house guests.

My parents are coming in for the holidays and I am ecstatic!  They are what most people consider healthy.....whole wheat grains, low fat, low carbs, etc....  but they are plagued with many physical ailments.  Every time they visit I like to provide a paleo menu so they know this way of eating is tasty and I'm hoping since they will be here for 12 days they may actually see some improvements in the way they feel while they are here.  We'll see....

So here is what I have planned for their visit (in no particular order):

Spiced Chicken with Mashed Plantains

South of the Border Acorn Squash

Prime Rib and fixins (this will be Christmas Dinner and probably not Paleo)

Steaks with Roasted Vegetables

Burgers with Sweet Potato Chips

Taco Salad

Tom Kha Gai Soup

Chili

We'll probably go out to eat a night or two and we will have my momma's lasagna on Christmas Eve.  Cause that's what I remember having growing up and I want it now that I'm grown :)

Meal Plan

Did you stop reading because in the last post I wrote by instead of buy?  Yeah, I realized that long after it was published and it's been in the back of my mind to fix it since then.  Unfortunately, there have been so many bigger things in the front of my mind I didn't get to it...  

This week I have planned to make what is listed below.  But, I woke up to no water so I'm not sure how life is gonna work for the next few days.  The pool is now serving as a place to wash hands for now....just added more chlorine...and we are finally going through the water we had stock piled for hurricanes.  I guess we could always eat canned chicken and saltines for dinner if need be....

Monday:  Rotisserie chicken and leftover fall roasted vegetables

Tuesday:  Sweet Steak Salad (if we have water)

Wednesday:  Sun-dried Tomato Meatballs and a veggie salad

Thursday:  Pizza

Friday:  Toss up?

Saturday:  Chili

Sunday:  Spiced chicken with plantains

Meal Plan

Everywhere you read these days you read something like "It's almost Christmas already?" or "This year went by so fast!"

Even though I'm feeling that way, I'm not gonna say it.  I just nod my head and agree every time someone else says it.

Speaking of nod.  Have you ever seen/heard of Land of Nod?  They have some super cute, unusual stuff for kiddos.  I like cute and unusual stuff.  Actually, it's the part of Christmas that plagues me the most.  For my family I want to get them stuff they want, but what do you do for those people you buy gifts for but don't want to get normal stuff.  I don't want to get my best friends t-shirts.  Unless it's this one....

or this one.....

Those are funny.  I would buy my friends those.  

You see what I mean though, right?  It's tricky to get the perfect "I know you enough to get you something cool, yet practical" gift....especially because there aren't many cool but practical gifts.  How did I get here?   Not quite sure.....   I guess I should just say, good luck with the rest of your Christmas shopping.  Don't let it get you down.  It's not what Christmas is about anyway.  It's about a little baby that came to save the world.  For that I am grateful....eternally grateful.  (you see what i did there?  ha!)

If you're still with me here's the menu for the week:

Monday- Sweet potato basil soup with sausage

Tuesday:  Spiced chicken with plantains

Wednesday:Thai- style steak salad

          - for soy sauce i'll use soy free tahini sauce
          - for sugar i'll use honey
          - for vegetable oil i'll use coconut or olive
          - for peanuts i'll use walnuts or almond slices
          - i may not use bean sprouts

Thursday:  Pizza

Friday: Steak and fall roasted veggies

Saturday:  Not sure.  Probably chili again....but I may do burgers instead.

Sunday:  1st birthday for my little one!  Menu tbd.

Meal Plan

Here is what the dinner menu is this week...

Monday:  Paleo Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti squash

Tuesday:  Tom Kha Gai Soup

Wednesday:  Curried Coconut Tilapia

Ingredients:
1 c. coconut milk
4 kaffir lime leaves (i get them at whole foods and store what i don't use in the freezer)
2 tsp. fish sauce
1 1-in. pc fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp. red curry paste
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 large shallot, sliced
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 lb. tilapia filets
1/4 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
1/3 c. toasted coconut

Bring milk to a simmer, add lime leaves and continue to simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in sauce, ginger and paste; set aside.  Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil on medium high, add shallots and sauté 5 minutes.  Toss with curry powder and add 1 more tbsp. olive oil.  Continue to sauté 5 minutes before adding fish filets in a single layer.  Cook filets 2 minutes on each side.  Pour milk blend over filets, top with cilantro and continue to sauté at a minimal boil for 508 minutes.  Serve over rice; top with coconut. 

You can find Kaffir Lime Leaves at Whole Foods.  I usually purchase a few boxes and store them in the freezer to have on hand for when I need them.  The Tom Kha Gai recipe calls for them as well....

Thursday:  Pizza

Friday:  Taco Salad

Saturday:  Chili

Sunday:  Roast