Tag: cake

Meal Plan: June 23 – 29, 2019

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin BlogLeave a comment

This is our basic meal plan for the week. Sometimes we will switch the days around if I forgot to set something out or put something in the crockpot. Please feel free to use this or change it around to suit your family’s needs.

I have started trying to do easier meals on days that I have square dancing obligations. This helps me to be able to put a nice meal on the table without feeling guilty about having some much needed ‘Mommy Time’. Some of these meals may also help with those that have busy or irregular schedules due to work or extracurricular activities.

I do have ‘Snacks/Desserts’ listed as well. I always try to keep a bowl of fresh fruit out on the counter or table for the kids to snack on. Sometimes I will make a special snack or treat for us to enjoy.

We have also been using the Trim Healthy Mama books to try to convert some of our favorite recipes to be healthier. Meal planning really does help keep this tired Momma from completely losing her sanity. It also helps when I can quickly locate the recipe and ingredients I need for grocery lists and meal prep. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the supplements and such that we are using. You can always buy them a few at a time or many of them can be substituted or even omitted, if necessary.

Some recipes are from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook and the  Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table. These will have a link to the product on Amazon as I can not post the recipes online without prior permission. In many cases, I have tried to tweak our recipe to be more in line with THM but I can’t guarantee that they would be 100% on the plan but I can say that they are healthier than their previous versions.

I do still have a lot of recipes that I need to convert so this will be a bit of a process for us as well. Some recipes are better as they are and we will try to make them work as best we can. I know the kids need a few extra calories and nutrients so we do usually have a few extras (like bread and rolls) that us grown-ups will need to exercise caution with but other than that it has been pretty easy to follow along with this plan so far. If the meal happens to be something that I feel is not on the plan I may choose not to eat part of it or make a big salad and top it with whatever protein source everyone else is having.

I know the THM plan says that you may not see any weight loss at first but that your body will be healing from the inside. I know that we are eating much healthier than we were before and I’ll try to be content knowing that we are getting healthier one meal at a time.

I also love to utilize the grocery pickup services from Walmart and Sam’s Club not to mention that Amazon Prime Deliveries can make life so much easier as well.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for Meal Prep Ideas to make this week a little easier.

Sunday 

Breakfast:

Good Grub Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table p. 64

Fried Eggs

Lunch:

Personal Pita Pizzas

Dinner: ++

Crockpot Taco Soup (Double Batch**)

Rice

** This will make enough for a meal plus leftovers. Use the optional ingredients and don’t eat with rice.

Snacks/Desserts:

Basic Muffins 

-or-

Baby Frap from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

Monday

Breakfast:

Cereal/Oatmeal

The Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook and the Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table both have some great ideas for cereal alternatives you can make at home.

-or-

Orange Smoothie (Creamsicle Shake)

Lunch:

Soup & Salad

Dinner: ++

Salmon & Okra 

Salad

**(This is usually a fairly quick meal to put together as we have a class/dance in the evening)

Snacks/Desserts:

Cupcakes (** I will try to make a few extra to take along for refreshments at the dance.)

-or-

Cinnamon Butter Bundt Cake Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table p. 380

Tuesday

Breakfast:

French Toast

-or-

Fat-Stripping Frappa from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

Lunch:

Tuna Salad Sandwiches & Veggies

-or-

Salad w/tuna

Dinner: ++

Leftovers

-or-

Crunchy Chicken

Cheesy Squash Casserole -or- sauteed squash

Mashed Potatoes -or- Super Yummy Caulitaters

Snacks/Desserts:

Fruit

Baby Frap from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

Wednesday

Breakfast:

Basic Muffins 

-or-

Try a new muffin recipe from Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table 

Lunch:

Hot Dogs

Veggies

-or-

Soup (Use leftovers)

Dinner: ++

Creamed Spinach and Bacon-Smothered Chicken Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table  p. 219

Salad

Quick & Easy Garlic Bread or Garlic Cheesy Bread

Snacks/Desserts:

Boiled Eggs

Leftover Muffins

-or-

Collagen Berry Whip from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 375

Root Beer Floats… try this recipe: ROOT BEER SHAKE

Thursday

Breakfast:

Protein Power Pancakes (3 variations) or Trim Healthy Pancakes or Waffles (E) p. 259

Blueberry Syrup (with healthier options) or Pancake Syrup (FP) p. 480

-or-

Fat Stripping Frappa Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 418

Lunch:

PB & J Sandwiches & Fruit

-or-

Cottage Cheese Salad Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 190

Dinner: ++

Daddy Can’t Wait Casserole

Mashed Potatoes -or- Super Yummy Caulitaters -or- Baked Sweet Potatoes

Salad

Snacks/Desserts:

Popcorn

-or-

Celery with Peanut Butter

Friday

Breakfast:

Cereal/Oatmeal -or- Can-Do Cereal – Quick Version Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table p.349

The Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook and the  Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table both have some great ideas for cereal alternatives you can make at home.

-or-

Creamy Grains Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook  p. 253

Lunch:

Leftovers

Dinner: ++

Free Day

**(This is usually a fairly quick meal to put together as we have a class/dance in the evening)

Snacks/Desserts:

Cookies (** I will try to make a few extra to take along for refreshments at the dance.)

-or-

Sopapillas

Baby Frap from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

Saturday

Breakfast:

Protein Power Pancakes (3 variations) or Trim Healthy Pancakes or Waffles (E) p. 259

Blueberry Syrup (with healthier options) or Pancake Syrup (FP) p. 480

-or-

Big Boy Smoothie from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 414

Lunch:

Ham & Cheese Perfect Stuffed Wraps

-or-

Salad in a Jar Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 188

Dinner: ++

Mississippi Pot Roast

Mashed Potatoes -or- Super Yummy Caulitaters -or- Baked Sweet Potatoes

Vegetable Casserole or add some chunked veggies to the pot roast if desired.

Snacks/Desserts:

Boiled Eggs

Cake from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook or the Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table 

Baby Frap from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

++I have a few kids who seem to be going through growth spurts right now and are always HUNGRY. I have been keeping a pot of beans, blackeyed peas, or another vegetable as a side. I also have been buying a few extra snacks like fruit, veggies, yogurt, etc. 

Meal Prep Ideas

  • Buy a rotisserie chicken or cook a few chicken breasts and shred for salads
  • Make your own bagged salads
  • Make some The Easiest Boiled Eggs Ever! for meals and snacks
  • You could also mix up the pancake and muffin batters the night before to make your mornings a bit easier.

**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. We may earn a teensy-weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission and allow us to continue to post FREE articles, recipes, and tips.

 –Thank you!

Meal Plan: June 16 – 22, 2019

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin BlogLeave a comment

This is our basic meal plan for the week. Sometimes we will switch the days around if I forgot to set something out or put something in the crockpot. Please feel free to use this or change it around to suit your family’s needs.

I have started trying to do easier meals on days that I have square dancing obligations. This helps me to be able to put a nice meal on the table without feeling guilty about having some much needed ‘Mommy Time’. Some of these meals may also help with those that have busy or irregular schedules due to work or extracurricular activities.

I do have ‘Snacks/Desserts’ listed as well. I always try to keep a bowl of fresh fruit out on the counter or table for the kids to snack on. Sometimes I will make a special snack or treat for us to enjoy.

We have also been using the Trim Healthy Mama books to try to convert some of our favorite recipes to be healthier. Meal planning really does help keep this tired Momma from completely losing her sanity. It also helps when I can quickly locate the recipe and ingredients I need for grocery lists and meal prep. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the supplements and such that we are using. You can always buy them a few at a time or many of them can be substituted or even omitted, if necessary.

Some recipes are from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook and the  Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table. These will have a link to the product on Amazon as I can not post the recipes online without prior permission. In many cases, I have tried to tweak our recipe to be more in line with THM but I can’t guarantee that they would be 100% on the plan but I can say that they are healthier than their previous versions.

I do still have a lot of recipes that I need to convert so this will be a bit of a process for us as well. Some recipes are better as they are and we will try to make them work as best we can. I know the kids need a few extra calories and nutrients so we do usually have a few extras (like bread and rolls) that us grown-ups will need to exercise caution with but other than that it has been pretty easy to follow along with this plan so far. If the meal happens to be something that I feel is not on the plan I may choose not to eat part of it or make a big salad and top it with whatever protein source everyone else is having.

I know the THM plan says that you may not see any weight loss at first but that your body will be healing from the inside. I know that we are eating much healthier than we were before and I’ll try to be content knowing that we are getting healthier one meal at a time.

I also love to utilize the grocery pickup services from Walmart and Sam’s Club not to mention that Amazon Prime Deliveries can make life so much easier as well.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for Meal Prep Ideas to make this week a little easier.

Sunday 

Breakfast:

Soaked Apple Cinnamon or Cherry Almond Baked Oatmeal Recipe (A Make-Ahead Breakfast!)

-or-

Banana Creamy Grains Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook  p. 253

Lunch:

Hot dogs

Veggies

-or-

Perfect Stuffed Wraps

Dinner: ++

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Potato Salad (with cauliflower alternative)

Land Your Man Baked Beans

Snacks/Desserts:

Basic Muffins 

-or-

Muffins from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

Salted Caramel Baby Frap Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

Monday

Breakfast:

Cereal/Oatmeal

The Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook and the  Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table both have some great ideas for cereal alternatives you can make at home.

Choco Secret Big Boy Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p.415

Lunch:

Leftovers

Salad w/cucumbers, tomato, feta cheese, black olives, and an oil and vinegar dressing

Dinner: ++

Red & White Pasta

Salad

Quick & Easy Garlic Bread or Garlic Cheesy Bread

**(This is usually a fairly quick meal to put together as we have a class/dance in the evening)

Snacks/Desserts:

Cupcakes (** I will try to make a few extra to take along for refreshments at the dance.)

-or-

Magic Salted Caramel Cupcakes Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table p. 378

 

Tuesday

Breakfast:

French Toast

-or-

French Toast in a Bowl

Lunch:

PB & J Sandwiches

Fruit

-or-

Soup & Salad

Dinner: ++

Fish w/Honey Mustard Sauce

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Salad

Snacks/Desserts:

Fruit

Pudding Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 350

Wednesday

Breakfast:

Basic Muffins 

-or-

Blueberry Muffins with Lemon Glosting Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table p. 364

Lunch:

Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Veggies

-or-

Salad topped with cooked shrimp, chicken, or other meat

Dinner: ++

Crockpot Tortellini Soup

Buttered Bread

Snacks/Desserts:

Boiled Eggs

Leftover Muffins

-or-

Muffin in a cup recipe from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook or the  Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table.

Thursday

Breakfast:

Protein Power Pancakes (3 variations) or Trim Healthy Pancakes or Waffles (E) p. 259

Blueberry Syrup (with healthier options) or Pancake Syrup (FP) p. 480

-or-

Fat Stripping Frappa Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 418

Lunch:

Tuna Salad

-or-

Tuna Wraps 

Dinner: ++

Easy Bean Tostadas

Brown Rice (Make a double batch and use leftovers for tomorrow)

Salad

Snacks/Desserts:

Popcorn

Lemon Cake

-or-

Sheri’s Chocolate Cake

Friday

Breakfast:

Cereal/Oatmeal -or- Can-Do Cereal – Quick Version Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table p.349

The Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook and the  Trim Healthy Mama’s Trim Healthy Table both have some great ideas for cereal alternatives you can make at home.

-or-

Creamy Grains Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook  p. 253

Lunch:

Soup

Grilled Cheese

Dinner: ++

Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken

-or-

Creamless Creamy Chicken Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 78

Brown Rice

Pan Fried Green Beans

**(This is usually a fairly quick meal to put together as we have a class/dance in the evening)

Snacks/Desserts:

Cookies (** I will try to make a few extra to take along for refreshments at the dance.)

Orange Dream 

Saturday

Breakfast:

Cheese Danish

-or-

Low Carb Cheese Danish

Fruit

Lunch:

Leftovers

-or-

Crispy Salmon Siesta Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook  p. 80

Choco Chip Baby Frap Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p.421

Dinner: ++

Free Day

-or-

Chicken Stir Fry (I usually just buy the HUGE bag of veggies and add some cooked chicken  or steak to it)

Chinese Fried Rice with Veggies, Brown Rice, or Cauli Rice

Snacks/Desserts:

Cake

Tummy Tucking Ice Cream Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook p. 363

++I have a few kids who seem to be going through growth spurts right now and are always HUNGRY. I have been keeping a pot of beans, blackeyed peas, or another vegetable as a side. I also have been buying a few extra snacks like fruit, veggies, yogurt, etc. 

Meal Prep Ideas

  • Buy a rotisserie chicken or cook a few chicken breasts and shred for salads
  • Make your own bagged salads
  • Make some The Easiest Boiled Eggs Ever! for meals and snacks
  • You could also mix up the pancake and muffin batters the night before to make your mornings a bit easier.

**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. We may earn a teensy-weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission and allow us to continue to post FREE articles, recipes, and tips.

 –Thank you!

Banana Cream Cake Recipe

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog2 Comments

This cake is so good! We had it with breakfast and everyone loved it. I still have a few pieces in the fridge for snack later… mmmmm.

I did add a scoop of vanilla whey protein powder and 3 T. of blackstrap molasses to the batter but I think it would still be awesome without that. The kids have requested a batch with chocolate chips the next time I make it.

You can even make a single serving in a mug! How great is that?

Source: Banana Cream Cake Recipe

**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. We may earn a teensy-weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission.

 –Thank you!

Cover Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Puddin’ Cake Time!

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog1 Comment

We were gifted with some fresh juicy strawberries earlier in the week. After eating a couple bowls of them the kids wanted to make something special. I knew just the recipe to pull out… Strawberry Pudding Poke Cake.

Here’s a few pictures of all the fun they had making it…

They had a ton of fun poking holes with the wooden spoon handle:

Then they had to pour on the jello:

img_6945

Next comes the strawberries (I think a few didn’t make it into the bowl):

Now a layer of pudding and then cool whip:

img_6941

Repeat the layers and make it pretty:

 

I tried to catch a few of them eating it but they gobbled it up way too fast!

I’m thinking the next time I might just give it a try without the vanilla pudding as I think that might taste more like a traditional shortcake… yummy!

Do you need some inspiration on how to get your kids helping out in the kitchen? Check out the Kids Can Cook Real Foods website for lots of helpful ideas!

** This post contains affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family. We may receive a small commission if a purchase is made through one of our links.

Blueberry Dump Cake

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog2 Comments

This recipe is so easy! Give it a try and you will see just how easy it is. If you don’t like blueberries then try this Apple Sonker recipe.

Blueberry Dump Cake

Ingredients:

  • Blueberry Pie Filling or use store bought
  • 1 boxed yellow cake mix
  • 1 stick butter or margarine, cut into pats

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Grease and flour a 9×13 pan or baking dish.

Pour the pie filling into the pan.

Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the pie filling.

Arrange the pats of butter on top of the pie crust.

Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

So easy! Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make this extra special!

Strawberry Cream Cake

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog4 Comments

The kids love strawberries, cool whip, and cake so this recipe is always a winner. The colors are so pretty that it makes it a special treat perfect for Valentine’s Day too.

Strawberry Cream Cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/3 c. water
  • 1 t. almond extract (optional)
  • 1- 8 oz container of whipped topping
  • 1/2 c. – 1 c. strawberry jam
  • 1-2 c. fresh strawberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans.

Mix the cake mix, eggs, water, and almond extract until moistened. Then beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.

Pour batter into cake pans.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the cakes cool to room temperature. Then slice each layer horizontally into halves.

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with an even layer of jam and then repeat with the remaining cake layers. (you may need to add a small amount of water to the jam to make it easier to spread)

Spread the whipped topping over the top and sides of cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

Coconut Cake

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog3 Comments

This is the easiest way I make coconut cake, which is a favorite of mine. This feels like cheating with the way I make it but it tastes so good.

Coconut Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

  • 1 boxed white cake mix (or coconut, if you find it)
  • 1 1/3 c. water
  • 2 eggs

Icing:

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan or 2-9 inch round pans.

Mix the cake ingredients together until moistened. Beat for 2 minutes.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s).

Bake 20 – 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool.

 

For the icing:

Prepare the buttercream according to directions.

If using a round cake you keep it as two layers or carefully slice each layer into halves horizontally.

Spread the layers with buttercream.

Then take the coconut and mix into the remaining icing.

Frost the sides and top of the cake. Sprinkle with extra coconut, if desired.

If using a 9×13 pan just frost it with the coconut icing.

 

Lazy Dazy Cookie Cake

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog5 Comments

I have no idea where I got this recipe from but it was probably a FB share. I think I have changed it a little bit since I originally found it. This is a pretty simple recipe for the kids to help with also.

Lazy Dazy Cookie Cake

  •  1 box yellow or white cake mix
  •  2 eggs, beaten
  •  1/2 stick margarine, melted
  •  2 c. chocolate chips or 1 c. chocolate chips and 1 c. peanut butter chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix everything together in a large bowl.

Spread into a greased 9×13 pan.

Bake for 20 min.

Cool 5-10 minutes and cut into squares.

Sunflower Pull-Apart Cake

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog2 Comments

This was the cake I made for Caitlyn’s 10th birthday party. It was a rough day with tornado watches/warnings, lots of wind, and power outages. We needed a little something to brighten our day when the weather was so gloomy.

I used chocolate icing for the center but you could use chocolate chips for it as well. I like to make the ‘mini cake’ for the birthday person to have their own individual cake for the candle. It was really cute as well.

For the large cake I used a #12 to make the ‘seeds’ and a #74 for the yellow. I also used the #74 on the mini one but a # 5 for the ‘seeds’.

16142533_10211610566363336_5861959200729222307_n.jpg

Basic Cake Directions

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog1 Comment

I learned this from my Home Ec teacher, Mrs. Boyette, who was a wonderful inspiration to me when I was in school.

Basic Cake Directions:

1 Box cake mix, (I haven’t found any that this didn’t work with yet)

2 eggs

1-1/3 c water

Mix all ingredients together until moist and then beat for 2 minutes. Bake as directed on box. Your cake will be fluffy and moist unlike any cake you have eaten before!

Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog3 Comments

Oh my! This is such a wonderful dessert. I learned this recipe back in Home Ec. I’ve enjoyed making it for a long time now. It is pretty rich so we don’t eat it very often but the kids consider it a real treat when we do.

Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

Ingredients:

  • Chocolate cake, made in a 13×9 in pan
  • Vanilla ice cream, I try to buy the quart box for this recipe
  • Homemade Chocolate Syrup
  • Whipped cream, optional
  • Maraschino cherries, optional

Directions:

Cut the cake into squares. I normally get 12-16 squares from a 13 x 9 pan.

Slice each square horizontally so you have a top and bottom slice.

Now take the ice cream and unwrap the whole thing. Slice into 1/2 inch slices and divide each slice into quarters.


Place an ice cream quarter, or two, on the bottom half of the cake.

Top with the top half of cake.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Garnish with whipped cream and cherry, if desired.

 

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Published on by Susie @ Kirby's Kabin Blog7 Comments

This is one of my favorite cakes! I love the combination of the pineapple and brown sugar together. I set this up to have every year as part of our New Year’s dinner. We also have it a time or two during the year.

This can also be made in cupcake pans for individual servings. 

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 yellow cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-20 oz can of crushed, chunked, or sliced pineapple (drain the juice and set aside)
  • 1/4 cup butter or margarine
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 jar maraschino cherries, optional
  • cool whip or whipped cream, optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F

Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.

In a skillet melt the butter. Add brown sugar and stir until bubbly. I usually let it cook 2-3 minutes.

Pour this mixture into the greased pan. Arrange the pineapples evenly over the mixture. Arrange the cherries in the pineapples. Gently press down. (Normally the sliced pineapples are seen with a cherry in the center.)

Add enough water to the reserved juice to make 1-1/3 water/juice. (or you can just use 1-1/3 c. water.) Add juice/water mixture, cake mix, and eggs to a large mixing bowl. Stir until moistened and then beat on high for 2 minutes.

Pour cake batter over the pineapples and brown sugar. Spread evenly in the pan.

Bake for 30 -45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Take a serving dish and put over the pan. Carefully flip the pan over and let sit for about 5 minutes. Remove the pan.

Serve warm or cold with whipped topping, if desired.