Ham Glaze

It seems as if now when you buy a ham they are 'kind' enough to put in a glaze packet.  From what I read of the ingredients it consists of a granulated sweet substance and a gelatinous goo.  Mmm, yum.  Lets face it, the best thing about a glazed ham is the sweetness it adds to the salty tones of the ham.  I can't say that my glaze is the best, but I've never had a single complaint, except that maybe every morsel wasn't drenched in it.
Ingredients: Honey and brown sugar.  That's it!
All you need to do is drizzle the honey over the ham, covering as much square footage as possible.  Then pack- literally, with your hands- the brown sugar onto the honey.  Bake uncovered per the hams heating instructions.  The sugars will brown and get all crispy so be sure to keep an eye out for any burning.  If things get a little too dark just cover with a little piece of foil over that area. 

Menu Plan Monday- a day early!

Happy Easter everyone! 
Sunday- Ham (of course), potatoes, carrots, peas
Monday- Shepherd's pie, using some of the potatoes from Sunday
Tuesday- Grilled Chicken with squash
Wednesday- Chicken Enchiladas using some chicken from the day before, rice and beans
Thursday- Crab Cakes, cole slaw and oven fries
Friday- GF Pizza Night
Saturday- A certain little boys 7th birthday and he has yet to decide what he wants for dinner

Monday Menu Plan!

Monday: Stuffed peppers with Quinoa
Tuesday: Chicken stir fry with cabbage, broccoli, carrots and rice
Wednesday: Honey mustard chicken with peas and carrots
Thursday: Kiel Basa, green beans and red potatoes in the crock pot
Friday: Skillet fried fish with cole slaw and baked beans
Saturday: Shredded pork tacos with Spanish rice, tomato and lettuce
Sunday: Quinoa meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn and asparagus

Basic Math

What does 7.91 lbs or pork loin at $1.99 a pound equal-
18 pork chops
1.5 lb roast
2 lb breakfast sausage

I go to Sam's club about once a month and come home with a whole pork loin anywhere from 7 to 9 pounds.  With this, a sharp knife and some FoodSaver bags, I can get enough pork to feed my family for at least a month! 

Here is my recipe for the breakfast sausage:
(It is a combination of several recipes, from several sources)

2 lb pork loin (I use the fattiest end)
2 heaping tsp dried sage
1 T sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp nutmeg
a few red pepper flakes

Using a meat grinder, mine attaches to my stand mixer, grind the meat using the fine disk.  Add all the spices and mix thoroughly with your hands.  Yes, your hands.  They are the best mixing tool ever.  Divide this up into about 12 patties.  Place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and stick in the freezer until frozen solid.  I leave mine in overnight.  Then place them in a zip top bag, label and pop back into the freezer until needed.  Then just take out however many you need, thaw in the microwave and cook up as usual.

Some of my favorite links...

Here are some of my most used, most trusted sites to score great, healthy recipes:

http://allrecipes.com/
http://www.food.com/
http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Home.aspx
http://onceamonthmom.com/

I must say, I use allrecipes the most.  Its menu planner is simple and efficient and the reviews of each recipe are extremely helpful.  Check them out and discover something new (and healthy)!

Monday Menu and Money Saving Strategies

3 people, 3 meals a day, 7 days a week with snack and beverages, how much do you spend on average for your family?  I have a strict grocery budget- $100 a week.  That is over a $125 less a month than a family my size would get in food stamps in Illinois.  The real shocker in all this?  I don't buy boxed meals, frozen meals or a lot of processed food. 
There are a few secrets to accomplishing this.  1. My husband and I gave up soda.  We had a strong Diet Coke addiction in this house.  There came a time when I just couldn't justify spending that much money on something that has absolutely no nutritional value.  That added at least $10 a week to the budget.  2. Fruit juice is expensive so I use an old bar-tending trick and water it down.  I buy the 100% juice, I don't skimp with the blended cocktail stuff.  I generally use half water, half juice and I haven't had any complaints yet- even from Gryffin's friends on play dates that are used to the hard core full strength stuff.  3. I make a menu.  This is essential.  I know the busy nights and can accommodate a quick meal and I know the nights where I have more time to invest in a fancier meal.   If I know what I'm making, I can determine what I need and only get those items. 
Here is a look at what my menu is for this week:
Monday- Pork Enchilada Casserole with salad
Tuesday- Bourbon Chicken Stir Fry
Wednesday- Shepherds Pie
Thursday- Spaghetti Squash- trying a new recipe!
Friday- Home made, gluten free pizza
Saturday- Meatloaf with broccoli and corn
Sunday- Roast chicken with carrots, potatoes and brussel sprouts

I haven't forgotten!  New recipes on their way, I promise.