food

5/7/2023 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis weekend was so busy. Birthday Party, clothing swap, meal prep, making cookies, laundry, house cleaning, and yes… meal planning.

The freezer and fridge is organized and the meals are planned for the upcoming week and beyond.

Our Yasukochi Family Farms  CSA box is usually delivered on Mondays, but we’re taking a break for the next month to eat up what we’ve got. I’ve been stashing the extra fruits and veggies in the freezer over the past 2 months. When I do veggie prep each week, I make up bags of vegetables to use at a later time.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101-style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. The big kid brings his lunch every day, and the little one buys her lunch about half the time.

Dinner: I’m making sure to start our meals with lots of veggies. Now that I’m back in the gym and the kids are both in Martial Arts, we need to fuel our bodies properly.

  • Sunday: Chicken Strips, Mac and cheese, orange and apple slices
  • Monday: Breakfast sandwiches (eggs, cheese, onions and peppers, and sausage on ciabatta rolls), fruit salad

  • Tuesday:  Cauliflower & broccoli cheese soup and rolls

  • Wednesday: Split Pea and Ham Soup, fruit salad, cheese toast

  • Thursday: Protein shakes, fruit, cheese, and crackers

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftover night

Family Recipe: Wet Burrito Casserole

Abby H.

This recipe is 100% Midwestern hotdish and 0% South of the Border. It is, however, pretty good. My brother recently texted me and asked for this recipe. It was a favorite of my dad.

Ingredients:

  • 1lb ground beef
  • 1 can of refried beans
  • 1 envelope taco seasoning 
  • 2 cups Mexican cheese
  • 8-10 taco-sized flour tortillas
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup 
  • 1 small tub sour cream

Directions:

  1. Cook ground beef per taco package directions, once cooked and seasoned, add beans and combine.
  2. Spread 1/4-1/2 cup of beans/beef inside the tortilla, top with a sprinkle of cheese, roll up and place seam side down in greased baking dish.
  3. Once the dish is full, top with a soup and sour cream mixture. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  4. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
  5. Serve with Spanish Rice and a Salad Kit (I like the Avocado Ranch chopped salad kit from Taylor Ranch)

May is National Salad Month!

Abby H.

May is National Salad Month and we are 100% here to celebrate.

Here are some of my family’s favorite salad recipes:

And if you are looking for an awesome salad bowl to take your creation to a potluck, this is my favorite bowl with a lid!

A few of my other salad must-haves are this lettuce knife, these salad tongs, and of course, this salad dressing bottle with recipes on the outside to help you stretch your creativity.

4/30/2023 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThe first week of a new month and we are hitting the ground running.

I’m organizing the freezer today, and we’ve got tons of produce from last week’s jumbo CSA box we got last week.

Our Yasukochi Family Farms  CSA box is usually delivered on Mondays, but we’re taking a break for the next month to eat up what we’ve got. I’ve been stashing the extra fruits and veggies in the freezer over the past 2 months. When I do veggie prep each week, I make up bags of vegetables to use at a later time.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101-style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. The big kid brings his lunch every day, and the little one buys her lunch about half the time.

Dinner: I’m making sure to start our meals with lots of veggies. Now that I’m back in the gym and the kids are both in Martial Arts, we need to fuel our bodies properly.

  • Sunday: Meaty Pasta Bake, Garlic Bread
  • Monday: Chipotle Honey Chicken thighs (Recipe will be posted this week), Jasmine Rice, Spinach Salad

  • Tuesday:  Fritatta, Fruit Salad, toast

  • Wednesday: Veggie Tuscon Soup, Cheese Toast

  • Thursday:Nuggets, mac n’ cheese, fruit, cheese, and crackers

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftover night

Yasukochi Family Farms Mother’s Day Sale!

Abby H.

Mother’s Day is around the corner and if your mom is like mine, the gift of fresh fruit and veggies (and a bouquet of flowers) is the perfect way to say I love you!

Yasukochi Family Farms has two great options this Mother’s Day:

a 1-month (4 weeks) subscription of regular boxes of farm fresh fruits and veggies with 1 small bouquet of flowers (1st week only) for $108

OR

 A 1-month (4 weeks) subscription of jumbo boxes of farm fresh fruits and veggies with 1 small bouquet of flowers (1st week only) for $130.

The first delivery will occur between 5/8-5/12 (depending on which day your mom’s area receives deliveries). To order or learn more, click here.

Zero Sugar Vitaminwater® Chatterbox!

Abby H.

Check out this awesome party opportunity from Chatterbox!  Be one of the first to try vitaminwater®‘s two new delicious zero-sugar flavors: with love raspberry dark chocolate and forever you coconut lime. Whether you’re craving an indulgent pick-me-up or a refreshing tropical beverage break, vitaminwater® has you covered. Now made with monk fruit and stevia, plant-based sweetener.

Selected participants of this Chatterbox will receive a Walmart gift card to try both new flavors! In return, you’ll be asked to write reviews of each flavor and share photos of your experience.

To apply, click here!

4/17/2023 Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis past week was PACKED. I finally sat down to write up my meal plan yesterday, and forgot to hit submit until right now!

Spring break is over and we are all back to school and work. Out-of-town guests have gone home, and we are back to our regular routine!

I did a little meal prep yesterday, including testing out a new pizza dough recipe, but the real prep will be this afternoon!

Our Yasukochi Family Farms  CSA box is delivered on Mondays, and that is a huge help when it comes to meal planning.

We’ve got a few Dream Dinners for the week, and I’m really looking forward to Somona Steaks!

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101-style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. The big kid brings his lunch every day, and the little one buys her lunch about half the time. Dinner: I’m making sure to start our meals with lots of veggies. Now that I’m back in the gym and the kids are both in Martial Arts, we need to fuel our bodies properly.

  • Sunday: Clean out the Fridge Night!
  • Monday: Dream Dinner, Rice, Roasted Veggies

  • Tuesday:  Fritatta, Fruit Salad, toast

  • Wednesday: Nuggets, mac n’ cheese, fruit, cheese and crackers

  • Thursday: Dream Dinner (Steaks), Green Salad, Roasted Veggies

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Homemade pizza, salad, veggie tray

Family Recipe: Albondigas (Meatball Soup)

Abby H.

I learned to make this soup originally in High School Food and Nutrition class. The teacher was very big on low fat, low carb (it was the 90’s), so I’ve made a lot of changes from the original recipe to include more vegetables, aromatics, and herbs/spices.

Thankfully our  Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box loads us up weekly on locally grown, farm fresh veggies. All the veggies I used in this recipe came from our CSA box!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef (I use 80/20)
  • 1/3 cup uncooked rice (don’t use instant rice. I used jasmine rice)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 c plain bread crumbs 
  • 1 T. Parsley
  • 1 T. Olive oil
  • 2 T. Minced garlic
  • 2 carrots peeled and chopped
  • 2 ribs of celery, chopped 
  • 1/2 yellow or white onion, diced
  • 1 potato, peeled and diced
  • 2 15-ish oz. cans diced, peeled tomatoes
  • 2 green zucchini or calabaza (Mexican Squash), cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 T. Penzeys Penzeys Salsa & Pico Seasoning
  • 6 cups chicken or veggie stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, rice, egg, breadcrumbs, and parsley. Form small meatballs, and set aside until all the meat is balled up. 
  2. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil and fry meatballs, turning frequently so all sides are browned.
  3. Remove meatballs, and set aside. Keep the drippings in the Dutch oven.
  4. In the Dutch oven, over medium heat, sauté carrots, onions, celery, and potatoes for about 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent. 
  5. Add in the garlic, continuing to cook over medium heat, until garlic is fragrant.
  6. After garlic is fragrant, turn heat down to low, add in remaining ingredients, including the meatballs that have been patiently waiting. Cover with a tight fitting lid, and allow to simmer for 15-30 minutes, giving time for the ingredients to mingle, and the meatballs will swell slightly, as the rice in them cooks. 

 

This recipes serves 6-8. It freezes well and is so good topped with a little queso fresco, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime and a little hot sauce. 

If you don’t eat beef, you can use any other ground meat. I’ve never used faux ground “beef”, so I can’t vouch for it. 

4/9/2023 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

We finished up our first week of spring break! Next week we’re hitting up the zoo or Safari Park, maybe a few museums at Balboa Park, and if it stays warm, we may go swimming at our community pool.

The 2023 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

There are some pretty sweet freebies this week- Let’s Dive In!

Freebies:

Free Hershey’s Kisses at Select Stores
Free Flock Chicken Skin Crisps After Rebate
Free His Only Son Movie Ticket
Free Braille Book Every Month
Free Enjoy Life Breakfast Ovals
Free Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Temporary Tattoo
Free Pack of Once Again Cracker Sandwiches
Free Halfday Tea After Rebate
Free 8×10 Photo Print at CVS
Free Albanese Gummi Bears Sample at Sam’s
Free Gamer Supps GG Energy Sample Pack
Free La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen Sample
Free Bottle of Pedialyte at Walmart
Free Minute Maid Aguas Frescas Chatterbox
Free Sample of AERIN Amber Musk Eau de Parfum
Hidden Valley Ranchology Rewards – Free Samples, Tote Bag & More
Free Mexican Fruit Fly Temporary Tattoo
Free 6 oz. Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste at Big Lots
Free Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum Sample

 

Deals:

Shea Moisture Recovery Masque ONLY $1.46 (Reg $3.29)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 ONLY $169 (Reg $349.99)
Today ONLY: $10 Women’s and Girls Shorts at Old Navy
Nexxus Travel Shampoo ONLY $1.99 (Reg $4.99)
Titan Deep Freeze 8qt Roll Top Cooler ONLY $14.99 (Reg $24.99)
Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop ONLY $69 (Reg $100)
Kate Spade Harlow Crossbody ONLY $59 (Reg $279)

Dream Dinners: Lower Minimum Order, Lots of Tasty Options!

Abby H.

Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!

If you haven’t tried Dream Dinners yet, now is the perfect time! They have lowered their minimum orders to three meals. And April has some of my favorite meals:

  • Chicken with Honey, Garlic, and Orange with Oven Roasted Broccoli
  • Chateau Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce
  • Sonoma Grilled Steak
  • Tuscan Chicken Bake
  • Classic French Dip and Au Jus

I am picking up my Dream Dinners order tomorrow afternoon, and it is definitely coming in the clutch over spring break. We’ll be able to have our usual fun adventures and I’ll be able to get dinner on the table.

If you want to learn more, find your local Dream Dinner location, or place an order, click here.