dinner

National Spaghetti Day Recipes!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Today is National Spaghetti Day, and what better way to celebrate than sharing some of my favorite recipes that feature the long, skinny pasta that almost everyone loves!

And if you are looking to try some different brands of spaghetti, here are a few of my favorites:

Family Recipe: Porcupine Meatballs

Abby H.Leave a comment
Isn’t he cute? He’s a juvenile porcupine in a tree!

I feel like I need to get this out of the way first thing: This recipe does not contain any porcupine meat. It’s called porcupine meatballs because the meatballs have rice in them, and they can stick out like porcupine quills.

Ok, so now that is out of the way, these meatballs first began to appear in American kitchens during the Great Depression. The use of rice as a binder and filler meant less meat could be used.

This is right as I poured the tomato sauce and seasonings into the pan.

I love these meatballs, and they are very quick and easy to make. They are incredible as leftovers and freeze well too (after they are cooked).

I use ground pork, but ground beef or ground turkey can also be used.

Porcupine Meatballs (serves 4-5)

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground pork, turkey, or beef
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup uncooked rice- I use basmati rice, but jasmine or plain white rice can also be used. Do not use parboiled or instant white rice.
  • 2 14-ish oz. Cans of Tomato sauce (or blend diced tomatoes until smooth)
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (to taste)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
This is how much they expand cooking in the sauce for 25 minutes!

Directions:

  1. To make meatballs, combine the meat, egg, breadcrumbs, and uncooked rice in a mixing bowl until well combined. Shape into approximately 15 meatballs. They will increase in size as they cook.
  2. In a large oiled skillet, brown the meatballs on all sides.
  3. Once they are browned, add tomato sauce and remaining ingredients. Cover with a lid, and cook on medium-low for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as you prefer.
  5. Serve with Texas toast/Garlic Bread/Hot French bread and a green salad or your preferred vegetable.

Tip: My youngest likes to sprinkle cheese on top.

Rubios- 2 Entrees for $16 Today & Tomorrow

Abby H.Leave a comment

If you are looking for an easy and inexpensive dinner option for tonight or tomorrow, Rubio’s has got you covered.

On 12/31 and 1/1/2025, use code NEWYEAR to receive two entrees for $16. There are a lot of great choices, and with a few extra sides, or even some chips and guac, this could be a meal for 4!

And don’t forget about their rewards program, where you can earn free food and discounts- plus they have a birthday freebie too!

Learn more about their rewards program here.

Does not include tax and gratuities. Offer not valid with other offers or discounts, including Taco Tuesday. Offer not valid on mix-n-match taco plates. Premium items available for an additional fee. Must use the code to get the offer. Additional restrictions may apply; see store for details. Manager reserves all rights.

$10 off Family Meals at Luna Grill (In-App)

Abby H.

This is a deal I can get behind.

I love Luna Grill; it replaced Daphne’s in our area as the fast casual Mediterranean restaurant.

App Exclusive: $10 off Family Meals

Redeem by 12/31 in the Luna Grill app for $10 off Family Meals portioned for 4 or 6.

I love these family meals. They are great for take-out night or for meal prep. Sometimes I want grilled chicken for lunch during the week, but I don’t want to fire up the grill. I pick up the Family Meal for 4 and portion it out in my lunchwear for the entire week. The meals for 4 (and 6) and super generous and can definately stretch a few more servings.  I usually get 6 lunches from a Family Meal for 4.

The family meals include your choice of kabobs served with seasonal veggies, rice, salad, pita, and a choice of hummus or sauce.

Discount applies to the base price of Family Meal for 4 or 6. Valid in the Luna Grill app through 12/31/2025. *Limit (1) offer per guest per visit. No cash value. Must be presented at time of purchase. Not valid with any other offers or promotions. No substitutions.

 

Shopkick- Your turkey just got a bonus!

Abby H.

I received this email from Skopkick, and if you haven’t already picked up a turkey… Here’s an offer that might sweeten the deal:

From now until 11/24, purchase our featured turkey (Butterball Frozen Whole Turkey, All Natural, 10-16 lbs., Serves 5-8) at Walmart and submit your receipt to earn 750 kicks back.

If you are new to Shopkick, I wrote about how it works (and a link to get you started) here.

 

10/06/25 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis weekend was a lot. I helped a couple friends with household stuff, sewed up a couple projects, cleaned my house and tackled the mountain of laundry, and did a little meal prep for lunches.

I’m trying to get back down to my pre-covid weight- I know it’s been 5 years, but I’ve had some health and family stuff come up since then, and I had major surgery last year. Now it’s time to do it.  I’m doing a lot of meal prep for lunches and snacks, and trying to keep dinners easy and light since I probably won’t be eating what the kiddos eat.

To keep my grocery budget down, I shop at Aldi (using Instacart, I wrote about how to do it here), our local Grocery Outlet, and use cashback rebates that offer a lot of 100% back (I write a post about some of my favorite apps here).

Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a slice of toast or a mini Cliff bar.

Lunch: M-F I pack myself and the kids’ lunches. I bring 5 lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the fridge. I pack the kids’ lunches each night before bed, except for the cold stuff and ice pack- those I put in when I get up in the morning. This week my lunch is Chicken Divan casserole with lots of broccoli.

Dinner: This week, dinners are lots of salads, fresh fruits, lean meats, and noodles. Mostly for the kids. They love them some starches.

I love me a good old-fashioned casserole, and so does the little one. The big one not so much, but he’ll drink a smoothie any day of the week, so I’m not terribly concerned about him not getting something nutritious in his belly.

  • Sunday:  Pizza for the kids (home-made of course), and I had fruit salad and a couple of hard-boiled eggs.
  • Monday: Cheddar brat pigs in a blanket, and fruit

  • Tuesday: Soup and Salad (and possibly garlic flatbread too)

  • Wednesday: Sweet and Sour Chicken with broccoli and rice

  • Thursday: Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, and veggies (it was so good last week, and I have another jar of sauce in the cupboard)

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and whatever leftover fruit is hanging around.

9/29/2025 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgY’all- Getting old is rough. Living through unprecedented times constantly is tiring. This week’s meal plan is another easy one.

Breakfast: We tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a bagel.

Lunch: M-F I pack myself and the kids’ lunches. I bring 5 lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the fridge. I pack the kids’ lunches each night before bed, except for the cold stuff and ice pack- those I put in when I get up in the morning.

Dinner: This week, for dinner, I chose meals that require almost no prep, since I didn’t do a long meal prep session over the weekend. I opted for a 3-hour nap on Saturday afternoon.

I may opt for a casserole on Tuesday; we’ll see how I’m feeling and how hot it is that day.

I love me a good old-fashioned casserole, and so does the little one. The big one not so much, but he’ll drink a smoothie any day of the week, so I’m not terribly concerned about him not getting something nutritious in his belly.

  • Sunday:  Pizza and Best Salad Ever
  • Monday: Elote chicken enchiladas and green salad

  • Tuesday: Smoothies or fruit salad and grilled cheese

  • Wednesday: Sweet and Sour Chicken with broccoli and rice

  • Thursday: Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, and veggies

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and fruit salad

Weekly Meal Plan Posts are Back!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI tried y’all.

After seven months, it’s time to bring back the weekly meal plan post. And it’s to hold myself accountable. Everyone’s been fed, so that’s not the problem. The problem lies in that unless I have something staring me in the face saying, “Hey, this is what you’re eating tonight!!” I will just ignore that and graze like a raccoon. Everybody’s fed. The kids always have a nutritious dinner, but I will just stand in front of an open cupboard and eat crackers out of a box. Or I will eat a cheese stick and handfuls of greens like it’s dinosaur time.

So my hope is that when I  write out this whiteboard weekly meal plan, I will hold myself to it.

The whiteboard has been repurposed yet again, and it’s ready for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Breakfast: We tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a bagel.

Lunch: M-F I pack myself and the kids’ lunches. I bring 5 lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the fridge. I pack the kids lunches each night before bed, except for the cold stuff and ice pack- those I put in when I get up in the morning.

Dinner: This week, for dinner, I chose some easier options to ease back into meal planning.

Now that it is fall and it is officially soup time (even though it’s like 90° outside most of the time) I will be making a big batch of soup once a week, so I will have soup for lunches and for dinner at least one to two nights during the week. This week’s soup is Zuppa Toscana. I also have a casserole planned for this week.

I love me a good old-fashioned casserole, and so does the little one. The big one not so much, but he’ll drink a smoothie any day of the week, so I’m not terribly concerned about him not getting something nutritious in his belly.

  • Sunday:  Soup and fruit salad
  • Monday: Pizza, Pasta, and Salad

  • Tuesday: Chicken, Rice, & Broccoli Casserole with Cheese Toast

  • Wednesday:  Sandwiches or Smoothies

  • Thursday: Quesadillas, Beans & Rice

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and fruit salad

Recipe: Southwest Chipotle Dense Bean Salad

Abby H.

Our Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box arrived on Monday, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to incorporate a bunch of the veggies into a dense bean salad.

Last night I was struck by inspiration, and I got to chopping.

This salad came together in less than 15 minutes, and it’s so good. I’ll be having it for lunch for the next few days.

 

Chipotle Dense Bean Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 purple onion, diced and soaked in ice water
  • 2 small cucumbers, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large tomato, chopped into bite-sized pieces and deseeded
  • 1 bell pepper (I used green, use whatever you’ve got), diced
  • The corn from 1 ear of corn
  • 1 15 oz. can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Chop the veggie ingredients and combine in a mixing bowl.
  2. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of dressing (recipe below), toss salad, and add in cheese cubes.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

Chipotle Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 3 T. Honey or agave syrup
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (or your favorite neutral oil)
  • 2 chipotle peppers (from a can in adobo sauce)
  • 3 T. adobo sauce
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced (or the equivalent in jarlic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. In a blender or food processor, add all of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
  2. Store the unused portion in the fridge for up to a week.

The nice part about this salad is that it easily made vegan by swapping honey for agave syrup, and omitting the cheese or swapping in a vegan cheese substitute.

The salad is naturally Gluten Free and vegetarian.

Kids Eat Free at Rubio’s Thursdays in July!

Abby H.

When you join the Rubio’s Rewards Program (download the app found wherever you get apps), you can score a FREE KIDS MEAL every Thursday in July.

Sounds like a pretty decent deal to me, especially if you and your munchkin like Rubio’s!

For Rewards Members Only. Offer valid for one (1) free kids’ meal with purchase of any entrée. Entrées include two taco plates, burritos, salads, bowls, Shrimp Trio, and The Coastal Trio®. Excludes tasting plates and kids’ meals. Not available for third-party delivery orders. Not valid with any other offer or discount. One offer permitted per transaction. Upcharges for extras and premium items may apply. No substitutions. No cash value. Valid at participating restaurants only. Only valid on the following days: 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, and 7/31/2025