New favorite coleslaw recipe

Here is an easy yummy salad!!

1 bag coleslaw mix
slivered almonds
craisins
poppyseed dressing

Toss together and serve!!!

Meal Planning & Pizza Salad

So I am in a posting mode, check out our family blog for pics! I was thinking I would write about meal planning, because I looked at our calendar and realized the month is gone.I was experimenting this month with meal planning. I wrote in meal ideas for the entire month. It averaged 4-5 meal ideas per week, with several leftover nights penciled in, and our old favorite- FFY. It means "Fend for yourself!" It worked well when it was just Scott and I, but with kids its still good to do once in awhile. They usually end up with cereal if there isn't something they like though. That way we can clean out cupboards and the fridge or do what sounds good that night. Overall I decided that it was a good way to do planning. I can just sit down at ONE time and think of a bunch of things I want to make and put it on the calendar. Then when its time to grocery shop, I can make a quick list, and  be able to have the things to make a couple weeks worth of dinners pretty much. I think it was a success too because I was able to stay within our grocery budget!  Any tips on how you do your meal planning??

Here is a recipe for a salad that is yummy too- I made it today for a family luncheon.

PIZZA SALAD
sorry this isn't exact, you'll just have to play with it til it looks good to you!

lettuce, cut up
pasta ( I like radiatore or rotini)
olives, sliced
pepperoni slices
green pepper, cut up
grated mozzarella
diced tomatoes
italian dressing (we tried the Kraft Tuscan House Italian, it was good)

Mix approximately equal parts lettuce and pasta together. Add other ingredients, toss with dressing, and voila! Its a pizza salad. You could experiment with other "toppings" too. Maybe some red onion, more peppers, or feta cheese? This is my kind of recipe, really its more guidelines and then you just play with it till you get it like you like it!

Black Bean and Corn Couscous

So, I inherited some couscous from Curt's brother when they moved. It has sat in the pantry for a couple months, so I figured I should do something with it. I think this recipe would easily work if you substituted any pasta too. I kind of liked the couscous though.





Black Bean and Corn Couscous

1 cup uncooked couscous
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp ground cumin
8 green onions, chopped (I just used regular onions)
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 can corn
2 cans black beans, drained
salt and pepper to taste

Bring chicken broth to boil. Stir in couscous. Cover pot and remove from heat, let stand for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar and cumin. Add onions, peppers, corn and beans. Toss to coat. Fluff couscous, breaking up any clumps. Add couscous to bowl and mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Eat immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.