Summertime & Meal Planning

It's officially summer!!! I turned in my key today at 7:45 AM and I'm ready to stay at home for the next two months. ::happysigh::

My summer plans consist of the following: cooking, cleaning, organizing, decorating, working out, and scrapbooking. I think that just about covers my inner Martha Stewart. Did I miss anything?

For my first task, I have a week's worth of healthy, low-fat meals compliments of March 2010 Self magazine. My shopping trip to Randall's today took almost two hours because I had no idea where anything was! Ricotta? Still didn't find it, but I decided since I was buying FIVE other types of cheese, I could leave that one off the list.

Quinoa?? That sounds like Jacob Black's tribe's name. I have no clue what that is, even AFTER googling it! Left off the list. I can compromise.

Bulgur wheat? Welllll.... I know what wheat is, but I still didn't know where I could find it! I just happened to be near the bulk self-serve area packaging up sliced almonds when I came across the elusive bulgur wheat. Score!!

Wasa crispbreads? Whaa? Skip.

Here is my shopping list from today:

Produce:
2 large apples
1 bunch asparagus
1 package baby carrots
1 bag baby spinach
1 medium banana
1 head broccoli
1 head cauliflower
2 cucumbers
1 head garlic
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 lemon
1 orange
1 pear
2 portobello mushrooms sliced
1 red bell pepper
1 red onion
1 large zucchini

Condiments & Spices:
Black pepper
Chinese five-spice powder (skipped... looked EVERYWHERE!)
Cinnamon
Garlic powder
Ground Ginger
Honey
Olive oil
Olive oil cooking spray
Rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
Salt
Sesame oil and seeds
Low sodium soy sauce

Bakery:
Whole wheat bread
Wasa crispbreads
Whole wheat english muffins
Whole wheat tortillas

Frozen Foods:
Whole-grain waffles
Frozen cherries

Meat, Fish, Poultry, Dairy, Eggs:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Lowfat cottage cheese (Cheese #1)
Eggs
Feta crumbles (Cheese #2)
Hummus
Skim milk
Shredded skim mozzarella (Cheese #3)
Grated Parmesan (Cheese #4)
Pork tenderloin
Part-skim ricotta (Cheese #5)
Smoked Gouda (Cheese #6)
Salmon (wild)
Roasted turkey breast
Nonfat plain yogurt

Nonperishables:
Sliced almonds
Apricot preserves (oops, forgot it!)
Reduced sodium black beans
Brown rice
Bulgur wheat
Coffee
1 can Amy's Organic Light in Sodium Lentil Soup (holy moly I found this gem!)
Mandarin oranges (ick, no thank you)
Reduced sodium marinara sauce
All-natural peanut butter
Pesto
Quinoa (see above)
Salsa
Whole wheat pasta (I got farfalle, aka bowtie)

Treats:
*There was an entire list but I figured since I have tons of food in my pantry already, I only bought two off the list. I'll go ahead and list everything!
BBQ potato chips (check!!)
Light beer (definitely not!!!)
French bread and butter (oooh check!)
Hot tamales (already at home!)
Kit Kat
Mini-marshmallows and mini chocolate chips
The Skinny Cow Caramel Truffle Bars
Smartfood White Cheddar Cheese Popcorn
Lowfat vanilla icecream and chocolate syrup
Vienna Fingers
Wine (sigh)
Yolato Frozen Yogurt Gelato Bars
York Peppermint Patties

*I bought chocolate pudding cups and I will top that with Lite whipped cream in a can. It's delish!*

Recipes:

Breakfast:
Portobello and Pesto Egg Scramble
Peanut Butter Waffle-wich
Cherry-Vanilla-Almond Smoothie
Spinach and Smoked Gouda Egg Sandwich
Apricot, Almond and Ricotta Toast

Lunch:
Turkey and Hummus Sandwich
Asian Pork Tenderloin Salad
Pesto Chicken Wrap
Lentil Soup With Cheese, Fruit, and Crackers
Quick Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Roasted Chicken

Dinner:
Spiced Salmon Over Brown Rice
Pesto-Portobello Napolean
Farfalle with Veggies in Creamy Marinara
Apricot-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Black Bean, Zucchini, and Smoked Gouda Baked Burrito

Snacks:
Cottage Cheese with Cucumber
Cherry, Ricotta, and Cinnamon Sundae
Pear with Creamy Peanut Dip
Crudites and Hummus
Banana Roll