back to school = back to swell

After the best summer ever, my kiddos are heading back to school. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know what means-- it's time to start stocking the fridge and freezer with homemade goodness. But there's one difference this year…

I spent the plane ride home laying out how I was going to achieve my own goals in the time that they're in school. {Surely I am not the only one who thinks back-to-school rivals New Years in terms of fresh starts!} Yep, I tallied the hours they'll be in school, and then I started {totally anally} subtracting hours for all the things I need to do, and all the things I want to do. And the truth is, it didn't allow a lot of time to be running to the supermarket and playing Happy Homemaker each day.

Hmm… by now you know that family dinners are important to me. So, next, I laid out each day's afternoon chauffeuring schedule. Whoa. As much as I try to be thoughtful about after school stuff, that was all over the place-- some days family dinner could only happen at 5:00 {which means dad wouldn't be there}, some days it's at 7:30+ {which is dangerously close to my little one's bedtime}, and some days it's virtually impossible to get four people to the table even close the same time. And the real eye-opener was that there are very few days when I am home around dinner time {whatever time that may be} to do the cooking. Thankfully, I have some tools up my sleeve. {Exhibit A: The First Batch; Exhibit B: The Second Batch}

My plan to make this work starts slow. I've gone through both Meals in a Snap booklets, as well as some oldie but goodies from the blog and picked out 1-2 recipes to make each week. A stash of homemade meals doesn't happen overnight… but pretty soon our freezer will be well stocked.

The first two recipes I whipped up: a big {slow-cooked} batch of Bolognese for my 'meatarian' son, and a super quick and easy stash of Kale-Almond Pesto that my vegetarian son-- and all of us-- love.

I also have a few of the Veggie Calzones on hand in the freezer {made last May, from the Stock Your Freezer in a Snap - The Second Batch ebook} which make great "front seat to backseat" snacks or meals, if I'm in a pinch.

For those who want to follow along, I'll check back in and let you know what's getting tucked in the freezer next.

Here's to a great school year ahead, and to all of us busy moms getting fabulous homemade dinners on the table, while getting back to swell!

what's been cooking...

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Has it really been a month since I've sat down to post?

Well, I will fully admit to not spending a whole lot of time in the kitchen. The sun is finally out in the Northeast, and so am I. But here's what I've been whipping up...

To keep my skin clear and bright, smoothies every morning. I combine 2 cups of water, coconut water or almond milk + 1 packet of ALOHA Daily Good Greens + 1/4 - 1/2 cup of a good fat like hazelnuts, almonds or avocado + 1/2 - 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit.

Blend it all together and voila. A satisfying start to my day.

My other morning ritual? 1 cup coffee + 1 Tablespoon coconut oil + 1-2 scoops collagen. Sounds weird, tastes delish. And keeps me looking 33 vs 43.

There's a lot of blending in the Spring. Quick and easy… and makes meals come together quickly. One recent fav:

Chimichuri Sauce

(makes 2+ cups; store in fridge or freeze)

2-3 cups fresh parsley
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup cider or red wine vinegar vinegar (or more, to taste)
4-5 cloves garlic (or more, to taste)
salt and pepper, to taste

Whiz everything in a blender or food processor until smooth. Serve drizzled over chicken, steak, fish, shrimp, quinoa, couscous, rice and/or grilled veggies. 

I've also made sure to keep a few tubs of pesto on hand for quick weeknight dinners. Kale Pesto is a go-to, and another that's become a recent fav is Carrot-Cashew Pesto. Deelish. This is one of the recipes in the Second Batch of Stock Your Freezer in a Snap, which you can purchase here if you don't already have the instant download. Lots of good vegetarian, gluten-free, and family friendly freezer recipes in there that you can whip up.

My kids love this Carrot-Cashew one because it's creamy and sweet.

I love to spread this one on naan and make a pizza dinner, which has been pleasing both the vegetarians and non-vegetarians around here.

That kind of dinner comes together quickly, which is perfect because I find we're on on fields, tracks and whatnot well into the evenings most nights.

My other fav, if games, matches, belt tests or meets fall right at lunchtime or dinnertime, is the snack bar at our local park. My personal favorite? Emad's Falafel Platter. If you're at Mead Park, it's a must try.

I was trying to think back on the past month and the only real 'cooking' I've done was to restock our supply of enchiladas for the freezer. I've taken to making large trays of chicken ones, and packaging up individual containers of vegetarian ones for my older son. Have that system down pat so we can all enjoy the 'same' meal.

On Cinqo de Mayo we had both sets of grandparents visiting, so I whipped a chicken and veggie tray of enchiladas out of the freezer and served them alongside that delicious Romaine, Jicama, Mango Salad that's an oldie but goodie on the blog.

Plus, since that enchilada recipe makes a ton, we were able to surprise our son's dedicated Robotics Team coaches and teachers with a Cinqo de Mayo feast too. Ole!

Anyway, given the choice, we're taking most of our meals outside

and when I do cook (enchiladas being the exception), I'm making a real effort to eat clean-- lots of quinoa salads, things like the chimichurri sauce and pestos mentioned above drizzled over grilled veggies, fish or meat.

But then there are those times when you think, "I want to be good… but man of man, do I also want a decadent treat!". And that's when I poke around sites I like and find recipes like this Banoffee Pie from Oh She Glows that make me swoon.

easy clean eating: banana-walnut chia pudding

Whipped this up to rave reviews this week...

As one commenter said on the Facebook page, "I love chia pudding  But I think you have to like tapioca pudding to deal with the texture. Just my opinion….." and I'd totally agree. We happen to love it around here.

As you can see, I had some ripe bananas just begging to become a wholesome snack, so this go round, I decided to make the chia pudding banana-flavored… but then at the last minute I added walnuts too for some extra good fat. If you have nut allergies, you can absolutely omit the walnuts, no problem, and you can use whatever milk your family enjoys-- be it dairy, seed, soy or nut.

OK, so the preparation is super simple-- first you blend 2 cups of milk {whichever type your using} + 2 bananas + 1/2 cup walnuts {optional} + 1 Tablespoon vanilla + 1 teaspoon cinnamon {or more, to taste-- I like our cinnamon-y so I added as much as a Tablespoon} + a dash of ginger {optional, start with a scant 1/2 teaspoon and go from there til you get to desired taste}. Once this mixture is smooth...

you'll simply pour it over 2/3 cup of chia seeds, then either stir well-- or shake-- and place the bowl into the fridge overnight. In the morning you'll have a thick pudding to enjoy for a protein-packed breakfast, or a special after school snack.  

Banana-Walnut Chia Seed Pudding

{makes 6 servings}

2 cups of milk {dairy, nut, seed, or soy-- your choice}

2 bananas

1/2 cup walnuts {optional}

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon {or more, to taste}

a dash of ginger {optional}

2/3 cup chia seeds

Blend all but the chia seeds until mixture is smooth. Place chia seeds in a bowl or jar large enough to hold whole batch of pudding. Pour banana mixture over the chia seeds and stir-- or shake-- to combine. Place container in fridge overnight. 

Stock Your Freezer in a Snap: the "Second Batch" of freezer meals is here! Now with vegetarian and gluten-free options too!!

I cannot tell you how excited I am to publish my second Stock Your Freezer in a Snap instantly downloadable ebook! The "Second Batch" contains a dozen healthful family recipes-- 10 of which are gluten-free. And all are-- of course-- freezer-friendly, so you can feed your family well, even on the busiest of days. You may click below to instantly download the ebook, or read on for more details.

Included in this ebook:

• A dozen new family-friendly recipes that freeze beautifully (enough to inspire, not overwhelm!)
• Done-for-you shopping lists
• Simple, easy-to-follow recipes for any level home cook
• Step-by-step photos to successfully guide you through each recipe
• Packing, freezing and reheating instructions for each recipe (so they are as delicious as the day you made them)
• Reviews and cooking tips from 25 busy moms who served as recipe testers

“You have 4 yes votes in this house on this one. You have a knack for family friendly meals.” – Kathleen K., recipe tester from New Hampshire and mom of two, including, “a 10 yr old boy who loves to eat and try new things and an 8 year old girl who likes to hate it before she tries it and finds anything spicy burns her mouth”

All of the Second Batch recipes are plant-based (perfect for those trying to feed their family more veggies!), and I also share tips on how to add meat to each recipe, if you'd like.

And, by popular demand, 10 of the new recipes are gluten-free! 

Second Batch Recipes

"Bombshells" {Mediterranean Stuffed Shells}

Lentil-Sweet Potato Stew - GF

Spinach and Cheese Strata - GF

Roasted-Carrot Cashew Pesto - GF

Rustic Polenta-"Sausage" Casserole - GF

Loaded Veggie Enchiladas - GF

{Customizable} Calzones

Broccoli-Arugula-Parmesan Pesto - GF

Cheese and Chard Twice-Baked Potatoes - GF

Greek Stuffed Peppers - GF

Black Bean Fiesta Soup - GF

Red Coconut Curry - GF

“I previously had not cooked ahead or frozen many meals. All of the recipes were very easy to make with simple straightforward directions and the photos that accompany are useful. I love how all the recipes can be modified to suit each family’s taste… I am happy to admit that I am no longer afraid of dinner! With the baby and little ones keeping me busy, dinnertime seemed to sneak up on me each day and now I feel a little bit more in control.” – Meghan M., recipe tester from New Canaan, CT and mom of four

The ebook is instantly downloadable… in case you are like me, and patience isn't one of your virtues!

“Thank you so much for solving my evening's dinner dilemma! We served the Roasted Carrot-Cashew Pesto over rigatoni. Outrageously delicious. We each had two helpings…seriously, really good stuff." – Maureen M., recipe tester from New Canaan, CT and foodie mom of a tween daughter

“So easy to follow—even when I am ‘mommy multi-tasking’…I felt like a pro—or like I must be doing something wrong because they were so easy!!... Favorite part was the done-for-me-shopping lists that I could just take with me to the market… Our family favorites were the Lentil Stew, the Cheesy Chard Twice Baked Potatoes and the Curry. I would definitely recommend this to my friends—it’s too easy not to use!!” - Heidi M., recipe tester from Darien, CT and mom of two tween girls

“I'm pretty much obsessed with these {Cheese and Chard Twice Baked Potatoes}. Brilliant, Eila. So excited for those freezer meals!” – Shanae B., recipe tester from Stamford, CT, Fairfield County “Fit4Mom” Instructor, and mom of three young children… with a fourth on the way!

“'Bonus hours!' I will be putting my feet up for a month with all this food ready to go-- it is time to reap the rewards. The kids enjoyed making comments, but we know the biggest comment/compliment is a clean plate. They tried a lot of new food combinations and loved many of them. They helped me cook, too! Your recipes are super easy for the entire family to participate in the cooking.” – Kathleen K., recipe tester from New Hampshire and mom of two

Upon purchase, you will receive a link to instantly download and save the ebook on your computer, tablet… or you can go old-school, like me, and print out a hard copy.

https://sowl.co/6mrpV

Step-by-step photos make even the newest cook feel comfortable in the kitchen.

“So I loved this. I will say I don't usually eat curry. And it's something I always want to eat but never really feel gutsy enough to try. My 18-month-old devoured 2 helpings, my 5 year old said ‘this chicken is SUPER tasty, and the green stuff is good too’, and my 3 year old didn't gag when I bribed him to finish his rice (that had sauce on top). Success! This is definitely a winner over here. And I love that it's also a gluten-free/dairy-free/vegan option…” – Shanae B., recipe tester from Stamford, CT, Fairfield County “Fit4Mom” Instructor, and mom of three young children… with a fourth on the way!

“{The Calzones} were easy to make and customize. Everyone really liked them. Will definitely make again. I loved the idea of pulsing the veggies in the filling!” – Allyson M., recipe tester from New Canaan, CT, mom of two young children who works full-time outside of the home

“This was a huge hit in our house! So great to come home to a full freezer... Super easy to make and right from the freezer to the table on our busiest night!” – Leslie K., recipe tester from Easton, CT and mom of four

“{The enchiladas} are amazing!!!! Everyone loved them…I used spinach, kale, butternut squash purée, orange and yellow peppers, zucchini and swapped the mushrooms for summer squash. Also used the pinto beans in lieu of meat since I'm vegetarian, but sure the family would love with the chicken - may indulge them with a batch of chicken next time . So delicious and love that so many veggies are packed in there at once!” - Patricia M., recipe tester from New Canaan, CT and mom of three

“Delicious! 5 thumbs up (would be 6 but the husband is traveling).” – Patti D., gluten-free recipe tester from Milton, MA, mom of four active children, including one child with celiac disease

“This was SOOOO good. {My oldest daughter}is not home yet, but we are at 4/5 thumbs up, which in my house for something new and bit different is HUGE… this recipe is SO easy and so good. Will definitely be a keeper.” – Rachel S., recipe tester from Milton, MA, part-time physical therapist and mom of three athletic girls

And for more info on the First Batch of family-friendly make-ahead recipes, click here. 

Cheers to nourishing, delicious family meals, even on the busiest of days. And bonus hours all around!!