July Week 1 Meal Plan Review and July Week 2 Meal Plan

Friday Night Dinner

This was my July Week 1 Meal Plan/Options:

Brunches: Milkrice with chicken curry (Tuesday, July 1)✓, leftover milkrice and chicken curry (Wednesday)✓, French toast (there's milk that must be finished); scrambled eggs and fried potatoes, salad with  leftover sauteed chicken, tuna salad sandwiches

Dinners:  Spicy beef stir fry with rice ✓and broccoli and/or cucumber salad;  Hamburger/cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and salad✓;  Fried rice; Leftovers✓

Snacks/Desserts: Blueberry yogurt loaf cake (yes, there's still a couple of slices left); yogurt and fruit or treacle; fresh fruit✓

And here's how that turned out (I kept an on-going record all week):

Monday:
Brunch:  Leftovers from Saturday's party (Mexican rice, grilled chicken, and grilled beef)
Dinner: Pizza (another party leftover) and salad
Snacks/desserts: Leftover birthday cake (from the party); plums

Tuesday:
Brunch: Milkrice and chicken curry
Dinner: Leftovers from Saturday's party
Snacks/desserts: Crackers with peanut butter; cereal; nectarine

Wednesday:
Brunch: Milkrice and chicken curry (leftovers)
Dinner:  Rice and spicy beef stir fry
Snacks/desserts: Crackers, nectarine & plum; piece of the blueberry yogurt cake

Thursday:
Brunch: Milkrice, beef stir fry, lunu miris (sambol); I made what I thought would be two brunches of milkrice, but, it turned out that I had made enough for three meals!  
Dinner: Leftovers from Saturday's party
Snacks/desserts:  Plums, crackers, chocolate

Friday:
Brunch: Scrambled egg and baked beans, a piece of mango, coconut water:

Friday Brunch

Dinner:  Cheeseburger (no bun), toaster oven baked sweet potato "fries", cucumber slices
Snacks/desserts: Plum. cereal

Saturday:
Brunch: Not Quite Kedgeree (Spiced rice, flaked salmon, scrambled egg because I don't much care for hard boiled eggs)

Not Quite Kedgeree
 (Spiced Rice, Flaked Salmon, Scrambled Egg)

Dinner:  Pita bread and beef stir fry

Pita and Spicy Beef Stir Fry

Snacks/desserts: Mango

Sunday:
Brunch:  Pita bread and beef (same as Saturday's dinner)
Dinner: Sauteed chicken sandwich
Snacks/desserts: Plums

I didn't quite keep to the meal plan for one reason or another, but, I think it worked out well enough.   I needed to use up quite a few leftovers and that's what I tried to do.  

Moving on to July Week 2.  I am trying to avoid grocery shopping this week, too.  I am also not wanting to cook much.  So, I am going for fairly easy meals based on what I have on hand:

Brunches: Pita bread and spicy beef stir fry (Monday); French toast or pancakes; peanut butter toast; egg salad or tuna salad sandwiches; leftovers

Dinners: Burrito (Monday); Breakfast for Dinner (scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, baked beans); ramen noodles with shredded chicken and vegetables; sandwiches; leftovers

Snacks/Desserts: Fresh fruit; yogurt and fruit or treacle; crackers and peanut butter; granola bars

Or, of course, something different as the mood strikes!  LOL.

Are you making a meal plan this week?  

Pink Lemonade Blueberries

 

Pink Lemonade Blueberry

I have four blueberry bushes, all growing in planters.  Three of them produce regular, blue colored blueberries and are quite prolific.  The fourth bush, which is the newer bush, is a variety of blueberries that turn pink when ripe and is called Pink Lemonade. Last summer, which was the first year the bush bore fruit, the Pink Lemonade blueberries ripened later in the summer when it was very hot and the berries were parboiled by the sun.  They didn't taste very good and we were disappointed.  This year, the bush didn't produce many flowers and only four berries formed!  This is one of them and the first one to ripen.  I picked it on Friday and ate it.  It tasted very sweet and delicious.  On Saturday, I picked another ripe berry and gave it to M to try and he, too, pronounced it to be sweet.  There are two more Pink Lemonade blueberries ripening and I hope to pick them in the next day or two.  I do hope that next year, this plant will produce more Pink Lemonade blueberries.

Today, Sunday, I changed the sofa dust sheets (old bedsheets that I use to cover the sofas to keep Dancer's fur off the upholstery) and washed them, along with a couple of towels I use to line Dancer's carrier, etc.  Then, I cleaned my bathroom and mopped the floor.  Cleaned the kitchen a bit, too (wiped down the counters and stove top, took out the kitchen scraps to the compost pile in the garden, did the dishes, etc.)   

Today, I am grateful for:

- Working appliances 
- Electricity and gas to operate them
- Fresh produce from the garden
- Phone calls and emails from family and friends
- Warm, sunny days

Today's joyful activity was spending some time in the garden.

Plans for tomorrow (Monday) include:

- Go for my lab test
- Clean out the fridge
- Take the trash cans to the curb
- Water the garden
- Meal plan
- Pay bills

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday?

Not Quite Kedgeree

 

Not Quite Kedgeree

Kedgeree is an Anglo-Indian dish, developed by the British based on, it is said, an Indian dish of rice and lentils.  It is rice cooked with curry powder and other spices, with flaked fish (usually smoked haddock) and served with hard boiled eggs, often as a breakfast dish. 

Today, I decided I wanted to make a version of kedgeree using leftover rice, leftover salmon, and, since I don't much care for hard boiled eggs by themselves, a scrambled egg.  I added a Sri Lankan spice blend to the rice and made what I am calling not quite kedgeree.  It made a very filling brunch.

The need to rest on Tuesday after the doctor's appointment spilled over into Wednesday, too,  I tended to the garden with M (well, he did most of the work and I chatted with him!), did the dishes, wiped down the kitchen counters and stove top, and tended to Dancer.  But, for most of the day (and night), I watched live coverage of the House of Representatives debating and voting on the budget bill.

My daughter had given notice to her apartment management at the end of June, stating that she was not renewing her lease when it ends at the end of August and letting them know that she plans to move out at the end of August.  She is required to give only a 30 day notice, but, they had been pestering her to know her decision, so she gave them a two months notice and received a signed copy of the document stating she has given them notice of her intention to vacate.  The agreed upon date was August 30, 2025.  Well, on Wednesday, they called her to ask her if she could possibly vacate the apartment at the end of July, instead!  It would mean she would have to scramble a bit to get everything ready, since the people she had lined up to help her with the move won't be available at the end of July, but, vacating earlier would mean she doesn't have to pay August's rent and renters' insurance.  She had already ordered the boxes for packing and she has already started packing.

On Thursday, I still felt very unmotivated to do anything, but, I changed my bed sheets and did two loads of laundry.  There are some things happening that are beyond my control to do anything about, but, which will have an impact on both my daughter and me.  We are trying to be positive and cheerful and we are counting our blessings.  But, I've struggled to come to terms with it and every now and then, I worry.  I do keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason and while we might not know why things happen, we might, in hindsight, be able to see why.  

On Friday, I watered the back garden because M switched his day to Saturday.  Neighbors started lighting fireworks from early evening and well into the night.  Fireworks are illegal in our city, but, you wouldn't have known it if you had seen just how many people were lighting them. Some of them seemed to come very close to my house and I was nervous because of the fire danger.  I think my fears were justified because on Saturday, I found several spent fireworks casings in my driveway:

One of the fireworks casings in my driveway

On Saturday, I did a few things (very few) around the house and tended to the garden with M in the evening.  Some of the corn seedlings are just starting to pop up and we put up wire mesh around the planting area.  M brought me another log to add to the stumpery and he put water to the garden, again.

I am grateful for:

- Daughter might be able to come home a month earlier than planned
- Good friends
- M's help with the garden
- Water for the garden
- The house didn't catch fire from the fireworks!

Joyful activities during the past couple of days have included feasting on plums from the garden, chatting with friends, and watching some videos online.

Sunday plans include doing more laundry, watering the indoor plants, and starting another craft project.  

What are your plans for Sunday?

July Week 1 Meal Plan

Salad with Sauteed Chicken and Garlic Bread

June's Week 4 Meal Plan didn't work out quite as planned since I bought and cooked salmon for a celebratory dinner on Wednesday when daughter came home for a visit.  We had leftovers from that for a couple of meals during the rest of the week and daughter took the last piece of leftover salmon with her when she returned to her apartment.  I also made sauteed chicken which we had with bread rolls and in a salad.  We had lunch out on Saturday at the birthday party and we were told to take plates of food home because they had bought too much, so, there were leftovers from that for a couple of meals.  In addition, we bought Chinese food for Sunday's lunch.  I also didn't keep a proper record of what we had and I don't remember!  Suffice it to say that we didn't go hungry!  

So, I'm just going to move on to July!  I start out the week with leftovers in the fridge which must be finished.

July Week 1 Meal Plan Options:

Brunches: Milkrice with chicken curry (Tuesday, July 1), leftover milkrice and chicken curry (Wednesday), French toast (there's milk that must be finished); scrambled eggs and fried potatoes, salad with  leftover sauteed chicken, tuna salad sandwiches

Dinners:  Spicy beef stir fry with rice and broccoli and/or cucumber salad;  Hamburger/cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and salad;  Fried rice; Leftovers

Snacks/Desserts: Blueberry yogurt loaf cake (yes, there's still a couple of slices left); yogurt and fruit or treacle; fresh fruit; maybe bread pudding?  

We shall see how this turns out!  Anyone else meal planning this week?

Starting July

 

More Fruit 

One of the photos that didn't get selected to go in the monthly photo challenge!

Here we are; the second half of the year has started!  As usual, I made milkrice to greet the beginning of a new month.  I ate it with some chicken curry and there are leftovers for another meal.

I had a doctor's appointment on the first of July to have another screening procedure done.  I drove to the clinic and back without any problems.  I felt very nervous prior to the procedure, but, it went well.  The results were very encouraging as one cause for the symptoms I've been experiencing was ruled out.  Such a blessing!  I have another scan scheduled for mid month and one lab test prior to that, and a follow-up appointment with the specialist to go over the scan results.  

The doctor prescribed some antibiotics as a precautionary measure after the procedure, so, I picked it up from the pharmacy (along with another medication refill that was ready for pick up) on my way home.  I wasn't physically tired from the doctor's visit, but, I was emotionally drained.  I had already anticipated not wanting to do much afterwards, so, I took it easy, watched some news and videos, played several games of Sudoku, and relaxed.  

I checked this week's grocery ads after I came home.  The pork chops that were on sale for $1.99/lb. back in May (on May 13) are on sale, again, for $2.49/lb. this week.  Up by $0.50 per pound or a 25% increase in less than two months.   But, I am not planning to do any grocery shopping this week.  As I mentioned in my previous post, I had gone over my June grocery budget and spent almost $40 from the July budget, leaving me with $60 for groceries in July.  I have plenty of food on hand and I am determined to stick to my reduced grocery budget in July.  This month's meals will be primarily from the fridge, freezer, and pantry.

On the first day of July, I was grateful for:

- A safe drive to the doctor's clinic and back
- The medical procedure went well 
- Encouraging results
- Medical insurance
- The availability of medications
- Answered prayers

The day's joyful activity was informing my daughter of today's screening test results.  We had both been bracing ourselves for not so good news.  Now, we are cautiously optimistic.

Plans for Wednesday include tending to the garden with M, changing my bed sheets, doing a load of laundry, meal planning, and tidying the family room and kitchen.  

How was your first day of July?  What are your plans for Wednesday?  

Thriving in June

Mirabilis/Four O'Clocks

 

I am continuing with my quest to thrive each month and here's my review of June, which has turned out to be a bit of a mid-year review, as well:

Spiritual:

In June, I kept my spiritual side thriving with daily prayers, meditation, and doing my best to live my life according to the teachings of my religion.  Overall, I am happy with the spiritual side of my life and there is very little I want to change.  

Daughter:

My daughter visited twice in June, spending five days down here on each visit.  The first visit was for the baptism of her goddaughter and the second visit was for the 1st birthday of the little girl.  As always, Dancer and I enjoyed having her home again.  Her injured foot continues to improve and she has received new physical therapy exercises to help with the recovery.  When she is away, we continue to keep in touch through daily phone calls, texts, and video chats.  I am happy to say that our relationship is thriving.  

Health & Well Being:

June continued to see a lot happening where my health and well being were concerned. I had an ultrasound done in the first week of June and a visit with the specialist in the second week of June.  I have two additional scans/tests to be done in July and a blood test.  From a mid-year perspective, some of the medical issues could/should have been addressed earlier in the year, when the first requests for referral authorizations were submitted, but, the people submitting the requests sent them to the wrong people because they apparently didn't read the information on my insurance cards properly.  However, it has now been corrected, hopefully, and future appointments should go more smoothly.  

Family, Friends, & Community:

I had quite a few social interactions in June, too.  There were phone calls, emails, and texts, as usual.

In addition, I attended my daughter's goddaughter's baptism, visited cousin V twice, had a visit from my long-time friend E whom I hadn't seen in about 20 years, and attended my daughter's goddaughter's 1st birthday celebration.

Neighbor S brought over some cake from her birthday celebration and I took over some homegrown peaches for neighbor E, who arranged for my living room and dining area to be painted, and his family.

I'm pleased with the amount of interaction with my family, friends, and community, in June, and I feel that this area of my life is thriving.  I feel that there has been quite a few social interactions during the first half of this year, and I am looking forward to possibly more in the second half of this year, too.

Finances:

I was able to keep my finances maintained in June.  Once again, I increased my grocery budget by $50 for the month to $150 because my daughter was coming down twice for a total of 10 days, and I was planning to send some food up with her.  I went over budget by almost $40 and tapped into my July grocery budget.  I am thankful that I was able to both increase my grocery budget and borrow from the July budget.  Overall, I think I am thriving on my retirement income and have lived beneath my means for the first half of this year.  Going forwards, expenses will increase, partly because my daughter will come home to live with me.  But, I anticipate being able to live within my means.

Time Management:

I feel that I am getting better with my time management.  I think I made some improvement in the first six months of this year. There is room for improvement, however, and I shall focus on that in the second half of this year.

Leisure/Hobbies/Crafting:

June's leisure/hobbies/crafting activities included sewing (a sari blouse and a baby quilt), blogging, reading, gardening, watching videos online, and participating in June's monthly photo challenge.  I feel that I thrived in this area of my life. I believe I made time for leisure activities, hobbies, and crafting during the first half of this year and plan to continue to do so during the second half of the year, too.

House:

In June, I was able to accomplish another long awaited project with my neighbor E's help and have my living room and dining area painted.  Yet another project that had been on my Mile Long To Do List for years.  I took the opportunity to wash and rehang the drapes, wash the windows and the front door, and do a bit of decluttering.  It felt really good to have that crossed off the list.  I feel that I have been able to thrive in this area of my life during the first half of this year.  I still have more home maintenance projects to accomplish during the second half of the year and more decluttering, too; I think I'm making good progress in this area of my life.

Garden:

The garden continued to thrive in June, too.  I picked peaches, tomatoes, plums, lemons, wax beans, chilies, etc.  We planted corn and squash.  M and I have been watering the garden on a regular schedule since the weather has turned warm.  That is the downside to growing a garden in our semiarid environment.  There is no rain in the summer so everything must be watered.  However, I look forward to having a thriving garden in July, too.       

Over all, June has been a good month and conducive to thriving.  I am happy with how the first six months of the year turned out.  I am hoping that the rest of the year will go well, too.  Everything is not quite how I would like it to be, but, I am staying focused on the positives, making the best of things, and thriving to the extent that I can.

How was your June?   Were you able to attain some of the goals you had made for the month?  

The Mirabilis are Thriving, Too

Monthly Photo Challenge: June - Fruit

The theme for June's Monthly Photo Challenge that Eileen at A Bracelet of Days is hosting, was "Fruit".

I decided to limit myself to homegrown fruit.  Here are my finds for this challenge: 

Homegrown Lemons

Peaches on the Tree

Strawberries

Plums Starting to Ripen

Ripening Plums

Freshly Picked Plums

Passionfruit on the Vine (Nor Ripe Yet)

Asian Pears

Blueberries

Nectarine Starting to Ripen

 

And, last, but, not least:

Tomato (which is, botanically, a fruit)

Thank you, Eileen, for this opportunity to participate in the monthly photo challenge.

July's theme is "Number(s)" with the added challenge of a different source for each number.  Eileen has posted the challenge rules on her blog (a minimum of five photos taken during the month, no upper limit) if anyone reading this post is interested in joining in the monthly photo challenge in July.