Menu Plan for Jan 19-24

Monday
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Hot Dogs, Peaches
Dinner: Lasagna, Salad

Tuesday
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets, Corn
Dinner: Potato Soup, Salad, Bread

Wednesday
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup
Dinner: Hawaiian Chicken, Rice, Egg Rolls

Thursday
Breakfast: English Muffin with Peanut Butter
Lunch: Bean and Cheese Burritos
Dinner: Taco Salad

Friday
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs
Lunch: Sandwiches
Dinner: Burgers "n" Fries

Saturday
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch:
Dinner:

Be sure to visit orgjunkie for hundreds of other menu plans.

Coop de Coop's Potato Soup

3- 14 oz cans chicken broth
5 pounds of potatoes, peeled and cubed
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
garlic powder
dehydrated onion
ground black pepper
green onions (optional)
sour cream (optional)


Pour chicken broth in large pot. Bring to a boil. Add potatoes and seasonings, simmer until potatoes are tender. I use an immersion blender to puree the soup to the desired consistency. You can make it as chunky or smooth as you like. My family prefers to find bites of potato. If you don't have an immersion blender, you could use a blender as well. Once soup is desired consistency, stir in cheese until melted and add bacon. If you top with green onion and sour cream, it tastes like a baked potato. I serve this with a nice crusty bread and a green salad.

Coop de Coop's Egg Rolls

I don't know if these meet the actual specifications of an egg roll, but that is what we call them.

1 package large egg roll wrappers

1 bag coleslaw mix

1 can sliced water chestnuts, chopped

green onions, sliced

1 /2 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. ginger

1 T sesame oil

1/4 c soy sauce

vegetable oil for frying

The measurements are guesses. I just pour it all in a bowl and mix it up. You can add any veggies you like to the filling. Then scoop some filling into the middle of an egg roll wrapper. Roll them up, being sure to tuck the ends in. Use a little water on the edge to seal them up. Fry in oil, turning once, until golden brown and crispy. I serve with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.

Easily Distracted

Z got out the plastic tangrams in order to solve a math problem during school this AM. I watched him work through the problem until it was solved and then turned my attention to someone else. After a while, I realized he was no longer at the table and went to find him. This is what I found...............................


BJ and Z had built this set of "bowling pins" at the end of the hallway. By the way, the guy in front is "Mr. Greenleg" . He is eco-friendly.

They then took a plate, launched it like frisbee and


knocked them all down. They laughed. A lot. I don't get it.

Shopping List

I don't like to run out of things.

I only go grocery shopping once a week. I refuse to go more than that.

In order to keep our house fully supplied AND not make frequent trips to the store, I keep this notepad on the refrigerator.

I have my family trained to write something down on the list whenever they use something up. I keep extras of the basics in the pantry or linen closet. So, when they go to get a new ketchup out of the pantry or bottle of shampoo out of the closet, they head directly to the list . As in straight to the list. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Then when I do my weekly shopping I pick up the items on the list. Even the younger ones are able to copy from the label in order to add an item to the list. They can also add things to the list like socks, underwear, toothbrush, etc.

Be sure to check out all the other tips at Rocks In My Dryer.

Brown Rice and Lentils

I had planned to try a new recipe for dinner tonight, a lentil brown rice casserole. Well, I was having so much fun playing with my new blog, that I didn't notice that the dish required 1 3/4 hour cooking time. So, I went into the kitchen to start dinner about an hour before it was due on the table, and promptly realized it wouldn't actually be on the table until nearly 8 PM. (oops!) I had hungry boys due back from wrestling practice and it would not be pretty if they were greeted with "Dinner should be ready in an hour or so". With some scrambling, some improvising, and a bunch of math to figure out liquid amounts and cooking time (don't worry I had my 12 yro check my math), I came up with this recipe. It was sooooo good. I should mention that when I served it up, everyone thought it was oatmeal. It does not have a real pleasing appearance, but it was yummy. Next time I need to make more, there was barely enough left over for hubby's lunch tomorrow. Try it!

2 cans chicken broth (about 3 1/2 cups liquid)
1 c brown rice
1/2 c lentils
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dehydrated onion
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 c grated cheddar cheese

Combine broth, lentils, brown rice, lemon juice and seasonings in pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in cheese.

*Note: I added the lemon juice because my friend, Jenny, says it is the *only way to eat lentils.

Shape Poem

Some poets arrange the words into shapes. The shape may help the reader see what the poem is about. Here is Z's shape poem.

Blue

with bright

white stripes goes

high when you fly it in the

sky red string controls

Its flight

entertaining

fun