights a week (I picked Plated because it appeared to have the largest recipe selection, but we're up for trying others as well).

Since she's the chef, F chooses the entrees and then when she comes home from school she arranges all the ingredients, references the recipe card, and cooks us an AMAZING feast. We're working on making P and T help her (though F often doesn't want their help).

Am I am so so happy.

Plus, Dan shot his first deer of the season and has made A LOT of incredible venison recipes. So so good!

Basically, I rarely cook at all anymore - which I'm totally okay with. Happy autumn!
_______________

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Labor Day BBQ at a neighbor's.

TUESDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe here). When the kids were little they didn't like this that much, but now they request it regularly, which makes me so happy.

WEDNESDAY - Hot dogs and chicken sausage with brussels sprout/endive salad (the salad is from this book, super easy and so so good).

THURSDAY - Dinner out before Depeche Mode.

FRIDAY - Pizza at the back to school picnic.

SATURDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes the kids dinner.

SUNDAY - Date night out at BrickHaus (the new beer garden on Columbia Pike). The kids eat mac and cheese.
_______________

WEEK 2

MONDAY - Bacon, corn, and parmesan pasta (via Smitten Kitchen's blog).

TUESDAY - Brussels spout salad (via this book) and TJ's frozen lamb chops.

WEDNESDAY - Friends for dinner - veggie tacos two ways - corn and cauliflower/ black bean.

THURSDAY - Carry out from Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita (the new taco place on Columbia Pike). The food here is crazy good, we can't get enough.

FRIDAY - Dan makes venison medallions with garlic bread.

SATURDAY - Dinner at our friend's 40th birthday party.

SUNDAY - Maggie's pasta (recipe here).

__________

WEEK 3 - I have dental surgery on Monday and ignore my family all week.

MONDAY - Plated - Salmon and Creamy Dill Sauce with Sautéed Kale and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

TUESDAY - Plated - Seared Steak with Bell Pepper Panzanella.

WEDNESDAY - Dinner out with Shannon (Farmers and Fishers), Dan makes pasta for the kids.

THURSDAY - Dan make dinner.

FRIDAY - Pizza at the neighbor's happy hour.

SATURDAY - We eat dinner at William Jeffrey's after Aasif Mandvi's comedy show at the Cinema Drafthouse. F makes pizza at home.

SUNDAY - Dan planned a huge venison feast, but the garbage disposal broke and he has to spend all day fixing it - so carry out from Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita.

___________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Dan's venison feast.

TUESDAY - Plated - Brown Butter Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Peas.

WEDNESDAY - Plated - Salmon Burgers with Chive Aioli and Mâche.

THURSDAY - Back to school night - I leave out apps for the kids.

FRIDAY - Friends for dinner - Dan makes venison steaks (yum!).

SATURDAY - Dinner at the wedding I'm photographing.

SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot and Dan has a Nationals' Game, so we order Ledos pizza for the kids.

___________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Plated - Cuban Beef Bowls with Mojo Sauce and Avocado-Pineapple Salsa.

TUESDAY - Plated - Chop Steak with Crispy Brussels Sprout Home Fries and Herb Compound Butter.

WEDNESDAY - I FINALLY MAKE DINNER!! Brussels sprout salad (via this book) and pasta with tomatoes and sausage.

THURSDAY - Family dinner at Politics and Prose.

FRIDAY - Dan makes dinner for him and the kids; I eat at the wedding I'm photographing.

SATURDAY - Dan and the kids in Richmond; I eat at the wedding I'm photographing.

SUNDAY - Family at the neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant (I've been craving Ethiopian all week).

________________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Dan makes a venison feast for F's birthday.

TUESDAY - Plated - Crispy Flounder with Spinach Orzo and Tomato-Olive Tapenade.

WEDNESDAY - Plated - Meatball Parm Heroes with Fire-Roasted Tomato Sauce and Charred Broccoli .

THURSDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe here).

FRIDAY - Breakfast for dinner - pancakes and bacon.

SATURDAY - Order pizza after T's paintball party (yes, I know his birthday was in June, but sometimes it takes awhile to get a birthday party together).

SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes orzo with pesto.
________________

WEEK 7

MONDAY - Plated - Baked Pennewith Cauliflower Cream Sauce, Spinach, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes.

TUESDAY - Plated - Seared Steakwith Blistered Shishito Pepper Salsa and Smashed Potatoes.

WEDNESDAY - Nachos for dinner with black beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes (yum!).

THURSDAY - Trader Joe's lamb chops with broccoli salad (via this book).

FRIDAY - Order pizza after P's escape room birthday party.

SATURDAY - Dan makes dinner for him and the kids; I eat at the wedding I'm photographing.

SUNDAY - Make your own pizza.

_________________

WEEK 8

MONDAY - Plated - Spicy Chicken Arrabbiata with Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower.

TUESDAY - Plated - Carne Asada Sopes with Avocado-Corn Salsa and Refried Black Beans.

WEDENSDAY - Chili's restaurant for dinner outside Cornwall, NY.

THURSDAY - Pizza at Jenny's house (Long Island, NY).

FRIDAY - Dinner at the Anthem before the Head and the Heart concert (kids have pasta at home).

SATURDAY - Hobo snacks (italian sausage, red peppers, shrimp, and corn in aluminum foil) on the fire while we camp at Shenandoah River State Park (still one of my favorite places).

SUNDAY - Dan makes venison osso buco (so so good) with asparagus and garlic bread.

____________

WEEK 9

MONDAY - Plated - Cuban Beef Bowls with Mojo Sauce and Avocado-Pineapple Salsa.

TUESDAY - Pizza at the neighbors' before trick or treating.

WEDNESDAY - Friends over for dinner - Black bean chilaquile (recipe here) and beef tacos.

THURSDAY - Easy dinner of bacon, avocado, almond butter sandwiches after the kids' tennis and soccer practices.

FRIDAY - Dan is out of town, F is babysitting, and P is at a sleepover. So I take T and two friends to Silver Diner. We are, by far, the loudest group in the restaurant.

SATURDAY - I have a photo shoot, Dan and the kids eat at his brother's house. I make a sandwich.

SUNDAY - Dan makes pork chops and salad.

Things to Eat - Summer Meal Plan (June through July)

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Chris's arroz con pollo at the beach house.

TUESDAY - Kelly's taco bar at the beach house.

WEDNESDAY - Dinner at Lalibela Ethiopian on our way home from Nags Head.

THURSDAY - TJ's chicken tenders and frozen risotto.

FRIDAY - Maggie's pasta (recipe here).

SATURDAY - Eat at the wedding I'm photographing.

SUNDAY - My mom comes to visit, so we take her to our favorite Ethiopian restaurant (Lalibela on Columbia Pike & Glebe Road) - love this place!

______________

WEEK 2

MONDAY - Grilled pepper and torn mozzarella panzanella (via Smitten Kitchen's blog) with smoked sausage and cherry tomatoes on the side (in case the kids didn't want the salad).

TUESDAY - Zuni chicken (via Gwyneth's It's All Easy). I love this recipe.

WEDNESDAY - Perogies and leftovers.

THURSDAY - Lasagna at Arlington's Outdoor Lab (as I chaperone a 5th grade camping trip).

FRIDAY - Italian Store subs for Wilco at Wolf Trap. The kids eat mac and cheese at home.

SATURDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes pasta with italian sausage.

SUNDAY - Dan makes pork chops and potatoes.

__________________

WEEK 3

MONDAY - Easy warm couscous salad (via Cup of Jo) and hot dogs. I loved this salad but the kids didn't agree. So it goes. I'm having a hard time seeing them on a lot of salad.

TUESDAY - Vegetarian tacos (cauliflower and corn).

WEDNESDAY - Nachos.

THURSDAY - Tabouli and chicken fingers.

FRIDAY - Dan makes fish sticks.

SATURDAY - I have a photo shoot and Dan has the "Dad Olympics", so F makes mac and cheese for the kids.

SUNDAY - Dinner in Kennett Square, PA before the Josh Ritter concert (we took the whole family for Father's Day).

____________________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Dan makes sausage, broccoli, and parmesan pasta. Yum!

TUESDAY - Dan grills steaks. Corn as a side.

WEDNESDAY - TJ's polenta with sides of cooked chicken sausage, marinara sauce, and parmesan cheese. And a blueberry/strawberry salad. This is one of my favorite easy meals. The kids eat the polenta different ways - F makes with sandwiches with the polenta and sausage, whereas T and P want everything on the side. It's an easy way to make everyone happy.

THURSDAY - Dinner out with friends, Dan cooks for himself and the kids.

FRIDAY - Our annual end of the school year solstice party - Dan makes a GIGANTIC pot of gumbo.

SATURDAY - Order pizza after the Nationals Game (everyone was too tired to cook).

SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes pasta.

__________________________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Dinner at Great Wolf Lodge (I love a good Living Social deal).

TUESDAY - Lentil salad with tomatoes (recipe here); chicken tenders for the kids.

WEDNESDAY - I have a photoshoot; Dan and the kids go to Silver Diner, I come home and make gazpacho with goat cheese (yum!) (recipe here).

THURSDAY - Dinner with friends at Cava; Dan feeds the kids.

FRIDAY - Lalibela Ethiopian restaurant. We love this place.

SATURDAY - Overnight backpack in Shenandoah National Park. We cooked store-bought freeze-dried meals that all tasted horrible. Luckily we had snacks.

SUNDAY - Whole Foods carryout in Charlottesville, VA after we drop F off at summer camp (10 whole days!!). The dogs were in the hotel room with us so we couldn't go out to eat.
_____________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Dinner out at Marble & Rye after the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

TUESDAY - 4th of July BBQ battle at friends' house - Dan makes ribs.

WEDNESDAY - Dan makes pasta.

THURSDAY - Baja fish tacos (recipe here). One of our favorite staple recipes. Everyone loves it.

FRIDAY - Kids out of town - dinner with Dan at Taqueria el Poblano on Columbia Pike.

SATURDAY - Dinner at a wedding I'm photographing

SUNDAY - Date night dinner at Espita Mezcaleria.
_______________

WEEK 7 - Kids out of town Mon- Friday

MONDAY - Fennel bean salad (via Food 52 Mighty Salads). I'm in love with this new cookbook.

TUESDAY - Pasta with sausage (use up leftovers).

WEDNESDAY - Date night dinner at Texas Jacks.

THURSDAY - Date night dinner at Mazagan with friends.

FRIDAY - Kids and Dan out of town, I make gazpacho for myself before a friend's wine night.

SATURDAY - Zuni chicken (via Gwyneth's It's All Easy) for everyone's return home. I love this recipe.

SUNDAY - Dan grills hot dogs and hamburgers.
_____________________

WEEK 8

MONDAY - Tomato, corn, and chickpea salad (via Cup of Jo) with pasta on the side. This is the perfect summer salad. PERFECT!

TUESDAY - Crockpot carnitas before the King and I.

WEDNESDAY - Leftovers.

THURSDAY - Dan makes fish for the kids (I got out to eat with a friend).

FRIDAY - Pasta with bacon and corn (via Smitten Kitchen's blog).

SATURDAY - Dinner at Silver Diner.

SUNDAY - BBQ at a friend's house.
________________

WEEK 9

MONDAY - Steaks with chimichuri sauce and homemade tabouli.

TUESDAY - P - "mom, we're all sort of hungry but not really hungry. So can we just make our own dinners? I really want ramen." (It's definitely summertime).

WEDNESDAY - Clean out the freezer - Trader Joe's chicken fingers and risotto.

THURSDAY - Dinner at Lalibela Ethiopian.

FRIDAY - Leave for vacation!!

Things to Eat - Carolina Shrimp Boil & Our 8 Week Meal Plan (April through May)

In April and May my dinner planning fell apart.

In my defense, work became crazy busy (which is awesome! I have the best clients ever!) and Dan chipped in a lot. Then between soccer and tennis lessons the kids kept us busy every night (plus - piano, flute, cello, the spring concert, the second grade wax museum, various vacations, etc.) Several dinners were "make it work nights."

Anyways, we ended May with our annual Memorial Beach house vacation and Jenny's fantastic shrimp boil. Here's her recipe:

CAROLINA SHRIMP BOIL:

1/3 lb shrimp per person
2-3 dozen crab claws
2-3 dozen fresh clams
2-3 smoked sausages, I use turkey, cut into pieces
1 bag new potatoes
1/2 ear of corn per person
1 package Zatarsns crab and shrimp boil seasoning
Lemon cut into quarters

Boil water in huge pot and add seasoning bag. Add potatoes, boil until soft, add sausage and corn, boil 10 mins, add crab and clams and lemon. Boil until clams pop open. Add shrimp, and boil about 4 mins until they turn pink. Drain pot and dump all on newspaper on a table. Serve with melted butter, lemons and cocktail sauce.
________________

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Taylor Gourmet.

TUESDAY - Taco Tuesday - ground beef tacos.

WEDNESDAY - Zuni chicken (via Gwyneth's It's All Easy). This is our new favorite chicken recipe - so so good.

THURSDAY - Black bean bowls with rice, cheese, and homemade chipotle salsa (I'm still a salsa snob).

FRIDAY - Family dinner at Atila's.

SATURDAY - Road trip to Richmond with the kids - dinner at Burger Bach.

SUNDAY - Dinner at Sandbridge beach with friends.
____________

WEEK 2 - Spring Break

MONDAY - Dinner at Kala Coleman's photography workshop (in NC).

TUESDAY - Dinner at Kala Coleman's photography workshop (in NC).

WEDNESDAY - Dinner at Sandbridge beach - Baja restaurant, which was surprisingly good.

THURSDAY - Dinner at the beach house - our friends make us pasta. yay!

FRIDAY - Dinner at the beach house - our friends make us fajitas. yay!

SATURDAY - Dan welcomes us home with pork chops (so good!), applesauce, salad, etc.

SUNDAY - Pizza with friends.
__________________

WEEK 3

MONDAY - Homemade tabouli with leftovers.

TUESDAY - Pesto pasta with a side of baked asparagus.

WEDNESDAY - Chipotle (preschool fundraiser).

THURSDAY - Dinner out with friends.

FRIDAY - Grab a quick salad before Fun House (the play) with Dan.

SATURDAY - Dan bakes chicken.

SUNDAY - Neighbors' BBQ.

_____________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Black bean bowls with red salad (salad recipe via The Forest Feast). The kids love this salad, it's sort of a pain to collect the ingredients but preparation is easy.

TUESDAY - Dan makes chicken and potatoes with asparagus.

WEDNESDAY - Family dinner out at Marble and Rye.

THURSDAY - Spaghetti.

FRIDAY - Steamed dumplings from Trader Joe's frozen aisle. Lazy lazy mom.

SATURDAY - I photograph a wedding (and eat there), Dan takes the kids to a block party.

SUNDAY - I take engagement photos, Dan makes pork chops and salad.

______________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Dinner out with a friend. Kids eat pierogies.

TUESDAY - Spinach orzo salad with added italian sausage (via Simple Recipes). This was really good.

WEDNESDAY - One pan faro with tomatoes (via Smitten Kitchen's blog).

THURSDAY - Williamsburg overnight trip with the 4th grade. Dinner at the Golden Coral (so much food, yet none of it tastes good).

FRIDAY - I photograph a wedding, Dan makes dinner (fish tacos). And then our friends host us for Cinquo De Mayo (yay margaritas!)

SATURDAY - Leftovers after Guardians of the Galaxy II (everyone ate too much popcorn and, thus, didn't want much for dinner).

SUNDAY - Friends for dinner(so good to see Jim and Val - in town for a week from Indonesia). Dan makes steak, salad, and green beans.
_______________________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Leftovers and homemade tabouli. As a kid tabouli was my favorite food, I practically lived on it, even through my twenties. Then we sort of took a break for awhile. But now T loves it too, so I've been making it more and more (though T still thinks Lebanese Taverna's version is better than mine).

TUESDAY - I have a photo shoot, Dan makes hot dogs with fries.

WEDNESDAY - Pesto pasta with a side of roasted asparagus.

THURSDAY - Red beans and rice (https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/monday-night-red-beans-rice) before the girls' spring concert. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but this was too spicy and the flavors didn't meld well. Oh well.

FRIDAY - Dinner at a friend's happy hour.

SATURDAY - Lalibela Ethiopian take out for Mother's Day (Yay!!!). This is our new favorite restaurant. I'm addicted.

SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes homemade pizza.
____________________________________

WEEK 7

MONDAY - Dinner out with a friend, Dan and the kids have leftover pizza.

TUESDAY - Taco Tuesday - simple ground beef tacos.

WEDNESDAY - Camping at Shenandoah River State Park - Dan grills pork chops with baked beans and apple sauce. So good!

THURSDAY - I have a client meeting, Dan grills chicken and burgers.

FRIDAY - Kale, tomato, and lemon magic one-pot spaghetti (via epicurious) w/apple matchstick salad (salad recipe via The Forest Feast). I loved this salad, but the kids hated the pecans (sadness). The spaghetti ended up soggy. (Basically, meal fail).

SATURDAY - Dinner at happy hour.

SUNDAY - Dan makes catfish, mashed potatoes, and peas.
___________________

WEEK 8

MONDAY - Nachos!! I had a nacho craving, so I made huge plates with cucumbers, tomatoes, and black beans, the kids called it my "best meal ever."

TUESDAY - Leftovers from Sunday and "clean out the freezer" for vacation (TJ's risotto, pizza rolls, bagel dogs, etc.).

WEDNESDAY - Family dinner at Busboys & Poets

THURSDAY - Plain pasta with red sauce.

FRIDAY - Dinner in Richmond at my in-law's house.

SATURDAY - Pizza in Nags Head, NC at our crazy crowded beach house.

SUNDAY - Jenny's shrimp boil at the beach house.

Things to Eat - 7 Week Meal Plan (mid-February through March)

We ate out a lot during the end of winter. Sometimes life is like that. And, really, it was nice to have a break from the kitchen.

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Vegetable tortilla stew (via Cravings). This has become a family staple - the kids all love it.

TUESDAY - Skirt steaks with chimichuri sauce and potatoes for Valentine's Day. Yum!

WEDNESDAY - Myer lemon pasta (from A Year Between Friends). Dan and I both found this amazing, but the kids hated the lemon flavor.

THURSDAY - Dinner at Cava with friends, Dan makes dinner for himself and the kids.

FRIDAY - Family dinner at Marble & Rye.

SATURDAY - Friends over - order pizza.

SUNDAY - Eat at the neighbor's BBQ.
_______________________________

WEEK 2

MONDAY - Family dinner at Guapo's.

TUESDAY - Chili in the crockpot.

WEDNESDAY - Spring fattoush salad (via It's All Easy) and baked potatoes. I love this salad.

THURSDAY - Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce (via The Sprouted Kitchen - Bowl and Spoon). This used to be one of my favorite recipes, but lately I can't get the meatballs right. I'm not sure what I keep doing wrong, but it's making me sad.

FRIDAY - Corn, bacon and parmesan pasta (via Smitten Kitchen's blog). This is so easy and so good.

SATURDAY - Dan cooks pork chops and potatoes.

SUNDAY - Carry out Ethiopian (yummy!)

__________________

WEEK 3

MONDAY - Chicken fingers and asparagus risotto (all from TJ's frozen aisle). Lazy but happy.

TUESDAY - Dan makes fish sticks and french fries.

WEDNESDAY - Order pizza.

THURSDAY - Girls' weekend in Charleston - dinner at Stars.

FRIDAY - Girls' weekend in Charleston - dinner at a restaurant I can't remember (but wow was it good).

SATURDAY - Girls' weekend in Charleston - Jon makes us steak tacos and margaritas. AMAZING!

SUNDAY - Dan cooks hot dogs and hamburgers.
___________________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Baja fish tacos (via Cooking Light online). This has been a family favorite for a long time, though we haven't had it in awhile (in case you haven't noticed, I don't cook a lot of fish). So glad it's back in the rotation. Not a single leftover.

TUESDAY - 3 day juice cleanse. The kids eat mac and cheese.

WEDNESDAY - 3 day juice cleanse. The kids eat pizza.

THURSDAY - 3 day juice cleanse. The kids eat pirogies.

FRIDAY - Dinner with a friend at Jaleo

SATURDAY - Dan makes fettucini alfredo.

SUNDAY - Zuni chicken (via It's All Easy). This might be the best chicken I've ever had. Amazing. Love this new recipe!

______________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Sausage and peppers with thyme in the crockpot. Easy.

TUESDAY - Snacks/dinner at our snow day happy hour.

WEDNESDAY - Order pizza.

THURSDAY - Dinner in NYC before Sunset Boulevard.

FRIDAY - Dinner in NYC before The Great Comet of 1812.

SATURDAY - Dinner at the wedding I'm photographing.

SUNDAY - Taylor Gourmet.

_____________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Pesto pasta with an easy kale salad.

TUESDAY - Sheet pan chicken tikka (via Smitten Kitchen, the blog).

WEDNESDAY - One pot farro with tomatoes (via Smitten Kitchen, the blog) with red salad (via The Forest Feast). The kids are all OBSESSED with this salad.

THURSDAY - Dinner out with friends.

FRIDAY - Kids are all at friends' houses, I eat appetizers at moms' wine night.

SATURDAY - Dinner at the wedding I'm photographing.

SUNDAY - Dan makes pasta with homemade sauce (yum!).

_______________

WEEK 7

MONDAY - Picnic under the cherry blossoms at Hains Point (Jimmy Johns).

TUESDAY - Quinoa carbonara (via Molly on the Range cookbook) with red salad (via The Forest Feast). The kids aren't quinoa fans (so sad), but they loved the bacon and egg combo of this recipe, though they all thought it would taste better with pasta (as I knew they would).

WEDNESDAY - Leftovers (I'm starting to make double recipes, so that we have leftovers).

THURSDAY - Cauliflower and corn tacos (via The Forest Feast). Family favorite. Everyone loves this recipe.

FRIDAY - Homemade pizza.

SATURDAY - Dan cooks fish and potatoes.

SUNDAY - Dan makes fried egg and bacon sandwiches (so yummy and so bad for me!).

Things to Eat - 6 Week Meal Plan (January/February 2017)

Whenever I post meal plans, I have several people say to me, "wow, you must really love to cook." To which I reply, "Um, NO!!!!!!!"

I enjoy cooking, but no, I don't love it.

But I do love eating. And I love trying new foods. And I'm anti-pizza lately (sort of like watching the Bachelor, I reached a point where I couldn't watch another episode/look at another pizza menu, both seemed too reminiscent of Groundhog day).

So I cook. We cook. Everyone cooks. And, on the upside, I do love family dinner. So there's that.
___________________

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Last meal salad (via The Sprouted Kitchen Bowl and Spoon) and hot dogs for the kids. This salad takes some work, but it's so so good.

TUESDAY - Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce (via The Sprouted Kitchen Bowl and Spoon). Making homemade meatballs takes some extra effort, but it is totally worth it. This is my "I feel like cooking" go-to meal.

WEDNESDAY - Sweet and sticky onion bake (recipe here).

THURSDAY - Lamb chops from TJ's (frozen section) and tomato/cucumber salad.

FRIDAY - Grilled cheese with bacon before F's basketball game.

SATURDAY - My family birthday dinner at Texas Jack's.

SUNDAY - Dan makes "a nice lasagna" (via Small Victories). Julia Turshen is amazing, I'll make whatever she creates.

________________
WEEK 2

MONDAY - I'm sick and Dan's out of town, F makes mac and cheese for all the kids (thank you honey!!).

TUESDAY - Burrito bowls (w/rice and black beans).

WEDNESDAY - Green salad (via The Forest Feast cookbook) and hot dogs. The kids are all in love with this salad, which is crazy good.

THURSDAY - One pan faro with tomatoes (via Smitten Kitchen, the blog) and brussels sprouts, apple, and pomegranate salad (via Smitten Kitchen, the blog). LOVED this dinner!!

FRIDAY - Dan make quesadillas.

SATURDAY - Dan makes Arroz con pollo (via Dinner a Love Story, the cookbook), while I photograph a 1 year old birthday party.

SUNDAY - Hamburgers and green salad (via The Forest Feast cookbook).
_____________________
WEEK 3

MONDAY - Leftovers.

TUESDAY - Polenta with tomato sauce & sausage.

WEDNESDAY - Green salad (via The Forest Feast cookbook) and hot dogs. Green salad continues to be a huge hit.

THURSDAY - Breakfast for dinner - pancakes (we love the recipe in Small Victories) and bacon.

FRIDAY - Frozen pizza.

SATURDAY - After march BBQ - hot dogs and hamburgers.

SUNDAY - Dan roasts chicken.

____________________
WEEK 4

MONDAY - Moroccan spinach and chickpeas (via Moosewood). This is one of my favorite recipes. Nobody else in the family really likes it much (how is that possible?), so I try to make it when Dan's out of town and there are enough leftovers from other meals to feed the kids.

TUESDAY - Sausage and bell peppers in the crock pot with peach berry cobbler for dessert ("Dessert, on a weekday? Really?" - sometimes I like to wow my kids). The cobbler recipe is CRAZY EASY (via How to Celebrate Everything), F makes it on her own all the time now (because I guess we need more dessert).

WEDNESDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe here). This is one of my favorite recipes ever. And the kids love it too.

THURSDAY - Homemade sub sandwiches.

FRIDAY - Dinner at our neighbor's happy hour.

SATURDAY - Dan makes pork chops.

SUNDAY - Leftovers.

_______________
WEEK 5

MONDAY - Orecchiette with sweet sausage bolognese (via How to Celebrate Everything). This is the perfect pasta recipe. Perfect.

TUESDAY - Chili in the crockpot.

WEDNESDAY - Baked potato bar (with left over chili) and brussels sprouts, apple, and pomegranate salad (via Smitten Kitchen, the blog).

THURSDAY - Leftovers.

FRIDAY - The kids all have dinner & sleepovers at friends' houses (yay!!), I make myself a salad for dinner.

SATURDAY - Lamb chops and asparagus risotto (all from TJs frozen aisle).

SUNDAY - Dan makes a huge tray of nachos for the super bowl.

___________
WEEK 6

MONDAY - Italian sausage stew with potatoes and cabbage (via Three Many Cooks, the blog). This is the best winter recipe, though we're not having much of a winter this year.

TUESDAY - Carnita bowls for Taco Tuesday (we made the carnitas in the crockpot).

WEDNESDAY - Dinner out with Shannon at Espita Mezcaleria (so so good!, I didn't want to leave). Dan makes dinner for himself and the kids.

THURSDAY - Nancy's chopped salad (via Smitten Kitchen, the blog), mac and cheese for the kids. Sometimes you want a really meaty salad. And when you do, this is the perfect recipe.

FRIDAY - Dan makes chicken and roasted potatoes.

SATURDAY - Leftovers.

SUNDAY - Dan makes homemade pizza and roasted cauliflower, feta, and orzo salad (salad recipe via Cravings, the cookbook). This was such a good dinner.

Things to Eat - Seven Week Meal Plan (mid-November through the end of December)

Something is very wrong with this photo. Oh well, the holidays are always a little crazy.

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Chipotle.

TUESDAY - Greek egg soup (via Epicurious), pierogies, and kale chips. I make this soup for lunch a lot, so I was hoping the whole family would like it, but no such luck. Oh well, it's still a personal fave.

WEDNESDAY - Dinner at a friend's house. Dan feeds himself and the kids.

THURSDAY - Dan makes steak and potatoes.

FRIDAY - Leftovers.

SATURDAY - Dan makes steamed dumplings and potatoes.

SUNDAY - Dan makes fish.
__________________

WEEK 2

MONDAY - Italian sausage stew with potatoes and cabbage (via Three Many Cooks). This is one of our favorite fall/winter meals. So good.

TUESDAY - Polenta pizzas and cauliflower/corn tacos (both recipes from The Forest Feast). I'm in love with these tacos.

WEDNESDAY - Chili with fritos (via Cravings). The kids were so excited to have fritos I was nervous they'd forget to eat any of the chili.

THURSDAY - Thanksgiving at our house, Dan makes an amazing feast.

FRIDAY - Dinner out with friends at Tupelo Honey.

SATURDAY - Leftovers

SUNDAY - Dan makes steak and black bean fajitas (and they were crazy good).
_____________

WEEK 3

MONDAY - Eggplant pasta sauce and spaghetti (via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook) & "Use A Spoon" chopped salad (via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook). The kids didn't love the eggplant, but they all (somewhat shockingly) loved the salad. I'll call that a win.

TUESDAY - Vegetarian tortilla soup (via Cravings). The kids (surprisingly) loved this. T even asked for multiple servings.

WEDNESDAY - Pancakes for dinner.

THURSDAY - Dan makes brisket in the slow cooker.

FRIDAY - Make your own pizza night.

SATURDAY - Dinner club with our neighbors.

SUNDAY - Homemade pizza at our neighbor's house (yum!!).
___________________________________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Sausages and peppers in the slow cooker (hot dogs for T).

TUESDAY - Vegetarian tacos two ways - black bean and cauliflower with corn (cauliflower tacos via The Forest Feast).

WEDNESDAY - Georgetown Glow and dinner at Farmers, Fishers, and Bakers.

THURSDAY - Frozen pizza before the girls' winter concert.

FRIDAY - Dinner at the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse during Second City's Holiday Review (the kids have mac and cheese at home).

SATURDAY - Sandwiches.

SUNDAY - Chicken with bacon and brussels sprouts (via Dinner A Love Story, the cookbook).
______________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Pasta with kale and white beans (via The Forest Feast).

TUESDAY - Nachos (yes, super lazy).

WEDNESDAY - Dinner at Magionos before Dave and Busters.

THURSDAY - Green salad (via The Forest Feast) and leftovers from last night. BEST SALAD EVER!

FRIDAY - Burrito bowls (black beans, slow cooker carnitas, cheese, tomatoes and homemade chiplote salsa (the salas is via It's All Good).

SATURDAY - Dinner at various neighborhood Christmas parties.

SUNDAY - Dan makes cod and roasted potatoes.
__________________________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Frozen pizza.

TUESDAY - Vegetarian tortilla soup (via Cravings).

WEDNESDAY - Dinner/apps at happy hour.

THURSDAY - Lost Dog carry out.

FRIDAY - Orecchiette with sweet sausage bolognese (via How to Celebrate Everything). We're all pretty much in love with this recipe.

SATURDAY - Dan makes Christmas Eve dinner for his family - cod cakes (via Jerusalem) and roasted potatoes.

SUNDAY - Christmas dinner with Dan's family.
_______________________

WEEK 7

MONDAY - Leftovers.

TUESDAY - Dan makes roasted potatoes and cod.

WEDNESDAY - Leftovers.

THURSDAY - Jaleo and hockey game for date night.

FRIDAY - Perogies and quinoa/tomato salad.

SATURDAY - NYE/the last day of Hanukkah at our neighbor's house - latkes and potato pancakes.

SUNDAY - Taylor Gourmet.

Things to Eat - 6 Week Meal Plan (October through mid-November)

Basically, I cooked almost nothing in the last two months and my husband is totally awesome. We'd be either starving or living on fast food if it wasn't for him. So thank you, Dan, I love you!!

(Sorry for all the cheesy family photos, I dragged our family to the National Mall and tried to get some good shots for Xmas cards. Plus, it feels great to finally have some group photos where we all look sort of respectable.)
________________

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Carnitas in the slow cooker, served with rice and sides (burrito bowl style).

TUESDAY - Dan makes dinner - fish and roasted potatoes.

WEDNSEDAY - Dinner at the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse while watching Goonies on the big screen!

THURSDAY - P has a birthday party and Dan has softball; so I take F and T to Silver Diner.

FRIDAY - Dan and the kids are in Richmond; I make myself an easy salad.

SATURDAY - I photograph a wedding, Dan feeds the family.

SUNDAY - CAMPING with friends at Prince William Forest Park (this place is incredible!); Dan makes hobo snacks for everyone.
________________

WEEK 2

MONDAY - Quesadillas.

TUESDAY - Orecchiette with sweet sausage bolognese (via How to Celebrate Everything). We're all pretty much in love with this recipe.

WEDNESDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes dinner.

THURSDAY - Black bean chilaquiles (recipe here). This is one of my favorite recipes ever.

FRIDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes fish sticks and french fries.

SATURDAY - I photograph a wedding, Dan and the kids go to dinner club.

SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes dinner.
_______________________

WEEK 3

MONDAY - Breakfast for dinner - sour cream pancakes with roasted blueberries. I felt randomly guilty that I've never made the kids pancakes (in my defense I've never made anyone pancakes), so I decided to cook breakfast for dinner using the recipe in Julia Turshen's Small Victories cookbook. And these were the best pancakes we've ever had. Phenomenal. Everyone was super happy.

TUESDAY - Mac and cheese for the kids while Dan and I eat out at Farmers Fishers Bakers and see The Curios Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at the Kennedy Center.

WEDNESDAY - Bread, sausage, and apple hash (via Small Victories). Another crazy good recipe from this cookbook.

THURSDAY - Silver Diner night (school fundraiser).

FRIDAY - Ground beef tacos.

SATURDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes dinner.

SUNDAY - I photograph a wedding, Dan makes dinner.
___________________________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Dan makes dinner - fish and potatoes.

TUESDAY - Dan makes dinner - pasta two ways (pesto and tomato/meat sauce).

WEDNESDAY - Dan makes dinner - fish and broccoli (can you tell that Dan really loves fish?).

THURSDAY - Sour cream pancakes for dinner (via Small Victories). Because late night breakfasts make everyone happy.

FRIDAY - I photograph a wedding, Dan makes dinner.

SATURDAY - Neighborhood dinner club.

SUNDAY - Taylor Gourmet carry-out.

_________________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Halloween - pizza at our neighbor's before trick or treating.

TUESDAY - Kale, sausage, and white bean stew (via Dinner: A Love Story, the cookbook).

WEDNESDAY - Trader Joe's Indian (chicken in simmer sauce and naan). I wish I could say this was good, but it was sort of blah. Oh well.

THURSDAY - Dan makes dinner - fish, corn, and mashed potatoes.

FRIDAY - I photograph a wedding, Dan makes dinner.

SATURDAY - Neighborhood dinner club.

SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes mushroom risotto and pork chops (so so good).

_____________________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Dan makes chicken quesadillas.

TUESDAY - I have a photoshoot, we order pizza, watch election results come in, and cry (okay, so the crying didn't start until way after dinner).

WEDNESDAY - Black bean burrito bowls with rice, avocado, tomato, and cheese.

THURSDAY - Dan makes dinner - spaghetti.

FRIDAY - Parker's birthday dinner at Fugo De Chao.

SATURDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes pizza.

SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes homemade clam chowder.

Things to Eat - Six Week Meal Plan (late August through September)

We didn't cook anything very exciting this end of summer. But on the upside, F's decided to make dinner every once in awhile, WHICH IS AMAZING!! And, now that I work at a preschool on Monday and Tuesdays, Dan has taken over some of the weeknight cooking. So life is really getting easier. I love when our family works as a team!

You would think that sometime during the last six weeks I would have remembered to take a photo of our family dinnertime. But no. So you're left with the above photo from F's birthday party at Boru Ramen, which is crazy delicious.

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Spring fatoosh salad (via It's All Easy) and pasta for the kids (after five weeks on the road, I'm craving fresh veggies like crazy).

TUESDAY - Moms' night out - dinner at Pallette and then Bad Moms!

WEDNESDAY - Dinner at Julia's house with the kids (THANK YOU!)

THURSDAY - Cauliflower tabouleh (via It's All Easy) and polenta with pasta sauce and chicken sausage.

FRIDAY - F makes dinner - Curly pasta (via The Forest Feast For Kids). We also had watermelon smoothies earlier in the day (yum).

SATURDAY - Leftovers and snacks at Twilight Polo.

SUNDAY - Chipotle.


WEEK 2

MONDAY - Maggie's pasta (recipe here). This is always a sure thing.

TUESDAY - Smoky tomato-baked chicken with baby potatoes (via Clean Eating). I made half of this recipe with the tomato sauce and half without (for the kids), everyone seemed to prefer the plain version.

WEDNESDAY - Leftovers before Cirque De Soleil's Kurios with the girls (Dan and T opted for the Nationals' game).

THURSDAY - F makes dinner - kale and black bean tacos and butternut squash quesadillas (via The Forest Feast For Kids). So so good!

FRIDAY - Lamb chops and roasted potatoes for Dan's birthday.

SATURDAY - CAMPING!! I become ambitious and make hobo snacks with italian sausage, bell peppers, and mini-potatoes. They were fantastic.

SUNDAY - Chipotle.


WEEK 3

MONDAY - The kids are at grandma and grandpa's house, so Dan makes a roasted chicken and potatoes for us (yum!!).

TUESDAY - The kids are at grandma and grandpa's house, so I make nachos. laziness.

WEDNESDAY - The kids are at grandma and grandpa's house, so date night at Bangkok 54.

THURSDAY - The kids are at grandma and grandpa's house, so dinner out with friends at Matchbox (so great to see Laurie and Alison!).

FRIDAY - Dinner at Kelly's happy hour.

SATURDAY - Dan make bbq chicken and hot dogs.

SUNDAY - Dinner at our neighbors' barbecue (so so good!)


WEEK 4

MONDAY (Labor Day) - Pizza at the pool to celebrate the end of summer.

TUESDAY - I take F to soccer practice and Dan makes dinner - polenta with sausage and tomato sauce; tomato and lentil salad (recipe here) - YUM!!

WEDNESDAY - F makes dinner - kale and black bean tacos and butternut squash quesadillas (via The Forest Feast For Kids).

THURSDAY - Steaks on the grill with chimichuri sauce. Smash and toss roasted potato salad as a side (salad via 101 cookbooks). This salad was amazing and easy, we'll be making it again.

FRIDAY - Tomato, corn, and chickpea salad (via Cup of Jo); edamame and leftover steak for the kids. This salad was fantastic, I need to make it more often.

SATURDAY - Dinner at the block party.

SUNDAY - Dinner at Blackwell Hitch in Annapolis after the Renaissance Festival.


WEEK 5

MONDAY - Dan makes dinner - grilled chicken, potatoes, and asparagus.

TUESDAY - Dan makes dinner - baked cod, rice, and asparagus.

WEDNESDAY - Spring fatoosh salad (via It's All Easy) and pasta for the kids.

THURSDAY - Maggie's pasta (recipe here).

FRIDAY - Crock pock chicken taco chili (via skinnytaste, blog). This was good, but not amazing. Not sure we'll have it agin.

SATURDAY - Burgers and hot dogs on the grill (to celebrate the end of summer).

SUNDAY - Leftovers.


WEEK 6

MONDAY - Orecchiette with sweet sausage bolognese (via How to Celebrate Everything). Wow, crazy yummy. And the kids were so excited to have pasta they started jumping up and down.

TUESDAY - Dan makes dinner - fish and potatoes (so so good!).

WEDNESDAY - Middle eastern chickpeas with spinach (via Moosewood Restaurant Low Fat Favorites). This is one of my favorite recipes ever, but still not a hit with the rest of the family. Oh well, I keep trying.

THURSDAY - Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and herbs (via How to Celebrate Everything). I thought this was really good, but the kids asked me not to make it again.

FRIDAY - Dan makes fish and potatoes. YUM!!!

SATURDAY - Boru Ramen on Columbia Pike for F's birthday party.

SUNDAY - Grilled swordfish with tomato coulis (via How to Celebrate Everything) and roasted brussels sprouts with bacon.

Things to Eat - Seven Week Meal Plan (late May/June/early July)

The last few weeks/months our meals have been embarrassingly lazy and I debated whether or not to post a meal plan. But (odd as it may sound) these food posts have become a diary of sorts, so i figured I'd share the good times and the really-you-ate-that-for-dinner? times. Because sometimes lazy meals mean a great life.

On the upside, we had a Chipotle picnic at Hains Point (photographed above), which I thought was the perfect way to bond as a family. But everyone else seems to prefer eating at home. Sadness. Oh well, we'll celebrate golden hour one way or another, just maybe not with food :)
__________________________

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Cilantro lime grilled chicken thighs (recipe via FoodieCrush, link via Not-So-SAHM). I'm mixed on this one, I love cilantro but the honey in the marinade made this a little too sweet for my taste.

TUESDAY - Dinner out with friends; hot dogs for the kids and Dan

WEDNESDAY - Dinner at the Edward Sharpe concert (carry out Taylor Gourmet); mac and cheese for the kids

THURSDAY - Quinoa tomato/cucumber/arugula salad (recipe here); pierogies for the kids.

FRIDAY - Dinner out in Charlottesville (sangria and tacos!) before the Josh Ritter concert. My in-laws feed the kids (THANK YOU!).

SATURDAY - Beach vacation with friends, all we are responsible for is breakfast on Sunday (yay for big groups of awesome!!)

SUNDAY - Beach vacation with friends, Jenny's shrimp boil.
________________________________

WEEK 2

MONDAY - Beach vacation with friends, Megan's tacos.

TUESDAY - Beach vacation with friends, leftovers.

WEDNESDAY - Dinner out in Nags Head (yum, fried green tomatoes).

THURSDAY - Chick-fil-a on the drive home.

FRIDAY - Quinoa tomato/cucumber/arugula salad (recipe here); mac and cheese for the kids.

SATURDAY - Jenny and Paras in town - flank steaks on the grill with chimichuri sauce (via It's All Good). Hot dogs for the kids. Watermelon salad (via vervlogen) without the feta.

SUNDAY - Sheet pan chicken tikka (via Smitten Kitchen). This has turned into a go-to recipe.
_________________________________

WEEK 3

MONDAY - Pasta with eggplant spaghetti sauce (via Food 52: Genius Recipes). I love this sauce, absolutely love. (Though the kids still like plain marinara).

TUESDAY - Dinner at the Lord Huron concert (carry out Taylor Gourmet), the kids have pasta at home.

WEDNESDAY - Bacon, avocado, almond butter sandwiches (via It's All Easy). The kids opt for grilled cheese.

THURSDAY - Dinner at Silver Diner for T's birthday.

FRIDAY - Dinner at the Awesome Workshop (Dan feeds the kids).

SATURDAY - Dinner at the Awesome Workshop (Dan feeds the kids).

SUNDAY - Leftovers from the Awesome Workshop.
___________________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Chipotle picnic at Hains Point

TUESDAY - Quinoa tomato/cucumber/arugula salad (recipe here); mac and cheese for the kids.

WEDNESDAY - Black bean nachos (yes, super lazy).

THURSDAY - Dan grills chicken (yum!)

FRIDAY - Make your own pizza night (using Trader Joe's premade dough). This worked perfect as the girls both has friends over and this is an easy way to feed (and entertain) a group of kids.

SATURDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan picks up carry out hogies for everyone.

SUNDAY - Fathers' Day dinner at William Jeffrey's.
____________________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - I have a photoshoot; Dan makes dinner for him and the kids.

TUESDAY - Friends over for dinner (belated Father's Day meal) - rosemary lamb chomps from Trader Joe's with sweet and sticky tomato onion bake (recipe here).

WEDNESDAY - The Cure concert at Merriweather Post, so I make Bon Appetit's broccoli quinoa salad with pistachios (via Bon Appetite) for a super early dinner; kids eat mac and cheese.

THURSDAY - I know this is super lazy, but just spaghetti because I am exhausted.

FRIDAY - Our annual summer solstice/last day of school block party; Dan makes venison gumbo.

SATURDAY - Dan's parents for dinner - Dan grills chicken, hot dogs and sausages. I make a simple salad.

SUNDAY - More bbq on the grill with roasted veggies too.
_________________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Paul Simon at Wolftrap; pizza for the kids; Taylor Gourmet take out for us.

TUESDAY - Carnitas in the slow cooker for tacos.

WEDNESDAY - Spinach/walnut/basil pesto with zucchini noodles (via It's All Easy).

THURSDAY - Dinner out with Shannon at Chaplins. Make your own pizza night for Dan and the kids.

FRIDAY - Flank steaks on the grill with chimichuri sauce (via It's All Good).

SATURDAY - BBQ at a friends' house.

SUNDAY - Dan smokes chicken and salmon. YUM!
__________________

WEEK 7

MONDAY - Dan makes grilled corn, leftover smoked fish/chicken, and blueberry cobbler for a very rainy 4th of July. Awesomeness!

TUESDAY - Huge salad, french fries, and more leftover smoked salmon and chicken.

WEDNESDAY - Bob Dylan at Wolftrap; Taylor Gourmet take out for us; mac and cheese for the kids.

THURSDAY - Dinner out with friends at Pepita Cantina. Spaghetti for the kids and Dan.

FRIDAY - I have to work (real estate photos), Dan makes the kids spaghetti (yes, two nights in a row, I think we're ready for vacation).

SATURDAY - Flank steaks on the grill with chimichuri sauce (via It's All Good). This appears to be our go-to recipe this summer.

SUNDAY - Leave for vacation, dinner on the road!

Things to Eat - 8 Week Meal Plan

Is anyone else finding it hard to cook this spring? First of all, you never know if it's going to be cold and raining or sunny and gorgeous. So one day we're craving chili and the next the kids are begging for freezer pops and I'm googling cold soups. So bizarre.

Plus, I must admit, I've been feeling a little lazy lately, now that there's a Chipotle around the corner, I want to go there all the time and ignore meal prep all together.

Oh well, here's a food diary of our lazy weeks . . .

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Bon Appetit's broccoli quinoa salad with pistachios (via Bon Appetit); kids eat mac and cheese. We made the salad without the buttermilk dressing and it still tasted great.

TUESDAY - Dan makes pork chops and applesauce.

WEDNESDAY - Steak on the grill with edamame as a side.

THURSDAY - Baked chicken breasts in Trader Joe's curry simmer sauce with rice as a side.

FRIDAY - Leftovers.

SATURDAY - Dinner out at Celtic House.

SUNDAY - Pasta with eggplant spaghetti sauce (via Food 52: Genius Recipes). I love this sauce, absolutely love.
_____________

WEEK 2 (Dan out of town)

MONDAY - Perogies for the kids; salad for me.

TUESDAY - Dinner out at Texas Jacks because I'm feeling lazy and bbque tastes good.

WEDNESDAY - Dinner out with Shannon; mac and cheese for the kids.

THURSDAY - Cauliflower black bean bowl with guacamole (via Goop); black bean tacos for the kids. I'm still in love with cauliflower rice.

FRIDAY - Visit Dan in Chicago; tapas for Crystal's birthday.

SATURDAY - Visit Dan in Chicago; venison burgers with Jenny & Jordan.

SUNDAY - Visit Dan in Chicago; deep dish pizza.
_________________

WEEK 3 (Dan out of town)

MONDAY - Chipotle (just got back in town).

TUESDAY - One skillet mediteranean chicken (via Paleo Newbie), link via Not-So-SAHM. Usually I love this recipe, but I made it in a hurry and the result was sort of blah.

WEDNESDAY - Lentil mustard tomato salad for me (recipe here); hot dogs for the kids.

THURSDAY - Vegetable Skillet Lasagna (via Dinner A Love Story:the blog). By far the least healthy of our go-to recipes, but sometimes my body craves large amounts of cheese.

FRIDAY - Oven roasted chicken shawarma (via NY Times). I love this recipe.

SATURDAY - BBQ at the neighbor's house.

SUNDAY - I made a yummy bee sting cake (via Smitten Kitchen) and was too lazy to make dinner. So we ate nachos. But the cake was truly amazing.
_________________

WEEK 4 (Dan out of town until Thursday)

MONDAY - Ethiopian dinner out.

TUESDAY - Zucchini zoodles with spinach pesto (via Gwyneth's new cookbook - It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook Hardcover) . This pesto was crazy good and, well, zoodles are zoodles.

WEDNESDAY - Eggplant and ground turkey stir-fry (via Gwyneth's new cookbook - It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook Hardcover). The kids were mixed, but I could almost live on this.

THURSDAY - Dan brings back deep dish pizza from Chicago.

FRIDAY - Friends for dinner - taco/burrito bowl bar with chicken and carnitas.

SATURDAY - Leftovers.

SUNDAY - Leftovers (there were a lot this week).
_________________________

WEEK 5 (Dan out of town)

MONDAY - Chipotle fundraiser for school.

TUESDAY - Polenta with tomato sauce and cauliflower tabbouleh (via Gwyneth's new cookbook - It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook Hardcover). As you'll probably notice, this is my new go-to weeknight dinner. It's super easy (I buy the polenta already cooked from Trader Joe's).

WEDNESDAY - Alison for dinner - Sheet pan chicken tikka (via Smitten Kitchen, blog). Okay, so I love this new recipe. Love.

THURSDAY - Mac and cheese for the kids; tomato/lentil/mustard salad for me (recipe here).

FRIDAY - Dinner out at William Jeffrey's.

SATURDAY - Dinner club with friends.

SUNDAY - Baked potato "bar"- bacon, yogurt, cheddar cheese, refried beans, tomatoes.
_________________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Flank steak with chimichuri sauce and cauliflower tabbouleh (via Gwyneth's new cookbook - It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook Hardcover).

TUESDAY - Cauliflower black bean bowl with guacamole (via Goop); black bean tacos for the kids.

WEDNESDAY - Spring fattoush salad (via Gwyneth's new cookbook - It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook Hardcover); perogies for the kids (with edamame).

THURSDAY - Williamsburg overnight field trip with F's 4th grade class (dinner at the Golden Coral).

FRIDAY - Neighbor's happy hour.

SATURDAY - Dan and the kids go to a friend's house for dinner; I'm not feeling well, so I eat some leftovers out of the fridge.

SUNDAY - Mother's Day, Dan makes broccoli, sausage, pasta for his parents and us. Yum!!!
_______________________________

WEEK 7

MONDAY - Kale and white bean stew (via Dinner: A Love Story: It all begins at the family table). The perfect easy recipe for cold, rainy days.

TUESDAY - Sheet pan chicken tikka (via Smitten Kitchen, blog).

WEDNESDAY - Polenta with tomato sauce and cauliflower tabbouleh (via Gwyneth's new cookbook - It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook). This is my new dinner staple. Easy and good.

THURSDAY - Leftovers.

FRIDAY - Clean out the freezer - lots of frozen Indian dinners from Trader Joes.

SATURDAY - Mac and cheese for the kids; an easy salad for Dan and me.

SUNDAY - Dan make hamburgers on the grill with french fries as a side.
____________________________

WEEK 8

MONDAY - Avocado, bacon, almond butter sandwiches (via Gwyneth's new cookbook - It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook). I know this sandwich sounds gross, but wow, it's a tasty combo. And super easy.

TUESDAY - Gwyneth's sweet potato, black bean, turkey chili, perfect after a cold rainy zoo field trip (via Gwyneth's old cookbook - IT'S ALL GOOD: Delicious, Easy Recipes That Will Make You Look Good and Feel Great). Even though it's spring, the rain makes it feel like autumn, so we went with comfort food.

WEDNESDAY - Nachos with black beans (i.e. super lazy mom).

THURSDAY - Burrito bowls.

FRIDAY - Spring fattoush salad (via Gwyneth's new cookbook - It's All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook); mac and cheese for the kids.

SATURDAY - Dinner club.

SUNDAY - I'm photographing a wedding, so Dan takes care of dinner.

Things to Eat - 6 Week Meal Plan

We had a lazy few weeks - dinners out, illness, lazy nights. But we still managed to try some great new recipes.

SWEET AND STICKY TOMATO AND ONION BAKE

Ingredients:
* 1 pound baby onions
* 2 pounds large cherry tomatoes
* 2 pounds new potatoes
* olive oil
* 1 can cannellini beans
* A small bunch of basil

1. Preheat oven to 415 degrees.
2. Put the onions in a bowl and cover them with boiling water. Use a slotted spoon to fish them out and peel back the skins. Cut the largest onions in half.
3. Spread the onions on a roasting pan with the tomatoes and halved potatoes. Season with salt/pepper. And olive oil
4. Roast for 1 hour, mixing every 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the tray from the oven and add the drained beans and basil, then roast for another 15 minutes.

- slightly adopted from A Modern Way to Eat
_______________________________

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Leftover chili from Sunday night.

TUESDAY - Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce (we substituted venison for the turkey) (via Sprouted Kitchen Bowl and Spoon)

WEDNESDAY - Zucchini rice gratin (via Food 52: Genius Recipes).

THURSDAY - Taco Torte (via Smitten Kitchen, the blog) with kale chips.

FRIDAY - Bibimbap bowls (Clean Eating). This has become a go-to weekday recipe, easy and the kids love it.

SATURDAY - Valentine's dinner at Texas Jack's (as a family).

SUNDAY - Salad for me; pizza at the neighbors' playdate for the kids.
___________________________________

WEEK 2 (Dan out of town)

MONDAY - Frozen pizza for the kids. Herbed green quinoa for me.

TUESDAY- Chicken breasts marinated in Trader Joe's Island Soyaki sauce and rice with kale chips on the side.

WEDNESDAY - Mac and cheese for the kids; leftover herbed green quinoa for me.

THURSDAY - Eggplant pasta sauce (via Food 52: Genius Recipes)/normal sauce for the kids).

FRIDAY - Hot dogs (T REALLY wanted hot dogs) and salad.

SATURDAY - Dinner club with friends.

SUNDAY - Chipotle.
_________________

WEEK 3

MONDAY - Dinner out with friends. Perogies for Dan and the kids.

TUESDAY - Dinner out with Dan. The kids have mac and cheese.

WEDNESDAY - Sweet and sticky tomato and onion bake (recipe above).

THURSDAY - Dan out of town - salad for me, pizza for the kids.

FRIDAY - Venison tacos.

SATURDAY - Dinner club, we host (older kids) - venison kabobs, zucchini rice gratin (via Food 52: Genius Recipes), sweet and sticky tomato onion bake (via A Modern Way to Eat, and icebox cake (via the Kitchn).

SUNDAY - I have the flu. I have no idea what everyone ate for dinner.
_______________________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Dan out of town, Parker and I have the flu, F makes mac and cheese and peas for her and T (godsend).

TUESDAY - Ledos pizza.

WEDNESDAY - Spaghetti (still feeling super lazy).

THURSDAY - Oven roasted chicken shawarma (via Wall Street Journal). This was awesome! Total keeper!

FRIDAY - Salad for me; hot dogs for T (girls at sleepover).

SATURDAY - The master hash (via Cooking Light). I love this recipe, it takes awhile to make but tastes fantastic.

SUNDAY - Chipotle.
___________________________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Sweet potato and farro salad (via Cookie & Kate) and hot dogs for the kids. I realized you have to mix this REALLY well to blend the flavors, but once they blend, it tastes wonderful.

TUESDAY - One skillet mediteranean chicken (via Paleo Newbie), link via Not-So-SAHM. This was so so good.

WEDNESDAY - Cauliflower black bean bowl with guacamole (via Goop); black bean tacos for the kids. That bowl was crazy good, I'll be eating cauliflower rice more often now.

THURSDAY - Free pizza at school book exchange.

FRIDAY - Ledos pizza for happy hour (friends over).

SATURDAY - Portuguese sausage soup (via Epicurious). Yum! and easy! total winner.

SUNDAY - Dinner at our friends' house.

_______________________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - Sausage, cannellini bean, tomato ragout (via Cooking Light).

TUESDAY - Burrito bowls (via Dinner A Love Story, the blog). We eat these a lot because they're so easy.

WEDNESDAY - Pre-Saint Patrick's dinner of corned beef from Trader Joe's & cabbage with potatoes (via Epicurious). YUM!! Isn't St. Patty's day awesome? And, apparently, if you add a ton of butter to cabbage it tastes like dessert (well, almost).

THURSDAY - Early happy hour dinner at P Brennan's Irish Pub for St. Patrick's Day.

FRIDAY - Chicken with bacon and brusells sprouts (via Dinner A Love Story, the cookbook).

SATURDAY - Eggplant stacks (via me).

SUNDAY - Taylor Gourmet.

Things to Eat - 9 Week Meal Plan (Dec/Jan 2016)

Lots of venison over the last two months (we have over 60 pounds in our deep freezer, yay!) which we've found makes a great substitute for beef. Also lots of dinners out and at friends' houses (tis the season). Oh well, it is what it is, still, we discovered some great new recipes.

LAURA'S HERBED GREEN QUINOA

INGREDIENTS:
* 2 lemons
* 1.5 cups of quinoa (uncooked)
* bouillon or vegetable stock cube
* approximately 9 ounces of broccoli
* a handful of frozen peas
* olive oil
* 1 leek, washed, trimmed and sliced
* a small bunch of basil
* a small bunch of mint
* 3 big handfuls of spinach
* 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
(Optional - avocado slices)

1. Cut one of the lemons in half and place in a pan with the quinoa.
2. Cover with 2.5 cups water and add the bouillon cube, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until most of the water has absorbed.
3. Just before the quinoa has fully absorbed all the water, lay the broccoli and peas directly on top of the quinoa, put a lid on, and allow to steam for a couple of minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a frying pan over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil and cook the leek for 10 minutes or so, until soft and sweet.
5. Drain the quinoa, remove the lemon halves, and use tongs to squeeze the lemon juice onto the quinoa.
6. Put the quinoa, broccoli, and peas into a bowl with the chopped herbs, shredded spinach, seeds, and a cooked leek.
7. Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil and squeeze the remaining lemon over the salad.

- adapted very slightly from A Modern Way to Eat: 200+ Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing)
______________________

WEEK 1

MONDAY - Dan makes venison steaks with baked red potatoes. YUM!!!

TUESDAY - Dinner at Farmers Fishers Bakers before Bright Star at the Kennedy Center (loved that play!!); Dan makes venison quesadillas for the kids and him.

WEDNESDAY - Laura's herbed green quinoa (via A Modern Way to Eat: 200+ Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing)); mac and cheese for the kids. Loved this quinoa salad, I'll be making it a lot in the next few months.

THURSDAY - Warm salad of roasted kale, coconut, and tomatoes (via A Modern Way to Eat: 200+ Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing)) ; tortellini for the kids. The salad was good, but not amazing.

FRIDAY - Dinner with friends at Marble & Rye before the Second City show at Arlington Drafthouse.

SATURDAY - Dinner at the neighbors' Christmas party.

SUNDAY - The neighbors' have us over for Christmas party leftovers.
_______________________

WEEK 2

MONDAY - Baja style cod tacos (via Dos Caminos Tacos: 100 Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Mexican Street Food). I find cod really tricky to cook, so after this I'm returning to tilipia, but the sauces were really good. I just didn't get the fish right.

TUESDAY - Sweet and sticky tomato and onion bake (via A Modern Way to Eat: 200+ Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing)). We all loved this. As in loved. So we made it multiple times in December.

WEDNESDAY - Gwyneth's turkey chili (with venison instead of turkey) (via IT'S ALL GOOD: Delicious, Easy Recipes That Will Make You Look Good and Feel Great). This is one of our favorite cold weather recipes. There's never any leftovers.

THURSDAY - Lemon spaghetti with turkey sausage and spinach (substitute spaghetti squash for pasta, idea via Not-So-SAHM) (via Clean Eating. I like spaghetti squash but I didn't love it with this recipe, every bite I kept thinking "but where is the pasta? I want the pasta."

FRIDAY - Kitchari (via A Modern Way to Eat: 200+ Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing)). So this was a shot in the dark, I assumed everyone would hate it (rice and lentils with spices), but the kids loved it and so did Dan, plus it was relatively easy to put together. I think this is a keeper.

SATURDAY - Dan's parents for dinner - Venison steaks with chimichuri sauce; sweet and sticky tomato and onion bake via A Modern Way to Eat: 200+ Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing)) (this is our new go-to-recipe, if you can't tell).

SUNDAY - NYC - Pizza dinner at our friends' house in Queens (thanks for having us!!).
__________________________

WEEK 3

MONDAY - NYC - Solstice dinner at the Forager's Table NYC (so. so. good).

TUESDAY - NYC - Street vendor food before seeing Something Rotten on Broadway.

WEDNESDAY - Baja Fresh at a highway rest stop on the drive home from NYC (the VERY RAINY drive home).

THURSDAY - Christmas Eve dinner with Dan's family at our house - Venison roast; last meal salad (via via The Sprouted Kitchen Bowl and Spoon: Simple and Inspired Whole Foods Recipes to Savor and Share) ; brussels sprouts with bacon and apples (via Martha Stewart).

FRIDAY - Christmas dinner at our house with friends and my mom - Lamb roast; sweet and sticky tomato and onion bake via A Modern Way to Eat: 200+ Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing)); mashed potatoes.

SATURDAY - Leftovers (so. many. leftovers).

SUNDAY - We still have more leftovers. Wow.
_____________________________

WEEK 4

MONDAY - Dinner out at Texas Jack's BBQ (have you been here? It's awesome!)

TUESDAY - Frozen pizza and peas.

WEDNESDAY - Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup (via Pioneer Woman). This was shockingly good. A keeper.

THURSDAY - Progressive party for NYE

FRIDAY - Taylor Gourmet carryout

SATURDAY - Friends for dinner - Gwyneth's turkey chili (with venison instead of turkey) and roasted cauliflower (both recipes via IT'S ALL GOOD: Delicious, Easy Recipes That Will Make You Look Good and Feel Great).

SUNDAY - Dan roasts a chicken with mashed potatoes.
_________________________________

WEEK 5

MONDAY - Cauliflower soup (via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook) with mashed potatoes on the side. This soup was crazy easy (just a little olive oil, lemons, and cauliflower) and it tasted crazy good.

TUESDAY - Spiced braised lentils and tomatoes with toasted coconut (via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook). Good but not amazing.

WEDNESDAY - Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce (we substituted venison for the turkey) (via The Sprouted Kitchen Bowl and Spoon: Simple and Inspired Whole Foods Recipes to Savor and Share). I had no idea meatballs could be this good. Even T loved them. Totally worth the extra work and effort.

THURSDAY - Cleansing ginger-chicken soup (via Canal House Cooks Every Day) and "Use a Spoon" chopped salad (via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook). The soup was simple, yet good. The salad was a total keeper - easy and healthy.

FRIDAY - Leftovers.

SATURDAY- Dan makes beef brisket ((via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook) and mashed potatoes. Super yummy. We're totally in love with this cookbook lately.

SUNDAY - Leftovers.
______________________________

WEEK 6

MONDAY - 3 day juice/soup cleanse (Dan makes dinner for the himself and the kids)

TUESDAY - 3 day juice/soup cleanse (Dan makes dinner for the himself and the kids)

WEDNESDAY - 3 day juice/soup cleanse (Dan makes dinner for the himself and the kids)

THURSDAY - MY BIRTHDAY DINNER - Rose's Luxury (so. so. good.)

FRIDAY - Friends in from out of town - dinner at Marble and Rye.

SATURDAY - Friends in from out of town - takeout from Bangkok 54 before my birthday party.

SUNDAY - Friends in from out of town - Ledo's pizza while we watch the football game.
___________________________________

WEEK 7

MONDAY - Taylor Gourmet take out (total laziness)

TUESDAY - Chicken Tinga Tacos (via Cooking Light). These were fine, nothing special.

WEDNESDAY - Kale sausage and white bean stew (via Dinner: A Love Story: It all begins at the family table). We've had this multiple times, the kids (somewhat shockingly) really love it, plus it's easy.

THURSDAY - Eggplant pasta sauce and spaghetti (via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook) & "Use A Spoon" chopped salad (via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook) . Dan hates eggplant, but I decided to try this anyways. And guess what, he loved it! Everyone loved it! Plus, this salad has become a go-to, super easy and super low in calories. A total win.

FRIDAY - Blizzard happy hour at our neighbor's house.

SATURDAY - Dan roasts a chicken with potatoes during the blizzard. YUMMY!

SUNDAY - Spaghetti with meatballs at a neighbor's happy hour.
_______________________________

WEEK 8

MONDAY - Dinner out at P Brennan's. It felt so nice to escape the house!!

TUESDAY - The master hash (via Cooking Light); I always forget how wonderful this recipe is until I make it again. Not a bite left over.

WEDNESDAY - Eggplant pasta sauce (via Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook) and spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread (we still don't have our car shoveled out, so we're walking to the grocery store to buy the ingredients for easy dinners).

THURSDAY - Perogies for the kids; a chickpea/cilantro/cucumber/avocado for me.

FRIDAY - Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup (via Pioneer Woman). A repeat from a few weeks ago. The soup is yummy and uses all the ingredients I have in my pantry/refrigerator.

SATURDAY - Dinner at our friends' house.

SUNDAY - Dan makes venison and potatoes. Yum!
_____________________________

WEEK 9

MONDAY - Veggie night - brussels sprouts with apples; cauliflower with chickpeas (via IT'S ALL GOOD: Delicious, Easy Recipes That Will Make You Look Good and Feel Great) ; and tomato/lentil salad. Veggie night is always a winner!

TUESDAY - Black bean tacos (via Dinner: A Love Story: It all begins at the family table). We eat these a lot (because they're easy and tasty).

WEDNESDAY - Italian sausage with cabbage and potatoes (via Three Many Cooks). I almost forgot about this recipe, so easy and the kids love it. I need to do this more often.

THURSDAY - Arroz con Pollo (via Dinner: A Love Story: It all begins at the family table. Yum.

FRIDAY - Hot dogs and polish sausage with Trader Joe's pickle sauerkraut. T's been asking for hot dogs forever, so I finally gave in.

SATURDAY - Leftovers.

SUNDAY - Dan makes a huge pot of venison chili for a small Superbowl gathering at our house.