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

86.8KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

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.

Read more

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!

Subscribe now

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

134KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

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.

Subscribe now

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.

Subscribe now

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!

Leave a comment

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

Download

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.

Subscribe now

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!

Leave a comment

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?

Leave a comment

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

78KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

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!

Read more

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

74.4KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

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!

Subscribe now

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

468KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

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.

Read more

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

58.1KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

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!

Leave a comment

We’re being reminded this week that despite our plans, and our desire to step into the next season seamlessly, that life often deals us curve balls, speed bumps, or just dump truck loads of trash.

Start again, stop again… one step forward, two steps back… feeling like we’ve got it made, then striking the chaos lottery…

Whether it’s illness, family, work, or the combination of everything all at once, we’re thinking of you all this week and hoping you are finding some calm amid the crescendo.

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

Grocery List May 3

63.6KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

This easy 30 minute meal is packed with enough flavor, that you’ll wonder if you really need to go to olive garden ever again… (Endless salad and bread sticks makes a compelling case though.)

Tuesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Developed as a tribute to our favorite defunct fast-casual dining spot, this Max & Erma’s copy cat tortilla soup is loaded with chicken, cheese, veggies, and has the perfect amount of spice.

Wednesday: Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

This is not a replacement for a beef burger. *whispers (it’s actually better!) This marinated portobello mushroom sandwich stands fully on its own with rich zesty flavors and a dynamite special sauce.

Thursday: Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet

The sales pitch for this recipe is short: One pan, with everything you need, topped with cheese, ready in 30 minutes. These types of skillet casseroles are what built America.

Friday: Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Why should pasta salad just be considered a side dish? We include enough ham/salami, veggies and cheese to make this a main course. In the summer, nothing is better than mixing up a bowl of this stuff in just 20 minutes, and having meals/lunches at the ready for days after.

Is there an emoji that’s sort of smiling, but has an eye-twitch, flared angry nostrils, and accordion mouth? If so, it should be the official mascot of May.

This month has held so much assembled joy, so much to be proud of and to celebrate… And yet behind this truly authentic smile, is an overwhelmed introvert who is grinding their molars and screaming on the inside.

Hoping that this week you find the most graceful path through the school year, and that this weeks meal plan can help.

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

Grocery List May 2

62.6KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: 30 Minute Korean Sloppy Joes

Sweet, savory, sloppy and simple. This spin on a classic sloppy joe recipe adds some interesting flavors to a classic family favorite.

Tuesday: Asian Chicken Marinade

Honey, sesame, garlic, ginger and soy come together to make the perfect marinade that doubles as a brush-on glaze for outstanding grilled chicken that’s packed with flavor.

Wednesday: Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Originally a copycat Panera recipe, this salad makes great use of leftover grilled chicken and give us an excuse to whip up some more of this delicious homemade sesame vinegar dressing.

Thursday: Margarita Shrimp Tostadas

Don’t sleep on tostada shells. This often overlooked tortilla-isle item has a CROuuNCH that is sooo satisfying. In this recipe, you can make your own by baking some corn tortillas or just buy the pre-made shells. I can’t think of anything better to top them with than refried beans, marinaded chili lime shrimp and fresh avocado.

Friday: Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

Creamy, peppery and delicious, you’ll love how easily this 30 minute recipe puts a meal in your belly and a smile on your face.

I read the first Hunger Games book as a newlywed. It was 2010 and Barack Obama was President. This was before we had ever heard the words Covid or Polymarket. Before Donald Trump told us he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue and not lose a single vote. The Hunger Games felt like the best kind of dystopian fiction—close enough to reality that it was believable, but not so close that it made your skin crawl.

This morning I scrolled through images from the Met Gala, which is a thing we are apparently still doing. The red carpet was bursting with outlandishly wealthy people in extravagant costumes featuring extra arms (?!), dollar bill blindfolds, and gowns that took 761 hours to complete. Are we really that far off from the Capitol citizens, with their glass hats swarming with live bees or embedded jewels on artificially colored skin?

Subscribe now

And then there’s the betting. Oh, the heartbreak of the betting. I would love to feel distantly horrified by the citizens of Panem betting on the odds of children dying in a game of their own creation, but instead I feel only a dreadful knowing. This year, Americans have placed over 1 billion dollars in bets on the war in Iran.

Are we not living in a world that feels like a reality show, obsessed with spectacle and entertainment over the needs of the common citizen? Are we not seeing, in the starkest terms, the suffering of the least of these juxtaposed against the increasing wealth of the few?

What do you do when the odds aren’t in your favor, when the powerful aren’t servants, but self-obsessed? What do you do when celebrities attend galas while children suffer in wars and deportation camps and homes without enough groceries to last the week?

What, my friends, do you do in the middle of the hunger games?

In Sunrise on the Reaping, the prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy, a young Haymitch Abernathy is sent to the 50th annual Hunger Games. It is an unjust reaping; his name is called as a replacement for another district 12 kid who flees and is killed by peacekeepers. But of course, there is no “just” reaping in a system designed to terrorize and oppress the many for the benefit of the few.

In the arena, an abundantly beautiful place filled with hidden poisons, Haymitch hopes to break the games, overthrowing the symbol of the Capitol’s power, indifference, and cruelty once and for all.

Of course, we know he won’t succeed. He tries. He makes a stir. But he ultimately fails. The reader knows it will take another 24 years before Katniss Everdeen finally wrecks the Hunger Games.

My heart aches when I think of those 24 years and of the 50 years of terror that proceeded them. The victory at the end of the story can’t erase the pain of those years. Haymitch’s story is so brutal that if I hadn’t read the other books, I might think Suzanne Collins was trying to drive us all to the white liquor.

Instead, I’d rather assume this is the story she thought needed to be told in this moment. A story not about one person who changed everything, but of a thousand tiny stitches woven into a tapestry of resistance.

So, what do we do when we’re in the middle of the Hunger Games?

Maybe it’s as simple as following the path of Haymitch and Maysilee, an unlikely pair of allies in the arena.

“What a luxury, to wake up to a breakfast of fresh cornbread, buttermilk, and peaches instead of having to scrounge for stale leftovers. Maysilee had the food all laid out on a tarp, like a party. She folded a pair of handkerchiefs into flowers for napkins, and even filled the bowl of the wineglass with some kind of pink blossom, likely poisonous, but undeniably decorative.”

We set a table. We spread a picnic blanket out in the wilderness, with whatever meager rations the day affords. We feed each other.

We take what we are given and make it beautiful, folding handkerchiefs into flowers and turning poisoned blossoms into a centerpiece.

We share what we have. We make unlikely allies. We drop chocolates on our enemies. We look out for the little guy.

We protect each other, care for each other, turn neighbors into family.

We remind each other of our dignity as human beings. We refuse to abandon each other, to turn on each other, or to harden our hearts. We resist the temptation of bitterness and despair.

We lament, remembering each of our losses, giving them all the space they need and deserve. We hold onto our humanity, together. We resist. We resist. We resist.

The slave trade existed in the United States for 246 years. Two hundred forty six devastating, vicious years. I wish it were different. It should haunt us that it took so long. I think one of the best questions we can ask God is “How long, Oh Lord?”

And yet, I refuse to believe those years were wasted. I refuse to let history forget all the big and tiny ways Black people resisted over those years: the meals they shared, the wounds they tended, the books they learned to read, the freedom songs they sung. For every Harriet Tubman there were a thousand Maysilee Donners imagining a different future for their children, setting tables, feeding people, making something beautiful in the midst of so much cruelty. Every tarp spread on the ground of the arena matters.

Of course, we all wish we could be Katniss Everdeen, the brave, self-sacrificing hero of the story, the one who leads the revolution. But this mom in middle America with her two kids and her small business is a lot more like Haymitch Abernathy. I might not be able to blow up the arena, but I can set a damn good table. And I’ll keep doing it until the whole thing finally crumbles.

Subscribe now

Last night, my son broke down in tears before bed. It had been a long week, filled with good things, but filled nonetheless, and as he caught his breath between the tears, he told us “it just feels like one thing after another. There’s no time to just chill.”

Phew, can I ever relate. May is a month of one thing after another, a sprint to summer filled with musical performances and award ceremonies and field days and teacher appreciation and on and on it goes. It can be tough to catch your breath.

I hope this meal plan can take one thing off your (figurative) plate, and when dinner is just “one more thing,” I hope you order take out.

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

Here’s the week’s Grocery Shopping List:

May Week 1 Grocery List

57.4KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Now on to this week’s meals!!!

Monday: Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast

I shared in our last Snack Chats that I finally learned how to cook goood chicken breast. Roast some veggies (I recommend this roasted carrot salad or roasted zucchini and peppers)while the chicken cooks for an easy dinner. Make an extra piece of chicken to have with the Chicken Bacon Salad later this week!

Tuesday: Crock Pot Barbacoa Tacos

You gotta love when Cinco de Mayo falls on Taco Tuesday! This crock pot barbacoa makes enough for a party so invite some friends to join you! Save the juices to make the Mexican Stew on Thursday.

Wednesday: Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps

You can’t go wrong with this combo. Fry up some bacon to go with the leftover chicken and you’ll have an easy delicious dinner in less than 30 minutes. If your kids are iffy about wraps, you can also serve these deconstructed. Ours love eating their plain tortilla, bacon strips, cheese, and lettuce. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thursday: Mexican Beef Stew

You can thank the leftover barbacoa juices for giving this stew the richest, savoriest broth. Filled with potatoes and corn and topped with avocado and fresh lime juice, this feels comforting and fresh at the same time.

Friday: Creamy Shrimp Pappardelle

Finish the week with a restaurant style pasta dish you can easily create at home. Silky, creamy, and finished with fresh basil, it’s a lovely way to finish the week.

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

Subscribe now

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

Or download the PDF as-is:

May Monthly Meal Plan

185KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

I just finished syncing our home calendar with the end of school year calendar and am

Read more

As we close out April, late, hurried, and haggard evenings are swirling together with lazy summer-like patio nights, so this week’s meals are a mix of FAST easy favorites and grill-night staples so that you’ll be ready for whatever kind of dinnertime life has served you.

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

Grocery List Apr 4

60.6KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Simple Creamy Pasta with Peas Recipe

Tender small shells cradle bursts of sweet peas, all wrapped in a silky Parmesan cream sauce with crispy pancetta. It’s rich but not heavy, indulgent but easy, and best of all, it comes together in just 30 minutes.

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese in the Oven

A sheet pan and the oven is the secret to serving up toasty gooey grilled cheese sandwiches to up to 1-16 people. Bookmark this one for the summer when you need to feed a crowd of hungry kids.

Wednesday: Fish Taco Bowls

Fish Taco Salad Bowls combine flaky seasoned fish with shredded cabbage, lettuce, avocado dressing, and all your favorite taco toppings for a healthy and delicious meal.

Thursday: Ham and Cheese Frittata

For a true 30 minute meal, this Ham and Cheese Frittata is the ultimate pinch hitter. You can adapt it upscale for a fancy brunch or dumb it down for a quick dinner with a just a few ingredient swaps (arugula, shaved parmesan, pancettta swapped for ham, scallions, you get the idea).

Friday: Ranch Burgers

These cheesy burgers are seasoned with dried herbs like dill and parsley to give them that characteristic garden zing. But we also add a few crisp veggies and a drizzle of our favorite ranch dressing (from Jet’s Pizza) to make these burgers memorable.

But I decided any food blogger worth her salt should know how to cook a chicken breast in an emergency. What if, for example, the chicken thighs are all recalled due to dark meat fever? (Us older millennials know we can count on any “once in a lifetime” events happening in our lifetime).

In any case, I needed to be ready. The process was arduous. My family was subjected to a lot of wildly mediocre chicken these last few months.

Subscribe now

Friends, I’m happy to say, I finally nailed it, and now you can also be prepared for the chicken-thigh-pocalypse with these banger recipes.

First, Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast. Ok, the sear! the juiciness! the seasoning! It gives any restaurant chicken dish a run for its money, and it only takes 25 minutes to make. Enjoy it on it’s own or in a giant Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad.

Second, a Crispified Chicken Cutlet that’s perfect for sandwiches, on top of pasta or salads, or by itself. The kids thinks these are fancy chicken nuggets. What a rush! I’ve finally arrived.

Alright, on to the other good stuff of spring!

I have become a trash hoarder, but it’s for a good cause, I promise! These drink dispenser gifts are simple to put together and are just so CHEERY! Love this for a friendship gift or an “I see all you’re carrying” reminder.

🥹 I have not yet found the mental fortitude to watch Andrea Gibson’s documentary “Come See Me In the Good Light,” as it appears the original song from the film is enough to make me ugly cry. I would pay more cash money than my financial advisor would recommend to see Brandi Carlisle and Sara Bareilles live together.

😦 Speaking of Sara Bareilles, this video of her discovering a dead…something…in her walls was the most unexpected thing I watched on the internet this year. Equal parts horrifying and empowering.

🐴 This mini therapy horse playing the keyboard (badly) made me laugh out loud, and I would like to invite him to distract me from all unpleasant tasks from here on out.

🪐 Will and I saw Project Hail Mary and I cried and laughed and felt my heart grow three sizes. Pairing that with the successful moon launch? PERFECTION. I would like the words of Astronaut Jeremy Hansen cross stitched on a pillow.

🚡 I was DELIGHTED by this SNL sketch of the least popular and most popular emojis. It’s going in my dopamine folder for life. 🟧➗🤿🏤 IYKYK

Fantastic Audiobook Recs + A Very Good Deal

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend1- A comedy satire about a couple who is enjoying a low cost vacation at an island resort when the sun explodes. It’s offbeat and funny, with a surprising amount to say about masculinity, class, and the choices we make when everything we love is at stake. You won’t want to miss the Southern accent of Lilyanna, the fitness MLM influencer who becomes the de-facto dictator of the post-apocalyptic resort.

Little One by - A compelling, gentle thriller (yes, I think this is a thing) about a woman raised in an isolated wellness cult run by her charismatic father. This was dark without feeling scary, and it had me listening late into the night. AND THAT ENDING. I immediately hopped over to the Bad on Paper podcast to listen to the author discuss her writing process and get her take on the ending.

Libro.fm is running great deals on audiobooks this week only. I picked up The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, which has been recommended to me multiple times, for only $2.99(!) and How to Walk Into a Room, which is a book I revisit often when I’m struggling with a decision or transition in my life. New members also get two free audiobook credits when they sign up and use code BOOKSTOREDAY.

Stuff You Might’ve Missed:

• Roasted Carrot Salad with Feta and Dill

• The Best Old Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

• What’s the Point? On Planting Seeds and Going to Space

• What I’d Make for Spring Brunch

• Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

If you enjoyed this post, it would mean the world to me if you tapped the heart button and shared it with a friend! Thanks for reading!

Share

Snack chats are more fun when you join in. Leave a comment and share your wins of the month!

Leave a comment