Welcome to the Mindful Menus - A Menu Planning Blog Roll to inspire health through real food! 
 
It is my hope that this blog roll will inspire others to health through menu planning and to introduce you to the joys of menu planning.  Yes, there are joys!  If you are new to menu planning, I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Don't forget to keep checking back as menu plans are added. 

 

Had a wonderful weekend, brunching with girlfriends from high school, checking out our new surroundings and trying to figure out where to plant ourselves.  Literally. 

For this week's menu, I have planned some "comfort" foods as it will soon be time to put the heavy casseroles away in favor of the lighter foods of spring and summer.  I love the rhythmic predictability of seasonal eating. 

Oh, yeah, that's right... there's a birthday party at our house this week - a certain little someone is turning three and his request... Meatballs!       

Here's what's on the menu this week:
   
Monday - Vegetarian - All Veggie Gratin - broccoli, cauliflower, onion, yellow squash and/or zucchini, mushrooms, garlic and fresh basil.  I have said it before and I'll say it again... I love gratins as a winter food trend.  They are a delicious comfort food - hardy - you don't miss the meat in the veggie only ones, versatile - the flavor combinations are unlimited and economical - easy on the wallet.

Tuesday - Mediterranean Beef Stew... this is a fairly traditional stew of grassfed beef and veggies with a hint of Mediterranean flavors - oil cured black olives and Mediterranean spices like bay leaves and thyme... served with mashed potatoes.

Wednesday - Vegetarian - Ratatouille topped with feta cheese over whole wheat couscous. I will use canned tomatoes because fresh tomatoes are not locally in season.  If you want to know more about how to eat seasonally (and locally) in the middle of winter check out this post. 

Thursday - DDs' Special Request - Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup... Greek salad... artisan bread.

Friday - It's Friday... you know what that means - Yes, POW (Pizza of the Week) Night!!!  I am thinking it will be local take out again tonight.  Oh, darn. *WINK*    
    
Until next time... Eat REAL, Eat WELL- Cheers!!!   

 Menu Planners: Please join me by linking your healthy menu plan via Mr. Linky on Sunday evenings.  I usually have my menu plan up by 9pm...  If you're not ready until Monday evening... No worries, just please do it!

A few "rules" for joining in Mindful Menus...

*Please post only menu plans that are healthy and focused on REAL food.

*You must link back to the blog roll so that everyone can explore all the menu plans available.  This is such a great way to get new menu ideas, new recipes and meet other like-minded people.  To link back, please grab a Mindful Menus button (in the sidebar on the right) for your post. 

*If you link up and are on Twitter, please let me know by comment with your twitter name or tweet to me @chivetalker.  I would love to tweet a thanks to you for joining in and I want to add you to my Menu Planners List.

Thanks again... I LOVE having you!!!