As we mark the last month of our summer vacation and celebrate so many anniversaries (my oldest’s birthday, our wedding anniversary, and 1 year as the owners of a cool old event space) we are taking a break to vacation, adventure, and have some fun before getting back to business and the start of another school year.

We took a break last year and decided this was definitely time worth reclaiming for personal/mental/family health. As such, we won’t be sending out the same weekly updates through the month of August.

Don’t worry, we are still providing your full month August meal plan, we just won’t be giving you the weekly break downs, round ups, essays or grocery lists until we get back at it for September.

Your FULL MONTH, downloadable plan is at the end of this post.

Now on to this week’s meals!!!

Monday: Chicken Margherita

Cherry tomatoes are going ham right now, so this recipe is just in time. Using just a few seasonings, some mozz, and a jar of pesto, you’ll have this satisfying Italian inspired dinner on the table in no time (about 30 minutes).

Tuesday: Italian Chopped Subs

More flavors, more evenly distributed into every bite and all with less chewing. What’s not to love?

Wednesday: Southwest Pasta Salad

When you have a crizazy week coming up (one where you KNOW you won’t have time to prep a meal), do what we do. Make a big ol bowl of pasta salad, and graze that stuff till it’s gone baibeee. This Southwest recipe includes our favorite creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing, and tastes great with a little leftover chicken mixed in.

Thursday: Brie Cheeseburgers

Gourmet chefs, we are not. But a fancy restaurant is NOT required to enjoy a little bougie bite now and again. We enhanced our classic cheeseburger recipe here by adding some charcuterie board flavors to the mix. Crispy prosciutto, apricot jam and brie cheese are a dynamite combo.

Friday: Foil Packet Lemon Dill Tilapia

There may be no easier way to cook fish, and ensure that you are sealing in all the fresh juicy flavor without drying it out. We love this easy grill (or oven) meal because it’s just too easy to customize with whatever veggies and seasonings you’ve got on hand.

Grab your customizable full month meal plan printable at the Canva link below, or download it as is and get cooking!

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Your plan to customize (You’ll need a free Canva account to make changes): Customizable AUGUST Meal Plan

Or download the PDF as-is:

August Monthly Meal Plan

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See last year’s post from July:

In today’s variation, we start with orzo pasta, then pile it high with Mediterranean inspired shrimp, juicy cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. It’s seasoned with lemon juice and zest, and a whole cup of fresh chopped herbs. The shrimp cooks in the time it takes to boil the orzo, so the whole thing can be tossed together and on the table in about 20 minutes.

I took full advantage of my herb garden and used a combination of parsley, basil, mint, and dill, but just two varieties of herbs will do just fine here. If you’ve got zucchini, you can toss it with the same seasonings used for the shrimp, and saute it quickly before adding it to the mix. Feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes here as well! It’s a formula you can continue to use all summer long!

Zesty Mediterranean Shrimp and Orzo

Tip: Gather and chop all of your ingredients while the pasta is boiling. Things will go quickly once your start! Saute the shrimp as soon as the orzo is in the pot, and then everything will be ready to toss together at about the same time.

Ingredients:

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Of course, this is happening during a season when we most want to enjoy salads! A bevy of ripe tomatoes are just begging for a bed of fresh, leafy greens on which to rest their juicy heads. But alas, I’m not risking developing an intimate relationship with the toilet for a salad.

There are plenty of other fish in the sea—or rather, benign vegetables in the market—for us to enjoy this summer. You can let your anxiety take a back seat with these recipes that make the most of summer’s bounty, no lettuce needed.

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Zucchini Casserole with Ground Beef- Zucchinis are PLENTIFUL this time of year, and I love finding new ways to use them. This casserole is like a lighter take on lasagna, with a creamy tomato sauce, ground beef, and cheesy zucchini.

Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos- If all the vegetables are giving you the ick, roasting is the answer! Here, we roast summer squash and tomatoes right alongside shrimp for an easy sheet pan supper.

Spicy Asian Zucchini- A 10 minute side dish that’s perfect with fried rice, dumplings, stir fry, or noodles.

Chicken Margherita- Grilled chicken heaped with pesto, mozzarella cheese, and gobs of fresh cherry tomatoes. An easy dinner that makes you feel like you’re eating al fresco at a fancy restaurant.

Roasted Vegetable Sandwich- One of my all time favs, this roasted veggie sandwich is so satisfying and flavorful. You won’t miss the meat, I promise!

Roasted Zucchini and Peppers- This is really the ticket to filling the void left by salad. Roast your veggies, then top them with whatever fresh herbs you’ve got in the garden. Maybe give them a squeeze of lemon juice for good measure. So fresh! So satisfying!

Bruschetta Pasta- My easy summer dinner formula: Pasta + Olive Oil + Lemon Juice or Balsamic Vinegar + Tomatoes + Cheese. You’re welcome.

Poached Tilapia with Cherry Tomatoes- Fresh tomatoes are reduced with shallots and garlic into a sweet and savory white wine broth, then the fish is nestled right in the sauce to poach. It’s healthy, it’s colorful, and it’s done in 30 minutes flat.

Tomato Bacon Jam- GAH! THIS STUFF! It has no right to be so good. It should be weird, but it’s not. It’s just sweet savory perfection that you’ll want to slather on biscuits (it makes the BEST eggy breakfast sandwich!), BLTs, burgers, crackers, basically any excuse you can find to eat it up.

Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting- Sure, you could make zucchini bread again, but why not turn the day into a celebration and make CAKE? With CREAM CHEESE FROSTING?

What are you making with all that fresh summer goodness? And how are you coping with a salad craving in these trying times? Lettuce know in the comments! (Truly, I’m sorry, but around here we cope with puns).

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Sometimes it feels like everything is on fire. And sometimes you look out your window, and it sort of is… Despite the lettuce-plague, the wildfire smoke, and the heat dome, at least you know these recipes will be fire! (Sorry, we’re coping with dark humor…)

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List July 4

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Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese

Last Friday, we made a big ol batch of our slow cooker pulled pork, and today we use some leftovers in this cheesy BBQ baked mac. This mac and cheese stands on it’s own, but topped with the pulled pork and a drizzle of BBQ sauce, it transforms into the perfect meal for your next potluck.

Tuesday: Shrimp Taco Salad

I’ll preface this one by saying, “Unless you grow your own, or get organic/hydroponically grown/prewashed… maybe skip the lettuce right now until the current parasite unpleasantness subsides.” Once it does though, I recommend celebrating by going all in on this shrimp taco salad. If you take nothing else away from this recipe, please at least try the avocado lime dressing… It is soooo good.

Wednesday: Pulled Pork Rice Bowls

Finish off those pulled pork leftovers in style. Top some cooked rice with fresh summer veggies and a drizzle of that leftover avocado dressing, and you are set!

Thursday: Sheet Pan Baked Grilled Cheese

What started here as a way to feed a room full of hungry kids lunch, has quickly become a go-to method for making grilled cheese sammies and soup a family-fav dinner. I’m not saying you HAVE to try this with garlic bread and cutting them into tiny cheesy finger sandwiches, but I’m not NOT saying that…

Friday: Grilled T-Bone Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Butter is my favorite food. And it’s even better when mixed up with some fresh herbs and my favorite seasonings and basically becomes a condiment. This cowboy butter is awesome on steaks & burgers. Give it a try the next time you grill out!

We’re having a 90s summer!, says another, and I wonder what that even means. I imagine eating microwaved pizza bagels and strapping Barbies into homemade yarn bungee cords and flinging them off the swing set. I’m not sure that’s what they had in mind.

All of it feels high pressure and high stakes. We need to make the most of this time! Be present. Make memories! Put that phone away (unless you’re recording the memories). These kids are growing up every second. You have to make summer ✨MAGICAL✨.

So, we plan a trip. We go to a cabin. We visit festivals, and go to the pool, and get ice cream, and hike.

But here’s what all those curated summer reels don’t tell you.

You will be on a boat on a spectacularly beautiful lake, and your kids will tell you they’re bored.

You’ll get to the cabin, and they’ll complain that it’s small.

The siblings will bicker…a lot. Like, so, so much.

You’ll turn off the screens and push the kids outside, but it’ll be hot, and someone will get injured or most definitely be dying of starvation within the hour, and oh, remember you still have to work to make money to afford food for the aforementioned starving children?

But also.

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Happy Independence Day! Wishing you all a safe and joyful holiday weekend. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, don’t play with matches, and enjoy these recipes!

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List July 3

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Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Potsticker and Tangy Cucumber Salad

This fresh dumpling and cucumber salad is herby, tangy, sweet and savory. It has something for everybody to love.

Tuesday: Pimento Cheese Burgers

Palmetto cheese has come to the Midwest and you can get it at Costco. Be still my heart! It’s good on everything, but these cheese burgers might be my favorite.

Wednesday: Poached Tilapia with Tomato Wine Broth

White fish can be bland, dry and boring, but when it’s poached in a tangy sweet tomato garlic & wine broth, it is bursting with flavor!

Thursday: The Best Veggie Sandwich with Cream Cheese

My garden is going wild. Help! …and even if it wasn’t we’re having these veggie sandwiches. Herby cream cheese deserves to be on more things than just bagels.

Friday: Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork

We’re running back this pulled pork recipe a lot this summer. It makes a big batch, and can either feed a potluck, or stretch to cover 3 meals. So save your leftovers. We’ll use them next week!

Living through my 30s has felt like riding a bus through uncharted terrain. The ride has been bumpy, filled with wonder and happy surprises (Look, a waterfall! Whoa, is that an eagle??), and also stops I very much wished I could skip (Please, driver, no need to linger in the early 2020s).

Ten years ago we had a not-quite one year old and a fledgling side hustle.

I would’ve never predicted that my part time hobby would become a full time gig, not just for myself, but for our whole family. In 2019, my husband was able to quit his miserable job working in IT finance (a special kind of corporate hell) and work from home with me. We got to make food, share food, and be home with our kids. We got to annoy each other at work every single day and then argue about parenting in the evenings!

I’m kidding! But not totally kidding. We added coworker and boss to our already hefty relationship status of besties/co-parents/lovers, and that’s a whole lot for any relationship to hold. The only water cooler gossip in our office was about each other. We have shared many laughs and a lesser, but not insignificant, amount of tears. We’ve mostly figured out how to work through conflict rather than shove it into a little box to fester for years. It’s been a challenge and a gift and a massive privilege. I’m proud of us, and of the weird, wonderful work we’ve produced together (fast forward to the bloopers for an example).

We have enjoyed a level of financial stability that I never expected, and I don’t know that we’ll ever have again. It afforded us a house in a neighborhood we love, but the real treasure and the sweetest surprise has been the neighbors themselves. We now enjoy the kind of open-door, kids-tromping-from-house-to-house, spontaneous-patio-hang-out-life I’ve always dreamed of.

Friends I had barely met or didn’t know at all a decade ago are now some of my nearest and dearest. We’ve seen each other through surprise babies and surprise divorces, new jobs, unexpected losses, bodies changing and breaking and finally settling into some kind of generous truce.

And then there’s the kids, two of them now! And they’ve got muscles where rolls of baby fat used to gather, and they’re funny and they have Interests and Opinions and Friends, and sometimes also Anxiety and Other Big Feelings. My oldest can mow the lawn! No one needs me to clip their fingernails or wipe their butts, a realization that fills me with gratitude and also makes my chest feel like its going to cave in on itself.

And then there were the stops that absolutely sucked. I looked out that bus window and caught nothing but an abandoned shack, two tumbleweeds, and a whiff of dread. I begged the driver to keep going, but he was insistent (what a jerk).

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Happy Independence Day! Wishing you all a safe and joyful holiday weekend. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, don’t play with matches, and enjoy these recipes!

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List June 4

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Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Air Fryer Cod Fish Sandwich

By now, I figure you’ve got burgers and dogs already checked off the bingo card, so here’s something deliciously different that doesn’t require you to grill outdoors during this heat dome… Homemade tartar sauce is legitimately in my top 3 fav sauces.

Tuesday: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Saucy slow cooker enchilada chicken is about as simple as it can be, so making the actual enchiladas really just comes down to an exercise in assembling. Get your kids involved scooping, rolling and sprinkling cheese, and you’ve got a pleasing dinner that everyone can be proud of.

Wednesday: Homemade Hummus and Tabbouleh

It’s Mediterranean/Vegetarian Night! Our favorite smooooth hummus recipe is joining forces with a Tabbouleh (fresh mint & parsley salad) recipe that we dragged out of the archives. She’s an oldie, but you pair these two together with some pita and fresh veggies, and they’re an unstoppable team.

Thursday: Leftover Chicken Skillet Nachos

So, you know how you ended up with a whole bunch of that leftover slow cooker chicken from Monday night? We’re putting that to good use in these family favorite skillet nachos! *Our Shredded Barbacoa Beef is featured in the linked post, but this recipe is awesome no matter which protein you use, so if you’ve got some leftover pulled pork, go ham!

Friday: Grilled Steak Kabobs with Chimichurri

Steak? In this economy? I hear ya, and that’s why we’re making these Sirloin steaks (a more affordable cut) go even further by cubing, marinading, and turning them into these delicious grilled kabobs. The combo of lemon, oregano, mint, basil, and garlic gives these skewers a bright finish to the savory steak. These are great stand alone or in a wrap, or as a salad topper.

I say extravagant, but nothing about this cake is particularly fussy or difficult. It’s got a few more steps than my typical 9 x 13 inch sheet cake, but each one is very doable, whether you’re a seasoned baker or brand new to the kitchen.

I almost share a birthday with America, which is sometimes cool (fireworks!) and sometimes not cool (fascism!). But if you’re looking to celebrate the holiday weekend with something vaguely patriotic in color, this cake works well. It’s also lovely for family reunions and backyard cookouts and any old Tuesday night where you’d like to treat yourself.

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It’s my birthday week, and I’m dropping a fresh, summery meal plan in your inbox! I’d be lying if I didn’t choose some of my personal favorites for this first week. If I were celebrating (and I am!), I would definitely want the Grilled Salmon on the menu, preferably with a big glass of sweet mint tea and peach cobbler for dessert.

I have to share my birthday week with America, and in case you haven’t heard, it’s kind of a big one this year. Whether you have plans for fireworks or backyard BBQs or stewing in complicated feelings of gratefulness, embarrassment, hope, and grief (oh hi!, it’s me!), an All American Bacon Cheeseburger is the way to go. It’s hard to feel despair when you’ve got cheeseburger juice on your chin.

Because we’re deep in the heart of grilling season, I’d also like to direct you to this collection of sides for burgers and hot dogs. These are perfect for bringing to parties or making a meal out of a package of weiners.

Later this week, I’ll be sharing the cake I made for my birthday (bonus: it doubles as a gorgeous dessert for the holiday weekend). Be sure to subscribe to get the recipe!

Your FULL MONTH, downloadable plan is at the end of this post.

Now on to this week’s meals!!!

Monday: Shrimp Tostadas

This dish hits some of my favorite flavor notes and textures. Bright lime and cilantro, creamy beans, and a crisp tostada make for such a satisfying meal.

Tuesday: Crispy Chicken Salad

This is the type of meal I would be tempted to order at almost any restaurant, but now I can make one that’s just as good at home! Salad is just better with warm, crispy, breaded chicken. I wish it weren’t so, but I can’t argue with the facts.

Wednesday: Marinated Skirt Steak with Summer Salad

I realized this week’s menu is going pretty hard in the cilantro lime paint. It’s one of my favorite flavors, and both Will and I have been craving this marinated skirt steak. We rave about our Cilantro Lime Chicken all the time, but it’s just as tasty on a steak!

Thursday: Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa

This is the easiest way to cook a slab of salmon, and it’s great for entertaining. The foil means it’s nearly impossible to make dry salmon, and the mango salsa is so refreshing on a hot summer night.

Friday: All American Bacon Cheeseburgers

It’s a classic for a reason. This is your go-to when you want a simple burger that you can dress up in 101 different ways. I love the traditional toppings- LTO plus ketchup, mayo, and mustard, but I do like to add pickles, and, of course, bacon. Make this one your own!

Grab your customizable full month meal plan printable at the Canva link below, or download it as is and get cooking!

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Your plan to customize (You’ll need a free Canva account to make changes): Customizable JULY Meal Plan

Or download the PDF as-is:

July Monthly Meal Plan

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This book feels like a balm for anyone who’s felt unseen in their mothering or wondered if God really loves them, or perhaps even more curiously, if God really likes and cares about them. I was, of course, especially intrigued by all the ways Elizabeth discusses God’s care expressed through feeding his beloveds. We talk about the ministry of snacks, go-to meals for new moms, and encouragement for mothers of pre-teens and teens. (God help us all!) I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! For more of Elizabeth’s work, visit her Substack, Back of the Flock.

Back of the Flock

A newsletter for a community of mothers trying to grow their faith & bear God's image right within the beautiful mess of motherhood.

By Elizabeth Berget

One of my favorite parts of your book is when you share the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 19. This man is alone in the wilderness, fearing for his life, exhausted, and in deep despair. And how does the Lord answer him? With a shade tree, a nap, and some snacks. I’m fascinated by the ways food restores us not just physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. Do you have a specific memory of a meal that did this for you?

I also love that story of how God cares for Elijah in such physical, tangible ways. What’s really interesting, if you pull on the thread of that story a bit more, it’s only after Elijah is taken care of in such embodied ways that he is able to cultivate the spiritual awareness to recognize God in the gentle stillness after witnessing hurricane winds, a trembling earthquake, and raging fire outside the mouth of the cave he was hiding out in.

My own restorative meal came from the hands of my mother. I lived and taught in *very* rural South Sudan for a year in my early twenties — think no electricity or running water or email or phone. I ate rice and beans twice a day, everyday. It was good and filling and wildly monotonous, but when I returned home from the equator to the dead of a Midwest winter, my mom made one of my favorite childhood meals — stuffed cabbage + the creamiest mashed potatoes. I just remember feeling the warmth of home and welcome coming back into my bones with that meal.

I’ve found most Midwesterners take pride in caring for people through food. What’s your go-to dish that you love to bring to new moms?

Pinch of Yum’s crockpot carnitas! I know Lindsay of Pinch of Yum well (she’s the Lindsay from the book!) and had the pleasure of being in a dinner club with her for years; her recipes don’t miss! I love to cook up a huge batch of the carnitas meat, save some for my family to have for dinner, and then package it up with all the typical toppings, plus tortillas, rice, chips, and usually a huge bowl of fruit. (Someone brought me a giant fruit salad after I had one of my kids, and I ate it in one glorious sitting). I like to bring the carnitas because it accounts for picky eaters to make their own taco or bowl situation, reheats well, and freezes like a dream if there’s too much. I also always include dessert and pick up a few easy breakfast items like muffins or banana bread because postpartum mornings are hard and...hungry.

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You talk a lot in the book about the very physically demanding years of early motherhood, but you’re also entering into a new season of caregiving for tweens and teens. I loved your story about your oldest son Owen and the first time you allowed him to bike to a friend’s house by himself. I thought about how God’s love is brave enough to give us freedom to change, make mistakes, and learn. What new ways have you seen God reflected in mothering this age group and what encouragement would you give to those of us (ahem, me!) who are entering this new season?

I’m walking into this uncertainty right beside you! It is so strange to have kids that are, in so many ways, so independent and at the same time, so needy. Often I feel like the physicality of motherhood has turned into something more like an emotional/relational doula + chauffeur.

I think I most identify with the heart of God in my kids’ unfurling…in having a front-row seat to their becoming. While I could do without the burgeoning B.O., I am generally delighted at the way my kids are emerging into themselves. I see these hints of adulthood and maturity in them as I witness what makes them laugh, what makes them cry, what makes them afraid. I see their relationships with each other becoming something other than arguing over toys and whose turn it is. They have inside jokes and, I’m pretty sure, a handful of secrets that I am not privy to. And it’s truly and utterly delightful for me to watch them grow.

I think these middle-kid years have softened my heart to understand that God delights in me. God likes me. God knows that, in the relative terms of eternity, I am in many ways still a newborn on uncertain giraffe legs making my way through this world. Just as I watch my kids navigate each new thing, sometimes flailing and sometimes thriving, so God watches me navigate each new season of my life, inviting me to turn to him with my needs, delighting in my every wobbly step. I think of our lives on earth as a metamorphosis that God is eagerly watching and waiting on, clapping with delight at each new stage. Having older kids has helped me realize that God really, really loves us, at every stage.

Your community was deeply involved in caring for your neighbors in Minnesota during Operation Metro Surge. What kind of mothering, nitty-gritty care work did you see play out there? How has that time shaped your idea of what loving your neighbor means?

This winter in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I witnessed so much pain and heartbreak and injustice alongside so much care and connectivity and beauty. I’m still trying to put words to it all. The community mutual aid work that happened here as we sought to protect our most vulnerable neighbors was, largely, the work of mothering. We took care of the basics — we made sure hungry people had food shopped for and delivered to them so they could stay home. We raised funds to cover rent needs as people lost income and found new shelter for people whose apartments or homes had been raided. We ran a whole underground laundry ring so people could have clean clothes without going to the laundromat. We bolstered food and hygiene banks with donations and volunteer power, legal observers roaming the block, whistles at the ready. We got kids safely to and from school. We tracked down in-home medical care for the sick.

It felt like an embodied practice of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 about caring for “the least of these.” What was stunning to witness was how each person gave of what they had — time, resources, skill sets. Our signal chats pinged all day with needs for rides, doctors, groceries, legal assistance, and one by one, each need was met. It wasn’t up to one person, and there wasn’t even one central leader. I learned that the social safety net was real. I think what I most learned about loving my neighbor was that it works best on a collective level, when we all belong to each other.

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I share a lot on NeighborFood about the value of gathering, eating together, and feeding people, but I realized after reading your book that I often overlook the fact that mothers do this every single day, usually multiple times a day, with their kids. Even as a food writer and community organizer, I’ve often glossed over this work like it doesn’t “count” towards community building, but of course it does. This is why Love Like a Mother feels so necessary. It takes all the work of mothering we might call mundane or boring and instead calls it sacred, dignified, even transformative. What are the connections you see between feeding kids and feeding our neighbors? How does motherly care build our capacity for community?

I’m someone who generally moves through the world expecting to find God hiding in plain sight. I am forever taking pictures of clouds and turning over parables in my garden soil. But I wasn’t really expecting to find evidence of Divine care at the bottom of my laundry basket in the earliest years of motherhood. This everyday work of mothering opened my eyes to the unrelenting, specific, intimate care that God has for each one of us.

Because the work of motherhood is cyclical, not linear. We all know the laundry is never really done. Kids get hungry, we make food, we wipe them and their surroundings down, do some dishes, and then start the whole thing all over again a few hours later. Their needs don’t stop, and the work continues. In this, I think the work of mothering provides a picture of community care. We know that human relationships are complex and take intention, effort, and ongoing time; we know that within any group of people, there will always be need. The cyclical work of motherhood reminds us that for communities to thrive, we need to be invested for the long haul.

But the flip side of that is that intimacy is built over met need. Motherhood is rewarding ultimately because it is so connective, and we have the capacity for that in community too if we lean into the never-ending nature of it versus resist it.

To close out, I’d love to hear how you mother yourself or direct the mothering heart of God to your own soul? Are there certain people or practices that have fed your spirit during your most grueling days of mothering?

I love this question.

As for people, I have a handful of older women, my mom and mother-in-law included, who have passed along their wisdom and peace and well-worn perspective when I’ve needed it most. These are also women who have consistently prayed for me and let me know when they do, and anytime I get together with any of them feels like time spent together in God’s presence. My advice to anyone is to find older people that you admire and barnacle yourself into their life until they start sharing their wisdom with you! I also have a group of local friends who feel like family, and these are the people we call in the middle of the night when there’s an emergency, who have brought me meals and watched my kids and brought over flowers picked from their backyard on a hard day. I am so grateful for all of the people who mother me.

I have many spiritual practices that serve as a conduit to God’s maternal love for me. I include many of them in the book, at the end of each chapter - small ways to recognize God’s love in the midst of a busy day, contemplative reflections that don’t add more to an already full schedule. One of my go-to’s is to look at any small act of care that I’m doing - maybe I’m doing dishes for the umpteenth time - and as I rinse each one, I think about how God is in the business of making all things new, restoring me. Or if one of my kids has some big feels and comes to me with tears in their eyes, I think about how God longs for me to look to him when tears fill my own eyes, how God longs to hold me and tell me the truth about myself until I believe it. I think our days are full to the brim of reminders of how God cares for us. This awareness fills my soul when the day or season is too busy for other spiritual practices like meditation or prayer or reading my Bible. God is eager to meet us where we’re at - in every day, in every season.

Thank you, again, Elizabeth, for being so generous with your time and wisdom! We’d love to hear from you, too. How does the idea of God loving like a mother feel to you? I hope if it’s a new idea for you, it's one that feels healing and hopeful!

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Especially this month/week as we celebrate, I hope you all are enjoying freedom (as much of it, and in whatever form) as you can.

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List June 4

84.7KB ∙ PDF file

Download

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Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad

Fresh spinach, ripe June strawberries, and toasted pecans combine in this colorful and simple summer salad that’s perfect as a potluck/party side. The sweet lemon dressing in this makes it all work.

Tuesday: Cranberry Pistachio Chicken Salad

Leftover chicken never had it so good. This easy picnic recipe makes a tasty chicken salad that’s substantive (not that watery mayo mess you buy in the tub…)

Wednesday: Potato Huevos Rancheros Skillet

Golden crispy breakfast potatoes are topped with fresh salsa, peppers, cilantro sour cream, and a runny egg. You’re not required to eat it straight from the skillet, but it saves dishes…

Thursday: The Ultimate 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese

I (Will) keep sneaking this recipe back into our personal meal rotation because not only do our kids love it, but you add a tiny bit of customization (some frozen shrimp, tajin seasoning, or buffalo sauce and blue cheese…) and you’ve got a completely unique and outstanding pasta dish that’s WAY better than just plain mac. Also, the leftovers have become my favorite burger topping.

Friday: Italian Burgers

If mac and cheese burgers aren’t your thing, you’re tired of plain ol burgers, or the basil in your garden is taking over, try these Italian burgers! We remixed almost every element from bun to topping to give this one a distinct Italian-inspired profile.

On the shore there are ten people watching. They’re obviously concerned. They love this person! They desperately want to help. So they cup their hands over the mouths and yell towards the drowning person, “Let us know if you need help with anything!”

It’s laughably unhelpful, right? At best, it’s annoying, and at worst, it’s downright insulting. I’M DROWNING OVER HERE, I CAN’T TELL YOU WHAT I NEED.

And yet, this is often what we do when those we care about are struggling. We know they’re carrying a lot. We know they’re grieving or exhausted or depressed. We desperately want to help, but we’re unsure exactly how, so we pass along a hasty, “Let me know if you need anything!,” and put the ball firmly back in the other person’s court, another thing for them to manage, follow up on, and articulate.

I get it. I’ve done it myself many, many times. Offering and receiving care is tricky for all of us. The circumstances surrounding care are often fraught with landmines—grief, chronic illness, health care, parenting—that Americans are notoriously terrible at discussing. We feel awkward and unsure, not wanting to be too pushy or over step.

But here’s what I’ve learned from the times I’ve been the one drowning, or from being in the orbit of Very Tough Times with dear friends and family. You need someone to jump in the water with you. You need an offer of something specific and tangible, and you need it to happen without your management or initiative.

For us, it was the friend who made a meal train sign up, the neighbor who mowed our lawn without us asking, the folks who offered to pick our kids up from school—these were things I needed that I didn’t know how to ask for in the moment.

I didn’t need a vague offer of help, I needed someone to throw me a life raft.

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The Life Rafts: Practical Offers of Care

Here’s the good news. We generally know the types of things people need help with. When someone is grieving, or navigating illness, or struggling with depression, they need practical care for their every day needs, the same needs that we all tend to have.

I think of these needs in 4 categories:

Home: Cleaning, Laundry, Dishes, Lawn Mowing, Weeding

Kids: Babysitting, Pick Ups/Drop offs (from school, sports, appointments, etc)

Eating: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks (never underestimate some good snacks, especially for the grieving and post-partum moms)

Companionship: An offer of presence—maybe to cry, maybe to go to a Dr.’s appointment, or maybe to sit on the couch and watch trash television

When offering help, be specific, tangible, and limited.

Ambiguous offers of help still require the receiver to do a lot of planning and decision making. Putting boundaries around your offer helps both of you! It means you can help within your own capacity, and the person receiving help has something specific they can count on.

Be specific about the times and places you’re available. Only have an hour? Share that. Only free on certain days or nights? Offer help for those specific times.

Offer tangible help. Pick something from the categories above and run with it. If you’re willing to do laundry, say that! If you’ve only got five minutes to drop off coffee or send a DoorDash gift card, that’s great, too.

Keep it limited. It seems counterintuitive, but leaving the door wide open for help at any time or in any way is overwhelming. Instead, limit to one or two options. I also like to ask in advance what the receiver’s capacity for company is. Consider saying something like: “I can drop groceries on the porch or stay for 30 minutes if you’d like to chat. I’m great with whatever you prefer.”

Here’s what an offer of care could look like:

You can use any of the prompts below to send a quick text offer of help to someone in your life who might need it. Or, better yet, pick two or three things to offer a “menu” of care.

🏡 Home

• I’m headed to Costco. Can I pick up TP, tissues, or any other supplies for you? I’ll leave them on your porch this afternoon.

• Hey, would it be helpful if I swung by later tonight and did the dishes or folded laundry?

• I’m running errands all day today—grocery store, post office, and pharmacy. Do you need anything picked up or dropped off?

• Hey, I have 2 free hours this weekend and would love to aggressively clean or organize something. Is there a space in your house I could tackle?

• Can I come mow the lawn or weed your garden on Wednesday night?

👧🏽 Kids

• Can I pick up your kids and take them to the park for an evening this week? I’m available on Monday and Tuesday night. I’ll feed them too!

• Would it be helpful if I took the kids to school on Tuesday and Thursday this week?

🌯 Food

• What’s your coffee order this morning? It’ll be on your doorstep by 9 AM!

• Dinner is on me for one night this week! Could I bring something by on Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday night?

• I’m prepping cut fruits and veggies for the week. Can I drop some by for you tomorrow?

• I would like to set up a meal train for you. What nights would be best to have meals dropped off at your home? Would four weeks or six weeks be better?

Speaking of meal trains, here are my go-to meal train recipes and all my tips for packaging and delivering food.

👯 Companionship

• Would you like company for your doctor’s appointment this week?

• Want to go for a walk one night this week? I’m free ___, ____, ____.

• Hey, I’m free on Wednesday. Would you like some company? I could help fold laundry or we could just couch rot together.

• I have some time on Saturday and would love to spend it with you if you’re up for it. Let me know if you’d prefer: trashy magazines and gossip or a heart to heart (tears always welcome).

If someone says no:

Respect their answer, and move on. They might not have the capacity to receive help or might not need the specific thing you’re able to offer right now. Check in at another time, but don’t push or take it personally. If someone could use dinner, but doesn’t want to have a conversation, drop the dinner and run!

I’d love to hear from you! What’s one of the best things someone did for you when you were in a Tough Time? Let’s brainstorm more ways to offer care in the comments!

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I can’t seem to get enough of summer fruit, and I didn’t even mention watermelon, cherries, and plums! Luckily, we have an entire summer ahead of us to enjoy the best of the season. This is my summer fruit bucket list, filled with pies, cobblers, refreshing drinks, and fruit-filled cakes to make the most of each one!

I’d love to hear from you in the comments, what’s your favorite summer fruit and which recipe are you most excited to make this summer?

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23 Must-Make Summer Fruit Recipes

First things first, at least one peach must be eaten while standing over the kitchen sink, letting all the juices drip down my chin and arm. Hallelujah, amen.

With that out of the way, here are all the things that actually require a recipe.

A cold, very Midwestern fruit “salad.”

This is an easy one to check off, because it’s the perfect potluck side. I jump between Strawberry Pretzel Salad (I’m a sucker for that sweet salty crust!) and Peach Delight as my favorite.

Fruit pie, served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Bumbleberry Pie is an excellent choice for the Fourth of July, but I’m not sure anything can compare to a Peach Crumble Pie. If you’ve still got rhubarb, make this Blueberry Rhubarb Pie.

Cobblers, Crisps, & Crumbles, also with ice cream, obviously.

This is my heart and soul, the summer dessert I could eat every single day. Don’t ask me to pick a favorite. They’re all lovely and perfect in their own delicious ways.

Buttermilk Biscuit Peach Cobbler- A classic with a hint of bourbon and maple syrup for extra coziness.

Blackberry Peach Cobbler- I love this old fashioned crackly, cakey cobbler crust.

Cherry Almond Crumble

Apple and Blueberry Crumble

Nectarine, Cherry, and Strawberry Crisp

Summery fruit cakes, with ice cream (ok, ok these don’t have to have ice cream, but why not??)

Not the weird, dense Christmas loaves, but gorgeous bundt cakes and cheesecakes that are great for summer gatherings.

Strawberry Bundt Cake with Strawberry Glaze

Bourbon Peach Bundt Cake

Old Fashioned Pound Cake- This has no fruit in it, but I’m including it because it’s the perfect vehicle for strawberry rhubarb compote, another summer favorite.

Peach Cobbler Cheesecake Bars- I always get requests for the recipe when I bring these!

Fruity Summer Drinks, with ice cream. JUST KIDDING. Or am I??

Peach Cherry Wine Slushies- this is front porch drinking at its best.

White Wine Sangria- My go-to for parties.

Raspberry Cordial- A fabulous non-alcoholic drink, perfect for sharing with kindred spirits.

Strawberry Rhubarb Ice Cream Floats- AhHA! I did manage to sneak ice cream into the drink category.

Summer Fruits for Breakfast!

A breakfast banana split smothered with summer berries is one of the best ways to start a sweltering 90 degree day, as is cold chia pudding with fruit.

Blackberry Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping

Lemon Blueberry Loaf Cake

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes

If you’re like me, you’re basking in the warmth of the season while still waiting to feel the “break” part of “summer break.” As we all lean into summer activities and plans, I hope you are finding opportunities between the buzzing around to appreciate the simple things, and hopefully sitting down around one of these meals can help.

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List June 2

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Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Cilantro Lime Mexican Chicken Marinade

Fajitas, tacos, chicken nachos? No matter what mexican-inspired dish you are planning, if it involves chicken, THIS recipe should be your go-to. We make a BUNCH of this for large family gatherings and it’s great to have on a potluck table, taco bar, or...

Tuesday: Grilled Chicken Quesadillas

…as leftovers in these quesadillas! Around here, we like any meal that we can whip up in under 30 minutes and especially love a main course that we can dip into multiple sauces. Check and check!

Wednesday: Crispy Air Fryer Cod Fish Sandwich

Just because LENT is long over doesn’t mean we don’t have a hankerin for a crispy fish sandwich every now and again. This one is easy to bake in the oven or cook in the air fryer for a very nice crunchy fillet, and we can’t recommend making your own tartar sauce enough!

Thursday: Shrimp Bruschetta with Feta

Saucy savory shrimp and sweet tangy cherry tomatoes in a buttery garlic broth that I can dunk bread into? Sign. me. up.

Friday: Strawberry Bacon Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches

This recipe is an indulgent grown up lunch for a parent who is stuck at home watching their kids when they’d rather be on a bistro patio eating a fancy sandwich.

We’re only a few days into summer, but I’m already craving some structure and routine. 😵‍💫 I’m a big fan of Emily Ley’s How to Be A Person Camp, where we spend the summer working on life skills with our kids. Think: shoe-tying, gift wrapping, scrambled egg making, grocery shopping, and more. You can grab an editable copy of the camp skills we’re working on with my 10 and 7 year olds this summer at the bottom of this post!

Let’s get into it!

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Congratulations for making it to Summer! After the full year we’ve just had, it is now officially time to go full “patio” mode. So pour yourself a cold drink, light the fire pit, and lock that lawn lounger into the fully reclined position.

Here’s some meals ideas to help feed your summer ambitions.

Your FULL MONTH, downloadable plan is at the end of this post.

Here’s the week’s Grocery Shopping List:

June Week 1 Grocery List

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Now on to this week’s meals!!!

Monday: Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa

We love how fool proof this grilled salmon is. You cook it in a foil pouch to seal in all the delicious sweet and spicy flavors, and we top it with an easy to whip-up mango salsa. All in this only takes about 35-40 minutes total and makes enough to feed the whole family.

Tuesday: Brie Cheese Sandwiches

Since it’s the season of garden lettuces, baseball saturdays and pool afternoons, a sandwich recipe for the grown ups seemed appropriate. The combo of brie cheese, sweet apricot jam, salty prosciutto, and sharp balsamic hits just right.

Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread

In an effort to coerce our picky eaters into expanding their horizons past french bread pizzas we developed this delight. Melty stretchy cheese and toasty bread are still here, but along with tender chicken and herby garden basil and tomatoes drizzled with balsamic.

Thursday: Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Sometimes you just need a quick classic. Our go to for hot dogs is to give them tiny criss-cross slices and cook them for about 6 minutes in the air fryer for the best crispy edges that hold on to more toppings.

Friday: Southwest Pasta Salad

I’ll say it again, perhaps our best shortcut to a simple summer meal is to make a big ol bowl of pasta salad, add a protein (leftover chicken or chopped up deli meats) and just have it around a few days for a fast lunch or a side-as-a-main-course dinner that’s easy to supplement with a slice of melon, or a juice.

Grab your customizable full month meal plan printable at the Canva link below, or download it as is and get cooking!

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Your plan to customize (You’ll need a free Canva account to make changes): Customizable JUNE Meal Plan

Or download the PDF as-is:

June Monthly Meal Plan

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I know the answer to at least one question and it’s chopped subs. A lot of them. At least once a week, maybe twice. We discovered the chopped sub last year when the idea went viral on social media. The premise is simple: take all the normal stuff you’d put into a sub, and instead of layering it, chop it all up into a bright and tangy salad, then pile it in your sub and go.

I can’t explain exactly why eating a chopped sub feels so superior to a regular old sub, but it definitely does. Every bite is crisp and meaty and punchy. It’s exactly the kind of thing I want to stuff in my face when I’m melting on the sidelines of my son’s baseball game or sitting by the pool with a book in hand.

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We’re headed into a rainy Memorial Day weekend with a ton to celebrate and be proud about. This week despite the weather, the birds living in our roof, a nasty spring virus, and the inevitable swarm of year-end activities, we’re gonna cook like it’s full on summer.

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List May 4

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Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Mozzarella Burgers

If you find yourself wanting more than just a plain ol burger, give this one a try! A thick slice of fresh mozz melts beautifully and the sharp sun dried tomato + pesto mayo really adds a nice punch of herby garden flavor. Also, (shameless plug) but we sorta made a kick-butt ultimate burger guide here, so let it never be said that we left our readers wanting or tired of repeat recipes when it comes to our beloved burgers.

Tuesday: Chicken Margherita

We’re celebrating that we finally (after 15+ years of recipe blogging) learned how to properly and consistently grill JUICY chicken breasts by leaning in, and doubling down on the mozz/tomato/pesto flavor medley. This one is simple, tasty, and beloved.

Wednesday: Steak and Blue Cheese Salad

“Steak? In this economy?” I can hear some of you thinking through the screen. The nice thing about this recipe is that it works with that random leftover scrap of Outback steak that you’ll otherwise forget about in the doggy-bag, or even a leftover burger patty. The real star of the show here is the blue cheese dressing and CRISPY iceberg anyways. Doesn’t a wedge salad just feel EPIC every time?

Thursday: Garlic Herb Baked Salmon and Potatoes

Shout out to ALDI for making this one affordable enough to put in the family dinner rotation. Their assorted bag of mini potatoes is perfect for this recipe, and their salmon fillets are as cheap as you’ll find anywhere. This hassle-free sheet pan meal is a winner.

Friday: Ham and Cheese Frittata

This Brinner darling is back again because I’m craving sauteed leeks, and I have a new hot sauce to try that needs a vehicle. If you want to make this meal feel a little extra fancy, splurge for pancetta cubes in place of the ham and get you some of the gooood cheese. (Tillamook extra sharp white cheddar + Greuyere or Guggisberg Swiss.)

And you know what that means?

Chill nights on the patio. Casual summer potlucks. Bonfires and s’mores for dessert.

I LIVE for summer potluck season. I’m a Midwestern gal with Mennonite roots. The potluck is literally in my blood.

The potluck also removes a lot of the barriers to gathering. No one has to prepare an entire meal. There is no elaborate decorating or theming. The theme is literally good food and good people, preferably a lot of both.

If you’re lining up your summer potlucks and unsure what to make, I’ve got loads of ideas for you in today’s round up! I’ve put my ride-or dies in this email, but if you want the full collection (with over 65(!!) recipes), you’ll want to visit my Summertime Potluck Recipe Guide.

Hang on for just a few more weeks, friends! Before you know it we’ll be on the patio with full plates and an icy cold drink in hand.

Summer Veggie Side Dishes

• Classic 7 Layer Salad- Yes, the dressing is mostly mayo and sugar. No, I will never stop loving this classic salad. It’s the super crisp, cold iceberg lettuce paired with the creamy dressing, for me. And the bacon, it’s also the bacon.

• Strawberry Spinach Salad- If you’re trying to sneak some greens into the day, this is the way! The sweet lemon dressing and bursts of strawberry makes everyone forget they’re eating spinach.

• Cucumber Tomato Salad- This is the easiest side dish to make and is super light, tangy, and refreshing in a sea of potato salads and mac and cheese.

• Sweet and Sour Coleslaw- I’m not a fan of mayo-based coleslaws, but I love this sweet and tangy version. We serve it as a side in its own right, but we also like to pile it on Slow Cooker Pulled Pork and tacos.

• Amish Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad- There is absolutely no reason why this salad should work. Broccoli and cheddar cheese? And onions? AND RAISINS? WITH A CREAMY MAYO DRESSING? It doesn’t make sense on paper, but I promise it will make sense to your taste buds.

Summer Non-Veggie Sides

• Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad- This pasta salad is made with bottled Italian dressing (I highly recommend Newman’s Own!), and is endlessly adaptable. Load it up with your favorite veggies, cured meats, and cheeses. This one is also very make-ahead friendly.

• Cilantro Lime 3 Bean Salad- Fresh, zesty, filling, and the perfect accompaniment to tacos or Mexican Grilled Chicken.

• Ultimate Four Cheese Mac and Cheese- Rich, creamy, baked mac and cheese with a little funk thanks to the addition of blue cheese.

• Cowboy Baked Beans- Intensely savory and a bit sweet, with the added bonus of ground beef. This is great on hot dogs, or for dunking potato chips!

Crowd Pleasing Summer Desserts

• Peach Cobbler Cheesecake Bars- It’s cobbler you can take on the road, with layers of fresh peaches, cheesecake, and streusel topping.

• Strawberry Pretzel Salad- Is my Midwestern showing? This sweet and salty cream cheese and strawberry jello “salad” has my whole heart.

• Dirt Pudding- An everlasting, multi-generational favorite. It looks like dirt. It’s got gummy worms! You can serve it in a sand pail or flower pot (clean, please) for the most adorable summer vibes.

• Blueberry Rhubarb Schlumpf- Sweet and just a tad tangy, best served communally with heaping scoops of ice cream, straight from the pan.

• S’mookies- Make your favorite chocolate chip cookies (here’s ours), roast some mallows, then sandwich between said cookies. You’ll never want to make regular s’mores again.

I would love to hear what your summer potluck MVPs are! What do you love to bring to the party? Share it in the comments!

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