8th Night

Another busy day at our home.  We had a t-game this afternoon.  It was very muggy.  We came home and made our first trip to the pool for the summer.   Hubby and kiddo were in the pool for all of about 35 minutes, then came the thunder.  We came home.  Hopefully we can make it back out tomorrow.  Kiddo's swimming skills came back to her quickly. 

Tonight's Dinner

Chef Salad

Ingredients: 1 head of lettuce

Cubed chicken (we used leftovers from last night, and a little from the Giant Eagle Salad Bar)

Cubed ham

2 Roma tomatoes sliced

2 slices of Swiss cheese sliced

A couple of green onions

Mix all together in a big bowl and serve with your favorite dressing.  We used Kraft Ranch with Bacon tonight.  I am normally not a huge fan of ranch, but it was pretty good.  We also usually put green peppers and a hard boiled egg in this salad, but alas we had no peppers, and did not feel like waiting for the egg. 

 Opinion: We all really liked tonight's dinner.  Kiddo was a clean plate kid.  I know for me this is a good way to get fresh veggies without feeling like I am just eating lettuce.  Using the salad bar for some things has proved to be a money saving idea for us.  One pack of the precooked salad chicken is over $3.  The serving that we purchased for quick use off the salad bar was $1.25.  

First Night

I created this blog because my family is in a food rut.  We pish posh about what to eat regardless of the fore thought and planning put into our meals.  We are a family on a budget, a tight budget.  We are a family of three.  We are a family of two people who are overweight, and one who we never want that to happen to.  

About me... I am a mommy, a wife, a full time college student, a preschool teacher, an aspiring politician, and a home cook. 

About hubby.... hubby is a fabulous daddy, good husband, patient t-ball coach, and currently unemployed.  If you are seeking a college degreed account manager with 9 years experience in the grocery account management industry, he is your man.  He has really honed his cooking skills since the big let go!

About daughter.... Angelic picky eater.  A vegetarian when it suits her.  Super student, and all around good egg. 

The mission of this blog.  To force ourselves to be more creative with food, to push the limits, and to not eat pizza two nights a week! I am going to try my best to not have a repeat for an entire year!

Tonight's Dinner

Maple Mustard Bone in Pork Chops

Tomato and Mushroom Salad

3 pork chops

2 table spoons Dijon mustard

2 table spoons REAL maple syrup

one small handful of spring onions

salt and pepper to taste

Marinate pork chops for at least three hours.  Grill to your liking.  I did six minutes on each side. 

1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half

1 container of button mushrooms sliced in thirds

1 package dry Italian dressing mix

1/2 cup of olive oil

1/4 cup of red wine vinegar

fresh ground pepper

(this is a variation from the Lady and Son's Cookbook.  Must give credit were credit is due)

Place veggies in bowl.  Mix other ingredients, pour over veggies.  Cover and refrigerate for several hours.  Serve. 

The outcome:  Pork Chops delicious.  Made extra sauce to dip in.  Tomato and Mushroom salad is a household favorite.  

The kid's opinion:  She was unable to swallow meat again tonight, but ate two helpings of the salad.  The meat issue is common at our home.