NOTE ON PORTION SIZES and NUTRITIONAL CONTENT OF MEALS
The nutritional information given after each menu is approximate and is based on one serving of each of the menu items listed (excluding any suggested wine).  Our goal is to develop menus and recipes that meet the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III and American Heart Association guidelines.  Also our menus provide servings from all of the My Pyramid (www.mypyramid.gov) food groups to assist in providing balanced meals.  Each recipe will indicate the number of servings it provides.  Other menu items are based on normal portion sizes (i.e.: 1/2 c. vegetable or fruit; 1 piece of fresh fruit; 1 c. salad; 2 T. salad dressing; 1 roll or slice of bread; 1/2 c. rice or potatoes; 1 c. milk or soup; 3-4 oz. meat).  You can also refer to the nutritional facts panel on packaged foods which provide the portion size and number of servings per package.  Please visit www.mypyramid.gov to select an individualized meal plan that meets your daily needs.

Meijer is now using NuVal!  The NuVal system is an easy-to-use, science based food nutrition scoring system that helps you to quickly see the nutritional value of foods you're buying.  It provides one simple score, from 1 to 100.  The higher nutritional value, the higher the NuVal score.  For more information go to www.nuval.com for more scores and category ranges.

Look for NuVal scores in this week's mealbox menus!

Enjoy this week's menu using products on sale.  All meals are priced for a family of four.  Costing is based on the ingredients and quantities used in each meal or recipe.  Prices may vary by market area.

Sunday
Apricot-Mustard Grilled Pork Loin (See recipe section)

Serve with:
Near East Whole Wheat Couscous-$2.56
Homegrown Salad Cucumber -$.33 and Onion-$.87 Salad in Meijer Italian Dressing-$.50
Plums-$.99

• Calories: 465
• Carbohydrate: 51g
• Protein: 30g
• Total fat: 14g
• Fiber: 6g

Total Cost: $7.35

Meatless Monday
Freschetta 4 Cheese Pizza-$5.49

Serve with:
Dole Salad Blend -$2.50
Cantaloupe Chunks-(NuVal score 93)-$1.49

• Calories: 448
• Carbohydrate: 63g
• Protein: 19g
• Total fat: 13g
• Fiber: 4g

Total Cost: $9.48

Tuesday
Broiled Top Sirloin Steak- $3.99

Serve with:
Ancient Harvest Quinoa-$2.66- mixed with Grilled Homegrown Yellow Squash- $.77 tossed in 1/3 cup Kraft Light Balsamic Vinaigrette-$.25
Edy's Fruit Bars-$ 1.99

• Calories: 420
• Carbohydrate: 51g
• Protein: 34g
• Total fat: 8g
• Fiber: 5g

Total Cost:$9.66

Wednesday
Grilled Chicken Thighs- $1.74

Serve with:
Barilla Plus Pasta (NuVal score 91) -$1.59 with Barilla Pasta Sauce- $2.00
Homegrown Green Beans-$.88
Yoplait Yogurt- $2.00- topped with Michigan Blueberries(NuVal score 100)- $1.50

• Calories: 443
• Carbohydrate: 47g
• Protein: 28g
• Total fat: 15g
• Fiber: 7g

Total Cost:$9.71

Thursday
Grilled Pork Backribs-$3.49

Serve with:
Ore-Ida Steam n' Mash Russet Potatoes-$2.27
Birdseye Steamfresh Vegetables-$1.33
Red Pluots-$.99
Meijer Fat Free Milk (NuVal score 91)-$.74

• Calories: 502
• Carbohydrate: 44g
• Protein: 26g
• Total fat: 23g
• Fiber: 4g

Total Cost: $8.82

Friday
Baked North Atlantic Pollock-$3.99

Serve with:
Uncle Ben's Ready Whole Grain Brown Rice (NuVal score 33)-$2.18
Homegrown Grilled Zucchini-$.77
Angel Food Cake -$.87 with Strawberries-$1.64 with Meijer Fat Free Whipped Topping- $.22

• Calories: 357
• Carbohydrate: 53g
• Protein: 22g
• Total fat: 6g
• Fiber: 5g

Total Cost: $9.67

Saturday
Greek Burger (See recipe section)

Serve with:
Homegrown Salad Cucumber Slices-$.33
Dole Salad Blend-$2.50
Apricots-$.99

• Calories: 472
• Carbohydrate: 51g
• Protein: 32g
• Total fat: 14g
• Fiber: 4g

Total Cost: $9.74

SHOPPING LIST

Grocery

• Near East Whole Wheat Couscous
• Meijer Italian Dressing
• Barilla Plus Pasta
• Barilla Pasta Sauce
• Uncle Ben's Ready Whole Grain Brown Rice
• Meijer Apricot Preserves
• Meijer Mustard
• Ancient Harvest Quinoa
• Kraft Light Balsamic Vinaigrette

Dairy

• Yoplait Yogurt
• Meijer Fat Free Milk
• Dannon Greek Plain Yogurt

Deli/Bakery

• Angel Food Cake
• Meijer Wheat Hamburger Bun

Frozen

• Freschetta 4 Cheese Pizza
• Edy's Fruit Bars
• Ore-Ida Steam n' Mash Russet Potatoes
• Birdseye Steamfresh Vegetable
• Meijer Fat Free Whipped Topping

Meat

• 1 lb. Meijer Chicken Thighs
• Pork Backribs
• 1 lb. Fresh North Atlantic Pollock
• 1 lb. Top Sirloin Steak
• 1 lb. Ground Chuck
• 1 lb. Boneless Pork Loin

Produce

• Homegrown Salad Cucumber
• Onion
• Plums
• Dole Salad Blend
• Cantaloupe Chunks
• Homegrown Yellow Squash
• Green Romaine Lettuce
• Tomato on the Vine
• Homegrown Green Beans
• Michigan Blueberries
• Red Pluots
• Homegrown Zucchini
• Apricots
• Flat Leaf Parsley
• Mint
• Crumbled Feta Cheese
• Strawberries

Pantry Items:

• McCormick Grill Mates 25% Less Sodium Montreal Steak Seasoning

Recipes

Apricot-Mustard Grilled Pork Loin
Serves 4

1 lb. boneless pork loin-$1.79
salt and pepper-on hand
3 tbsp. Meijer apricot preserves-$.31
1/4 cup Meijer mustard-on hand

1. Season pork loin with salt and pepper.  Stir together apricot preserves and mustard in a small bowl.  Place pork over a medium-hot fire and grill for about 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, followed by a 3 minute rest time.  Brush with mustard mixture in the last few minutes.

Recipe adapted from www.porkbeinspired.com

Calories: 213
Total fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 78mg
Sodium: 221mg
Carbohydrate: 11g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 25g

Greek Burger
Serves 4

1 lb. ground beef chuck-$2.33
4 Meijer wheat hamburger buns-$1.24

Greek Spread

1/2 cup Dannon Greek Plain yogurt-$1.29
1 tsp. McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak 25% less sodium-$.07
2 tsp. fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped-$.08
2 tsp. fresh mint, chopped-$.49
2 tbsp. crumbled feta cheese-$.42

1. Shape ground beef into 3/4 inch thick patties.  Grill for 11 to 15 minutes over medium heat until instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees, turning occasionally.
2. Greek Spread: Mix plain Dannon Greek yogurt,McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak seasoning, parsley,mint, and crumbled feta cheese.
3. Cover one side of hamburger bun with Greek spread.  Top burger with sliced cucumbers.

Recipe adapted from Chef Steve

Calories: 384
Total fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 78mg
Sodium: 133mg
Carbohydrate: 31g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g

Please consult your physician or healthcare provider with any health-related concerns, including changing your diet or starting an exercise routine.  Information found at Meijer.com should never replace your doctor's advice or care.