We just got back from a week in Southern California to cash in our Free Disneyland tickets (Give a Day, Get a Day).  We had so much fun. Our kids are at a great age to enjoy all day at Disneyland, without getting too grumpy.  I do apologize for not interacting with you this week and not responding to your comments this week. I didn’t have my laptop all week!

We did eat pretty well while we were on vacation however, so next week, I have a few Eating healthy while on vacation posts planned! So, don’t forget to stop by!

So here is  a new meal plan for you. As always, head over to the archives page for a pdf. of this menu.

And I leave you with one last golden nugget of healthy eating advice:

Allow your kids to serve their own portions at dinner.  The gold rule:

You decide what they eat, let them decide how much! 

Related Posts:

• Portion control
• Are You Hungry?

Today’s post is brought to you by my 8 year old daughter!

chop  the    carits. cut  the  strobarys. put  in frozen bluebarys. cut a appel. chop up  frozen   charys. put it in a bole and eat.

MONDAY: Fruits and Vegetables

 The vehicles that help you add vegetables to your kids diet I call the 5 S’s. Soups, Salads, Stir-Fry, sandwiches, and smoothies.  Tonight, I chose Soup.

I literally took all the vegetables left in my fridge, chopped them and made into soup.  I used green onions, carrots, onion, garlic, potatoes, some yellow squash I puree’d and froze last summer, and celery.  Then with a some cooked chicken, cheese, and a packet of ranch dressing, (to make it appetizing for my little guys)  it turned out great. Here is the recipe.

The two older kids thought it was delicious. They ate everything I served up to them.  My Ketchup boy (who turned 6 on Friday) ate only 6 bites so he could have leftover Ice cream from his birthday. 

My secret vegetable tip of the day is to shred rather than chop.  Shredding the carrots in this soup recipe make it hard for the kids to pull it out.  The texture is also more preferable to me. I don’t care for mushy, chopped carrots, but shredded carrots I’ll gobble up!

Thanks Julie for the Kreativ Blogger Award!!  I am totally flattered and completely thrilled. 

I’m planning a nice Valentines Dinner tonight for my husband and the kids.  I have never paid more than $3.00 for a steak from the grocery store, until today.  The Filet Mignon and the Porterhouse steaks were on sale.  Normal price, 12.99 per lb.  Today, $6.99. Talk about a  splurge.  I just had to keep telling myself it is much cheaper than eating out.  We are also going to have baked potatoes, salad, and chocolate dipped strawberries. 

My baked potato secret I learned from a friend that worked at my husbands favorite steak house.  She said they cooked and wrapped the baked potatoes in foil, but then kept them in a cooler all evening.  The heat from the potatoes in the cooler made them super moist!

I was very nervous about wrecking some expensive steaks.  So, I researched a bit, and will attempt to not ruin them.  They are marinating in some cooking wine, olive oil, and herbs in a ziploc bag in the fridge.  

What I really want to make is heart shaped sugar cookies.  I’m using all the will power I have to not succumb. 

Happy Valentines Day.