Healthy Weekly Meal Plan 12.17.16 — a collection of seasonal, family-friendly recipes including Roasted Vegetable Strata, Cardamom Pear Bread with Almond Glaze, One Pot Beef Stroganoff and more.
Happy Saturday! I hope you’re doing well. Today our family is heading to the Overture Center in Madison to see A Christmas Carol. It’s supposed to snow all day, so it should be a cozy outing. I saw the show a few years ago with my daughter and loved it — the performance and its message are wonderful.
I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately, which sometimes happens during the holidays. I need to rest more, stay hydrated, and take care of myself since we’ll be traveling next week. Being congested on a plane is no fun, so I’m hoping to feel better soon.
Can you believe how quickly December has flown by? I still have a few treats to make, including another batch of Christmas Crack and some cookies. The season is busy, but it’s also a reminder to slow down, reflect, and be grateful for the people and comforts in our lives.
For our family, the holidays are about time together and appreciation, not about overwhelming gift-giving. I enjoy wrapping gifts and making homemade presents, but the best part is seeing my kids’ faces light up over a few thoughtful gifts rather than an abundance under the tree.
We have a great lineup of recipes to share this week. If you can, try the Roasted Vegetable Strata and the Cardamom Pear Bread with Almond Glaze — both feel a bit magical for the season. The One Pot Beef Stroganoff is a family favorite: comforting, easy, and always a hit. For weekend breakfasts or holiday mornings, the Overnight French Toast Casserole and Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal are excellent make-ahead options that feed a crowd and keep mornings simple.
Wishing you a peaceful and delicious week. I’ll be back on Monday with more ideas!
Monday
Roasted Vegetable Strata from Greens & Chocolate.
Prep Ahead Tips: You can roast the vegetables ahead of time to save minutes when assembling the strata.
Tuesday
Cardamom Pear Bread with Almond Glaze from Spoonful of Flavor.
Wednesday
One Pot Beef Stroganoff from my blog — a simple, comforting weeknight meal that’s popular for good reason: it’s easy to make and the whole family will love it.
Thursday
Overnight French Toast Casserole from Lauren Kelly Nutrition — an easy make-ahead breakfast that’s perfect for holiday mornings.
Friday
Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal with Orange Cream Cheese Glaze from Flavor the Moments — fruity, comforting, and easy to prepare for guests.
Prep Ahead Tips: The entire dish can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator, or it comes together quickly the morning you want to serve it.