Meal Prep 3/23/20

Potatoes, Pork, & Beans

Potatoes : 4-5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, boiled, and mashed with 4 tbsp butter, 2 oz cream cheese, milk (to desired consistency), garlic powder and salt to taste. 

Pork : 4-5 lb pork loin cooked in the crockpot with 1 can of beer, 1-2 cups of apple cider,  and about 1 cup of barbecue sauce. Cook on low for 6+ hours until internal temperature reaches at least 190.  Pork is safe to eat when internal temp reaches 145, but it will be more pull-able if the temp reaches closer to 200.  

Beans : 2 lbs green beans, tossed with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt.  Roasted at 425 for 15 minutes. 

Meal Prep 3/9/20

garlic crusted pork tenderloin 

fried potatoes

sautéed carrots

Pork $15.95 : Place a 5 lb pork tenderloin in a large glass baking dish and cover the top with a generous amount of garlic powder.  Bake at 400 for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 140.  Let rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to allow the internal temperature to continue rising.  

Potatoes $8.97 : Chop 4.5 lbs petite potatoes and fry in a large wok with olive oil.  Then mix minced garlic, chicken broth, dijon mustard, soy sauce, and sesame oil (about 1.5 cups total with all ingredients).  Pour over potatoes and continue cooking until liquid has evaporated off.  

Carrots $2.96 : Chop 3 lbs carrots and saute in olive oil.  Add garlic powder to taste. 

15 lunches @ $1.85 each

Carvers Gap 2/22/20

It was a cold day and we expected this hike to feel about the same as our hike to Grayson Highlands a month ago.  But when we parked at Carver's Gap and got out of the car we could tell it was a lot warmer.  I was still skeptical (and coughing up a lung) so I played it safe and kept my layers on just in case.  I ended up shedding them as we went and having to carry them or attempt to stuff them into Coby's already over-stuffed pack.  There was snow on the ground and the combination of snow, slush, and melting ice on parts of the trail was treacherous and slippery, but the sunshine was nice and warm!

Meal Prep 3/1/20

Ground Turkey, Risotto, and Broccoli

3 lbs ground turkey ($9.99)

1+ lb arborio rice ($3.00)

2 lbs broccoli ($9.23)

I cooked the turkey in a wok with blueberry barbecue sauce and added some chopped mushrooms at the end.  I made the risotto with chopped onion and chicken broth (64 oz @ $3.98).  I roasted the broccoli at 400 for 30 minutes. 

Makes 12-15 meals, depending on size.  ($2.19-$1.75 per meal)

Meal Prep 2/24/20

Creamy Cheesy Chicken with Quinoa and Brussels Sprouts

Chicken : 5.8 lbs B/S chicken breast.  Chop into bite sized pieces, cook in a large skillet with a little bit of olive oil.  When you can't see any pink, add garlic, ground ginger, 2-3 tbsp dijon mustard, and1 c heavy cream.  For thicker sauce, mix 2 tbsp corn starch with a bit of cold water, then pour over chicken mixture.  Add 2.5 oz spinach and 4 oz chopped mushrooms.  Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until spinach is wilted and mushrooms are cooked.  Add 2 large handfuls of shredded cheese, stir til melted, and remove from heat.

Quinoa : Cook 3 cups quinoa according to directions on package.  We used about 1.5 cups of tri-color and 1.5 cups of red quinoa. 

Brussels Sprouts : Chop 3 lbs brussels sprouts, spread out on baking sheets, coat with olive oil and garlic powder, roast at 400 for 30 minutes. 

Makes 12 meals. 

5.8 lbs chicken $11.64

4 oz mushrooms $0.99

16 oz quinoa $3.50

2.5 oz spinach $1.75

3 lbs brussels sprouts $7.23

$25.11 / 12 = $2.09 per meal

Meal Prep 2/17/20

Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole

1.3 lbs pasta shells
36 oz canned tuna
12 oz frozen peas
24 oz frozen cauliflower
1/2 c navy beans
minced garlic
2 (ish) cups milk
4 tbsp butter
1/3 c flour
shredded cheddar cheese
breadcrumbs

Cook pasta according to directions on box.  Cook the beans according to directions on package, then drain excess water. Drain the tuna.   Cook frozen cauliflower in a wok or large skillet.  Add minced garlic (to taste) and dijon mustard (to taste) when cauliflower is no longer frozen.  Add peas.  Cook til peas are no longer frozen.  Turn off heat, add tuna, mix well.  In a saucepan, combine butter and milk.  Stir on medium heat until butter is melted.  Add flour, stir til combined.  Add a few big handfuls of shredded cheddar cheese.  Stir until cheese melts.  In a large glass baking dish (or 2), combine pasta, tuna/vegetable mix, and cheese sauce.  I filled a 9x13 inch dish and a 7x11 inch dish.  Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and more shredded cheddar. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 for 25-30 minutes.  Makes 12 lunches.

Workout Wednesday 2/12/20

Monday's exercise line-up at school : 

40/12, 1:20 rest between sets, 3 rounds

Yesterday, I did another circuit workout, this time at home, with my mom. 
I used the TRX bosu/for a few exercises.  Modifications for no TRX are in parentheses. 

40/12, 1:20 rest between sets, 3 rounds

1) jumping jacks
2) 1 leg TRX pistol squats (variation : regular squats with weights)
3) calf raises
4) TRX row, standing on Bosu (variation : shoulder L)
5) TRX Tricep extension (variation : tricep chair dips)
6) pushups
7) lunges
8) boxer twist
9) shoulder bridge
10) plank

Meal Prep 2/10/20

Venison Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans this week!  Hubs decided to spread the meatloaf out in the pan instead of making it into a loaf shape, so we ended up with something resembling a meat cake with ketchup icing!

Meatloaf 
3 lbs ground venison, 2 eggs, 1/4 c (ish) Italian breadcrumbs.  Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes (internal temp 160).  Ketchup sauce : a mix of brown sugar and ketchup.  I paid zero attention to the amounts this time...

Mashed Potatoes 
5 lbs yukon gold potatoes.  Boil til soft, then mash with 1/4 c butter, 2 oz cream cheese, milk, garlic powder, and salt to taste. 

Green Beans 
36 oz frozen french cut green beans.  Sauté with garlic and mustard to taste.

Grayson Highlands 1/25/20

Brrrrrrrr...it was so cold!  And windy!  And there was snow blowing around!  But we had a great time wandering around in search of ponies and views.  Walk faster stay warmer is what I always say!

5 people crazy enough to go hiking in the winter.  

Surprisingly, we were not the only ones out there!