January is always a reprieve from the hectic holiday season and the one month where our family is light on sports commitments. Fall soccer has ended, spring soccer has yet to begin, and the cold weather keeps us huddled together playing card games indoors. It’s a month of renewal as I prepare for the flurry of activities that hit our home from February through July. Soon we will celebrate our son’s last year in the single digits (I’m not sure how they grow so quickly), and the hustle of spring sports will keep us on the move. My husband will intensify his triathlon training and our daughter will be trying to keep up with him. I will be tucked into the corner of my kitchen trying to feed them all, and writing a story or two about the journey. Although January is coming to a close, we still have eleven months ahead of us to grow rich in love and kindness. My primary goal for this year is to make the most of whatever hand I’m dealt, and to be grateful for the gifts I’ve been given, both big and small. May you grown rich in love and kindness in 2018, and most of your meals involve laughing until your stomach hurts.
Meal Plan for January Week 5
1 Asian Tuna Salad: I’m convinced canned tuna is the unsung hero of the home kitchen. This dish makes about 2 to 4 servings so it’s perfect for smaller families like mine, but it’s also easily (and affordably) doubled. Serve it over lettuce, as a sandwich, or with soba noodles. 2 Curried Ground Turkey with Potatoes: If turkey isn’t your style, feel free to substitute ground lamb, chicken or beef. 3 Eggs Nested in Sautéed Chard and Mushrooms: Eggs and veggies make a fast, and healthy vegetarian dinner. 4 Chicken Cacciatore (Hunter-Style Chicken): This chicken dish is made with wine, but if you have dietary restrictions or prefer not to use wine, feel free to substitute chicken stock. Up your vegetable content by serving it with these Brussels sprouts. 5 Buffalo Burgers: Burgers are good any time of year, and bison burgers are especially delicious. The meat is lean, so it’s tastes best with a little pink in the middle. Serve it with this citrus cabbage salad.
