Menu and Grocery List

I've changed things up a little in how I do my menu.  Instead of writing in main dishes and sides for every meal, I am making a list of main dishes and a list of side dishes and will pick and choose as I go.  Since I will be using this same menu for 4 weeks, this will allow for a little variety in what gets matched up with what. Still tweaking it a little but this is it so far:

Main Dishes:

White Bean Chicken Chili (copy)

Whole Chicken (crock, rotisserie, or grilled)

Tilapia

Pork Chops

Taco Salad

Sopa de Pollo

Rosemary Chicken

Sides:
Quinoa

Roasted Broccoli

Green Beans w/ ELOO (extra light olive oil) and garlic

Brown Rice

Cabbage

Tomato, cucumber, mozzarella salad

Salad

Cauliflower Cakes

Gingered Broccoli

Zucchini Boats

Asparagus

Penne w/ Asparagus

Sweet Potatoes

Lunches:

Pasta with Rotelle

Pepperoni Rolls w/ Pizza Sauce

Chicken Nuggets

French Fries

Pizza Bites

My ultimate goal is to get my family off of processed foods completely.  Still working on this a bit as I've gotten it down to where there are only processed foods on the lunch menu.  It's a work in progress.

Working, Working, Working

I'm currently working on the future educational plans for both of the boys.  Looking into the future at the path for Harrison's high school years and getting Kenzie through graduation and on a successful path for college.  Next year, it is our hope that Kenzie will be in the College Pathways Program at RCCC and will do so his senior year as well.  As for Harrison, I'm considering the options of outside classes as well as extracurricular activities and curriculum choices and subjects.

For Harrison I have mapped out the following:

8th Grade

My Father's World Exploration to 1850s

MUS, Life of Fred, or Saxon Math - still haven't decided.

Apologia General Science with the possibility of an outside lab class with nJoy Science.

Easy Grammar Plus

Wordly Wise, 8th grade

A writing program..... which one, I don't know

Traditional Logic

Latin

9th Grade - Notgrass Exploring America, Apologia Physical Science

10th Grade - Notgrass Exploring Government, Apologia Biology

11th Grade - RCCC College Pathways Program

12th Grade - RCCC College Pathways Program

I've also managed to pull together a menu and grocery list that I will use for 4 weeks.  Why doing this is so difficult for me, I don't know. I know it saves money to shop with a plan.  And I know, it pleases my husband when I spend money wisely yet, I lack the motivation to do so.  Until today. This is what I've come up with.

Main Dishes:

White Bean Chicken Chili

Whole Chicken (in the crockpot, rotisserie, or grilled)

Tilapia

Pork Chops

Taco Salad

Sopa de Pollo

Rosemary & Garlic Thighs and Potatoes

Sides:

Quinoa

Roasted Broccoli

Green Beans with garlic & ELOO

Brown Rice (twice)

Cabbage

Tomato, cucumber, and mozzarella salad with balsamic vinegar dressing

Cauliflower Cakes

Gingered Broccoli

Zucchini Boats
Asparagus
Couscous
Sweet Potatoes

Lunches (for the boys):

Pasta with Rotelle or sauce

Pepperoni Roll ups with pizza sauce

Chicken Nuggets

French Fries

Pizza Bites

I am working on getting this processed stuff for the boys' lunches out of their diets.  It is a work in progress.  I can make the chicken nuggets and will make the pepperoni roll ups and I could even make the fries, but really, what's wrong with frozen fries? Truth be told, I COULD make my own pasta, too. Come to think of it, there was even a pizza bite recipe on Pinterest, so I could make it all.  Key word, could.  But will I?

This is not all set in stone.  Still working out the details.  I've stopped eating white stuff (pasta, potatoes, rice, sugar, etc...), so my lunch choices will be different than the boys'.

And a little side note: I'm learning to play the violin and taking back up the piano.