Confessions and a Menu

I have a serious problem when it comes to making dinner for my hubby and I. If I don't have anything planned, 9 times out of 10, he ends up cooking. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that he was a bachelor for so long (compared to most LDS men) and cooking for himself the whole time. He has an amazingly talented mother who, on top of everything else, knows how to cook exceptionally well and taught him most of what he knows when it comes to the kitchen. He can go into the kitchen and in 30 minutes have cooked a tasty meal. I, on the other hand, cannot. I have to know exactly what my options are.

Hubby and his parents (excuse the squinting, it was really bright after we got married). This is the amazing woman that taught hubby how to cook (and is teaching me now too since my momma is across the country) and so much more. 

When we first got married, my amazing hubby was the one cooking most nights. I would go into the kitchen when I got home from work, look in the cupboards and fridge, and come out to him saying, "We have no food in our apartment!" to which he would say, "Yes, we do," and he'd go make something fantastic.

I have been working on making dinners for a while now, and I'm starting to get better! I am still not good at making recipes with the same ingredients so that I don't have random ingredients sitting in my fridge forever (or if fresh, going bad before I can use them). I am trying though, so that's what really matters right?

On top of trying to cook, I am also trying to cook healthier! Something about getting married made my husband and I gain a little wait. I think it's something to do with the fact that we don't do as much as well as being brought up thinking that cheese and bacon are healthy foods! ha. Don't get me wrong. I am not cutting out two of the most amazing foods, but cutting back.

This week, I am planning for 8 meals. I know, I know...there is only 7 days in a week. I don't like scheduling what I will make on what day. I mean, lets face it, sometimes you just crave something, right? I want my menu to be flexible, so that if I don't spaghetti, it's not the end of the world if I change it. Does that count as being spontaneous? I think that's as spontaneous as I get to be honest...sad. Anyway! Here is what my plan is for the week!

(In no specific order)
1. Chicken & Black Bean Nachos - I have never made these, but I am excited to!

2. Pasta w/ Garlic Bread Crumbs - Same as above.

3. Cheesy Quinoa Mac & Cheese - Hubby says he hates quinoa, but he's never really had it. I haven't either, so I figure, it's covered in cheese, how bad can it be? (I know, I just finished saying that I was going to make healthy meals, but come on...Mac & Cheese is a classic, right?) We'll work up to no cheese. At least this way he'll eat it.

4. Pasta Salad
Tri-colored rotini with Italian Dressing. Then you can put in whatever you want. Some of my favorites are:

• Shredded Italian cheese mix
• Carrots
• Mini pepperoni (normal size work too, you just need to cut them up)
• Celery
• Avocado
• Tomato
• Black olives

Other options:

• Yellow, red or green peppers
• Onion
• Broccoli 

Pretty much anything that sounds good to you. Just make sure you don't smother it with dressing though! You want to taste the veggies and other ingredients, not a mouthful of dressing. Yuck!

5. Avocado Grilled Cheese - Never made, but it sounds amazing.

6. Pan-Roasted Chicken w/ Lemon-Garlic Green Beans - Never made.

7. BLT Lettuce Wraps - For lazy nights.

8. Slow Cooker Parmesan Honey Pork Roast - This is going to be my second time making this. I made it once before and I didn't even get to eat it. I used pork chops instead of a roast and by the time I got home from work, it was black. Not a little black around the edges. COMPLETELY black and dry and I was so ticked. I had been bragging at work how I was going to get an amazing dinner when I got home. We ended up going to Taco Bell. Not so amazing. This time, I will be home the entire time this is in the crock pot! It will be good! Then I will go back to work and brag. :) Is that wrong? 

Well, this is what's planned for this week. Hopefully I'll be able to go buy all the ingredients tomorrow! Wish me luck!