I don't know about you - but going from the relaxed 'schedule' of summer and late nights and quasi-bedtimes to being forced back onto the school routing is just plain daunting. I'm not sure if it's the ginormous pile of papers that come home that first week of school and 87% of them need to be filled out or signed. And then you have to turn your "but I still just wanna be … [Read more...]
Twirly Taco Pasta Skillet
My boys love "tacaroni." They have for years. And this is my skillet hack version of the "tacaroni" that they love! This is very much a "homemade hamburger helper" kind of meal. And it's amazing! If you've never cooked a skillet meal from scratch like this, please let me teach you. I survive the busy-madness with these kinds of quick and easy meals. Let me describe it, … [Read more...]
Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Sweet ‘n Sour Beef
Homemade sweet n sour sauce...that's my favorite way to do "fakeout-takeout." Then load in the meat and veggies --- YUM! This is a great freezer friendly version of Sweet 'n Sour Beef that I know you're going to love! See the FreezEasy recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet ‘n Sour Beef here! We’ve created an easy way to share this freezer friendly recipe on Facebook … [Read more...]
Chipotle Meatloaf
Holy Chipotle- Guacamole. No...not Chipotle's guacamole. (Although it is delicious.) Holy guacamole, this Chipotle Meatloaf is outstanding. It's hearty, super tasty and does really well in the freezer. I love freezing meatloaf because it's super durable in the freezer. Freezing Meatloaf Hack, so your loaf pans don't get stuck in the freezer ---> … [Read more...]
Grilled Southwestern Steaks
We don't make steaks often around here...but when we do, we make them with a homemade seasoning or rub! My oldest and third sons would eat steak morning, noon and night. They have been known to jump up and down in the kitchen when I tell them we are having steak for dinner! The meal is a bit of a throw back for me...as we'd often enjoy a thin steak with rice and avocado … [Read more...]
Chicken Bake with Ranch & Bacon
I think I could eat this for every meal of the day. Really, I think I could. Because...bacon. And Ranch. On chicken. And CHEESE. Yeah, dinnertime bliss is about to hit your dinner table...just as soon as you make this for your people. If you don't want to do Ranch dressing, then you could use Ranch dressing mix packet - or 2 Tbsp of homemade Ranch dressing. You'll miss … [Read more...]
Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
Lemon Pepper Chicken might be my favorite way to grill chicken. Why? Because the lemon juice does such an amazing job of tenderizing the chicken (the acidity actually breaks down the chicken to literally soften it), and infusing it's citrus-y flavor goodness deep into the chicken. The result is perfectly grilled chicken! Combined with more pepper in the marinade than you … [Read more...]
Orange Julius Ice Pops
Can we talk about Orange Julius' for a minute? I miss them. Where do you get them anymore? When I was in middle school and high school, it was my favorite reason to go to the mall. I didn't love the mall because I was shopping, or getting new clothes, or scoping out a cute group of guys. I loved the mall for the Orange Julius shop. It was the first stop I'd hit, every … [Read more...]
5 Common Myths About Freezer Cooking
Before I started freezer cooking, I didn’t know that I was missing out on healthier meals, less time in the kitchen, lower grocery bill, less gas wasted in the drive thru lane, overall food bill lowered too, my husband and kids loved the added variety of these new meals. I was desperate to free up mental space, time, money spent on fast food. And I wanted to protect the … [Read more...]
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
My son Charlie has declared these the perfect Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. He's not a fan of chocolate chip cookies. Which I make often. So I find myself making a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies for Charlie and my husband. (Charlie is Steve's mini-me in so many ways...looks, personality, they are both early bird morning people, they don't like chocolate chip cookies but do like … [Read more...]