WHAT WE ATE THIS WEEK #15

Monday holidays always throw off my entire week. I don’t know. It just does. It was a really fun filled week, lots of snow showers, though it’s a bit too warm to accumulate into actual snow. We had lots of hot chocolate, and great adventures. I’m giving this week a B- for meal planning.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 24 – DECEMBER 30

GROCERY SHOPPING = $140.13

$120.30 at Trader Joe’s for the Big *Tuesday* Shop, $19.83 for mid-week shop at Target

DINING OUT = $53

Pizza take-out on a night where I absolutely could not summon the energy to cook. Two large pies cost us $53 with a tip…

SUNDAY LUNCH

Today and tomorrow, our Jewish community is hosting a Family Learning Series to give us something to do / learn on Christmas. I chose to attend the following seminars: My best friend Satan (fabulous), Anger, and Jealousy. All were FANTASTIC.

Lunch is included in the all day learning. Today was deli sandwiches, chips, salad, etc.

SUNDAY DINNER

Since it was Christmas Eve, I wanted to make something hearty and delicious. I went with my 723 Lamb Stew that I genuinely love so much, it’s sweet and spicy, warm and just so good. I paired it up with rice, greek yogurt, and little mini naan breads. The kids hated it. My daughter was a good sport about it, but it was obvious she wasn’t happy about it.

MONDAY LUNCH

Day #2 of our Family Learning. I stuck with the Self-Development track and attended the 3 rules of relationships and parenting. Very good. Today was catered Chinese food, it was alright. It’s hard to do Kosher Chinese.

MONDAY DINNER

I was orginially going to make a Shepards Pie, but I forgot to purchase potatoes, and forgot grocery stores would be closed. So went with leftover Lamb Stew for the adults, and last weeks leftover Thai chicken for the kids.

TUESDAY LUNCH

For Winter Break Day #234 I had planned to go to the aquarium, however the baby had a fever, and it was best to keep him home to rest. While he did that, I went grocery shopping, vacuumed, did laundry, etc. and played robot-astronauts with the big kids in the basement. I made them a snack plate to tide them over until their sandwiches at lunch. I had two huge Winter Salads in between all the little household things.

TUESDAY DINNER

I finally got around to trying a miso chicken dish from NYT that I’ve had earmarked for months. It was OK. I’d try it again, because I really want to make it work!

WEDNESDAY LUNCH

Another morning we chose to stay home, let the baby rest (he’s super cranky), and with a bounce house in our basement, is there a need to drive 15 minutes to play somewhere else for $35? Another snack plate, another round of sandwiches.

WEDNESDAY DINNER

Salmon night! I paired it up with Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend; Israeli couscous, lentils, quinoa. I added a strawberry-cucumber-balsamic-feta relish on top of the salmon, very good.

THURSDAY LUNCH

We joined friends at an indoor trampoline park. I packed the kids their lunchboxes, but still found myself making them a second sandwich when we returned home. So much bouncing! My husband and I polished off the leftovers from this week.

THURSDAY DINNER

I had to take the baby to the pediatrician, and yes, his ear infection is back. I was so exhausted after his appointment (we had to wait 75 minutes past our appointment time….) I lost all energy to cook what I had planned. We ordered two large pizzas from our neighborhood pizza restaurant. So delicious, but so expensive. $53 with tip.

FRIDAY LUNCH

Winter Break, Day #792. We went to another indoor play place, insanely crowded, but we managed OK. The kids had their lunchboxes, and I had leftover pizza when we got home.

SHABBAT DINNER

I finally got around to making the Shepherds Pie, and was surprised how much of the casserole was eaten. Each of my kids had three servings!

SHABBAT LUNCH

We had a really big breakfast of scrambled eggs and French toast, so we had a late light lunch. Everyone had something different, and it all worked out fine.

SATURDAY DINNER

I wanted to go with a classic, my favorite Pasta Bolognese. It’s easy for me to make, and I know the kids love it.

All in all it’s was a decent meal planning week. Only relied on takeout once!