Sunbutter Caramel

I had leftover caramel sauce (No, I'm not really sure how that is possible.) hanging out in my fridge, and a sad shortage of syrup.  Waffles on the menu for breakfast.  In the past, I would have just whipped up some berry syrup with frozen berries and a pinch of sugar.  Healthy options are always my favorite!

But this time... this time being indulgent was calling to me.  The lure of caramel sauce already made and so rich and delicious hanging out in my fridge... How is a girl to be strong all the time?  I decided that it would be perfectly fine to be indulgent and serve waffles with caramel sauce for breakfast.  I resisted tossing on some home-made coconut whipped cream.  Surely I get points for that.

At the last minute my sensible, responsible brain decided that adding Sunbutter would give this dessert enough of a protein boost to reasonably justify using it as a breakfast food.  So I whisked in a healthy dollop of sunbutter and created the most delectable indulgence.  Velvety smooth, luxuriously rich, and just enough of a healthy touch to erase the mama guilt.  Perfect.

And?  It's amazing as apple dip too.


Sunbutter Caramel Sauce


1/4 c vegan butter (I used Earth Balance soy free)
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c maple syrup
1 Tbsp tapioca starch
2 Tbsp non-dairy milk (I used flax milk)
pinch cream of tartar
2 T sunbutter
1/2 tsp vanilla

Melt vegan butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup together in a small sauce pan over medium heat.  When well combined, increase heat slightly and bring to boil.  Let simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Whisk tapioca starch, cream of tartar,  and non-dairy milk together in a small cup or bowl.  Add to sauce pan and whisk to combine.  Continue to simmer for 3-5 minutes longer, until thickened slightly.  Remove from heat and whisk in sunbutter and vanilla.  Serve warm or allow to cool to room temperature.

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for two weeks.  There will be just a small texture change as the brown sugar will crystalize slightly.  Still amazingly good.

Menu Plan Monday

This week is the first full week back at school for my kids, and I know that means evenings where everyone is tired and extra hungry!  This week's menu plan is a tool for helping us all to know what to expect, and help mom get it on the table more quickly.

Hope that your first week of school goes well!

Monday (beef)
Breakfast: pork sausage, roasted sweet potatoes
Lunch: ham wrap
Dinner: pot roast with carrots, peas

Tuesday (fish)
Breakfast: pineapple carrot muffins, green smoothie
Lunch: pot roast
Dinner: tuna bake, roasted cauliflower, mandarin oranges

Wednesday (turkey)
Breakfast: sweet potato muffins, green smoothie
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: turkey meatballs, broccoli, grapes

Thursday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, biscuits, green smoothie
Lunch: meatballs
Dinner: crockpot chili

Friday (pork)
Breakfast: cinnamon filled muffins
Lunch: hummus and veggies
Dinner: brats on bun, grilled zucchini

Saturday (beef)
Breakfast: bacon, sautéed veggies
Lunch: grilled pork chops, zucchini noodles, apple slices
Dinner: taco salad

Sunday (fish)
Breakfast: waffles
Lunch: fend for yourself
Dinner: lemon shrimp scampi over quinoa pasta, garlicky spinach

Menu Plan Monday

It seems that time is moving so fast lately!  I toss up a menu plan, turn around, and it's time to do it again.  So, here it is, the plan for my week.  Because menu plans make life run more smoothly at my house.

Monday (fish)
Breakfast: pumpkin muffins, strawberry smoothie
Lunch: corn on the cob, cantaloupe, beef dogs
Dinner: grilled shrimp with lemon butter over pasta, green beans

Tuesday (turkey)
Breakfast: blueberry cobbler, green smoothie
Lunch: tuna
Dinner: crock pot taco soup, tortilla chips

Wednesday (vegan)
Breakfast: sausage, potatoes obrien
Lunch: taco soup
Dinner: mango black bean quinoa salad

Thursday (pork)
Breakfast: sweet potato hash, green smoothie
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: garlic basil pork burgers, fries, peas

Friday (beef)
Breakfast: bacon, pancakes, green smoothie
Lunch: brats
Dinner: pot roast, baby carrots, honeydew

Saturday (fish)
Breakfast: waffles with sunbutter caramel syrup
Lunch: pot roast
Dinner: salmon, broccoli, berries

Sunday (turkey)
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: fish taco pasta salad
Dinner: meatballs, mashed potatoes, garlic spinach

Menu Plan Monday

Monday (pork)
Breakfast: quinoa granola and berry parfait
Lunch: hummus and veggies
Dinner: brats, grilled zucchini and peppers

Tuesday (beef)
Breakfast: sausage, blueberry scones
Lunch: pepperoni "lunchables"
Dinner: crock pot beef stew, peas, quinoa pasta

Wednesday (fish)
Breakfast: waffles with caramel sunbutter syrup
Lunch: beef stew
Dinner: tuna sandwich, grapes, zucchini and corn salad

Thursday (turkey)
Breakfast: orange pineapple muffins, green smoothie
Lunch: fish sticks
Dinner: sloppy joe, green beans, fries

Friday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, green smoothie
Lunch: hot dogs
Dinner: mango black bean quinoa salad

Saturday (pork)
Breakfast: overnight oats/quinoa with peaches
Lunch:
Dinner: pork chops, kale salad with apples

Sunday (beef)
Breakfast: bacon, fruit salad
Lunch: italian sausage with onions and peppers
Dinner: burgers, strawberries, cucumber salad

As always, links are to the original recipe when possible, and may not reflect changes I make for the dietary restrictions of our house.

Monday Menu Plan

As always, we rotate through proteins.  Any links posted are to the original recipe as often as possible and may not reflect changes we make in our house to adapt to our dietary restrictions.  (But it does mean the recipe works well with adaptations!)

Enjoy your week.

Monday (turkey)
Breakfast: pineapple orange muffins, green smoothie
Lunch: tuna bake, peas
Dinner: chili bake

Tuesday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, potatoes o'brien
Lunch: turkey dogs
Dinner: black bean enchiladas

Wednesday (pork)
Breakfast: overnight oats/quinoa
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: pulled pork, green beans, fries

Thursday (beef)
Breakfast: pork sausage, biscuits, green smoothie
Lunch: pulled pork
Dinner: hamburgers, grilled zucchini and pineapple

Friday (fish)
Breakfast: hash browns, veggie saute
Lunch: coneys
Dinner: lemon shrimp over pasta, broccoli

Saturday (turkey)
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls, green smoothie
Lunch: salmon, sautéed spinach, watermelon
Dinner: meatballs, cauliflower rice, peaches

Sunday (vegan)
Breakfast: blueberry crisp
Lunch: sloppy joe
Dinner: lentil dahl

Menu Plan Monday

It's the last week of school for my kiddos, and everything is feeling like impending vacation here.  This week's menu plan is quick and easy to allow for maximizing those last minute opportunities.  Hope you all have a great week, with the opportunity to seize the spontaneous smiles that come your way!

Monday (beef)
Breakfast: pork sausage, roasted sweet potatoes
Lunch: pizza
Dinner: burgers and zucchini on the grill

Tuesday (fish)
Breakfast: orange crunch muffins
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: fish taco salad

Wednesday (turkey)
Breakfast: waffles
Lunch: sunbutter and apples
Dinner: meatloaf, fries, green beans

Thursday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, cinnamon roasted butternut squash (I really need to actually make it this week!)
Lunch: meatloaf
Dinner: lentil dahl, peas

Friday (pork)
Breakfast: sunbutter muffins
Lunch: hummus and veggies
Dinner: Italian sausage and peppers, pasta

Saturday (beef)
Breakfast: bacon, pancakes
Lunch: pork chops
Dinner: mongolian beef and broccoli

Sunday (fish)
Breakfast: zucchini carrot muffins
Lunch: beef veg soup
Dinner lemon shrimp, quinoa, garlic spinach

Menu Plan Monday

I have been flying without a menu plan for the last few weeks!  I think that I'm getting better at figuring out dinner on the fly, as it has not been as stressful for me as I expected.  Still.  Life is a bit smoother with a plan, and I really do grocery shop more effectively.  (That means I spend less, and waste less! Win-win.)

Monday (vegan)
Breakfast: lemon poppy muffins and green smoothie
Lunch: mulligatawny soup
Dinner: veggie burgers, fries, peaches

Tuesday (pork)
Breakfast: raspberry ginger muffins, green smoothie
Lunch: black bean, quinoa, and mango salad
Dinner: crock pot pulled pork, roasted cauliflower, green beans

Wednesday (beef)
Breakfast: pork sausage, cinnamon roasted butternut squash
Lunch: pulled pork
Dinner: hamburgers, grilled zucchini and peppers

Thursday (fish)
Breakfast: blueberry cream of buckwheat
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: lemon shrimp over pasta, peas

Friday (turkey)
Breakfast: sweet potato hash
Lunch: hummus with veggies and crackers
Dinner: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli

Saturday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, potatoes obrien
Lunch: meatballs
Dinner: squash pasta, garlic spinach

Sunday (pork)
Breakfast: cinnamon coffee cake
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: grilled pork chops, asparagus, berries

Menu Plan Monday

Time for the plan again.  It has gotten to the point where even the kiddos look forward to having a menu plan posted.  I love it.

Monday (beef)
Breakfast: bacon, potatoes O'brien
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: beef brisket, roasted beets, stovetop apples

Tuesday (fish)
Breakfast: sunbutter muffins, green smoothie
Lunch: brisket
Dinner: lemon shrimp pasta, broccoli

Wednesday (turkey)
Breakfast: sweet potato hash over quinoa
Lunch: with Dad
Dinner: turkey a la king, mixed veg

Thursday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, roasted cinnamon squash
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: with Dad

Friday (pork)
Breakfast: cinnamon bread with sunbutter, green smoothie
Lunch: hummus and veggies
Dinner: ham, mashed potatoes, peas

Saturday (beef)
Breakfast: pork sausage, Harvest saute
Lunch: ham
Dinner: burgers, fries, green beans

Sunday (fish)
Breakfast: cranberry apple coffee cake
Lunch: with Dad
Dinner: with Dad

Menu Plan Monday

Guess who finally got her blender fixed?  This girl!  And we have been absolutely loving the ability to have smoothies again.  Who knew even the munchkins would miss them?  So, you may notice them on the menu a few times.  (And honestly, they might even sneak in a few extra times! Yum!)


Monday (vegan)
Breakfast: blueberry muffins, green smoothie
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: Potato soup, corn chips

Tuesday (pork)
Breakfast: pineapple muffins, green smoothie
Lunch: ham roll ups
Dinner: pepperoni pizza

Wednesday (beef)
Breakfast: sausage, cinnamon roasted squash, green smoothie
Lunch: lunchables
Dinner: beef stew

Thursday (fish)
Breakfast: sweet potato hash over quinoa
Lunch: hummus and veggies
Dinner: with Dad

Friday (turkey)
Breakfast: apple cinnamon muffins
Lunch: sunbutter and apples
Dinner: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli

Saturday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, pancakes
Lunch: roasted turkey breast, fries, applesauce
Dinner: black bean enchiladas

Sunday (pork)
Breakfast: waffles
Lunch: with Dad
Dinner: with Dad

Menu Plan Monday

Another Monday already?  Are you sure there are days between these Monday things? They just keep coming at me faster and faster!

Monday (turkey)
Breakfast: blueberry muffins
Lunch: turkey wraps
Dinner: mulligatawny soup, honey corn muffins, sunbutter pi


Tuesday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, harvest saute
Lunch: mulligatawny soup
Dinner: pasta with creamy pumpkin pasta sauce, peas

Wednesday (pork)
Breakfast: zuchinni muffins
Lunch: sunbutter and apples
Dinner: italian sausage with onions and peppers, green beans, peaches

Thursday (beef)
Breakfast: pork sausage, roasted sweet potatoes
Lunch: ham roll ups
Dinner: with Dad

Friday (fish)
Breakfast: sweet potato hash over quinoa
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: creamy tuna casserole

Saturday (turkey)
Breakfast: pancakes with berry syrup
Lunch: salmon salad
Dinner: bbq turkey thighs, mashed potatoes, broccoli

Sunday (vegan)
Breakfast: sausage, biscuits, green smoothie
Lunch: bbq turkey thighs
Dinner: lentil dahl, pasta, peas

It's time to menu plan again.

Monday (pork)
Breakfast: raspberry muffins
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: Italian pork chops, green beans with onion and mushroom, roasted grape tomato, mango

Tuesday (fish)
Breakfast: bacon, roasted sweet potato
Lunch: ham roll up
Dinner: honey sesame salmon over cauliflower rice, peas, grapes

Wednesday (turkey)
Breakfast: apple cranberry muffins
Lunch: sunbutter and apples
Dinner: barbeque turkey thighs, roasted beets, spiced peaches

Thursday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, Harvest Saute
Lunch: meatballs
Dinner: with Dad

Friday (beef)
Breakfast: quinoa granola
Lunch: hummus and veggies
Dinner: mongolian beef, pasta, broccoli

Saturday (pork)
Breakfast: waffles
Lunch: burgers
Dinner: pulled pork, coleslaw, corn

Sunday (fish)
Breakfast: pork sausage, biscuits
Lunch: with Dad
Dinner: with Dad

There's my plan.  Simple, no frills, and easy.  Hope it means we'll have some time outside enjoying the weather instead of inside cooking!

Menu Plan Monday

The last two weeks I've been winging it, off the cuff menu planning.  Guess what?  It's getting easier!  Still resulted in a few last minute grocery runs though, which is not the most effective use of my time or my budget... so.  Here is this week's plan to keep me on track.

Monday (vegan)
Breakfast: roasted sweet potatoes and turkey sausage
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: black bean enchilada casserole

Tuesday (beef)
Breakfast: sweet potato muffins
Lunch: sunbutter and apples
Dinner: beef stew over cauliflower rice

Wednesday (pork)
Breakfast: waffles
Lunch: beef stew
Dinner: eggplant lasagna, green beans

Thursday (fish)
Breakfast: pork sausage, potatoes obrien
Lunch: ham roll up
Dinner: with Dad

Friday (turkey)
Breakfast: quinoa cranberry porridge
Lunch: hummus and veggies
Dinner: crock pot turkey "roast"

Saturday (vegan)
Breakfast: pancakes
Lunch: turkey roast
Dinner: pizza

Sunday (beef)
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: with Dad
Dinner: with Dad

Menu Plan Monday

Here is my plan for the week, short and sweet!

Monday (fish)
Breakfast: english muffins, pork sausage
Lunch: pepperoni
Dinner: salmon melt, green beans, pear slices

Tuesday (turkey)
Breakfast: quinoa granola and dairy free yogurt
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: crockpot turkey veg soup

Wednesday (vegan)
Breakfast: sweet potato hash, turkey bacon
Lunch: turkey veg soup
Dinner: veg burgers on bun, fries

Thursday (beef)
Breakfast: blueberry muffins
Lunch: veg chili
Dinner: with Dad

Friday (pork)
Breakfast: waffles
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: pork chops, mixed veg, cherries

Saturday (fish)
Breakfast: bacon cheddar muffins
Lunch: pulled pork
Dinner: fish sticks, lemon pepper pasta, peas

Sunday (turkey)
Breakfast: oatmeal
Lunch: with Dad
Dinner: white bean turkey chili, kale salad

Menu Plan Monday

Falling into a bit of a menu rut over here, as is typical for most families.  I shall have to work harder to find some new breakfast ideas especially!  It may be time to go back to non-traditional breakfasts, and see if I can sell the kiddos on them.

Here is the plan for the week.

Monday (beef)
Breakfast: pumpkin bread pudding
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: shephard's pie

Tuesday (pork)
Breakfast: breakfast hash
Lunch: leftover shephard's pie
Dinner: cider pulled pork roast, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots

Wednesday (fish)
Breakfast: bacon, sauteed veggies
Lunch: pulled pork
Dinner: fish sticks, peas, raspberry applesauce

Thursday (turkey)
Breakfast: zucchini muffins
Lunch: veg chili
Dinner: with dad

Friday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage and biscuits
Lunch: turkey meatballs
Dinner: eggplant ragu over quinoa pasta

Saturday (beef)
Breakfast: waffles, berry syrup
Lunch: mango, black bean, quinoa salad
Dinner: burgers, roasted beets, peaches

Sunday (pork)
Breakfast: oatmeal
Lunch: with dad
Dinner: dijon pork chops, green beans, cherries

Menu Plan Monday

I know it's a day early.  I have been menu planning on Monday and grocery shopping on Tuesday for years.  I love having the store to myself.  Now, being a working mama, I am back to shopping on the weekend with the rest of the world.  Which means the menu plan must be done in time to hit the grocery on Sunday.  And I have to share the isles again...

So here it is, my plan for preserving some degree of sanity during the coming week.

Monday (turkey)
Breakfast:  quinoa berry breakfast porridge
Lunch: fish sticks
Dinner: chili bake

Tuesday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, potatoes obrien
Lunch: mulligatawny soup
Dinner: crockpot squash soup, kale salad with apples and pomegranate

Wednesday (beef)
Breakfast: blondies, green smoothie
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: chipotle shephard's pie

Thursday (pork)
Breakfast: quinoa granola with coconut milk yogurt
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: sausage spinach and tomato soup

Friday (fish)
Breakfast: breakfast sandwich
Lunch: ham "lunchable"
Dinner: shrimp stir fry

Saturday (turkey)
Breakfast: waffles with berry syrup (These are seriously no fail waffles- I love the tutorial.)
Lunch: salmon melt
Dinner: meatballs, green beans, spiced peaches

Sunday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey bacon, bagels
Lunch: leftovers
Dinner: two bean chili, cornbread

As always, the links are to the original recipe as often as possible and do not reflect the changes I make to fit our dietary restrictions.

Menu Plan Monday

First week on the new job this week, and something on the calendar for every night!  This kind of crazy is what meal plans are made for.  Shop ahead of time so all of the ingredients are ready, and then no thinking about what to to make- just throw together what's on the plan.  It helps bring a little calm to the crazy. The goal with this week's plan was to keep it fast and easy.

Monday (pork)
Breakfast: orange muffins
Lunch: beef stew
Dinner: crock pot cranberry pork, peas

Tuesday (fish)
Breakfast: pork sausage and choice of frozen muffins
Lunch: leftover pork OR pepperoni lunchables
Dinner: fish sticks, mixed veggies, raspberry applesauce

Wednesday (turkey)
Breakfast: pumpkin muffins
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: mulligatawny soup, cornbread

Thursday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, sweet potato hash
Lunch: beans and weenies
Dinner: black bean enchiladas

Friday (beef)
Breakfast: "nothing beets cherry" muffins
Lunch: hummus wraps OR leftover enchiladas
Dinner: crockpot mongolian beef, cauliflower rice

Saturday (pork)
Breakfast: waffles with three berry syrup
Lunch: leftover mongolian beef
Dinner: orange ginger pork chops

Sunday (fish)
Breakfast: bacon cheddar muffins
Lunch: on your own
Dinner: baked tuna biscuit melts, green beans

Meal Plan Monday

I've been so busy surviving the tumultuous change over here, that I haven't been posting.  Still meal planning (usually) though, because it really does reduce the stress in my life.  No staring into the cabinet at hungry o'clock trying to decide what to make.  Is it just my brain that shuts down when hungry?

So, time to start sharing again.  Here's this week's plan:

Monday (vegan)
Breakfast: turkey sausage, Nothing Beets Cherry muffins
Lunch: leftovers
Dinner: eggplant ragu, quinoa pasta, spiced peaches

Tuesday (beef)
Breakfast: raspberry ginger muffins
Lunch: sunbutter and jelly
Dinner: beef stew, green beans

Wednesday (pork)
Breakfast: pineapple muffins
Lunch: beef stew OR beans and weenies
Dinner: pork basil burgers, roasted beets, mango applesauce

Thursday (fish)
Breakfast: bacon, potatoes o'brien
Lunch: pepperoni "lunchables"
Dinner: shrimp stir fry over cauliflower rice, brown sugar bourbon cherries

Friday (turkey)
Breakfast: zucchini muffins
Lunch: hummus wrap
Dinner: meatballs, fries, peas

Saturday (vegan)
Breakfast: sweet potato hash
Lunch: meatballs
Dinner: pizza

Sunday (beef)
Breakfast: waffles
Lunch: sniffle soup, salad
Dinner: tacos

As always, links are to original recipes, and may not reflect changes I make to allow for dietary restrictions.