Menu Plan Monday- March 17

by Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home on March 17, 08

in Menu Planning

Mpm2
I love a good, healthy cookbook. Some women may like manicures, fancy soaps, or a new purse. I wouldn't complain about any of those things but give me a new cookbook any day and it'll thrill my socks off!

Ever since I started my blog, it seems that I can't stop hearing great things about Sue Gregg, who I had surprisingly never run across before now (I only think it's surprising because I read nutrition and healthy cookbooks fairly voraciously).

I'd checked out her site a couple of times, and the last time I visited I discovered a fun little link on there to a Taste and Tell Sampler. The sampler is a mini cookbook, a sampling of the recipes from Sue's other books.A week or two ago, I also purchased a used book called The 15-Minute Meal Planner-a Realistic Approach to a Healthy Lifestyle from a mom in my home school group, also by Sue Gregg and Emilie Barnes, and have almost finished reading this handy book.

Here's my basic understanding of Sue's books and what I like about her so far:

  • Her Christian approach is very, very refreshing. There are just not enough Christians writing about why our nutrition and health matter as a means for glorifying God and stewarding what He has given us
  • The simplicity of her recipes- my only minor complaint about Nourishing Traditions is that many of the recipes are just a bit complex for a busy mom. Sue's recipes seem a bit more family friendly, both in appeal, and in ease of use.
  • Her solid nutritional beliefs. I gather that she began her career in nutrition in the 80's, the era of low-fat, low-cholesterol, no-meat, low-fat dairy everything. However, she is moving more towards many of the newer (well really, older and traditional) ideas, including recommending raw dairy, grass fed meats and free range poultry/eggs (although I would say she still leans a little more towards less rather than more animal protein- I may be wrong, though), coconut oil as a healthy oil, avoiding soy, and both fresh grinding as well as soaking your grains. I am eager to get into her books more in depth to learn more about where she really stands on these topics.

And so, this week is a bit of a "Sue Gregg" week as I try out a few of her recipes that are compatible with my diet. I will let you know what I think!

Monday: Lentil Rice Casserole and King's Banquet Salad (Taste and Tell)

Tuesday: Baked Salmon (fish herb seasoning from The 15-Minute Meal Planner), baked sweet potatoes and Savory Carrot Salad.

Wednesday: Turkey burgers (15-Minute Meal Planner), with 12 Clove Garlic Squash

Thursday: Millet Root Vegetable Cobbler

Friday: Sausage Strata (15-Minute Meal Planner) with salad

Saturday: Pancakes with fruit and whipped cream (sadly, no whip for me) using Sue's Blender Batter recipe for the Taste and Tell. Does anyone else just love to have breakfast for dinner every once in a while?

Sunday: Bean/rice burritos with onions and peppers on homemade tortillas, served with guacamole (and cultured sour cream, for everyone else).

I made these burritos last night for an unexpected crowd and they were wonderful and simple. I simply mixed together cooked brown rice with black beans I had pre-cooked and frozen (the ratio was probably 3:2- slightly more rice than beans), with seasoning (garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, chili, etc.). I fried up some onions, green peppers and frozen corn. I laid out tortillas with a good sprinkle of raw cheese, then a big helping of the rice and beans, and a small layer of the onion/pepper/corn mixture, then rolled it up and heated it lightly in the oven. I made homemade salsa, and we had cultured sour cream for dipping. So yummy!

Thanks for hosting, Organizing Junkie!

Edit: As I was reading Org Junkie's post this week, I clued in once again to the fact that Easter is this very weekend (I knew it, but I totally forgot about it when I did my meal planning). We are probably going down to Seattle to stay with family, so a few of these meals may actually get bumped to next week. I'm not sure which, but I will end up doing the meals that help me to use up what I have, and whichever ones most appeal to me!

About Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home


Stephanie Langford has a passion for sharing ideas and information for homemakers who want to make healthy changes in their homes, and carefully steward all that they've been given. She has written two books geared to helping families live more naturally and eat real, whole foods, without being overwhelmed and without going broke. She is the editor and author of Keeper of the Home.

Share and Enjoy

    { 11 comments… read them below or add one }

    Candace March 18, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    I have been making Sue Gregg’s blender waffles for several months now and the kids love them. They are so easy. We also love the blender cornbread.

    Reply

    Jessica March 18, 2008 at 8:54 am

    Hysterical. I just read your post about Saturday’s meal plan and we also had randomly decided to have breakfast for dinner for the first time in ages. I’m glad I am not the only one :)

    Reply

    MacKenzie March 18, 2008 at 8:05 am

    My mom was a big fan of Sue when I was young so I remember eating (or at least staring at a plate of) a lot of lentil casserole. It wasn’t bad but I was a picky 8 year old. I was just asking her about the recipe because now that I am an adult, I appreciate her hard work to feed us nutritious meals.

    Reply

    Michele March 17, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    I just finished reading the 15 Minute Meal Planner too! I got it from the library. I have it sitting next to me, waiting to copy recipes out of it. I’m looking forward to reading the Sue Gregg website you linked to. I agree; it’s wonderful to read this type of nutrition from a Christian perspective.
    Thanks!
    Happy Easter,
    Michele :)

    Reply

    Lisa March 17, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    Your menu sounds great. I love Salmon!! Have a great week!

    Reply

    jennP March 17, 2008 at 3:01 pm

    Thanks for the insight on Sue Gregg’s recipes. I feel the same way as you with regards to good healthy cookbooks!
    I would much prefer that as a surprise or a gift. I would not get as much pleasure with pampering or jewelry or anything else… :)

    Reply

    Megan@SortaCrunchy March 17, 2008 at 12:09 pm

    I LOVE breakfast for supper!

    Thanks for the heads-up on the good cookbooks. Great menu!

    Reply

    sherry March 17, 2008 at 11:38 am

    Oh, you totally got me with those burritos! Yum-O! I will most definitely be making these soon — and I will be linking you on Wednesday for links of the week, under yummy recipes!

    Sherry

    http://frugaldomesticgoddess.blogspot.com

    Reply

    Michelle March 17, 2008 at 10:59 am

    We love gralic and will be trying the 12 clove garlic squash..yum.thanks for sharing have a great week.

    Reply

    Wendy March 17, 2008 at 8:48 am

    Thanks for sharing your menu! I’ve never heard of Sue Gregg before but I’m intrigued. I’ll definitely be looking more closely. I’m adding your blog to my reader; it seems we have a lot in common!

    Reply

    Stacy March 17, 2008 at 8:31 am

    I am excited for you to try Sue Gregg’s recipes. Our family has really enjoyed them.

    Hope you are having a great day,
    Stacy

    Reply

    Leave a Comment

    CommentLuv badge

    Previous post:

    Next post: