Without further delay, Mediterranean wraps

Okay, so the "we cook at home to save money on meals newly-wed challenge" dealio didn't quite work out perfectly. However, I managed to swing a couple of couple of meals so let's get started with how it all went down...

Big J picked Mediterranean wraps which is freaking awesome. ( I was secretly hoping so, because my workplace cafeteria makes them and I wanted to see if I could cheaply replicate.)

Ingredients:
1 package of naan or pita bread. Naan is better but pita will work in a pinch (as it did for me that night)
1 small container of pesto (or make your own, it's not that hard)
1 tomato
1 package of mixed field greens or whatever salad mix you like
feta crumbles
1chicken breast per 2 people
balsamic vinaigrette of your liking.

Ok...here we go. I soaked the cubed (read: torn by dull knife...since I'm not allowed to use the new ones!) chicken in some balsamic vinaigrette and some "Mediterranean spices". These must be related to the mysterious "Italian spices". I really have no idea what they consist of.

Anyway, pour some olive oil in a skillet. When it is good and hot, saute your chicken pieces until thoroughly cooked. In the mean time, spread a tablespoon or two of pesto on your naan. Throw on a good portion of the salad mix, a couple slices of tomato, and a bit of feta. Throw your chicken on top and roll into a burrito-like shape. If you like, you can throw the concoction in the oven on broil for a minute or two to crisp up the naan on top. After it comes out of the oven, cut it in half and serve with some vinaigrette dressing to dip in. Of course you can eat it as a cool wrap, too. Just don't put it in the oven. Enjoy.

The Grocery Store, the Rain, and Other Broken Records

I can't quite recall if I have ever mentioned this before, but every time I go to the grocery store...it rains. Seriously. They should take me to the Sahara to grocery shop so that it can change back to the green utopia it was in the ice age or whatever. So aside from getting my cardio workout via anger (i.e.high blood pressure) about the weather, I spent a good fortune at the store (not the poor people one) buying real food.

I have been neglecting you my poor bleaders and I feel guilty. My foodie blogroll count for this week: a big fat goose egg. Even the regulars have given up. *Sigh.*

So here is what's going down: Four days, four home cooked meals. The meals were inspired by a local weight loss joint called "My Fit Foods" who promises that everyone loses 8-12 lbs. on average if you eat by their guidelines. Cool, how much does it cost? Between $500 and $600 for 21 days worth of food. F that! I took a big pay cut to work at my new job, and $600 covers the student loan and car payment for a month. Geez.

So, I looked at the portion sizes they were selling...(which let's not kid ourselves, that is what they are really selling) and decided to attempt to copy their foods and portion sizes at home. Low Glycemic, high protein, low carb.

This week's menu (which Jon does not know about yet) will consist of the following dinner meals. He will be forced to able to choose from:

Mediterranean Pesto Chicken Wraps with Hummus.
Chicken Fajitas with Beans and Guacamole
Turkey Chili with Beans
Small Beef Tenderloins with Squash and Salad.
or
Turkey Spaghetti on Whole Wheat Pasta.

Be proud America, I have the fajitas, tenderloins, and Mediterranean chicken marinating as we speak. Of course, I had to clean out the fridge again. Greatest discovery: milk expired on 5/29. Happy dining.