What's Cookin' This Week (Mar 21 - 27, 2011)?

Remember how I said that I spent a ton of time outside enjoying the beautiful weather last week?  Well I suppose it was good that I did that because I've had to spend this entire weekend indoors fighting with a sore throat, cough and nasal congestion.  Fun times! 


If it that wasn't bad enough, I also accidentally dropped my digital camera and broke it.  Yes, I broke it.  It no longer takes photos.  The camera was over five years old and is no longer under warranty so it's just going in the trash can.  We'll hopefully buy another one in a month or two.  Until then, I'll be posting less pictures or maybe no pictures.  I do have my camera phone but it can be a pain to use and upload decent photos.  I'll try though! 


So, I hate to start off the week like a negative nelly but that is what is happening here on my end.  Therefore, in honor of me wanting to take it easy this week, and in honor of Alison at The Crockpot Challenge (who was kind enough to submit a recipe for my Ugly Foods That Taste Fabulous theme last week), I'll mostly be using my slow cooker during the weekdays.  By the weekend, hopefully, I'll be feeling better and ready to cook some great things again for a friend who's coming to town to visit us.  


Anyway, let's hope the days get better from here!  This is what I have lined up for this week:


Monday, Mar 21 - Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes - I will cut this recipe in half because I know it's way too much food for my small family!  I will serve these on homemade bread and with a side of corn and salad.

Tuesday, Mar. 22 - Leftovers of Sloppy Joes - This time, I will serve them in whole wheat wraps along with guacamole dip and baked chips.

Wednesday, Mar. 23 - Slow Cooker Jambalaya - I will use chicken in place of shrimp (only b/c it's cheaper and I have it on hand!) and turkey sausage, serve with green beans and homemade bread.

Thursday, Mar. 24 - Slow Cooker Meat and Veggie Chili - my own homemade recipe!

Friday, Mar. 25 - Barbecue Chicken and Onion Ranch Pizza, recipe is from my cookbook.  This is my husband's favorite so I try to make this often and keep an extra one in the freezer too!

Saturday, Mar. 26 - Breakfast will be Orange-Cinnamon Baked French Toast (recipe is in my cookbook), with a side of bacon
Lunch will be leftover pizza with side salad
Dinner will be our friend John's choice - Dinner out Or Take out with Beer Cheese Soup from freezer

Sunday, Mar. 27 - Breakfast will be Hashbrown casserole (recipe is in my cookbook) and scrambled eggs
Late lunch/Early Dinner will be barbecue chicken, shrimp and shiskabobs.  Will serve them with my low-fat potato salad and yummy feta-herb-white bean dip



And If I'm feeling up to it, I'll make the following snacks, side meals, salads and desserts this week as well:

(1) Brown Butter-Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies - these look like heaven and they claim to be healthier!  *

(2)  Orange Vanilla and Cinnamon Poundcake - a dream come true in a cake?!  This one sounds a lot lighter than traditional pound cakes! *

* Both of these above recipes are from a new blog I found recently called Healthy Delicious~  I'm loving it so far!  I adore finding new foodie blogs! 

(3) I want to experiment with a few salad dressings and quit buying them at the store.  I'm going to start with this basic recipe I saw and experiment further with it this week! 

(4) Quinoa and Fruit Salad - Boy does this one look yummy and healthy! 


What's on your meal plan this week?  What's cookin' in your neck of the woods? I have several simple recipes that I'll be posting this week.

Also, I'm scouting for new, lighter versions of salad dressings! So please share any good homemade yummy dressings that you make with me.