Pinning and Planning Our Dinner Menu – Week of October 5

October Unprocessed ChallengeDid you know that the 5th October Unprocessed Challenge kicked off on October 1st? The challenge is a wonderful way to educate and encourage families to eat less processed foods and learn methods to make more homemade foods rather than buying processed store bought food.

BUT, I have a love-hate relationship with this challenge. Thankfully, beer and wine make the list, but why oh why does this challenge have to happen during candy corn season?!  I’m pretty good about avoiding sweets and then candy corn hits the shelves. As long as they aren’t in my house, I can avoid them. So, I guess that means I can survive the October Unprocessed Challenge as long as I don’t buy any processed sweets.

Fall has definitely finally arrived to Florida. For one day, we can enjoy early morning temperatures below 60 degrees and a high in the mid-70s. Of course, cooler temperatures have me craving soups again and Iron Chef Allan offered to whip up some Chicken and Sausage Gumbo for me.  So, there it is. Day 5 into to challenge and I’ve already failed by eating store-bought processed andouille sausage because neither Allan nor I have the time to make my own. At least I will redeem myself by making Maple Cornbread from scratch.

At least our favorite brand of taco shells (my kids’ favorite dinner food) passes the Unprocessed Kitchen Test, so I keep rest easy and cut myself some slack during the challenge. If I was a more zealous unprocessed mom, I could also encourage my kids and husband to eat lettuce wraps instead of taco shells, however, that could lead to a Mexican dinner mutiny.

If you want to attempt on the Unprocessed Challenge but need some unprocessed inspiration, the #SundaySupper Family has some wonderful suggestions.

This Friday, I leave for the Chicago Marathon which meaning I’m leaving Iron Chef Allan to his own devices to plan a few dinners. With the Chicago Marathon, less than a week away, I’m focusing on eating plenty of protein and carbs and drinking lots of fluids. At this point, all I can do is trust the training, rest and continue to beg my family and friends to contribute to my #TeamDannyDid fundraising page.

Funny enough,  the daily temperature highs in the Windy City match our Florida morning lows. As excited as I am to break out my boots and run in cooler weather, I am $657 short from reaching $1500 fundraising goal which is truly deflating and disappointing. Please help me reach my goal by giving what you can here.

Here’s this week’s dinner menu:

Sunday – Chicken and Sausage Gumbo with Maple Syrup Cornbread

Meatless Monday – Mushroom Stroganoff

Tuesday –  Juevos Rancheros

Wednesday –  Baked Tilapia Po’ Boys with homemade Remoulade Sauce

Thursday – Skinnytaste’s Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili

Friday – Pizza

Pinning and Planning Run DMTDoes cooler weather have you craving soups and crockpot recipes? Will you take on the Unprocessed October Challenge? What interesting recipes are you pinning and planning?

5 comments

  1. Janelle@ Domestically Seasoned says:

    The pumpkin chili is now booked marked. That sounds fantastic. Thanks for a few “go to” spots for ideas as well. Like you, I am staring a 21 day challenge to EAT CLEANER!! <— is that a word? So the links you posted are fantastic. Can't wait to hear of your progress.

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