Blog
“Mom, What’s for Dinner”?
As a busy mom to two kids under 5, I get asked “mom, what’s for dinner?” around the same time every day. To help me stay organized, every Saturday I decide on a meal plan devoted strictly to dinners for the upcoming week. By looking at each day individually I have a better idea of how much time I will have to devote to preparing dinner. This also helps me track which days my family has evening commitments that may make it more difficult to prepare a time-intensive meal.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside! Staying Active During Iowa Winters
I am not the biggest fan of Iowa winters. I grew up on the coast with mild winters. My first experience in Iowa, where the temperatures reached single digits and schools were still open, was an adjustment! One thing that has stuck with me since relocating to a colder state is ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’. Now that I have two young kids at home, it’s important to keep my family as active as I can during the winter to burn off their energy while increasing mine.
The Breakfast that Makes Itself!
I am not the biggest fan of warm oatmeal. I never seem to get the consistency right making it either too runny or too dry. Though I don’t like traditional oatmeal, I do love using old fashioned and quick oats when I bake. Over the years I have found that my container of oats sometimes sits in the kitchen cabinet untouched for months. Cue Overnight Oats! This is a great breakfast option that uses oats as one of the star ingredients. Not only do I get to use an item in my kitchen that would normally sit on the shelf (sometimes past its prime), but I also have a nutritious breakfast that I can grab and go when I am in a bit of a rush.
“Mom, I’m hungry!”
As a mom of two young kids, it seems like I spend most of my day preparing meals and snacks. Now that my oldest is back at preschool, having planned snacks during the week saves me a lot of time when we are running to and from activities. I love snacks that can be thrown together quickly and are easy to transport wherever we find ourselves throughout the day.
Katy’s Go-To Summer Meal
My family’s schedule is picking up now that summer is in full swing. Even though my kids are little (4.5 years & 10 months), I find that we are constantly on the go. Whether we are at the pool, a playground, or simply playing outside after naps, having quick dinners that don’t take a lot of time to prep and clean-up is a must!
Breakfast at Katy’s
I will be the first to admit that mornings at my house can be chaotic. Getting a preschooler and a 9-month-old ready for school drop off can be quite the challenge. Now that we are rounding the corner to summer break, I know our mornings will become slightly more relaxed. But our days will soon fill up with warm weather activities. Having a filling breakfast can ensure that we have enough energy to keep up with our busy schedules.
“More Green Trees, please”
Broccoli is a staple vegetable in both the fridge and freezer at my house. My preschooler has always loved broccoli- especially if it is steamed or roasted. When she was younger, she would request broccoli with her meals by asking for the “tiny green trees”. Thankfully all of us enjoy broccoli so it is an easy request to fulfill. Below are a few ways that we include tiny green trees into our meals and snacks.
My Top 3 Reasons to Roast a Chicken
Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite meal to cook. I love the smell of a roasting turkey and making multiple meals with the leftovers is the best. One downside to roasting a turkey is that it takes several hours, and whole turkeys are harder to find at the store after the holidays. Having two young kids, I need quick meals that don’t require many ingredients yet provide me with leftovers to use throughout the week. Cue roasted chicken! Roasting a whole chicken is easy and helps me create several meals from one dish. The aroma while it cooks is a bonus 😊.
Late Night Meal Planning
Have you heard the saying “New Year, New Me”? Once the calendar shifted to January, my personal email was flooded with ways to create new fitness and eating habits, new wardrobe suggestions, tips on how to become a better parent, and the list went on and on. The start of a new year tends to get people thinking about New Year’s resolutions and setting goals for themselves. I have never been one to set a New Year’s resolution but having a 5-month-old and a 4-year-old at home, I have decided this is a great year to set some intentionality for my late-night habit!
A Staple in My Freezer
Growing up, my mom was always quick to make my sisters and me soup when we were feeling under the weather. A big bowl of soup has always provided me a bit of comfort during times when I have needed it the most. As an adult with my own children, I find myself doing the same thing when my preschooler isn’t feeling well. Recently my entire family came down with a bad cold. Luckily, I had chicken noodle soup in my freezer. In a matter of a few minutes, we were able to have a delicious, comforting meal!
Flipping for Pancakes!
Pancakes, or as my preschooler used to call them ‘pam-papes’, are a fan favorite at our house. Below are the top 5 reasons why I am always on board when pancakes are requested for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Give Plant-Based Protein a Try!
A few years ago, I made the decision to make 2-3 meatless dinners a week. After our daughter turned one, I was hopeful that making this change would be a great way to introduce her to new foods. While searching for meatless recipes, I came to realize there were several benefits from eating plant-based protein a few times a week! Our grocery bills are lower and the health benefits that come with swapping out protein sources is a bonus.