The Post Thanksgiving Meal Plan

It's the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If you're anything like me, you have done some serious indulging this past week. (Okay to be honest, I've been pretty indulgent since after my wedding since there's been no tight white dress in my future).

Either way, it's time to get back on the band wagon.

We went to Whole Foods this morning and totally stocked the fridge (which when I say was bare... I'm talking real bare). Fruits, veggies and whole grains galore. These meals for the upcoming week are going to be fun, fresh, and way better than just salad. 

Here's the plan:

Breakfasts: Granola with greek yogurt and berries; whole wheat toast and almond butter; green smoothies.

Lunches: Lunch is leftovers from the dinner before with side salads, hummus and veggies, or fruit. Sean is very considerate of his co-workers and won't bring in things that are too smelly, so on Wednesday, I'll get all the leftover shrimp and he'll take a sandwich and big salad.

Dinners:

• Monday: Honey Balsamic Chicken Tenders and chopped salad (I use apples, carrots, cucumbers, pears, avocado, sprouts and walnuts, but use what you like!)
• Tuesday: Quinoa Veggie Stir Fry and Shrimp with Ginger Garlic Sauce
• Wednesday: Endive and White Bean Salad and Pasta with Garlicy Greens
• Thursday: Greek Rice Stuffed Peppers
• Friday: Going out to eat
• Saturday: Pear, pomegranate and goat cheese salad; finishing any leftovers. 

Snacks include nuts, fruits, hummus and veggies, pita chips and chocolate (organic 82% dark cocoa and a "snack" is one square, maybe two a day). 

I'm ready to get back into feeling great, especially during the holiday season where I can get so easily run down. I hope you enjoy some of these delicious recipes. I'll be posting them as I make them, so be sure to check back all week! 

Saved by Soup

I've not been diligent about blogging lately, because I haven't been cooking. My Dad has been ill, so I've been his primary caretaker, and mostly eating Au Bon Pan from the hospital. But he's finally home today, and I wanted to cook something delicious and nutritious for dinner. Enter, soup.

I love soup. It's a low calorie way to pack in lots of veggies and lots of flavor. I made this Vegetable & Lentil soup from Williams Sonoma pictured below (that pic is from Williams Sonoma, not me).

Coconut Curry Chickpeas, Please!

I had a small lunch today, so when dinner rolled around I was so hungry. Like snack on anything available while you're cooking, hungry. Okay, I was hangry. I needed something that would come together quick - and I knew exactly what it would be.

Coconut Curry Chickpeas. In 20-25 minutes, this meal is on the plate. Let's be honest, you can't even get take out that fast.

Happy, Despite It All

I'm in a great mood today. It's funny, because in a way I feel like I have no business being so happy. I'm so behind at work. The apartment is a mess. I haven't worked out in days weeks and I have a race on November 23. I'm turning 29! And yet, I can't help but smile.

I'm drinking a fantastic cup of coffee. I'm going to pamper myself tonight and get a fabulous hair cut. I have an amazing husband. There's leftover Indian food in my fridge that will make lunch feel like a warm hug. My 90's pandora station is KILLING IT right now. Seriously, Sister Hazel's "All for You" just started playing.

So despite pretty much all the huge things in my life being in a semi-disasterous state, I'm sitting in the middle of the hurricane with a huge smile. Because, why not love every minute of it?