A Method to the Madness!

I have always been "alright" at cooking a meal and an "okay" planner. But, with a toddler, a job, church, and my basic day to day: I have found it difficult to make new recipes and to actually cook some days. I got incredibly bored with our same rotation of meals, and it got to the point where we were eating SO MANY calories at each meal. Zachary is thin. Period. Savannah is thin. Period. Momma is not. So, we had to compromise. This past week, I made a plan to make a new recipe for 5 days straight. And, I did it! Triumph! They are as follows:

Saturday: Slow Cooker Chicken Phillie's!: 

 These were a very hearty meal, but worth the calories in terms of what went into your body. Veggies, protein, dairy, and grains. I will say, next time we will use whole grain wheat hoagies. Still, super good. The Dales is a MUST for this to be tasty. 

Sunday: Outback Crock pot Potato Soup

The calories in this are around 170 per 8 oz serving. I didn't add anything on top of mine (IE: sour cream, chives, bacon). It was very good, very easy, and made lots of leftovers. I made this Sunday because we are literally gone the entire day at church. An easy crock pot meal is the way to go. 

 Monday: Weight Watchers Honey Mustard Chicken:

This was my favorite recipe of the week. I loved the Corn Flake coating, and loved that it was low calorie. Zach did not even know it was "healthy" because it taste that good! I also, instead of the mashed potato's he usually request, tossed some cut up potato's in olive oil and garlic seasoning. That helped with calories. Add a nice salad, and you have a filling meal with little added to your waist!

Tuesday: Baked Spaghetti

I KNOW this wasn't low calorie, but I consoled myself in the fact that I had a huge salad with it. Savannah ate 3 bowls, and asked for more at lunch today. Success! 

Wednesday was banana bread. I have never been good at baking. It isn't my thing. But, I love baked breads and goodies. So, I branched out. Zachary's Mema gifted me a cookbook that all the sweet ladies in her church made. In it are some of the most amazing sounding recipes. Today was the banana bread. I added walnuts to one load and chocolate chips to the other, for my man child. Let me know if you would like that recipe! It was super easy and turned out moist as all get out! 

I have 6 new recipes for this next week, and just went shopping for everything today. It has been incredibly nice to have everything I need for a meal, to try a new meal each night, and to have leftovers. A friend and I were talking today, and we both said how great of a feeling it is to keep a clean house and to bake and cook. Truly, I love it. Feminist everywhere are gasping and blaming me for todays stereotypes, I am sure. But, that is my heart. I NEVER knew I would be a momma to my girl, a wife to Zach, and ENJOY doing these things. But, I find peace and joy in making them both a meal and seeing both their eyes light up when they taste it. I enjoy knowing EXACTLY what is being put into my girls body, and how good it is for her. 

All of that being said: I am still learning to DO these things. I enjoy them, and I enjoy the outcome, I do not enjoy the time and energy. It is hard. Please do not think that my house is clean and both Savannah and Zach get fed like this every night, because it isn't, and they don't. I am trying to take the small steps into being the momma I know God has called me to be, and that is not perfection. It isn't a perfect quiet time every morning in a clean house, a shower and makeup daily, a homemade breakfast every morning, lunch, and supper. It is doing everything I can to serve my babies, both big and little. And, by doing that, I am serving Him. (Proverbs 31:15-20)  He sees it as perfection, because He designed me and loves every fault.