#MonthofMeals: December Meal Plan

December is generally a month of gluttony: non-stop eating, drinking and shopping. Sure, the shopping could be considered cardio (if you are actually shopping at a mall and not online), but let’s be honest. December and gaining weight tend to go hand in hand. And, if you think I’m going to tell you that I plan on skipping all of that fun because I’m on a mission to lose ten pounds, well, that would be a flat. out. lie.

I’m going to have my cake (or wine) and eat (or drink) it too. Then run like heck on the treadmill and make up for it with healthy meal options in between parties and festive family feasts. (Nice alliteration, right? I’m patting myself on the back.)

We’ve got a lot of vegetarian and vegan friendly meals on our menu this month, some uh-maze-ing looking menus for entertaining. We’ve got fabulous breakfast ideas for when you have company or a few extra minutes to whip up an extra tasty breakfast for the kids. And we’ve got lunch, too. If you plan on your lunch you’re less likely to grab a drive through meal. Which you know you’ll regret…

What are you most excited to try? My mouth is already watering for that Chicken Marsala….

Download the menu here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4JhpgIGl5LZYUNwdGpUMXU5QWc/edit?usp=sharing

Breakfast Ideas:

1. Glazed Orange Scones, recipe from My Baking Addiction

2. Slow Cooker Steel Coats Oatmeal, recipe from GetCrocked.com

3. Breakfast Pizza, recipe from Grandma’s Briefs

4. DIY Instant Oatmeal Packets, recipe from Market to Meal

Lunch Ideas:
1. (Vegan if you omit Parm) Lentil Salad with Walnuts and Herbs, recipe from The Kitchn

2. (Vegetarian) Ricotta Flatbread with Pomegranate Salsa, recipe from Family Style Food

3. (Vegan) Southwestern Orzo Salad, recipe from Big Girl Small Kitchen

4. (Vegan and Gluten Free) Black Bean Quinoa Soup, recipe from Blommi.com

5. (Vegetarian, Optional Vegan) Veggie Hummus Pitas, recipe from Mom Favorites

Entertaining Menus:
Theme: Breakfast for Dinner
App: Brown Sugar Bacon and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mini Muffins
Main: Breakfast Sausage Casserole, family recipe from Mom Favorites
Side: Mixed Berries
Dessert: Strawberries with Nutella and Greek Yogurt Dip, recipe from Mama Chocolate

Theme: Holiday Cocktail Party
Cocktails: Spiked Pomegranate Lemonade, recipe created by me for Harris Teeter & Bourbon Eggnog, recipe from BoysClub.net
Grapes and Proscuitto Crostini, recipe from My Foodbook
Tortellini Skewers with Pesto Dipping Sauce
Baked Fontina with Crusty Bread, recipe from Ina Garten
Chicken Satays with Peanut Sauce, recipe from She Wears Many Hats
Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, recipe from The Novice Chef
Rosemary Apricot Bars, recipe from Savory Simple
English Toffee, Red Couch Recipes

Theme: Holiday Mexican Dinner
Cocktail: Cranberry Margarita, recipe from Jason & Shawnda
App: Guacamole with Pomegranate Arils, recipe from Just a Taste
& Sausage Queso and Chips, recipe from Tasty Kitchen
Chipotle Quinoa Sweet Potato Tacos with Cranberry Pomegranate Salsa, recipe from Half Baked Harvest
Traditional New Mexican Christmas Cookies & Mexican Hot Chocolate, recipes from Gabriella’s Kitchen

Week 1
Sunday, December 1st (Vegetarian)
Cauliflower Soup, recipe from The Pioneer Woman
Arugala with Balsamic and EVOO

Monday, December 2nd
Pork and Green Bean Stir Fry, recipe from Southern Living
Steamed Brown Rice

Tuesday, December 3rd, Paleo & Dairy Free
Grilled Chicken (marinated in Allegro)
Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole, recipe from Detoxinista.com
Wednesday, December 4th, Vegetarian
Roasted Cauliflower, Sage and Almond Risotto
Roasted Broccolini

Thursday, December 5th
Pumpkin Almond Butter Red Curry Noodles (with Chicken), recipe from Aida Mollenkamp
Friday, December 6th
Sweet Potato Shepherds Pie, recipe from Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice
Carrots & Dip

Saturday, December 7th
(See Entertaining Menu Ideas)

Week 2

Sunday, December 8th
Primavera Quinoa, recipe from Mom Favorites
Allegro Marinated Grilled Chicken
Monday, December 9th
Southwest Shrimp and Quinoa “Lasagna”, recipe from Mom Favorites
Sesame Green Beans: Preheat oven to 450. Toss green beans with one tablespoon sesame oil, and one tablespoon each soy sauce and minced ginger. Roast 20 minutes, flipping half way through.

Tuesday, December 10th, Vegan
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole, recipe from Oh She Glows

Wednesday, December 11th
Grilled Sirloin Steaks
Roasted Root Veggies with Garlic Cornmeal Crust, recipe from Blommi.com
Thursday, December 12th, Vegetarian
Creamy Mushroom Soup, recipe from Julia’s Album
Roasted Broccolini
Friday, December 13th
Asian Orzo with Chicken Meatballs, recipe from Designed By Dawn Nicole

Saturday, December 14th
Pizza Night – Any way you like it!

Week 3
Sunday, December 15th
Ginger Cilantro Rice, recipe from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Roasted Salmon, Mushrooms and Carrots with Teriyaki Glaze: Marinate salmon in teriyaki sauce for one hour. Toss mushrooms and carrots with sesame oil, roast at 450 degrees, 20 minutes flipping half way through. With ten minutes left, remove salmon from marinade and add to pan with veggies. Cook until desired level of doneness.
Monday, December 16th, (Vegetarian, optional Vegan)
Portobello and Zucchini Tacos, recipe from Martha Stewart
Carrot Slaw with Edamame and Avocado, recipe from The First Mess
Tuesday, December 17th, Vegan
Tuscan Bean Soup, recipe from Saveur
Garlic Bread
Wednesday, December 18th, Vegetarian
Black Bean Spinach Enchiladas, recipe from The Garden Grazer
Sliced Cherry Tomatoes
Thursday, December 19th
Chicken and Marsala Mushroom Stew, recipe from Meals in Heels
Buttered Noodles
Roasted Carrots
Friday, December 20th
Grilled Chicken Sausage
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Cabbage Wedges, recipe from Martha Stewart

Saturday, December 21st
See Entertaining Menu Ideas

Week 4
Sunday, December 22nd
Crockpot Sweet Corn and Sausage Chowder, recipe from Lauren’s Latest (I plan to sub half and half for the heavy cream)

Monday, December 23rd, Vegetarian
Family Fondue Night, recipe from Mom Favorites

Tuesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve Feast
Check back later in the month for an updated Christmas Eve Entertaining Menu

Wednesday, December 25th, Christmas
Check back later in the month for an updated Christmas Dinner Entertaining Menu

Thursday, December 26th
Check back later in the month for creative meal ideas from leftovers!
Friday, December 27th
Beef Rendang, recipe from Mom Favorites
Steamed Green Beans
Brown Rice
Saturday, December 28th
Homemade Pumpkin Tagliatelle with Sage Butter Sauce, recipe from Mom Favorites
Roasted Broccoli