January 1, 2022

WEEKLY MENU 01.02.22

We are welcoming 2022 with open arms during the Weekly Menu 01.02.22. We’re evolving instead of resolving and looking forward to a delicious food filled year.

The Weekly Menu 01.02.22 reflects how I feel about food: I’m evolving instead of resolving. I’m not getting rid of any one type of food, because nothing should be banned. I am incorporating MORE instead. A few years ago I wrote a post about how I feel about resolutions. Spoiler alert: I am not a fan. You can check it out here:

Evolve Not Resolve This New Year

What’s the plan? I’m ADDING. More veggies, more salads, more traditionally prepared food. I’m also planning on moving more, and spending more time with people that I love. I’m also going to try to say YES more often than I say no.

Of course, I’m planning on getting a little more organized as well. I feel like this is the year that we’ll finally break down and get that dumpster that we can fill up with all the detritus of life that ends up in the storage room. We’ve been talking about a re-do on the basement since the pandemic began. It’s almost been two years (!!) so we’re adding that to the “seriously, let’s do this” list in 2022.

What I’m not doing? Beating myself up for anything that’s gone before. We did the best we could, and, frankly, it was pretty damn good. Onwards and upwards!

Other add-ons:

I’m a big reader, and I’m going to continue that, but I’m going to add on more books that aren’t in my go-to wheel house. I absolutely adore Kindle Unlimited. (Affiliate links precede and follow – see disclaimer page for more details.) It lets me read as many books as I can during the month for a set fee, as long as the books are part of the plan. I read 218 books and 56,489 pages last year (thanks to Goodreads for the stats) but they fell into pretty typical (for me) genres. I’m going to add a book or two that’s actually good for me this year. Wish me luck. And feel free to send recommendations!

Needle point. I have successfully completed multiple needlepoint projects over the years, and many of them are Christmas related. Every year when I get out the fabulous “Merry Christmas” that I made in 1981 (!) I remember how much fun needlework was and what a sense of accomplishment that finishing it presented. Baby Boy has his own homemade stocking too. Why did I stop? I couldn’t see anything! Now that I have cheaters on every side table, I think it’s time for another shot. I picked up this gorgeous throw pillow needlepoint kit (so it can hang out in the living room when it’s done).

It was tough to choose. I actually bought the first one, but how cute are the next two?

Anywho. Enough about our big plans for 2022, It’s time to take a look at the Weekly Menu 01.02.22. Bert and the boys are going to an afternoon Penguins game on Sunday, but they’ll be back for Sunday dinner. Doesn’t a big salad sound great? And nothing says healthier eating like a smoothie. I’ve been jonesing for berries, and this recipe calls for a frozen mix, so they won’t break the bank.

Keep this quiet…

On Monday we’ll have a comfort food favorite that’s actually good for us with the Cajun Red Beans and Rice. Baby Boy is a sausage machine, so we’ll add in some Turkey Sausage to round out the meal. Bert ~~doesn’t like~~ ~~despises~~ ~~refuses to eat~~ isn’t a huge fan of turkey sausage, so I’m keeping that switcheroo to myself.

D wanted to know what we were really having on Tuesday night when he saw the menu. But we are actually planning on the good for us Baked Cod. I might buy a box of fish sticks for the non-fish eaters, but that’s as far as I’m going, concession wise.

WEEKLY MENU 01.02.22

FULL LOAF PIZZA DIP (EVERYTHING IN MODERATION – INCLUDING MODERATION!)

The Spiced Nuts are from Sweet and Savoury Pursuits. I found the Classic Chicken Cobb Salad recipe at Bellyfull. The healthy eating Parmesan Bakede Cod is via Healthy Recipes 101. The Chopped Salad is a classic menu from La Scala. We got the recipe from Food.com. I love a copycat recipe. This one is from Easy Chicken Recipes. The fabulous Crusty Bread is from Life as a Strawberry.