Plan to Fail or Fail to Plan - the great debate

Hello friends and followers!  Karin blogging at you today.  


First and foremost, many apologies for the lack of content and inspiration from the Two Sisters as of late.  We've been blaming it on our over the top efforts at Thanksgiving, but in reality it is more a result of our lack of groceries and oomph to create.


We are starting afresh with a new resolve - PLAN and actually execute a menu.  
Revolutionary I know, but if you think about, could actually produce some amazing results.


First step - the decision to look through my dozens of cookbooks for recipes
Second step - Grocery shopping for selected recipes


It's a good thing Alessa and I have very similar taste and thought patterns or this could have resulted in disaster.  Luckily, we were both tired of the nightly routine of  'What should we do for dinner?' Then end up ordering out or scrounging the cupboards.  Both too costly, for the pocketbook and the waistline. 


As most of you may be aware, not only do I work for Weight Watchers, I am also a member.  
So the importance of keeping off the weight I lost (70 lbs) is not only a personal goal but a professional one as well.  
Honestly, if you were to show up to a meeting to find some pudgy little person telling you all about the skills and such you need to develop for lasting weight loss and good health, wouldn't you question it?  Kind of like when Dr Phil tells people they need to lose weight and how they should do it, right.


Alessa and I have both agreed we need to give ourselves a swift kick in the rear and get back to healthy, yet delicious options in our kitchen, for all meals, Brown Bagging it at work really is the smart way to go.  Neither of us are what you would call morning people so we take breakfast and lunch with us.


The grocery bill was a bit hefty, but we will be rewarded in the end.

Breakfast options:


Oatmeal, a classic and very filling.  
I have found that microwave oatmeal packets just aren't worth it, with oatmeal I am a traditional girl.  
Old Fashioned Rolled Oats it is for me. 
1/2 a cup dry in a to-go container, throw in some cinnamon, maybe some dried fruit.  Top it with about 1 1/2 cups boiling water and ta da perfect by the time I get to work.


Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits  MMMMM, yum! 


1 C light Yogurt, flavored or plain
1/2 - 1 C frozen mixed berries or 1 1/2 cups fresh berries
1 serving of my homemade Fruit and Nut Bites (granola)


Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie
Same as above, but instead of the Granola toss in some Soy Milk and throw it in the blender.  




We also bought the stuff to make some sausage breakfast rollups, but have not made them yet.




Lunch options


We bought some fresh deli meats and a small variety of tortilla wraps.  Fresh veggies, Tomato, Onion, Avocado, Lettuce, Spinach, Cucumbers etc.  Just pick your favorite combos, pack em up and throw em all in a wrap when it's lunch time.  Or all the fixins for salad as another option.


We also made some Chicken Fiesta Soup the other night for dinner and froze the leftovers in individual serving size containers to grab and go.


Sugar Snap Peas, pre sliced Apples, yogurt and Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds add to lunch, or serve as snacks during the day. 


Now on to the star of the blog.  


Dinners


These are the ones that require a bit more planning, not only to you need to have all ingredients but you also need to plan ahead a bit and make sure you have the time to make it.


Our menu for the week, promise I will add the recipes ;)


Fish Tacos with Pineapple Salsa (easy, good) 
Pasta with Sausage and Ricotta (quick and delicious)
Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Jerk rubbed Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Chutney
Lentil Sausage Soup
Spinach and Cheese Pie