January Menus

January 26 - 31
A friend gifted us with a whole box of butternut squash so one our tasks for this week is thinking up creative ways to use butternut squash in our meals. According to a book we have called The Doctor's Book of Food Remedies By Selene Yeager, squash has some great healing properties to prevent lung problems (asthma) and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Squash is high in vitamin C, low in calories and a good source of fiber. Butternut squash is in the winter squash family, including acorn and hubbard. These squashes and pumpkin can be substituted for each other in a lot of recipes. Last week's New World Chili also uses butternut squash.

sun
Baby Greens salad with artichokes, carrots and tomatoesw
Stuffed Manicotti
Sauce with Meatballs
Homemade Wheat Bread
Chocolate-mint No-Pudge Brownies

mon
Lulu kebob sandwiches in Pita Bread
Quinoa with yogurt sauce
Salad

tues
Happy Chinese New Year!
Wonton soup
Crockpot Cinnamon Beef
over Rice Stick noodles
Sauteed Bok Choy

wed
Butternut Squash soup
Honey-cornbread muffins

thurs
Small Group Side Dish:
Butternut squash risotto

fri
Chicken Marsala with mushrooms
Steamed purple broccoli with walnuts
Baby Greens salad

sat
Tahoe Joe's
Missions Dinner


January 18 - 25

Lots of mamas have been asking me about one-dish meals, crockpot faves and soups. This week's menus focuses specifically on these. Let us know if you're interested in any of the recipes. Buon Appetito!

sun
Luscious leftovers

mon
Pecan-crusted Halibut with pesto sauce
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with pomegranate seeds
Quinoa

tues
Crockpot New World Chili
Honey-Corn Muffins

wed
Indian-spiced Chicken Thighs
Yogurt sauce
Basmati Rice
Split pea dahl

thurs
Organic blue tortilla chips and salsa
Tortilla soup with cilantro, sour cream and cheese
Salad with black olives, avocadoes and tomatoes

fri
Family Pizza night
Artichoke & Sundried tomato pizza
No-pudge brownies

sat
Garlic-herb bread
Salad with feta cheese, pomegranate seeds & vinaigerette
Chicken Parmesan over
Whole Wheat Rotini

January 11 - 17

This week's menus are comfort foods at their best. Consider making a vegetarian lasagna with fresh winter produce. Leftovers can be frozen for another meal on a busy weeknight or you might even consider making two and freezing the second if you have a larger family. Our Friday night meal will be a crockpot roasted turkey which will again provide great leftovers to apply to next week's soup or enchiladas.

sun
Taco Fiesta
Crockpot shredded chicken
Refried beans
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Sour Cream
Homemade Guacamole & Chips

mon
Grilled Mahi Mahi with Mushroom Vinaigerette
Roasted Corn
Leftover Gouda Spinach Mac & Cheese

tues
Rainbow Vegetarian Lasagna
with Butternu squash, red peppers and spinach
Whole Wheat baguette

wed
Roasted Salmon with Pesto sauce
Quinoa with onions
Steamed Broccoli

thurs
SMALL GROUP
Dessert: Mint Cookie Trifle

fri
Roasted Turkey
Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Seeds

sat
Tomato-Basil Bisque
Baby Greens salad with Gorgonzola & Pears
Homemade Foccocia Bread



January 4-10

We're kicking off the New Year with some healthy dishes that are not only easy on the body but also on the wallet. One shopping tip is to purchase beans and whole grains in bulk and use them to make your meal more hearty. For example, a protein-packed meal like falafel sandwiches is very inexpensive to make, yet very filling for your family. Check out Pacific Grain & Foods on Shaw Ave. in Fresno for some great bulk deals.

sun
Artichoke & Fire Roasted Yellow & Red Pepper Sauce
Served over Whole wheat rotini
Spinach salad with chopped eggs and grape tomatoes

mon
Crockpot Beef & Barley Stew
with potatoes, kale and carrots

tues
Giada's Tomato & Canellini Bean Soup
Three sead Baguette Bread

wed
Grilled Halibut Tacos
with Guacamole
Brown rice

thurs
Falafel Pita sandwiches
with Cucumber-Yogurt sauce
Greek salad with olives, grape tomatoes and feta

fri
Caesar salad
Dorina's Eggplant Parmesan with Marinara Sauce
Garlic Bread

sat
Deceptively Delicious Cooking Club
Baby Greens salad
Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
Gouda Spinach Mac & Cheese
Brownies