Weekly meals Dec. 18 – Dec. 23

Meal updates from last week:
We loved both of the soups and the chicken taquitos.  The noodle salad was good, but I found it a little salty.  We liked the tofu bowls, but I have made better recipes.  This weekend was quiet, I still had a sick kid at home so we didn’t end up doing much.  Friday night we ordered food from Cactus Club, Saturday I made a simple tomato sauce pasta with salad and Sunday we had family Christmas.  My mom made the majority of the food: turkey, stuffing with Italian sausage, turnips and gravy.  I took a broccoli and cauliflower bake and there were also mashed and baked sweet potatoes as well as salad.  If you are looking for any Christmas dinner recipes just use the search engine.

This week we are eating at home Monday-Thursday, Friday we will order in, Saturday night we are going to a party and then we are hosting Christmas Eve.

• Creamy cauliflower soup from @nytcooking, you need a subscription for this site but I found a similar recipe here.
• Baked salmon from @cremedelacrumb I will serve it with some steamed rice and a green veggie.
• BBQ sausage with fries and a fall salad from @dianemorrisey.  You can find all of her recipes on her IG account.
• Pork stir fry from @theendlessmeal I will serve this with some steamed rice.
• Taking sausage stuffed dates to the party on Saturday night
• Christmas Eve: wine-braised short ribs, mashed potatoes and harvest salad.  Cookie tray for dessert.  I am thinking of serving a winter Aperol spritz, I found this recipe and this one.
• Christmas morning: cinnamon french toast muffins with fresh fruit and coffee.
• Christmas dinner: pesto stuffed shells with vodka sauce, fresh bread and house salad.

Today I baked Swiss Mountain Shortbread, the entire tray will go to my husband’s office with coffee for his staff to enjoy.  I think that means that I am finished baking for the season!  You never know if I will make another recipe, but as of today I feel like I’m done.  My grocery shop today was a huge one!  I shopped for my entire week, and then also tried to buy for the weekend including Christmas Eve and Day.  It took me a long time to make my list, and I only missed a few things that I will pick up tomorrow.  The grocery list 31 23 is really long, but includes all meals up till Christmas Day.  This will be my last post of 2023 as I am going to take a break and spend time with my family during the holiday season.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Sara

Weekly meals Dec. 4 – Dec. 8

Meal updates from last week:
All recipes from last week were great, I especially liked the salmon bowls and the lasagna soup.  The kids LOVED the soup and really liked the fajitas.  All recipes were easy and came together quickly.  This weekend we had takeout on Friday, I made some turkey chili Saturday and then we went to Earls last night.

This week we are full of kid activities and studying for school, this weekend we are doing a few festive activities, and have a Christmas party Saturday night.

• Thai noodles with chicken and broccoli from Anne Lindsay, this is one of the most requested meals in our house.  I seldom include chicken anymore, instead I double up the veggies.  If you like lots of sauce then I would recommend doubling that as well.
• Greek turkey burgers from @skinnytaste, I will serve these with some fries and a Greek salad.  It is supposed to be 11 degrees, so why not BBQ.
• Sheet pan sausage and veggies from @jocooks, I try to keep things really simple on Wednesday as we have activities and there’s not a lot of time to spend prepping or cooking dinner.
• Chickpea and orzo soup from @nytcooking as you need a subscription to this site I have found a similar recipe here.

This afternoon I started my holiday baking, I picked two cookie recipes that needed to chill so I will bake them both tomorrow.  I made cranberry almond shortbread and lemon thumbprint cookies.  I will bake the shortbread tomorrow and dip cookies in white chocolate.  Then I will bake off the lemon cookies, I always cool the cookies and put them in the freezer.  I am still thinking of making the chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies and then found the cutest recipe for gingerbread cheesecake cookies.  I am feeling very torn as kiss cookies are not currently making the list, and I would also like to make a snickerdoodle or mint cookie as well.  I will report back next week with how tomorrow’s cookies turn out as well as what I have decided on the cookie front.  Organize your shopping with  Grocery List 29 23

Happy week,
Sara

Weekly meals Nov. 27 Dec. 1

Meal updates from last week:
We really enjoyed the shepherds pie from last week, it made a large amount so we had leftovers for lunch and dinner for a few days.  The harvest salad was also so amazing, it would be a great addition to any holiday dinner.  This weekend it was only my daughter and I, Friday night I got a chance to go to Lulu Bar for dinner, Saturday we had dinner with my parents and last night I made spring roll bowls from @littlebrokenblog.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, we have a couple holidays plans this weekend.

• Mediterranean salmon bowl from @nocrumbsleft I am not serving this with quinoa, instead I am roasting some mini potatoes.
• One pot lasagna soup from @kalejunkie
• Sheet pan chicken fajitas from @tastesbetterfroms
• Portobello, broccoli and red pepper melts by @marthastewart this is a recipe that I used to make all of the time, but haven’t in a while.  I know that my kids won’t enjoy the roasted veggies so I will make theirs into a more traditional pizza.

My IG feed is flooding with all things Christmas, and all I can think about is cookies, cookies, cookies!  Cranberry almond shortbread, chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies, butter cookies and raspberry crumble cookies.  I haven’t made my final decisions on which cookies to bake this holiday season, usually I go with a ginger molasses, a chocolate mint and then a kiss cookie.  However I may have to change things up based on the recipes that I listed above.  Stay tuned for the final decisions.  Make shopping a breeze with  Grocery List 28 23

Enjoy your week,
Sara

Back to planning

Updates:
I am back after taking a week off from planning, and taking my kids to sunny California.  I didn’t cook very much while away, we ate out for most of our dinners and then kept our breakfast and lunches pretty simple.  We did go to the most amazing restaurant while on the California coast, Din Tai Fung was everything that I wanted it to be.  We went for lunch and everything that we ordered was outstanding.  They are known for their soup dumplings and those were our favourites.  They have many different locations throughout California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and New York.  If you are remotely close to one it is a must go!  We arrived back home mid-week and I kept our meals really simple: hamburger soup, picadillo and then we ordered Vietnamese Friday and went out for dinner Saturday.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, the boys are off for their hunting weekend so it will just be the girls at home this weekend.

• Avocado mojo bowls from @pinchofyum we had this tonight and for the chicken I used BBQ drumsticks
• BBQ salmon bowls with mango avocado salsa from @pinchofyum
• Shepherds pie from http://www.onedadskitchen.com I am going to make this early in the day and have it ready for a crazy activity night.
• BBQ sausage with a pear harvest salad from @acozykitchen I might add some roasted potatoes or simple buttered pasta for some added carbs.
• Tonight I will be working late so I will take leftovers or make a salad to have for dinner

Last week I started my holiday baking, I made nuts and bolts for my husband to gift when he goes home next weekend.  If I have time I will make these peppermint meltaways also a gift for friends and family.  Here are a few other holiday recipes I am excited to try: gingerbread white chocolate blondies, half-baked PB & J cookie bars, toadstool thumbprint cookies (IG account) and cinnamon roll cookies.  Make your grocery shopping more efficient with Grocery List 27 23

Happy week ahead,
Sara

Happy Holidays!

Meal updates from last week:
We really enjoyed the Greek bowls and loved the BBQ chicken a grilled veggie bowls.  I made the chicken and all of the veggies in my oven.  It’s way too cold to grill here!  We didn’t like the noodles with shrimp, but I think that it had to do with the noodles that I used.  As always we devoured the classy chicken as well as the parmesan and herb salmon.  This weekend we ordered pizza takeout on Friday and then my husband and I went to a holiday party on Saturday.  My girlfriend made the most amazing Christmas cocktail called the grinch.  Sunday was family Christmas, everyone brought a dish or two and my mom cooked the turkey, stuffing and potatoes.  She tried some new recipes this year that I will share with you:

• Best turkey from @jamieoliver
• Get ahead gravy and another gravy recipe both from @jamieoliver
• Perfect roasted potatoes from @jamieoliver
• Turnips
• Maple soy roasted Brussels sprouts from @skinnytaste
• Sausage and herb stuffing from @inagarten
• Simple winter salad
• Cranberry streusel bars, peanut butter kiss cookies and cookie bars

Everything was delicious, we will not be having another Christmas dinner as we are trying to have a low key Christmas day.

This week we will be eating at home Monday-Thursday, we will be out Friday and then hosting Christmas Eve Saturday.  

• Air fryer salmon bites from @dessertfortwo you can access this recipe via her Instagram account.
• Greek chicken with cucumber feta salad from @nytcooking you do need an account to view this recipe, but you can get a free trial for 7 days.
• Shake and bake chicken drumsticks, tater tots and raw veggies (keeping it simple!)
• Asian pork tenderloin from @laughingspatula I will serve this with steamed rice and green beans
• Breakfast for dinner at our friend’s house, I am going to take fresh fruit with a yogurt dip: plain yogurt, honey and strawberry jam.

Christmas Eve we are having a mixed charcuterie board from Peasant Cheese shop, our friends are bringing a veggie and fruit board as well.  Christmas morning I am making baked eggnog french toast from @fraicheliving I will serve fresh fruit on the side, there is not a solid dinner plan for Christmas but I did buy all of the ingredients for a baked sausage and pasta dish.   This will be my last post of 2022 as I am going to enjoy some family time for the next few weeks.  I will be posting some pictures on my IG account, so stay tuned for some new content.

Wishing you happy holidays, and a healthy 2023!
Sara

Weekly meals Dec. 12 – Dec. 16

Meal updates from last week:
The chicken Milanese and shepherds pie were a hit last week.  I love the BLT salad and didn’t get a chance to make the chicken with udon noodles.  This weekend we did waffle dinner for the kids Friday, the adults ordered sushi, and Saturday night we were out for another holiday party at the Fairmont Palliser.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, we don’t have Friday plans, but are heading to another party Saturday and then heading for family Christmas Sunday.

• Classy chicken from @bestofbridge this was exactly what everyone needed after a busy holiday weekend.
• Greek turkey rice bowls from @greensnchocolate to save time I will buy tzatziki instead of making my own.
• Shrimp and rice noodle stir fry from @weelicious I will be using the udon noodles from last week’s shop.  I may just make this a veggie stir fry instead of adding the shrimp.
• BBQ chicken bowl with grilled veggies from @playswellwithbutter I am going to cook everything in the air fryer.
• Parmesan herb baked salmon from @skinnytaste I will serve this with steamed rice and green veggie or salad.  This is an amazing salmon recipe!

I would like to do some more holiday baking this week, I am thinking of making these peanut butter blossoms (kiss cookies) as well as these holiday sprinkle bars.  I am also taking these Rolo pretzels to our party on Saturday night, I will be making them GF.  On Sunday we are having our family Christmas, I am taking two side dishes and dessert.  Sides will be: turnips, roasted Brussles sprouts with butternut squash and for dessert cranberry shortbread bars from @stir.taste.smile.  You can access the recipe through her Instagram feed.  It will be a busy cooking and baking week, but I am looking forward to spending time time in my kitchen.  There won’t be a grocery list this week as my computer is down.  It will be back next week for our Christmas week list!  

Stay healthy,
Sara

Weekly meals Dec. 5 – Dec. 9

Meal updates from last week:
The fried rice was a hit!  I served it with some tempura shrimp that I bought from CO-OP, the BBQ chicken bowls continue to be a family favourite.  My husband and I eat them in bowl form and the kids eat theirs in buns.  The soup was good, but I think that the sausage minestrone from @foodnetwork is better.  We love the fish bowls, I used halibut and cooked as suggested in the air fryer, it was so delicious!  This weekend I was out with a girl friend on Friday and Saturday we went to our first holiday party.  Today we went to the teddy bear toss, all the holiday things all weekend long.  

This week we will be eating at home Monday-Thursday, Friday we are hosting our annual gingerbread house making.  Saturday we are off to another holiday party, and Sunday we have a kids party.  We are in full holiday swing in our house!

• Air fryer chicken Milanese from @wholeandheavenlyoven I will serve buttered pasta for the kids and a large salad for myself.
• White cheddar shepherds pie from @whatsgabycooking I will pre-make this and bake it before our crazy activity night!
• BLT salad with buttermilk dressing from @marthastewart we love this salad and I haven’t made it for a long time.
• Chicken Udon noodles from @cookrepublic 

Holiday baking continued this weekend with some gingersnap cookies, we now have two kinds of cookies baked and in the freezer.  I am still hoping to make the lemon thumbprint and perhaps something else?  shopping made even better with grocery list 35 22  

Stay healthy,
Sara

Weekly meals Dec. 20 – Dec. 24

Meal updates from last week:
We really enjoyed the turkey stir fry and then slow cooker chicken cacciatore.  My husband and kids devoured the broccoli and cheese soup, I didn’t make the buffalo chicken Milanese because my mom invited us for beef stew.  This weekend we ate at home Friday, I made a family favourite of Thai chicken and broccoli with noodles.  Saturday we went to a small gathering and I took turkey pesto meatballs from @weelicious.  Last night we had a store bought rotisserie chicken with a large salad.  

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Friday, for Christmas Eve I will be hosting my parents.  Christmas Day will be spent at my parent’s house.  I will share my eve, morning and dinner menus below.

• Greek sheet pan chicken souvlaki with potatoes from @halfbakedharvest
• Out for a family dinner
• BLT salad with buttermilk dressing from @marthastewart and cheese quesadillas for the kids.
• Stuffed pepper soup from @saltandlavendar

Christmas Eve Menu

• Charcuterie for an appetizer
• Air fryer baked ham
• Cabbage rolls (my mom’s making these)
• Waldorf inspired winter salad from @nocrumbsleft
• Lemon posset for dessert (I wanted to keep dessert on the lighter side)

Christmas morning menu

• Wife saver breakfast bake using: shredded hash browns, peppers, onions and mushrooms.  Adding eggs and cheese and baking.  This is a made-up recipe from my mother-in-law, but you can find a similar recipe here.
• Christmas morning muffins from @nigellalawson
• Fresh fruit

Christmas dinner menu

• Roasted turkey
• Mashed potatoes
• Turnips
• Maple soy Brussels sprouts 
• Large salad, usually we make hail to the kale
• Sausage and herb stuffing
• Gravy
• Buns and cranberry sauce from @empireprovisions
• Dessert: shortbread, tarts and a cranberry cake.

So far this holiday season I have baked four different types of cookies: chewy ginger molasses cookies, snickerdoodle kiss cookies,  Andes mint cookies (I couldn’t find the Andes mints so I used After Eight) and Turtle stuffed shortbread from @dinnerwithjulie.  I don’t think that there will be anymore baking for the rest of the season, I have been really happy with all of the cookies I chose.  I have been gifting small trays of them for the last week.  I like to add some chocolates and gummy candies to all of the trays.  

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and happy holiday!

Sara

Weekly meals Dec. 13 – Dec. 17

I’m back!  Last week I took a short hiatus from meal planning, and spent the weekend away with my mom.  It was wonderful to get away and even better to take some time away from my kitchen.  I cooked three meals last week when I got home and will share them below.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, Friday my son has a basketball tournament and Saturday we will be going to a Christmas gathering.  Thursday marks the start of winter break for myself and the kids!  We are excited to spend time with family and friends, hopefully get out skiing, skating and sledding.  
Last week’s recipes:

• Beef and veggie soup from @cooksillustrated this site requires a login, but you can find a similar recipe here.
• Baked shrimp with feta and olives from @thebeachhousekitchen I served this with some egg noodles.
• Sticky apricot chicken with roasted broccoli from @howsweeteats

This week’s recipes

• Tonight we ordered pizza and I made a delicious Italian chopped salad from @loveandlemons original recipe is from @whatsgabycooking
• Ground turkey stir fry from @saltandlavender
• Slow cooker chicken cacciatore from @foodiecrush I will serve this with egg noodles.
• Broccoli cheese soup from @averiecooks this will be for my husband and kids, I am heading out for sushi with some friends.
• Buffalo-style chicken Milanese from @thedefineddish I will make some fries for the kids.

This weekend the kids and I made some snickerdoodle kiss cookies, we love the flavour of the cinnamon and sugar.  This recipe makes a large amount of cookies, so I put half in the freezer for last minute guests and gifting.  I would still like to make some mint cookies, but not sure if I will have the time this week.  It is always nice to have a variety of cookies to give as hostess gifts, or to drop off with neighbours and friends.  This week’s grocery list wasn’t cooperating with me so you will have to wait another week!

Stay healthy,
Sara

Weekly meals Nov. 29 – Nov. 3

Meal updates from last week:
We ate leftover burritos for lunch all week, and I have to say that they continue to taste better as they sit in the fridge.  We loved the minestrone with sausage and kale, it is a soup that I never get tired of eating.  We also really enjoyed the Thai chicken and rice bowls.  I didn’t get the chance to make the veggie melts as I was too tired, instead I made the kids pita pizzas and I had a bowl of tomato soup.  This weekend my husband and I were out Friday for a work event, and we ordered Thai takeaway with friends on Saturday night.  Today we went and cut down our Christmas trees it was a wonderful day filled with sunshine and our favourite people.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, Friday I am off for a weekend away with my mom.  I am taking the kids to see Santa on Monday and I will feed them at the food court after our visit.  

• BBQ steaks, sauteed mushrooms and a spinach salad with pears, apples, almonds, cranberries, feta and a simple Dijon vinaigrette.  Find a similar salad recipe here.
• BBQ chicken bowls with sweet potatoes and coleslaw from @40aprons this is one of my favourite one bowl recipes.
• Cuban picadillo from @skinnytaste I will serve this with some steamed rice.
• Pasta e Fagioli from @cookieandkate I love her recipes and think that this one sounds great.

There won’t be time for baking this week, I hope to continue with more holiday baking next week when I am home from my short trip.  I also found a recipe for Andes mint cookies that sound amazing!  I might have to add these to my holiday baking list.  Make your weekly shop easier by using grocery list 21 36

Stay healthy,
Sara