I caught someone red-pawed sniffing the candy dish.
Since Owen joined our little fam, she’s been deprived of attention. She loved him to pieces in the first few weeks…
But lately, she’s been getting a little jealous, though she still runs to his side when he cries and insists on helping with his bath. The other day she wanted to be on my lap while I was feeding the baby. There was just not enough room for everyone and she knew it. She started hobbling around the room on three legs, holding up her back left foot like she was in pain. I got worried because a vet once told us she has patellar luxation, and called for the Viper Pilot. By the time he got there, she was holding up her front right foot instead of her back left. He picked her up and cuddled her a bit. Surprisingly, her legs were fine when he put her back down. Hmm… Either there is something neurologically or physically wrong with her or she has a bad case of being a drama queen. I’m leaning more toward the latter.
I mean, I can’t imagine why she might feel like she’s been replaced.
Poor pup. I feel sorry for her. She just doesn’t get the attention that she used to and she’s so confused by the fact that Owen’s toys squeak but she can’t play with them. She definitely had only child syndrome before he was born and the adjustment is hard for her.
This week the Viper Pilot has been working stranger than usual hours because it is a night week. He goes to work later and comes home later. This throws a wrench in my weekly meal plan because he’s hungry when he gets home but I’m not interested in cooking dinner at 11 pm. I always find it easiest to do slow cooker meals for him on weeks like this so dinner is ready whenever he is (even if I’m already in bed).
I would say 90% of my recipes come from Skinny Taste. I L-O-V-E her recipes and have only met one or two that I didn’t care for. This week’s line up was inspired from her crock pot recipes (I modified them slightly) and were even selected by the one and only Viper Pilot. I sat him down in front of a list of recipes and told him to pick what sounded good to him. I love to meal plan but sometimes I get exhausted trying to pick meals that I think he might like and would make good leftovers. He’s never complained about my cooking or meal selections but I wanted a break this time.
Significant others of pilots: take note. Night weeks will never be your friend and they aren’t fun, especially when it comes to making dinner or spending time with your pilot. Night weeks first started in UPT and I still loathe them several years later. That being said, invest in a crock pot. A good one, you’ll be glad you splurged because you’ll be using it a lot. I have two of this one waiting for me whenever we live in the states again. Much like most of my other appliances, it’s not dual voltage. My low-end 220 volt one does the job, but it’s nothing special.
This is my (Viper Pilot approved) meal plan for this week. All but one are crock pot meals and all are incredibly delicious, healthy, and easy. Let me say that again: delicious, healthy, and easy. Woot, woot! Print your recipes and make your grocery list and go shopping on Saturday to make your week that much easier.
SUNDAY:
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
adapted from Skinny Taste
- 6 cups less-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- 2/3 cups carrots, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 14 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4.5 oz long grain rice and wild rice combo + seasoning packet
- 1/2 cup brown rice
- 2 Tbsp light sour cream
- salt and pepper, to taste
MONDAY:
Slow Cooked Filipino Adobo Pulled Pork
adapted from Skinny Taste
- 1.75 lb lean pork center loin
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 5 cloves garlic, crushed
- 6 ground peppercorns
- 4-6 bay leaves
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
Oops, forgot to take a picture, sorry!
TUESDAY:
Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce with Pasta
adapted from Skinny Taste
- 4 oz pancetta, chopped (or center cut bacon)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 celery stalks (about 3/4 cup), minced
- 2 carrots (about 3/4 cup), minced
- 2 lb 95% lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 3 bay leaves
- salt and fresh pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup light half & half cream
Fun fact: While we were in Italy a year ago, I was pregnant and didn’t know it but I couldn’t get enough of spaghetti alla bolognese and that remained through the rest of the pregnancy.
WEDNESDAY: leftovers
THURSDAY:
Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken
adapted from Skinny Taste
- 24 oz (1-1/2) lbs chicken breast
- 1 (14.4 oz) can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans
- 10 oz frozen corn
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 (14.4 oz) can fat-free chicken broth
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
This one is in the crock pot now, but it smells amazing. So I’m assuming it is equally delicious. 🙂
FRIDAY: wild card!
Friday dinner at our house is usually either Thai food, our favorite frozen pizza from the German supermarket (so much better than American frozen pizza), or this week, we have a squadron get-together. By the time Friday rolls around, all I care about it spending time with the Viper Pilot. I’m all about an easy dinner and a glass of wine with my love and snuggles with my little love. 🙂
This meal plan is also excellent because it leaves you with plenty of leftovers, especially if you’re only cooking for two. These reheat really well! The Viper Pilot takes leftovers to work with him for lunch and hasn’t had to eat the same thing twice in one day yet. That’s what I call success, ladies and gentlemen. Meal plan success.
ENJOY!
miggiepdx says
I commented to your mom that I made your Chicken Tortilla Soup this past week. It was a huge hit with the hub and the 23yo daughter!
Sara Paterson says
Totally agree with you about night weeks. Thankfully we have had a break, but once we get to Oklahoma i hear there may be 1am sims….. Yay 😉
Love the recipes too! Thanks for sharing!
iamlostandfound says
Yay for Filipino Adobo! 🙂 It's my country's top dish so I sure hope you liked it! 😀