Meal Plan 8/4/14 - 8/10/14

It's a rainy Sunday in Southern Utah, and we're enjoying it!  We still went to the local dog park this morning, as is our routine.  Peanut chased the ball relentlessly, regardless of raindrops falling on her head.

Going home we took the "back," long way around Sand Hollow Reservoir.  Didn't see any boats out on the water yet, but I am sure that there will be some by this afternoon.

School starts in just a WEEK! Truly, this summer has flown by faster than ever.  This week I have Association "stuff" going on, we start contract time at school on Wednesday, and we have our back-to-school night on Thursday. SO MUCH still to do before the first day on the 11th!

But, we still have to eat dinner, so here's the plan:

Monday: Grilled London Broil, marinated [in 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 TBL ketchup]; baked potatoes; green salad. 

Tuesday: Very busy with Association stuff - contract ratification meeting and training event for our building reps, which will include dinner. Mr. Mamie will help me tote n' carry and then will probably go off and eat at Wendy's. Grandma will be on her own with leftovers or something from the freezer.

Wednesday: Grilled honey mustard oregano pork chops, never-mushy rice, green salad.

Thursday: Taco soup in the CrockPot, green salad.  I will freeze a bunch of portions of taco soup for school lunches. This is back-to-school night so it will be perfect to walk in the door and have dinner be  READY.

Friday: Grilled burgers (we got some pre-made patties for a good price at our local grocery store) and either frozen sweet potato fries OR ideally fresh corn on the cob if I can find some good ones.

Saturday: Grandma leaves for a week's trip to see her OTHER grandchildren in Kansas; Mr. Mamie is (re)scheduled for a sleep study at the pulmonary doctor's office. So I have no idea what dinner will be... maybe we'll go out before he has to be at the doctor's. Let's hope THIS time the technician doesn't fail to show up!

Sunday: TBA... this is the night before school starts! We'll have to see what kind of energy and enthusiasm I can muster up. Probably either breakfast for dinner or pizza from Costco, hahahaha!

Have a great week!

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Slow Cooker Taco Soup 

I modified this slightly from a recipe I found years ago somewhere on the Interwebz. Unfortunately I don't have the original source, but I thank whomever it was... we make this soup OFTEN! It freezes really well in either Ziploc bags or plastic bowls. It is a GREAT make-ahead meal for camping as well!

    * 1 lb ground beef 

    * 1 onion, roughly chopped  

    * 1 pkg ranch-style dressing mix  (or equivalent amount of homemade mix)

    * 1 pkg taco seasoning mix  (or equivalent amount of homemade mix)

    * 2 cans diced tomatoes w/ green chilies (undrained)

    * 1 can pinto beans 

    * 1 can black beans 

    * 1 can kidney beans - or another can of either pinto or black beans (I don't like kidney beans!)

    * 1 can corn (regular or cream style) OR 2 cups frozen corn 

    * 2 cans of water (use the bean cans; equal to 4 cups)

    * grated cheese, sour cream, and/or cilantro for garnish 

    * tortilla chips 

Brown the ground beef and drain as much fat as possible. Return it to the pan with the chopped onion over medium low heat. Stir in the two seasoning packets. Cook just a little longer until the onion is softened.

Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker and add the beans, corn, tomatoes/green chilies, and water. Cook on LOW for 4 - 6 hours (depending on your slow cooker).

Garnish as desired when serving.

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)