Sunday, February 28, 2010

Menu Plan Monday


I have to admit to spontaneously starting a low carb/no sugar diet last week and when a girl is SO used to carbs in her diet then, well, it takes some serious rethinking of the menu plan. My kids are still eating carbs because they like them and carbs are CHEAP. But last week my personal menu ended up being very different from the kids. I didn't make an extra shopping trip, I just ate from what I had on hand. But seriously....I ate almost the same thing everyday and it was getting a little old. This week I searched for something to disguise my boring low-carb menu and I'm hoping the variety will keep me satisfied.

And I'm doing everything within my will power to not eat the crusts from their plate in a rabid attempt to comfort myself with bread. Because bread and I have been best friends for a LONG time and I'm having a really hard time letting our friendship go. (sniff, sniff) I tend to be a very loyal friend.

So when you follow the dinner links your going to see a low carb theme going on. I won't be eating all of those breakfasts. While my kids are digging into their french toast or smoothies I'll be munching on my hard boiled egg with sad puppy dog eyes, trying to control the drool. But the dinners are all adjustable to fit my diet.

And seriously....I lost 5 lbs in one week of white knuckle will power so I'm not giving up yet.

Here is what's on the menu this week...


Breakfasts

Mushroom and Cheddar Omelets
Berry Banana Smoothie and bagels
Oatmeal with apples and brown sugar
French Toast with syrup
Leftover French Toast (busy morning)
Low Carb Pancakes (interesting ingredients...Hmmm)
Intentionally Leftover Pancakes and French Toast from freezer
Dinners

Chicken, Mushroom and Broccoli Alfredo
Crock Pot Roast, Mock Mashed Potatoes, Green Salad, Lemon Cheesecake Bars
French Dip Sandwiches (made w/ leftover roast) and veggie tray
Homemade Cheese Burgers, tater tots, green salad
Crockpot Roast Chicken, Spinach Salad, Cinnamon Custard
Southwest Chicken Soup with sour cream and taco chips
Leftover Buffet aka "day off from cooking"

For more great menu plans go visit Organizing Junkie.

18 comments:

Sarah said...

FIVE POUNDS?!?!?! Holy heck. I don't think I've got the will power for that but it sounds loverly.

Way to go, Gayle!

Gayle said...

I know, Sarah...isn't that crazy? I didn't think I was losing anything at all because I was so full all the time. But my jeans started feeling weird so I hopped on the scale today and about wet my pants. Woohoo! I almost thought my scale was broken.

iphone games review said...

If you have the will power to do something you can do every thing. What you need to do is the commitment.

Carrie@ Organic Thrifty said...

Hi Gayle!

I've been following your inspiring blog for a while now. I'm so glad to hear about your low-carb/sugar diet! I am a Nutritional Therapist in training, and I've got to say that it's truly the healthiest way to lose weight and get your health under control! Let me know if you need any tips or encouragement or ideas!

All the recipes on my blog are low-carb, sugar and grain-free (or at least most of the more recent ones are) so feel free to check it out!

www.organicthrifty.com

I can't wait to read more about your progress. I went of grains and starches a few months ago and it really turned my health around. Female issues (cysts, PMS) totally went away, thyroid issues improved greatly as well, and my moods and skin are infinitely better!

Take care!

Carrie
www.organicthrifty.com

Becca said...

I am not on a low carb diet, but I am SO trying the burgers and I bought a cauliflower just to do fake potatoes with. Thanks for the great ideas.

Duckygirl said...

Five pounds??!!!! Wohoooo! You go girl :-)

And hard boiled eggs sound yummy right now, maybe I'll make them with lunch. Thanks for the idea!

-Laura

Anonymous said...

I have to do low-carb because I am a diabetic. Sometimes it gets a little hard to keep the grocery budget low with this kind of diet. I eat a lot of hard boiled eggs and cottage cheese. But the meat and the nuts can really add up.
I have a question. Do you ever just get tired of always being so frugal? I have logged into your site for about a year now and see that you are always so good with your budget. It realy gives me inspiration. I will do good for a while and just blow it some weeks. Thanks for all you do.
Anja from Michigan

Holly said...

YaY! That's awesome! I've been frustrated lately because of this, the food we've been blessed with is not exactly low-carb-diet-friendly, so I am THRILLED to say the least that you are taking on a similar challenge! You go girl!

Anonymous said...

Good for you. You can do it. I have been doing low carb now for two years and have lost 98 pounds. I hope that you add more of your low carb recipes that you try and like. I started my blog the same time that I was diagnosed with Diabetes to journal my experience. I have to say that doing low carb has been such a blessing to me. I am able to totally control my glucose levels with just my diet and exercise. My goal is to lose 100 pounds by my grandson's birthday on March 15th.

Anonymous said...

I am also eating low carb and miss bread. The pancakes look interesting. I have a recipe I use that I found on Sparkpeople for low carb pancakes. They remind me of french toast. I thought I would link the recipe for you. They totally pacify my craving for breakfast comfort food.
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=628184

laura

Lalycairn said...

Super interested in your low carb menu plans. DH was recently diagnosed with borderline high blood sugar - So he is changing his eating. . . .We are getting a little more bored at breakfast than dinner - but I'm really interested in seeing all your plans to give me new ideas too!!

Candi said...

Way to go!!! There's a blog I follow, you might have read it before, but she offers a low carb meal plan for herself and then regular meal plan for her family...she keeps it pretty easy... http://tamiskitchentabletalk.blogspot.com/2010/02/menu-plan-monday_28.html

Jennifer said...

Hi Gayle, I have been following your blog since the summer and am with you on the low carb. I have issues with sugar and cravings unless I am off sugar. Try http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/ for support, recipes, and information. Also, if you sign up on Atkins
http://community.atkins.com/security/collectAddress.jsp?rc=FreeBars they will send you a nice package of free low carb bars.

Anonymous said...

Gayle-
hey I love your website. Good job on the weight loss but... I hate to be a low carb hater but it is not the best way to lose weight. I mean just think about it eating very fatting fried pig skins for breakfast and calling it a diet??? When you reintroduce carbs and sugar into your diet the weight will come right back. The only way to lose weight is to take in less calories then you burn, and that is a diet you can follow on a budget. It is all about portion sizes and knowing what foods give you the most bang for your buck like oatmeal and egg whites for breakfast. Very low in fat and calories and also VERY filling. Well any way just some food for thought and to each their own. Good luck and keep writing a great blog.

Carrie @Organic Thrifty said...

Gayle,

Not to start an arguement, but I hope you will look into what "Anonymous" said for yourself and do the research....I suggest www.livinglavidalowcarb.com for lots of medical resources. Also, Gary Taubes' book, Good Calories, Bad Calories contains lots of studies that show it's way more than "calories in, calories out". It's all about resetting your metabolism....

Don't take my word for it!

Sorry, didn't mean to start a fight....but this is totally what I've been researching and studying for the last few years.

Carrie
www.organicthrifty.com

Gayle said...

Thanks Carrie! I know that anonymous meant well but when you do the research all the naysaying is addressed. The book addresses all those issues about fattening foods and provides built in checks and balances to make sure that cholesterol and other health issues are in check. I've eaten healthier on this diet than on any other because of all the veggies and lean protein. Low carb is definately a mind adjustment though because for so long I just counted calories and ate low fat but never got the results I saw here. AND I'm always full now and NEVER hungry.

Cherie said...

Gayle,
Love your blog, just like anonymous I'm a bit concerned about the low carb thing. I've seen it done in various ways unhealthy to healthier. Glad to hear you are getting lots of veggies.
I'd recommend reading Dr. Fuhrman's book Eat to Live if you are interested in further research into effective and healthy dieting.

Lori said...

I am excited to see some low carb recipes and menus. Great job!! Your a girl after my own heart. This is what I've longed to see on your site, just because I'm selfish. Yipee!