Sunset at La Jolla Cove…A very happy thing indeed! Photo by Big Tex.
I’ve got lots of happy things to share with you this week, but first my weekly meal plan.
If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have noticed that last week was “a week without a meal plan”. With Mr. Spicy out of town for work in Washington DC, plus a wedding to attend, somehow my weekly meal plan never materialized, so this week I’m excited for things to be back to normal {as normal as they get around here!}, so here we go…
WEEKLY MEAL PLAN
DAY ONE
- Rosemary Parmesan Polenta Fries
- Sliced tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and basil
- Blueberries
DAY TWO
- Pepper and Pepperoni Pizza {on gluten-free crust} from Jane Brody’s Good Food Gourmet {One of the first cookbooks I bought when I started studying nutrition.}
- Spinach Salad with Shaved Gouda and Sliced Apples from Danielle Omar, RD of Food Confidence
- Melon Slices
DAY THREE
- The Easiest Ever BBQ Chicken from Alysa at Inspired RD
- Coleslaw
- Lettuce for wrapping the chicken and coleslaw
- Brown Rice
- Apple slices with cinnamon
DAY FOUR
- Carne Asada Tacos {Carne Asada meat, salsa, & guacamole}
- Corn Tortillas
- Fresh Orange Slices
- Pink Grapefruit Margaritas from There Goes the Cupcake
DAY FIVE
- Summer Squash and Corn Chowder from Cooking Light
- Kale salad with avocado and tomatoes
- Gluten-Free Rolls
- Fresh Fruit in Season
My Happy Things
Happy Thing #1: Philanthropic Kids…
I’m so proud of SiSi for her recent fundraising efforts where she raised $269.00 for the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter in San Diego. She started her fundraising in the summer by asking family and friends to please donate money for the animals at Helen Woodward. In addition, she and her friend had a bake sale and lemonade sale to raise additional funds. We just mailed the money to the shelter last week, and like I said, I am incredibly proud of SiSi for taking up this initative all on her own!
Happy Thing #2: A wedding on the beach…
One of Mr. Spicy’s friend’s from high school and also a friend of mine got re-married on the beach at Windansea in La Jolla. It was a beautiful, simple wedding, and the best part was seeing the bride and groom so happy and in love!
Happy Thing #3: “Pinocchio” Tomato…
Look what I found in my bag of tomatoes! I added the raisin eyes, but the nose is au natural. Smile 
Happy Thing #4: Fun workouts…
The weather in San Diego on Friday and Saturday was scorchingly hot. Thanks goodness it cooled down nicely on Sunday, so SiSi and I headed to the school playground to play a little soccer. She even had me doing planks, push-ups, sit-ups and run a lap. It was a great workout and lots of fun too!
Happy Thing #5: Watching the seals at La Jolla Cove…
Last weekend SiSi, Big Tex and I walked down to La Jolla Cove after meeting my parents for dinner, so we could watch the seals at La Jolla Cove. It was an absolutely perfect way to end the weekend.
I hope you had a happy weekend, and have some deliciou meals planned for this week!
If you haven’t already, make sure to enter my giveaway to win a copy of No Whine With Dinner, a three pack of seasoned gluten-free bread crumbs, and a 12 pack of silicon muffin molds. The giveaway ends Wednesday September 19 at 9 pm PST.
Have you been to a wedding recently? Have you done any fun workouts lately? What’s cooking at your home this week???
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“Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all it’s flavour.”
William Cowper, 1785. 
Awww…La Jolla Cove at Sunset is one of my happy places too. Too bad it’s so far away. Thanks for sharing and bringing back lovely memories. I really miss those seals too!!
Kristin-We’re so close, yet rarely go see the seals at sunset, so it was a wonderful evening. Wish you were closer too!
Polenta fries and Pink grapefruit margaritas. YUM! I bought the polenta you used….the quinoa one with all the fun herbs?? I used it in a polena black bean pie…was primo!
What a great happy list. Your daughter is so sweet and what a passion at such a young age. Good for her…I imagine you are a very proud mama!!
We had the polenta fries tonight (yum!} and saving the grapefruit margaritas for this weekend. Your polenta black bean pie sounds amazing! Yes, I am a pretty proud mama
Those rosemary polenta fries sound wonderful!!! I’m obsessed with anything polenta.
I also LOVE LOVE LOVE that tomato. I love what you did to it. Definitely pinocchio!!
Going to two weddings in the next two weeks, and one is MINE!! Cant’ WAIT!
Hi Gina! So wonderful to hear from you, and even better, to hear that your wedding is almost here. Wow! I think you are the winner for happy things
Can’t wait to hear all about your big day and see all the photos! Yes, that tomato is pretty funny. I didn’t even notice it at fist, but we had a party recently and my friend was helping cut tomatoes for the salad when he pointed it out to me. I knew that it would have to go on the blog 
Happy Wedding!!!
I love polenta fries! How were they? This post just made me smile, I’m loving your happy things. I went to a wedding in July, was the hottest day of the year and it was beautiful. They were the first in our group of friends to get hitched, so I think the next few years will be a lot busier…I’ve already got 3 planned for 2013!
Vanessa, the polenta fries are SO good. This is the third time I have made them now if that gives you a clue
SO glad to make you smile! Yes, wedding season can get to be crazy for awhile, then things slow down. For my husband and I, it’s mostly 2nd marriages we go to now!
Awee…,that tomato is one cute little veggie! Love polenta fries..
Thanks Sanjeeta! So good to hear from you
Love what you planned for the week. Those polenta fries..yum!!
I love that SiSi raised money. That is a very mature and compassionate thing to do.
Thanks Kristen! It’s so nice for me to get “sneek peeks” of maturity in my kids
Your meal plan this week looks divine! There literally isn’t a single thing on your menu that I’m not absolutely wild about. Can’t wait to hear how everything turns out! =) And I adore the Pinocchio tomato. =)
Glad you like the meal plan ideas Amy! So far this week, I am batting 100 % {Parmesan Polenta Fries on Monday and Spinach Salad -SO GOOD!- and pizza last night} !
That sunset photo is just amazing! I wish I could be more organized and did some meal plans..
Thanks for sharing.
Angie
Thanks Angie-wish I could take credit but my son took it when we were driving home and I pulled over to make him take the picture
Honestly, I’m not super organized in my life, but the meal planning is so helpful for eating healthy with all the craziness in my life 
such a lovely area and fun for your friend to get married on the beach
It was lovely Rebecca! The only problem was we were a little late arriving and I had to run down the beach in my high heels. At least we got to see the kiss
I’m hopeless at meal planning.. i tried a few times, but end up changing almost everything.. haha. What’s cooking this week? hmm.. didn’t plan yet lol! just had a delicious homemade buckwheat wrap for lunch today.. yum!
Oh I love reading about your happy things, just makes me feel so happy. I think I should start my list of happy things too
Your buckwheat wrap sounds delish, and yes, you should definitely start your own list of happy things too
I love meal planning. Unfortunately, I totally suck at it.
That tomato sure is cute
Aww….I bet you plan delicious meals Kiran! Glad you like my little Pinocchio tomato
Cutest tomato, ever
Love Big Tex’s photos and SiSi’s philanthropic streak, as well as her enticing her mama into a fun outdoor workout via football skills. How I envy your outdoor lifestyle, including the confidence of your friends to have a beach wedding! Writing this as the rain absolutely pours…
Great menu as always. I am good at planning other folks’ menus but not so great at home. I change my mind too much. Keep them coming!
Hi Kellie! Wish I could send of this weather your way, although it has been so hot lately, a little {not pouring!} rain would be nice. Glad you like the meal plans-will keep them coming for sure!
One of the eggplants from my garden grew a huge nose. I drew eyes and a mouth on it and it’s still in my fridge!