Lovely Meals Lately: August 2025

Hey pals! My kids are officially back in school and we're heading to Ohio to see family tomorrow. Back to school always makes me feel like the summer is over and I swear it goes by exponentially faster each year!

Obviously I still have to pack so we'll keep this short n' sweet. Onto the good eats!

Have I ever loved a veg main more than I love my new Mediterranean tofu bowls with eggplant and tahini yogurt? NOPE.

I've been so focused on other brownies on my site (LOL) that I forgot about my date-sweetened sweet potato brownies! These are SO thick and fudgy. The texture is incredible and they're ridiculous with vanilla ice cream and flaky salt.

You all told me you loved higher protein cottage cheese recipes, so I shared a few really amazing ones recently! This lightened up broccoli cheese casserole is seriously one of my favorite sides ever. (And no, you can't taste the cottage cheese!)

Epic healthy banana pudding with cottage cheese on repeat for afternoon snacks! Crushed graham crackers on top not optional.

Frozen s'mores have been the hit of the summer! Lay 9 square graham crackers (I like the TJ's ones) in an 8x8 inch baking dish, flat side up. Cover with ½ cup melted chocolate chips. Freeze for 10 min to set then top with ¾ tub Truwhip. Top with 9 more grahams. Freeze for 2 hours, slice and eat!

For lunches I usually make some kind of fast chickpea salad with whatever veg I have in the fridge. This one had sautéed zucchini and the white part of green onions, some green olives, feta, dried dill, fresh parsley, red wine vin, and EVOO.

The are my favorite easy fish tacos! I actually love the frozen wild mahi mahi from Target. I defrost two pounds and pat it dry. Cover each fillet liberally in taco seasoning then sear a few minutes per side in an oiled cast iron skillet.

Serve in tortillas with guac and slaw! I made a taco sauce with Greek yogurt and sriracha, too. SO GOOD.

I've been saving leftover bread to make these easy blueberry French toast muffins with Greek yogurt. Kids approve.

We've been loving this 20-minute creamy pesto pasta with cottage cheese for a super simple dinner!

I brought this baked feta dip to a friend's with tomatoes and basil from our garden and baguette for dipping.

30-min Mexican stuffed peppers for an easy, satisfying weeknight din.

Our new thing is Jeff picks (and usually makes) dinner on Saturday to ease my mental meal planning load. Last week he picked these meatball subs and they were really fun and a nice change of pace! Variety goes such a long way.

I made my cottage cheese cookie dough bites for the kids but used yogurt and added ¼ tsp salt and cocoa powder. Yum!

Greek yogurt with a juicy summer peach. Nothin' better!

Easy lunch: scrambled eggs, Siete's charro beans, tomatoes with Aleppo pepper flakes and feta (Whole Foods' 365 one in brine is my favorite),

Jeff made my honey mustard cauliflower, sweet potato, and chicken casserole for dinner when I was with the kids all day and it was DELISH.

Gladys is one of my favorite restaurants in Denver, and it's all plant based! The food is so innovative and tastes INCREDIBLE every time.

We ordered the charred scallion cream gnocchi, miso parm caesar salad with tofu, cabbage crunch salad with chili oil, and the salted chocolate chunk cookie for dessert, obviously.

Friday pizza night forever and always!

Things I'm Loving Lately

1. I got this denim boyfriend style button-down on sale for 30% off and I've worn it nearly every day since (wearing it as I write this!). It's lightweight, soft (100% cotton), and just so easy to grab when you need a layer.
2. The perfect comfy, flattering dress you can dress up does exist!! (And it's $30). I wear it unbuttoned.
3. I've been hooked on making matcha lattes at home and I really love this ceremonial grade matcha. I put 1 tsp in my Nespresso frother with soy milk and a good squeeze of raw honey (the Kirkland 3-pack from Costco).
4. Obsessed this gorgeous tiered dress I'm wearing to my cousin's bar mitzvah on Saturday with this fun green marble purse!
5. TV wise, we finished Stick and loved it. We just started Waterfront and it's definitely entertaining.
6. Jeff and I are both listening to a parenting book our friend recommended called No Drama Discipline. I always find myself in a better mental place with my kids in tough times when I'm intentionally consuming helpful and encouraging information. I've really enjoyed the book and am taking so much from it. It's built on the loving, sturdy approach I already know and love from Dr. Becky, Big Little Feelings, and other experts we turn to for parenting wisdom.
7. I'm soooo excited to be seeing Russel Dickerson in concert in Columbus next month! I have my eye on these high cowboy boots and this long sleeve denim romper.

LMK in the comments the best thing you've eaten lately!