falling into meal plan

I am a day late with this meal plan after a Sunday night camping trip. We finally made our way up to Bear Lake. It was such a beautiful large, beautiful lake. We also visited the Paris Ice Caves which were amazing. Such a sight to see ice and snow in a cave, after a warm summer.
Trying not to have an out to eat day this week, so meals for each day  this week for dinner. It might be a day late but it is still my Monday Meal Plan.

Tuesday: Chili
Meatless Wednesday: Black Bean quesadillas 
Thursday: Chicken Soulvaki topped with garden full of tomatoes
Friday: Grilled Pizza plus salads
Saturday: Garlic Pork with green beans
Sunday: Sausage, peppers and potatoes

Pre-July Meal Plan

Over the weekend, we loaded up the car with our Hayden and my friend's pup Chloe plus a lot camping gear. We headed near Park City, to Rockport Sate Park. The majority of Utah state parks allow dogs, which make them the destination of most our camping trips. It was a great weekend in a tent. The dogs were so tired that after there baths, they just slept in on the couch yesterday. J didn't catch any fish but we still soaked up the sun by the reservoir for most of the time. There is a hike that goes along the side of the lake which offers really beautiful views. The river near Cottonwood campground (they one we stayed at) was so high that many of the campsites had water in the fire pits or the whole site was flooded. Luckily, our site wasn't close to the river and we were able to have a fire each night plus we stayed dry at night. 

I can't believe that Fourth of July is next Monday. I am planning a BBQ with a few friends at our house. Not the traditional BBQ. I probably should because that is what all the stores have on sale. However, I am taking a bit of a different approach. So I am have included next Monday in this Monday Meal Plan. In hopes I can get a bit past this week for dinner.
Meatless Monday: Black Bean Stoup
Tuesday: Pulled pork sandwich with mash potatoes, and green beans
Wednesday: Kung Pao Chicken with side of broccoli and hopefully egg rolls
Thursday: Baked ziti (filled with sausage and zucchini)
Friday: Dinner out
Saturday: Sesame ginger chicken with rice and broccoli
Sunday: Southwest chicken, chips and salsa
4th of July Monday: Grilled Pizza, salad, chicken wings

Summer Sundo List + Meal Plan

We had our first camping trip of the season this past weekend. Which means it is feeling like summer!

After driving a lot last weekend, we just wanted to go somewhere close, where J could fish and I could just relax. We went up to Hyrum Lake State Park. It was beautiful, accessible, and full of friendly people. The fishing was not successful for J even after kicking myself and Hayden away from the water. I read in the sun or shade and just took in the outdoors. Even went on a short trail to a different
side of the reservoir. Hayden had 2 offers to go home with other people, but I am glad he picked us.
With the start of summer, my first full summer in Utah, I have made a list of Summer Sundos, things for this summer. Would love to add some more if you have any suggestions.

Summer Sundos

• Picnic Often!
• Attend a Raptor's game
• Camp at Bear Lake
• Run a fun 5K, maybe BFN
• Visit Timpanogos Cave
• Go raspberry picking
• Go to a rodeo
• Camp by Strawberry Reservoir
• Sit on the curb and watch as many parades as possible! (6 found so far) 
• Go to the Salt Lake City Farmer's Market (before the Ogden one starts up)
• Attend Peach days in Brigham City (Sept. 7-10)
• Visit the Ogden Nature Center (Free Summer Saturdays)
• Watch a movie in the park. Ogden, Fort Buenaventura, or North Ogden
• Chalk Art festival at the Gateway in Salt Lake City (June 17-18)
• View a hot air balloon festival take off! Perhaps at the Antelope Island Stampede


Now back to our regular scheduled programing: Monday Meal Plan, here is what we are having this week for dinner. Because of our late decision camping trip, a few repeats will be seen.
Meatless Monday: Grilled cheese on sourdough, salads and fruit
Tuesday: Chicken tortilla soup
Wednesday: Mongolian beef with broccoli and rice
Thursday: Grilled chicken sandwich on Turkish bread (if it works to make it or focaccia bread) topped with avocado, tomato, and sprouts with a side of grilled veggies
Friday: Out to eat
Saturday: Chicken enchiladas with refried beans, chips and homemade salsa
Sunday: Simple, grill something, or maybe breakfast for dinner

Middle of Ogden Fruit Stand: Carlo's Produce

I haven't been getting Bountiful baskets, due to my schedule, site being full, or just wanting to get exactly what I need (not what I end up with). After Memorial Day weekend our fridge was empty and in major need of some fruits and veggies. I stopped by Carlo's Produce in Ogden. It is conveniently close to downtown (Washington and 30th street) unlike other fruit stands which are a bit farther out of town. (Closer to the fields)
When you first walk into Carlo's it feels like a farmer's market. The fruits and vegetables are set up in a neat order, usually within categories that makes sense. However don't let this fool you into thinking that everything is local. I have noticed that more is from the USA compare to a grocery store, but in no way is it all local. When local produce is in season, it is clearly marked as a Utah product.
 
The prices are similar to the grocery store, some items might be a bit more but some a bit less. For example, I bought an extremely large cucumber for 50 cents, at Smith's I saw them for 48 cents. I bought green grapes at Carlo's for $1.98 a pound (from Mexico), which were about a dollar more in the store. Navel oranges were half the price. ($.48 at Carlo's compare to $.99 at Smith's). At Carlo's there are a few items, not usually found in other stores. Need any Cactus, Yucca, or chayote squash? Carlo's has it. One down side may be the lack of an organic section at Carlo's.  I am sure there is not the demand for organic, but more a demand for more reasonable prices.

I have only been to Carlo's a handful of times. Each time the staff is friendly and more than willing to answer any of questions. They probably won't approach to ask you if you need help, but are around and great when asked.
Each time I have been very pleased with my produce. Things are fresh and ripe but not over ripe. Also when stored correctly my veggies and fruits last until I need them.
One silly side note is that my dog enjoys waiting in the car at Carlo's because he can watch me shop the majority of the time. It makes me smile to look over and see him sitting in the front seat watching me.

I recommend Carlo's Produce when you need a lot of fruit or vegetables or even just a couple of items. I am looking forward to scoring some local corn at a great price when the season comes.

(Note on photos: used my iPhone and I didn't ask staff for permission:). )

Meal Plan: Easter week

This is a jammed packed week with Easter and Earth Day. Distance in days to Easter is only 6. Which surprises me since Easter seemed so far away ago.

Even though it was a rainy weekend, the sun came up and allowed us to go see some bison at Antelope Island. It was a beautiful day there. I have been there 3 times and truly enjoy this beautiful place. It is a great place to see the Great Salt Lake which you would think you could find easier. There is also camping there, lots of hikes, a ranch with old houses to explore.
This week we are trying to get back on track after a weekend of having family in town. I cooked some, but we also ate out more than I had planned. So this week we have 3 repeat meals.

Here is the Monday Meal Plan for this week:

Meatless Monday: Pad See Ew
Tuesday: Stuffed Chayote squash
Wednesday: Monterey Chicken, rice, veggie side
Thursday: Chicken fajitas
Good (Earth Day) Friday: BBQ at friend's house
Saturday: Out to eat
Easter Sunday: Brunch: Waffles, sausage, and fruit
Easter dinner: Apps: Cucumber dill toasties, deviled eggs, Main Meal: Spinach and strawberry salads with poppy seed dressing, ham, twice baked potatoes, asparagus, rolls Desserts: Carrot cake, banana pudding trifle

Modern Day Milk Man Delivery-Winder Farms

Winder Farms is a grocery deliver service that promises "100% Quality Guaranteed". They also call themselves "Your Farmer's Market on Wheels".

I have heard of them often during my months in Utah. They have advertisements in coupon mailings, a booth at the farmer's market, and also sales on the side of the road. Winder Farms milks are also available in some grocery stores. It was not until a LivingSocial deal of $55 of groceries for $20, did I commit. When I went to place my order frustration began. All I saw where fees: New Customer Setup Fee, Delivery Fee, Start-up Fee, Cooler Fee. But it wasn't until I had gone through a lot of products, that I discovered the Terms and Conditions. Where yet another fee awaited me. If you cancel before 24 deliveries there is a fee, if I remember it was about $35. That was when I just closed the browser window and went about my day.

I had pretty much forgotten about, figured I lost my $20 bucks. Then a few days later I received a phone call from Winder Farms customer service. The nicest lady wanted to help me complete my order. I explained my concern, and she assured me that I had purchased the deal that was a trial offer, in which many of the fees were included and I would not be charged if I only did the one trial deliver. I call her back a few days later to set up my account (I still received a $15 New Customer Setup Fee plus some amount for the cooler). She was just a helpful as before and gave me many ideas of what to try.

My deliver day came and everything is guaranteed to be delivered before 8am. I found the cooler on my door step, Hayden was curious what was out there (look in the window). Inside was each item that I selected from the website.

I ordered many dairy products, because Winder Farms was originally Winder Dairy. The milk is fresh and tastes a bit richer than regular store bought. I also got chocolate milk, strawberry milk, butter, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. I was a bit disappointed that the meat and pasta were frozen. The bread is from Paradise Bakery. My favorite thing I ordered was the strawberry lemonade. I also ordered some orange juice and eggs.

Overall the products are fresh and good. I didn't get produce simply because I didn't need any at the time I placed my order. I think that Winder Farms would be a good solution from something that can't make it to the grocery store. Perhaps if you are having a baby or a surgery that would keep you home, with limited help. Just be aware of the fees, some that you might not even notice at first. If you want to give the service a try, keep a look out for coupons, as they seems to pop up all around. Winder Farms truly was a modern day milk man.