Blog
“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.
Sharing Spend Smart. Eat Smart. – With a Fellow Mama!
Christine kicked off our newest blog series in June by interviewing her mom, Betsy. It was fun to read about her mom’s food memories and her favorite recipes!
Have a Berry Sweet Summer!
I grew up in Delaware and have fond memories of visiting a blueberry farm every summer with my family. We always left the farm with full bellies and big buckets of plump berries to take home. Our summers consisted of everything blueberry- blueberry pancakes, blueberry jam, and lots of blueberry milkshakes. My family’s love for berries has been passed down to our almost four-year-old daughter, Brynn, who on most days would prefer berries over ice cream as a sweet treat!
Canned and Frozen Produce Over Fresh? Give it a Try!
Last month Jody wrote a blog highlighting tips to help us save money at the grocery store. Recently I have found that some of the fresh produce I used to buy on a regular basis has started to increase my family’s grocery bill. To lower my grocery bill but still get the same nutritional benefits, I have found that swapping in canned and frozen produce options has worked out well for many recipes that my family enjoys. Below are a few tips for purchasing these options.