My menu plan is now sponsored by the great people over at Better Batter Flour.  The menus will also be published at Start Gluten Free, an online resource made to welcome people into the gluten free living community and help them not feel overwhelmed by new dietary restrictions.  I am honored to be a small part of this vibrant community!  Stop by and say “Hi!”

 

We just have a couple days left of our Winter Break from school, so I am just going to finish this and skip off to snuggle my kiddos.  Do you do anything special for New Year’s Eve?  We have done all sorts of things in years past; gone to a friend’s house, had a big open house here, or just a small gathering, etc.  This year we are planning on simply lighting a fire and hanging out together. I am looking forward to that!

In case you missed it, be sure to download my Christmas gift to you:  a Gluten Free Dairy Free Smoothie Packet.  It’s perfect with the new year and all those resolutions creeping up around the corner.  Enjoy!

Heather of Celiac Family is hosting the Gluten Free Menu Swap this week.  We are skipping a theme this week and having a free-for-all!  Woo-hoo!  Actually, my only theme is that it must be WARM as it is going to be cold this week – below zero cold.  On New Year’s Eve we are having Burgundy Mushroom Stew which is a hold over from our vegan days.  I always made a big batch of it and kept in in our slow cooker for New Year’s Eve night for whom ever would drop by.  It is warming and comforting – just the thing to ring in the new year!  Do you have any New Year Eve food traditions?

 

Freezer cooking plan for the week:  My main focus will be breakfasts, as our breakfast stash is pretty low.  I’ll be cooking up Cranberry Orange Scones, Date Nut Bread (made into muffins), and Apple Sausage Quiche.  And I just can’t resist…  I am going to make some Pecan Sandies, simply for fun and because they are delicious.  Mamma needs a treat!

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The week’s breakfast options:Eggwiches with chopped veggies on gluten free English MuffinsCoffeecake in a mug with poached eggs and various fruits.

The week’s lunch options:  Ham and turkey sandwiches on GF Bavarian Pretzel Sandwich Rolls (YUM!), Samosas, Individual Chicken Pot Pies (dairy free), various fruits and veggie sticks.

 

Monday:  New Year’s Eve!

Burgundy Mushroom Stew, Crispy GF Bread Sticks and Kale, Apple & Pancetta Salad and Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Homemade Marshmallow Fluff for dessert.

 

 

Tuesday:  New Year’s Day!

Lemon Poppy Seed Waffles, Candied Bacon and some sort of salad made from citrus and pomegranates that I have yet to concoct.  Something seasonal and fruity… 

 

 

Wednesday:  Back to School/Orchestra (high school)/mom works/XC ski practice/youth group

Carol’s Chili in slow cooker with Olive Garden Inspired Gluten Free Bread Sticks and a salad made from chopped romaine, broccoli, roasted brussels sprouts, and roasted golden beets topped with Thousand Island Dressing.

 

Thursday:  jazz band/mom works/XC ski practice/girl scout meeting

Slow Cooker Pork, Black Beans and Amaranth Soup with Artichoke Garlic Bread (done dairy free)


Friday:  XC ski practice

Fish Tacos with all the fixin’s, Vegetarian Dirty Ricered cabbage coleslaw and Cinnamon Sopapillas for dessert.   I can’t wait!

For the freezer:  This is my day off so I’ll be making some breakfast items for the freezer.  Our breakfast stash is pretty low.  I’ll be cooking up Cranberry Orange Scones, Date Nut Bread (made into muffins), and Apple Sausage Quiche.  And I just can’t resist…  I am going to make some Pecan Sandies, too!  In case you are wondering, no, my oven is not fixed, but my tiny little practically-a-toaster-oven (it can hold a pan the size of a loaf of bread) is working.  I have discovered a loaf of bread will scorch on on end and be fine on the other, BUT muffins (6 in a disposable pan fits) bake up just fine with no scorching.  Yay!  It will take a really long time to get my plan all baked up, but as I am planning a putter around the kitchen day, it should work out fine.  🙂  Anything I have trouble getting finished will just have to get finished off on Saturday.  

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Need more menu planning inspiration?  Head over  for Menu Plan Monday at Organized Junkie.  For an awesome month long gluten free money saving menu, see Melissa’s December GF menu plan at Stockpiling Moms.