Weekly Yums | 22-28 April 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by us!
Taco Bake (with substituted ingredients) with Fiesta Bean Salad, and Strawberry Blueberry Crisp for dessert

Wednesday
Mixed Baby Greens with Strawberries, Gorgonzola, and Poppy Seed Dressing & Baked Potato

Thursday
Longhorn Steakhouse (with giftcard)

Friday
Grilled Shrimp Avocado Fennel and Orange Salad

Saturday
Dinner with K & J! at Pawley's Front Porch

Sunday
S & R over for Dinner
Alice Springs Chicken, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Pineapple, with Strawberry/Gorgonzola Salad in Poppy Seed Dressing; dessert: Strawberry Crisp

No bi-weekly menu this time, folks! We have been out of town for the past nine days, and today was busy-busy recuperating from our lovely vacation. (Why won't bills pay themselves, lawns mow themselves, or errands run themselves when you are out of town?) We spent the evening doing about three hours of yard work before running off to our Moe's Monday. I am so excited by the changing season -- the time of year where fresh fruits and veggies abound and the day stays later so spring picnic dinners can be enjoyed. (: Catch ya on the flip side.

(Bi)Weekly Yums | 1-14 April 2013

1-7 April 2013
Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by J. & D.!
Surprise Italian Dinner (:

Wednesday
Shredded BBQ Chicken Wraps with Salad

Thursday
Pumpkin Mac & Cheese with Salad

Friday
Homemade Margherita Pizza, Pumpkin Pesto Rolls, and Fruit, with Peanut Butter Pie for dessert!

Saturday
TBD, Dinner out w/ Friends

Sunday
Breakfast for Dinner - hashbrowns, eggs, biscuits, fruit

8-14 April 2013
Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by K. & J.!

Wednesday
Ravioli with Squash filling in a Sage-Butter Sauce

Thursday
5-Cheese Ravioli and 3-Cheese Tortellini Mix with Texas Toast

Friday
Sandwiches and Fruit (on the go!)

Saturday
TBD - San Diego

Sunday
TBD - San Diego

(Bi)Weekly Yums | 11-24 March 2013

11-17 March 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by us!
Pulled Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Pinapple Salsa, Guacamole & Chips, Fresh Fruit; dessert Chocolate Pudding Sundaes

Wednesday
Vegetable Hashbrown Casserole with Fruit

Thursday
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Garlic Bread

Friday
Dinner with J. & L.
Potato Leek Soup, Cornbread; dessert: Chocolate Pudding Sundaes

Saturday
Dinner out, TBD

Sunday
Breakfast for Dinner

18-24 March 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, Fun Night!
The Pizza Joint

Wednesday
Chicken Cordon Bleu

Thursday
Leave for FL -- TBD

Friday
D. & D.'s Rehearsal Dinner!
Tijuana Flats

Saturday
D. & D.'s Wedding!

Sunday
TBD

(Bi)Weekly Yums | 25 February - 10 March 2013

25 February - 3 March 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by us!
bring your own bagged dinner (we had Chinese); dessert: Peanut Butter Pie

Wednesday
Chicken Kiev, Jasmine Rice, Strawberries

Thursday
Dinner @ A. & J.'s!
seven-layer dip (us); Chicken Parmesan Bruschetta with grained rice, green beans (with toasted almonds), grapes, and cheesy French baguette (hosts); homemade icecream cookie sandwiches (D. & J.); sweet tea (K.)

Friday
Loaded Baked Potato

Saturday
Tilapia Tacos w/ Peach Relish, Strawberries, Broccoli, and Orzo
appetizer by M. & M., dessert by S. & R.

Sunday
Leftovers

4-10 March 2013 Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by D. & J.!

Wednesday
White Bean Enchiladas with Avocado sauce

Thursday
Hunter-Gatherer Jazz Night with M. & M. and L. & P.

Friday
Crispy Pesto Gnocchi w/ Goat Cheese & Roasted Tomatoes with S. & R.

Saturday
Date Night @ Red Robin

Sunday
Leftover Burritos

(Bi)Weekly Yums | 11-24 February 2013

11-17 February 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group at Buffalo Wild Wings

Wednesday
Teriyaki Glazed Salmon and Grilled Yellow Squash

Thursday
Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes and Garlic Bread

Friday
TBD

Saturday
Good Life Cafe

Sunday
Breakfast for Dinner

18-24 February 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group at J. & K.'s!

Wednesday
J: Kashi Frozen Pizza (leftovers for lunch)
A: Florida

Thursday
J: Barber Stuffed Chicken Breasts
A: Florida

Friday
J: Dinner with friend
A: Florida

Saturday
J: Kashi Pizza (from lunch leftovrs)
A: Florida

Sunday
J: Loaded Baked Potato and Fruit
A: Florida

(Bi)Weekly Yums | 28 January - 10 February 2013

28 January - 3 February 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by us
Spinach-Cheese Bake, Potato Wedges, Fruit; dessert: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie

Wednesday
White Bean Enchiladas (a la this)

Thursday
Tomato-Zucchini Goat Cheese Pizza

Friday
Taco Night with friends G. & M. and A. & E.

Saturday
Caramelized Onion-Feta-BBQ Pizza

Sunday
Superbowl Party with Sunday School Group

4-10 February 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by J. & D.!

Wednesday
The Pizza Joint

Thursday
Loaded Baked Potatoes & Salad

Friday
Dinner with L. & J.

Saturday
Good Life Cafe

Sunday
Breakfast for Dinner

(Bi)Weekly Yums | 14-27 January 2013

14-20 January 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday
J. in FL; A. fend for yourself

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by E.!

Wednesday
Boca Burgers, Grilled Zucchini, Fruit
J. in FL; A. fend for yourself

Thursday
Tilapia, Rice, Steamed Broccoli
J. in FL; A. fend for yourself

Friday
J. - Dinner out with a friend
A. - in Savannah

Saturday
J. - Tortellini
A. - in Savannah

Sunday
Breakfast for Dinner: Eggs, Jalapeno-Cheddar Biscuits, Fruit Smoothie

21-27 January 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by K. & J.!

Wednesday
Morton's Baked Chicken Kiev, Quinoa, Salad

Thursday
Tuna Steak, Steamed Carrots, Baked Potato

Friday
Dinner in Wilmington

Saturday
Dinner in Wilmington

Sunday
Breakfast for Dinner: Whole-Wheat Banana Pancakes, Eggs, Fruit Smoothie

I realize posting our weekly meal plan isn't the most exciting piece of business (and it doesn't really count as a true blog post, either), but I have gotten into this terrific habit of posting meals, which has made me a better meal planner. We had attempted to meal plan the whole time we've been married, but more often than not, the white board on our fridge would become neglected in the midst of our busy lives. Posting meal plans in this outlet has motivated me to do it consistently -- and I think I've done pretty well. Perhaps some of you even enjoy reading our meal plans for the week (I doubt it). (: One of our friends recently switched to monthly meal plans. That seems a little too ambitious for me, especially since BOGO deals at Publix seem to dictate a lot of our planned meals. However, I think planning for two weeks in advance is reasonable, and it seems to be in line with our 2013 Food Budget.

So, a happy compromise for both our pockets and our (very few) readers? Introducing Biweekly Weekly Yums post. Wish us luck!

Weekly Yums | 7 - 13 January 2013

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Cheese & Potato Perogies with Herbed Quinoa

Wednesday
Barber's Stuffed Chicken Breasts (Cordon Bleu), White Rice and Peas

Thursday
Tuesday Night Group (on Thursday), hosted by J. & J.

Friday
Dinner @ M. & M.'s
we are bringing Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie for dessert

Saturday
Pasta & Leftover Cheese Tortellini with Garlic Bread

Sunday
Breakfast for Dinner - Eggs, Hashbrowns, Fruit Smoothie

The Mahi & chicken are on sale at the grocer this week, so we'll be trying them out. (Mahi was sold out, so I purchased two Barber's stuffed chicken breasts and Perogies instead.) We are still trying to do some freezer cleaning, thus the leftover tortellini and the breakfast for dinner. This plan should be in accordance with our new food budget of $60/week for groceries! I'm going to look more into preparing meals ahead and freezing to maybe save money. We have limited freezer space, though, so this may be a challenge. Does anyone have experience in doing this?

Weekly Yums | 31 December 2012 - 6 January 2013

Monday
Butternut Squash Ravioli; appetizers at J. & T.'s for NYE

Tuesday
Shredded BBQ Chicken Wraps and Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday
A.'s Birthday Dinner at Arizona's

Thursday
Loaded Nachos (cheese and leftover BBQ chicken)

Friday
Surprise Birthday Dinner for J. at Red Robin

Saturday
Publix Subs

Sunday
Roasted Parmesan Potatoes, Salad, Fruit Smoothie

Getting back into the swing of things... This week was busy with New Year celebrations, birthday celebrations, and eating random things from our fridge. We just completed our food budget for 2013, so the next few weeks should be less eating out and more planning. Stay tuned!

Weekly Yums | 10-16 December 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by D. & J.
loaded nacho bar, brownies for dessert

Wednesday
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wraps and Mashed Potatoes

Thursday
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House (jazz night!)

Friday
Quesadillas with Bean & Corn Salad

Saturday
Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce and Salad

Sunday
Bird's Eye Garlic Chicken Meal and Salad

Next week we're heading to FL for a bit so I'm trying to utilize some of the food from our fridge & pantry in hopes to cut down on waste. In addition to these items, I'll be finally baking that pear/pumpkin bread I promised a few weeks ago, and also whip up some whole wheat chocolate chip banana peanut butter muffins (mouthful!) for our guests that are arriving late Saturday night. I may or may not make some peppermint bark this year (time is flying by!). Are you clearing out your pantry - or other closets - to prep for 2013?

Weekly Yums | 3-9 December 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Potluck Christmas Dinner with our Tuesday Night Group
taquitos, mac & cheese, croissants, buffalo chicken dip, apples with dipping caramel, weenies in bbq sauce, cheese cake

Wednesday
Stouffer's Chicken Bake Casserole

Thursday
Pasta

Friday
A.'s Christmas Work Party
an assortment of appetizers & desserts

Saturday
J.'s Christmas Work Party at Dianne's on Devine

Sunday
The Pizza Joint (leftovers from lunch)

Weekly Yums | 26 November - 2 December 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Steven W's Downtown Bistro
J: Filet Mignon w/ Crab Cake
A: Pecan-Crusted Chicken with Blackberry Sauce

Wednesday
White Turkey & Sausage Chili with jalapeno-cheddar biscuits, Homemade Apple Crisp for dessert
per J.'s request

Thursday
No idea what we ate...

Friday
Sunday School Christmas Party

Saturday
Stouffer's Frozen Chicken Casserole

Sunday
The Pizza Joint

Gosh if we don't make this Spinach Soup this weekend, I am going to go crazy! Haha. I guess we just aren't soup people. (: This is a bit of a social-overload week for us, and I am not complaining one bit! If October is made for pumpkin and soups, then November/December is for social gatherings, right? I'm also making banana bran muffins and pumpkin-pear bread this week. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Weekly Yums | 19-25 November 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by J. & J.
spaghetti, garlic bread; rhubarb crumble (absolutely delicious!)

Wednesday
Chick-Fil-A

Thursday
Homemade Margherita Pizza & Crispy Gnocchi

Friday
Homemade Zucchini-Red Pepper-Goat Cheese Pizza

Saturday
Chinese! (in celebration of the Gator win)

Sunday
Leftover Chinese

Jeez, did we eat out or what! But it was a relaxing, stress-free Thanksgiving week, and for that -- I am very thankful. (:

Weekly Yums | 12-18 November 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by A. & A.

Wednesday
Soup! via J.

Thursday
Vista Lights

Friday
Julia's German Stammtisch

Saturday
Sage-Walnut Pesto Pasta

Sunday
Onion Red Sauce Pasta topped with Goat Cheese

Really hoping to finally make the Spinach Soup -- it keeps getting pushed back for one reason or another -- because I'd like to share my thoughts on the four new soup recipes we have tried this Fall. Otherwise, it's a week of pantry-finds (hence the two pasta dishes), which I am actually glad for since next week there will be a whole lotta cookin' goin' on.

I don't often talk about the other foods we eat, you know, besides our dinners - so though it seems as if we don't have a lot of fun cooking going on, please know I am still being adventurous in baking or breakfast world. Are these worth posting? Probably not. But depending on how my pumpkin-pear bread and banana oat bran muffins turn out this week, maybe I will share them with you! J. gave his voice of approval this morning for the banana bread I baked last night. Now when people talk fall favorites, that is my fall favorite. I don't even care for banana bread too much, but it's one of my absolute favorite desserts to make. Mashing the bananas is just so satisfying, ya know? Also, on Sunday we went to Cook Out with our Sunday School group. I had a peanut butter banana milkshake that was divine and I plan on recreating that sometime soon. Do you find yourself creating certain foods based on the season? If so, what are some staples?

Weekly Yums | 5-11 November 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce and Salad

Wednesday
Crispy Gnocchi Pesto with Tomatoes and Salad

Thursday
Breakfast Burritos and Applesauce

Friday
Mini Avocado Grilled Mozzarella Cheese Sandwiches and Sweet Potato Fries

Saturday
Dinner w/ S. & R. at Pasta Fresca

Sunday
Avocado Chimichurri Bruschetta with Rosemary Roasted Purple Potatoes

//Updated 11/11/12

Weekly Yums | 29 October - 4 November 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by J. & K.
macaroni and cheese, mummy-wrapped hot dogs, salad, cupcakes

Wednesday
Pear & Gorgonzola Ravioli

Thursday
Dinner at J. & L's
pork apple surprise with rice and green beans

Friday
Camping: Wendy's on the road

Saturday
Camping: Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, Macaroni & Cheese

Sunday
Hashbrown Casserole

Weekly Yums | 15-21 October 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Pumpkin Mac & Cheese and Salad
and Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cakes for dessert with our TNG!

Wednesday
Corn and Chipotle Soup with Avocado-Radish Salsa and Salad

Thursday
Potato-Leek Soup

Friday
Roasted Corn-Pepper-Tomato Chowder

Saturday
TBD

Sunday
Creamy Spinach Soup with Mozzarella Croutons

As you can see, this is a very soupy week! I have the week off and am taking advantage of it -- to tackle three new pumpkin recipes and then of course all of these soup recipes. I said mid-September that I would conquer both soups and pumpkins this season, so this is me following through on this promise! I have never been a huge pumpkin/soup fan, but honestly -- I have never really given either a try. Never being a big fan of autumn, I am now trying to warm myself up to it (especially now that we live in a state that actually experiences seasons!). Most of the unlinked recipes are from my October issue of Vegetarian Times Magazine, and if they turn out okay I will share them. Are you tackling any new recipes this Fall?

Weekly Yums | 24-30 September 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by us
Baked French Toast Casserole, Sausage-Hash Brown Casserole, Sliced Strawberries & Bananas

Wednesday
Outback Steakhouse with S.

Thursday
Spinach-Cheddar Quesadillas

Friday
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House

Saturday
Baked Corn & Crab Cakes, Cream Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos, and Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes

Sunday
Leftovers

Weekly Yums | 17-23 September 2012

Monday
White Bean and Avocado Enchiladas with Fresh Fruit & Rice

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Group, hosted by J. & J.

Wednesday
Homemade Macaroni & Cheese with Salad

Thursday
Crispy Gnocchi Pesto with Tomatoes & Goat Cheese with Strawberry Salad

Friday
Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto with Green Apple Salad

Saturday
Leftovers

Sunday
Loaded Baked Potatoes with Salad

Weekly Yums | 10-16 September 2012

Monday
Moe's Monday

Tuesday
J: Red Robin with our TNG
A: Fly Bar & Restaurant
truffled mac & cheese; authentic nachos; Panko crusted goat cheese {all shared with my dear friend, M.}

Wednesday
A: Hurricane Seafood Restaurant

Thursday
A: The Wharf where I tried conch fritters for the first time!

Friday
A: Chicken Stirfry (with my family!)

Saturday
A: Ethos Vegan Kitchen (lunch)
Mad Hatters Pizza (dinner)

Sunday
A: Toasted NY Bagel with butter
J: Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich and Baked Beans

As you can see, I was out of town again (!!) so ate out way too much. The truffled mac & cheese from Fly Bar, the Penne pumpkin seed pesto pasta concoction from Ethos and the conch fritters are all tied for first as my favorites. I didn't share what J. ate, because from the looks of the kitchen it was mostly cereal. :/
Last night I started feeling inspired by my Vegetarian Times magazine. This season I vow to conquer both soups and pumpkins -- two things I have never particularly cared for but would like to. Do you have any goals for the autumn season? It's not my favorite time of year but I'm going to make the most of it! I even bought owl-themed kitchenware to bust out in a few weeks.