week 11,12 and 13 - unplugged

I've been unplugged and on vacation.  I was lucky enough to get away to visit family in a warm, tropical place for 10 days and I didn't get on the computer once.  Although I had grandiose plans of catching up on the 15 recipe drafts I have pending to be posted, I chose to take a true vacation and check out completely.  It was wonderful!  So relaxing and great fun with family, many memories made.

But now I'm feeling as if I've let myself and my readers down by not producing many new recipe posts so far this year.  As I've explained in earlier posts, this blog has taken a back seat to other things and become less of a priority.  Things just seem to be so much more complicated this year than last...maybe it's my little girl's age, or the fact that she only takes one short nap a day and my oldest gave up naps completely, but I don't seem to have the time I used to have in the afternoon to post here.  I can't even believe that March is almost over!!!  I want all of you who read this and are waiting for new recipe posts that they will be coming - and thank you!  Thank you for reading my blog, for your interest.

Below you will find links to weeks 11, 12, and 13 from the first year of the Healthy Home Revolution. You will also find my meal plan for this week.  I'm going to do a mini-cleanse the next few days, going gluten free and boosting the number of smoothies and/or protein shakes I drink for snacks.  I hope you can find some recipe inspiration.  Enjoy your week!

Happy Cooking!
Sarah

Week 13:  March 30, 2014

Sunday:  veggie chopped salad with ranch dressing

Monday:  lentil salad w/ broccoli, asparagus, beets and honey Dijon vinaigrette

Tuesday:  chicken and spinach enchiladas with brown rice and refried beans

Wednesday:  lentils with sauteed cabbage, roasted salmon

Thursday:  leftovers or takeout (I am teaching cardio during dinner time)

Friday:  pizza night (first night off of mini-cleanse)

Saturday: dinner at friend's house


Week 11 (2013)
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/03/week-11-healthy-home-revolution.html

Week 12 (2013)
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/03/week-12-healthy-home-revolution.html

Week 13 (2013)
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/03/week-13-healthy-home-revolution-review.html

Week 10 - no planning

I'm a little late posting this week...not planning to try any new recipes this week. I need to use up stuff in our fridge and freezer in preparation of traveling. I hate wasting food, so I'll do anything to use it up so I don't have to throw it away. I don't want to disappoint, but I have no meal plan this week. I'm just going to throw things together last minute. This is totally not in my nature and goes against my type A planning sensibility, but sometimes it's good for me to take a break from planning.

And good news! Finally fixed my computer!!! So more new recipe postings are in the works. Thanks for your patience.

Enjoy your week! Here's to spontaneity!!!
Sarah

Week 9 - cooking machine

I have been cooking and baking up a storm! There are many recipes I'm excited to share with you, but every time I have a chance to post I end up having computer problems. Right now, I'm even posting from my phone. Ugh! I'm hoping to resolve these issues ASAP so I can continue to share with you.

A big part of creating a healthy home is to do the things necessary for you to be healthy both physically (through diet and exercise) and mentally. I've been able to tackle some of my personal goals over the last two months. I've been reading a lot more, which has been amazing. I've also carved out time for more play dates with and without the kids. ;). These changes have done wonders for my mental sanity.
Decide what you need to feel sane and do everything you can to make those things happen.

So back to healthy eating - below you will find my meal plan for the week, more new recipes I've created or found online. Enjoy your week!

Happy cooking!
Sarah


Week 9- March 2, 2014

Sunday: Oscar party! Cheese tray, shrimp cocktail, assorted fruit, green salad

Monday: falafel & spanokopita, (I'm using a pre-made organic falafel mix and frozen spanokoita...not really cooking today). Greek salad

Tuesday: Skinny taste Piccadillo, rice, roasted broccoli

Wednesday: Crockpot ham and white bean soup, salad

Thursday: Leftovers (I teach)

Friday: Homemade Pizza night

Saturday: Pasta Bolognese, caesar salad

Week 8- ready to go!

We are in full recovery mode (keeping fingers crossed that the boys stay healthy...baby girl and I have been on the mend since Friday).  I'm getting excited to be back in the kitchen and cook up a storm!  You will find my weekly meal plan below, along with any links to recipe inspirations.  Enjoy your week!

Happy cooking!
Sarah

Week 8 - February 23, 2014

Sunday: Sautéed chicken breasts, rice pilaf, roasted broccoli

Monday: mustard coated pork medallions, braised greens

Tuesday: spinach-ricotta pasta with prosciutto and asparagus
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aida-mollenkamp/spinach-ricotta-pesto-pasta-with-crisp-prosciutto-and-asparagus-recipe.html

Wednesday: book club dinner
(Pasta and sauce with Italian sausage for kids)

Thursday: Vegetable orzo soup (I teach my cardio class)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/vegetable-noodle-soup-recipe.html

Friday: Pizza night

Saturday: beer marinated grilled Skirt steak, refried beans, rice, guacamole salad and pico da gallo
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/marcela-valladolid/beer-marinated-grilled-skirt-steak-recipe.html


And here's the link to week 8 from 2013:
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/02/week-8-healthy-home-revolution.html

week 7 - sidetracked

Okay, I had this post ready for you yesterday but then the stomach bug hit our house and I was completely sidetracked.  Below you will find my meal plan for this week as originally planned, but for obvious reasons it may not actually get carried out.  Lots of bland foods, if any, are needed right now.  At least it hit after we celebrated Valentine's day and our baby girl's 2nd birthday!!!

Send me good thoughts...I need them.   Stay warm, safe, and healthy my friends!

Happy cooking!
Sarah


Week 7 - February 16, 2014

Sunday: Valentine's dinner date night (we had to reschedule because of a snow storm on Saturday)

Monday: Baby girl's birthday dinner out

Tuesday: hotdogs, salad, broccoli and carrots

Wednesday:  Italian sausage with peppers and onions (not sandwiches this time, just on the side) served with pasta and sauce and caesar salad
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/02/italian-sausage-sandwiches-with-peppers.html

Thursday: leftovers from the freezer (I teach cardio class during dinner time)

Friday:  chicken vegetable soup
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/03/chicken-vegetable-soup.html

Saturday:  pork carnitas tacos or taco bowls
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/01/pork-carnitas.html

and here's a link to week 7 from 2013:
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/02/week-7-healthy-home-revolution.html

Weeks 4 and 5, 2014

Since I've been MIA, I thought you may want links to the meal plans from weeks 4 & 5 from last year, the first year of the Healthy Home Revolution.  I've done some updating to include links to all the recipes as I made them.  Enjoy!

Week 4, 2013 - http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2014/02/week-4-healthy-home-revolution.html

Week 5, 2013 - http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/02/week-5-healthy-home-revolution.html

Week 4 - Healthy Home Revolution

***this post is from 2013, the first month of the Healthy Home Revolution.  I went to update the links and it re-posted today.  My apologies.***

Week 4!  We have almost completed our first month of life-style changes that will positively impact our health and the health of our families.  Yay!  I'm down a few pounds and feel great.  I hope that you have enjoyed some of the recipes I've shared with you and here comes a few more.

My meal plan for this week - as always, I've included links to the recipes I will be referencing and will post my version of the recipe along with photos on that night or morning after. 

Happy Cooking!!!
Sarah

Week of January 27, 2013 

Sunday:  Meal Makeover - healthier fish fry: pan-fried panko breaded haddock,
oven-fried steak fries, coleslaw
original recipes:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/reduced-fat-and-calorie-coleslaw
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-french-fries-i/
my versions:
 http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/01/meal-makeover-healthier-fish-fry_27.html

Monday:  Meatless Monday - Greek feast: falafels, tabbouleh, sauteed greens, homemade hummus with veggies
original recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/hummus-recipe/index.html
my version:
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/01/meatless-monday-mediterranean-feast.html

Tuesday:  Girls Night Out (going out with my girlfriend so no cooking for me tonight)

Wednesday:   Italian Makeover - chicken parmesan meatloaf with whole grain pasta and broccoli
original recipe:
http://mommyimhungry.blogspot.com/2012/02/parmesan-meatloaf-gluten-free.html
my version:
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/01/chicken-parmesan-meatloaf.html

Thursday:  Crockpot Night - beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, and brussel sprouts
original recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/london-broil-for-the-slow-cooker/detail.aspx
my version:
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/01/crockpot-beef-with-mushroom-gravy.html

Friday:  Pizza Night - I promise some healthy and scrumptious salad recipes to go with your pizza

Saturday:  I'm leaving for Florida this night, so no cooking.  Just traveling with two kids ALONE - so please say a little prayer for their behavior and my sanity.  Thanks!!!
I plan to blog from Florida over the week of February 3rd (yikes - can't believe it's almost February!!!), so we'll see what the future has in store.  Stay-tuned!

week 6 - I'm back!!!

 I apologize for my long absence from posting, but things just got a little crazy.  And like I always say, it comes down to prioritizing.  Unfortunately, this blog is not on the top of the list. ;)

Since the last time I posted, my family went through one cold, flu, or cough and then another.  My  littlest one even came down with an ear infection from all the cooties.  Luckily we got through it all and were on the mend before our vacation.  My husband had a business trip to Dubai at the end of January.  I always seek help from my parents when my husband travels, but this time it was different.  They recently retired and became snow birds.  That means that we are blessed enough to travel to Florida to visit...and that is just what we did.  Nothing like curing the winter blues with 10 days in warm South Florida, soaking up the sun, swimming with the kids, and playing at the beach.  I forgot about the world and anything else.  (Hence my disappearance from the cyber-world). 

We just got back this past weekend and have been busy getting the kids back into their routines at home, unpacking, doing the laundry, and enjoying each others company.  Now that I've taken the time to stock up the refrigerator for this week, I can finally plan and share with you.

Below you will find my weekly meal plan - nothing fancy, just some basics to get us through a busy week of adjustments.   I also hope to post some more recipes this week, so stay tuned!

Happy Cooking!
Sarah

Week 6 - February 9, 2014

Sunday: Take-out (just back from vacation)

Monday: grilled ham & cheese, tomato soup (box from Trader Joe's), sautéed spinach

Tuesday: taco soup with cheese quesadilla dippers

Wednesday: beef & broccoli, rice
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/11/easy-crockpot-beef-and-broccoli.html

Thursday: Leftovers from freezer (I teach my cardio class)

Friday: Valentine's Day
Steak, potatoes, Brussel sprouts, Caesar salad
http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Steak-Au-Poivre-Clinton-Kelly?cid=pinterest_chw
http://www.kayotic.nl/blog/bbq-potatoes

Saturday: date night

And for those of you looking for more options, here is a link to Week 6 from 2013
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/02/week-6-healthy-home-revolution.html

week 3 menu

I hope that you all had the opportunity to check out the cleanse (http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-7-ingredient-cleanse-review-and-tips.html ). we did cause its going to be a more regular part of my weekly menu.  This week is a busy one for my hubby at work - he won't be home for dinner at all this week so I'm left to cook for myself and the kids.  I'm looking for things that are quick, delicious, and make enough for leftovers the next day or two.  Below you will find my meal plan along with a link to week 3 from last year (2013).   Have a fabulous week!

Happy cooking!
Sarah

Healthy Home Revolution 2014 - week 3
January 19, 2014

Sunday:  football game party with friends

Monday:  soy roasted salmon, sushi rice salad, roasted mixed veggies

Tuesday:  lasagna soup
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/11/crockpot-lasagna-soup.html

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: oven-baked black bean & cheese quesadillas, roasted broccoli, salad

Friday: homemade pizza night

Saturday:  Greek Spinach bake, falafel, greek salad

Other recipes I plan to make for lunch from the 7 ingredients listed in the cleanse:
kale salad with roasted veggies, lentil and lentil salad

Week 3 from 2013
http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2013/01/week-3-healthy-home-revolution.html 

The 7-ingredient Cleanse - Review and Tips

Earlier this week I posted about a 7-ingredient cleanse I discovered in Vegetarian Times Magazine.    Click below to read more about it:
 http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2014/01/7-ingredient-cleanse.html

I really enjoyed this - I felt great, I liked the food I was eating, I wasn't hungry, and I saw a difference in my skin and body.  None of that usual end-of-the-day bloat.  And apparently my husband loved it too!  He got out of the shower one morning and suggested we do it every week!!!  Are you kidding me?  Who kidnapped my real husband?!?!  Just kidding - I'm excited that he is so in to it.  And this gives me the go to get creative with my 7-ingredients (I've already been searching the Pinterest archives).  We are most likely going to do it every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  I promise to keep other recipes coming also, which I will experiment with on the other days of the week. 

Please give it a try!  Here are my tips on making the cleanse stress free:

- plan ahead:  prepare your vegetables and other ingredients in advance so that its easy to throw a smoothie together.  Also cook or make the recipes on the weekend for the following week.  All of the recipes can be made ahead except for the smoothie.

- purchase ingredients that are already prepped for you, if you can and they are affordable.  I purchased baby spinach pre-washed in a big container from my wholefoods store.  I also found very affordable cooked lentils and cooked beets in the refrigerator section of trader joe's.  Highly recommend!!!  These pre-cooked lentils are great for any lentil salad, and the beets are perfect for the smoothies and to add to any salads.

- instead of fresh blueberries, opt for frozen blueberries for your smoothies.  I used frozen and kept out the ice cubes).

- Be kind to your body:  ease yourself into the cleanse, and slowly re-introduce ingredients.  I recommend going sugar free the day before you cleanse.  I also recommend adding gluten, dairy, and sugar back into your diet very slowly, not all at once.  You may not even want to add them back in one day, but perhaps over the course of a few days.  Listen to your body as you add these food groups back into your diet and take them back out if necessary.  Some people discover that they are more sensitive to gluten, dairy, and/or sugar than they ever realized once they have done a cleanse like this. Since this cleanse is for vegetarians, I added protein back into my diet first.  I continued to omit any sugar, dairy, or gluten from my diet that 1st day after the cleanse.  Then I added a little bit of dairy and gluten the next day.  As I always say, do what works for you and makes you feel good.

Overall, I highly recommend this cleanse for anyone who wants to try one out.  I know that my lifestyle is too active for a juice or smoothie cleanse - I need more calories and it wouldn't be healthy for me.  So this was perfect!  Give it a try and please contact me if you have any questions about it.

Happy Cleansing!
Sarah

The Broccoli Stir-Fry with Avocado-Ginger Sauce