Masthead header

Category Archives: food

my october meals

fullsizerender-5
i am feeling ON IT as far as meals this month.
🙂
(at least i feel it somewhere right????)

i used my PaperWorks meal planning calendar.
annie gave me some ideas of meals she was hoping to have and we got to it.

i thought i would link most of the recipes to help you meal plan too.
maybe something you haven’t tried?
maybe something you forgot was easy?
i am not saying that any of these are healthy… but they are meals that my family likes to eat.

dinner

Tortilla Soup

Dr. Pepper Pork

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Grilled veggies

Chicken & Biscuits

Beefy Nacho Soup

Sloppy Joes

Sicilian Sauce & Pasta

Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

Pumpkin Waffles

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Chicken Enchiladas

Potato Soup

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Lasagna

Chicken in Parmesan with Sun Dried Tomato Sauce

and hey… moms of younger picky-eater kids… don’t give up hope!
my children were at one time the pickiest of eaters.
it has gotten so much better with age!
i think it will just keep getting better too!
there is a season of life beyond chicken nuggets and mac&cheese… i promise.
hang on.

🙂

You can subscribe to Paperworks and get meal calendars, grocery lists, chore charts, note cards, prints and extra fun goodies each month too.

 

Lisa - My peeps love your lasagna recipe!

KWolff - Thanks so much for this very timely post! We are still going strong with football/soccer/volleyball/orchestra/ROTC/dance/work that any menu suggestions are much appreciated. These all look like things I can fix and people can eat as they get in or out of the house. As much as I would love to sit down to dinner as a family it’s just not feasible right now. 🙁
So for the time being I’ll be satisfied just getting something good in their bellies! 🙂

Kimberly Dial - Thanks Meg! I’m gonna try several of these. I’m on that sweet potatoe and black bean chili immediately. Yummo! Thanks again for sharing!

GB Jost - Easy idea:

Every Wednesday night is “Breakfast Night”:

Eggs, bacon/sausage
Egg backed casserole with fruit
Waffles
Pancakes,

You get the idea…

Now that our kids are grown and doing their own meal planning, they also have Wednesday night “Breakfast Night.”

Ruth - Meg, Thank you so much for the dinner inspiration! I have made so many things you’ve suggested in the past because we have kiddos that nearly parallel your youngest 3 age and gender-wise! And I know what you suggest is something they will actually like…and it’s true, the older they become the more their tastes mature! Wahooo!!!!

carolyn - These look wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Must try those pumpkin waffles!

Kate @ Mom's Radius - I love this post! I just started planning my meals by month in September because I’m doing Whole 30. It’s making shopping, meal prep, and cooking so much easier. There’s no, “what should we have for dinner?” conversation. I am loving it!

Jennifer - I think home cooked meals are healthy. You are in control of what’s going into a meal. These all look and sound so delicious. I love that Annie worked on it with you. I’ve made the Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili…it is soooo good!

Sabrina - Thanks for the meal ideas! I always struggle in that area. I’m so glad to hear your once picky eaters are doing much better. I have three little boys that will hardly eat anything. It’s so frustrating. I just worry that they will miss out on all the delicious food out there because won’t eat anything. You give me hope. 🙂

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

favorites this week

Sparkling-Red-White-and-Blue-Sangria-Recipe-1Sparkling-Red-White-and-Blue-Sangria-Recipe-4
doesn’t this sparkling sangria drink look so yummy?!!
it makes me want to throw a party!
it’s festive for this holiday weekend too!
you can find the recipe at GimmeSomeOven.com. (she’s got a million great posts over there)

.

megrainbowstripeSKINNY

FullSizeRender (5)
this is a candidate i can get behind – TACOS 2016!
ha ha ha…
tshirt from Headline Shirts
and i know what to make for dinner tonight too.   🙂

.

megrainbowstripeSKINNY
FullSizeRender (4)
my friend has been telling me about Noon Design Shop for awhile now.
she has raved about the women who run it, their awesome products and branding.
well she gave me some last week and I  AM HOOKED!
the tinted lip balm is the best!
it’s just right for sun kissed face with no make-up summer look.

.

megrainbowstripeSKINNY

Home of Caroline Verschoor, Ekster Antiques & Uniques, Summer Party Home of Caroline Verschoor, Ekster Antiques & Uniques, Summer Party

this photo is perfection.
i mean really – the porch… the tree… the sun setting behind the house… the roof… the tire swing….
it’s totally DREAMY!
.
megrainbowstripeSKINNY
il_570xN.982025118_fgap

i’m crushing on this painted chicken print from Makewells.
the giraffe and the puppy are in annie’s room already so i needed a chicken for me.
probably for laundry room… because of course i need a chicken painting in my laundry room!

.

megrainbowstripeSKINNY

FullSizeRender (6)FullSizeRender (7)
i have been making this blueberry buckle recipe every 4th of july for 15 years!
i make it other times during the year as well but ALWAYS on the 4th.
it is crazy good.
and it’s EVEN BETTER for breakfast.
i make homemade whipped cream to go on top – please tell me you know how to make this.
it’s so easy and soooooo much better than cool whip.
this is the year that YOU need to make it too.     🙂

*** you can make it in any pan but it just looks so pretty when you cook it in a springform pan ***

.

megrainbowstripeSKINNY

PicMonkey Collage
ok now… don’t laugh… but this is my new favorite beauty product!!
it’s an electric pedicure tool.
it will make your feet sooooooo smooth!
and what i love about it is i don’t have to do any work – it does it all for me.
i barely even have to move my arm!
i don’t enjoy getting pedicures at salons (not relaxing and there’s too much small talk)
but I DO enjoy having smooth, soft, pretty feet.
i linked it to amazon and i saw that there is even a $5 coupon with it!
i didn’t get that when i bought mine… it must be your lucky day.
trust me on this one – you are going to L O V E  it.

.

megrainbowstripeSKINNY

Seamingly Sarah - I LOVE homemade whipped cream. I totally failed my first time making it, but I’m a pro now. My birthday is my perfect time of the year (coming up next week!) to try out all the new dessert recipes I’ve been eyeing. My favorites so far have been a lemon blueberry cake, s’more cupcakes and cherry chocolate cupcakes.

Lee Johnson - Yes, I know how to make whip cream! My mother only made “whupped cream”! I refuse to use & eat cool whip so I am Whipped Cream Snob and proud of it! 🙂

Kim B - Megan’s artwork is so pretty, thanks for the introduction!
You has me at “I don’t have to do any work” with the Pedi Perfect! Its on my next Prime order!

Michele - I just the bought the foot thing because…well, flip flop feet and I don’t much like pedicures because of small talk either. =/
OH…and hey! I was born in Des Plaines! Small world!

Shanna - I have made your Blueberry Buckle a couple of times. No complaints other than it doesn’t last long enough. It is delicious!

LESLIE - Oh I loved the whip cream discussion. I live in the bay area of california where many moms I know do not make food from scratch. One time I had a friend over and was making popcorn -from kernels!- and my friend asked what yellow liquid I was pouring over the popcorn. When I said “melted butter” she was like “you mean the REAL thing?”. Yup. Fun times. I need to move to Kansas, apparently, where I’d fit in better. Real foods all the way…

Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More - Oh my goodness! Not a huge fan of chickens in decor, but I LOVE the style of that painting. Thanks for posting! Off to see what of hers I can’t live without…

Lori - My mom bought me a Pedi Perfect for my birthday last year. She swore by it and I love it- especially in the summer. So easy to use!

Also, the blueberry buckle sounds fantastic. So festive!

Happy Independence Day!

Michelle - I think I’m going to try that blueberry buckle! Have you ever used frozen blueberries? Is that just crazy? 😜

CassM - Always love all your ‘Favorites’, Meg!

I had to laugh though … I mean … do most people NOT know how to make homemade whipped cream?? Oh dear. If that’s the state of the modern baker …

I jest … but really … no to Cool Whip! Real cream all the way!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

super yummy granola

my friend julianna made me some crazy good granola!
i ate it all right away.
she shared the recipe she had used and i changed it a bit to make it “healthier”.

FullSizeRender 71
i used gluten free rolled oats.
but you don’t have to.
and you could totally use brown sugar or vegetable oil instead of coconut.
FullSizeRender 69FullSizeRender 74
you bake it… then turn it all over and add your nuts in…. then bake it again.
FullSizeRender 73FullSizeRender 68
then you add all the yummy stuff at the end after it’s cooled down.
you could add chocolate chips…. or anything that sounded good to you.
it’s great over yogurt.
it’s delicious on it’s own by the handful.
it’s very crunchy when you first make it and it softens up over time in the container.
FullSizeRender 70
i would say definitely be careful not to over cook it… the coconut sugar seems to bake quickly and burn easily.

FullSizeRender 72

granola

Juliana - I really love the coconut flakes…fantastic changes from the original! ❤️❤️❤️

T-licious - I love her granola!!! Good idea on sharing!!!

Valerie - Mmmm!! Looks so good, I just might try this today! Thanks!! <3

Jennifer - Thank you for sharing! I was just thinking of making my own and needed a recipe!

Beth - This looks yummy! I’m on Whole 30 right now, so can’t do the oats or sweetener, but will try after that. There’s a grain free oatmeal that I think you’d like – here’s the link:
http://www.somethingswanky.com/grain-free-whole-30-oatmeal/

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

cookbooks for #cookallthethings

TWO food posts in one week?!
who am i?
i had better get some crafts going over here so i don’t confuse myself!

I’ve been cooking… and thinking about food… and wishing for new cookbooks to inspire me even more to keep this streak going!
i am pretty sure an evening at Barnes & Noble is in my future to check these out in person.
what if i even got to go on a date???
i know… don’t get crazy Meg.

dinnertime1
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime
i mean… how beautiful is that cover?!
she’s amazing.
and all her dishes on the counter and in the background… all strategically placed… she’s an empire.
total rockstar.
remember her waaaay back in the beginning of blogs?
and now this.
dude… what she’s done is amazing.

7120022819_bbeac91ac1
The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
i have only heard wonderful things about this girl.
so i am guessing this cookbook could be great… or maybe too hard foe me? i don’t know!
it feels fancy for sure.

DinnerPlaybook-COVER-714x1024
Dinner: The Playbook: A 30-Day Plan for Mastering the Art of the Family Meal
ummm…. HOW DID SHE KNOW i needed a plan?!
this looks like it could save my dinner time issues.
and i have seen her previous book called Dinner: A Love Story: It all begins at the family table and love it.

DinnerLoveStory_finalfinal
i mean what a GREAT title right?
it’s true.
i want my family to know i love them and care.

k2-_ef8f0038-1c16-4581-9d7b-e22b4635ca53.v1.jpg-b910fcc442d7612759f8782e6f05dc118974fd63-optim-450x450
i am pretty sure that One-Dish Wonders is the kind of cookbook i would USE.
like not just look through and comment on how pretty it all is.
this looks like real meals for a large family with a narrow view of “good food”.
casseroles forever!

51j0jISrgiL-1._SX398_BO1,204,203,200_
Juli Bauer’s Paleo Cookbook

and then to swing ALLLLLL the way to the opposite of casseroles… Paleo.
i like her blog for paleo recipes so why wouldn’t i love her cookbook to have on my shelf?
these recipes i would assume would be mostly for the grown ups but maybe i could find some meals for everyone?

danielle-walkers-against-all-grain-meals-made-9781628600421_hr
Against All Grain: Meals Made Simple
i am so curious about this.
the no grain eating… could i do it?
what about cake? or cinnamon rolls?
i guess it’s a moderation thing just like it would be no matter if you ate no grains or not.
i know that many people have allergies and that is why a lot of people eat grain free… but not every one.
so that is what i am curious about.
i bet her recipes are yummy and would make it less painful to transition to.

 

100DaysOfRealFoof_book_cover_NYT_best_seller_number_1_521x590
100 Days of Real Food: How We Did It, What We Learned, and 100 Easy, Wholesome Recipes Your Family Will Love
i wonder about this one?
this is what i wish i could say about my family’s eating.
“we eat real food.  everyday.”
hashtag food goalzzzz.

2014-09-27-Soup-a-Day-1
Soup of the Day sounds like one i would enjoy.
i reeeally like soup.
but doesn’t everyone? or are there people out there that can’t handle the texture of soup?
you know… there are people who hate smoothies because they are thick and cold… i bet there are people that feel similar things about soup.
i am NOT one of those people.
i have a memory of my parents getting together with their good friends on a saturday night and a few of them brought soup.  the others brought bread or salad.  and everyone brought wine.  🙂

coverimage1
Food52 Baking
annie has really become a baking enthusiast and i want to encourage that every chance i get.
this book would probably make her very happy.

🙂

gallery-1429042548-sega-cookie-love
Cookie Love: More Than 60 Recipes for Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

whatever that cookie is… I WANT IT!!!
this is probably going in the cart for someone for christmas.
not me… but someone who may make those cookies for me.

 

05b6e4e2cac055bdd8c941cacfa97594
Hand Made Baking: Recipes to Warm the Heart
annie can’t get enough chocolate.
ever.
this book would win at our house.

 

so how was that for the most random list of cookbooks i am thinking about today?!
but that is how my brain works.
i want healthy real food.
i want cake.
i want an easy meal.
i want gourmet.
i want to be Ree Drummond.
i want Annie to do all the work.

of all the cookbooks we have… my favorite is probably the first PW cookbook The Pioneer Woman Cooks
thepioneerwomancooks5001
what is your most favorite cookbook you own?
i need to know.
thanks in advance.

Andrea - Seriously the book I cook the MOST from regularly is Bread & Wine by Shauna Niquist! Weird, I know, because it’s only kind of a cook book!! BUT…most of it’s yummy AND easy! We have the “Sweet Potato fries with Sriracha sauce” probably weekly!! P.S. And I LOVE the turkey burgers! (but DO NOT MAKE THEM INTO MEATBALLS…epic fail!!!!)

Lillian - The original PW cookbook and Whitney Ingram’s The Family Flavor are the only two cookbooks I actually use. I have a whole shelf of them that has been slowly whittled down, but they’ve mostly become pipe dreams of Hingis I wish I’d actually make and my family would actually eat! Everything is online;)

Crissy - These are great! I have the Against All Grain cookbook and I like the recipes. If you don’t have a pantry stocked w/ a lot of the ingredients, it can feel like an investment. But, not having the same bloated feeling after a meal (like when we eat gluten) is nice. We aren’t gluten free… we’re w/ you on the moderation.

I love the Real Simple cookbook called Easy, Delicious Meals and Gwyneth Paltrow’s It’s All Good cookbook. I have a young kid so the Weelicious books are fun too. 🙂

Myra - I really like Danielle Walkers Meal Made Simple because of the ease of use. She has organized shopping lists ready for every week. I would just take that list and go to the store with out planning any meals out for the week. Whatever I couldn’t find at my store I would order from Amazon. It’s so simple!

Laura in Sacto - Pioneer Woman, A Year of Holidays. LOVE IT!

Marcia at Organising Queen - My favourite cookbook is Pinterest 🙂

Sandra K, - Hi Meg, My absolute favorite is Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa on Food Network. I love all her cookbooks but Barefoot Contessa ‘Family Style’ is my top pick. I also have learned so much from watching her show over the years.

I’ll also second the vote for the Our Best Bites blog and cookbooks. They are two moms who share fabulous recipes your family will eat. They’re delightful.

Thanks for the fun food posts – love your blog. 😊

Kerrin - I love the Looney Spoons Collection by Janet and Greta Podleski It is actually three cookbooks in one. So many yummy recipes from soup to pasta to roasts to desserts. All of them are easy and most are quick.

KWolff - My favorite cookbook is one that my mother in law put together for me the first year I was part of the family. She did one for each of her three kids & their spouses. I pull that thing out on a regular basis for reminders on how to make old favorites. My second favorite is my Gooseberry Patch holiday book. I love to read the stories in there and many of the recipes are ones that I use each Christmas.

Jessica Strait - Oh you’ve gotta know about Seriously Delish: for People who totally love food.
From Jessica Merchant. She’s amazing/awesome

link love: http://www.amazon.com/Seriously-Delish-Recipes-People-Totally/dp/0544176499

and her blog (always fun and totally honest) http://www.howsweeteats.com

her blog and your blog are my two go websites!

Kimberlee Jost - I love this post. Like really LOVE.

Deb Meyers - Jim Lahey’s pizza crust from “Dinner: A Love Story” has become the bridge I crossed to meet and love on my kid’s college friends. IT IS FAIL PROOF.

(And I would tell you to make Jenny’s Arugula/Ricotta pizza NOW, only I’m afraid you will post it on your blog and then all the world will realize I am not a culinary genius but only a truly enthusiastic copycat 🙂

Lee Ann - Is it sad that I rarely buy cookbooks anymore? I just use the world wide web 🙂 BUT….I do miss flipping through the pages. Maybe for Christmas I’ll have to get a new one. Who doesn’t love the Pioneer Woman? And “100 days of real food”? Good stuff. Against all grain – Makes me feel so good (I have Celiac so I can eat everything!).

And….I pulled up your blog because December is coming. I’ve really been laying off the sugar, but I’m so ready to have your mint brownies (gluten-free style). They will probably taste sooo sweet after not much sugar. Anyway – You have to re-read that post. So sweet. Annie said, “what dat mell?” 🙂

Traci - You have highlighted all of my favorite cookbooks above, plus some that I want to check out! Smitten Kitchen is not too fancy, and I mean that in the best possible way. Hers is probably my favorite. You should start with her website, there are new recipes there all the time. Happy cooking! :]

Jill - Well…. I have to say that I LOVE my copy of the Betty Crocker Cookbook…. you know… the old one with the red and white checked cover. It’s my grandma’s copy and there are notes in her handwriting next to the recipes I remember eating when growing up. But, I do love The Pioneer Woman too. Question…. I am wondering if you cook with gas…. waffling on what kind of stove to get. If you do…. is it stainless under the burner grates? If so… is it hard to clean? HELP!!!

Jackie O M - Forty some years and hundreds on cookbooks on my shelves? Just can’t pick one! Depends on the subject? Southern? John Martin Taylor’s Low Country Cooking. Chinese ~ Ruth Law’s Dim Sum ~ totally falling apart. Mexican? Diane Kennedy The Tortilla Book. Vegetables? Marian Morash The Victory Garden Cookbook. Life Changers at the Sidewalk House? Martha Stewart Entertaining and The Silver Palate Cookbook. On and on. Sarah Foster, Joanne Weir, Ina Garten, and Jacques Pepin’s Fast Cooking my Way are currently day to day resources. I am an addict. A user ~ of cookbooks!

Emily - I have the Meals Made Simple book because my husband and I did a grain free nutrition challenge with some others at our gym. Everything we have made from it is delicious!! And really they are simple. Our favorite is the creamy dill salmon. My husband is not a fish eater but asks for this once a week!

Lori - I love The Smitten Kitchen cookbook!

Jenn - I have three PW cookbooks, they are definitely favs of mine. However, I also love The Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten). Her recipes are so delicious and generally pretty easy.

Lisa - I love Ree too, and Giada de Laurentis, all her recipes are amazing. I also love Smitten Kitchen, all of her recipes from her book that I have tried have been fantastic too, you should follow her Instagram, she posts yummy recipes everyday.

Stephanie - I love my PW cookbooks–I have three. She just seems so real. Rich, but real. Lol.
My favorite cookbook of all time is Nourishing Traditions. It’s all about traditional food.

Kimberly - The smitten kitchen chocolate pudding pie is my go-to. Delish! Bet Annie could make it no problem! 😉 I don’t make the crust though– I do the Pillsbury crust.

Janna - You need “oh My Goodness Cookbook” by Ellen Halberg on amazon. It MIGHT only be available thru today as they plan to put them in bazaars and local stores here in WA state starting tonight; )

Janel - A Forest Feast is an awesome, real food, simple ingridients cookbook. Erin’s blog is wonderful! One of my go to cookbooks.

I also love William Sonoma cookbooks. I have one from 5-6 yrs ago that gets used all fall/winter long…they have great recipes in general.

I definitely love all the paleo cookbooks…you can’t go wrong there at all..

Jill Hinson - Anything by Ina Garten, she seems fancy but I like that most of her recipes are less than 10 ingredients.

xo~jill

Lindsey Barlow - Have you ever heard of “our best bites?” They have a blog, it their cookbooks are great, I use their recipes a lot around our house.

Christie - LOVE LOVE LOVE 100 days of real food cookbook – it won’t disappoint and so much easy to read and understand information about our food at the beginning of the book.

Michele - I love Pioneer Woman and have them all, I’m like you the first one is my favorite although the latest is very good I just haven’t got to look through all of it. I make her Cinnamon rolls with my daughter at Christmas for our neighbors and now after 3 years they look forward to them and are tickled when we show up with them.

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

i’ve been cooking!

in the last two weeks… i have been cooking!
i don’t know where it’s coming from???
i just keep doing it.
it’s so unlike me!
and i think my family is enjoying it.
if they aren’t liking what i made it’s because i knew they wouldn’t eat it anyway… more for me!
IMG_1187edit
Lasagna Soup
this was SO GOOD!
i used ground beef instead of sausage so it wouldn’t be as spicy and so it would taste more like the actual lasagna i make.
and i used regular tomatoes not fire roasted.
my kids still said it was spicy!
so maybe no pepper next time?  it was good enough that it’s worth trying again to see.

12115724_1651163441802965_6518393382908720770_n
Mozzarella Stuffed Slow Cooker Meatballs
(it’s short FB video)
this was a huge hit at our house!
And i didn’t make in the slow cooker because i didn’t plan ahead.
i followed all the instructions and then put it in a 9×13 and cooked it for 35 minutes in the oven!
totally delicious!

Thai-Curry-Butternut-Squash-Soup-5
Thai Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup

this was for me.
and i loved it!
i will be able to eat it all week.
🙂

FullSizeRender-222-1000x750(pp_w775_h581)
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

this is so easy.
and craig loves it as much as i do.
the others… meh.
they aren’t big fans.
those weirdos pick out the sweet potatoes????
again… more for me & craig!
“go make a pb&j kids!”

12138356_1652971144955528_3972068803574087346_o
Sausage & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
i have made this TWICE in two weeks!
i love the little video… it’s quick and easy to follow.
i kinda wish all recipes were in short little 1 minute clips.
seriously…. i would maybe cook a lot more often!
i have the ingredients to make this AGAIN today.
because if i make it… i have 5-6 meals for me completely done!

6a00d8341c469c53ef010536bedb95970c-640wi
Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup

this is my favorite soup!
i make it probably every two weeks from sept – april.
my kids usually eat it that night but don’t want it again for left overs.
YAY!
more leftovers for me!

12039094_1664150287170947_8228874176178734449_o
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

this is on the menu for this week.
i got all the ingredients and i’m all ready to give it a shot.
have you ever used ground chicken???
i am feeling nervous.
but I’m guessing it will be a winner.
now go forth and cook dinner with ease!
i have given you lots of ideas.
🙂

.
what about you?  are you cooking more or less than you used to?
anything you think i should try?
i’d love to hear your ideas.

 

 

 

Mindy - Lasagna soup and butternut squash soup – yes please!

kristin - The chicken parm meatballs were perfection. I made them a bit easier… just used Ital seasoning and dried onion/garlic, s/p for seasoning. Seriously so good – like little chicken hushpuppies. Yum.

Lynn - Have you made the chicken parm meatballs yet? Ground chicken is so great – we like it much more than ground turkey. Here’s a link to a delicious chicken parm meatloaf I just discovered. We liked it better than the real deal 🙂
http://www.prouditaliancook.com/2012/10/chicken-parmesan-meatloaf.html
BTW, I so enjoy reading and seeing what you’re up to. Glad you shared your cooking binge – I’m on one too. Bet it’s the change in season!

Emily T - I love this post Meg! Well, I love all your posts 🙂
I go in cooking spurts too! I find that cooking can be just as satisfying a creative outlet as crafting, decorating, etc. When I plan ahead and try new recipes fairly often my cooking mojo stays fresh. I recently did a Whole30 and it changed my idea of good food! If you like paleo and are interested in Against All Grain cookbook, look in to doing a Whole30…the food is so satisfying. Some of my favorites are homemade paleo ranch (my kids love this for dipping) and mayo (there are tons of recipes out there), NomNom Paleo’s sweet potato hash browns (you will LOVE these if you love sweet potes). I make a huge batch and freeze individual servings in baggies to pop out and defrost as needed. Have you tried Adielle’s Chicken Apple Sausage? You can get a giant pack at Costco. Grill them on your BBQ, add grilled fajita veggies, sweet potato hash browns, avocado, and possibly an egg and you have a protien-packed meal that keeps you satisfied for hours and feeling great. Cilantro Lime cauliflower “rice” is also really good and makes you think you’re eating rice! I recently got an electric pressure cooker and it’s taking everything to a new level! It’s like having food that’s been in the slow cooker all day but it’s ready in like 45 minutes!!! I could go on and on but I’ll stop! Email me if you want more info on what I liked from my first Whole30. I know you’ve done the 21 day sugar fix…if you can do that you can TOTALLY do the W30.

Stephanie - These look truly delicious. I bought two acorn squash because I saw that recipe on Pinterest! I hope it’s good. Love acorn squash.
I cook just about everyday of the month, every meal. I always have and make probably 70% from scratch. It’s how I was raised and I literally have no idea how to do it any other way. My downfalls are not in cooking, but in many other ways in my life. Lol! I wish I were as crafty as you are! I would be my kids’ favorite person!

Stacey - Those meatballs look awesome! What temp did you cook them at?

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - your pictures are doing Nothing for my pre-Holidays diet! Ha! A couple seem calories harmless though…that is if I go the one-serving route!!

Catherine - How do you end up with leftovers?? I have teenagers and never have leftovers! Sometimes I double what I think will be enough to have leftovers, but the more I make the more they eat!

arigsbee - We love Pioneer Woman’s Rootbeer BBQ recipe but we’ve adjusted it and use a crockpot. there usually aren’t any leftovers 🙂
I think the tai soup and chili would be big hits here. Isn’t soup season wonderful?

Heather - For a quick dinner on nights we have practices, meetings, etc, as love Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and BBQ chicken french bread pizza! I made a pot of slow cooker potato soup last week and it was delicious! And rotisserie chicken from the local deli are life savers!! I am going to try the lasagna soup and the meatballs soon!

Ruth B. - Thanks Meg! I honestly love it when you share recipes, we have 4 children, tiny to mid-teens, sooo I trust your judgement. Plus that butternut squash Thai, and also sweet potato chile both sound like they were written for me! XOXO

Heather S. - I generally cook about three nights a week. Then there are a couple nights of leftovers, one night out usually, and the cereal night we inevitably have when everyone is “Sort of” hungry, but not really, and well, a bowl of cereal will always work!
I am all about the soups this time of year, and the more I can use my crockpot and have dinner compiled by 10:00 am the better!

Maggie - I made the sausage and apple stuffed acorn squash last week too. It was delicious!

Erin - I always use ground chicken as I don’t eat beef 🙂 Skinnytaste has a recipe for chicken cordon blue meatballs that are delicious! All your recipes look wonderful.

Kathie - We use lots of ground Chicken and Turkey…they are lots softer and easier. My husband has issues with his esophagus and chokes on things so these two meats offer him a fix for still getting to enjoy meals he really loves. I love ground turkey more than chicken but both are great. I would suggest making sure you have them thawed out before you use them and don’t try de-thawing them in the microwave at all. They get too mushy that way. Also, if you get just ground chicken vs ground chicken breast, same with turkey, they are different in the way they hold shape. Overall though it is also a great way to avoid the fat that ground beef has.

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

summer drinks!

i vow to try my very best to prepare every single one of these drinks this summer!
maybe you need to join that party?

SUPERskinnysideways
2a153ac331eae2b37b2e4308a115df67

Raspberry Limoncello Prosecco

SUPERskinnysideways

e5dc958b1feff41a4cc95cef2b65159f

The Gin Fizz

SUPERskinnysideways

2cdefe8053919e8a6a1ef24d1057c0c6

Campari Mojito

SUPERskinnysideways

5152a0b85f7f5d9f9bcddbc97a4fe556

Peach Wine Slushies

 

SUPERskinnysideways

6981cd1f4ea5155a785d34278eaff878
Frozen Pineapple Mango Margarita

SUPERskinnysideways
8b36059a3270280c9a85aaa52b62da4a
Grapefruit Wine Cooler

SUPERskinnysideways
f120e46b0ecae85741f5f8822b5a84e5

Strawberry Sangria

SUPERskinnysideways

2f349cc7afefd9ddeb4ee6dbcc5333c6
Mexican Mai Tai

SUPERskinnysideways

whiskey-smash-3
The Whiskey Smash

 

SUPERskinnysideways

e572abe85da4fd8f840e99531bb15222

Frozen Coconut Pineapple Margarita

SUPERskinnysideways

the hardest decision is which one to start with!

jennibell - My neighbor and I are already putting dates on the calendar. . .!!! Thank you for doing all the “research” for us 😉

Beth Ann - If you twisted my arm, just slightly to the left, I would drive from Iowa to try each one out.

Julie - The sacrifices one must make!!!! Enjoy.

Kristi - Is it time for happy hour at the Duerksen’s???

Betty - For hot summer days I like a “Hugo” – Prosecco or sparkling wine, add a teaspoon Elderflower syrup, some sparkling mineral water and fresh mint leaves. So refreshing!!
Instead of Elderflower you can use rhubarb syrup too…

anne - Cherry Beer-Arita – it is a variation of the margarita recipe ! DELISH

Angi - Saving this post!! You should do a “drink of the week” and report back, and we can all join in too! Oh, happy summer.

Amy Woods - Ummm, yes! I think I’ll join you! Is 8 am too early for the Frozen Coconut Pineapple Margarita? [My boss would probably frown on my drinking at work anyways!]

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

thursdays…

i like thursdays because they are close to fridays.
i used to love thursdays because of must see tv… but i don’t really watch much anymore.
Parenthood is over and i am feeling like I’m through with series.
greys will finish up soon.
madmen is almost done… and i think I’m done.
is it my age?  what is it?
is it the new era of dvr and internet where i can pull-up anything whenever i want?
i don’t love anything like i did when i loved my fave shows.
it’s probably just that i miss those too much.
Seinfeld… Friends… ER…. Office… 30 Rock…

everything else is just those same stories over again.

moving on…
annie started piano lessons again.
by choice.
talby starts this week.
i love hearing them practice.
(although if i hear “All of Me” by john legend one more time i may die)

the other night annie was stalling before bed time and i walked in and caught this:IMG_2200IMG_2195
IMG_2219
i love her rainbow room so much.
(and she loves stuffed animals a little too much!)
but to be sure i am always “keeping it real” over here she told me recently that she can’t wait to re-do her room in a complete basketball theme because she is going to play in the WNBA and wants her room to look very sporty.
OY VEH!
i can remember my first lesson in humility regarding room decor with lauren.
she was probably 8 and we had painted her room just the prettiest way i thought it should be.
yellow floral Martha stewart bedding… matching curtains… i even painted plaid on the wall!
and then… she taped magazine photos of animals all over the walls.
ALL OVER.
and that did not match.
i tried to tell her how these pictures did not flow with the look i was going for.
ha ha ha
but SHE thought they looked really nice.
she chose her favorite animals and knew why they were here favorites.

i think that’s when i learned that it was going to be ok.
(it probably took many more lessons but i do recall that night)
my home should reflect all of us… not just MOM’s idea of pretty.
everything doesn’t have to look like a magazine.
and no matter their style is… it’s OK!  it’s GOOD to have an idea!
it’s GOOD to know what you like!
if you like animals… GREAT!  if you like basketball… GREAT!
i hope someday annie gets her dream room.
although it’s pretty darn great right now… maybe we should switch bedrooms…. what do you think craig?  want to bunk up in the rainbow room with me?  ha ha ha

IMG_2208
wednesday likes to sit in the sun… especially on the hood of my car.

IMG_2214
i made Marta’s meat muffins the other night at 8 pm.
(the recipe she shares now is a little different… eggs, zucchini and lots of spices… maybe she will blog it?)
i make them for me… not the whole family.
i COULD feed it to them…. but then i don’t have my stock.
i freeze all but 6 and then eat two at a time for meals during the week.
when my 6 in the refrigerator are gone i pull another container from the freezer.
it’s great protein when i want to eat cookies.  🙂

and then when i was done… i made pumpkin waffles at 10 pm.
i used this recipe by paleomg.com.
they are definitely gluten free & dairy free as far as taste but i am trying to eat that way so when everything tastes that way then you get used to it.
i freeze these also except for a few.
i heat one up and spread a little almond butter and strawberry jam on them.
i make strawberry jam by putting strawberries in food processor.
nothing else added.
🙂

IMG_2224
so those are two things i am eating to help me stay on track with my health.
remember my 2015 word was ACTION.

although… this week i have been sleeping like a bear in hibernation.
im not sure what the deal is but i am so tired.
hopefully it will go away soon.

this was yesterday morning at our house.
i just said “enough!”  (not in a mad way… just exhausted)
i am feeling tired and this does not help.
i mean… this is normal when 6 people share a space.
this is 6 people each leaving one or two or five things out.
and if it doesn’t get picked up… it multiplies.
and this is with the dishes done.
it’s so much worse when the sink is overflowing with dishes.
IMG_2178IMG_2180
so i made a new chart.
it was time.
we used to have a whole system when the kids were younger just for sanity
but when we moved to the farm i never made it again.
now it’s back in a newer simplified form.

annie’s charts are her own personal movitation charts.
she gets to choose a treat of her choice when she completes it…not just the .99 ice cream cone.
IMG_2226
yesterday was the first day.
i walked in at 9 pm from the garage and the smell of bleach was overpowering.
so i learned that i had to teach HOW to do these jobs.
we went over which cleaners to use… tools to use… what “put stuff away” means…. and how a counter top FEELS when it’s clean.
🙂
and this morning it was so happy to walk out to a clean kitchen.
they agreed that it felt nice to have it clean too!
ahhhh.

so if you got your kids started on their laundry…. maybe the kitchen is the next place.
your kids are going to hate that “Meg from Whatever”
HA!

my kids also load and unload the dishwasher.
scott & sean alternate loading and talby & sean alternate unloading.
(i step in and wash pots and pans… and load or unloadload when kids have been busy and having it done is better than waiting.)
no one likes this job at our house.
but who does?!
this is good for them.
we’ve been doing this for YEARS too.
it used to be lauren & scott loading and talby & sean unloading.
annie was too short.
but when lauren moved out… annie moved up.
it’s working.

chores are good.
they are!
i love being a mom so much.
but i don’t want to wait on them hand and foot.
my kids are able to help and we think they should.
they still have so much time for fun.. this is just life & helping each other out.

 

misty - I’d LOVE to know your breakdown on teaching kids to do laundry. I have a 6 1/2 year old & she wants to help with everything 🙂 I LOVE that, but how did you start with Annie doing laundry??

Renee - i love seeing the piano ones 🙂 I teach piano lessons VERY part time (like 7 students only part time) just for fun on the side. so so so fun to see glimpses of when kids like it 🙂

Kristi - I love reading your posts! They are so refreshingly real! And can I just say that I can’t wait until my kids are old enough to clean on their own?!! Can.not.wait!! Hope you get your pep back soon. I am being spring will put a bounce in my step. No more jackets weighing me down.

Lisa - Love that your systems aren’t complicated. I need to revamp our chore list and your post was the reminder I needed to just keep it simple. 🙂

Jenni - Meg, you’re awesome in so many ways. And, interestingly enough, my husband is applying for a job in Lawrence, KS. We currently live in California. When I think of life in Kansas, one of my first thoughts is , “how could I become friends with Meg Duerksen? If I have to move to Kansas, hanging out with her would make life easier. ” 🙂

Lisa - Great! I love the chores. I do the same (I’m a mom of 3 soon to be 4). Any way to get them involved is good and worth it in the long run. Laundry & toys need to be put away before they get to watch their show at night. Works for us.

Loved your comment about Lauren changing her room, too! My oldest (almost 8) does the same thing and hangs posters and tiny pieces of paper that are oh so important all over her room and it secretly drives me crazy! I am regularly reminding myself to chill out… House Beautiful is not coming to photograph my home. Perfectly imperfect, right? 🙂

Carrie - My girls are 4 and 7. It is the small toys and my 7 year olds books ( she reads 3 to 4 chapter books a week, guess I should not complain about my voracious reader). That stuff I pile on the stairs and threaten them. I wanted to start my 7 year old doing laundry and she was on board but she still can not reach down into the washer to get her clothes and I need to problem solve it. Quite honestly I need that chart for my husband!!! The girls help to unload the dishwasher, clear the table, clean toilets, and make beds. My 4 year old loves to make her sister’s bed!

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - A clean, beautiful white kitchen makes Everything better, -in every department 🙂

Kathi - Your counter looks similar to mine just add a bunch of tools the hubs didn’t put away and you’ve got mine.

Amy Woods - I agree! It’s great the kiddos help with the chores. Their future roommates and families will so appreciate it. My poor son is an only. He thinks he has too many chores. I say whatever. What does he think, that I took him to raise? Oh. wait.

😉

Alice H - I miss ER!! Oh George Clooney!!

My 5 year old LOVES to help unload the dishwasher. He also likes to do laundry, mainly the towels and washcloths. He has a helping heart for sure. And I am doing a lot better at encouraging him than I did with my 14 and 16 year old back then. Ha! They have to do their own laundry, help clean up after dinner, and they are in charge of the upstairs (their bedrooms, bathroom, and hall). If it isn’t all cleaned up and presentable by Friday, they don’t get to do anything during that weekend. It works!! Love your kitchen chart and I have a chalkboard, may have to do that too!

jennibell - Agreed! On everything. . .except the eating part. Meg, you look GREAT and I know it’s taken you a lot of time and sacrifice and YEA FOR YOU!!! I just *can’t*, no matter what, get on the “eat food I don’t like” wagon. I got a FitBit and when my calories are up, they are up. . .I’m not being picky about how I use them. Exercise is key anyway.
Youngest does the trash every single time it needs to be taken out. Next youngest unloads dishwasher (expectation is that it is to be done by 7 a.m. every day) and 2nd oldest loads. Oldest is in charge of the yard, taking trash to the dump. . .he gets of “easy” in the winter months but works very hard spring/summer. It works for us.
The kids have naturally begun to do their own laundry. Things weren’t getting done as quickly as they liked (ha!) so they will, many times, do their own. I’m glad they know how. And every one of them (ages 11, 12, 14, 16) can make a meal for the family. So. . .parenting is the *greatest* job (http://jennisseasons.blogspot.com/2011/09/greatest-job.html) and I am so happy that God blessed me with the challenge!!
Enjoy your weekend 🙂

crissy - i love that you keep it real! it isn’t any less inspiring – but it’s hopegiving 😉

do you make your strawberry jam when you want it or do you make a jar and refrigerate it? i love the idea of making it and am wondering if that is one less thing i can buy from the store – and less sugar. thanks!!

Nanette - Thanks for the motivation! We are struggling right now with chores and responsibility. And I’m going to try those meat cupcake/muffin things.
My boys decorated their shared room the other day by taping over 100 hockey cards to the wall. At first I wanted to make them take it down…but they love it. And they actually did a good job by getting them spaced and straight. I figure someday they will talk about it when they are old…”hey remember when we taped all of our hockey cards to the wall? That was the best!”

Julie - My dishwasher has just died on us, so each morning the sink is filled with hot soapy water, and we all wash our breakfast dishes and leave them in the rack to drain while we are at work and school. Then in the evening my two children have to wash and dry all the dinner dishes. Certainly won’t hurt them, that is what I had to do as a child.

Heather S. - Our girls have quite a few chores and expectations around the house (dishes, mopping, laundry, cat care, etc). They have to – I homeschool them! I can’t be their teacher AND the lunch lady AND the bus driver AND the janitor as well as being mom. They have to pitch in. And they do. Like champs. You are SO right. You have to actually TEACH them how to do these things first, but then it reminds me of potty training. A bunch of hard work up front for a few days, but then sit back a bit and enjoy watching them grow up. I always say I’m not raising children – I am raising future adults. It takes constant training to get there, but every once in a while we get to just admire their growing responsibility and maturity. That’s what being a mom is really about – training them up, not waiting on them hand and foot.

kassondra - The end of this post almost sounded like you were defending your reasons for having your kids do chores. MEG, stop that! Our kids chores are much easier than when we were little and a thousand times easier than generations past. Your not causing damage to your children your teaching them valuable lessons in this chore system. Keep it up!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - My 11 year old does her own laundry. Her job is to also keep the bathroom clean. My younger two have to put away their clothes and keep their room clean. I give them each a list of chores to accomplish every Sat. Otherwise I do everything else. I find it cathartic when I clean my home. That, and I may be a little OCD.

Michelle Deckert Richmond - Welcome to my life…..I hear yah.

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top