When do you meal plan? Or go grocery shopping? I’ve shared my favorite days are Fridays, but I know a lot of people are on the Saturday and Sunday train. We ate several great meals this week so I wanted to share them today in hopes they may offer some inspiration for the week to come. We have had a pretty full spring break week, full of fun, not slaving in the kitchen, so all these meals come together pretty quickly too!
I switched things up last week and did our grocery shopping at the revamped Lowes Foods (in Mooresville for the locals!). It is totally worth checking out if you live nearby. I did a (probably too) detailed tour the highlights on snapchat (follow me — ahealthyslice) and it includes some pretty snazzy upgrades like a clip-your-own-herbs garden, a new coffee shop, beer den, etc.
Ok, ok, on to the food!
Pork Tenderloin and Sauerkraut with a Roasted Potato and Arugula Salad
I used this easy and delicious marinade for the pork, then seared and baked it. Meanwhile I roasted a bunch of small red potatoes in olive oil, salt and garlic powder. Once roasted I tossed them (still hot) into a big bowl of arugula and tossed the entire thing in a simple vinaigrette of spicy mustard, vinegar, olive oil and a little honey.
Crockpot Enchilada Rice Bowls
I used this recipe for the enchilada mixture and loved how quickly and easily it came together. I used chicken breasts instead of thighs and didn’t cut them up, just shredded them at the end. Next time I will add a can of Rotel or a little salsa to spice it up (personal preference) but highly recommend it as a staple weeknight meal. I served it over brown rice and topped with scallions, cilantro, avocado, sour cream and hot sauce.
I’m also almost sold on the idea of a rice cooker after so many of you have raved about them. Will a simple one like this work? It’s on super sale and I’m super tempted. Feedback please!
Avocado Feta Salsa Grilled Chicken over Massaged Kale
Pretty ugly, right? Haha! I can’t get enough of this avocado feta salsa— seriously it is SO good. It is my favorite party dip to make but also goes great on top of grilled chicken for a flavorful meal. I tossed in some massaged kale, dressed simply with olive oil and salt, to fit in some more greens.
Pesto Pizza and Salad
I can’t wait until summer so I can grill this delicious pesto pizza outside, but we made do with the oven for now. I used a jar of pesto instead of making my own since I’m still waiting for my struggling basil plants to take off. The toppings combo on this pizza is so tasty that David doesn’t even mind this vegetarian meal!
Zesty Shrimp and Quinoa with Roasted Asparagus and Baked Sweet Potato
I used my favorite shrimp marinade that is perfect for grilling shrimp, but also ended up working really well with sauteing too. Served over quinoa with simple roasted asparagus with salt and garlic powder on the side.
The whole family really loved this meal. Maybe it was because they helped prepare it (again, behind the scenes stuff on snapchat– find me at ahealthyslice)? I’m sure it had nothing to do with the little bit of butter and drizzle of maple syrup I put on the girls’ sweet potatoes.
Both cleared their plates!
Breakfasts this week included some cheesy eggs and a lot of oatmeal smoothies.
We are hooked on this busy mom’s kid-pleasing smoothie.
Lunches were simple too. I think I’ve perfected the ham and cheese sandwich with mustard. I grill it on the stove in a little butter to make the cheese melt.
For more meal inspiration, check out my detailed weekly meal plans page.
What was the best meal you ate this past week?!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kate says
What a great idea to toss the hot potatos in some arugula. I love these type of warm salads!
My favorite meal last week was when my husband whipped up a variation of the spring roll bowl by Pinch of Yum. It was so delicious I could have bathed in that bowl. π Our son (15 months) loved it, too. So now I just need to get my husband to make it again this weekend!
Have a great one!
Jodi S says
Great weekly meal plan! I see some new recipes on my menu next week!
Our best meal was our date nite out … :0 or I could make pretend I made it myself… My favorite meal was halibut served over a potatoe cake and wilted spinach serves w a red pepper sauce. ( Even I recognize there no way. I would have created that…;)
I made the enchilada crockpot dish this week and really liked it! One thing I did was add red and green peppers and an extra can of black beans. So we had it the first nite, had date night the second nite and then had a great leftover meal the third night! So not two nites in a row, but perfect for leftovers after a busy day!
Erin says
Yes! Get the rice cooker! I have an even simpler one than that (same brand) and I use it ALL the time. I almost want to get a new one for myself with a deal that good!
Halie says
That is the exact rice cooker I have and I love it! It works well with both white and brown rice. I don’t use it often so I liked the low price point also
Heather says
My rice cooker is even more basic than that and I used it almost daily!
Alyssa B says
That is the rice cooker that I have! It is awesome. I was never a brown rice fan until I got my rice cooker.
EmilyS says
Check out the Instant Pot which can be used as a rice cooker and pressure cooker. I love mine – you can cook an entire pork butt in 90 minutes. I primarily use mine for bone broth which cooks in 2 hours! I think its worth it just for that.
http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-IP-DUO60-Multi-Functional-Pressure/dp/B00FLYWNYQ?ie=UTF8&keywords=instapot&qid=1459517127&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
Heather says
I always forget how good a warm salad can be. We’ve been lots of Easter dinner leftovers this week, but I’m okay with that because I can’t even remember the last time my son ate everything on his plate!! Green beans and all! Now if only we could get my daughter on board… I think they ate their weight in strawberries this week.
Heather says
Oh, and as for rice cookers – we have the exact same one you’re looking at and love it! Some nights I even make mac and cheese in it. :p I am looking at the Instant Pot a previous commenter mentioned, however.
Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! says
I have GOT to get back into the meal planning world next week! Eating out is just packing on the pounds!
Annie says
That smoothie sounds delicious! How much of each ingredient do you use?
Brittany Dixon says
I don’t measure anything, but for a smoothie big enough for 2, I’d guess 2 small frozen bananas, maybe 1/2 cup of oats, 1/4 cup peanut butter, big squeeze of honey, a tbsp or so of chia and about 16 oz of almond milk — that feeds H, K and a little for me π
Annie says
Thank you! I don’t measure my smoothies carefully either, was just curious about general amounts π thasks so much!
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
Love the look of the shrimp and quinoa dish! I do Sunday meal prep because I work M-F and Sunday afternoons are kind of my reset and get ready time. I also make breakfasts at night for the next day during the week!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
I donβt grocery shop yet, thank you to the handy dandy meal plan I have at university, but over the summer, mom and I take grocery shops on Mondays! I love our weekly hour together of roaming the aisles and buying things we know were never on the list ;). That avocado feta salsa grilled chicken over massaged kale sounds perfect. Especially right now since the weather is warming up and a cool salad sounds delicious!
The best meal I ate this week was pesto pasta that my best friend created for me. She has a basil plant in her windowsill that was finally ripe enough to use and it was incredibly fresh and rich.
Elizabeth says
I wish I ate all of this! Wow; you really do a great job. I love variety.
jennifer says
We grocery shop on Friday evenings – its a whole family affair!
My grocery shopping has changed slightly since I just re-joined a CSA type food program. This week I received the meat share so all meals revolved around what I received and a few vegetarian meals too.
We also do pizza one night, and Wednesday nights are Breakfast for dinner type foods. Having some theme nights make dinner planning so much easier.
Liz T says
I love the last photo you added showing the girls’ plates. My thought reading this was “..and did the girls eat the same??” I’m still struggling with “adapting” our dinners and should probably just cold stop doing it!!
And please don’t get a rice cooker. Please please get an instant pot (mentioned in an above comment) which is multifunctional. I’ve been eyeing getting one myself. I hear they are magical and would love you to get one and share lots of stories of what you do with it!! π
Brittany Dixon says
Don’t be too hard on yourself about the dinners- I’m trying to all eat the exact same thing more and more, but I still adapt a couple nights a week too. Especially if it is spicy (which I love but the girls don’t).
As for the rice cooker– I already bought it- AH! But now I’m going to look at the instant pot. My gadget addiction is real…
Erin G. @ Treats and Sneaks says
What kind of oatmeal do you use? Rolled, instant, steel cut?
Thanks! π
Brittany Dixon says
I use Love Grown’s bags of oats and chia. They cook quickly! If I have more time I will do steel cut π
Cynthia Clausen says
Hi! I have been following your website/blog lately as I just feel a connection to what you are doing. I am homeschooling my two boys, who are 11 and 9 right now. Are you homeschooling? It seems like you have an interest, but I can’t tell if you have taken the plunge or not=). I am starting a health coach certification class on May 16th. I’m nervous because I really need it to produce an income, but other than that I am nothing but excited =)!
Brittany Dixon says
Hi, thanks for your comment! We are starting homeschooling in the fall “officially” and are really excited!