Menu Plan Monday: March 21, 2016

Happy spring! Find out what ingredients are on the menu this week and take a look at some interesting reads and delicious recipes in Link Love!

Happy spring everyone! I’m looking at my snow-covered backyard as I write this on the second official day of spring, but it is spring nonetheless. How do I know? I have two bunches of asparagus, three boxes of strawberries, and a handful of artichokes in my refrigerator, all of which were on sale because it’s seasonal produce!

You can find out what else is in season over the next few months in last week’s post  7 Fruits & Vegetables to Enjoy this Spring and then get inspired to cook with the new crop of produce with our roundup of 31 Nutritious & Delicious Spring Recipes.

So yeah, snow on the ground, but spring on the blog and in my heart!

Check out my menu plan below to see how I’ll be using some of these groceries this week and be sure to check back next week for other recipes I’ll be making with them (I did some advance planning this week!). And before you go, be sure to click on some of the links from this week’s Link Love for some interesting (and thought-provoking) articles and nutritious and delicious recipes!

Have a great week y’all!

Articles:

How to Ditch the Kids Menu @ Real Mom Nutrition

⇒Kids’ menus are not something we use in our family (except for the very rare occasion when the menu has a piece of fish or other healthy choice on it). I agree with Sally that it’s disappointing (and dare I say insulting) that restaurant chefs and managers think so little of kids to think that they wouldn’t be open to eating the same foods as adults. (I actually wrote about this topic back in 2010, before I had kids of my own! You can read that short post here.)

8 Ways Parents Teach Kids NOT to Eat Dinner @ Dina Rose for Psychology Today

⇒This is an important article for parents to read, especially if they complain about having picky eaters. I for one take a very hard line with parents about not being short-order cooks. There is absolutely no reason you should be making more than one meal for the family. If you’re not familiar with Dina (the author of this article), be sure to check out her blog and book for more great info on feeding kids.

My 10 Favorite Processed Foods @ C It Nutritionally

⇒Love this post! Gotta keep working to get this message across – not all processed foods are unhealthy!

Reducing Food Waste and the #UglyFruitAndVeg Movement @ Zen & Spice

⇒Food waste is a hot topic this year and for good reason – we waste way too much food in our country. I’ve certainly been making more of an effort to waste less and Emily gives some wonderful tips to help you do the same. One way I reduce waste is by basing my menu plans on what’s already in my fridge, pantry, and freezer.

Beginner’s Guide to Menu Planning and Meal Prep @ Jill Conyers

⇒You know how important I think menu planning is. Jill breaks down the basic tips for helping you get started if you don’t already menu plan yourself.

Recipes: 

Smoky Polenta Fries with BBQ Ketchup @ Zen & Spice

⇒The fact that I can make these using a tube of polenta took this recipe to the next level!

Arugula Salad with Apricots and Champagne Vinaigrette @ The Cookin’ RD

⇒So much yummy stuff going on in this salad, especially that champagne vinaigrette! (I love anything champagne related!)

Farmer’s Market Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Buttermilk Dressing @ Craving Something Healthy

⇒ Have you tried Banza chickpea pasta yet? I love it, and this preparation with all the spring veggies is just about perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Sweet Potato Caprese Sliders @ Kroll’s Korner

⇒What a fun twist on a classic!

Make-Your-Own Breakfast Sandwich Bar @ My Cape Cod Kitchen

⇒How much fun is this idea? I mean, delis never put together your egg sandwich the way you want it anyway, so why not DIY!

Week of March 21, 2016

Monday: Mediterranean platter: Baked Falafel, Israeli salad, Tzaziki, and Rosemary Roasted Cauliflower with Raisins

Tuesday: Turkey Kheema over rice + Roasted Broccoli {I never heard of Kheema before, but over the past couple of weeks I saw two recipes for it and it looked like an easy – and delish – weeknight dinner. I’ll be using a combo of both Aggie’s Kitchen and Runnin Srilankan‘s recipes}

Wednesday: Tilapia with Olive Sun-Dried Tomato Relish and Asparagus Mint Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Thursday: Off Duty!

Friday: Moroccan Meatball Soup with Sweet Potato {leftovers from the freezer}

What ingredients are you cooking with this week?

Tweet me @JLevinsonRD with #DinnerTonight

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