It’s a week into December, and if you’re like me, you’ve already attended at least one holiday party and have a few more in the coming weeks. And hopefully you navigated that party easily….meaning you didn’t wake up the next morning with a hangover…

  So we’re almost 2 weeks into November and I’ve gotten into a good routine that I think will get me through the holiday season feeling rested and happy rather than tired and crabby. Please note: this is the minimal effort required for me to…

  Yeah, I know it’s November 1st, not January 1st, but today got me thinking….. How many times have you hit this time of year, standing right on the edge of the holiday season, feeling helpless as you stare into your future of parties, gift…

Spaghetti Pie Ingredients: one spaghetti squash, cooked and seeds removed (recipe here) enough spaghetti (pasta) for 3-4 servings*** 1 lb ground beef, turkey, chicken or pork 1 jar pizza sauce (about 12 oz) 1-14oz can diced tomatoes 2-3 cups fresh baby spinach, chard, or other…

The slow cooker is by far the easiest way to cook a spaghetti squash……the hardest part is thinking ahead to get it in the slow cooker, but it’s worth the extra time! Using a skewer or long, thin knife (I use a stainless steel kabab…

  I fell off the menu planning wagon last week…..working my way back today! Monday:  Tortilla Soup (taco chicken with broth and veggies===super easy!) Tuesday:  Stir Fry (this recipe, but in the slow-cooker), Carrots Wednesday:  Grilled Chicken and Sausage, Roasted Cabbage, Salad Thursday:  Leftovers -or-…

(can’t go wrong with these recipes from the 60’s) Monday:  Meatloaf (based on a recipe from the pictured cookbook), Roasted Butternut Squash, Sautéed Chard and Spinach Tuesday:  Indian-Spiced Chicken and Cauliflower, Salad Wednesday:  BBQ Pork Sliders, Roasted Cabbage, Carrots Thursday:  Spaghetti Pie (based on this),…

  Monday:  Balsamic Pork Chops, Roasted Cauliflower, Salad Tuesday:  Vegetable Soup and Grilled Cheese Wednesday:  Roasted Sausage and Brussels Sprouts, Sautéed Cabbage, Carrots Thursday:  Shepherd’s Pie, Dippable Salad (like this, with carrots, lettuce, celery, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas) Friday:  Out Prep: Onions:  dice 1-2 Cauliflower:…

  Monday:  Spaghetti and Meat Sauce:  making stir-fried zucchini noodles alongside some pasta, and adding browned ground beef to jarred sauce, Salad Tuesday:  Bacon-wrapped Chicken, Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli Wednesday:  Steak Tacos, Cauliflower Rice, Salad Thursday:  BBQ Chicken Sliders, Cabbage Slaw, Carrots Friday:  Grilled Chicken…

Monday:  Stuffed Peppers (a version of this) Tuesday:  Sheet Pan Steak and Vegetables (similar to this) Wednesday:  Chicken Tacos, salad Thursday:  Stir-fry (in lettuce wraps, using a version of this sauce) Friday:  Roast Chicken (similar), mashed potatoes, roasted cauliflower and broccoli Weekend Prep: Onion:  chop…