Dinner at the Whittingtons.

I know that a lot of women plan meals for weeks or even months in advance. Well, I'm not one of those women but I do plan for one week at a time (you gotta start somewhere, right?). I like to divide our meals up as either big or small meals. I'm not serving more or less foods different nights, I divide them up by how much time they take to make. Maybe it would make more sense to call them long or short meals but I feel weird calling it them short meals...ANYWAYS.....I call them big or small and that's that. :) I try to do at least 2-3 bigger meals and then smaller ones on the night we have something right after work and just need something to grab and go. 


This is my plan for this week:


Monday: I don't work on Mondays so I've affectionately named them my wife days, since all  have to do are tasks that revolve around me taking care of my husband and home. Since I'm home all day I definitely do a big meal. Jason's been reminding me for about a month about "that one time I made stuffed shells" and so I'm giving in and making them again. Since these are already high in fat and calories, I served them with organic greens and spinach lightly tossed in red wine vinegar to bring something healthy to the meal. 


Tuesday: We don't have plans this Tuesday so I'll have time to do a bigger meal. I'm planning on making chicken picatta which I'm really  good at ordering in a restaurant but have never actually made! I'm really excited to try it. I'll be serving this with a salad again and some fresh fruit.


Wednesday: I cook dinner on Wednesdays for the family I nanny for and I usually bring some of it home with me for Jason and I to eat. We also have dog training right after work so it's a quick night anyways. 


Thursday: We have a young adult thing at Church that night but I'm still going to try and whip something up before we go. These Carne Asadas  look insane and I cannot wait to try this recipe out! 


Friday: I work late some Fridays so these are the nights we tend to grab fast food or put in a pizza. Not always the healthiest, but it's ok to do every once in a while! :)


How bout you, readers? What are some of the recipes you've made lately or are planning on making? 

I haven't posted a recipe in awhile and I thought it was about time!

For the record, I really really like muffins. Problem is they aren't generally very good for you. Jason and I are both fans of my baking so when I make something for us I want it to be at least somewhat nutritious. 

Enter: deliciousness. I found this recipe last week and tried it out and it was SO yummy and semi-healthy!

Health Nut Blueberry Muffins (from www.allrecipes.com)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup oat bran
• 1/4 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 banana, mashed
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan, or line with paper muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, oat bran, quick-cooking oats, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries and walnuts. In a separate bowl, mix together the mashed banana, buttermilk, egg, oil and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix just until blended. Spoon into muffin cups, filling all the way to the top.
3. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly touched.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 196 | Total Fat: 5.8g | Cholesterol: 18mg

The only things that I changed was I took out the nuts, used wheat bran instead of oat (Because it's what I had on hand) and "made" my own buttermilk by putting 1 T. of lemon juice in my one cup measurer and filling the rest with skim milk. There's a good chance my changes even made it healthier and I honestly wouldn't even go back to the original recipe...it was that good! I can't wait to try these again and maybe make them with raspberries or cherries! Enjoy. 

Dear mom,


Today is your day and I want you to feel celebrated and honored! You have played one of the biggest roles in shaping my life and I can honestly say that many of the good things in my life are the fruit of what you taught me. 

One of the first things I remember you teaching me is to memorize Scripture. The first verse I think I ever memorized was "When I am afraid I will trust in Thee" and you taught it to me so that I could say it when I was afraid during the night. I still remember the passages you taught me and they come to my mind in different situations. The fruit of memorizing Scripture is still being born in my life!

 You taught us how to love each other. Even when we were busy stealing each other's clothes, tattling and hitting, you taught us to love. This love has bonded us together so that even though we are in different cities, my brother and sisters are my very dearest friends and I can't imagine my life without them. 

You taught us the importance of having fun! You showed us how there can be joy in the small things and that there's always time to stop and have a good laugh. Cleaning the dishes was always way more fun when we cranked up the music and danced while we did! There was never a dull moment growing up. :)

You've prayed for us more times then we'll ever know. You support us in all of our decisions. You are always there when we need you and you're even figuring out how to switch between two phone calls when two of us need you at the same time! We can tell you anything and we know that you will always be there for us. You are our best friend! 

You've shown us how to love a man. And not just say I love you but to run his business. And to wake up every morning and pack his lunch. And make him red meat when everyone else is having chicken. And buying him the right ketchup. And how to adore your man. So when it comes down to loving my man, I know how to do it right because I had an incredible example. 

We love you mom...Happy Mothers day! 

Annie brings up the rear in the Johnson family eight month birthday streak! She's last but certainly not least! 

Annie is smack in the middle of us five girls. She is opinionated, outspoken and very funny! She is thoughtful and has a very compassionate heart. This year she saved all of her tip money from her summer jobs and donated them all to buy poverty stricken families food and basic supplies. I was so proud that she would put others before herself! 

She's always up for something fun and you know you're going to have a good time when she's going. She's the kind of friend that you want to have; loyal and devoted. 

She is very fashionable and my go to person for hair and make-up advice! I'm so glad that now that she's getting older we can share some of our clothes. ;) haha love you Annie!

This year I've seen how she has really matured and grown up. She is a very genuine woman and doesn't hide who she really is. If you've spent any time talking to her you know that she is passionate about her faith and following and obeying God is her number one priority. I'm very proud of her and that she is my sister! 

Melody becomes a teenager!

It's official people: Melody is a teenager! 


Mel has a special place in our family...she is the youngest! One might think that she may have a difficult time having her voice heard, but I assure you she has never had a problem voicing her thoughts. :) Although she may be younger, Mel is always a part of the group. 

Melody is one of the sweetest and most kind people that I know. She is the kind of person that will jump at the chance to help someone out and that you can really depend on. She has a mischievous smile and is beautiful inside and out! She's super fun to be with and likes to play games (she kicks Jason's butt at speed almost every time!). 

She has really grown up the past year and progressed in many things. She's doing well in school and has started to play the violin and is doing super well with that. She is growing more in her faith and you can see the love of Jesus shining so brightly through her! I'm so proud of her and the young lady she is and our family is very blessed because she's in it. 

Birthday #1

About a month and a half ago my big brother had a birthday! Now, I know he doesn't read my blog and there's a good chance he might not even know what a blog is but he's a fantastic big brother so he still deserves his own post! 

Matthew is probably one of the most adored brothers in existence. It takes a special man to deal with five younger sisters but he has always handled it like a pro. He may be soft spoken, but when he speaks up we listen and we all look up to him. 

 Missing one....but that happens sometimes! 

Something that I've loved to watch is Jason's relationship with my brother. Not only am I glad that the get along (it would be kind of awkward if they didn't!) but I'm glad that they have a genuine friendship. Matthew deserves to finally have a brother! 

 Probably the thing I love most about my brother is how kind and giving he is. He, like my dad, is the kind of person that will drop everything to help someone out. It's a rare characteristic to find in a person but he has it through and through. 

Matthew, I love you and I'm sorry this is soo late! Thank you for all you do for us; we are so grateful for you and how you have blessed us! 

Attn: I am officially three birthdays behind in my birthday blog posts. 

But this is the first week that I don't have something every night soo...

They're on their way!!