Garden Update - 5 /27/11

Our garden has gone through some tough weather lately. They've been through some wild winds from a possible tornado, they've gone through super hot weather to really cold weather. And I have to keep reminding myself that they will be stronger through all of it.

Our backyard is growing very well. Check it out:

(pictured above: Peas!)

(pictured above: Corn that something is eating)

(pictured above: side garden - bottom to top - Tomatoes, Zucchini, Green Beans)

(pictured above: Fresh Greens - Kale, Spinach, Lettuce,

Red Leaf Lettuce, Brussel Sprouts)

(pictured above left to right: Broccoli, Peppers, Tomatoes)

(pictured above left to right: Broccoli, Peppers, Peppers)

There is a line of salad greens, and green beans in the top section.

(pictured above left to right: Daisies, Parsley, Rainbow Collard Greens, Peas)

(pictured above: Basil)

(pictured above left to right: Empty pot, Tomato and cilantro,

Jalapeno Peppers, Tomatoes, Rainbow Collard Greens, Chives, and another empty pot.)

That's all for now. What's growing in your garden?

Meal Planning

I have gone back and forth about posting what meals we make from my grocery trips, because our family is so inconsistent with meals. We are HUGE leftover fans, so whenever we make a meal, it takes us about 3 or 4 days to finish that meal off. I think it's because we have two toddlers who eat like birds, so that leaves the real eating to my husband and I.

I recently went to a meeting with the Mothers and More group that I'm involved in, and the topic was Meal Planning. It seemed like a great deal of the moms there did not have meals planned out beforehand. Which made me feel better, because I'm that way too. I'm trying to get better though. So here's what I've come up with for this week's menu:

Breakfast:

French Toast

Scrambled Eggs and Toast

Omelets

Cereal

Cereal

And More Cereal!

Lunch:

Usually leftovers from the night before dinner

Fish Sticks

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Canned Soup

Dinner:

Pizza Rounds

Chili

Tacos

Baked Potatoes

Chicken Salad

Spicy Cajun Chicken

We usually eat out once or twice a week, depending on if we're running errands or what-not.

I read once on someone's blog that they try to stick with a general theme each week, instead of beating yourself up about having to think of specific meals. Her idea was to simplify the meals to:

Soup and Salad

Pasta Meal

Chicken Meal

Beef Meal

Vegetarian Meal

Mexican Dish

Pizza

A couple of websites/blogs that I've found helpful or interesting when it comes to meal planning are:

OrganizedHome.com

MealsMatter.org

Meal Planning Strategies