Current Fridge Protein & Leftover Inventory (Start of Day)
- Leftover sirloin steak (day 5 — has to be used today)
- Grilled chicken (last of it)
- Leftover sliced pork chops
- Homemade beef summer sausage (small amount remaining)
- Leftover rice from last night
- Chicken thighs (pulled from freezer — cooking today)
Morning (Out the Door by 8:30)
Beautiful day, so we just went for it — even with my teen out late for prom the night before.
- Everyone had bacon and a bagel
- Daphne made her smoothie (and covered her ears when the blender ran, presumably)
- Out the door by 8:30
We went to an outdoor historical display — the kids stamped tin circles with shapes, learned to make rope, and discovered a massive wooden loom. We now apparently need to purchase a large wooden loom. A new micro hobby has entered the chat.
Lunch (Full Protein Clean-Out)
Everyone came home hungry and I had a deadline — that steak was on day five and had to be used today.
Steak — pan seared:
- Diced up all the remaining steak
- Big pat of butter, hot pan, seared until crispy
- Three kids had it on a platter with chips, fruit, and veggies
Barbecue grilled chicken:
- Last of the grilled chicken, warmed in butter and barbecue sauce
- My teen and I both had barbecue chicken salads
One kid wanted homemade beef summer sausage and a salad — done.
→ Steak gone. Grilled chicken gone.
Snack — Heavy on Purpose
I was going to be out tonight and Chris wouldn’t be home until later, so I set everyone up to not be hangry at 4:45 with my teen holding down the fort:
- Apple and popcorn platters
- Homemade beef summer sausage and cheese
- Chips
- Milkshakes
Full kids = a much easier evening for everyone involved.
Dinner (Handled Before I Left)
Before heading out, I got dinner going so Chris just had to finish it:
Oven bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (pulled from the freezer yesterday to defrost):
- seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning….kept it neutral
- Covered with parchment and foil, into the oven at 350°
- Left Chris instructions to uncover when he got home and let the skin crisp up
- Served with leftover rice and pasta from last night and fruit and veggies
I had a little bit of leftover pork chop before I left since I’d be missing dinner
Chris even remembered to get a photo for me!
Post-Dinner / Looking Ahead
What’s in the fridge now:
- 5 leftover chicken thighs
- Tiny bit of homemade beef summer sausage (last of it)
- Leftover rice
The weekend is a little open-ended — Costco run happening either Saturday or Sunday depending on how things shake out:
- If Saturday → probably set for dinner
- If Sunday → pulling the homemade meatloaf from the freezer for a lunch or dinner
Either way, there’s a plan and the freezer has our back.