Tag Archives: food prep

Weekend Meal Planning

Howdy! It’s Sunday again and that means we’re meal planning here in the O’Keefe household. However, after shopping today, I’m really beginning to wonder why we torture ourselves on Sundays. It was SO busy!!

Weekend Meal Planning - Baby Doodah!

Before I get into my meal plan, I wanted to tell you about my weekend – It was GREAT! I’m really not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family. Thanksgiving day is always spent with Seamus’ parents and usually my mom will have her dinner the Saturday or Sunday afterward, but since I have some busy siblings, we had to adjust. This actually worked out, because now when we get back from CNY next week, we won’t need to travel to my parent’s the next day. Thanks busy siblings! 😛

Anyhoo – I got up early and headed to Panera to do some of my virtual assistant work, I always seem to think better there. After working for about 3 hrs, I came home to the cuddliest of boys. Emmett just wanted to be held, cuddled or nuzzled by me and who am I to say no. So, while daddy got ready to go we hung out on the couch wrapped in each others arms. I just love that little boy!!

Eventually we hit the road, and made it to grandma’s in plenty of time! We were a little worried because of all of the snow that had fallen between where we live and my parents (in case you haven’t heard or seen the images, here’s a good synopsis), but there was no need for worry. We got there quickly and easily!!

Emmett was so excited to see my mom, sister and brother. He’s not positive who everyone is yet (because he doesn’t see everyone all the time), but he sure does love being around people who shower him with attention. That’s pretty much all you need to do in order for him to like you. LOL There were 3 dogs there, which is weird for Emmett because he’s not used to any, but by the end of the night he was lightly petting and playing with the dogs. Yay!! Once we eventually move, I’m sure Seamus and I will want to get a dog, so I’m glad E adjusted easily.

Dinner was delicious, my brother made some amazing mashed potatoes (yes, seriously!) and then for the rest of the evening we just visited, joking and chatting with one another. It’s times like those that I treasure most! I really wish we all got together more frequently, when we do we have such a good time.

Today has been a bit of a whirlwind. I was up early, worked and then made us all a yummy breakfast, I’ve done some laundry, cleaned out the fridge (YUCK!!) and we’ve gone grocery shopping. Emmett is quietly napping now, Seamus is playing his video game and I am blogging away. THIS is what Sundays were meant for.

Our Meal Plan

It will be a pretty easy week because we have Thanksgiving on Thursday and then will be traveling home on Friday, so we’ll just grab something on the way. LOVE easy weeks!

Sunday: Homemade Pizza (carry over)

Monday: Rotisserie Chicken & Potatoes

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday (with Seamus famous guacamole)

Wednesday: Fettuccine Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

Thursday: Thanksgiving!!

Friday: On the road

Saturday: Scrounge

Quick and easy!! We don’t host Thanksgiving, maybe one day when we get a house, but for now I am lucky enough to enjoy the cooking of my mom and Seamus’ mom. Yummy in my tummy!!

I’m joining and linking up with Laura from Mommy, Run Fast! and Jill from jillconyers.com.

Your turn!

Do you host Thanksgiving, or do you just bring a dish to pass? 

Anything fun on your emal plan this week? Share in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!

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Let’s Meal Plan

Happy Monday! I truly mean that, too. 🙂 I am off both today and tomorrow and couldn’t be more excited!! However, despite being off, we are still making our meal plan, it’s our easiest way to save money and not go off the rails when we’re grocery shopping.

Our Fall Meal Plan - Baby Doodah

How was your weekend?

Ours was pretty good! Saturday we spent a good deal inside, going between watching movies and cuddling to play with cars and trains – oh and of course being loud!! haha Yeah, Emmett’s new thing is to shout everything, even when he’s singing. It’s a good thing he’s cute! In the morning, I did get to go for a Pedicure with a friend and then out for brunch. Boy did my feet need some TLC.

Sunday, was equally as easy going. Since we have today and tomorrow off, we decided to hold off on grocery shopping until today. So, instead of needing to rush out the door to the store, we all enjoyed breakfast together and then Emmett and I headed out to do some shopping. I had intended on going to a few different stores, but Emmett had a different idea, we only made it to JoAnn’s and Trader Joe’s – better than nothing, I suppose.

After nap time, Seamus went to the gym and Emmett and I played outside. Our weather was decent, chilly but dry, so we pulled out his Little Tikes Cozy Coup (affiliate link) and rode it around the neighborhood. He was in heaven! Of course, after our walk we had to take it in the backyard, where Emmett tipped the car no less than 3 cars. haha He was so muddy, but he was having a blast, so WHO CARES!?

The rest of the evening went by in a blur, we had dinner, finished watching a movie we started on Saturday, gave Emmett his bath and then it was to bed. What an awesome whirlwind of a weekend!

Now for our Meal Plan

Sunday: Balsamic Pork & Baked Potatoes

Monday: Homemade Pork Fried Rice

Tuesday: Steak & Chick Peas & Tomato Salad

Wednesday: Rotisserie Chicken & Asparagus

Thursday: Fettuccine Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Greek Meatballs

That’s a seriously yummy week, right there!!

If you share a meal plan on your blog, you should join me at either Mommy, Run Fast or jillconyers.com! Link that post up and make some new friends.

Your turn!

How was your weekend? Do anything fun!?

What’s on your menu for the week?

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Looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to get your news? Check-out theSkimm and sign-up for your daily email box delivery of the world’s news, plus if you share your birthday, you get it listed at the bottom of the newsletter on your day. It’s like celebrating with thousands of people!!!!

Sunday Meal Plan – Week #22

Hello and Happy Sunday!

How was everyone’s weekends? Our was mostly great, until this morning. When I went in to get Emmett this morning he and his bed were covered in vomit. 🙁 As soon as I opened the door to his bedroom I could smell it, but it wasn’t until I turned on the light that I saw the mess.

He must have puked much earlier in the night, and either just ignored it, or slept through it. He had it in his hair, on his face, PJs and body. It was all over his mattress, blankets and stuffed animals. I felt like a terrible mother!! My poor child had slept all night in his own vomit, but he didn’t cry or make a peep all night (we still use a monitor).

I know there was nothing I could have done, but I really felt bad for him. We quickly got to work cleaning him and his room up, but still can’t seem to get rid of the stench. Everything that got covered, has been lysol’d (a few different times), we’ve scrubbed the rug and his mattress and it still stinks. We got some fabreeze and some of the powder you put in the carpet and then vacuum up, I’m hoping one or both work. Any mom’s out there have any advice?

Needless to say we’ve had a very low-key day. Just cuddling and keeping Emmett happy, poor little guy. I love that little booga-loo!!

The rest of the weekend was awesome, though! We spent a lot of time outdoors, visited with my parents, watched some Thomas the Tank Engine and just relaxed. We all head back to work and school tomorrow, but there is only 5 more wake-ups until we’re on vacation (OH YES, I am counting!). 🙂

Recycled Image - I lost most of my pics when my iPhone dropped dead. :/

Recycled Image – I lost most of my pics when my iPhone dropped dead.

And now, this Week’s Meal Plan

Sunday – Pork Loin & Corn on the Cobb (carry-over)

Monday – Mexican Pizzas (carry over)

Tuesday – Marinated Chicken & Zucchini

Wednesday – Corned Beef (in the crock-pot), cabbage and red potatoes

Thursday – Homemade Steak Subs & Fries

Friday – Tilapia & Cauliflower

Saturday – Chicken and Leeks

We had a couple of carry-overs from last week because one day we just scrounged around the house, Seamus didn’t feel like cooking and then we ordered delicious pizza. 😉

Here’s hoping the week goes by quickly, so that I can begin relaxing. I really and truly need it! It’s been since February since I’ve had a day off, other than a company holiday. Call me tuckered out!

Your turn!

Any advice to get the puke smell out of a room?

What’s on your meal plan this week?

As usual, I’m linking up with Laura from Mommy, Run Fast! and Jill from jillconyers.com – join the party and link-up your delicious food plan for the week and other fun foodie finds.

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Sunday Meal Plan – Week 18

It’s Sunday at 10 pm, do you know where your children are?

Hopefully soundly sleeping. 🙂 We had an awesome weekend, and once again I am sad to see it end. However, I am channeling my positivity and using my Tips for a Killer Monday to stay happy!

Saturday was Seamus’ birthday so we did whatever he wanted to do! He didn’t have any big requests, just wanted to relax and enjoy time with his family as well get a delicious steak at Outback. He was fortunate to do both. 🙂 As for birthday gifts, he’s difficult to buy for, but I know he’s been wanting to rebuild his computer that hasn’t worked in quite some time, so I just gave him cash. I did do it in a cute way, though.

If you put something in Emmett’s pocket he tries so hard to get it out, but typically will need help. I put the money in E’s pocket so that he could go ask daddy for help. He did and Seamus was really excited! I think I did well, now I just need to impress him with Father’s Day next week. Ha!

Sunday, we grocery shopped, Emmett napped, I blogged and then my sister came up for a visit. We spent the afternoon with her, but unfortunately we couldn’t go outside, the weather didn’t cooperate. We watched a movie and then went out for some frozen yogurt. Emmett was being so silly, he’d fill his spoon up and then dump it all back out and then lick the spoon. Such a goober!

I am loving our weekends this summer! We’re not even officially at summer and I’m enjoying every second.

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This is my adorable son, and my gorgeous sister (who still happens to be single), follow here on Instagram.

This Week’s Meals

Sunday: Hot Dogs & Corn on the Cobb

Monday: Steak, Chick pea & Tomato Salad

Tuesday: Marinated Chicken and Zucchini

Wednesday: Pork Chops & Cauliflower

Thursday: Hamburgers & Fries

Friday: GF Pasta & Garlic Bread

Saturday: Cheddar Garlic Oven Fried Chicken (a new recipe, that I’m really excited to try)

Sunday Meal PlanLunch: Ham & Cheedar Lettuce Wraps, baby carrots, red sweet pepper & watermelon

Workouts this Week: I’ll be doing the 21 day FIX, you can read more about it by clicking here.

Alrighty, folks – that about does it for this week!

I’m linking up with Laura from Mommy, Run Fast! and Jill from jillconyers.com.

Your turn!

Please share your meal plans / workouts in the comments below! I love reading your comments and responding back.

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If you want to start your Monday off on a generous foot and want to support cancer research, donate to my ride. I’m riding for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and their Ride for Roswell. Anything will help me reach my goal, and further advance cancer research. Just click HERE to donate.

Sunday Meal Plan – Week 16

Happy Meal Plan Day!!

It has been an amazing weekend for us here in WNY, and we definitely got outside and enjoyed it!

Saturday we made our first visit to the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmer’s Market. There wasn’t much in the way of produce, but we did get some delicious looking asparagus and some locally made chicken sausage (both of which are on the menu for this week). I also was able to grab some of my absolute favorite goat cheese from First Light Farm & Creamery, I’ve been waiting all Winter for it! They do sell it at the local co-op, but I don’t get there enough, whereas the Farmer’s Market we go almost weekly.

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Later in the afternoon, we headed out for ice cream and to play. We went to a playground that is right next to the hospital where Emmett was born. I love going there, and seeing the hospital, plus it’s fun to point it out to Emmett every time (we’ve been there before). Emmett had a good time running around and trying to jump in the puddles and it got some his super high amounts of energy out.

Today I went out on my first long bike ride of the season. I was aiming for 15 miles, I did 16.5, mainly because I got lost. Whoops! I was using Google Maps and it kept telling me to turn right, but I couldn’t. There were only dead ends. So I kept going straight, thinking I would eventually be able to go right. Eventually, I could but then I was thrown off so I had to call Seamus and he headed me in the right direction and I easily found my way home. I won’t knock Google maps for bikes, though, it does say they’re still in BETA. Now I know they’re saying that for a reason.

After that, I came home ate a yummy breakfast (GF bagel, goat cheese and eggs), and we headed out to grocery shop. Came home, unloaded the groceries, Emmett ate a small lunch and then went down for a nap. While he napped, I did some laundry, cleaned my berries, and prepped some food for the week. I also dozed for about an hour, and it felt so good! My body was tired. Once Emmett was up, we headed out for a walk. Emmett wasn’t really enjoying the stroller so we let him walk on his own, so long as he held Daddy’s hand. He really liked that!

meal plan 518 3Alright, enough jibbah jabbah, on with the food (AmIRight!?)

Sunday-Meal-Plan---Baby-Doodah

Monday: Cheeseburgers & French Fries

Tuesday: Homemade Steak Hoagies with veggies

Wednesday: Teriyaki Salmon & Asparagus

Thursday: Locally Made Sausage & Zucchini

Friday: Homemade Pizza (carry-over)

Saturday: Leftover Pork Loin & Veggies

Breakfasta for the Week: 1 scrambled egg with bacon on a piece of romaine lettuce. I eat it like a breakfast burrito and I don’t even miss the bagel.

Lunch for the Week: GF bagel with avocado mashed onto it, with cucumbers and Smoked Salmon (this is so Yummy!) I got the idea from Peas and Crayons.

That about does it! You know the drill, I’m linking up with Laura from Mommy, Run Fast! and Jill from JillConyers.com Be sure to stop on over and check-out their menus and link-up!

Your turn!

What fun things did you do this weekend?

Any fun new eats for the week?

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If you are feeling generous and want to support cancer research, donate to my ride. I’m riding 62.5 miles for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and their Ride for Roswell. Anything will help me reach my goal, and further advance cancer research. Just click HERE to donate.

Sunday Meal Plan – Week 10

Hey everyone! Happy Sunday! It’s time to share my Sunday Meal Plan with you.

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I wish I was in better spirits, because I really do enjoy linking up my meal plan, but we’ve had a rough week, and an especially rough weekend. You’re probably wondering what’s going on, or maybe you’re not, either way I’m going to share.

Over the last week, the tenants below us have had the volume on their TV / stereo up very high. The bass is completely audible through the floors and is quite disturbing when we’re trying to watch TV, or focus on something else. We tried to work with them, asking them on 2 separate occasions if they minded turning down the bass. We have absolutely no issue with talking, or other ambient noise that is caused by living above someone. After dealing with the noise for an additional few days, we reached out to our landlord, who was absolutely no help, and quite honestly made us feel much worse about the situation.

We texted back and forth with her on Thursday evening (she requested that we text). She said she’d contact them, and I’m certain she did. However, the music continued to be loud all night, and then again Friday night it was bad. I went to bed at 8:30 because I just couldn’t handle the noise. Seamus texted the landlord again, asking that she contact us at her earliest convenience. She called the next morning (Saturday), and upon our complaints of the noise, said that she was not their mother and had no control over the volume of their music or what they did. Also, going on to say that they deserve to have people over and live. I agree. We’re not asking them to not live or not have people over, we’re asking for them to turn their bass down.

We explained all this to her, but she didn’t want to hear it and began repeating the same things over and over again, about their right to live. Her only suggestion was to call the police, which we really didn’t want to do. We really would rather just handle things peacefully, so we’re thinking that we may write them a letter explaining that we don’t want a feud and that we have no issue with the actual music or their gatherings, simply their bass. Our hope is that by putting it all out there, they will want to be respectful of us, as we want to be of them. I’ll keep you posted, but this has really put our whole exciting move in a really crudy spot.

Now for our meal plan

Sunday: Crock-pot Salsa Chicken

Monday: Leftover Pulled pork

Tuesday: Hot Dogs and fries

Wednesday: Marinated Chicken and Veggies

Thursday: Homemade Chicken Fried Rice

Friday: Cheeseburgers and veggies

Saturday: Scrounge around the house

Oh! And I did manage to find my menu planners, so I’m back to writing everything out, and it was so much easier to make our meal plan and shopping list this week. Woohoo!!

As usual, I’m linking up with Laura from Mommy Run Fast and Jill from jillconyers.com.

Your turn!

Have you ever had a difficult landlord, that was unwilling to help?

What are you eats for the week?

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Sunday Meal Plan – Week 9

Yeah, I realize that it’s not Sunday, but we still needed to meal plan, so we did it today.

After a long weekend of packing, moving and now unpacking, I was ready to sit down and meal plan, unfortunately it didn’t quite happen that way because we still had plenty of unpacking to do. What ended up happening was us taking Emmett to day care, a quickly thrown together meal plan, and then a day full of unpacking (and it’s still not even close to being done).

For the past few weeks I’ve been using these great meal plan sheets, but in the move I lost them and haven’t found their box yet. Needless to say, planning wasn’t as fun as it has been, and we definitely forgot a few things. Either way, the shopping got done and we now have a fully stocked fridge with loads of yummy goodness.

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 This Week’s “Thrown together” Meal Plan

Monday – Scrounge around house

Tuesday – Crock-post salsa chicken fajitas

Wednesday – Steak with chick pea, tomato & feta salad

Thursday – Homemade Hamburgers and Fries

Friday – Marinated Chicken and Brussel Sprouts

Saturday – Homemade Pizza with Veggies

That’s it, that’s my meal plan. It’s actually shaping up to be a yummy week, despite it being thrown together at the last minute.

Thankfully I am off tomorrow, and will be spending the day unpacking. There’s so much to do, but slowly but surely, box by box, we’re getting through it.

As usual, I’m linking up with Laura from Mommy Run Fast and Jill from Jill Conyers.

Your turn!

What’s on your menu for the week? I’d love to hear your plans, in the comments below.

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