Menu Plan Monday: Week of October 8th, 2012

Welcome to the Gluten Free Menu Swap, Pumpkin Week!

It is pumpkin week at the Gluten Free Menu Swap and I am your host . I picked pumpkin because as soon as October hits, I get infected with Fall Fever! I have pumpkins with faces on my front step already, pumpkin in my pantry and on my mind. I love the taste of pumpkin. In honor of the occasion, I have gathered a bunch of pumpkin dishes that I have posted here on my blog....just for you! They are desserts (of course!). I hope by the days end we will have a collection of great pumpkin recipes!

My all time favorite Paleo dessert would be the Pumpkin Bread Recipe over at Elana's Pantry. I am telling you, this along with the Banana Bread recipe helped me get along well on this diet for all these months. I LOVE it cold the next day and if I close my eyes it tastes like pumpkin pie to me.

This week we had some dental work done. Both kids needed a silver cap on a baby tooth to which I felt like a bad mommy as a result. Afterward they wanted chicken soup. I did not have any in the cupboards and we live in a part of the world where you can't just go to the store and BUY it unless it is a big name brand like progresso. As a result, I have decided that I really want to make and CAN some chicken and rice soup for the pantry. It is getting colder now and canned soup would be a great thing to have around the house. Now to find the perfect recipe!

My diet has stalled yet again. I was talking to my doctor at my physical telling her how annoying it is that dieting takes so long. She said she knows it feels like I put 10 pounds on over night but it does not. It takes years to accumulate weight. OK, I tell her but I am pretty sure I can go on vacation for a week and come back 10 pounds heavier!!! :-) I have cheated this week too. I had a 1/4 cup of baked beans at a church function. I am pretty sure they had sugar in them too!!! :-). But hey, I did not gain weight so thats good right?

Pretty soon we will be going camping. The week-end of October 20th in fact. Should be interesting to go camping while Paleo! I have already made some granola and purchased some Applegate Beef Hot Dogs in preparation. I plan to also make Paleo almond flour graham crackers and our own corn syrup free marshmallows.

Last weeks pantry dinners was a raging success for me. I LOVED how everything was partially prepared and dinner took no time at all. I really need to do more of that sort of preparation!

Monday, Cheerleading, Karate & Cub Scouts

Stir Fried Sausage, Peppers and Onions

Hey, I found some Paleo approved sausages in the Whole Foods! Love that store, wish it was not so far away.

Tuesday, Flag Football & Soccer Practice

I made my own roast beef lunchmeat last month and this is the frozen sliced leftovers. I recall fondly my mom serving this as a kid with leftover roast beef lunchmeat.

Wednesday, Cheerleading & Church

Dinner provided at Church

Thursday, Flag Football and Soccer

Grilled Steak, butternut squash puree and Broccoli

Friday, Cheerleading:

Saturday:

Sunday:

Almond Flour Crusted Pork Chips

OK are we ready to see what everyone else is having this week? Great!

Angela over at Angela's Kitchen has a bunch of pumpkin of recipes!!! You can always click that link to her blog and see the giant list of creative pumpkin dishes for yourself. Shall I toss out some for ya? OK!! How about Pumpkin Pie Popsicles? They look to be paleo diet friendly as well! Look on the end of this Menu Plan and find the Coconut Milk Pumpkin Creamer. I seriously want to try that. I am not just pulling your leg! My hubby was just pointing out how grossly bad for me my current non-dairy creamer is......and.....I love Pumpkin Flavor in my coffee. I think I have everything I need to make this right now. The rest of her week she is serving up Sweet and Spicy Pork Tacos (which I think I can make with some Paleo tortillas), Enchilada Meatballs (I think I will just use my current Meatballs and go from there!), and Turkey Meatloaf.

Kendra at the Peaceful Mom has her week all mapped out including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Her menu planning is to inspire your own simple Gluten Free Menu Ideas! No pumpkin on the menu but she is serving up some great looking Apple Pancakes and BBQ PepperJack Bacon Burgers (hey now, did she say bacon?!?!?!). Also on the menu is Rosemary Roasted Chicken (our favorite) and baked tacos!