Monday, July 1, 2013

Menu Plan Monday - July 1

Before I post my menu plan, I just have to say this. I have never liked Greek yogurt. I have had so many friends rave about it's creamy goodness, and have tried several different brands, but I always felt something was missing, it just didn't taste right to me.

Then, I tried Trader Joe's full-fat Greek yogurt (plain, with a little bit of sugar and frozen pineapple mixed in for flavor) and it is out of this world good! This is not an ad for Trader Joe's (even though I do think it is an amazing store :) but a recommendation to try full-fat Greek yogurt. Most stores only sell low-fat or fat-free Greek yogurt, so you'll have to do a little hunting, but it is worth it!

I only buy full-fat dairy products for our family. Saturated fat is an important part of a balanced diet. It helps maintain cell structure and stabilize blood sugar, as well as making things taste great! (I am not advocating eating a lot of greasy fried foods from fast food restaurants or using hydrogenated oils. Naturally occurring fat is nothing to be afraid of, but a lot of the oils and butter substitutes that are available have been modified in labs so they don't resemble what our bodies were designed to digest.) Milk has cream for a reason, and I think that removing the cream (flavor!) from dairy products and adding a lot of sugar, stabilizers, and artificial flavors to make them look and taste better results in an inferior product.

Ok, back to the menu plan :)

Monday - Chicken Teriyaki, brown rice, green beans

Tuesday - Black bean quesadillas and corn

Wednesday - Grilled salmon, risotto, and peas

Thursday - 4th of July party! - Steak, corn on the cob, broccoli salad, hot dogs for the kids

Friday - Sausage and veggie packets on the grill