Menu Plan Monday – April 6, 2009

Hello!  I hope things are looking like spring in your neck of the woods.  It has been pretty wintery here, but today is sunny, so I am hoping for more spring-like weather soon!  This week is another crazy work week for me (typing – so much typing!!), but I do have some fun to look forward to.  My sweet little monkey will be six tomorrow.  I don’t know why I am am always surprised with how fast the time goes, but I am.  She is becoming quite the big girl!  (…sigh…)  Of course, that does mean cupcakes tomorrow…  Woo-hoo!

I also will be walking to train for the Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk that will be held August 21 – 23, 2009.  For the past few weeks I have posted my “training schedule” and will continue to do so, so you can see what it takes to get ready for the walk.  For those of you who may not be familiar with the 3-Day walk, it is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.  In order to walk in the event (15 to 22 miles a day for 3 days, totaling 60 miles in 3 days), I must raise $2,300.00  and train to get ready to do the walk.  Why would I want to do such a thing?  Well, I have know a few people affected by breast cancer and it seems more and more are every year – my step mother, a couple of other friends, etc.  My mother-in-law is currently battling breast cancer, also.

But honestly, the reason that is spurring me on the most is my dear friend Cari.  She is an amazing friend and the fight she and her family are facing due to her cancer breaks my heart.  The form of breast cancer she has (triple negative breast cancer) definitely needs more research so a better understanding of effective treatments can be found.  I know there is very little I personally can do about what she is going through, but if by doing a little walk, I can help to raise money toward research so other families don’t have to experience what she is going though, then that IS something I can do.

Here is Cari a couple of years ago at the party celebrating her receiving her Master’s opening a gift from me of measuring spoons (why?  Well, a bunch of us made cookies and marinades at her house and the girl had no measuring spoons?  AT ALL!  Huh?  It was pretty funny!)

Cari and her family.

If you would like to find a walk near you to participate in, check out the3day.org website.  They are being held all over the country.  If you would like to help me reach my fund raising goal for the walk I am doing, please go here.  If you choose to donate, please let me know if there is someone you would like me to walk in honor of.  I am making ribbons with people’s names on them who have or are currently fighting breast cancer to attach to my pack for the walk.

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Now onto menu planning…

Head over to Laura’s for Menu Plan Monday.  Her daughter is having a birthday this week, too!   Celiacs in the House is hosting the Gluten Free Menu Swap this week and she has chosen salads as the theme ingredient.  I am completely jealous that she has chives poking up already.  I can’t wait for that!  I am making the delicious sounding salad she has a recipe for (without the feta).  Thank you for sharing it, Wendy!

This week I will also be getting things ready for Easter.  Lot’s of yummy baking is heading my way.  One of the things we will be making are Easter Story Cookies.   For those of you interested, here is an article on natural egg dyes.

Gluten Free-zer Friday will be not happening on Friday this week due to Good Friday.  Have a good Easter everyone!

Monday:  Orchestra day/dance class/Boy Scouts/Girl Scout leader meeting

   Egg bake (with broccoli and ham), hash browns, and fruit

Tuesday:  My littlest one’s birthday!!

Birthday girl’s choice:  Hot dogs, french fries, sugar snap peas and strawberries.  For dessert:  chocolate cupcakes decorated like Animal from the Muppets!

Wednesday:  Mom volunteer at school library

Chicken Stir Fry over quinoa and fresh spinach salad

Thursday:  Mom help in kindergarten classroom/Junior Girl Scout meeting

French Dip Sandwiches with  ABC salad (apple, bok choy and carrot) (We didn’t have this last week, so here it is again.)

Friday:  No school/Good Friday service at church

 Broiled fish with lemon and  Herb and Rice Salad

I’m walking 60 miles in the Breast Cancer 3-day!  Will you help me reach my goal?

Countdown to the 3-day Walk: 20 Weeks

Your Training Schedule for This Week: