No Family, But I Got Burgers!

As you know this is a holiday weekend. We will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord this Easter Sunday. While I am eternally thankful that Jesus died for my sins and because of this I get to spend eternity with Him, I am also selfish in my human flesh. This is the first year my family will not all get together to celebrate Easter. If you know me personally, you know I love to go big for holiday celebrations. The fancier the food, the funner the games, the more decorations; the better! I just love having everyone in my home, enjoying great food and wonderful fellowship.

That being said, we might not have a big huge fancy family dinner, but I will be extremely content with my amazing Strickland guys and burgers!

Oh My Goodness! If y'all have not seen these, let me be the first to tell you about these amazing Muffin Tin Burgers on this #FoodDayFriday. Find the original recipe over at Betty Crocker.com! So super easy, and they look so delicious. I just know my guys, and yours, will love this one.

I love that these are so versatile. You can totally glam these up with fancier toppings. Since I'm not hosting a big event, that's just what I'm going to do!

Let me introduce you to my fancy-shmancy Smoked Gouda and Bacon muffin tin burgers...

I am going to make these this Sunday and I will update with uber pretty pictures. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend, and remember the real reason we celebrate. He is alive y'all!

*UPDATE: 3-27-16
Holy moley y'all! We had these today, as promised, and they were absolutely amazing! They were enjoyed by all. I also sautéed fresh sliced mushrooms and added them to mine and Bill's burgers - superb!


He loves us so. Be blessed my loves.

Week 2 Menu Plan

Did you make it through Week 1 Menu? 

If so, or if you're looking for more great recipes, you're in luck! 

It's #FoodDayFriday here at Biscuits, No Butter and

here is our next week of Meal Plans!

Monday:

• Breakfast: Assorted Instant Oatmeal. All of my kids like the different kinds so we usually buy a mix of flavors.
• Lunch: Cup O Ramen. Somedays ya just have to take it easy, plus it's a kid favorite!
• Dinner: One Pot Jambalaya. Throw everything in one pot & it's done in about 30 minutes.

Tuesday:

• Breakfast: Kaylie's Omelets. This kid of mine loves to make these super simple 2 egg and shredded cheese omelets. (I usually add sliced mushrooms & chopped mushrooms to mine)
• Lunch: Grilled Chicken Bites & Mac&Cheese. I just chop up some tenderloins, throw them in a med high skillet with 1/2tsp of olive oil, and cook. Then make a box of mac&cheese. 
• Dinner: Grilled Pork Chops. We buy the thick cut chops because the hubs likes them more. I toss them in a gallon sized ziplock with 1/4c olive oil, 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp season salt, and 1 tbsp garlic salt. Cook thoroughly on a med. heat grill or in a 350 degree oven for 50 minutes. Pick your favorite side, maybe some grilled asparagus!

Wednesday: 

• Breakfast: Choice of Cereal and fruit.
• Lunch: Tuna Salad on Flaky Croissants. I love the fresh packaged croissants from the bakery!
• Dinner: Broccoli Cheese Soup in Bread Bowls. My husband has a super secret recipe from his uncle that we use, but I have tried this Panera Bread copy cat recipe from Budget Savvy Diva, and it is superb!

Thursday: 

• Breakfast: Monkey Bread. Time to pull out my grandmother's bundt pan and make some ooey-goodness! This recipe from Leaving the Rut is pretty close to mine :)
• Lunch: Mini Personalized Pizzas. My kids participate in the Pizza Hut Book It program, and they have earned enough minutes this month to get their pizzas earlier than normal! You can make your own though with some plain bagels, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, and your choice of toppings. 
• Dinner: Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Bowl. I have seriously been craving asian food lately. I have never tried this recipe from Damn Delicious before, but I am this week! Let me know if you are too! It certainly looks delicious!

Friday: 

Friday is usually my grocery shopping day, so recipes are usually easy-peasy!

• Breakfast: Pancakes. Nothing wrong with store bought mix. If you have a yummy homemade recipe, I'd love to try it!
• Lunch: PB&J with a side of Apple Slices.
• Dinner: Smoked Sausage and Brat Dogs on the Grill. Thankfully, we have some yummy Jalapeno & Cheddar Deer Sausage, and the kids love (mostly) anything from the grill! *Insider tip for Brats- Boil them first to cook, then toss on the grill. 

Saturday:

• Breakfast: F.F.Y. When your week is just so crazy, and you just want to snuggle with the hubs Fend For Yourself is to the rescue. My sister-in-law had this ingenious idea for a Breakfast Bowl, and I may have high jacked it for myself! We stock a big punch bowl with the kids favorite Pop-Tarts, Granola Bars, Instant Oatmeal Packets, and fruit. They can have how much of whatever they choose, and they are usually great at getting a balanced mix. They also love that they get to choose!
• Lunch: Homemade Lunchables. A long time ago we quit buying Lunchables and started making our own. Different kinds of crackers, turkey, ham, colby jack cheese sticks, fruit, and a sweet treat. Much cheaper, healthier, and funner.
• Dinner: Garlic Shrimp Alfredo. One of the hubs' favorite meals. Super quick and easy, and twice as delicious! If you don't have a go-to recipe already, I suggest this one from Julia's Album.

Sunday:

• Breakfast: Muffins. As mentioned in the Week 1 Menu, the kids get to choose their own flavors and make them during the week specifically for busy Sunday mornings!
• Lunch: Hot Ham & Swiss Croissants. I don't know if you remember your elementary cafeteria, but if you do you might remember Hot Ham and Cheese on a bun. Seriously y'all, I still love these! Jazz them up a bit by putting them on a croissant with some honey dijon mustard. Wrap them in foil and pop in a 350 oven for 10-15 minutes. Mmmmm. Perfecto!
• Dinner: Loaded Chicken & Potatoes Bake. This one dish recipe from Stockpiling Moms is uber good! 

Well folks, that's all for this week! Check back here next Friday for more #FoodDayFriday recipes and menus!

Don't forget to check out my different Pinterest boards for more ideas on Meals, Crock Pot Meals, and Sides!

So You Think You Can Menu Plan

Menu Planner from Happily Hope

I have not always been a stay at home mom. I loved my full-time job, but when both of us worked life was just way too busy. The laundry piled up (more so than now ;) ). I was getting off of work later than Bill. I felt like I never got to see my husband and kids. As a result of our crazy schedules lots of little things were just falling short, and dinner was... well, let's just say it was less than good. Time for a change. When I cut back to a part time job, I decided to give menu planning a go.

Starting out totally sucked! 

I was wayyy overwhelmed. My sister and I looked online, checked out books from the library, and asked other mommies who used a menu plan. If you know me, you know I will research the crap out of something until I get the answer I want. This was no exception.  

That being said, my hope with this post is that if you are looking to get into menu planning this will be your one stop shop! I have found some amazing resources over the years, and I hope that they help alleviate some of the stress associated with menu planning. Menu planning is a process. It takes some time, especially getting started. Once you have your general information gathered, the process gets quicker each time!

So, here is where I would suggest starting:

1. Lists. 

Grab a piece of paper and a pen. Start listing meals that you and your family eat. List meals that you would like to try also! Here are some suggestions:

Family Input. I asked the hubs and kids to each pick three of their favorites. Crockpot Meals. I picked about twenty crockpot meals, soups, etc. Favorite Staple Meals. Add to the list whatever you can make without having to look at a recipe. Tacos, spaghetti, breakfast-for-dinner, etc.

2. Printables 
These resources are my menu planning life!

-Master Grocery List: I use the first one listed, and love the variety of options from Creatiline.com
-Blank Idea Pages:Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, these are the exact ones that I use from Homemade by Carmona!
-Weekly Menu Planner: I love, love, love this one from Happily Hope!

3. The Great Mash Up

Week 1

This video will show you how I started using a menu plan. Ursula Carmona over at http://www.homemadebycarmona.com/ does an amazing job at giving us great printables and ideas! Use different resources, check out new sites, find what works for you and blend it together! If you're interested, here is the Week 1 Menu for my house!

Week 1 Menu Plan

Alright folks, here is the Week 1 Menu.
More menus to come on #FoodDayFriday :)

Add your own spices, your own sides, make it yours! Check out my different boards for more ideas on Meals, Crock Pot Meals, and Sides!

Monday: 

• Breakfast: Pancakes- We just use the grocery store brand mix; it's quick and cheap!
• Lunch: PB&J sandwiches with a side of carrot sticks and ranch 
• Dinner: Chicken Lombardy- I found this recipe on Pinterest and we it has quickly become one of our all time faves!

Tuesday:

• Breakfast: Cereal and an orange- We let each of the kiddos pick a cereal on grocery day for the following week to share.
• Lunch: Turkey & Cheese Roll-ups- The kids love making these! Use croissants with deli sliced turkey and 1/2 of a mozzarella cheese stick, follow croissant baking directions- super easy and delicious!
• Dinner: Loaded Baked Potato Soup- We love this recipe from the Curvy Carrot! She also tells you how to cook the potato skins!

Wednesday: 

• Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, and Toast- Keep it simple sometimes!
• Lunch: Nachos- My kids love to use the Nacho Cheese Doritos as their base, and then pile high with chopped veggies, ground beef, and shredded cheese.
• Dinner: Brown Sugar and Garlic Pork Loin with Roasted Veggies- This is a new recipe we're trying out from Dinner, Then Dessert! 

Thursday: 

• Breakfast: Cereal and an orange- My kids could seriously eat a case of Cuties in a day!
• Lunch: Hawaiian Slider Sandwiches- OH MY GOSH, THESE ARE AMAZING! And, we save the extra sauce and put more on top when they're done cooking!
• Dinner: Deer Fried Steak- Wow, looking at this menu- today is going to be the best day ever! Seriously y'all, this is the best recipe for chicken fried steak (or in our case deer! yummm!) 

Friday (this is our normal planning/shopping day): 

• Breakfast: Donuts with Dad- If you can and if you have kiddos, try to do something like this with them. Ours love that special time with Daddy! 
• Lunch: Chicken & Cheese Rolls- Throw some chicken tenderloins in a medium heated skillet with 1tbsp of olive oil. Add a sprinkle of salt & pepper. Cook thoroughly. Throw cooked chicken on a tortilla with shredded cheese and roll burrito style! 
• Dinner: Hamburger Stir Fry over Rice- I eat this stuff right out of the pan y'all! If we have it, I use deer and I also double this entire recipe for our family of 5. If there is any left, I eat it the next day for lunch and it is STILL just as good!

Saturday: 

• Breakfast: Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy- This recipe from Dessert Now Dinner Later is great! You get yummy flaky layer biscuits and homemade gravy... ya can't beat it! 
• Lunch: Make-Your-Own-Pizza- Buy your favorite bread from the bakery, or try a fresh french bread. Add some chunky spaghetti sauce and your favorite toppings. Pop in a 350 oven until cheese is melted and gooey! Guaranteed Kid Favorite!
• Dinner: Grilled Steak, Loaded Baked Taters, and Bacon Wrapped Peppers- One little splurge a week won't kill us and the hubs loves those peppers and I love me some steak! 

Sunday: 

• Breakfast: Muffins and choice of fruit- We let the kids pick their favorite muffin mix and make them during the week! They get the experience of cooking all on their own and they love sharing their finished product. (Since they are pre-made, it's also a lot faster to get out the door for church too!)
• Lunch: Hoagie Sandwiches and Chips- Grab some hoagie buns, different deli meats, some yummy sliced cheeses, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, onions, etc. and whatever condiments your family enjoys. This is quick and easy and everyone gets to pick the way their sandwich is made! 
• Dinner: Crock Pot Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken- Wal-Mart usually has two packs of whole chickens on sale, cook one and freeze one for later! Grab some instant rice, and you have a delicious meal! 

That's it for Week 1 folks. Like I said, the hardest part is deciding what to cook and following through with your menu plan. Once you start though, it's easy peasy! Week 2 Menu Plan coming later this week :)