January Menu Plan

This month (and year) are all about eating healthy to improve our overall health.  Benny and I are both facing some health challenges, but nothing that diet, exercise, and proper medical care can't handle.  Benny has taken up Tang Soo Do, along with little man, and loves it.  It's a great outlet for him, and gives him some much needed adult time since much of his day is as a stay at home dad.  I'm continuing yoga, and looking for more YouTube videos to do at home for muscle tone and strength building.  The yoga also is great for stress relief.  I've also learned that I have a dairy sensitivity, so I'll be cutting out dairy.  Thankfully, there are some great nondairy substitutes.

So, here's the plan for this month:

Breakfasts:

• Smoothies (greens, berries, bananas, almond/coconut milk, chia/flax seeds, and anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric, cinnamon, or cocoa powder and healthy fats like coconut oil or grapeseed oil)
• Eggs with roasted veggies
• Grapefruit and oatmeal with added seeds and blueberries
• Grain free pancakes with eggs and liver mush on weekends

Lunches:

• Leftover soup and salad
• Salad and non dairy yogurt with nuts
• Veggies and dip/hummus
• "Snack plate" of cut fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, and maybe cheese for the boys

Dinners:

• Lentil and sweet potato stew with salad
• Roasted veggies with pinto beans and greens
• Salmon and roasted veggies and salad
• Tomato basil soup with salad
• Veggie stir fry over rice with egg rolls and Asian slaw
• Pecan crusted chicken with salad
• Tomato, sausage, and greens soup made with homemade stock
• Tacos with venison and veggies or served as taco salad/bowl

Our dietary shift is based on Terry Wahl's book, The Wahl's Protocol.  This crux is to support our mitochondrial health, which some recent lab tests of mine indicated might be needed.  So, we're undertaking this with medical supervision, but I can say that I'm already feeling better having cut out dairy (and had already cut out most grains and sugar).  I think Benny is seeing a difference too, and he's definitely enjoying his Tang Soo Do classes.  And, the boys don't seem to object too much.  They're still getting grains and dairy at other points in the day besides dinner (think cereals and cheese/yogurt for snacks), so they really don't see the shift like we do.

Of course, this means that we're spending a little more at the grocery store.  But thanks to careful shopping at the food pantry, and careful watching at the grocery store and Costco, we're still able to do it on a reasonable food budget.  It also helps that we're getting at least two meals a week free through the Children's Council with the parent support groups we participate in, and a weekly meal with Mom.  

How are you planning your meals this month, and year for that matter?  I'd love to hear from you!