Meal Plan Monday

Hello everyone! I hope you had a great last week!

The kids and I are camping for part of this week, so our meal plan is a little different. I'm curious to know what your favourite camping meals are? I'm always looking for new ideas, would love if you shared!

We are fortunate that we have an RV, so our camping meals are a lot like our meals at home. We dry camp (no hook-ups), but having a kitchen available makes things easy for meal planning. Where we live it is not uncommon for there to be fire bans during camping season which limits our campfire cooking, however this year, we have (yet) not had a fire ban put in place.

You'll notice that these are relatively simple meals with a lot of repeats...easier trailer packing and it's corn season so we are eating corn on the cob like it's going out of style :)

Here's my plan for this week:

Sunday - Steak, corn on the cob, caesar salad

Monday - Ribs, corn  on the cob, caesar salad

Tuesday - Souvlaki, grilled pita, corn on the cob

Wednesday - Hamburgers, corn on the cob

Thursday - Probably pizza as we'll be getting home from camping, flipping the trailer for our next trip, and getting the house ready for company :)

I haven't made any plans beyond Thursday as we have company arriving Thursday for a family wedding this coming weekend.

Have a great week!

Meal Plan Monday

It's been a long while! I've still been reading, collecting and trying new recipes, I just haven't been updating the blog. I've missed it, but, well, life got hectic and something had to give, for a while. My at-home meal planning also fell off the wagon a bit over the last while (I'm a bit of an expert when it comes to meal planning for our camping trips...we recently got back from 10 days away and the only thing we ran out of was eggs, which I knew we would but also knew that there was a grocery store near to our campground), but at home, especially in the summer, I tend to slack off. With back-to-school, back-to-work and hockey season right around the corner, it's time to get into the routine again. I'm back to work for a week, so I figured no time like the present to start the plan. Be patient, I do still have a few weeks of holidays booked before we go back full-time, but this is a start! Here's our meal-plan for the upcoming week:

Monday - Taco Casserole (recipe coming soon...if it's a success!)

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Grilled chicken, Caesar salad

Thursday - Butter chicken, jasmine rice & naan

Friday - Social gathering with friends...not sure what's on the menu yet!

Happy planning for the week!

Meal Plan Monday

Hello everyone! Happy Monday to you. How was your weekend?  We had

another good one, filled with hockey, tennis, swimming and visiting with family.  It was great!

Here's our meal plan for the week:

Monday - Homemade "Shake & Bake" Chicken, Homemade Perogies and Peas

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday! (using our homemade Taco Seasoning)

Wednesday - Butternut Squash Soup, Kale Salad & Buns

Thursday - Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Friday - Leftovers

I'm really looking forward to the Butter Chicken...oh sooooo good!

Have a great week!

Deconstructed S'Mores - Valentine's Edition

I had a few things going through my brain...what to make for the kids for their

Valentine's treats to take to school, that were nut-free, and then top it off with a craving for some s'mores.  It's not even camping season, and I was craving s'mores.  Really didn't help my "what to make for the kids dilemma"...and then I came up with this SUPER EASY treat / snack that is perfect for the kids' Valentine's party, and satisfied the craving too :)

Deconstructed S'Mores - Valentine's Edition

2 cups Graham crackers (I used Goldfish grahams)
1 cup Smarties (red and pink for Valentine's day)
1 cup Mini Marshmallows

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container. Serve as needed.


VERDICT
Seriously, super easy. My kids loved it.  I keep a little snack bowl out on the counter for them to grab a few nibbles when they desire.  They thinks it's a pretty cool little treat!

Meal Plan Monday

Hello everyone! Welcome to this week's edition of Meal Plan

Monday!  I hope you had an enjoyable weekend.  Ours was pretty good, around swimming lessons, hockey game and tennis lesson we got a few projects done. That always feels good!

Here is this week's meal plan:

Monday - Rosemary & Pepper Crusted Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Gravy and Peas
Tuesday - Leftovers, but with baked broccoli instead of peas
Wednesday - Grilled Chicken, Smoky Scalloped Potatoes, Kale Salad
Thursday - Taco Thursday (shaking it up here, instead of Taco Tuesday!) - we use my homemade Taco Seasoning
Friday - Meatballs & Salad

I have been collecting and testing several recipes these last few months.  Now just to write the posts and share with you.  Stay tuned!

What are YOU fueling up for? Kellogg's Vector #Giveaway!

Happy Summer Everyone!  

I sure hope that summer is treating you and your loved ones as good as it is treating us.  

We've been enjoying amazing weather (though a few too many forest fires) - and I have been so lucky to be home with our kids all summer. We've been camping, hiking, biking, golfing, beaching, road-tripping, wine tasting...it's been wonderful. And - we still have just under 5 more weeks until school starts.  Super-duper awesomeness!

So, how do you fuel up in the summer?  When we are outdoors, in addition to the mandatory water, we are always carrying extra snacks for our family.  Our go-to snacks are granola bars - especially ones with protein.  We love the convenience on the bars.  We've also got our favourite post-activity snacks - such as yogurt with fruit and granola - our kids just eat that up (I'm also a big yogurt and granola fan for breakfast).

Speaking of granola, did you know that Kellogg's has recently launched new Vector Granola Honey Almond Flavour?  They have, and it's good.  With 20g of protein per serving, 5g of fibre and 10 vitamins and minerals.  We were fortunate to have been given a sample to try - and while my almond-allergic hubby couldn't have any, the kids and I really enjoyed it with our yogurt and fresh strawberries from our garden!

Now for the best part...YOU have the chance to WIN a Kellogg's Vector Prize pack ($50 value!) - just like the one in the picture in this post.  Lucky you!  Enter below via the Rafflecopter.  Thanks so much...and watch for new recipe posts coming to Addicted to Recipes soon!  Despite our busy summer, we still need to eat, and I have been testing new recipes that will get posted soon!


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St. Patrick's Day Lime Poke Cake

We hosted a family dinner a few days prior to St. Patrick's Day, and I wanted a fun, easy dessert to make to mark the occasion.  I didn't want to do a plain cake (though that would have been just fine too, there would have been no complaints from the family!) - I decided to put together a poke cake so that I could incorporate some green into the dessert.

Poke cakes can be so easy.  Like seriously easy. 

Mine was. 

And it was a hit with the crowd.  

Here is what I did:

1 white cake mix (plus applicable ingredients for the mix, such as eggs, oil, milk/water)
1 small box lime jello (3 oz/85 g)
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup ice cold water
Icing - use your favourite homemade recipe or store bought icing

Bake the white cake according to the package directions, in a 9 x 13 pan.  Allow to cool completely.

Once the cake is totally cooled, using a plastic spoon, poke holes in the top of the cake.

Prepare the jello mixture - dissolve the package of jello in 1 cup of boiling water.  Once dissolved, add the 1/2 cup of ice cold water and mix well.  

Once mixed / fully dissolved, slowly spoon  the jello mixture into the holes in the cake.  Cover the cake as evenly as possible.  Don't worry, there is plenty of the jello mix for the full cake, all is good!

Cover and refrigerate for several hours.  Prior to serving, ice the cake.  You'll see that I tinted my icing green for the St. Patrick's Day effect :-)

Serve and enjoy!

Store leftover cake covered in the fridge.

VERDICT:
Another hit dessert that is just sooooo easy to make.  And fun to add some colour and different flavours to the cake itself.  

Kellogg's Mini-Wheats #TryitHot Giveaway!

We are in BC and have been very fortunate to have enjoyed an early spring this year.  To be honest, I have been waiting for Mother Nature's "last blast" here, but I am starting to believe it might not come this year.  Many of our Canadian friends are still in the thick of winter - for some, they are experiencing crazy cold temperatures and others have boatloads of snow.  I am sure everyone is dreaming of greener, warmer days!

Until then, enter Kellogg's Mini-Wheats.  Have you ever tried your Mini-Wheats hot?  I had never thought about that until now, but hey, why not #TryitHot?!

My kids are crazy excited to try the Maple Flavour Mini-Wheats, and they were huge fans.  They love maple everything, so really. I had no doubt they would also love the cereal :-)

Before we get to the giveaway, I wanted to make sure to tell you to be sure to head over to www.MiniWheats.ca  for all sorts of recipes and inspiration for your Mini-Wheats!

Here is YOUR chance to #TryitHot.  Kellogg's is offering one lucky Addicted to Recipes reader a $50 Kellogg's Min-Wheats Prize pack, which includes everything you see in the photo in this post.  Very cool!  Enter via the Rafflecopter below.  Contest open to Canadian residents only. 



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Meal Plan Monday

Hello friends!  How was your weekend?  Ours was great!  I think it is safe to say that spring has sprung around here - yippee!  I am anxious to get out in the garden, but I have been battling some hand issues since the start of the year that have been holing me back from some of my regular activities.  Good thing for helpers in the kitchen (even grating cheese causes me a fair bit of pain).  Slowly but surely whatever is going on with my hand is healing, but man is it frustrating!  (and YES, I have been to the Doctor and physiotherapist about it).

Enough of me griping!  LOL Here is this week's meal plan:

Sunday: BBQ Pork Chops, Spaghetti Squash Casserole, Kale Salad

Monday: BBQ Chicken, Spaghetti Squash Casserole, Caesar Salad

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes, Kale Salad

Wednesday: Salmon, Grilled Vegetables, Kale Salad

Thursday: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (I finally found a homemade Alfredo sauce that I like...recipe coming soon!) and Caesar Salad

Friday: Take out! (Our son's hockey playoffs are this weekend and after his 4 pm game I am volunteering at the raffle tables...so no cooking for me!) 

Saturday: Undecided!

Have a great week everyone!

Meal Plan Monday

Hello friends! Happy Monday to you.  How was your weekend?  Mine was great!  It was our 9th wedding anniversary, and we were treated to a night away.  My parents looked after our kids for a night and we planned a 24 hour getaway.  It was so lovely!

Back now, and back to reality.  Here's this week's meal plan:

Monday: Leftover pizza (we had take-out last night)

Tuesday: Grilled chicken, baked broccoli and salad

Wednesday: Grilled pork chops, peas and perogies (our traditional "3P" dinner...it's a kid-pleaser!)

Thursday: Lasagne and salad (I'm making a big lasagne on Wednesday night, Thursday this week is a busy one with my hubby on the road for work and I have a PAC meeting in the early evening)

Friday: Leftover lasagne and salad (Fridays are hockey nights in our house, leftovers make for easy meal planning with the busy schedule!)

Saturday: Steak, Smashed Potatoes, Caesar Salad

What's on your menu this week?

Meal Plan Monday

Alrighty friends, I am back!

The break was much longer than anticipated, but the end of last year saw me focusing on other priorities - family members in need.  Much of the year, and especially the latter half saw heartbreak, deceit, pain, suffering, and a death.  My Grandfather passed away just before Christmas after a lengthy illness.  He is at peace now and has been reunited with my Grandmother.  And the other family member who was in need is now finally at a point where they can start rebuild their life and hopefully start to heal.

Even with all of that, I was still cooking away - my hubby, kids and I still had to eat, and I do still love trying new recipes.  Some things never change!  I am still a big planner when it comes to our meals.  So, figured I would start back into the blog with Meal Plan Monday!

Here is this week's meal plan:

Sunday - Rosemary Pepper Crusted Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Salad

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Savoury Fish and Salad

Wednesday - Pork Chops, Perogies & Peas (3 "P" Night)

Thursday - Spaghetti & Salad (are you noticing a salad theme?  I m very lucky 
to have two kids who love their veggies, especially fresh in a salad!)

Friday - Chicken Courdon Swiss & Salad

Saturday - Out for dinner, it's our 9th wedding anniversary!

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Flash #Giveaway! Kellogg's Innovation Prize Pack

Happy Sunday everyone!  

I hope that all is well with you!  It's another beautiful day here, the sun is shining, it's wonderfully warm, and my oldest is gone to hockey.  Yup, hockey.  Fall is around the corner and with fall comes a world of new things, including this new product line-up from Kellogg's!

And, guess what?!  One lucky Addicted to Recipes reader is going to win a fabulous prize pack like this one from Kellogg's valued at $50!  Enter via the easy Rafflecopter below. Contest open to Canadian residents only...and is open for TODAY only!


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Easy Sticky Honey Sesame Drumsticks

I'm always looking for an easy dinner to make for my boys, especially now that we are into the hot days of summer (record breaking heat wave last week!).  I saw this recipe in Canadian Living, and figured I needed to give it a try.  I did modify it to suit my plans - here is the recipe:

Easy Sticky Honey Sesame Drumsticks (source: Canadian Living, August 2013)

8-10 chicken drumsticks
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
6 cloves garlic, minced
Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Green onions, sliced (for garnish)

In a bowl, whisk together the honey, sesame oil and soy sauce,  Add in the minced garlic and whisk again.  Pour the mixture into a resealable bag, add the chicken.  Seal the bag and put into the refrigerator.  Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours.  I put ours together in the morning and let sit in the marinade all day.

Preheat oven to 400F.  Line a baking dish (parchment paper or tin foil) and place the chicken in the dish.  Pour the marinade over the chicken.  Place in oven and bake for abut 25 minutes (or until the chicken juice runs clear).  When done, remove from oven, put chicken onto a serving dish, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.  Serve and enjoy!

VERDICT:
This is an EASY recipe, perfect for hot summer days (as long as you have a/c in the house!).  The flavour is nice, and the drumsticks are a beautiful golden colour when cooked.  We enjoyed these, and will make them again!

Throwback Thursday - Strawberry Lemonade

We are in the midst of a heat wave here, record setting temperatures!  Yesterday, it was 44 celsius in our back yard (that's 111 F!).  I love the heat of summer, though not the fires that come with the heat.  Here's hoping for some rain (lightening free) to help our forest fire fighters in their battles around the province.

Today's Throwback Thursday recipe is for Strawberry Lemonade.  Love making fresh lemonade for my family...check out the recipe here!

Mom's Peanut Butter Bars

Growing up, my Mom often made us great treats for dessert.  Whether it was her chocolate chip cookies (secret family recipe!) or her cinnamon buns, we were lucky to have a Mom who liked to bake.  Another of our favourites were her Peanut Butter Bars (think Reese Peanut Butter Cups, but homemade) - she's been making these for us since we were kids.  It's easy to make, no baking required.  I used natural peanut butter and it turned out the same as using regular peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Bars (Source: My Mom's Recipe Binder)

2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup butter, melted
1 - 1 1/4 cups peanut butter
1 3/4 cups icing sugar
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

In a large bowl, mix together the graham crumbs, melted butter, peanut butter and icing sugar.  Press firmly into a wax paper lined 8x8 or 9x13 pan (depending on how thick you like your layers - bigger pan = thinner layers).  Put into the fridge to start to set, about 10 minutes.  Remove from fridge, melt chocolate chips, pour over the peanut butter layer.  Return to the refrigerator, allow the chocolate to start to set, approximately 10-15 minutes.  Remove from the fridge again, cut into squares (must do this now, or once the chocolate is completely set it will crack when you try to cut the bars later).  Keep refrigerated.  These also freeze well.

VERDICT:
These are a long-time favourite treat of mine!  Super easy to make.  As mentioned, I made these using natural peanut butter this time, and they turned out the same as using regular peanut butter - yay!

Meal Plan Monday

Ahhhh, the dog days of summer.  They are upon us now. I am on holidays. Which means in moments of silence (eg, when the toddler is napping), I have a few minutes to work on some posts.  I've been trying new recipes all along, even though I haven't been posting frequently.  Here's hoping I can get back into the swing of things now that life has slowed down!

I still prepare a weekly meal plan - it is SO helpful for us.  Here is this week's plan:

Sunday: Steak, Salad, Grilled Beets

Monday: Homemade Hamburgers and Salad

Tuesday: Pork Chops, Dawn's Baked Beans, Salad
 (in case you hadn't noticed...we have salad with every dinner)

Wednesday: Pork Kebobs, Leftover Baked Beans, Salad

Thursday: Soft Tacos (with Homemade Taco Seasoning), Salad

Friday: Grilled Salmon, Grilled Vegetables, Salad

Saturday: Clean out the fridge night! (leftovers!!)
 
Enjoy your meal planning!

Meal Plan Monday

Hello friends! It has been a while.  Life outside of Addicted to Recipes has been rather hectic.  Spring as sprung, and we are on the go non-stop - between our jobs (hubs and I both work full-time, plus we own a business, plus I've been working a lot of overtime...20 hours of OT last week), our kids (both active in swimming, guitar, tennis, hockey and more), and our hobbies (gardening, camping, sports, etc)- I just haven't been on my computer much to put recipes to posts.  Things should start to settle now that we are heading into summer...lots of vacation time coming for this girl!

Here is this week's meal plan:

Sunday - BBQ Pork Chops, Dawn's Baked Beans, Salad

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Soup & Sandwiches - my hubby and I are taking a pottery class together on Tuesday, so we'll need a quick dinner before we head to class 

Wednesday - Soft Tacos with Homemade Taco Seasoning

Thursday - BBQ Chicken, Salad, Grilled Vegetables

Friday - Homemade pizza

Saturday - Steak, Potato Salad, Asparagus

Happy Meal Planning!

Meal Plan Monday

Hello friends! It's been a while since I have posted - life has been busy...spring has sprung and we are into cleaning mode and spending time outside.  I'm still doing my meal plans every week, but just haven't been great at posting.  But here is this week's plan:

Sunday - Curry Chicken and Rice

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Beef and Peppers stir fry

Wednesday - Soft Tacos with Homemade Taco Seasoning

Thursday - Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

Friday - Spaghetti & meat sauce

Saturday - Pizza night!

Happy planning!

Meal Plan Monday

Hello friends!  Happy Monday to you!  How was your weekend?  Ours was lovely - it's SPRING!  Yippee!  Though that does mean it's time for spring cleaning...I don't always hear YIPPEE when I write out that daunting to-do list! 

I hope that your weekend was wonderful.  I've got this week's meal plan ready, hopefully you will find some inspiration here!

Sunday - Drumsticks, Dawn's Baked Beans, Salad

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Salmon, Rice and Peas

Wednesday - Soft Tacos (with homemade taco seasoning)

Thursday - BBQ Chicken, Grilled Vegetables 

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Steak, Baked Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus

Have a great week!

Throwback Thursday

It has been a quiet week here at Addicted to Recipes.  The kids are on spring break (for 2 weeks!) and we've been enjoying some extra time with them (meaning a few later nights, staying up reading with the oldest since he doesn't have school in the morning) - and at work, it's been very busy with year end, number crunching and reading way too many spreadsheets.  I've also been catching up on MasterChef Canada episodes, did you see that creation for Nanaimo Bar Periogies this week?  Wowzas!

I know I recently shared this Throwback Recipe for Nanaimo Bar Ice Cream Cake, but given I'm now craving Nanaimo Bars after watching MasterChef, I just had to share it again!  The link to the original recipe is via the title.  Enjoy!

 

Nanaimo Bar Ice Cream Cake