Meal Plan Week #1

I think that this is the hardest part of the whole process.

Breakfast: Pumpkin oatmeal, Eggs with spinach and cheese, Banana with peanut butter toast.

Snacks: Almonds, cheese stick, orange, yogurt, carrot sticks, celery with peanut butter, mini cliff bars.

Lunch: Romaine salad with veggies, Peanut butter and jam on sprouted grain bread, chicken salad.

Dinner: Bean and cheese burrito, grilled meat with veggies, salad with veggies, pasta with veggies and feta.

Recipe of the week: To keep the theme of eating breakfast each day...one of my most difficult challenges, I chose this recipe. Pumpkin Oatmeal:

Ingredients

• 1 (14-ounce) can pumpkin puree (the unseasoned kind)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, or water
• 2 tablespoons raisins (golden or regular)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice OR 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom plus 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups quick cooking oatmeal (not the instant kind)
• 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• Honey or maple sugar, for serving
• Heavy cream, for serving

In large saucepan over high heat, combine the pumpkin puree, water, milk, raisins, salt, and pumpkin pie spice (alternative spices). Bring to a boil.

Add the oatmeal. Turn the heat down and cook according to your oatmeal instructions; mine usually takes about 15 minutes. Stir often.

Meanwhile, in a small cast iron skillet over medium heat, toast the pepitas until they're fragrant and a gentle golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Once the oatmeal is cooked (each grain should be tender), serve with honey or maple sugar on the side, pepitas to sprinkle on top, and cream if people like it more like porridge.

Since this is the first week of school I am concerned of what kind of meals I will be able to have time for, like on Thursday evening I have class until 9, so what will be a realistic dinner in that situation. So this week is kind of an experiment. Like I said before I just have a couple of goals to eat breakfast and veggies. Also, I want to make sure that I drink enough water...at least 64 ounces.