MENU PLAN January Week 2

“Eating a warm meal nourishes the body; preparing it nourishes the soul.”  – Terri Trespicio.  If you have PCOS you need to get into the kitchen and start cooking.  The act of preparing a meal from fresh ingredients can be very satisfying and can truly soothe your soul.  This week start a cooking ritual.  Put on a pot of tea, find some relaxing music (I like George Winston), light a candle, gather all your ingredients and start chopping!

MEATLESS MONDAY – Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole The recipe calls for smoked cumin and paprika but I will just use regular.  I also added an egg to bind the mixture together. I will serve these to my family on whole wheat buns with a salad on the side with salsa for dressing. I will eat mine sans bun.

TUESDAY – Pan Roasted Pork Loin with Leeks This is a classic recipe 5-star recipe from Cooking Light and one of the easiest to follow for Roast Pork.  It is so delicious and is a family favorite.  I will serve with Roasted Brussels sprouts (cut in half, toss in olive oil , salt and pepper and roast at 400 until slightly browned) and whipped sweet potato with a sprinkle of cardamom.

WEDNESDAY –  Cod with Spicy Orange & Black Cherry Sauce & Quinoa. I try to have fish once a week.  I wish I could afford to have it more often.  I  usually plan my meal around the fish special of the week – this week cod is on sale.  The recipe calls to serve this with couscous, but I try to stay away from gluten and will serve with green beans and quinoa instead.

THURSDAY – Roasted Chicken and Wild Rice Soup This soup is wonderful.  I don’t usually use boxed rice mixes but I do use a mix for this recipe.  Look for one with no MSG.  I will probably go by the market and buy a roasted chicken that day, but you can certainly roast your own (save some chicken for Friday’s enchiladas).

I posted on my PCOS Diva Facebook page info benefits of grapefruit on insulin sensitivity.   Grapefruit  is in season now and tastes great in a salad.  Plan to have Spinach Grapefruit Salad with dinner both tonight and Friday.

FRIDAY –  Chicken, Black Bean and Spinach Enchiladas –  There is no specific recipe here .I just use Trader Joes corn tortillas because they have no preservatives and Trader Joes Enchilada Sauce.  I’ll mix the remainder of the roasted chicken, a can of black beans, some frozen corn, baby spinach, some canned diced tomatoes  with half a bottle of sauce.  Fill the corn tortillas add a little cheese and roll them up and place in a 9×13 dish. Pour the rest of the sauce over the tortillas.  Sprinkle with a bit more cheese and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 until bubbly.  I top with cilantro, tomatoes, diced peppers and green onions when it comes out of the oven.

Please share your meal ideas for this week and comment on the recipes.  What is a 5-star recipe in your opinion?  Last week the Almond Fish got 5-stars in my house!