Dishing it up

Can you believe it? Another race week at the Godale house. Mark has been running like a mad man. So you guessed it--carb loading started Wednesday.

Monday
5 Bean Chili
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
Salad

Tuesday
Vegetarian Yellow Split Pea Soup
Homemade whole wheat bread-
I used the bread to make Mark Swiss Grilled Cheese sandwiches
Salad

Soup:

• 2 cups split peas (green or yellow)
  
• 8 cups water or vegetable broth
• 3 vegetable bouillon cubes (if you don't use broth)
  
• 2-3 potatoes, chopped
• 2-3 carrots, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dry mustard (optional-I omit)
  
• Salt and Pepper to taste
  
• 1 bay leaf (optional- I omit)

In a crock pot, cook on low heat for 4-6 hours. Or stove top on low heat for about 3 hours.

If you think you hate split pea soup- try again. For the faint of heart, try the yellow split peas--which tend to be milder and sweeter than the green. And less intimidating for those that fear the color green.

Wednesday
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Whole wheat angel hair pasta
Kitchen Sink Salad

Kitchen Sink Salad
Or everything but...
Most nights Mark gets some version of this. The base is Romaine lettuce. Then I add any variety of things. Cheese (Blue, Feta, shredded Cheddar or ColbyJack--basically whatever we have on hand.) Greek Olives, carrots, fruit (anything from grapes, pears, mandarin oranges or apples), chopped nuts/seeds (almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds) and sometimes, if he's lucky-- croutons or crumbled bacon. Really the only thing he doesn't like on his salad is tomato. He likes at least 3 'toppings' and more is just a bonus. It gives some variety to this daily menu staple and gives me an opportunity to use up those last little bits and pieces of things that might go to waste [those crumbles of peanuts at the bottom of the bag are actually good for something!]


Thursday
(No you are not seeing double. Mark requested the SAME meal two nights in a row)
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Whole wheat angel hair pasta
Salad

Friday
The girls and I headed out to visit my Grandma, and had a "summer-time picnic." My dad grilled up some hot dogs, opened a bag of potato chips and offered up strawberries and whipped cream. It was simple and fun.