A Different Lovely Meals Lately: March 2024

Friends! Hi. I haven't posted since February because for the past couple months, I have not been in the mood for anything (except Charlie's cheeks). It's so bizarre. It's like when I'm pregnant and nothing sounds good, but I'm not actually pregnant.

Aaand it's my job to make fun food! I hesitated posting this because it's rather uninspiring but then I thought, I can't possibly be the only one that feels this from time to time.

Maybe it's stress. Maybe it's grief. Whatever it is, it's there, and I'm choosing to be curious versus judgmental about it. (And as you can see below, I'm clearly eating meat again.)

Sometimes what's most inspiring is real life in all its dull glory. The humbling recognition that life is always flowing in different directions and all we can do is choose how we ride the waves.

Arguably the most important conclusion is this: we are not what we eat. Food is not my identity [anymore].

So here's to busy/sad/uninspired/fill-in-the-blank seasons where what you're having for lunch is the least exciting part of your day. You're not alone!

Lovely Meals

I've made my healthy carrot cake at east 75 times at this point.

In my era of not prepping lunch means Good Culture cottage cheese, Crunchmaster crackers, strawberries and figuring the rest out later.

Testing my delish asparagus goat cheese quiche means easy leftovers. Winning!

Saturday dinner: Jeff grilled some organic hot dogs from Trader Joe's and we served them in brioche buns with baked beans, pickles, frozen fries, and leftover red cabbage slaw. Seriously so good; I went back for seconds!

We get the Bon Apetit magazine (such a reprieve looking at recipes not on screens lately) and I really love their recipes. This cabbage salad wasn't the simplest prep, but we both loved it for dinner served with rice. Go easy on the salt, though!

Here's the recipe!

Yogurt oatmeal with dark chocolate and strawberries on repeat!

Spinach banana muffins make the best easy breakfast for the kiddos (and me).

Turkey tacos are a go-to easy Sunday meal! I cook a pound of turkey or beef then add a cup of tomato sauce, a little water, and DIY taco seasoning. We serve them in whole wheat tortillas with salsa, cheese, guac, and shredded lettuce. Jeff's fave!

My vegan lasagna will forever be one of our go-to meals.

These oat flour waffles are a brunch staple.

The veg Cobb salad from Vital Root is texture and flavor heaven.

10-minute salmon salad, strawberries, carrots (didn't end up eating them LOL), and Mary's Gone Crackers.

Baked cod with tomatoes, which we hadn't had in forever! Served with our favorite roasted potatoes and salad.

Shoutout to our friend Michael who makes my peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on repeat and gets the best pics!

Thing's I'm Loving Lately

1. II Most Wanted by Miley and Beyonce...so wonderful. I'm really loving her Cowboy Carter album!
2. I flew through The Idea of You. I chose to listen to it and I loved the narrator. Great quick spicy romance that I couldn't put down. I'm on the second book of the ACOTAR series and I'm loving the fantasy.
3. I've needed a kitchen sink caddy for ages and I'm so glad I found the perfect one! No more stinky soap!
4. Just ordered these adorable bamboo s'mores jammies for Max (on sale!) plus a couple other pairs. Also snagged these straw cups for Charlie to use soon.
5. I want these crochet coverup pants.
6. Just ordered these black platform Teva sandals that I 100% will live in this summer.
7. I've been using this super affordable eyelash serum for 2 weeks now and I can already tell my lashes look longer. I'm excited about it!
8. A whole grain, lower-sugar apple rice cake snack that Max is obsessed with. Also these Made Good bars (some protein and fiber and not a ton of added sugar!).
9. My favorite trendy $13 sunglasses.
10. Next on my wanting to read list is The Women. I love everything by Kristin Hannah!