Monday Motivation: Meal Planning, Do It!

It's Monday! Aren't you so excited? But seriously, Monday is a great time to start the week out healthy. Take today to plan your meals out for the week, hit up the grocery store after work today, grab ingredients for a healthy dinner and prevent yourself from the dreaded "Oh it is 4 pm and I have no idea what I am having for dinner" blues. 

It doesn't have to be expensive or complicated, but it does need to be balanced. "Think 3" for meal planning. 3 of the 5 food groups should be present in your meal and I always recommend Protein, Vegetable and a Whole Grain. 

Are you getting hungry yet? 

How about a few more pictures to inspire your Monday Motivation to plan this weeks meals. 

Try this for your meal tonight for a family of 4:

4 - 4 ounce pieces of salmon

1 pineapple cut into 2 x 4 pieces 

1 bunch of asparagus

1 bottle of teriyaki marinade

Salt and Pepper to taste 

1. Marinade the salmon in a plastic bag with teriyaki for 30 minutes

2. Heat grill for 15 minutes to 400 degrees

3. Sprinkle asparagus with salt and pepper

4. Place salmon on the grill, skin side down, grill for about 4-5 minutes

5. Place asparagus on grill and rotate until salmon is finished cooking. 

6. Place pineapple on grill and grill on each side for about 2-3 minutes. 

7. Turn salmon over and grill for about another 4-5 minutes or until salmon starts to flake.  

Happy Dining! ~Crazy

Thoughts on Thursday: Throwback #tbt

Lots of thoughts running through my head this fine Thursday!  As I was browsing the Internet today, there is a trend on Thursdays called "Throwback Thursday" where people post pictures from the past all over social media. Which inspired me to share my "throwback" of the changes in the season. Above is a tree in my yard a few days ago and here was that same tree on  May 7th. 

Fall is obviously here. I love fall. But this picture makes me long for the new life spring brings. As I brush away a few nostalgic tears, I quickly remember all the fabulous reasons I Iove fall. The weather, comfort food, the jeans/boots/sweater wardrobe staple, and just the feeling of being cozy. I get a little more rejuvenated in the fall, more appreciative and with a full heart. 

I also cook more and find myself longing for the warm, flavorful foods of my youth. Today my thoughts are all focused on apple crisp. Last week, I made this yummy goodness for dinner with a friend. It was a perfect ending to our evening and reminded me of my mom making it when I was younger. Honey crisp apples, cinnamon and caramel are flavors I adore!!! 

I decided to make individual servings because I do not need leftovers (even though I really want them). Grab 2 Honeycrisp apples and slice thin. 

Sprinkle cinnamon liberally on the apples. Or not, whatever exites your taste buds. Spray ramekins with olive oil and fill half way with apples. Then top with 1/4 cup of caramel bites. 

Add the rest of the apples to cover the caramel. Mix quick oats with brown sugar, flour and more cinnamon. Cut in softened butter with a fork. 

Place the oatmeal topping on each ramekin. The topping will be more like a granola: a little crunchy and crumbly. (And create a little bit of a mess, because that's how this cook rolls). 

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with your favorite ice cream. Cool introduced me to this delicious frozen vanilla bean yogurt and I am hooked. 

I thought I would be fancy and add one of the leaves from my tree for presentation. When you devour in, the melting frozen yogurt blends with the apples and caramel layer. Pure Fall Heaven!!!!

~Crazy

Anne's Apple Crisp

2 servings

2 Honey Crisp apples, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon

1/2 cup caramel bits, divided

1 cup quick oats

1 tablespoon of whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons of butter

1. Heat over to 350 degrees. 

2. Mix sliced apples with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.

3. Grease 2 ramekins and fill half way with apples.

4. Top apples with divided caramel bits and add remaining apples to the ramekins.

5. Mix oats, flour, brown sugar and remaining cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in butter with a fork.

6. Top ramekins with the oat mixture and bake for 30-35 minutes.