Category Archives: meal planning

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.

Menu Monday

Posted in Blood test, budgeting, budgets, California, meal planning, Uncategorized, Walking by

I write a basic menu, mostly to keep me focused and to try and use up things that need using.

Last night was simple: beans and weenies with sauerkraut.

Monday- I think I’ll do something with tofu as I have 2 packages in the fridge.

Tuesday- I’m going to pull a souper cube of chili out of the freezer.

Wednesday- Chicken of some sort, maybe chicken pot pie?

Thursday- With the weather so nice, maybe I’ll get the BBQ out. I have some potatoes, so I could make a potato salad.

Friday- It might be a pizza night, as we didn’t do that last week. I might do homemade since pizza is expensive out, but I’d need to check what I have to make it. I think I’d need to get some mozzarella.

Saturday- TBD

I know I need some veggies and salad stuff, which I’ll get at Winco. I have some bell peppers in the freezer to use.

Today, I’m going to get the car washed and then go for a walk with my daughter down at Sierra College. There are lots of trails there, so we thought we’d give it a try. We’re planning on some sort of lunch out.

I also do sheets on Monday, so there’s that plus regular daily chores.

My son is coming over after work too, so that’ll be nice.

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, meal planning, Uncategorized by

I am off about timing this morning. With clocks going forward an hour, I got up at my regular time, although the clock said 6:30am. Then I went for a walk, and it was closer to 8am. So now I’m trying to figure out about going to the gym. I still need to take a shower so… we’ll see I guess.

I did a fun ChatGPT on getting my little office nook to look better. I ordered a small rug to go under my chair to help break the space up and took down some things on the wall. The pictures Chat generated were fun and helpful. Have you tried ChatGPT? I’ve used it for a number of things and it has been helpful.

I made a quiche Lorraine for dinner last night. I used the bacon crumbles from Costco. I was surprised at how good they were. I did cook them a bit to crisp up. Not sure what I’m doing for dinner tonight. I’m sure I’ll figure something out. It’s going to be another adjustment tonight. I usually always eat dinner around 6:15, so that’ll be by the clock 7:15, so not sure how I will adjust. I think I’ll plan dinner around 6:45-7, then adjust if I have to. I don’t like eating later than 7pm.

I have a busy week with 2 doctor appts and my labs. I won’t be able to get to the pool till Thursday, probably. These are just regular appts. The eye doctor is to scan my retina and see if there are any changes. That’s at 9:30, so no pool or gym by the time I’m out of there.

I need to write up some sort of menu for the week and see what I can use up. I’d like to empty the freezer a little more.

That’s about it here. The weather is beautiful, 71 degrees today.

Menu Monday

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

We did really well last week, and I made most of the meals planned.

Last night I made a chicken parmesan because I had defrosted a pack of Costco chicken. I had to run down to the store for panko as I didn’t have any. Then I made a batter and fried the chicken breasts. I cut them in half first, but it was still a lot. They were really crispy when I took them out of the pan, but after I finished them in the oven with tomato sauce and mozzarella, they didn’t hold their crispiness. Any ideas? Maybe I should have just heated up the sauce and plated it right then?? Have you made chicken parmesan, and how did you keep it crispy? I followed the NYT recipe.

Anyway, probably leftover chicken today, and I may do some spaghetti on the side.

Tuesday- I want to use up some souper cube beans, so beans and cheese enchiladas( frozen).

Wednesday- tilapia and some side dish. Maybe a macaroni and cheese.

Thursday- Freezer cube meal. I still have some chicken and rice cubes.

Friday- I might make homemade pizza, although we had pizza this past Friday, so I may do something else. I do have leftover mozzarella, though, so ??

Saturday- something easy, maybe just some sandwiches.

I finished watching the first season of True Detective. It was absolutely great. Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey were incredible. It’s on AMC, so if you have prime you have to add it. Each season is a different crime and detectives.

I didn’t read anything this week except a Mauve Binchy book, A Week in Winter. It was okay. I don’t have any holds at the library, so I might look at what’s new and put a hold on something.

I have another admin thing to do to change our Home insurance policy over to just my name. It’s showing Barclay as insured even though I’m on there too. So I guess I’ll brave the phone and see if I can get it changed. I do hate doing these things.

Like I said the other day, I’m not going to the pool because of the parking issue, but I will try either tomorrow or Wednesday.