As we were driving all over the world over the last few weeks, Rockford and I worked on developing some some family goals for 2011. They’re not resolutions, necessarily, but things we’re going to be working toward over the course of the year. One of my personal goals was to do a better job making healthy, tasty dinners when Rockford is out of town. He’s actually here all of this week, but I didn’t think it would be good to use that as an excuse to eat mac & cheese for dinner again.

Monday: Roasted chicken

My dad got me a new slow cooker for Christmas (thanks Dad!), and this will be its inaugural meal. We’ll also be having green peas and mashed potatoes.

Tuesday: McAlister’s

Rockford likes McAlister’s, but he rarely gets to go with us on kids’ night. Because that’s something we usually only indulge in when he’s out of town. But this week, because we like him, we’re going to take him with us.

Wednesday: Warm fajita salad and quesadillas

Rockford will be grilling a marinated skirt steak for this. I’ll be putting salad in bowls and warming up the corn and black beans.

Thursday: Margarita pork chops

This recipe comes from the gigantic Southern Living cookbook my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas. (Except that it was for pork tenderloin, but the grocery didn’t have any that weren’t already in a marinade. So chops it is.)

Friday: Homemade pizza

I hit upon a big “well duh” moment on the pizza front recently: I bought a bunch of precut veggies from the salad bar at our grocery store, making pizza night even easier. I’ll be doing it again this week.