Lovely Meals Lately: October 2025

Happy mid-October, my friends! How are we? I had a tennis lesson last night (SO fun to have a new hobby) and it was 50 degrees--fall has arrived. And I was freezing.

Jeff and I went out at 8pm (our bedtime) Saturday night and it felt so good to get dressed up!

I would LOVE to know--what's a recipe you'd love me to create right now? I could really use from inspo from my long time readers!

I just sent an email about my fave filling salads lately--be sure to subscribe if you're not on the list. And here's September's Lovely Meals Lately ICYMI.

Last thing: I made a guide with my favorite store-bought healthier kids snacks per your request! Enjoy 😉

Meals I'm Loving Lately

Very into my new cozy red lentil carrot soup for a delish, high fiber lunch! I had a pack of steamed beets from TJ's and lots of feta (the big white 365 tub in brine from Whole Foods is my fave) so I had that on the side mixed with butter lettuce, olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried mint, and salt.

My dad requested this meal for dinner when he visited: my favorite lightened up broccoli cheese casserole, grilled BBQ chicken, baked potatoes with Greek yogurt, and butter lettuce salad.

The boys wanted blender apple oatmeal waffles Saturday morning (this 4-waffle maker is the best) and I was happy to deliver! I forgot how good these are with salted PB and maple syrup.

And on other days, a pancake mix is life-changing. I got this fun pumpkin one on sale in my last Thrive Market order (get 30% off!).

I make air-fried tofu and some veg weekly to throw on anything. This was basically my Mediterranean tofu and eggplant but air-fried.

Cube super firm pressed tofu and toss with EVOO and whatever spices--I often do kosher salt, garlic powder and za'atar. (I did the same with the eggplant pictured.) Air fry for about 15 minutes at 375F. I paired them with sweet potatoes, an heirloom tomato from our garden, and tahini yogurt sauce plus dried mint on top! Does it get any better?!

Another example of a little food prep, this week with a bag of pre-trimmed green beans which is so easy! Plus chicken breasts for Jeff's lunches.

We had some friends over for Rosh Hashanah last month and it was such a tasty spread! I made my arugula pomegranate farro salad, roasted potatoes and sweet potato wedges, air-fried green beans with sesame seeds, and grilled honey mustard chicken. My friend brought challah and a great salad with apples and fresh mozzarella.

More of the arugula salad for lunch the next day with a torn cheese stick (mom life) and rotisserie chicken. Yum!

Will I ever stop making this pumpkin bread? Probably not.

Quick edamame chicken salad with sesame soy dressing is another fave fresh lunch lately packed with nutrition.

It's tuna noodle casserole szn!! Jeff asks for this when I make him partake in dinner planning. Paired with a very random tomato, cucumber, feta salad to once again use up garden veg (I was out of our usual romaine).

This emerald kale salad with peanut vinaigrette was a fun change for weekend lunches! Jeff had grilled chicken with his and I added edamame. I found the roasted peanut oil at Whole Foods under their 365 brand but I think toasted sesame oil would be great, too.

Wild mahi mahi pan (I use this) covered in Siete taco seasoning then seared in the cast-iron with olive oil. Make an easy cilantro yogurt sauce by blending Greek yogurt, cilantro, de-seeded jalapeño, lime/lemon juice, salt and coriander and serve with shredded cabbage. These fish tacos are a go-to dinner for us!

When I visited Columbus recently, I was SO excited to go to Paulie Gee's, home of the best Detroit-style pizza ever. It was as good as I remembered!

What would a Cbus visit be without multiple Alchemy smoothie bowls?!

I also brought home two chocolate chip and two chocolate truffle cookies from Northstar...we have not found a better cookie. Jeff was so happy.

Stuff I'm Loving Lately

• Just finished I'm Glad my Mom Died, a memoir about child star Jennette McCurdy's troubling relationship with her mom and it was...wow. Quite a story and I flew through it!
• Now I'm listening to Stanley Tucci's memoir Taste: My Life Through Food and it's so enjoyable. A food romance!
• I've been using this lash serum for 3 months and my lashes have never been so long. It's actually crazy! I apply it every night. I can't recommend it enough if you're looking for longer lashes.
• Loving this $10 set of two 15oz kids straw tumblers for milk, smoothies, etc...a steal!
• I wore these black boots to a friend's 40th bday party and got so many compliments! They're also super cute with jeans and a sweater.
• I ordered this Quince small black bag and it's sooo pretty and amazing quality--under $100.
• I am living in this pocket oversized sweatshirt! It's so cute with leggings and not too thick. I got XS in light gray.

What's the best thing you ate lately?! Leave a comment--I LOVE hearing from you!