Monday Meal Planning

This weekend was very hectic so I didn't get to put the time into planning ahead for the week that I normally enjoy. I finally just decided to ask my fella what he might like this week as my jumping off point. 

Twice Baked Butternut Squash with Kale & Quinoa

I want to squeeze in one last butternut squash dish before I'm left waiting for next year's winter squashes at the market. This super healthy recipe from Dishing Up the Dirt calls for both kale and quinoa - two new favorites at my house.

Maple Ginger Salmon

We don't eat a lot of meat these days, but we do try to get in a serving (or two) of fish every week. I love the way fresh ginger leaves my hands smelling so I'm going to try cooking with it more often. Why not? This recipe comes to us from Garnish with Lemon.

Roasted Vegetable Penne

I have some casserole dishes that need to see some action before the summer months have me desperate for meals sans oven. This roasted vegetable penne from Olivia Rae James sounds like it might be just the right replacement for my soon-to-be-boring Spicy Veggie Mac recipe. 

Vegan Berry Cheesecake

I've been intent on exploring healthier dessert options. This vegan version of berry cheesecake from but can she bake? has me all sorts of curious.

Monday Meal Planning:: Healthy Meals

Wheeew, it's sure been a week! I was taken out for a few days with health issues which led to some unexpected take-out and less exercise. Bleh. Time to get back on the ball. I'm looking forward to some super healthy meals this week. We had some family over for a BBQ Friday night and I made those tasty black bean burgers from a few weeks ago with some slight modifications. I also made a few pies for the occasion. This week has to be less about pies and more about produce (and quinoa)!

Quinoa Fruit Salad w/ Honey Lime Dressing

Doesn't this look like a sweet, refreshing light dinner? Something to be eaten in the backyard with iced green tea?

Spinach Parmesan Quinoa

This recipe was already tested out on some recent visitors. It proved such a big success I'm revisiting it this week!

Baked Eggplant Burgers

I loved the homemade black bean burgers so much I'm looking to expand my meatless burger options. This eggplant-based burger looks delish and it's vegan!

Kale Pesto

Mmmm, pesto. Now that I know I can make pesto, I'm seeking out healthier versions of our new favorite. Pair it with pasta and we've got a meal.

Ginger Fish with Chickpeas

We're trying to eat more fish after reading Dr. Andrew Weil's anti-inflammatory diet. This one-dish meal looks healthy, simple, and tasty. What more could you ask for?

Monday Meal Planning

The meals from last week were a huge success, for the most part. I had to postpone the black bean burgers because I didn't plan ahead and cook the black beans enough in advance for dinner. I use dried beans rather than canned so they're not as mashable without first being cooked. The Spinach Pistachio Pesto was super fabulous. I made some modifications and added it to a pasta dish for a new family favorite. This week I'm planning some of my old standbys (like garlic brown sugar salmon based on the garlic brown sugar chicken recipe I posted here) and maybe a taco salad or two! I still need to think of a couple meals for the week ahead. And, I have my first meeting with a recipe group next week so I might want to try out a couple of things on the fella before I present them to a crowd.

 Vegetable Strudel

Upside Down Potato & Onion Tart

Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onion, & Spinach Quesadilla 

Quinoa & Kale Patties

I Miss Cooking

     My kitchen is in a state of transition. Yesterday, the biddies (my mother and my aunt) gathered to get the move moving along. Everything in the kitchen got packed up and sent on its way. I can even make a bowl of cereal. Clearly, there was some questionable prioritizing of the household goods, but the biddies were ready to demolish some project so we decided to take it on. It has given us an excuse to tour our favorite healthy eateries as part of our nuhouse (testing the name) health kick! Tonight we ate at Pita Jungle! Macro Platter por vida!

     Sorry, I diverge. I can't wait to get settled in my new kitchen! I plan to put it to go use. Healthy, fresh, unprocessed food... mmmm, hippie food. I'll throw something sneaky in there somewhere, I'm sure. I still have to test out the new French cookbook I received during the holidays. I'm day dreaming about new quinoa recipes. Lame, but I don't care. I'm excited and I don't give an F (still not swearing). I would like to take a moment to share some of recipes cooking only in my brain for the time being. Soon, however, I will regain access to my cooking swag and I can wreak havoc once again! 

Curried Eggplant with Tomatoes and Basil

Source: realsimple.com via Carly on Pinterest

Balsamic-Grilled Vegetables & Quinoa Salad

Source: veggiebelly.com via Carly on Pinterest

Butternut Squash Pizza

Source: realsimple.com via Carly on Pinterest

Seafood Quiche

Source: novice-baker.blogspot.com via Carly on Pinterest

Baked Black Bean Flautas

Source: peasandcrayons.com via Carly on Pinterest