Good morning, friends! Are you well this morning? Did you have a nice weekend? Don’t you feel that February and August have a similar energy? February can drag on with frigidness and August, with the steamy heat. We might get a tease of a reprieve this week and college football officially kicking off this weekend, I might just give in to H’s request and decorate for fall on September 1. It is who I am and I make no apologies 😉

We had a festive back-to-homeschool type of weekend. Friday we met some co-op friends at the park and my friend made such a cute background for back to homeschool pictures and the girls appeased me with some quick snaps before running off to play basketball and sprint through the fountains.

Saturday I grocery shopped and reminded myself that I prefer Fridays because wow was it busy in the stores. David gave the girls haircuts and knocked out some chores, like finishing the painting for the new shelves to go in the pantry and yard work. Saturday evening we attended our co-op cookout party where the directors had rented giant inflatable waterslides for the kids. They were a huge hit and it was such a joy to see everyone again; we’re excited for another fun year with this crew!

Sunday we went to church and afterwards I made a couple homeopathic remedies that I’ll share details of on Wednesday. Back to co-op and activities means back to germs and I am stocking my supply cabinet. Here are my natural wellness/medicine cabinet staples.

I’m excited for a great week ahead; Kaitlyn starts her musical theater class (I think this will be a great fit for her!) and Georgia Tech has the Aflac Kick Off Game on Friday; let’s GO!

Monday

We picked up Indian food from Zaika on our way back into town from our quick trip to Tennessee and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Korma is becoming a quick favorite!

Tuesday

These enchiladas totally hit the spot! I froze one pan and baked the other, then served with Spanish rice I made in the rice cooker, iceberg (the best crunch!), pico, guacamole, and fresh jalapenos.

Wednesday

It had been so long since I made brown sugar and bourbon glazed salmon that I forgot how good it was. I served it with summer squash casserole and baby broccoli.

Thursday

I find that bone in pork butts need a full 12 hours to get fall-off-the-bone ready, but it’s worth it. Slow cooker carnitas were excellent served over rice with all the toppings.

Friday

Old faithful… bread machine pizza dough with our go-to toppings: peppers, onions, mushroom, and pepperoni. Every week I say I’m going to switch up our toppings and every week I resort back to our favorites.

Saturday

I brought a zesty Greek pasta salad to our cookout. Because so many people are gluten-free I tried the Jovial brand farfalle pasta and was BLOWN AWAY by how well it held up. I’ve tried a lot of “alternative” pasta like chickpea, lentil, etc and they never quite pass for “real” pasta to me, but this did. I shared on IG and was swamped with DMs saying the same thing- that GF or not, this is many people’s go-to pasta brand. I see why!

Sunday

An oldie but a goodie, lemon rosemary roasted chicken. I think I make this just for the potatoes; so good. Served with mac n cheese and cantaloupe (for the kids) and simply dressed arugula in lemon, olive oil, and Celtic salt for the adults.

Resources

• Find all previous weekly meal plans here.
• Our meat comes from Butcher Box. I’ve used them for years and trust their quality and consistency.
• Fresh herbs brighten up every meal I have two countertop gardens that I grow them in: see the comparison between the two here. AHS will get you 10% off of Click & Grow.
• See what we spend each month on groceries here.
• Print off your own free weekly meal plan printable from the resource page.
• Daily Harvest offers easy frozen organic veggie-heavy heat and eat meals.
• You can find all my favorite kitchen tools here.