Meal Planning Monday: 22 – 28 January

Monday seems to have arrived pretty quickly, but I’ve managed to crack out another meal plan for the week to keep us fed and motoring, so I thought I’d share it with you lovely lot in case you needed some ideas.

It’s the usual mix of Slimming World recipes, family faves and Sam’s spot on a Tuesday.

Sam’s Cooking Challenge

So my 12-year-old son Sam’s cooking challenge continues. Last week he knocked up Crispy Garlicky Chicken, which he had great fun making. I think his favourite part was bashing the living daylights out of the meat with my giant rolling pin! The finished dish was really delicious and I loved the fact that there was no need for messy dipping in flour and egg, but that you just bash the breadcrumb coating in. Sam served it up with salad leaves and mini potato waffles.

This week Sam’s opted to make Pork Porcini Pasta, which looks really tasty. He’s already asked if he can make it without the mushrooms, and Arlo has declared that he will not be eating it. Hahahahahah, I just know it’ll taste amazing so it’ll be good to watch them try it and hopefully realise that mushrooms are a thing of beauty.  I can but hope anyway!

All of the recipes that Sam is using come from Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Cookbook that he got for Christmas from his Granny. We love the simple nature of the recipes, so thought it was the ideal book for a child to get to grips with cooking proper meals.

Slimming World Update

So if you follow me on Facebook or Insta you’ll have seen that I dropped a massive 5.5lbs at Slimming World weigh-in on Saturday. I was aiming for 3lbs so was utterly delighted!! How did I do it? I ate LOADS of lovely food that’s how! I planned all my meals, kept a food diary, walked 15-20k steps per day, drank lots of water, piled my plate high with veg and salad. I will hold up my hands and admit to falling off the no-booze wagon on Friday night at a gig (and rather spectacularly as well) BUT it didn’t mess up my weight loss the next day AND I’m def not drinking for the rest of the month!

Meals that I loved from last week – The Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta was absolutely LUSH, as was the Redang Beef Curry… The Pork burgers were a bit disappointing if I’m honest, so it’s back to the drawing board with those.

This week I’m curious about trying a cauliflower pizza crust (actually not expecting to like it but we’ll see), and as usual steak night is much anticipated, but it’s the Peri Peri Chicken and Chips which I know will be an absolute winner! Most of the recipes are out of my Slimming World cookbooks, which I find really useful for finding inspiration for the week ahead.

I’ve made a lovely Aromatic Carrot and Black Bean Soup to eat for lunches this week, so I’ll be sharing the recipe for that soon.

What about YOU?

What’s on the menu for your family this week? Have you made any delicious Slimming World Recipes? Let me know in the comments below, I LOVE hearing from you 🙂

Have a great week.

Katie xxx