Tag: soup

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Let's Look

Let’s Look: Easy Weeknight Meals

Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! It’s the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with  Shay and Erika.

Each month, we share different parts of our lives with different life hacks too!  Here’s a look at some of the things we have covered so far this year.

n January, we talked about How We Clean Our Closets.

In February, the topic was Things We Do Every Day

In March, it was all about what’s in our Grocery Carts

In April, we chatted about our Quiet and Prayer Time.

In May, we talked about Summer Staples.

In June, we shared our Summer Schedules.

In July, we chatted about our favorite TV Shows and Podcasts.

In August, we learned about our Pantry Staples

This month’s topic is Easy Weeknight Dinners, this is a great topic for working parents who may be running around a lot this time of year with sports and activities for their children. However, this is also a great topic for people who may work evenings and late nights and are looking for easy meals after a long day (that’s me! I fall into that category!) Sometimes, I don’t come home until later at night and the last thing I want to do is cook a big meal that could take a while to prepare. Enter easy weeknight meals. These are some of my favorite easy meals that you can make for yourself or your family.

Grain Bowls– Such an easy and filling meal that can typically be done in one pot. Just grab a grain (I like to go with rice), a protein (beef, chicken, shrimp, sausage), and a vegetable (can be fresh, frozen or steamed)  and cook them all together. You are getting a filling meal, easy cleanup and something that is fairly easy to put together.

Sandwich Bar– A fun spin to a not so exciting meal. If you are a fan of cold cut sandwiches or any sandwiches, consider upping your game with a sandwich bar. Layout all your favorite fixings, from meats, cheeses, spreads etc. and have everyone build their own sandwich. You can buy some fun breads, even toast your bread, get some chips and fruit and make it an experience, rather than just eating a sandwich.

Chef Salad– A fun and healthy dinner option is a chef salad. If you are looking to clear out your fridge or make a hearty meal, consider a chef salad. Add all your favorite salad ingredients and then add in some extras. I like to add protein, like ham or chicken, some hard boiled eggs, cheese, even black beans or avocadoes, depending on what other veggies I have in there. This is a hearty and healthy meal that everyone can tailor to their own liking. 

Soup– This is perfect for the fall and winter months, whether you like them homemade where you can make them earlier in the week and pull them out from the freezer or you enjoy them from the can or even pre-made. This is another hearty meal that’s easy to make. You can add a sandwich or salad for a little something extra too!

Snack dinners-Another easy meal especially if you are looking to clean out the fridge. Grab any fruits, veggies, cold cuts, cheeses, chips or crackers and have a snack dinner. You are using what you have, everyone can find something they enjoy and you have a fun meal. Make it even easier and just use paper plates for easy clean up. I love meals that I can use what I have and not waste.

These are five easy meals that I enjoy making on late or hectic weeknights. I am always looking for suggestions for new recipes to try. Let me know in the comments below some of your favorite weeknight meals. 

Happy Wednesday!

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Let's Look

Let’s Look: Our Pantry Staples

Hello everyone!

I hope you are having a great week so far as we say hello to August as we are embracing the second full week of the eighth month of the year! I just got back from being on vacation with my family, but still wanted to share what’s going up with my world as I link up with Shay and Erika.

I will have a full recap of my trip in a few weeks, but until then, I enjoyed some much needed time exploring and unplugging.

As we make our way through the year, it’s time for another Let’s Look.

Here’s some of the topics we have covered so far this year.

In January, we talked about How We Clean Our Closets.

In February, the topic was Things We Do Every Day

In March, it was all about what’s in our Grocery Carts

In April, we chatted about our Quiet and Prayer Time.

In May, we talked about Summer Staples.

In June, we shared our Summer Schedules.

In July, we chatted about our favorite TV Shows and Podcasts.

This has been such a fun way to share tidbits of my life and learn from others too. 

This month’s topic is showing off our pantry and some of our staples. 

Here’s a look at my pantry set up. The top shelf is snacks and chips, the second shelf is canned goods (soups, rice, sauces etc.), the third shelf is breads, cereal, and crackers and the bottom shelf is pasta and oils and condiments.

We like to keep our pantry pretty stocked with essentials not just for snacks, but meals too. 

We always have some sort of cracker, cereal, bread, popcorn, and pasta. These are easy for meals and snacks. We change up the brands, but you can always find these in the pantry.

Our cereal set-up.

We keep the essentials for cooking and baking well stocked, like oils and back up condiments.

As far as meal staples go, cans of tuna, soup, and rice are always stocked. We will do soup and sandwich for an easy weeknight meal. Plus, we always make sure to have ingredients for spaghetti. My mom makes delicious homemade sauce, so she always has the ingredients needed to whip up this family favorite meal. 

Some of our canned goods and condiments.

Now, that we have the savory and meals covered, we have to have something sweet. Brownie or cake mixes always live in the pantry for a quick and easy dessert for entertaining or a late-night treat. I talked about the importance of having these on hand in my entertainment post a few weeks back.

As far as my favorite snacks go. I always like to keep something sweet and salty for snacks for work. These are typically a mix of pretzels, nuts, goldfish etc. I also love something sweet like cookies, trail mix, or granola bars. These are great for grab and go. 

Other items vary in our pantry from season to season, but these tried and true staples can always be found on the shelves.

I am always looking for new snacks for grab and go, and if they are healthy too-that’s a bonus! Tell me, what are your favorite pantry staples? Let me know in the comments below. 

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Fun Ways to Organize Let's Get Cooking

Meal Prepping Ideas

Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope your week is going smoothly and you were able to enjoy Galentine’s Day with your girlfriends or Valentine’s Day with your significant other.

I did a post last year with ideas for lunches. You can find it here. I am on the go during the work day, so having an easy lunch ready to go, makes my days smoother. I typically plan out my meals on my weekend. I’ll see what things I have in my pantry and fridge to make meals from that before I go shopping. In addition to a main meal, I’ll typically pack a few snacks and sides. 

In the winter months, it can be easy to get into a routine or rut when it comes to meal ideas. 

I tried a few different recipes and meals lately for lunch and I wanted to share them with you today! Here’s some meals I’ve been loving. 

I’ve been making soup a lot recently, I can make a big pot and then save it and store it and then enjoy it for a week for lunch at work. So far this season, I made a Chicken Noodle Soup and then a Shrimp Avocado Medicine Soup both from Jessie James Decker’s cookbook, Just Feed Me. Both have been tasty and hearty and fill me up during the work day.

Chicken Noodle Soup
Shrimp Avocado Medicine Soup

After I finished making my Shrimp Avocado Medicine Soup, I had some leftover frozen veggies and quinoa, so for the following week, I used the veggies and quinoa to make a stir fry that lasted me all week. Another nutritious, tasty and hearty meal.

Meal prepping! I make a big bowl and then divide it up for a week of meals.

Rice and veggies is always a go to for meals for lunches. I tried out a new recipe for Cilantro Lime Rice from Jessie James Decker’s cookbook, Just Feed Me. I added some broccoli and my divided it up for a week’s worth of lunches. Yum!

Flavorful and healthy!

Some weeks, I’ll change up my meals and buy a few snack packs that are easy to throw in my lunch. My snack packs include grab and go guacamole with some carrots or cracker and some cheese or grapes. It’s well balanced and is easy to eat on the road. 

A look at my meals for this past week.

In addition to my main meal, I’ll include a trail mix, some crackers, or a granola bar, sometimes even a cookie or two.

A look at my storage for snacks and my meals.

Sometimes, I have all my ducks in a row and I am killing it at meal prepping, other times, I’ll eat leftovers from the night before for lunch, but it’s all about balance and not wasting food. There’s nothing worse than throwing away good food that hasn’t been eaten. 

My storage bags I got for Christmas have come in handy!

If you are stuck in a rut when it comes to your meal prepping, I hope this post gives you some inspiration. 

What are some things you like to put in your lunch? Let me know in the comments below!

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Fun Ways to Organize Let's Get Cooking

Meal Prepping and Planning

Happy Wednesday all!

It’s the first week of April, every day I feel like we are closer and closer to the consistent warmer weather. I can’t wait for sunshine, clear roads and blue skies.

The morning sunshine gives me hope.

Today we are talking about one of my favorite topics…planning and more specifically meal planning!

I’ve done posts in the past about outfit planning and getting your planner organized, you could say planning is one of my passions. My latest planning area is with meal prepping.

I pack my lunch every day for work. I packed my lunch all through grade school and high school and in college I ate lunch in the cafeteria, you could say I’m not big into spending money on lunch. When it comes to eating when I’m at work, it made the most sense to pack my lunch. Every day is different and I never know where I will end up, so always having my lunch with me works best. I always try to eat healthy and balance meals when I can.

If you pack your lunch like me, I have a few ideas for different meals that are affordable and healthy and keeps lunch time interesting.

I always like to eat a variety of things for lunch to keep it fresh and exciting.

In my lunch box, I typically have something substantial (my main meal), a fruit or veggie, something sweet and sometimes something salty. I don’t always eat all this stuff every day, but I try to have a variety available. For example, I may have pasta and veggies, pretzels, and trail mix. Some days, I may eat it all, other days, I may just eat pasta and veggies. I like that these meals are balanced and will satisfy me.

 I keep things for my lunches or snacks organized in a bin in my pantry. I like to keep back stock for different dry snacks. Right now, I have peanut butter crackers, pretzels, trail mix and goldfish all divided up. I shop when needed, but I typically buy things for meals once a week and then grab things for dry snacks as needed. This also gives me choices of things to put in my lunch.

A look at my snack bin. I divide up the pretzels or trail mix into like reusable containers for portion control.

When it comes to fruits and veggies sometimes I will buy bulk and separate them into reusable containers (one of my New Year’s resolutions was to use more reusable products and I’m so happy that I’ve been using less wasteful products). I will cut up carrots, peppers, celery or broccoli and store them and bring them in to eat. As for fruit, I will enjoy clementines, grapes, apples or even a banana.

For more substantial meals, I like to enjoy salads, either pre-made from the store or I will make a big one at the start of the week and I will bring dressing to add each day.

I also enjoy making baked chicken with seasoning (everything but the bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s is my favorite.) I just add that with some salt and pepper and bake the chicken and then refrigerate it and divide it up as needed. I also often make frozen veggies to add on the side.

A look at meal prepping of chicken and veggies and then chicken salad. I will cook them and put it all in one serving container and then I have a smaller one that I will use to bring into work.

Pasta and veggies is another go-to for me. I will boil a large pot of pasta and then add some butter and garlic and then make frozen veggies (often mix, but sometimes I’ll just choose a specific vegetable.)

Sticking with the veggie theme-Making rice with vegetable is always a tasty win too! I will boil brown rice and stir fry vegetables and add some soy sauce and then seasonings to add flavor. Sometimes, I will add chicken or shrimp, but other times, I just will go with the vegetables. 

A look at a veggie stir fry for this week.
The whole meal goes into one large container and then I divide it up into a smaller container.

As far as other alternatives, I often will enjoy a chicken salad, tuna salad, or egg salad and enjoy that with cracker or pita.

A look at my tuna salad in a large container and then separated out for each day.

In the winter, soup is always an easy go-to for me, especially with getting easy to go soup containers.

I typically will make all my meals during the weekend and then add snacks each day. I always get my meals organized the night before work so I can just grab and go in the morning.

An example of my lunch for a day. Tuna salad, crackers, trail mix, an orange, ad some peanut butter crackers.

I always like to break up what I eat and what I pack for meals. I find that having a variety of tastes and things in my lunch helps keep things fun and tasty. 

For those of you who pack your lunch, what are your go-to lunches? I’m always open to suggestions. 

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Currently

Currently #26

Hey guys!

Happy Wednesday. We are at the end of another month, I don’t know about you, but February has flown by for me. The good news is that we are slowly but surely, making our way through winter and springtime is getting closer too. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to this past month. 

What I’m up to: Outside of work, I’ve been enjoying time at home, staying cozy and doing lots of cooking, from soups, and baking cookies for Valentine’s Day. I enjoyed watching the Super Bowl with family and celebrating Valentine’s Day. This past month has been a mix of a little bit of everything.

I made homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.
I also made homemade Margarita Chicken Soup from one of my favorite bloggers, Mix and Match Mama!

What I’m wearing:  All. The. Layers. It has been cold, so I have been wearing lots of long sleeve dresses for work or blazers with pants. On days off, I’ve been going for more of the comfortable route with leggings or jeans and then sweaters. Here’s a simple look I wore around Valentine’s Day, I kept it simple with black leggings and a baggy sweater, both from Aerie. I kept my jewelry also simple, wearing pink earrings and delicate necklace and pink bow to tie it all together. 

Staying cozy and inside most of the month of February.

What I’m reading:  I finished Beach Read by Emily Henry at the end of January, it was a fun read to take my mind off of snow and onto summery days. I’m currently re-reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and I love reading it again. I am always finding new things that I missed when I’ve read it in the past.

What I’m Watching: All of the Olympics. I love that there’s something always on to watch. Even if it’s for a few minutes, you can find a new sport to get excited about. I’ve also been watching Downton Abbey and I’ve been loving it. It’s so easy to get lost in the show and watch episode to episode. I just started season 2 and I’m obsessed. 

What I’m Loving: I’ve been loving all the heart shaped and Valentine’s Day décor for the past month. I’m also loving the fact of hibernating, if you will. It’s nice to have a lighter calendar with not as much things going on during the winter. It’s been good to give myself extra breathing room by not having a jam packed schedule.

Valentine’s Day spread at home.
There’s nothing like celebrating love.

What Inspires Me: I’ve been inspired by doing my baking and cooking at home. I did a lot of cooking at the start of 2021 and I want to get back into more cooking and trying new recipes this year.

Baking cookies for the holidays was a bright spot this past month.

What I accomplished: I’ve really enjoying the slow and steady month. It’s been nice to hang out at home more and have a more low-key month. There are times when I’m super busy and slammed so it’s nice to have some calmer months thrown in there. 

My pup Milton and I staying warm and inside this past month.

Goals Accomplished from Last Month I enjoyed a “Me Date”! I took some time for a self-care spa night at home and it was just what I needed before the start of a busy week. I’m always looking for ways to carve even a few minutes of downtime for myself outside of the busy day to day lives. It doesn’t have to be a big event, but just making some extra time for yourself once a month or week by doing something small will make a big difference.

Goals for the New Month:  I want to get outside more and get some fresh air and exercise as hopefully the weather gets warmer. I’ve tried to get outside this past month but the bitter cold temperatures makes it a bit tricky to enjoy a walk in single digits. I got out ice skating a few times and I’m hoping to do it more in the next month.

I got to ice skate for a story for work and loved every moment.

That’s a look into my life this past month. There’s nothing too exciting, lots of time at home with family. I’ve been reading and watching shows and cooking on days off. I’m really loving where I’m at right now in life. Now that I’ve shared about my past month, tell me about yours! How’s your month been?

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Let's Get Cooking

Let’s Get Cooking: Margarita Chicken Soup

One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to do more cooking and make a meal a week for my family. For me, it’s a way to try out new recipes, brush up on my cooking skills, and do something nice for my family since they do so much for me.

 I have looked on Pinterest, blogs, and recipe books to find different and fun meals for my family and I have found a ton that I can’t wait to try out!

Shay Shull is a blogger and cookbook author. I read her blog every day and I love her posts about family, faith and life. Mix and Match Mama is my go-to for recipes. I have made so many recipes from her and I have been so pleased with every single one. From treats, snacks, dinners, and lunches…she has so many fun and creative ways to eat meals even on busy nights. 

Last week I made her Margarita Chicken Soup and it was incredible.  It was easy to make since it’s a crock pot soup, I put everything in at 3:00 p.m. and we ate around 7:00 p.m.. To see her recipe click here.

This soup as hearty and filling, there were lots of different flavors and it fed 4 with leftovers! I know this will be on rotation in my house for fall and winter months. Who doesn’t like a warm bowl of soup at the end of the day?!

Here’s how I made it:

The Prep

Ingredients 

1 pound of chicken breast (frozen or defrosted)

2 (10 oz can) of diced tomatoes

1 can of Sprite

1 can of Black Beans

Half a bag of frozen corn or 1 can of corn

1 packet of taco seasoning

2 limes 

Chips, Sour Cream or Shredded Cheese to garnish

Directions

In a slow cooker layer the ingredients (minus the limes and garnish)

Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or High for 3-4 hours 

When done, separate the chicken with two forks in the slow cooker.

Slice limes in quarters and then add to the soup.

Serve and garnish with sour cream, cheese, and chips.

After!

Something else I have started to do is compile a list of my favorite recipes. This will come in handy when I am living on my own and I am craving some homecooked food or a yummy dish. 

What are some of your winter go-to meals?

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Fabulous living

Fall Favorites

I saw this Q&A for fall on two other blogs I follow, The Blended Blog and A Little Bit of Everything Blog. I love fall and everything that comes along with it. Thanks so much for the great fall idea questions. Here are a few of my favorite things about fall.

  1. Favorite Fall Sweet Treat?

Candy apples or apple crisp

2. Red, yellow, or green apples?

Red

3. Favorite Fall Sport to Play?

I don’t play but I will watch countless soccer games or go to football games.

4 .Best drinks for Fall?

Hot Apple Cider

5. Favorite Fall Activity?

Going on walks with the leaves fall or going to any fall festival

6. Must have Fall Purchase?

Sweaters!!

7. Pumpkins? Pick your own or Store bought?

I would love to pick my own but I don’t always have the time, so store bought it is.

8. Real or fake pumpkins?

A few real pumpkins but more fake ones.

9. Favorite Halloween Costume?

Last year I went as Sandy from Grease. BEST. COSTUME. EVER.

10. College Football of NFL?

I watch both but you will find me rooting more for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

11. Fall or Halloween Decor?

Fall decorations. They last longer, I shared my fall decorating tips so you can see more here.

12. Raking Leaves or no Leaves to Rake?

Raking Leaves

13. Favorite Soup?

Nothing says fall like chicken noodle soup.

14. Favorite Fall Candle Scent?

Anything Apple and Cinnamon,

15. Love or Hate Pumpkin Spice?

Not a fan, I will have a small slice of pumpkin pie but that’s about it.

16. Short booties or Tall booties?

Short booties all fall long!

17. Favorite Halloween Candy?

M&M’s. I don’t feel as guilty eating them. HAHAHA

18. PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) Yes or No?

Nope, not a starbucks or coffee fan. Sorry.

19. Hayride or Cornmaze?

Hayride!

20. Favorite Fall TV Show?

I can’t choose just one. I’m a big lover of tv, I would rather watch it live then binge watch it. This fall I’m watching This Is Us, SEAL TEAM, and the TGIT lineup which includes Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder. My tv time is my me time.

Tuesday 9:00 NBC

Wednesday 9:00 CBS

Thursday 8:00 ABC

Well, there you have it. My favorite things about fall. What are some of your favorite things about fall?