Menu - Week of January 19, 2009

I *love* long weekends.  I love the time it affords us to be together.  I crave that feeling of unity.  It makes me feel sad for friends and relatives who have gone through a divorce.  It must be hard, at first, to redefine your family so you get that feeling of unity when the other grown-up is no longer part of that family.  I wonder if you ever overcome those feelings of missing that other person.  One must, I guess.  Because no matter what, life goes on and we get used to new routines, new ways of doing things, and new ways of being together as a family.  

This weekend we celebrated Daniel's 9th birthday!!!!  His actual birthday is the 20th, but I'm still in shock that we have a nine-year-old in the house.  How did that happen?  Where did my little boy go?   Part of him is still in there.  I know because every now and then he peeks out from behind that 9-year-old boy.  I can hear him in Daniel's voice and sometimes I can see him in Daniel's actions.  I know that little boy won't be around much longer and pretty soon I'll be glad that I can see the 9-year-old boy peek out from behind that 15-year-old, but for now,  I rejoice in those tiny glimpses and in the knowledge that my boy is growing up!

Ok, but that has nothing to do with food!  Yes, food.  That's what this blog is about.  I had a bad day of food on Friday - fried chicken for lunch, nachos at the PTA sale, and many slices of pizza, plus cake for dinner.  Aargh.  Time to start all over again today with the healthy eating habits. Monday night we are going to be home so David and I can cook together on the wok! Tuesday and Wednesday we are going to be at school late because of RIF.  Thursday is gymnastics and Friday is bake sale again.   So once again food must be healthy, quick or able to stay in the crockpot all day.  Here's what I'm thinking:

• Monday - Pad Thai (yes, again!)
  
• Tuesday - Pork Chops, Peas, and Mashed Potatoes, Applesauce
  
• Wednesday - Spaghetti, Salad, Strawberries
  
• Thursday - Pollo en Salsa (Mexican-style chicken), Mexican Rice, Zuchinni and Squash sauteed with butter, garlic, and serrano peppers, Pineapple
  
• Friday - Date Night (yes, we have a sitter!)
  
• Saturday - Beef Fried Rice, Salad, Apple Slices
  
• Sunday - Grilled Fajitas, Pico de Gallo, Beans a la charra, Mexican Rice, Orange Wedges
  

My mouth is watering just thinking about all that delicious food.  The Beef Fried Rice recipe is from Yan-Kit's Classic Chinese Cookbook.  The Pollo en Salsa is an old recipe from my grandmother's files.  We usually buy the chicken fajitas already marinated at HEB, our local grocery store.  They are delicious.  David is really good about buying them on sale and freezing them. He does the same with steaks.  Only buy them on sale and keep them in the freezer.  Just start thawing them two days before you are going to use them.

Ok, I'll post the recipes later.  Enjoy!