We will have all four kids beginning Wednesday and I have already initiated the meal planning process. My goals are simply to provide meals that are nutritious, easy, and edible (or that which will generate the least complaining). I use a free app on my phone called “Any List” which I am able to share with Mike. I have a menu list for the week’s dinners and a separate grocery list. I have a terrible memory and refer to my menu almost daily. Sometimes I switch around the days I cook certain foods based on our schedule for the week. I find a recipe I want to make, plan the sides and make my grocery list according to what I already have for that recipe and what I need to buy. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to save a tremendous amount of money, as we continue to spend more money on groceries than our mortgage. At least I’m trying, right? Feeding six people just isn’t cheap and these kids snack a lot!
Anyway, last night’s dinner was another Green Chef meal. My husband likes to cook the Green Chef meals. “Okay honey! You don’t have to twist my arm”!! Here’s a pic of the lettuce wraps and black rice:
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Despite being quite messy, the lettuce wraps were tasty. I’m so glad the lettuce was Romaine instead of iceberg! The black rice was delicious! I’ve never had black rice and will certainly be adding this to my home-cooked meals whenever I can! This meal was higher in calories than the average Green Chef meal at around 800 calories, but I couldn’t finish it. The picture doesn’t do its portion justice.
Prescription from a professional: be mindful of the serving size listed on the nutrition facts label of a food. If the label reads 150 calories for 20 crackers and you eat the whole box, you will need to consider that you have consumed approximately 900 calories. Please see my previous post titled “Lets Crunch Numbers!” if you aren’t sure how many calories you should be gobbling daily.
*Something you may not know: black rice is a good source of iron and antioxidants. It is comparable in fiber content to brown rice. Antioxidants prevent a process called oxidation that occurs in your body due to lifestyle choices such as tanning and smoking as well as things that we can’t control like air polution and second hand smoke. This oxidation causes damage to cells and can eventually result in the development of cancer.
If you feel overwhelmed by all the nutrition advice, calorie recommendations and diet trends, read these: Fact. Not Fad., Let’s Crunch Numbers!, Help Me To Help You!
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