Category Archives: meal planning

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cancer, meal planning, Myeloma, velcade, Walking by

I woke up at my regular time, and the clocks were back an hour. Based on the light, I went out to walk at 5:50, which yesterday was 6:50. I liked it as no one else showed up. It’ll be this afternoon that I won’t like it at 4, when yesterday that was 5. But every year we go through this and adjust.

My son visited yesterday and took a big load of wood to the dump. He thinks maybe 2 more loads and it’ll be gone. A good accomplishment. I went to the store and picked up sandwiches for us all and that was nice.

Today, I’m not going into the Auburn gym because my daughter and I are going down to my son’s place to visit and go to the farmers’ market. He has a lovely park that is right near the American River, and it’s quite nice, so we’ll go over there too.

This week I have Velcade and then my new lowered Dex. I didn’t notice a big difference, but maybe the Dex wore off sooner. Dex affects my breathing, and I did notice that the night I took Dex. It’s just a matter of getting through it. 😦

I need to go to Costco too this week. I wanted to get some of their sale items. The chicken pot pies are on sale, which are good for an easy dinner. The Starbucks holiday coffee is on sale, too. Buying stuff when they have their sales is definitely a big savings.

Because of Velcade this week, I’ll probably only get to the pool and gym once. Also, I need to make an appointment for the Santa Fe as the service light switch isn’t working( it’s a computer chip, apparently.) I got it to scroll once, but then it stopped working again. So I need to do that this week. At least I don’t have any other appts.

We’re in for another beautiful day here in N Ca. The wet weather is expected to arrive by Wednesday. Also, I hope Prop 50 passes so we can redistrict some of these worthless Republicans.

I need to write up a menu plan for the week and what house chores I need to focus on.

Simple Sunday

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

I had a rough day yesterday. It seemed like everything was achy, and I was stiff. Not sure if it’s the rainy weather and arthritis hitting, but today is better. I walked even though it was drizzling and then raining. I’m not walking for great distances( one mile), but I felt I should at least move some. I’m planning on going to the gym this morning although its already almost 8am. I’ll sit here a few more minutes and decide.

Well, I’m back from the Auburn gym, so that feels good. I try and do weights at least 2x a week, and the Auburn gym helps since it’s close.

I finished the kitchen zone yesterday, so that’s done, and I only need to tidy up some things today and figure out dinner. I have some russet potatoes left from the Costco bag, so I might do some form of potato, and I have some broccoli. I’m not sure what protein I’ll add. I don’t have any tofu, so ??

I also want to write the menu for the week using what I have.

  • beans, WW tortillas, cheese, etc.
  • soup of some sort, I think I’ll do a lentil soup with carrots and add curry powder to make it curried lentil soup.
  • I have some chicken burgers or turkey burgers to use so I’ll do that.
  • I think I’ll do a breakfast for dinner night with scrambled eggs, blueberry pancakes, and sausage if I have any.
  • I want to look through the freezer and see what needs to be used. I know I have spaghetti and meatballs frozen. I need to check what else I have in there.
  • a pizza night
  • ???

I plan to go to the pool at least once and Maheny at least once.

We’ve been having fun watching the original Frankenstein and Dracula, which is on Prime. We actually have the DVD’s but these have been digitally remastered and there are subtitles. Both of these were around 1931, so the sound quality wasn’t very good. Plus, they’re only like an hour and 10 minutes.

That’s about it for today. I’m going to read and do some more practice embroidery.

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, camping, meal planning, swimming by

I am enjoying my new iMac. It’s so pretty and nice to work on. It was such a thoughtful thing my daughter did.

Yesterday, we ventured out to the pet bookstore. I picked up some old Hillerman, in which I always enjoy being immersed in the Southwest. After having lived in Tucson for 5 years and then a small stint in Santa Fe, the southwest does get into your being. I wouldn’t ever move there again, too many people, too much congestion, too many people using water that isn’t really there, etc, but we did love it when we were there. The smell of orange blossoms lining the neighborhoods is a favorite memory. Plus, riding our bikes all over town. Back then, you could still drive through campus, but that changed a number of years ago.

I also picked up a Japanese lifestyle book called Wa. I looked through it yesterday, and there are a few interesting ideas.

After the bookstore, we went and had some tacos.

I’m trying to stick to my routines as much as possible, but some days I just sit and do nothing. Today, I need to write my list for the week and figure out what I’m doing and when. I pick up Barclay’s ashes this week, so that day will be hard. I’ll probably just go down and straight back home.

I know I want to swim at least once. During my last swim, I felt much better, so I think I can catch up soon to where I was. Additionally, I want to go to the Maheny gym and the library.

Meal planning has gone out the window for now, and my daughter and I just figure out dinner daily. I do have lots of freezer stuff, so I am working with that. We did have a small BBQ on the 4th of some steak bits. That was yummy. We had a Cobb salad on the side. Mostly, I’m looking in the fridge, staring blankly, and then figuring out some game plan. Also, my daughter has been cooking meals up, which has been nice.

My son is coming up today to do some more dump run stuff. I hope he can get rid of all the metal stuff. ( old pool frames, carport frames, etc.) There’s still a load of old wood that needs to go too. In the past, B would just have a burn pile in the winter for the wood, but none of us want to do that. So to the dump it goes.

I gave away a few dozen canning jars for free the other day too. I’m not planning on doing a lot of canning so I figured someone could use them. They went very quickly and I will do another box soon.

Other than that, just hanging in there.

What wonderful things are you guys up to? I hope making the best of it.

Menu

Posted in California, cancer, cooking, Death, husband, meal planning by

We are eating very light salads and meals.

Sunday night, we had a Greek pasta salad, and B ate some! That made me happy.

Monday- left-over Greek salad, and my daughter made a pan of polenta with herbs and cheese.

Tuesday- something Mexican. I have beans and rice, so I just need to add a protein.

Wednesday- I want to use some pasta (fettuccine from TJ’s) in the freezer. I’ll add grilled chicken or some shrimp.

Thursday- Again, some freezer meal to keep working our way through stuff. Plus, I have a container of spring mix to use for a salad.

Friday- not sure. My son is coming up to get the truck and smog it. He’s spending the night because the next day he’s going to do a dump run. Of course, all this depends on how B is doing.

All in all, we’re keeping it very simple. Nothing too involved. Just simple food.

Anyone who has had cancer or is going through end of life recognizes how small your world becomes. You just don’t go out a lot or even really care about much except what’s next. I’d love to go down to the pool or the gym, but I’ll have to see how each day shapes up. If I can, I’ll try and do something this week.

We did a phone intake with hospice yesterday. It was very thorough, so we’ll see what today brings.

A bit of catch up

Posted in California, cooking, meal planning, swimming, Walking by

I finally broke the ice, so to speak, and went to the pool. I felt ready to do it. I kept it very low-key and did about 20 minutes. The pool was not overly busy, so that was nice. Still sharing lanes but no waiting. I can certainly feel it this morning though.

I walked this morning, although slowly, as I am sore from swimming and my knee feels a bit stressed. My daughter is taking B to infusion, so I will be home doing some odds and ends stuff. I want to get another box of canning jars to Goodwill, so I will do that.

Menu things are not so interesting as I’m not too motivated to cook with,B not eating much.

Last night I made blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs, so not very exciting.

Tonight, I’ll check the freezer and see what needs to be used up.

Wednesday- Chicken on the BBQ and tofu

Thursday- ginger soy ramen ( recipe from the NYT)

Friday- pizza

Saturday- TBD

What’s on your menu plan?? I could use some inspiration.

Memorial Day and some menu ideas

Posted in California, cooking, meal planning, Uncategorized by

Memorial Day is the day to remember those who gave their lives in service to this country. If you’ve read my blog long enough, you know my brother was killed in Vietnam in 1968. So young.

Menu stuff.

Last night we had another BBQ with hot dogs and macaroni salad, and baked beans.

Monday- ( Memorial Day)- I have chicken to grill up. I probably will do a side of salad with avocado with tomato.

Tuesday- This is the day I’m out almost all day, so I might order a pizza or see if my daughter wants to cook something.

Wednesday- Breaded cod with fries, both from the freezer.

Thursday- I need to check the freezer and see what needs using up. I might do pasta with pesto sauce and salad.

Friday- If we’ve had pizza already, I’ll just do something else.

Saturday- I think it’ll be back to BBQ. I have some veggies to skewer, and I will add tofu and maybe some steak bits.

My daughter and I had a wonderful brunch at High Hand Nursery/Cafe.- It’s quite a unique place as it it is a very posh nursery with absolutely beautiful plants, flowers and trees plus a cafe. It is very popular and you almost always need a reservation.

We both had Eggs Benedict. yummy.

Ha, I had started eating and remembered to take at least one picture.

Menu Monday

Posted in cancer, cooking, meal planning, Political things by

Last night we had corn on the cob and baked potatoes with lots of toppings and a small salad on the side.

Monday- I might do corn again, but on the grill, chicken sausages on the grill too. Boca burger for the veggie.

Tuesday- I defrosted some carne asada, and I’ll have that with a tortilla and toppings. I have beans too, so I’ll make up a bean burrito for B.

Wednesday- I have lots of eggs, so I think I’ll do brinner. Scrambled eggs, and I’ll do some potatoes on the side.

Thursday- I’ve been wanting to make some minestrone, and I got all the ingredients so I might do that.

Friday- Regular pizza night

Saturday- I think I’ll do another BBQ with steak and veggies. Tofu for B.

The week ahead looks good. We’ll know his blood counts by late afternoon, which will really determine the week. I have my appointment on Thursday, so I can’t do that day or Friday, but my daughter could do Friday if necessary. It’s wait and see again.

I’ve just finished my house reset and still need to sweep the kitchen floor.

Just a comment about Biden being diagnosed with cancer. He summed it up well, ‘that we all are affected by cancer’, one way or another. I just wish the orange man in the white house would give up his bashing of Biden. Biden did the best he could and took us out of tRump’s first disastrous term, especially dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19. Was he mentally competent? I’m sure he was until maybe this last year when the decline was evident. But look at tRump, he’s definitely not all there with his ramblings and impulses. Plus, Biden cherishes democracy, and tRump wants to destroy it in the name of righteousness. What a joke, a dangerous joke though.

Menu Monday

Posted in budgets, California, cooking, meal planning by

We did end up having salmon and halibut last night for dinner. I put the salmon on parchment paper, added tomatoes and olives, and then used olive oil to coat it all. It was quite good.

Monday- quiche and salad

Tuesday- bean burritos with toppings

Wednesday- soup of some sort, I need to get creative here and maybe look through some recipes. I think,actually, I’m going to do ramen bowls.

Thursday: Chicken from the freezer. I have French fries, too, so I might make chicken burgers.

Friday- pizza

Saturday- TBD

It’s raining here this morning, which is a bit of a surprise but welcome. I have a few house chores to do, along with making a sourdough jalapeno cheddar loaf.

Menu Monday

Posted in Blood test, bread, California, cancer, cooking, meal planning, Uncategorized by

Last night we had the TJ’s kung pao with rice, and B had the vegetarian Pad Thai from Costco. The TJ’s K P is quite excellent and a good freezer item. The Pad Thai was okay, but I only had a bite to try.

Monday- I’ll probably do something simple, like salad and tofu. Probably a tofu scramble since I have celery, carrots, mushrooms, etc to use.

Tuesday: I’ll make a pot of Rancho Gordo beans and serve them with tortillas, cheese, avocado, and salsa.

Wednesday- I’ll probably do Brinner with eggs and pancakes or maybe waffles would be fun.

Thursday- Soup of some sort. I need to look through the fridge/freezer and see what might need using up.

Friday- pizza, of course, but I’d like to use the free coupon that’s still in my wallet.

Saturday- TBD, if it’s nice out, I’ll use the Weber outside.

The cheddar olive loaf came out delicious.

Toasted, it is yummy.

Well, today is another home day, now that I’m back from my labs. I need to vacuum, mop, and I’ll do a few inside windows.

Tomorrow is a busy day down in Roseville with B getting his 2nd immuno and I plan to get gas, and go to Costco for a few things, and I’d like to hit up Winco for salad stuff. Buying the salad stuff from Costco is probably cheaper in the long run, but it’s just too much for us to get through. Plus, Winco’s prices are so low and so reasonable. His infusion is only 2 hours or less, so that’s perfect timing for me.

Menu for the week

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, home stuff, meal planning, Walking by

I actually write out a menu for the month. But usually, it is somewhat generic, like Taco Tuesday. So that may end up as burritos or enchiladas. It’s more of a guideline ( remember that funny line in Pirates of the Caribbean)!!

Anyway, we had the home-canned chicken tortilla soup and the vegetable barley the other night. Last night, I made spaghetti sauce and we had spaghetti with that, and B had some ravioli. The tomatoes were the last bag I found in the freezer from last summer, so I wanted to use that up, but I didn’t want to get out the canner, so I froze a few pints.

Tonight, I plan on chicken enchiladas from the freezer with home made refried beans. I’ll make B a few bean/cheese quesadillas.

Wednesday- I think I’ll do some sort of burger with fries.

Thursday- grilled chicken and a Boca burger for B.

Friday- pizza, and this week I will use the coupon I have for a free pizza.

Saturday-??TBD

It’s raining again this morning, so no walking. Plus, it’s quite cold, and a Sierra storm is hitting Tahoe pretty hard. I was going to go down to the Roseville gym, but I think I’ll skip that today. Tomorrow the sun is back and I’ll go to the pool.

Thursday, I have my doctor appt, and on the way back I’ll either go to the gym or Costco. I’m leaving it open, as you never know how long the doctor’s appointment is.

I ordered my Rancho Gordo beans last week, and they should be arriving soon. If you haven’t tried RG beans and you eat beans, you should try them. These are all heirloom beans and the flavor is unsurpassed. I always cook my beans in the crockpot, no soaking first. I put it on high for 6 hours or so.

I’ve been good about not ordering from Amazon although I did order a bamboo blind for the sunroom. That’s the kind of thing I’m not going to go search for. Back in the day(Ha Ha), you could go to an import-type store and find these, but I wouldn’t even know where to start today.

B has labs today, so we’ll see how the hemoglobin is. He still seems tired all the time, but I think that’s the cancer. Tomorrow, hopefully, when he talks to the UCD doctor, we’ll know more. What a shit show. Anyway, I’m just going on the assumption that everything is on schedule till we hear otherwise.