Weeky meals April 22 – April 26

Meal updates from last week:
Both soups from last week were a hit with the kids.  I made the hamburger soup using deer meat and you could not even tell a difference.  We really like the miso chicken salad that I served in lettuce cups with some extra rice.  The rice and bean recipe made a huge amount, the kids ate theirs as burritos and I had mine as a bowl.  This weekend we were at a basketball tournament, so Friday night we ate a late dinner at Buffo at Chinook Centre.  Saturday I had dinner planned and ready to go, we ate BBQ smokies and sausages with tots and a green salad.  I have been loving a new dressing that I found, I make it in a jar and then use it multiple times during the week.  Tonight we ordered sushi as my son has been asking all weekend long.

This week is SUPER busy with all of the spring sports, the weather seems to be warming up, so I will be using the BBQ.  We will eat at home Sunday-Thursday, the weekend is open except for a baseball game.

• Crispy pork dragon noodles with broccolini from @simplyscratch my kids love noodles so I think that this will be a hit with them.
• Grilled curry chicken with smashed cucumber salad from @themodernproper, bring on BBQ season!
• Sheet pan Italian sausage heros (sandwiches) from @themodernproper I will serve these with a green salad.
• Santa Fe chicken bowl from @thedefineddish, all of the ingredients that I love in one bowl!

Last weekend I didn’t do any baking, and to be honest I have nothing planned this week.  My kids are loving mini carrot muffins, so I might try to find a recipe so that I can make some.  This week I found so many warmer weather recipes to share: watermelon Aperol spritz, lemon angel cake bars, springtime pesto tortellini, spicy chicken burgers, passionfruit citrus cordial and croissant s’mores.  It’s safe to say that I am excited for warmer weather and outdoor gatherings!  The grocery list 10 24 is a long one this week!

Have a sunny week,
Sara

Weekly meals April 15 – April 19

Meal updates from last week:
As always my family LOVED the classy chicken, I always make a double batch so that we have leftovers for the week.  We also really enjoyed the honey garlic pork and the BLT salad is always a crowd pleaser.  I didn’t get a chance to make the miso chicken salad as we went out for dinner on a whim, it will be added to this week’s plan.  This weekend I went out for dinner with a friend on Friday, we went to Pat and Betty, the food was amazing.  Saturday we had friends over and ate outside for the first time this year!  I made BBQ chicken and rice bowls and served lemon posset for dessert.  Tonight we had family over for dinner and grilled some Lina’s chicken, on the side I made baked potatoes with all of the toppings, a green salad with ranch dressing and lemon loaf for dessert.  I guess I am on a lemon kick right now!

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, we have lots of kids activities this week and have a basketball tournament all weekend.

• Spicy miso chicken salad from @thedefineddish I will serve this in lettuce cups, but will also make some rice to fill them up.
• Creamy vegetable alphabet soup from @foodbymaria the weather is supposed to get much cooler this week so I thought that I would make some soup.  My daughter LOVES soup more than anything, so this will be a winner with her.
• Spanish rice and beans from @dishingouthealth this will be a meatless meal, but I will serve tortillas so that the kids can make theirs into veggie burritos.
• hamburger soup from @bestofbridge this is a soup week for our family!  I am going to make this soup with a mixture of deer and pork, I have never used game meat in a coup recipe so we will see how it tastes.  This soup is the most requested soup in our house.

Last week I finally made something with blueberries, I made the blueberry buttermilk breakfast cake.  The entire cake was gone in a matter of days.  It is a great little afternoon treat to have with a coffee or cup of tea.  I made two different lemon desserts this weekend, so I don’t think that I will be baking anything this week.  Here’s a few other recipes I found this week: sweet cherry Italian margarita, oatmeal raisin bars, berry cheesecake cookie bars and two huge chocolate chip cookies.  Streamline your shopping with  Grocery List 9 24.

Happy week ahead,
Sara

Welcome spring!

I am back from a wonderful family vacation in the sun!  We were home late Monday night, which made the start to our week a little slow.  We hosted family on Tuesday night, I served flank steak with roasted potatoes and salad.  Wednesday I made a bruschetta bowl with chicken, rice and a tomato mozzarella salad.  Thursday I kept it very simple with a dumpling soup with carrots and spinach.  This weekend we had Cactus Club takeout on Friday and hosted friends Saturday, we served rice bowls with ginger turmeric chicken.  Today we got out for our last official ski day of the season!

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, we are in full spring sport swing, most nights are busy with multiple activities.

• Grilled Italian sausage, smokies, perogies and a copycat Olive Garden salad.  I made this salad when we were away and I have made it three times since coming home.  If you make this salad you have to make the dressing, it is so amazing!
• Classy chicken from @bestofbridge, I used to make this all of the time and haven’t made it in forever.  I asked for any meal requests this week and my husband asked for it.  I always serve this casserole with egg noodles.
• Honey garlic pork from @dessertfortwo I will serve this with steamed rice.
• BLT salad with buttermilk dressing from @epicurious, this is another recipe that I used to make a ton.  My husband and son really like it, but my daughter is not a fan.
• Spicy miso chicken salad from @defineddish, we will eat these in lettuce cups.

There was no time for baking last week, but I am hoping to do some this week.  Blueberries are everywhere and very sweet so I was thinking of a snacking cake or muffins.  I found these recipes: gluten-free bakery style blueberry muffins and buttermilk blueberry breakfast cake.  Here are some others that I have been looking at: limoncello and basil posset, strawberry almond cake, oatmeal cookies and cinnamon swirl cake.  Make going shopping way easier by using grocery list 8 24

Happy spring,
Sara

Weekly meals March 18 – March 22

Meal updates from last week:
We really liked the teriyaki beef bowls as well as the chicken kebabs.  I didn’t love the chicken burrito bowl, but I think that it was because I used chicken breasts and I found them very dry.  If I made this recipe again I would use thighs instead.  This weekend we stuck around home, I took my son for a dinner date on Friday, Saturday I made spicy rigatoni and Sunday we grilled chicken, smokies and had potato wedges and salad.

This week is busy with activities and work, Friday is the beginning of our spring break and we are all very excited for some down time.  We will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, I work late Thursday so it will be takeout for the kids.

• Smashed Banh Mi tacos from @cheftomwalton I made these a month ago and we LOVED them.  Everyone agreed that they were even better tonight!  You can access this recipe on his IG account.
• Air fryer tofu from @pinchofyum I will serve this with some steamed rice and broccoli.  My daughter is not a fan of tofu, so when we eat it I made her eggs for dinner.
• Chicken gnocchi soup from @thewoodenskillet, with a blast of winter heading our way, so I am making some comforting soup for dinner.
• Takeout

Last week I did some Easter baking as I was getting the itch.  I made some mini egg oatmeal chocolate chip cookies as well as a carrot banana bread with cream cheese icing (recipe on her IG feed).  Here are a few other recipes I found this week: lemon poppyseed muffins, chocolate raspberry cheesecake, citrus cake, shrimp sushi cups, chicken and feta baked meatballs and sheet pan halloumi with avocado and citrus. There is not a grocery list this week as it is a short one, we will both be back after the Easter weekend.

Happy Easter,
Sara

Weekly meals March 11 – March 15

Meal updates from last week:
We really enjoyed the sushi bowls and miso soup from last week, I didn’t end up making the chicken fajitas, instead I made pancakes for the kids and reheated a veggie burrito (recipe I shared a couple of weeks ago) for myself.  This weekend we ate out on Friday night, Saturday I made spring roll bowls and last night we did a marinaded flank steak (recipe from Whitewater Cooks, but find a similar one here) with roasted potatoes and house salad.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, we have lots of different activities this week, and are hoping for one more ski day this weekend.

• Slow cooker chicken burrito bowls from @skinnytaste this is a recipe from her latest cookbook called Fast and Slow.
• Teriyaki beef bowl from @sailor_bailey, since we are having rice the night before I will serve this with rice noodles.
• Chicken kebab from @foodbymaria
• Grilled sausages, tots and a triple berry salad from @iowagirleats

I baked some small batch banana muffins last week and they were gobbled up!  I think by the end of the week I will try to make some mini egg cookies, there are so many different recipes out there for them!  Here are a few that I have found: oatmeal chocolate chip mini egg cookies, mini egg cookies, mini egg fudge or if you are not a fan of mini eggs you could try this Easter egg fruit pizza.  Shop with ease using grocery list 7 24

Enjoy the sunshine,
Sara

Weekly meals Mar. 4 – Mar. 8

Meal updates from last week:
Meals from last week were heavy on family favourites, so the soup and Thai noodles were devoured by everyone.  We also really liked the bean and veggie burritos, the recipe made a ton of filling so I used it all up and froze some of the extras.  This weekend my husband and I were away enjoying some sun and relaxation.  We arrived home last night, and I made my plan for the week and shopped this morning.

We will be eating at home Sunday to Thursday, spring activities have begun so this week will be busy.  We have no weekend plans, but would love to get out for some skiing.

• Minestrone with Kale and sausage from @foodnetwork, I make this soup a lot and it is a hit with the kids.  I don’t add the chickpeas, instead I add a can of white beans.
• Sushi bowls from @loveandlemons, this is a new to recipe and I cannot wait to give it a try.
• Miso dumpling soup inspired by @dennistheprescott, I will add frozen dumplings to a miso broth with some mushrooms, noodles and spinach.
• Chicken fajita bowls from @thewoodenskillet

Baking is not in the cards this week, but I continue to find tons of new baking inspiration.  Banana oatmeal cookies, funfetti blondies, peanut butter balls and cheesecake thumbprint cookies.  Easter is less than a month away, so I have been looking at some new sweet recipes: Easter chocolate cookies and Easter candy board.  The grocery list 6 24 is back!

Happy Monday,
Sara

Weekly meals Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Meal updates from last week:
We LOVED two meals from last week: sheet pan meatballs with roasted veggies and the chicken bowls with chili sauce.  This weekend I cooked on Friday (chicken bowls with Calabrian chili sauce), we went to friends Saturday (I took a mixed berry and feta salad) and tonight we grilled beef burgers and chicken drumsticks.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Wednesday, Thursday my husband and I are off for a weekend away.  The kids will be home with family.  I won’t have any time to bake this week as I am working every day until we leave.

• Grilled beef burgers and chicken drumsticks, on the side I served house salad and skinny fries.
• Hamburger soup from @bestofbridge, I prepped this soup on Friday knowing that I would have no time to cook Monday.
• Thai noodles with chicken and broccoli, a family favourite and a recipe that my son asks for all of the time.  I will be making this meal meatless.
• Bean and vegetable burritos from @smittenkitchen, I will prep this filling on Tuesday night and then fill and heat in the air fryer on Wednesday night.
• Baked ziti from @saltandlavender, I will also be prepping this meal so that it is ready to be reheated for dinner on Thursday night.

No baking this week, but I have found some new spring forward recipes that I would love to share: lemon raspberry cheesecake bars, crumb cake doughnuts, popcorn cake, raspberry ice cream and Easter sugar cookies.  There is no grocery list this week, it will be back next week.

Stay warm,
Sara

Weekly meals Feb. 19 – Feb. 23

Meal updates from last week:
My birthday dinner at Major Tom was outstanding!  We have been before, but this was the first time that we’ve ever taken the kids.  They were great, my son was also super adventurous and tried tuna crudo as well as steak tartar.  Our favourite recipe last week was the Santa Fe salad, I turned it into tacos for the kids and it was just as good.  This long weekend we were supposed to go away for a ski weekend, but the universe had other plans for us.  Our son got really sick so we ended up staying home, it wasn’t the weekend we had wanted but it was still pretty good.  Friday night we had naan bread pizza, Saturday we ordered sushi from Big Catch and last night we grilled a marinated chicken from Lina’s.  As it is a short week, kids activities as less, but we will still be eating at home Sunday-Thursday.  We have no weekend plans, but are hoping to head out skiing.

• Lina’s marinated chicken with roasted fingerling potatoes and a house salad (my very fave salad right now, we have it at least once a week).
• Ground beef tacos from @feelgoodfoodie
• Sheet pan Greek meatballs with veggies from @lexiscleankitchen
• Creamy vegetable alphabet soup from @foodbymaria, this is great soup, I might add a can of white beans this time.
• Banza chicken bowls from @pinchofyum, I won’t be using Banza pasta, instead butter, fresh tomatoes and some parmesan.

As today was a holiday, I took some time to bake and prep with my kids.  We made some peanut butter protein balls and some avocado brownies.  It’s great to start the week with a full fridge and some food prepped for snacks and lunches.  Here’s a few other recipes I have been looking at : lemon tiramisu, cinnamon scone bread and no-bake cornflake cookies.  My Grocery List 5 24 is back to help make shopping a breeze.

Happy short week,
Sara

Weekly meals Feb. 12 – Feb 16

Meal updates from last week:
We LOVED the tacos and dumpling soup!  I will be making both recipes again soon.  The salmon was good, but I overcooked it and it was a little tough.  This weekend I was out for dinner on Friday night at Salt and Brick, Saturday we were supposed to go out but the plague is moving through our children so I made some chicken noodle soup (this a NYT recipe, which requires a subscription).  Tonight, for Super Bowl I made some buffalo chicken tenders with fries and a wedge salad with ranch dressing.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, we will be eating at Major Tom tomorrow night for my birthday.  This weekend is currently unplanned, we will see what happens this week.

• Major Tom
• Santa Fe salad from @sailor_bailey
• Turkey pesto meatballs from @weelicious for Valentine’s Day
• Sausage potato and kale soup from @daleyplate

Last week I made some banana muffins, I only had two bananas so I found a recipe for a small batch, and this might be my new favourite muffin recipe (the kids raved about it).  I have been very inspired with Valentine’s recipes, but I am not sure that I will be making any: vanilla raspberry heart cake, heart sandwich cookies, thumbprint heart cookies and cheesecake cups.  There isn’t a grocery list this week as I am not shopping on my birthday, it will return next week for your shopping pleasure!

Happy love week,
Sara

Weekly meals Feb. 5 – Feb. 9

Meal updates from last week:
We really enjoyed the loaded Greek potatoes, turkey bowls and the salmon.  The pasta was good, but I think that I like traditional pesto better.  This weekend my husband and I were away in the mountains skiing, eating and spending time together.  We ate at Bridgette Bar and Where the Buffalo Roam both in Canmore, and before leaving today we grabbed brunch and coffee at Communitea.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, Friday and Saturday we will be eating out.  Super Bowl Sunday we don’t have any plans, so we will just have to wait and see what’s on the menu.

• Hamburger soup from @bestofbridge, today I added double to veggies and served it with some flaky buns.
• Smashed Banh Mi tacos from @cheftomwalton, you can find this recipe on his IG page.
• Chicken yiros bowls from @mediterranean.diet.plan, this recipe can be found on their IG page.
• Miso dumpling soup from @dennistheprescott, this recipe is from his IG page.  I will use store bought mini dumplings that I got from CO-OP last week.  They are the perfect little dumplings to add to any soup.
• Crispy salmon bites from @lifemadesweeter I will serve these with edamame, rice and sliced avocado.

I am not sure if I will bake this week, I do have some bananas that need to be used, but we will see if I will time.  I did find two other baking recipes that are on my list to try: lemon creme brulee cookies and lemon blueberry muffins.  I sense a baking theme with these recipes!  Or maybe I should make these brown sugar cinnamon pop tart shortbread?!  Make your life easier by using my grocery list 4 24

Enjoy your week,
Sara