Hi, friends!

We’re who-knows-what day into self-distancing/social distancing/self-isolation/quarantine. How are you holding up? Over here we have some good days and some not-so-good days, and that’s 100% okay. Earlier this week I took a mental health day and just laid on the couch all afternoon watching The Office. I didn’t realize how much I needed a day with zero expectations (I’m a Type A, always has a to-do list, go-go-go kind of person).

I think there’s a lot of pressure right now to learn how to do X skill or try this new thing or find a hobby- which is all good and fine (I’m on day 10 of a sourdough starter). But there’s something to be said for giving yourself grace and just enjoying this time too, if you have the opportunity/environment to do so.

One of my favorite things to do during this time has been cooking new recipes. 5 o’clock(ish) comes, I shut my laptop from work, and it’s like …now what? So, new recipes have been my answer here. I enjoy taking my time, learning new cooking skills and getting creative with the groceries we have.

That being said, I love reading about recipes people are trying so I can add new things to my recipe bucket list, or even just to switch things up from our regular routine. If you’re into that too, below is a roundup of what we’ve been eating/snacking on lately!

Breakfasts

Our breakfasts have been rotating between the following:

• Egg scrambles with whatever veggies we have on hand
• Breakfast tacos
• Smoothies
• Breakfast sandwiches - I like Ezekiel bread for the extra protein and will keep these simple- last week I did just eggs and avocado and it kept me full for hours.
• Bagels and cream cheese (A’s go-to week day breakfast)
• Overnight oats (recently tried this recipe and it was SO good)
• Yogurt bowls - I get Fage whole milk yogurt (the 5% one) and top with an assortment of fresh or dried fruit, chia seeds, flax seeds, cacao nibs, granola, whatever I’m feeling that day. This has been my go-to granola recipe.
• Steel cut oats - A few weeks ago old fashioned oats were out everywhere so my mom picked up steel cut for me- I’m obsessed. I’ll soak 1/2 cup of oats with 1 3/4 cup liquid overnight so that it cooks quick on the stovetop in the morning.
• Toast - Some days I keep it simple with Ezekiel bread toast with peanut butter & jelly, avocado and a fried egg, or my recent fave: peanut butter, hemp seeds & a drizzle of honey.

When I need some extra protein in smoothies or oats, I’ll add in a scoop of collagen or protein, otherwise I’ll be hungry an hour later.

Lunches

• Canned/boxed soups + grilled cheese
• Sandwiches with chips, veggies or fruit (For Andrew- no deli meat for me, but sometimes I’ll do a tuna melt)
• Applegate hot dogs with veggies or fruit
• Pizza bread - my ultimate lazy day lunch
• Tofu, grain & veggie bowls - Tofu has been easy to find and has a long shelf life so I’ll add it to our grocery pick up most weeks. I’ll bake a whole tray of it using this recipe, cook up a grain like farro or brown rice, and roast some veggies. For lunch I’ll throw it all together with different sauces. I made this sauce the other week that was bomb.

Snacks & Sweets

My appetite has been hit or miss lately (3rd trimester life) but here’s what we’ve been hitting for snacks:

• Pita chips, veggies & hummus
• CHOMPS meat sticks
• Monster cookies (we made them with Cadbury mini eggs and it was the best decision)
• These super easy flourless brownies
• Chopped apple or pear topped with nut butter & granola

Dinners

Right before we went into lockdown, I had rented the Defined Dish cookbook and cooked up tons of good stuff from there. I still use her blog as a resource when I’m looking for something tasty. Here are some other recipes we’ve been loving:

• Enchiladas - Originally made the recipe from this cookbook, adding in black beans with the ground beef to stretch it. Also, this poblano sour cream enchilada recipe is a top recipe week after week. The other week we used this recipe for homemade red enchilada sauce and it was so easy and good.
• Taco casserole - Another super easy, simple meal. You could totally omit the corn, use a different kind of bean, use salsa instead of enchilada sauce, use any kind of protein, etc.
• Homemade pizza - Used this recipe last week for crust and it was so easy.
• Shredded chicken - We’ll cook up some chicken in the slow cooker with just salt and pepper to be used in a ton of different ways: quesadillas, salads, tacos, nachos etc.
• Tuna mac - Holy macaroni, made this the other week and it was insanely good. I ate it for lunch four days in a row, and I am not a person who can eat the same thing for lunch more than 2 days in a row.
• Pasta & meat sauce - 3 things we always seem to have: a jar of marinara, ground beef and pasta.

Other Odds & Ends

• The sourdough starter recipe I used
• Making these copycat Reese’s eggs this weekend (Thanks for the rec, Megan!)
• Made this cinnamon swirl loaf this week and can’t wait to use it for French toast this weekend
• A focaccia bread recipe I really want to try (for anyone else on a bread baking kick)

I hope this post gave you some ideas for things to try or ways to switch up your meals. Remember it’s ok to feel all the things, and this is just temporary. Sending you all the positivity and good vibes!