The last month or so has been a mix of long work days, weekend travel, and non existent meal plans.
As I sit at the start of this new work schedule, the opportunity to return to cooking dinners and meal planning excites me. Yet, where do I begin? I spent the weekend camping in Wisconsin, and the BOY and I decided NOT to go grocery shopping Sunday night. There might be time to go Monday evening, but the BOY is working Mondays now too. That leaves Tuesday morning (since I’m just working Tuesday afternoon). Is there enough time to get in a workout, do a load of laundry, go to the store, and make something for dinner? Well, I don’t know, but I was willing to find out.
Pre Shopping List Questions…
What days can I cook dinner? How much time do I have? Are we eating too much chicken? Do I need to set an alarm? Not as shopping related, but tell me…when was the last time your work day started at 2? Did you set an alarm?
What Really Ended Up Happening…
I worked all day Monday, but forgot my shopping list at home. Instead of going home to get it, the BOY took me out for dinner at our favorite sandwich place. We were both so surprised to have me home by 7pm that it was such a treat to eat dinner together as the sun was setting.
Turns out Tuesday morning, I did not need an alarm. The BOY and I have opposite schedules which is good in that it gives me two mornings alone in a quiet house, but bad when his alarm goes off and he starts opening and closing drawers looking for clothes. I started my day at 7:30am and since no grocery store run had been done, I was inspired by our camping trip to make ‘kitchen sink’ style eggs.
I found spinach, an apple, and feta and mixed those in with the last of the eggs (note…add eggs to grocery list). After breakfast, I went out for a bike ride. My triathlon is THIS WEEKEND! Although my training has gone well thus far, I’ve been slacking a bit here at the end. During this taper week, I really wanted to get in one last bike ride on my road bike (today) and one last swim (Thursday). Today’s ride was a HOT 11 miles. The majority of my training has been in unseasonably cold weather, so I have NO idea what to expect for this weekend.
Before going to the store, I flipped through some cookbooks and searched some blogs for some healthy dinner options. I realized that being gone from ~1-6pm on the same days as the BOY meant that I could put the crockpot in charge of dinner. I have a few crockpot specific cookbooks, and when I found these lettuce wraps, I was sold. I had most of the ingredients in the house, and knew that I could use lettuce and pick up some pita for the BOY. I stirred up the marinade, drenched the chicken, and hit start hoping that this simple recipe would be good enough to be a favorite. Then I was out of the door.
I chatted with the BOY briefly after his morning class to fill him in on the dinner situation, and when I walked in the door after work, I found dinner ready!
I set up my lettuce cups and filled them with chicken.
Then topped my lettuce wraps with creamy avocado, which paired perfectly with the soy ginger flavor of the chicken!
The BOY and I ate dinner seated at the table, a special treat (again), and celebrated his successful last semester of law school. He got his best grades EVER!
As I prepped this meal, I was hoping it would become a household favorite (mostly because of how easy it was), and was pleasantly surprised to discover how unique and tasty this dinner turned out. I definitely recommend adding some avocado and packed up my leftovers for lunch with avocado, of course.
Lessons Learned (week one of my new schedule)…
It is awesome to grocery shop on Tuesday mornings. The crockpot is perfect for healthy summer meals. You can never eat too much chicken. And I LOVE my new schedule!
Meal Planning
Tuesday: Quick Sesame Teriyaki Lettuce (pita for the BOY) Wraps
Wednesday: Salmon (for me) and Steak (for him) on the grill (courtesy of the BOY)
Thursday: Greek Turkey Meatballs
Lunch will be leftovers!
Quick Sesame Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps
From The 150 Healthiest Slow Cooker Recipes on Earth
Serves 6
Ingredients
3/4 cup high quality, low-sugar prepared teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon ground ginger
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (I used chicken breasts)
1 package slaw mix (broccoli, carrots and cabbage)
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
1 small head red-leaf or Bibb lettuce
Avocado*
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, water and ginger. Lay the chicken thighs (or breasts) in the bottom of the slow cooker and pour the sauce evenly over the top. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, or on low for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender. Shred the chicken with two forks and add the slaw mix. Stir and combine, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the sesame seeds and serve over individual lettuce leaves.
Note: I forgot to buy sesame seeds, so just didn’t use them. The dinner turned out fantastic, so don’t sweat it if you don’t have the seeds hiding in your pantry!
*And…buy avocado!!!
Luv What You Do 
I am so glad you are loving the new schedule and have more time for YOU to do what YOU want. Like a bike ride and a casual breakfast!! In time I am sure you will find what works best for certain days and that things can always be moved around! I need to make some lettuce wraps soon..yum!
Thanks Brittany!!!
Your comment is spot on…it was amazing to start my day slowly. I talked to friends and my bro on the phone, then went to the store and on my bike and did some laundry. I think this summer already has less stress. Plus I need some time to get ready for my trip. Hope you’re having a great week!
yum! looks and sounds great…. ! I forget the crockpot can make summer meals as well as chilli! see you EARLY sunday for your tri…. hugs… mom
Yes and it might be my new best friend these next few weeks as I figure things out. Can’t believe it’s tri time already. I’m excited!!!
I love the idea of adding a slaw mix to the chicken, that looks and sounds delicious, and lettuce wraps are so fun to eat. So glad to hear you like your new schedule, what a great feeling!
Meredith, you are so right! I feel so much better and the BOY says that I am happier when I come home (it’s only been 3 days). I think that these changes will be great professionally and personally!
That recipe looks great, I haven’t busted out my crock in a few weeks. I have been baking chicken because I keep forgetting to do it the night before, woops!
That’s when I send the BOY outside to the grill when chicken and a sweet potato because it is quick and easy and we didn’t prep anything : ) This recipe is delish and super easy. It took me 5 mins to get it in the crockpot, so you might need to dust yours off…ha ha!
Hey, I just had lettuce wraps tonight too, but mine were tofu. Great minds, huh?
For sure!
Can you do tofu in the crockpot? I bet this recipe would be great with other meats! Thanks for the comment Erin!
I think you could do tofu in the crockpot…I’ve never tried! It shall be an experiment for hte future!
Sounds great! Keep me posted!
oh I need to check that book out, I have really fallen in love with my crock pot lately!! I am not a great meal planner, but I always have enough fruits and veggies on hand to make something work
My crockpot is seriously the workhorse of our kitchen. I love having books that I can go to for crockpot specific meals, and this one never disappoints. Thanks for stopping by!
Question: Why do you always capitalize BOY?
Good question…I started doing it with a lot of people and for some reason he just stuck. I think now that its habit I don’t even realize it.
That is funny….cause I always wondered that too! 🙂
Good luck with your tri this weekend!! Can’t wait to hear about it!! Make sure you are hydrating well this week for a hot race this weekend!! I am glad you decided to ride your road bike!!
Thanks Leslie for the reminder. I was just planning my pre race dinner and I’m hoping to catch up on some sleep too!
im glad your enjoying your schedule.. some of my fav mornings are slow and doing whatever i feel like! I love that breakfast, apple and feta.. YUM
It was an odd combination that totally worked! I can’t wait to see what else I can squeeze into my eggies this summer. Especially since I will have more awesome ME mornings!
Those lettuce wraps sound SO good! Yum. It is so hard to get ready for the week if you are out of town on the weekend, seriously one of my biggest stressors about leaving!
Agreed!!! It’s where my OCD totally shines through!
Your new schedule sounds great… so glad you’re enjoying it! Coming home to dinner ready is the best… love when my guy does that 🙂 And, congrats to the boy on his last semester of law school! Woo!
So excited for you and your triathlon this weekend!
Thanks Erin! It’s definitely been a fun week and I can see how my old schedule was holding me back in so many ways. I may cry when I see my smaller paycheck but for now I am living it up : )
The lettuce wraps look great! Aren’t they perfect for summertime dinners? Light and crunchy. I need to try that teriyaki chicken recipe in my slow cooker!
You def should! I think any asian flavored sauce would be great and easy! Now that I know you can make shredded chicken with salsa and teriyaki, the possibilities seem endless!
Those teriyaki lettuce wraps look amazing! Definitely going to try those out!
Thanks Nicole! They are the perfect mid week meal!
Congrats to the boy on a successful last semester of law school! And congrats to you on the first week with a new schedule! Sounds like you had some more ‘you’ time!
Wow- your tri is already this weekend?! Good luck!
We’ve had basically zero warm weather days. I’m anxiously watching Coeur d’Alene weather. Although I’m not used to it at all, I’d rather have warm/hot than cold!
Agreed! I was thinking that too cold is way worse than hot and who knows what this weekend will hold. Thanks for all of your warm wishes! This new week went by quickly and I’m so happy with my decision!
[…] thought is that the BOY can make a Greek meatball pita and I will use my leftover lettuce from the Teriyaki Chicken Wraps. But, I’m guessing these meatballs would be great over pasta or spaghetti squash as […]
[…] ask me what’s in the crockpot for dinner? I think it’s because I was raving about these Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps on my first […]
[…] Sesame Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps […]
[…] Thursday: Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps […]
[…] Lunch: Sesame Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps […]