We successfully made it through week one of the meal plan and I am starting to feel like myself again! Slowly but surely I am starting to get my groove back in the kitchen and I hope you are too! I absolutely loved getting messages from y’all last week about how you were loving week one of the meal plan and I think you are going to love this week just as much! I am a firm believer in the fact that you don’t have to give up your favorite foods or eat just salads when eating healthy! Instead I believe in eating real foods that are homemade with no yucky ingredients that will leave you feeling satisfied and happy! Sound good to you?
Can someone please tell me where September went? Honestly I can’t believe that October is next week and my baby boy turns 3 on Monday! This year is going by at a scarily fast pace, don’t you think? I love this season of cozy foods and all that comes with it and want to savor it while its around! (Time slow down please.) While I may not be getting to wear my fall favorites, because Texas fall doesn’t like to allow for flannels and sweaters, I am embracing fall flavors in the kitchen! This fall chicken salad with pepita granola and a pumpkin vinaigrette is going to knock your socks off in the flavor department and is the perfect fall salad to make all season long!
Somewhere along the way, my kiddo decided that he HAD to have a donut every time we were at the grocery store. I mean, I am all about a donut every now and then but y'all...I go to the grocery about 2 or 3 times a week! That is too many donuts for anyone in one week, especially because I try to limit the amount of sugar we get! So because of his new obsession with this very unhealthy food item, I decided to make us a healthier version at home! I love creating my own version of foods that are indulgent right in my own kitchen because I can control the ingredients! My healthy carrot cake donuts are perfect to make in advance for all week long and you can feel good about your family eating them!
I am not good about meal planning over the weekend. I think it's because that part of my brain turns off when Friday rolls around. So Monday for me is when I plan out my week and figure out all of our meals. One thing is for sure when I am planning, and that is all of the meals have to be EASY and relatively fast too! I recently did a round-up of my top ten easy weeknight meals, and this recipe that I am sharing with you today could easily get added to that list! My spiced citrus fennel braised chicken thighs and carrots should most certainly be added to your weeknight dinner rotation!
Summer is right around the corner and it's my favorite time of year for produce! Tomatoes in particular are at their peak and can most definitely shine on their own during this time. I love creating simple dishes when ingredients are so good that they just don't need that much more added to them! When BBQ season and outdoor entertaining are in full swing, I love bringing lighter and healthier dishes to the table to balance out the rest of the spread. My new favorite dish that I will be making all summer long is my garlic and dill tomato salad with cornbread croutons!
April has been an odd month for me, not in a bad way, just really busy! I was out of town, my mom came in town, and now tomorrow I go back out of town again! And now tomorrow, I am headed to Los Angeles for my first ever blogging conference and I couldn't be more excited! I cannot wait to connect with my fellow peers and I know I am going to learn so much! If you saw my Instagram, then you already know my office space got a revamp, so I am super pumped about going to this conference and coming back super inspired and ready to work! And the reason I am telling you all about my travels this week is because when schedules get busy, dinner needs to be simple and if it can be healthy to, even better! My simple pork and spinach miso ramen is to the rescue!
