Hello friends! I’ve made it through a month of birthday and holiday celebrations. Now it’s time to detox (just a little) and get back on track with good, clean eating. Fortunately, healthy options for summer family dinner ideas are as abundant as the fresh summer produce in North Carolina. In my backyard, tomato plants, peppers and herbs are thriving. Soon, these plants will provide us with the best tasting and most convenient.. Read More
Healthy Family Meals for Summer (No. 2)
How is it the middle of July already?! We recently returned from a trip to visit my lovely and amazing in-laws at their beautiful home in Lake Lure, NC. They are so gracious to host one of my family’s most beloved traditions: going to their Lake Lure home for the 4th of July. The whole weekend is packed with delightful food, time on the water, naps on the “sleeping porch”, wine tastings (juice.. Read More
Weekly Dinner Menu for Summer No. 1
Confession: I’m pretty sure I gain a few pounds in the summer time and lose them in the winter time. It’s the opposite of the expected holiday weight gain that most people experience. The same people who tend to put on the pounds over Thanksgiving and Christmas are the same people who tirelessly work to lose them before bathing suit season. Not me. My girlish figure goes by the wayside.. Read More
5 Family Meal Ideas for late Spring (#5)
The strawberries have come and gone in North Carolina, indicating that the end of Spring is near, but the green tomatoes popping up on my backyard tomato plants tell me that a bountiful summer is just around the corner. I can practically smell the basil from my office! I am getting pretty pumped about the upcoming Summer menus that I’ll be sharing with all of you. Every couple of months, we usher.. Read More
Spring Family Menu 4 – Easy Family Meals x 5
It’s still Spring (technically), but summer is near. This week’s menu features 5 easy family meals with a couple of little surprises for the grill. I love grilled food! Not only does the grill impart a distinct, flavorful char on things we cook on it, but it makes clean up quick and easy. I also find that cooking outdoors helps to keep our (indoor) kitchen nice and cool in the warmer.. Read More
Spring Family Menu 3
Our 3rd week of Spring Family Menu Ideas includes 6 complete dinners to satisfy grownups and kids, alike. For our crew, this menu will start on Saturday and run through Thursday since we’ll be heading out of town on Friday for Memorial Day. We’re hoping to invite some of our new neighbors over for dinner on Saturday night to enjoy the Smoked Pork BBQ! MEAL 1: Pork BBQ Sandwiches, Green Beans, Roasted Potatoes,.. Read More
Spring Family Menu 2
Ideas for our Family Menu for the week include 6 scrumptious meals. We started our week on Sunday night with the Chicken Tacos. MEAL 1 Chicken Tacos, Spanish Rice & Warm Corn/Avocado Salad MEAL 2: Quinoa Cakes + Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad MEAL 3: Stuffed Shells, Garlic Bread & Parmesan Zucchini MEAL 4: Pizzadillas (think Quesadillas with pizza ingredients) + Tomato/Cucumber Salad MEAL 5: Chicken Lettuce Wraps + Udon Noodles with carrots, cabbage and zucchini MEAL 6:.. Read More
Seasonal Ideas for Dinner – Spring
Our family menu lineup for the week of May 3rd through May 9th includes these 5 ideas for dinner: Meal 1: Chilaquiles Verde, Mango + Avocado Salad, Corn -on-the-cob Meal 2: Perogies, Sauteed Zucchini & Squash, Salad Meal 3: Homemade Chicken Tenders, Macaroni & Cheese (from scratch), Steamed Broccoli Meal 4: Naanzas (individual pizzas made on Naan) + Salad Meal 5: Italian Baked Chicken, Pasta and Garlic Bread