My baby is going to band camp tomorrow.  So this week's plan reflects his  favorite dinner tonight, which is Bulgogi.  Since he is our picky eater, the rest of the week (and next) will be things that our happy camper either does not like would never even put on his plate.

Simple Alfredo is one of the things that only my youngest loves.  The thing that makes it for him is being allowed to swipe the fresh nutmeg across the grater.  For those of us who choose not to indulge in the calories or can't indulge in the dairy, I'll open up a nice jar of pasta sauce.

I have half of a pork loin that needs to be put to use, so I'll drop it in the crockpot and make Overnight Pulled Pork Sandwiches.  Oldest child despises anything cooked in the crockpot.  The pork loin was less expensive than the pork chops I needed last week, plus I like being able to ensure that all my chops are the same size.

We're also going to do a Yogurt Marinated Chicken (there is plain yogurt in the 'fridge that needs to go) just because I need some cooked chicken for the Puff Pastry Topped Chicken Pot Pie, and killing two birds (no pun intended) with one stone is always this lazy girl's modus operandi.  The actual recipe calls for frozen vegetables, but I always use whatever is hanging out in the 'fridge.

I think that's plenty, don't you?

This week's menu is special because I'm planning meals for a father and son camping trip.  It has to be easy enough for my husband to put together (I'll do as much pre-prep for him as I can), kid friendly but with fruits and vegetables subtly worked in, and packable, as they will be doing a lot of hiking and canoeing.  Thank goodness for inexpensive plastic containers! 

Besides the basic hamburgers and hot dogs and s'mores (which will be made on chocolate covered graham crackers if I can find them), my happy campers will be preparing spaghetti (something we always do on the first night because it's so easy), Walking Tacos, which is the only way I can get rid of the snack sized bags of Doritos, and Grilled Garlic Chicken with Spaghetti Salad.

2 of the breakfasts are cereal, but, since they are both breakfast lovers and will be burning a lot of calories, they will also make French Toast, and Sausage Egg and Cheese Muffins.  Lunches are just sandwiches that they can pack and take.

Now, of course, I have to plan a menu for the remaining child and myself.  Said child wants a blueberry pie, but he's going to have to wait a few weeks until the u-pick farms open.  He also wants Fettuccine Alfredo (which will get a fat makeover), and Steaks on the Grill.  I'm starting to think it would be less work if we all went camping!

My mandate that the boys are responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches has been moderately successful.  Brian (10) has 9:00 swim practice, so he just grabs a mouthful of leftovers and then eats something more substantial afterwards.  Kevin (12) drags himself out of bed sometime after 10 and hunkers down in front of a box of cereal.  It is best not to talk to him until at least the 2nd bowl.  The self-serve lunch grazing needs a bit of work.  I think I'll put up a list of approved items.  Pretzels and peanut butter, YES pretzels and chocolate frosting, NO.  

The boys would love the grazing to continue right through dinner, but that's not going to happen.  We're still going to stop and come together to share a civilized meal.   This week we're having Mongolian Beef (by special request), with rice and garlic snap peas and a mandarin salad.  I can set the beef to marinade early in the day and stir-fry it when everyone is hungry.  

CranApple Pork Tenderloin (wish me luck finding fresh cranberries in June), calls for using part of the sauce as a baste, and I think if the weather cooperates I'll just grill it.  This will be served with slowcooker baked potatoes, and some steamed broccoli.    

Also this week is a sure to be unpopular with the boys but I really want it Curried Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peas and Chickpeas and a homemade Mango Chutney. Since they seem to have their own plans maybe they'll be gone on this night, and if not, well, maybe I'll just have to let them graze...