star_border

'Twas the week before Spring Break!

…and we’ve totally got this! Most important news first: Did you catch last nights final episode of Big Little Lies?!  I don’t want to give it away, but it was AMAZING! This series was by far my most favorite TV series to date. The entire cast did a wonderful job – the chemistry was remarkable. The final scene was very touching – a bond between girl friends and the support they give, just really hit home. Loved it. I’m a day late on posting this weeks menu since we were very busy having FUN this past weekend. We had a sitter for Saturday to attend my little man’s Fundraising Gala.…
star_border

Chickpea Curry with Rice

Tonight’s meal is a no-brainer.  Curried chickpeas and rice is fast, easy and packed full of flavor (and it’s NUT-FREE!).  A friend of mine on facebook mentioned this recipe once and I have never forgotten about it! Plus, it’s meatless Monday, so this recipe fits perfectly into the plan. I found this particular recipe from my new favorite Foodnetwork Foodie, Ree Drummond, she’s also known as Pioneer Woman. Kinda like her stuff right now. Today was our busy day (aren’t they all?!). We had: morning school drop off at both schools grocery shopping + unpacking + organizing birthday + Easter meal prep + packaging cleaning out the fridge dish washer…
star_border

Weeknight Chicken Wraps

My Instagram has this weeks menu posted if you need some weeknight meal inspiration! Quick and easy stuff! The Chicken Wraps are a new favorite – we recently had them at a St.Patrick’s Day party and they were a (surprise to me!) huge hit with the kids, too. I’m so grateful for these two mamma friends in my life – the three of us have been friends since our girls were born 6 years ago. They know our nut allergies so well, and always do such a wonderful job of talking about food and labels in advance of our get-togethers. Sometimes, it is almost like they are reading my mind…
star_border

20 Minute Quesadillas

My internet connection is slower than 14.4kbps right now. If you’re a 90s chic, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Followed by the “You’ve Got Mail” chime. Slower than slow – hoping to at least get this recipe down to share with you! I’ve been thinking about these tasty quesadillas all day long. Yes, they were THAT good – and I also had some left over for lunch today. So here goes. Here’s what you’ll need: McCormick Quesadilla season packet 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, organic if possible (you don’t want a giant, hormone induced chicken breast. If you get that kind, you’ll need to pound it down…
star_border

Cross-Contact vs. Cross-Contamination

Uggg. I wish I could turn this side of my brain off, but I can’t. These two terms have been spinning in my head for the better part of this week now. I have wanted so badly to define them and talk about them, and it seems like this is the best place for that. So, cozy up. Here’s what’s on my mind. What a sexy Saturday night this is! Atleast HBO is on. And I have ice cream. mmmmmm. What is cross-contact? Cross-contact happens when one food comes into contact with another food and their proteins mix. As a result, each food then contains small amounts of the other…
star_border

Greek Burger Recipe Review

Last week I shared a Greek burger recipe that I was super hesitant to make. It turned out amazing. Tasted like a gyro 100%. The 5 minute cucumber sauce was easy and delish. We added a side of Israeli couscous with herbs on the side for the kids. It was amazing. This meal was packed with Greek flavor and we will absolutely make it again! For a fast weeknight suggestion: Pat the burgers out the night before so all you have to do it grill / pan fry. The salad and sauce could be made on the weekend, just keep refrigerated. 
star_border

7 Day Menu Plan…Recipes Included…Print + Shop!

Unsure of what to make this week? It’s my Sunday night struggle, every week. This week, I googled a bunch of stuff to make quick since we have another busy week + meals are important. Hope this helps you out too, these are some of my favorites! They should all take 30 minutes or less to prepare, some have a longer cooking time, those would be the slow cooker recipes. Monday: Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice and Peppers Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast meat Bell pepper chopped, green and red 4 tsp corn starch mixed with 4 tsp water 1 cup canned chunk pineapple ½ cup pineapple juice 3…
star_border

Turkey Italian Sausage Skillet

It’s cold and flu season and it’s wreaking havoc on our household this year. It destroyed our vacation and is dampening our weekend family plans. Just when we think we have one virus down, another one pop up over night. This week our little man has the croup and my husband has a bug, too. Last week , I was sick with influenza, the same bug that both kids had while at Disney. Luckily, my hubs and I have been able to take turns being sick so at least one of us can keep things going. He made a TON of great recipes last week that had everyone cleaning their…
star_border

10 Minute Caramel Apples

This isn’t your typical caramel apple recipe. I know what you’re thinking. Melt caramel. Put a stick in an apple and dunk. Nope. Not even close. This apple recipe is so good, you could make it in advance for Thanksgiving and everyone would LOVE IT. Re-heating can be done over low in a non-stick pan, or in a crock pot on low, occasionally stirring. About two years ago, I had a baby and toddler and a giant bag of apples that we were never going to finish before they went bad. I googled “pan fried” apples and got a few good recipes. The easiest one turned out to be the…
star_border

Chicken Chili Dip

When I call a dinner “Dip” – it makes it seem like a fun snack, not a healthy, vegetable packed meal that will give my kids the energy they need. Tonight we made Chicken Chili, another amazing meal that Chloe and I put together at last night’s Hy-Vee DISH session. Since she helped me make it she was proud of her work, making it easier for her to clear her plate. She owned this meal. It was hers. And she was proud to tell everyone about her homemade spice packet that made the chicken taste so good.  I was happy to see her so excited and capable of making a meal. Preparing healthy food is…
star_border

Jambalaya 

This week we tried another HyVee freezer meal. It was a wonderful Jambalaya recipe that included a locally made starter kit. This meal was super fast. If you’re in a hurry, you could use rotisserie chicken or just the andouille. The best part was the starter kit. Becuase its local, I called to ensure that it was nut free and locally sourced. It was. Winning! Very delicious. Everyone cleared their plates – kids has to use a tiny bit of sour cream to cut the heat a bit. This meal took 20 minutes after I dumped everything onto the Dutch oven. This weekend is supposed to be amazing , just…
star_border

Vegetarian Minestrone Soup

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you feel like you take 2 steps forward and 10 steps back? By Friday night you feel like your hair is on fire and no amount of delicious wine will right all the wrongs that happened in the past 5 days?! It’s during stressful times that you really have to find little things to be grateful for to keep pushing ahead. The show MUST go on. We’re parents.  Our kids rely on us, we’re setting an example all day, every day – we can’t melt down under pressure (even thought I didn’t fall to the ground crying like my kids, I was pretty…
star_border

The Classic Bento

Carter hasn’t been into eating well at school since he’s so exxited to be able to eat with friends. Ive packed their favorite things for tomorrow. They are currently playing pirate. Arrrr Matey. Boars Head ham Veggie chips Green Beans Strawberry Provolone cheese Chocolate soynut butter Soynut and jelly sandwich Hope your week is going great!! Maybe I’ll have time to write a real post soon!
star_border

Biscoff European Cookies 

This morning we made Stonewall Kitchen waffles in the waffle maker my Dad and Mary gave my husband for Christmas last year. As a treat for dunking in coffee and milk, we also decided to try Biscoff Cookies. Biscoff is made in a 100% nut-free facility and is a nut-free cookie. We like ginger snaps, but none of them are deemed safe! Biscoff is a nice alternative, and also served on my favorite airline, Delta! Have a relaxing Monday!
keyboard_arrow_up