Category Archives: meal planning

Saturday Stuff

Posted in books, California, meal planning, Walking by

Still a bit dexed out, but I think if my daughter drives, we can go to the pet bookstore. I’d also like to get the Santa Fe washed. It’s fun to go check out the books and DVDs. I did buy a Blu-ray of The Lincoln Lawyer a while ago and watched it last night. I liked it.

Still a warm day today with temperatures in the low 90s. It is nice right now, and I had a nice walk. A few people at the park, but that’s just the norm now.

I made homemade pizza last night using 1/2 the TJ’s pizza dough. It stretched out quite thin, and with just a small amount of sauce, this time I used TJ’s whole milk mozzarella. It came out excellent. Their pizza dough is a fabulous bargain and stores well. It probably upped my calorie count for the day, but I’ll consider it my cheat day. I did lose a few pounds, but it seems at least one pound came back. At some point, I will go back to my PCP and get the Zepbound prescription. But right now I really don’t want to add anything to what I already take.

Tonight I think I’ll grill up some chicken, and I have some broccoli to use too. If I don’t feel like that, then I’ll do the chile relleno from TJ’s with some home-canned beans.

Well, off to start the day.

Midweek Musings

Posted in budgeting, California, home stuff, meal planning, sleep apnea, Uncategorized by

I had a really awful night last night. I was restless, and my mind wouldn’t stop. I finally took an Ativan (which I haven’t but maybe one other time since starting CPAP). I slept ok, maybe for an hour, and then woke up to go to the bathroom and promptly threw up the Ativan with stomach acid. Something has changed with my use of the CPAP and taking the Ativan. Someone on the Facebook group said it relaxes your jaw and tongue too much. All I know is it was weird. I’ll consider whether I want to drive down to Roseville. I’m not feeling quite with it this morning. But it’s early yet, so I still have time.

I did get a lot done yesterday. I did the kitchen zone and the bathroom zone. I didnt get to using the Dyson though so I’ll do that today.

We had steak bits last night for dinner with asparagus. I thought the asparagus was subpar from Costco. I still have half a pack left, so I’ll check whether they still look good. Anything like that I could bring back to Costco for a refund, but sometimes it’s just too much trouble.

Tonight I have some ground turkey to use, and I think I’ll do turkey burgers. I’ll have mine on a romaine lettuce leaf. Sort of like In an Out’s protein style burger. I am also planning some chicken teriyaki with the chicken I defrosted. The rest of the week, I don’t have a plan yet. We don’t usually eat leftovers for dinner, Lunch, yes, but not dinner.

I’m not reading anything right now, so a trip to the library is calling. I just need some authors to check out. I’m waiting for the Calamity Club, which I have on hold. I might check out buying the ebook. Has anyone read it?

Today is our last day in the 80’s, and then starting tomorrow we’re back in the 90’s. We’ve been trying to conserve watering, and since we don’t have a garden this year, it’s just a little bit of lawn we have, and the plants like lavender.

Update: I’m going to stay home or at least not go to the pool. I may go out to the bookstore if I feel better.

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, budgets, California, cooking, meal planning, Uncategorized by

I hope you all had a nice 4th of July. I did my walk and then a few extra things. I must have felt good enough that I painted the front door. It’s been on my list forever, and I guess it was the right day. I might start doing all the window trims as it is the same color but we’ll see.

My daughter got out an old grow light of Barclay’s, and I put it near my orchids as it is full spectrum. Hopefully, that will encourage a few spikes. Growing orchids has been a fun hobby and a challenge since I tend to overwater. The light purple one that I had spiked is still going strong. I love that orchids keep on and on.

Today is open, and I’m thinking about what I’d like to do. It’s been nice being home and not thinking about going out to do anything. I do like structure and a schedule, at least of some sort.

First, I’ll go for a walk as it’s cool out and there are some great cloud formations. Next week still looks good temperature-wise, and then it creeps back to the 90’s.

I want to plan out some dinner ideas, being on the low carb. It does take a little more planning to not just fall back on pasta or potatoes. I know I’ll pull some chicken from the freezer and maybe the ground turkey. Last night we had steamed broccoli and a souper cube of meatloaf I had made a while ago. It was ok, not great. I think that had some breadcrumbs in it, so not totally low-carb. I’ll continue to assess as this goes along. So far, it’s not terribly difficult except for maybe the bread or bagels.

I do need to hit up Costco for romaine lettuce, as I’ve been using that to make turkey or ham roll-ups with cheese. Not too bad, and I like the crunch. I also want to buy some squash, and they have a big bag of both zucchini and yellow squash. I could try the sliced zucchini lasagna. I don’t want to overthink this and keep it simple.

I didn’t do a whole lot yesterday and was kinda tired all day. I finished a book on my Kindle that I’ve read numerous times and is one of my favorites: Meg Wolfe’s series. They are some of my favorite books to reread.

Today, after waking and having breakfast, I’ll see if I want to go to the Auburn gym. If I go to Maheny gym tomorrow, then I could skip today. I’ll wait and see how I feel in a bit.

We finished watching Project Hail Mary last night, and it’s a great movie. I’d definitely recommend but it’s long, so we did it two nights. It’s on Prime.

No Menu Monday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, Death, meal planning, medicare by

Father’s Day ended up ok. I was sad, but it was still a nice day. My son didn’t come up, as he had come up Friday and spent the night. We had a BBQ and celebrated Barclay’s life. It was a nice family time.

As to menu stuff, I just plan on using whatever I have. I was going to make tofu burgers, but realized they were way past their date to be used. I had to toss 2 packs. I felt like I hadn’t really been on top of checking, sigh. So my daughter pulled out some burgers fromt he freezer and we had those with some fries.

Today, I’ll check the fridge and see what’s lurking. I know I have some romaine lettuce, as we had that on the burgers.

All my bills are paid for the month, and my new budget starts next week. This will be a week in between. I could start the budget this week but I think I’ll push for next.

I have Velcade this week, so that plus Dex keeps me home for 3 days. So no spending there. I am planning on buying a different smart ring to track 02. I bought an inexpensive one to only find out it didn’t do continuous monitoring, which is what I need at night. I’ve settled on RingConn and am waiting to see if it goes on sale during Prime Days. So far, my night time 02’s have been very good, but there is still a dip, and that’s what I need to know: for how long. If it’s only a minute, then I’m not worried. If it’s staying there, then I will need to go do the in-lab test to see if I need a different machine called the BiPAP. I do think the increased pressure has made a big difference in holding my 02 numbers higher most of the night.

I also have an appointment with my PCP doctor to see if I’ll be eligible for the new Medicare GLP 1 program. My insurance doesn’t cover Zepbound, so this program will be available regardless of insurance at a cost of $50 per month. So, I need to get the doctor to fill out forms, etc and follow the procedure. It seems a bit complicated, so I’m not sure if it’ll fly.

Is anyone else going to try the new bridge program? It starts in July.

Menu Monday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, camping, home stuff, meal planning, sleep apnea by

We had burgers on the grill last night with potato salad. I plan on grilling something tonight as well.

I think I’ll do chicken and more potato salad.

I have some tofu I need to use, so maybe tofu burgers. (There’s a theme going on here, which is easy dinners.

I’d like to make a big chopped salad with romaine, cucumbers, radishes, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and some kind of protein.

I have a piece of steak in the freezer, maybe steak fajitas? I think I have a pepper that needs to be used and some street tacos(flour).

I have lots of eggs right now, so a frittata of some sort. I have some gruyere cheese to use. Maybe I’ll pick up some mushrooms.

TBD.

Jasmine rice maybe with tofu?

I have a ramen pack I picked up from Winco, so I will use that somehow.

Today, I need to go down to the market and get a case of water. It’s on sale at a good price. I might get two. Plus, I forgot pickles the other day, so I’ll add them in too.

My sinuses are going crazy this morning, so it must be a high pollen day. I think my brother is stopping by to say hi, and my son is planning to come over too.

In other news around here:

I’ve charged the Jackery battery, and now I just need to try it for a night with my ResMed AirSense. I want to do a trial run before my one-night camping in Tahoe. I figure if I can make it one night, I might try for two at a later time.

I’ve compiled all my notes for the sleep doctor and have an approach, but I’ll let him take the lead, and then I’ll add my data and what I’d like to see happen. I know something has to be added since I am still getting SP02 drops. The question is, is it just a few minutes or is it longer? My Apple Watch doesn’t give a specific time, just a range. Downloading the Sleep HQ has been very insightful, though. And it does show how the pressure is fluctuating and breathing. So it’s interesting. I’m at the point of surrendering to whatever it needs to be. The Airsense has done an incredible job basically curing the sleep apnea, but as always with me, nothing is easy, and the SP02 is an issue. sigh:( At least, I have a pretty good understanding of what’s going on and hope we can get some resolution. As I’ve mentioned, this doctor and I did not hit it off, and this is only the 3rd time in a whole year I’ve seen him.

What’s on your menu for the week?

Does anyone use the Airsense? Had trouble with SP02 drops?

Menu Monday

Posted in budgets, California, meal planning by

I did well last week with most of my food planning. So this week, I’ll look at what food items need to be used up.

I took some ravioli and the sauce out of the freezer. I think we’ll do that tonight.

I have some pulled pork I froze from last time, so I’ll take that out to use tomorrow. I have beans frozen as well. The refrigerator freezer is looking better.

I still have quite a few tomatoes from Costco, so BLTs might be on the menu board again. Plus, I do have romaine lettuce to use.

I plan on making some brown rice and will grill up some tofu and make a bit of a rice bowl with whatever I can find: green onions, cucumbers, and radishes.

I have a turkey roast in the freezer, and I’m thinking of doing that in the crock pot. I’d like to get that out of the chest freezer. I have some frozen peas and instant potatoes I can use with it. It would be easy.

Always a TBD, based on what I feel like.

I’ve been going down the rabbit hole trying to figure out my CPAP and SP 02. It’s still dipping at night below 90, and it needs to get sorted. Reddit has a dedicated CPAP group, and it’s been helpful to read there. I see the sleep doctor in a few weeks, so I want as much information as possible to present to him. I’m still waiting to hear about the overnight test. sigh:( It’s definitely stressing me out.

It’s always something.

Menu Monday

Posted in bread, budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, meal planning by

I did get a lot done yesterday so I’m glad I just stayed home and focused on things.

The cranberry pecan bread came out great, too. The right side shows where I cut off a piece to taste it.

The ears on this got a little brown, but it may have also been the cranberries. Still, I’m super happy with how they are coming out. Today I have a jalapeno cheddar one to bake, but I’ll do that later after I get back from Roseville.

I still don’t have the feeding the starter and than make the dough down yet. What I tend to do is feed the starter in the morning, and then by the time it doubles in the afternoon, it’s too late to start the dough, so usually I wait till the next morning. It seems to be ok, but I could try feeding the starter in the evening.

Menu ideas for the week:

Last night we had Tuscan chicken in a pan. I think the Tuscan reference is that it had oregano and basil in it, plus parmesan. It used up the whole clamshell of spinach( which was what I was trying to do) and some tomatoes, too. It was good. When I cooked the chicken, I didn’t put all of it in the final dish, so I can use some of that for chicken salad.

Monday- I have some tortillas to use up, so I may just do quesadillas. I could add some chicken in too.

Tuesday- This is my daughter’s later night working, so I usually do something easy like scrambled eggs, waffles, or soup.

Wednesday- something from the freezer to use up. I have some french onion soup from Costco so maybe I’ll do that.

Thursday – I have a piece of beef in the freezer, so maybe fajitas. I also have frozen bell peppers to use also.

Friday- We didnt have pizza last week so maybe a homemade pizza.

Saturday – Again, a pantry or freezer meal of some sort.

I have some salad to use up today as well. I don’t plan on any big shopping except for fresh salad stuff.

Mid-week Musings

Posted in budgets, California, canning tomato salsa, cooking, meal planning by

Gee, another thank you to a subscriber for a donation. I’m very humbled that someone is thinking of me and making a contribution to my blog/me.

Growing up very poor, I think receiving things, i.e., money or donations, is hard for me because I probably still have some issues. That said, I am grateful for the kindness shown. I remember being mortified at having to get ‘free’ lunches in elementary school.

So yesterday was busy with canning pinto and black beans. I know I said I wasn’t going to do it anymore, but… Part of the reason was I had listed the All American on Marketplace and only got very low-ball offers, so I nixed that and decided I’ll do what I can when I can. I wasn’t going to ‘give’ it away. Thus, I canned the beans, which we use regularly anyway.

But it does take up a chunk of time. About 3-4 hours in all.

After that, I zoomed into town to get the LLS form from the bank and then came home. I started cleaning up the kitchen and put things away. In the past, Barclay always did my cleaning up for me. sigh 🙁

I also washed my sheets, and since I only have one set of sheets, I have to wash them, dry them, and then put them back on the bed. My sheets are linen, which I love, but they’re around 5 years old, and I saw some areas that are showing wear. So I may need to get some new ones. These were from Amazon, and when I checked, they seemed to be about the same price, around $125. But I’m not ready to do that yet.

Today, I’m going to Costco to get the stuff my daughter didn’t pick up, specifically eggs, coffee, and some fruit. It shouldn’t take too long, and I plan to go when they open, as that is executive time.

Then once I’m back home, I need to do a tidy up and see what needs doing.

Menu Monday

Posted in budgets, California, cooking, meal planning by

Last night we had the lentil salad with peanut dressing. It was ok. I got the precooked lentils at TJ’s, and that made it an easy recipe. We had some tilapia on the side with steamed asparagus.

Monday- My Daughter is going to the movies, I’ll have something easy, maybe grilled cheese.

Tuesday- Mexican-themed something. I have some cheese enchiladas in the freezer and can pair that with a salad and beans.

Wednesday- Still working on freezer clean out, so something that needs using up. ( I still have the turkey chili in the freezer, so maybe that).

Thursday- I’ve been feeling like waffles, so I’ll do breakfast for dinner.

Friday- I’ll probably spring for a pizza. My daughter gets off from work later, so she could pick something up.

Saturday- Whatever!

So far, the meals have been spot on and are using things up. For Easter, I always make Southern fried tofu and potato salad. We are not religious, so Easter is just another day, but the tradition of tofu is still there. When the kids were little, it was all about hiding and finding eggs and chocolate bunnies.

Today, I’m not going down to Roseville as I have some errands to do in town. Plus, I want to keep reorganizing the closet.

Here’s the white tree of Gondor.

Unfortunately, the cable line was in the picture too!!

Menu Monday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, camping, cooking, meal planning, travel by

Last night we had tofu burgers. Nothing fancy, just grilled tofu with condiments.

Tonight I have some asparagus to use up, so I’ll find something to pair with that. I don’t have anything defrosted for the week, so I’ll look in the freezer and see what to pull out. I decided on a pasta with lemony asparagus. That sounds springy!

Tuesday is usually Mexican-themed. I have beans I can defrost and corn chips, so I may make a platter of nachos. I have avocados and sour cream too.

Wednesday- If I defrost some chicken, I’ll do that on the BBQ grill and probably do enough for leftovers.

Thursday-leftover chicken. Maybe a cobb salad. I don’t have any bacon, but I can pick up some at the store.

Friday- Last week, I made a sourdough discard pizza dough for the pizza, and didn’t like it. We might get a takeout.

Saturday?? TBD

Then on Sunday, we’ll be heading down to Capitola, so that will involve eating out. Whenever Barclay and I went camping at New Brighton, we just went to the store and bought what we needed to make in camp. Since we’re not camping, we’ll need to figure out something.

Today is my dentist appt for a cleaning, and then I will do a few errands in town. I don’t plan on going to Roseville today, probably tomorrow.