Blog

Fresh Fall Finds
The fall produce is here! Even though it means letting go of tomatoes fresh from the farm or garden, I enjoy switching up my meals to feature what’s in season. Here in Iowa the fall produce is coming in and some people even have it in their gardens. We’ll see dark greens, winter squash, and root vegetables like parsnips and sweet potatoes showing up at farmers markets.

Sweet Snacks for Sweet Moments
Recently a friend of mine welcomed their third baby. When my husband and I brought our oldest home from the hospital six years ago, we had several friends and family drop off meals and snacks as we transitioned to becoming new parents. Not having to worry about meal planning those first few weeks was so helpful as we navigated sleepless nights and new routines. With my friend bringing home their third, figuring out what to feed their two older children could have been quite the chore!

Granola
This summer I’m enjoying yogurt parfaits for breakfast. My favorite combination is vanilla yogurt, granola, and a fresh, chopped peach. Our Spend Smart. Eat Smart. granola recipe works great in my parfaits. Here are a few things I like about this recipe:

I Need Energy (Drinks)!
Recently my 14-year-old son asked me to buy him energy drinks to give him an extra boost of energy for school and football practice. This didn’t surprise me since nearly one-third of teens aged 12-17 regularly consume energy drinks. These beverages promise enhanced focus and athletic performance, making them appealing to teens facing the challenges of school and extracurricular activities.

Summer’s Perfect Side, Topping, Sandwich…
This month’s recipe is truly a jack of all trades. Broiled Tomatoes are so flexible, you can use them as the basis for a sandwich, sauce or appetizer. Here are some of the ways I have used this recipe.

Whole Meal Salad
This is our final week highlighting some of our Spend Smart. Eat Smart. salads, and, in my opinion, we saved the best for last. Whole Meal Salad is a hit at my house every time I serve it. My family loves this recipe because they each get to make their own perfect salad. The Whole Meal Salad recipe is written for one, but I easily adapt it for my family by setting all the ingredients out on the counter and letting each person choose what they would like. Earlier this summer, my youngest child separated all of the ingredients on his plate and then individually decorated each spinach leaf with his favorite toppings because he wanted every bite of his salad to be perfect.