February 3- Pesto Ranch Chicken

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of this meal. We had another couple over to watch the Super Bowl. At first we thought about getting some take and bake pizzas, but then I came across this recipe while looking on Pinterest. It seemed easy and healthy enough. I ended up putting the chicken with some mashed potatoes (the ones made from flakes- so easy and really yummy!) and a simple salad. I know you're probably not supposed to make something for the first time for company, but luckily it turned out delicious! Pesto Ranch Chicken recipe can be found at http://picky-palate.com/2012/09/20/pesto-ranch-crock-pot-chicken-thighs/.

January 27- Baked Chicken Parmesan

This was a delicious meal! Baked Chicken Parmesan came from skinnytaste.com. I used wheat pasta. Doesn't have a lot of flavor, but when put with the baked chicken and tomato sauce, it was delicious. My four year old really enjoyed this meal as well as the baby! Success!

January 21- Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Well, cooking 2-3 times a week has proven more challenging than I thought. I started the week off with a great recipe, Mini Chicken Pot Pies. They were delicious and literally we ate on them all week. My husband has started this new health kick which has him eating his own food, so he didn't even eat what I was cooking! A little frustrating, but I'll let him try this new "The Hollywood Physique for Men" plan that he's trying... So with it just being the two little ones and me eating, the chicken pot pies are so filling that we ate on them all week (plus I went out to eat two times, which doesn't go well with my resolution to not eat out as much, but you have to have some fun too!). I will definitely make this meal again, but will add more chicken than it called for. It's hearty with vegetables, so really the only bad part of this (but it tastes so good) is the Grands Biscuits. I think this would be a good meal to take to a family who has just had a baby as well.

Jan. 17- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Today I tried another recipe from skinnytaste.com. It was slow cooker pork. I have to say that my version of BBQ turned out quite tasty! I would definitely make this recipe again. My husband, his mom, my 10 mo. old, and I all really enjoyed it. I made a potato salad to accompany the BBQ. This recipe was actual a healthy Paula Deen recipe. I'm not a big potato salad eater, but everyone else seemed to like it. It smelled delicious! We opted for no bread in this meal, but eating the BBQ on wheat buns would be good next time. This will make a delicious summertime meal!

Jan. 15 Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Tonight I made a recipe I received from a friend. She made it for us when I had my second baby, and it was delicious!! Not saying this is the lowest calorie meal, but I tried to substitute in low cal, low fat, fat free, etc. where I could. The last step of this recipe is adding in the cream of chicken soup and chicken stock. I ended up cooking a little too long (I thought it was a little dry) because I was worried that the casserole was not set yet. Turns out, I could have cooked about 15 minutes less and let it stand on the counter for a few minutes and it would have been fine. I made this on Tuesday before I was making another one for a family in our sunday school class the next day. So it was a good trial run. This casserole heats up again well- we had leftovers for lunch the next day. The family whom I made this casserole for the next day said it was delicious and wanted the recipe, so I guess cooking less time made a difference. Green beans accompanied this casserole. It's definitely a favorite recipe and will show up again throughout the year!

Jan. 13- Chicken Enchiladas in Zucchini Boats

Success!! This meal was delicious. Absolutely tasted as good as it looked! It took a while to prepare, probably just me being slow and the fact it was my first time to cook it. But it was worth it tonight. Using the zucchini instead of tortillas was brilliant! I will make this meal again. My husband and I both enjoyed it. My daughter liked the filling up the boats, but was not keen on the "green stuff"(although she was eating chopped up "green stuff" inside the boats!). Fabulous recipe courtesy of www.skinnytaste.com.

My goal was to cook at least three meals a week. Well, last week's meals provided us with so many leftovers (plus some leftovers from eating out once), that I didn't need to cook.  I've got some great meals planned this week. I look forward to sharing them on the blog!

Jan. 8 Meal- Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

First of all, more trouble than it's worth!! My husband said he liked this, but I didn't care for it at all. The flavors didn't blend well to me. My daughter didn't like it either. My husband tried to tell her, "if she didn't eat it, she didn't eat anything." But I felt bad using that rule because I really wanted to fix myself something else to eat!

While cooking this meal- it smelled delicious!! The whole house smelled good. I was really excited to try it! It took a long time to make as well... many vegetables involved, lots of chopping. Next recipe I make with that many vegetables involved, I'll use my food processor. There was even a new food in this recipe for me, parsnip. I had to ask at the grocery store to find this. This meal makes a TON! My husband ate it for leftovers, but it could easily feed 4-6 people in one pie. And you might still have leftovers.

Anyway- glad I tried it, but definitely did not taste as good as it sounded. Meal from www.skinnytaste.com.