I’m a weirdo. Some of you already know that. But I think this “little known fact” seals the deal: I’ve never eaten a flavored potato chip, dorito, cheeto, cheese puff, cheese flavored cracker, or flourescent radioactive snack ever. All I have to say is YUCK. You may wonder, how does she know they are “yuck” if she hasn’t tried them? I just know it. And besides, why try them and then end up liking them…they’re not good for me anyway, so may as well not like them. And no matter how much pleading, begging, tricking or commenting you do, I will not try them.

I WILL eat plain potato chips. That’s it – only plain. And usually only with something…like a sandwich. Oh – and I can’t really eat a sandwich without potato chips. Are you convinced yet of my weirdo-ness?

I also avoid baked chips and pringles – they too just look “yuck” to me. But I DID give these Kettle Bakes a try and I kinda liked them. They almost have the flavor of homemade french fries, which may sound weird but is good. Anyway, they’re yummy. The crazy chip girl has spoken.

Wow – the weeks are really passing by. Can’t believe it’s already time for another menu! I’m super excited for Tuesday night’s dinner…I’ve really been wanting good old fashioned Memorial Day-type food lately. Please share your menus! Remember…I don’t care how good or bad your menu is, we just want ideas!

MONDAY:
- Baked French Toast (this recipe is SERIOUSLY good)
- Hashbrowns
- Fresh Fruit

TUESDAY:
Summer Picnic Dinner!
- Grilled hamburgers
- Potato Salad
- Watermelon
- Baked Beans

WEDNESDAY:
- Leftovers

THURSDAY:
- Chicken Masala (Trader Joe’s simmer sauce)
- Rice
- Veggie

FRIDAY:
- Butternut Squash Soup (didn’t do last week)

SATURDAY:
- Eat out

SUNDAY:
- Beef Stew
- Rolls

This little snack is something my pregnant self actually CAN eat nowadays (in fact, as I type I’m eating the very bowl pictured below). I LOVE this chex mix. I’m not a huge chex and snack mix fan, but this one is sweet and yum yum. Just wanted to share the recipe with you, in case you don’t have it. Click here for recipe.

Note: Use a BIG bowl to mix it all together at the end. It makes a lot. I tried halving the recipe once, but I couldn’t figure out the right time on the microwave and ended up burning it. Better off to just make the full amount and share with your friends!

You may be thinking right now, “Isn’t this a food blog? Why am I looking at a flower? Has Jane gone green-thumb on us?” The answers are…Yes, Yes, and NO WAY. No plant in its right mind wants me thinking I have a green thumb. Honestly, the orchid just looked so pretty at breakfast this morning under the kitchen light. And flowers, while I may kill them, DO in fact make me happy…kind of like…(prepare for terribly cheesy segue)…meal planning!

So, I don’t know why you visit my blog. Maybe you like the pictures, maybe the recipes without measurements, maybe you even like reading what I have to say (that seems unlikely!)…regardless, the whole reason I started the blog was to get myself planning my weekly menus, and getting other people’s ideas is super helpful – enter blog.

I was thinking I should do a little PR for my blog and try to convince the un-converted of you out there why planning a weekly menu is so great. I don’t actually enjoy the planning part, but the result is so worth it. It makes life so much less stressful. Seriously. When I don’t plan, cooking is a DRAG…when I do plan, it’s no big deal. I go to the store less. I spend less money (usually). It really just makes life EASIER. I’m not an organized person or some super duper chef…but meal planning helps tremendously. TRUST ME. If you aren’t planning, you should give it a shot! Okay, I’m done preaching.

Hello everyone! Here’s my menu for the week. Um, so I think I actually made two items from last week’s menu…I’m making progress! We’ll see how this week goes…tomorrow marks the end of the first trimester. HOPEFULLY I’ll be like normal people and stop being sick, but since my “morning” sickness is anything but normal, not holding my breath. Until “normal” sets in, I can keep on planning and hoping! Please share your menus – we all need your ideas!

MONDAY:
- Hawaiian pizza (using Trader Joe’s 99 cent crust)
- Salad

TUESDAY:
- Cuban Mojito simmer sauce (TJs) with chicken
- Black beans
- Rice

WEDNESDAY:
- Leftovers

THURSDAY:
- Trader Joe’s Chinese night (mandarin orange chicken, veggie stir fry, chicken shu mai)

FRIDAY:
- Eat out

SATURDAY:
- Roasted Chicken ($5 at Costco!)
- Mashed Potatoes
- Veggie

SUNDAY:
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Rolls

I’ve mentioned Rhodes rolls before, but yesterday when my good friend Emily said she’d never had them, I realized I need to do a post just on Rhodes – they are THAT good and you should all know about them!

I grew up with these rolls, and I think I even thought they were homemade when I was little. Rhodes is in the freezer section – the dough is frozen, let it rise a few hours, then bake. They are AWESOME. I’ve tried other brands with similar products – yuck. Rhodes – yum.

I always buy their traditional dinner rolls. I also buy the bread loaves, follow the directions to defrost and then make cinnamon rolls out of that dough. Easy and delish!

You can visit their website to see if you can get Rhodes in your area!

By the way – this is my 100th post – woo-hoo!