My menu plan is now sponsored by the great people over at Better Batter Flour.  Stop by and say “Hi!” and check out all the fun.  This week I am excited to try the sourdough starter to make Dairy Free GF Amish Friendship Bread.  For more menu planning inspiration at Better Batter Flour, check out the gluten free vegetarian menu from Cindy of  Vegetarian Mamma.  Thank you Better Batter!

Last week we marched in a local parade with the Girl Scouts.  We have done it almost every year since my oldest daughter was in first or second grade.  How fun is that?  Pretty fun, but for this week the big fun we are looking forward to is
my son coming home after being gone for the past two weeks hiking at Philmont.  That is too long for a boy to be away from his momma (only for me, probably not for him-LOL).  We have been missing him something fierce and can’t wait to hear all about his adventure.  I do have to say I am not looking forward to his laundry after a 96 mile hike…  Good thing he washes his own!  Bwahahaha!

We can’t wait for you to get home!

Can you believe the Olympics are over?  My family LOVES to watch the Olympics whenever they roll around.  This year we were sure to check up on the gluten free Olympic athletes who did so well.   For my gluten free kiddos it was great to find dedicated, gluten free athletes competing and keeping healthy to follow up on in the news.  Two of the gluten free athletes even won gold in their events (and one of them did that twice)!  Woo-hoo!

 

The Gluten Free Menu Swap is being hosted today by Heather of Celiac Family.  She has picked peaches as the theme for the week.  Beside simply eating peaches straight up this time of year (along with all the other yummy stone fruits available right now), I also enjoy them in salads with Poppy Seed Dressing, in Peach Muffins,Chicken with Apricot Sauce (replace the apricots with peaches), and Bombay Chicken.  How do you like to serve peaches?

 

Freezer cooking plan for the week:  This is week two of my plan to fill my freezer over the next four weeks  to prepare for the upcoming school year.    Last week’s focus was breakfast and this week it is lunches.  My kids pack their own school lunch every day, so having easy to fix items in the freezer really helps us out when it is time to pack up those lunch boxes.  And that, my dears, works for me.  🙂  I would love for you to join me and fill our freezers together!  To entice you I am providing a grocery list, printable recipe cards and freezer labels.  Below in the menu you will see what I am cooking up each day, but there are alternative recipes listed if you have a favorite Better Batter recipe you would rather bake up.  🙂

Food Preserving Plan:  Eh…  don’t really have one this week.  The tomatoes are ripening, but not coming in huge canning amounts yet.  I might not worry about canning too much this week unless I can find a good deal on peaches, apricots, plums or some other stone fruits.  The super busy canning season is almost here, so I might as well enjoy a little time off.  I will be freezing some basil pesto and and drying some herbs for my winter herb stash.  Maybe.  We’ll see what I feel like and how the week goes.  🙂
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Monday:  XC practice/mom works/MY BIG BOY IS HOME!!!  YAY!!!
Salmon & Sweet Potato Patties and Spinach Salad  (Note:  begin sourdough starter in the morning for baking Dairy Free GF Amish Friendship Bread on Wednesday.  I am looking forward to trying this recipe.)

Lunch Week – Cooking for the freezer:  Bake a double batch of Pizza Muffins (double batch= 24 muffins) or bake up a batch or two of these amazing Easy Homemade Pizza Rolls.  This recipe is on the “MUST MAKE” list my kids have for me, so I’ll be baking up a batch this weekend.  Totally fun!

momma chores:  Clean bottom shelf of the refrigerator/check fridge contents and use up leftovers in lunches and breakfasts, clean bathrooms (with kiddo help), mop

kiddo chores:  change dishcloth & hand towels, vacuum, dust backroom


Tuesday:  XC practice/trip to the zoo with friends

Chicken & Veggie Nuggets with grilled zucchini, and Corn, Tomato and Onion Salad

Lunch Week – Cooking for the freezer:  Bake up a double batch of Chicken and Vegetable Nuggets(some for dinner and the rest for lunches in the freezer).

momma chores:  clean bedding out in chicken coop/clean out purse, balance checkbook, clean windows in kitchen/dining area (they are gross and I didn’t get to them last week)

kiddo chores:  clean bathroom mirrors, vacuum bedrooms, stock t.p. in bathrooms

 

Wednesday:  Mom works/drama group practice

“Clean out the fridge” Veggie Omelettes with Dairy Free GF Amish Friendship Bread and melon

Lunch Week – Cooking for the freezer:  Bake a double batch of Corn Dog Muffins (double batch= 24 muffins).  Or bake up this tasty Yankee Style Creamed Corn Cornbread as muffins after stirring chopped hotdogs into the batter (keep an eye on the muffins while baking.  You will need to reduce the baking time).  To make the recipe dairy free, replace the buttermilk with 1 cup unsweetened plain gluten and dairy free milk substitute mixed with 1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and the butter with the same amount of melted gluten and dairy free margarine or 3 tablespoons olive or melted coconut oil.

momma chores:  dust bedroom, mop kitchen

kiddo chores:  change dish & hand towels, dust kid bedrooms


Thursday:  XC practice/mom works/daddy off to run in Ragnar 

Spinach Burgers (from the freezer) with corn on the cob and Red Cabbage Slaw

Lunch Week – Cooking for the freezer:  Bake a double batch of Ham and “Cheese” Scones (double batch=36 scones)

momma chores:  clean microwave, wipe down washer and dryer

kiddo chores:  dust living room, clean out van of extra things

 

Friday:  XC practice/daddy running Ragnar with his team (he is a crazy dude – just saying’…)

Sticky Chicken Legs, Broccoli Salad and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes (cut into oven fry shape)

Lunch Week – Cooking for the freezer:  Catch up on any lunch baking that might not have happened, bake up a double batch of your family’s favorite lunch item to freeze, or take a well deserved day off!  On next Sunday look for my plan to stock up on dinners for busy school nights.  🙂

momma chores:  clean dish washer door. change sheets, wash bedding, sweep porch, mop

kiddo chores:  change dish & hand towels, change sheets in kid bedrooms, vacuum

For more menu planning inspiration, see Laura for Menu Plan Monday and Melissa’s Monthly Gluten Free Menu.