Menus on Mondays: Low Calorie Menu Plan for the week of 1/6/13

I’m still a little shell-shocked by numbers on the scale after my first post-holiday weigh-in.  With that in mind, I’ve been ramping up the workouts and taking down the calories.  Nothing extreme (I’m not a big believer in dieting), but I’m pushing the distance on my runs and trying to have more soups and salads and less pizza and booze.  For me, a healthy lifestyle really comes down to input-output. Ya know?

Are you still holding fast to your fitness and diet resolutions? If so, you’ll dig this menu full of seasonal bounty and healthful family dinners.  As always, if there’s a meal that you’ve loved or have a recipe to share on a future Menus on Mondays Meal Plan, let me know!  Your feedback is always appreciated.

P.S.  This doesn’t really fit the “health-conscious” mode of this menu plan, but if you missed the Beer Mac ‘n Cheese and Homemade Pretzel Rolls, you may want to make those sometime soon.  Talk about delicious comfort-food!

Monday: Vegan

Southwestern Orzo Salad (I like to make a double batch so I have extras for lunches)

Balsamic Roasted Asparagus

Tuesday: Vegetarian

Spinach and Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips: Peel, quarter and roast at 450 degrees with olive oil, salt and pepper (and choice of additional spice).

Wednesday:

Roasted Honey Mustard Salmon (Place salmon fillets on greased baking pan.  Top with honey mustard (equal parts honey and mustard), and bake at 425 until desired level of done-ness.

Orecchiette with Sauteed Greens and Scallion Sauce

Thursday: Try something new – Turnips!

Pan-Grilled Sirloin Steaks (I like to marinate them in Allegro for the day before cooking!)

Potato, Spinach and Turnip Baeckeoffe 

Friday: Vegetarian

Wild Mushroom and Tomato Soup

Spinach Artichoke Flatbread

Weekend Cooking: Movie Night, Vegetarian

Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip with Pita Chips

Healthy Fettuccine Alfredo (cauliflower-based sauce)

Shredded Roasted Brussels Sprouts (make extra for a brussels sprout and egg hash the next morning!)

Slow Roasted Tomatoes

Caramel Popcorn

Enjoy!